Litchfield firefighters make a big save on Tuesday.  Just before 5:40 pm, they mobilized to a residential fire at 219 West Martin.  The initial intel indicated there was a possible explosion and active house fire.  The first arriving units discovered fire showing from the enclosed front porch of the single story wood frame residence.   Fire Chief Adam Pennock reached the scene and it was soon learned all human occupants were out of the structure but a small dog was still inside.  Fire supression efforts then got underway  through the front entrance.  The Ambulance 816 crews began a rapid primary search.  They located the missing dog, which was unresponsive when removed from the home. The crew immediately began life-saving efforts, administering supplemental oxygen and physical stimulation. Thanks to their swift and compassionate care, the dog was revived and, by the

end of the incident, was seen running around the yard.  Initial reports of explosions were investigated and are believed to have been caused by aerosol cans

that ruptured in the heat of the fire.

Fire Chief Pennock says the successful resuscitation of this family pet is a testament to the training, compassion, and quick action of our crews. Our personnel are prepared to respond to all aspects of emergency scenes, and

this was no exception. The fire was confined to the front porch, though smoke and heat damage extended throughout the home. One occupant was transported to HSHS St. Francis Hospital for smoke inhalation by Ambulance 817. Ventilation efforts, including both horizontal and vertical methods, helped clear the

structure of smoke and heat, while overhaul operations ensured all remaining hot spots were extinguished.

 

Mutual aid was provided by the Raymond-Harvel Fire Department, and Hillsboro Ambulance stood by for EMS support.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

 

The Litchfield Fire Department urges all residents to ensure their homes are equipped with working smoke detectors. Early detection saves lives. Through the *Be Alarmed!* program, the department offers free smoke detectors and installation services to Litchfield residents. If you need assistance or

would like to schedule an installation, please contact the department.

 

Contract with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois as the Litchfield School District’s health insurance for 2025-2026.

They will be continuing our health insurance coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) for the upcoming year. Like many across the country, we are seeing an increase in premiums—approximately 13%. While any increase is difficult, this is a significant improvement from the initial proposal of nearly 28%.

 

To help reduce the impact, they will also be moving our dental, vision, and life insurance coverage from Principal to BCBS. This consolidation helped bring the overall cost down. Unfortunately, two other major providers declined to offer us a quote, and the only other option came in at a 35% increase, making BCBS the most sustainable choice.

 

They're also introducing a new HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement) option this year, which gives staff the ability to choose coverage that includes Springfield Clinic.

Food Truck restrictions have been reduced in Litchfield.  After a spirited debate in recent years about permit costs and limitations on where they could operate, Alderman Josh Hughes has been working toward reducing regulations for the mobiel restaurants in a bid to encourage free market competition.  In 2022, the Litchfield City Council lowered the fees for food trucks from The third amendment was to reduce the fee from $250 ($50 for a registration fee and $200 for an annual fee) for Montgomery County residents and $50 for non-Montgomery County residents plus $100 per occasion  to a flat fee of $150 per year.   Now that fee stands at $25, which will cover city administrative costs.  Limitations on how close the trucks can operate next to brick and mortar restaurants will remain in place.  The paperwork food trucks faces will shrink from roughly 15 pages to about 2.     

It's an era where you worry about things like solicitors pretending to be with a utility and other scams but there's word from Nokomis if you see someone from TCI through Friday (5/16),  it's most likely on the up and up.  CTI Fiber Internet will have two people out today and tomorrow with an approved Solicitors permit.

A heartbreaking Mother's Day for the Wernsing Family as a Litchfield Legend passed away but his legacy and memory will linger on for decades.  Ed Wernsing has passed away at the age of 79.   The legendary appliance dealer, pitchman, civic leader and key figure at Zion Lutheran Church and School will be missed by many.  WSMI will have extensive coverage on the passing of Ed this week. Our condolences to his wife Patty and to all of his family and many friends.

Newkomis is partnering with the Illinois Housing Development Authority to conduct a Nokomis and Coalton Housing Survey.

