On March 25, 2025 members of the Monroe/Montgomery County Interdiction team conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 55 near the south bound 52 mile marker in North Litchfield Township. A K9 sniff of the vehicle by Montgomery County K-9 Flex resulted in a positive alert for the presence of the odor of narcotics. During a probable cause search of the vehicle approximately 2,598 grams (or approximately 5.728 pounds) of cannabis was located. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Terrill B. Summage, 48, of Memphis, Tennessee was arrested, booked into the Montgomery County Jail, and held on the charge of Possession with Intent to Deliver Cannabis – more than 2,000 grams but less than 5,000 grams. $4,870.00 dollars of U.S. currency was seized from Summage’s person and held as evidence pending forfeiture.

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The City of Nokomis is taking sealed bids for surplus
property listed below, bids will be accepted through April
10, 2025, cut off is 4:00 pm and bid opening will be April
11, 2025, at 10 am at City Hall. All vehicles are parked
behind City Hall if anyone is interested in looking at
them.

Ford Dump Truck Ford F800 1995 47,457 miles
Ford Explorer Black Explorer 2006 172,776 miles
International Tractor Case 684 1984 21,058 hours
Chevy Impala LS Black 2008 111,000 miles
Wastewater Truck F250 SUPER DUTY
2007 71,622 miles

The National Weather Service office in  St. Louis has cancelled tonight's planned Storm Spotter Training Class at Lincoln Land Community College in Litchfield.  Weather Service personnel were going to team up with the Montgomery County
Emergency Management Agency to offer lessons in
thunderstorm development, storm structure, identifying severe weather
features, how to report information, and basic severe weather safety. Unfortunately, the Weather Service is busy with what happens after storm spotting, damage assessment after the weekend storms and tornadoes that led to scattered damage across the region. 
 

Hillsboro Police and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office are taking a hard line on drivers who ignore the stop arm on school buses and they're not just delivering a sermon, they're serious about protecting youngsters catching a ride to school or home.  

Here are some thoughts from Hillsboro Police Chief Randy Leetham, who doesn't want to put on his Coroner hat in these situations. 

The Hillsboro Police Department strongly condemns any driver who disregards the stop sign on a school bus while children are loading or unloading. This reckless and illegal behavior endangers the lives of our students and will not be tolerated.  

We are particularly concerned about the spike in school bus stop- arm violations observed during the spring months. This increase highlights the urgent need for drivers to pay closer attention and follow the law. Our children's safety should never be at risk due to impatience or negligence.  

We als

o want to stress the dangers of racing toward a school bus with its yellow warning lights activated. These lights are a clear indication that the bus is preparing to stop, and drivers must slow down and prepare to stop as well not attempt to speed past. Ignoring this warning increases the likelihood of tragic accidents and puts young lives in danger.  

March 12, 2025  

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To enhance enforcement, all Hillsboro School District buses are equipped with cameras that will record violations, capturing both the vehicle's license plate and the driver. These recordings provide clear evidence of illegal passing, ensuring that offenders are held accountable.  

HILLSBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT  

The Hillsboro Police Department, in partnership with the Hillsboro School District, is committed to strict enforcement of all school bus safety laws. Violators will face severe penalties, including hefty fines and potential license suspension. Our officers will be closely monitoring school bus routes, particularly during peak violation periods, to ensure compliance and protect  

our students.  

We urge all drivers to remain vigilant, obey traffic laws, and make student safety a top priority. A few extra seconds of patience could prevent a tragedy.  

Getting beyond the Hillsboro City Limits won’t spare you scrutiny.   Here's a release from Montgomery County Sheriff Tyson Holshouser.

We have received multiple reports of drivers ignoring this law, putting our children at serious risk. As a result, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is stepping up enforcement in problem areas. 

Be advised: 

• All school buses are equipped with video cameras that record violators, including their license plates and driver’s identity. 

• Law enforcement will be viewing these videos and working in collaboration with School Resource Officers and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office for prosecution. 

• Speeding up to pass a bus with yellow lights activated is reckless and unacceptable—this means the bus is preparing to stop. 

Violators will be held accountable. Expect increased patrols and enforcement. 

The safety of our children is not optional. Slow down. Pay attention. Stop for school buses. Thank you.  

Sheriff Holshouser 

The HSHS St. Francis Foundation and its agriculture committee will host the Farm Family event Wednesday, March 26 at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. The Farm Family Event is a free event where Macoupin and Montgomery county farmers and their families can come together for a day of health, education and community. 

Complimentary health screenings will be available from 7 to 9 a.m. and will include: 

• Comprehensive blood profile screening 

• Prostate screening 

• Skin cancer screening 

• Oral cancer screening 

• Hemoglobin A1C check 

• Hearing check 

• Blood pressure check 

• At-home colon cancer screening kit 

Pre-registration is required for the screenings and may be made by contacting Crystal Lilley at 217-324-8564 by March 21.   

A hearty breakfast buffet will begin at 7:45 a.m., compliments of Litchfield Family Practice Center. At 8:15 a.m., Heather Hampton-Knodle of Fillmore will discuss “A Day in the Life of a Farmer: Living Local While Feeding the World.” Hampton-Knodle is past president of American Agri-Women and a member of the Illinois Governor’s Rural Affairs Council. Katie Wilson, Montgomery County Farm Bureau Manager, will present “News You Can Use,” updates on Farm Bureau programming and activities. 

Following their presentations, the event will conclude with the presentation of the St. Isidore, Friend of Agriculture Award and drawings for door prizes. 

“We hope this event will be beneficial to our area farmers by providing them with health screenings, timely information on agriculture issues, and a nice meal,” said Paula Endress, St. Francis Hospital Philanthropy Manager. “We appreciate all the work of our agriculture committee members in planning this event – Lou Ellen Anderson, Eric Helgen, Erik Hyam, Jean Jubelt, Jane Martin, Bill Montgomery and Kevin Niemann.” 

Montgomery County Sheriff Tyson Holshouser has kicked the tires and taken the job for a good test drive after succeeding Rick Robbins, who retired in the middle of his term.  Holshouser has decided to run for the post next year. He issued a press release to announce the launch of his campaign.

I began my career with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in 2008 as a patrol deputy and since that have time have worked in multiple capacities including investigations, South Central Illinois Drug Task Force, and as a member of ILEAS Region 8/Metro East SWAT. I have served as the Chief Deputy and Undersheriff before becoming Sheriff in 2024. My intentions as Sheriff are to uphold and maintain the level of professionalism and dedication that have made the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office a successful law enforcement agency for many years while effectively adapting to the changes law enforcement faces today. I am a veteran of the United States Air Force, president of the Hillsboro Sertoma breakfast club, a member of Litchfield VFW post 3912, and a precinct committeeman for the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee. I along with my wife Dana and daughter Hazel were born and raised in Montgomery County and are proud to call it our home. I look forward to continuing my career in service to the residents and communities of Montgomery County and to leading the men and women who make our agency a great place to be.