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.

 

 Macoupin State's Attorney Jordan Garrison announced today a former Carlinville man has pled guilty to first the degree murder of Dana Morgan, Jr. Shawn M. Evans (11/7/1986) entered his plea in front of Judge Joshua A. Meyer. Evans is being held at the Macoupin County Jail where he has been since his arrest on July 13, 2023. 

On July 12, 2023, Carlinville officers responded to the 1000th block of Johnson Street for a report of shots fired. Officers determined Dana Morgan, Jr. had been shot in the chest and arm. Morgan was treated for his wound but eventually died from the injuries. Multiple witnesses identified Evans as the shooter. Video show Evans walking toward the location and running from the scene after shots were fired. A manhunt was conducted for a little under 24hours where eventually multiple law enforcement agencies took Evans into custody without incident. 

"In a cowardly act of violence Dana Morgan, Jr. was senselessly killed.” Garrison said. “Evan's admission today is one step further on the path of healing. I offer my condolences to his family and friends on their loss. I want to thank the Carlinville Police Department, Macoupin County Sheriff's Office, the Illinois Secretary of State Police and the Illinois State Police for their efforts in this matter especially Lt. Brian Lawton of the Carlinville Police Department who has been a mainstay in seeking justice for victims for over 20 years." 

First Degree Murder carries a sentence of 20-60 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 23, 2026. If sentenced to the maximum sentence being requested by the State, Evans, who is 39 years old, would not be eligible for parole until July of 2063. 

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UNIT: Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8

 

LOCATION: I-55 northbound at milepost 35, near Livingston, St. Clair County

 

DATE and TIME: September 29, 2026, at approximately 12:57 p.m.

 

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: ISP Troop 8 responded to the above location for a two-unit crash involving an RV and a Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer.  Injuries are being reported, and one occupant is being airlifted to a regional hospital with injuries.  The northbound lanes are currently shut down and traffic is being diverted off at Exit 33 onto Route 4.  The southbound lanes will be closed briefly for the landing of the helicopter.  This crash investigation is in its infancy, and no further information is available.

 

UNIT:   ISP Troop 8

 

LOCATION: I-55 southbound near milepost 33, south of Livingston, Madison County

 

DATE and TIME: September 26, 2026, at approximately 11:55 p.m.

 

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Preliminary information indicates the following occurred: ISP Troop 8 units responded to a two-vehicle traffic crash at the above location and time. One adult was pronounced deceased on scene, and one juvenile was transported to an area hospital and pronounced deceased. One juvenile and two adults were flown to area hospitals with injuries. 

 

Both southbound lanes of traffic were closed during the investigation. Both lanes were re-opened at approximately 3:57 a.m.

 

Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser announced that as of Thursday, September 24 th , 2026 through Monday, November 2 nd , 2026, voters can cast their ballot early for the November 3 rd , 2026 General Election.
Early voting will be conducted in the Early Voting Room of the
Montgomery County Clerk’s Office, located at the basement street level
of the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro during regular office hours of 8
AM to 4 PM during that time period, and includes Saturdays, October
17 th , October 24 th , and October 31 st , 2026 from 8 AM to noon.
Leitheiser stated that ballots cast during the early voting time period
will not be counted until after the polls close and all Montgomery County
precincts’ returns have been made public. Any voter who requested a
vote by mail ballot and changes their mind to vote early in person
instead must first surrender that ballot to the County Clerk’s Office
before voting early. Early voting and vote by mail ballot totals will be
included with Election Day precinct ballot totals reported after polls
close on Election Night.
For more information about early voting, please contact the County
Clerk’s Office at countyclerk@montgomerycountyil.gov or (217) 532-
9530.

 

Voting is also underway in Carlinville.  

Macoupin Voting Center 
227 E. First South St. 
Carlinville, IL 62626 

The Macoupin Voting Center is just south of the Courthouse and next to the old jail. 
Monday thru Friday 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Closed October 12th for Columbus Day. 

Early Vote After Hours 4:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. 
October 19th, 20th, 22nd, 26th, 27th, and 28th 

Early Vote Saturdays 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. 
October 24th and 31st 

On Friday, the Staunton Police mourned the loss of law enforcement brothers and sisters lost in the 9/11 attacks.  Little did they know that hours later, they'd be mourning one of their own.  23-year-old Staunton Police officer and Marine veteran Ethan Hoese has died after his motorcycle was involved in a Saturday crash in Elsah.   Hoese was heading westbound on Illinois Route 100, also known as The Great River Road, when a car pulled out of Mill Street in Elsah in front of him.   The driver of the other vehicle, a 64-year-old woman, suffered undisclosed injuries and was taken to an area hospital for treatment. She has since been released. The investigation continues and a determination on possible charges will be made once that has been completed. Hoese was off-duty at the time.   Officer Hoese had worked for the Staunton Police Department for 2 years and was a valued member of the Department.  He leaves behind a fiancee' and 11 month old daughter as well as his parents, brothers and numerous other family and friends. At this time, funeral arrangements are pending 

The Illinois State Police offers details on a deadly motorcycle wreck that claimed the life of a Hillsboro man in Fayette County.   32-year-old Jonathan Kirchner was traveling on East 2625 Avenue near North 225 Street.   On Friday, shortly before midnight, Kirchner's westbound motorcycle was traveling on East 2625 Avenue and he lost control and the motorcycle overturned.  He was ejected from the motorcycle.  He was airlifted from the scene to Taylorville Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.  He was the lone occupant of the motorcycle. 

