Big news from the Historic Courthouse.   Montgomery County Board Chairman Doug Donaldson has announced that assessment changes made this year due to timberland reclassification state law requirements will not go into effect.  Instead, Chairman Donaldson is appointed a Wooded Acerage Assessment Ad Hoc Committee to address issues raised in Montgomery County with state government.  Donaldson hopes the ad hoc committee can impact a new state law that calls for a study of the Illinois property tax system. He encouraged those with pertinent comments to reach out to state lawmakers: Senator Steve McClure (217-782-8206), Senator Jason Plummer (217-782-5755), Representative Brad Halbrook (217-782-1275), Representative Wayne Rosenthal (217-782-0053) and Representative Blaine Wilhour (217-782-0066).   

The Panhandle School Board continues to move toward renovation of the legendary Woodshed Gym at Lincolnwood High School in Raymond.  There are still a number of particulars to be hammered out.    Here's a statement from Superintendent Aaron Hopper.

 

During the Panhandle School Board meeting last night, the Panhandle board continued their discussion and planning toward the proposed renovation of the Lincolnwood High School Gym.  Mr. Hopper stated that the overall project, which includes replacing the roof, gym floor, bleachers, HVAC, making necessary upgrades to plumbing and sanitary lines, and improvements to locker room facilities are included in the overall renovation plan.  In addition to the renovation of the gym and locker room, the district reviewed plans to renovate the kitchen and cafeteria on the campus, expand opportunities for students with the proposed expansion of the grade school gym and fitness center, and make other site improvements as well.   The presentation last night also included a discussion about the district’s Hall of Champions, which is in the gym entrance hallway at Lincolnwood.  The overall scope of the project will be determined through a formal bid process, which will occur in the next few months. 

UNIT:   Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8

 

LOCATION: Interstate 55 southbound at milepost 75 (south of the Virden Avenue exit), Montgomery County

 

DATE and TIME:  November 20, 2024 at approximately 9:05 p.m.

 

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: ISP Troop 8 responded to the location above for four separate crashes involving a total of five vehicles. 

 

Unit 2 (Nissan Maxima) was driving in the left lane of I-55 southbound near milepost 76. Unit 1 (2015 Audi A6) attempted to pass Unit 2 on the left shoulder, but struck Unit 2’s side mirror and bumper. Unit 1 fled the scene. No injuries were reported.

 

Unit 1 continued driving after the first crash and subsequently crashed again on I-55 southbound near milepost 75.

 

At milepost 75,  Unit 1 (Audi) and Unit 2 (Jeep) crashed.  Unit 2 overturned, left the interstate and came to rest on West Frontage Road just north of the Thomasville Trail.

 

Unit 3 (GMC Sierra) was driving on West Frontage Road when Unit 2 (Jeep) rolled over onto West Frontage Road after crashing with Unit 1 (Audi), and Unit 3 and Unit 2 then collided. The driver of Unit 2 (Jeep) was transported to an area hospital with injuries.

 

Crash #4 occurred when Unit 4 (Dodge Durango) driving on I-55 then struck Unit 1 (Audi).  

 

Unit 1 driver, 24-year-old Evan A. Warrington of Springfield, IL, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence and cited for multiple Illinois Vehicle Code violations. No further information is available at this time.

 

The field of candidates is set for the April 1st election in Litchfield. 

Running for Mayor are former Ward Two Alderman Dave Hollo, who is the only candidate running as a candidate for the major parties (Republican), Ward Four Alderman Jacob Fleming and Ward One Alderman Dwayne Gerl.    

Running for City Clerk is Mary Ann Frerichs.

In  Ward One, incumbent Marilyn Sisson has filed for another term.  She will be opposed by  Robert Plowman Jr.   

Ward Two Alderwoman  Robbin Huffman is running unopposed.

In Ward Three, there is  a wide open race between former Litchfield Fire Chief and Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Kevin Schott, Bert Holloway, Leonardo Hernandez and Neil Francis.  

In Ward Four,  incumbent Ray Kellenberger will face a challenge from Clifton Ingram. 

Montgomery County School Board candidates have turned in their petitions for the April 1, 2025 election.   Don't expect edge of your seat drama on election night because at this point, there is only one competitive race among the county's four school districts.  

