The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) recently recognized HSHS St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, for its ongoing commitment to exceptional quality of care, during a ceremony held November 13th at the I-Hotel and Conference Center, Champaign, IL. As part of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Program (MBQIP), HSHS St. […]
Illinois Department of Agriculture launches cover crop discount program for local farmers
Contributed article by the Illinois Senate Democrats. SPRINGFIELD – Federally insured local farmers who utilize cover crops are now eligible to receive a discounted crop insurance rate under a new program advocated by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill). The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Wednesday announced its cover crop discount program for acreage in […]
LLCC Foundation accepting scholarship applications for the 2020-2021 academic year
SPRINGFIELD — The Lincoln Land Community College Foundation is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2020-2021 academic year. Students considering or planning to attend LLCC beginning in fall 2020 are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2020. LLCC Foundation scholarships are available for first-time and continuing students who will be enrolled […]
Macoupin County first assistant files to run for State’s Attorney
Monday, after collecting signatures from across Macoupin County, Jordan Garrison formally filed petitions to run for Macoupin County State’s Attorney in 2020. “I am proud to file my petitions to be the next State’s Attorney of Macoupin County,” said Jordan Garrison. “Over the past decade, I have prosecuted hundreds of cases, including drug crimes, violent […]
HSHS St. Francis Hospital colleagues honored with service awards
LICHFIELD − HSHS St. Francis Hospital recently held its annual colleague service award program. The event recognized colleagues who have served from five to 45 years at the hospital. Torch Awards also were presented during the evening to four colleagues. These awards honor colleagues who have served HSHS St. Francis Hospital with dedication and loyalty to our mission […]
Ambulance services recognizes October memorials, donations
The Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service announced on Monday the memorials and donations that were received during the month of October 2019. They also reported they responded to 423 calls for service during the month of October. DONATIONS: Gaylon McAllister Dennis Dedlow Gillespie United Methodist Women MEMORIALS: In memory of Anna Rocker: Harry & Millie Arden Carol […]
Sawyerville man killed in auto-pedestrian accident on Route 4
A 44-year-old Sawyerville man has died following an auto-pedestrian accident on Route 4 south of Benld that happened just before 5 p.m. on Friday, November 22. According to Master Sergeant David Brunnworth of Illinois State Police District 18, a pedestrian was struck in the roadway by a northbound 2005 Ford Ranger pickup truck driven by […]
Illinois reports fifth resident dies after vaping related lung injury
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the death of a fifth Illinois resident who had recently been hospitalized with lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products (EVALI). At this time, a total of 187 people in Illinois, ranging in age from 13 to 75 years old, with […]
Benld Council eyes recreational cannabis ordinance
Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night approved a $120,338 property tax levy for 2019 taxes to be collected in 2020, agreed to seek candidates for a fourth full-time police officer and approved a resolution to appropriate $30,530 in Motor Fuel Tax funds for next year’s street maintenance program. The council, however, tabled […]
HSHS Home Care Central Illinois to visit HSHS St. Francis Hospital
LITCHFIELD— Individuals from HSHS Home Care Central Illinois will visit HSHS St. Francis Hospital on Monday, November 25 in the hospital lobby from 9 a.m. to noon. They will have a display, free information and staff available to answer questions regarding home care and hospice services. HSHS Home Care Central Illinois, formerly known as St. […]
New photohistory examines impact of CCC in rural Midwest
A new edition of a compact photohistory examines the impact of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the rural Midwest. Tom Emery, a historical researcher from Carlinville, Ill., is the author of Soldiers with Picks and Shovels, which tells the story of the CCC, a wildly successful and popular program of the Depression-era New Deal, […]
Gillespie Council recognizes police officers, EMTs, hears financial report from city auditors
Gillespie police officers and Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service paramedics were recognized during a meeting of the Gillespie City Council Tuesday night for their efforts to save the life of an individual who suffered a cardiac arrest while police were responding to a routine police call. Council members also heard a brief report regarding the city’s […]
Madison Communications team finishes first in Mid-America Cable-Tec games
Madison Communications is pleased to announce that their technician team made up of Bobby Wicke, Brent Phillips, Darin Jansen, and Jeremy Maggart won First Place Overall at the Mid America Cable-Tec Games held in Kansas City on September 26. Madison was one of many cable operators represented at this event, which challenges cable TV technicians […]
Macoupin County historical military discharges index now online
A recent state law change now allows for older military discharge records to be available to the public, Macoupin County Clerk Pete Duncan announced. “Any military discharge filed more than 62 years ago is now available as a public record,” Duncan said. “This allows generations to come to find their family members record and honor […]
Plainview man struck, killed by train on Thursday
A vehicle was struck and a 67-year-old Plainview man was killed on Thursday, November 7 when his vehicle was hit by a freight train before witnesses could remove the man from his vehicle, authorities said. The Macoupin County Coroner’s Office said in a statement they were notified at 5:06 p.m. on Thursday of a train […]
Robertson Hall fire was 60 years ago Sunday
The history of Blackburn College has been defined by destructive fires, including the blaze that destroyed Robertson Hall in 1959. The loss of Robertson severed a remaining link to Blackburn’s past. Sunday, November 10, marks the 60th anniversary of the fire, which claimed much of the biology and art departments at Blackburn, as well as […]
Bourne wants to ban lawmakers from simultaneously serving as lobbyists
Contributed article by the Illinois House Republicans In response to recent news that revealed a glaring loophole in Illinois legislative ethics laws, State Representative Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) is the Chief Co-Sponsor of legislation to ban state legislators from simultaneously holding office and serving as lobbyists. Under current law, members of the Illinois General Assembly are […]
Police Chief issues warning of circulating counterfeit money
Gillespie Police Chief Jared DePoppe issued a warning on Monday that multiple counterfeit money transactions have been used during business transactions. DePoppe said the Gillespie Police Department has received multiple complaints from businesses of counterfeit money being used including counterfeit $20 bills and counterfeit $50 bills. He reminded businesses and residents to be extra cautious […]
Police pursuit passes through Macoupin County on Monday
A police pursuit that crossed into Macoupin County on Monday afternoon, November 5, ultimately came to an end near Greenville when police used spike strips to disable the vehicle. Illinois State Police announced on Tuesday that Illinois State Police and Bond County deputies took Christopher S. McCartney, 35 of Clinton, MO, into custody Monday afternoon […]
Ambulance service recognizes September memorials, donations
The Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service announced on Saturday, November 2 that it responded to 404 calls and received the following memorials and donations during the month of September 2019: DONATIONS: Ronald Vidmar Robert & Edith Campbell MEMORIALS: In memory of Gil Hebenstreit: Dennis Dedlow Don & Laura Obrien Neuhaus Heating & A/C Clifford Hughes Build […]