The Litchfield City Council has a new member.   Chris Dexheimer received a unanimous vote.  She succeeds Ray Kellenberger who stepped down because of health issues.  The seat will be up for grabs soon because Kellenberger resigned less than halfway through his term.  

One person is dead after a structure explosion west of Girard.  Before 7pm last night, 911 was contacted .  Girard Fire and Rescue and Prairieland Ambulance rushed to the scene.  A male victim found with significant injuries, was  airlifted from scene and  transported to a Springfield hospital, where he died shortly afterwards.   There is no further information at this point.

Last evening (August 26) just after 6:30 pm, a brawl broke out among a large group of juvenilles in Litchfield in the 400 block of West Sargent.  Litchfield Police  and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office responded and it was ultimately discovered that two victims were injured and had already been transported to the hospital. There's no official word on their conditions.

This Litchfield police department is actively investigating this matter. Due to the involvement of numerous juveniles, identities will not be made public at this time. If anyone has independent information to assist this investigation, please contact the Litchfield Police department at (217)324-5991. 

Standing room only would be an understatement when it comes to attendance at the Girard City Council's special meeting Friday.  The council delivered a vote of no confidence against Mayor Marko.  That vote has no impact on Marko's status as Mayor. 

The Girard City Council holds a special meeting tonight (Aug 14).  Let's just say it won't be your average meeting.  

1. Call meeting to order  

a. Appoint temporary Clerk  

b. Vote of no confidence in Mayor Joe Marko  

c. Mayor's response to vote of no confidence. d. Public Comment.  

e. Police Committee  

f. Closed Session to discuss police contract  

The Girard Chamber of Commerce is expressing its support for Marko.  

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Litchfield, Illinois man was sentenced to 23 years in prison for disseminating child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. 

Dean Beasley, 19, was sentenced today in Montgomery County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to two counts of disseminating child sexual abuse material, Class X felonies.

 

“This sentence sends the message that if you disseminate child sexual abuse material, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is my hope that today’s sentencing will help survivors and their families begin to heal from the trauma caused by child exploitation,” Raoul said. “I commend the work of my Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the collaboration with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s office in holding this offender accountable.”

 

In February, Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Illinois State Police South Central Illinois Drug Task Force, conducted a search of Beasley’s residence in Litchfield. He was taken into custody when investigators discovered evidence of child sexual abuse material.

 

Raoul’s office prosecuted this case with the assistance of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s office.

 

“I would like to thank my staff and the members of the Illinois State Police - South Central Illinois Drug Task Force as well as members of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and its Internet Crimes Against Children investigators with the help in the prosecution to obtain justice for the most vulnerable victims and to protect them in Montgomery County as well as the state of Illinois,” said Brian Shaw, Montgomery County State's Attorney.

 

Raoul’s office, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies. The task force receives CyberTips, or online reports of child sexual abuse material, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last several years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased. In 2025, reports to the ICAC Task Force increased by 45% over 2024.

Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC task forces throughout the country and is comprised of a network of more than 200 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has received more than 82,900 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 1,250 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,600 arrests of sexual predators. In 2025, the task force was involved in rescuing more than 30 child victims from ongoing abuse. The task force also has provided internet safety training and education to more than a million parents, teachers, students and more than 25,000 law enforcement professionals.

Attorney General Raoul is reminding the public that child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.

 

Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicole L. Bartell prosecuted the case for Raoul’s office. 

Nokomis Launches Innovative Small Business Competition with Downtown Building Give-Away

NOKOMIS, Ill. — In an ambitious effort to strengthen entrepreneurship, preserve historic buildings, and revitalize downtown, the volunteer-led community organization Newkomis is launching an innovative Small Business Competition unlike any other. The grand prize? An entire downtown commercial building.

Designed to remove one of the greatest barriers to business ownership, the competition will award one entrepreneur a downtown building in Nokomis to establish their business. The winning entrepreneur will also receive a comprehensive package of resources to help transform the property into a thriving destination for the community.

The City of Nokomis has committed $50,000 in matching grant funds to support building renovations, while additional in-kind donations from local businesses and partners will provide valuable professional services to help bring the winning business to life.

"This project represents the intersection of entrepreneurship, historic preservation, and community revitalization," said organizers with Newkomis. "Rather than simply filling an empty storefront, we're investing in an entrepreneur, restoring an important downtown building, and creating new energy for our community—all through one collaborative effort."

Newkomis has partnered with the Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) to provide applicants with educational workshops, one-on-one technical assistance, and expert guidance as they develop business plans, financial projections, and prepare to pitch their business ideas to members of the Nokomis community.

"The educational component is our favorite part of this initiative," organizers said. "No matter who ultimately wins the building, every applicant will leave the competition in a stronger position to launch or grow their business. They'll gain knowledge, resources, and confidence that will benefit them long after the competition concludes."

The competition aims to attract entrepreneurs with innovative business concepts while fostering long-term economic growth in Nokomis. By combining business development with downtown investment, Newkomis hopes the project will serve as a model for other rural communities seeking creative solutions to economic development challenges.

Newkomis is a grassroots organization of local volunteers committed to pursuing bold, creative initiatives that make Nokomis an exceptional place to live, work, and do business. Through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement, the organization continues to champion projects that strengthen the local economy and improve quality of life.

Applications for the Small Business Competition are now open and will conclude on September 13th. Entrepreneurs interested in competing are encouraged to apply and take advantage of the educational resources available throughout the competition.

For more information about the competition, application process, and upcoming educational workshops, visit the Nokomis Small Business Competition Facebook page or contact the City of Nokomis at 217-563-2514.

With a soggy start, Old Settler's has pushed back the parade lineup for the Kiddie Parade to 10 a.m.