Montgomery County's Hospitals are responding to passage of a medical aid in dying bill.  

 

Hospital Sisters Health System also said in a statement that it is “deeply disappointed” that the legislation was signed into law. HSHS represents St Francis in Litchfield as well as St Joseph's in Breese, St Joseph's in Highland and Holy Family in Greenville. 

“As a Catholic health care system, HSHS upholds the sacredness of life from conception to natural death and is unwavering in our position not to participate in or condone any action intended to hasten or cause death,” the system said in a statement. 

Meanwhile, at Hillsboro Health, they released a statement.  "Hillsboro Health administrators are reviewing the details of the bill and discussing it with medical staff to determine if and how it will affect hospital policy in regard to aid-in-dying care. No determination has been made at this time."

 

Last week, the Montgomery County Board’s Ad Hoc committee on wooded acerage property assessments wrapped up its work with the full board approving a switch to grandfathering the property values of wooded acerage.  That shielded those properties from the 2007 state law  until property transfers.  One of the central voices on the discussion realtor Brandi Lentz has weighed in.. 

 

This outcome represents the best possible result for Montgomery County residents and was an option initially raised but denied last year. Our new Assessor, Tysha Mullen, is doing an exceptional job and has taken on the difficult task of correcting significant issues within the office. Despite those challenges, she has restored accountability, consistency, and professionalism. Limiting reassessments to property transfers occurring after January 1, 2026 provides a level of transparency that property owners were previously denied. It is fundamentally unfair to impose a tax increase based on an assessment that owners had no advance notice of and no opportunity to plan for. Had many buyers known their future tax exposure would be so substantial, they may have reconsidered their purchases altogether. This approach allows current owners to retain their land without being forced to sell simply to manage an unexpected tax burden. It also gives buyers and families planning ownership transfers, including transfers to heirs, the ability to make informed decisions in advance, whether that means accepting the tax implications or exploring available government programs. Most importantly, it supports long-term stability in property values across the county, which is critical to the overall financial health of Montgomery County. 

This week, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office came together for their annual year-end meeting, recognizing the accomplishments, challenges, and outstanding work that defined 2025. 

This year’s award recipients were all nominated by their peers. 

Employee of the Year: Chief Chef Bev Slightom 

Deputy of the Year: Deputy Gage Wesley 

Correctional Officer of the Year: CO Damon Neece 

Telecommunicator of the Year: TC Kara Black 

It's been a bad news turned to good news day for Nokomis water customers.  A water main break led to a shutdown of the water system, but the city's street crew was able to swiftly fix the water leak! No boil order will be needed.