On October 28, 2026, at 3:59 p.m., the Litchfield Fire Department was dispatched to 420 North Monroe Street, commonly known as the Elk Tower Apartment Building, after receiving a report that a
wall had fallen on a man. Upon arrival, Chief 800 identified a partial building collapse involving an injured man in the bucket of a
man lift. Command immediately requested additional Litchfield Fire personnel, the Springfield Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team, and an ambulance from Hillsboro Area Ambulance to provide
coverage for the Litchfield community.
With the remaining wall's stability uncertain, firefighters monitored for shifting material and falling debris while clearing people from the immediate hazard area. Due to the man’s serious injuries and
the potential for additional collapse, crews performed an emergency rescue. Firefighters used hydraulic extrication cutters to remove a section of the lift’s railing, allowing them to move the patient
onto a backboard and out of the hazard area.
Litchfield Fire personnel stabilized the patient and transported him to the helipad at HSHS St. Francis Hospital. Care was transferred to ARCH Air Medical personnel, who transported him to Saint Louis University Hospital. No further information regarding the patient’s condition is available for release.
The Springfield Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team was canceled after Litchfield personnel successfully completed the rescue.
Following the rescue, access to the passageway between the buildings was barricaded to prevent entry. The Litchfield Police Department secured the area until Litchfield Public Works installed fencing to block access to the alleyway. The Litchfield Building Inspector also responded.

This coordinated response required quick action to rescue the patient while managing the threat of additional falling debris. Cooperation among Fire, EMS, Police, Public Works, and the Building Inspector allowed the incident to be effectively mitigated while maintaining the safety of responders, building occupants, and the public.
Following completion of the emergency response, the building was released to the building owner. All Litchfield Fire Department units cleared the scene and returned to service at 5:55 p.m.
The Litchfield Fire Department thanks all responding personnel and assisting agencies for their support.

 

L – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Special Agents arrested 30-year-old Garret C. Miller of Highland, IL, following a crash in Madison County that killed two people.

 

On October 25, 2026, at approximately 5:43 p.m., ISP Troopers responded to a crash on IL-140 west of Hoxey Road in Hamel. Miller was driving a GMC truck eastbound on IL-140 and for an unknown reason crossed the center lane markings entering the westbound lanes. The truck struck a Dodge sedan head-on. The driver of the sedan, 65-year-old Justina L. Tennikait of Bethalto, was pronounced deceased on scene. The passenger of the sedan, 84-year-old Sharon C. Powell also of Bethalto, was transported to a regional hospital and later pronounced deceased. Miller was also transported to a hospital with injuries.

 

On October 27, 2026, ISP presented the case to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, which approved two counts of Aggravated DUI Resulting in Death (Class 2 Felony) and two counts of Reckless Homicide (Class 3 Felony). Miller remains in custody at the Madison County Jail pending his first court appearance.

 

HSHS St. Francis Hospital is asking residents of Montgomery and Macoupin counties to participate in a Community Health Survey, an important step in identifying and addressing the health needs of the communities served. 

 As a nonprofit health system, Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) conducts community health assessments to better understand local health challenges, priorities and quality-of-life concerns. Feedback collected through the survey helps identify community needs and guides the development of the hospital’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), helping ensure resources, programs and services are focused on the areas that matter most. 

  

Previous survey results have led to additional programming and targeted initiatives that support the health of local communities. In Montgomery and Macoupin counties, results led to the launch of a social care referral platform that connects patients with community-based resources to address needs such as food, housing, transportation and other essential services. 

  

Residents of Montgomery and Macoupin counties can take the survey at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/mczdCX0y2j through Oct. 31. Responses are anonymous. 

  

“Listening to our communities helps us better understand their needs and where we can provide the most support for the greatest impact,” said Kimberly Luz-Mobley, HSHS Executive Director of Community Health. “This shared input helps us work alongside community partners to focus our efforts and resources on the priorities identified by the people we serve.” 

  

By taking just a few minutes to complete the survey, residents can help shape future health initiatives, improve access to care and support the hospital’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves. 