In Panhandle Schools, three incumbent candidates have filed for the three available slots.  Seeking four year terms are: Gabriel Pope of Harvel, Gretchen Rovey of Farmersville and Scott Cowdrey of Farmersville.  

In Nokomis, four candidates have filed for four four year slots.  They are: Steven Janssen of Filmore, Denny Bauman of Nokomis, Carl Jay Kettlekamp of Nokomis and Michael Gilllock of Nokomis.   All but Gillock are incumbents. 

In Litchfield, three candidates are seeking the three available four year slots.  They are: School Board President Julie Abel, Board Vice President Ron Anglin Jr and former Litchfield Chamber of Commerce President Mandy Jewell.  

In the lone competitive race, four candidates have filed for three open four year slots in  Hillsboro Schools.  They include William Bill Christian Sr of Hillsboro, incumbent Kassie Greenwood of Irving, incumbent Nathan Kirby of Hillsboro and Matthew Jones of Hillsboro. 

90 year old Henry Eilers  passed away today, ending decades of bringing nature closer to local residents and carving out a place for nature to call home, especially the endangered butterfly. 

The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) Board of Directors recently announced the selection Eilers  for induction into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame.

Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements. Funeral services for 90 year old Henry Eilers will be held Tuesday, November 19, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be at Zion Lutheran Church from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 18.

 

 

 

 

Montgomery County voters didn't have many choices on the November 5 ballot, but that did little to stop them from hitting the polls early and often.  Early voting and mail in numbers were strong and followed by strong Election Day turnout.  80.11 percent of eligible voters cast ballots.  As expected, Donald Trump received heavy support in the race for President.  Judge Christopher "Kit" Hantla defeated former States Attorney Bryant "Butch" Hitchings in the race for Circuit Judge.  In the two County Board races, incumbent Russell Beason defeated challenger Richard Wendel for the District 5 seat and retired Litchfield Coach and Teacher Robert Corso defeated former board member Tim Fogle in the race for the District 7 seat.  As of election night, there were 163 outstanding vote by mail ballots, not enough to change the outcome of any local races.

On Sunday,  at approximately 4:23 p.m., the Coffeen Fire Protection District (CFPD) was dispatched by Montgomery County 911 for a reported residential structure fire north of Coffeen in the 16000 block of Old Cemetery Trail. Upon arrival, Coffeen's Engine 110 and Tender 140 encountered heavy fire conditions inside the residence. Firefighters promptly initiated a forced entry and began fire suppression efforts to contain the fire. 

 

CFPD responded to the incident with four apparatus, staffed by 13 firefighters. Additional support through automatic mutual aid was provided on the scene by the Fillmore Community Fire Protection District, Witt Fire Department, and Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service. The Nokomis Fire Protection District remained on standby at their station. Assistance was also provided by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Montgomery County 911 dispatchers. 

 

No injuries were reported. The fire remains under investigation by the Illinois Office of State Fire Marshal. 

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There was also a structure fire at 124 East Lincoln Avenue in Coalton just after 8:30 this (Tuesday) morning. . Witt and Fillmore and Montgomery Co EMA assisted with manpower  and tenders. garage total loss. Siding on the house melted but no extension into the house.   Firefighters were on scene for about 3 hours

 

 

– To help pay tribute to veterans and honor their legacies and sacrifices, State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) and Senator Jason Plummer (55th-Edwardsville) are encouraging constituents to submit a photo and story of their loved one who served our nation so it can be displayed in the rotunda of the Illinois Capitol from November 11 through November 25 in honor of Veterans Day. 

“Having the Veterans Day Display at the Illinois Capitol is a special tribute and humbling reminder to the brave men and women who have served our country,” said Senator Harriss. “I look forward to visiting the display wall every year and reading the stories of our heroes.” 

"As someone who has worn the uniform, I understand how much this annual Veterans Day Display means to the men and women who have served their nation and the impact this has on their loved ones" said Sen. Plummer. "It’s a heartfelt tribute to those who have given so much for our freedoms, and a much-needed reminder to honor their faces, their stories, and their commitment to our country." 

Families are asked to submit a photo and written story (max: 250 words) along with the following information: name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan, Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, Peacetime, other). Military photos are preferred but not necessary. 

Please email submissions to veteransday@sgop.ilga.gov by November 8, 2024, to be included in the Veterans Day Display at the Illinois State Capitol. Submissions can also be mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 110 D Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706. For questions, please call (217) 782-1154.