Participants will be anonymous and the data collected will be utilized to help us understand current housing needs within the community, Please take a moment to complete this survey by clinking the line below.

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/79cf8f74b3b140a2bdab4e4b07dda128?portalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arcgis.com&fbclid=IwY2xjawKHhRJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFVcGFPdHpOMVNYeTN3aENPAR7KpIMoFXWxFWK72_4d3ydWSa-ktcSHyT9lZLkOKy8kG-5cHc9-fXcTOcqDNA_aem_djC-UDziaDpI3y0lDniJwA

Former Governor George Ryan passed away last week and reaction was guarded and limited because of his complex political legacy.  State Rep Wayne Rosenthal is weighing in and he remembers the Kankakee Republican who served as Secretary of State, Lt Governor, and headed up House Republicans, for a bipartisan mindset... “I never met him, but my colleagues when I first got elected in 2010 said that he worked both sides of the aisle when he was in the House and would invite both sides to the Mansion to work on issues when he was Governor. He also would come to the House floor and actively support some of the most contentious legislation. 
We need more of that today.” 

 

There's a new Mayor in Litchfield and two new faces on the City Council.  With Jake Fleming moving from his Ward Four Aldermanic seat in the middle of his term to the Mayor's office, a vacancy was created.   That hole was quickly plugged as the new City Council endorsed his choice of Bob Garcia.  Bert Holloway was also sworn in after winning a four way race for Ward Three.

Michael McGinley will stay on as City Attorney and Stacie Peecher as Treasurer.  There's a new clerk as Vickie Throne took the oath.  

The committe assignments are as follows:  Marilyn Sisson – Fire Department Dwayne Gerl – Street Department Sara Zumwalt – Finance Department and Building & Zoning Department Robbin Huffman – Lake Department Josh Hughes – Administration Department and Tourism Department Bert Holloway – Police Department Bob Garcia – Water Department & Sewer Department Ray Kellenberger – Economic Development Department and Building & Grounds. A motion was approved for the  Economic Development Commission appointments: Jennifer Helgen – 4 year term (May 2029) Jennifer Compton – 4 year term (May 2029) Mandy Jewell – 4 year term (May 2029) Lonnie Bathurst – 4 year term (May 2029) Earl Flack – 4 year term (May 2029).  

May is Mental Health Month and CrossOver Ministries and the Next Network are teaming up to host an acclaimed advocate and author on the issue of mental health and suicide prevention.  On Saturday morning at 10 am, AnneMoss Rogers will pay a visit to First Baptist Church of Nokomis for a presentation of "Diary of a Broken Mind: Addiction, Depression and the Tragic Link to Suicide.

More from CrossOver and Next: 

AnneMoss Rogers became a trained mental health and suicide education expert, professional speaker, trainer, and consultant after the tragic death of her 20-year-old son, Charles, to suicide in 2015.

She has written two books, her award-winning memoir, Diary of a Broken Mind, and the best seller, Emotionally Naked: A Teacher’s Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk with co-writer Dr. Kimberly O’Brien.

She has been a TEDx speaker, was featured in the New York Times, Variety Magazine, and was the first non-clinician invited to speak on youth suicide at the National Institute of Mental Health.

Thanks to generous grant funding, CrossOver Ministries is bringing Anne to share her powerful story with Montgomery County. We invite all community members, especially parents of teens and suicide loss survivors, to join us for this free event on Saturday, May 3, at First Baptist Church of Nokomis.

We’re also grateful for the support and collaboration of our event partners: The Next Network, First Baptist Church of Nokomis, Nokomis CUSD, Hillsboro CUSD, and Litchfield CUSD. 

 

Nokomis is one of a number of communities revealing that changes at the Postal Service have led to delays in shipping out water bills and receiving payments.  For residents who don't mind the electronic route, the door has been opened to online payments.  You can now pay your water bill online and view your water account.

Link your account today! 

https://nokomisil.ourcommunityconnect.com/