  

For more information about HSHS St. Francis Hospital, visit stfrancis-litchfield.org.

The Litchfield Police Department announces the results of underage alcohol compliance checks
conducted on October 15, 2026, in partnership with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.
During the operation, a total of 22 local businesses were checked for compliance with laws prohibiting the sale of
alcoholic beverages to minors. Illinois Liquor Control Commission underage participants attempted to purchase alcoholic
beverages at each location.
Of the 22 businesses checked, five failed the compliance check, while the remaining 17 businesses successfully passed
by refusing to sell alcoholic beverages to underage participants.
The Litchfield Police Department commends the 17 businesses that demonstrated compliance with the law and took the
appropriate steps to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors.
These compliance checks are intended to promote responsible business practices, discourage underage access to
alcohol, and help protect the safety and well-being of our community.
The Litchfield Police Department appreciates the cooperation of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission and encourages
all businesses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages

Hallmark announced Carlinville, IL as the grand prize winner of the inaugural Merriest Christmas Towns Contest. With Hallmark executives and beloved Countdown to Christmas stars Jonathan Bennett, Erin Cahill, Tamera Mowry-Housley, and Brendan Penny in tow, the announcement was revealed at the town’s courthouse followed by a fully produced, surprise event filled with holiday music, festive activities, and all the people that make the town so special.

Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Towns Contest is the first-ever contest of its kind where fans nominated their towns to be recognized as a Hallmark Christmas Town, with one winner earning the grand prize of having a Hallmark Christmas movie filmed in the place they call home. The Hallmark holiday movie to be filmed in Carlinville, IL will be announced at a later date.

 

“We knew instantly that Carlinville captures the widely adored Hallmark charm that brings our fans such joy and warmth year-round, and the scores of fans who voted for this cozy town clearly agree,” said Michelle Vicary, Hallmark Media’s Head of Programming. “It will set the stage for the perfect Hallmark Christmas movie and even better, we’re confident that we will create meaningful connections with the wonderful people of Carlinville while making it.”

 

“What makes Carlinville so special is the people who call it home. From our charming historic downtown and beloved holiday traditions to the warmth and community spirit of our residents, Carlinville truly embodies the magic of a Hallmark Christmas movie,” said Doug Downey, Mayor of Carlinville. “Being named Hallmark’s Merriest Town is an incredible honor, and we hope this recognition brings new visitors, opportunities and excitement to our community for years to come.”

 

There has been a lot of concern about dry conditions and ground fire potential.  That concern proved valid today in a big way with a large ground fire that took root near the launching point of the massive 2020 wildfire.  A fire this afternoon was fenced into a roughly one square mile area east of East 14th and N 4th Ave northeast of Donnellson, and southwest of Coffeen along the Railroad Tracks. Roughly 200 acres were  affected. The fire struck in an area of mostly bean stubble but did get into about 40 acres of standing corn and burnt it.  

Witt, Coffeen, Fillmore,Taylor Springs and Hillsboro firefighters were there along with several other departments from out of county. 

Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a leading Catholic health ministry with operations in Illinois and Wisconsin, announced today that Stephanie Hall, MSN-HCNA, RN, has been named the Chief Administrative Officer of HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, effective Nov. 9, 2026.

 

In this role, Hall will be responsible for overseeing nursing, operations and other organizational functions of St. Francis Hospital, a critical access hospital in Montgomery County.

 

Hall has more than 20 years of clinical and leadership experience in healthcare. She currently serves as Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Clinical Services at Marshall Browning Hospital, a critical access hospital in Du Quoin, where she is the executive over nursing, clinical services and daily operations across inpatient and outpatient settings. Prior to that, she was Nurse Manager and Assistant Health Center Manager at Shawnee Health Service in Carbondale, where she ran daily operations across four outpatient sites. She also served as District Registered Nurse for Carterville Unit 5 School District, overseeing all nursing staff, health policies and programs.

 

Hall earned her Master of Science in nursing, with a focus on Healthcare Administration and Nursing Administration, and her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership.