News | The Journal-News

A young girl from Raymond delivered these cards to members of the Raymond-Harvel Fire Department during their response to the major wreck on Interstate 55 on Monday.

Fire Chief Danny McCallum Thanks Local Community

First responders from all across central Illinois were busy Monday afternoon in response to a major wreck on Interstate 55 that claimed the lives of seven individuals. Among those who … more

5/4/23

Get Entries Ready For 2023 Farmers Institute

The 2023 program booklets for the Montgomery County Farmer’s Institute are now available. The booklets have been distributed to local Montgomery County businesses and are also available at the … more

8/21/23

Last Call To Students For TCCU Scholarship Program

TCCU announced ‘last call’ for seniors at Taylorville, Hillsboro, Litchfield and Pana high schools to register for the credit union’s tenth annual scholarship program. They have … more

10/10/23

Last Day To Register To Vote In Primary Election Is Feb. 20

The Montgomery County Clerk’s office reminds voters that their voter registration information must be up-to-date to avoid problems or delays in voting in the Tuesday, March 19, general primary … more

1/22/24

LHS Seniors Honored By College Board

Three students at Litchfield High School earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. Camden Quarton, Emma Dively and Johnathan Conlee received the academic honor, and … more

10/10/23

All occupants got safely out of the building during the blaze.

Sunday Blaze Destroys Structure In Raymond

Members of the Raymond-Harvel Fire Department braved frigid temperatures to battle a structure fire on Sunday morning, Jan. 21, at 300 N. West Street in Raymond. There were 21 firefighters dispatched … more

1/22/24

Hillsboro Educational Foundation Receives Donation

The Hillsboro Educational Foundation recently received a memorial donation from the Pamela Knostman Haisty family. Mrs. Haisty grew up in Hillsboro and was a 1960 HHS graduate. Even though she … more

2/26/24

Residents of Tremont Ridge Assisted Living Facility in Hillsboro and their families enjoyed the annual fall picnic on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 8.

Tremont Ridge Hosts Family Picnic

It was a perfect, albeit a little windy, fall day for the annual Tremont Ridge Assisted Living Facility’s fall family picnic, held Sunday afternoon, Oct. 8, in Hillsboro. Residents and their … more

10/10/23

Natural Resources Group Discusses Lake Lot Changes

The members of Hillsboro’s National Resources Committee who met with Parks Superintendent Jim May on Wednesday evening, Jan. 17, were told the details of a newly-written Recreational Lake Lot … more

1/22/24

Local Educators Win State Service Awards

The Illinois State Board of Education has revealed the winners of this year’s Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year program. Local winners include Shonda Ronen of Bunker Hill CUSD 8, … more

2/26/24

Hillsboro Rotary Donates Dictionaries

The Hillsboro Rotary Club has been donating dictionaries to every third grade student in the Hillsboro School District for several years, and this year was no exception. Jerry Wesley is the local … more

11/6/23

Litchfield native Lucas Ostendorf is congratulated by Police Chief Kenny Ryker after being sworn in as the newest member of the Litchfield Police Department by his wife Amber and Chief Ryker.

Litchfield Welcomes New Officer

A new face, but a familiar name was introduced to the Litchfield City Council on Thursday, Jan. 18, as the newest member of the Litchfield Police Department. Lucas Ostendorf, … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 1/22/24

Pictured above, from the left are LHS Illinois State Scholars Emma Diveley, Annika Rhodes, Kendall Stewart, Zachary Leitschuh, Jonathan Conlee, Camden Quarton, Nolan Dougherty and Caitlyn Schneck. Not pictured is Amanda Niemann

Litchfield Seniors Named State Scholars

Litchfield High School Principal Juletta Ellis is pleased to announce that nine students from the Litchfield High School’s graduating class of 2024 have been designated as Illinois State … more

11/6/23

Following the program, Historical Society members provided refreshments.

Nearly 200 Attend Mark Twain Program

Laughter filled the sanctuary at the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church as nearly 200 attended the “Catch the Twain” program on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 21. Sponsored by The Historical Society … more

1/22/24

Former Hillsboro resident Jeff Sandlin with his news director Emmy Award at KWWL News 7 in Waterloo, IA.

Jeff Sandlin Wins News Director Emmy Award

Former Hillsboro resident Jeff Sandlin, now of Waterloo, IA, earned an Emmy Award during ceremonies on Saturday, Oct. 14, in Minneapolis, MN. Sandlin, a 2002 graduate of Hillsboro High School, is the … more

11/6/23

Brothers Keegan Marten, at left, and Jayden Marten, at right are renting out Ice Cream Man as a location to run their shaved ice business, The Ice Box, on a consistent basis during all seasons.

The IceBox Finds New Home At Ice Cream Man

by Cayden Huber Brothers Keegan and Jayden Marten are taking their shaved ice business, The IceBox, to a new level as they have made their home at the former Ice Cream Man location in … more

by Cayden Huber | 1/22/24

NNA Concerned Over New Postal Rates

The July 2024 proposed periodicals rate increase amounts to an almost ten percent bump for community newspapers that are already paying high rates for subpar service. The rate increase means … more

4/15/24

Ministerial Alliance To Host Baccalaureate

The Hillsboro Ministerial Alliance is once again sponsoring the annual Baccalaureate service for Hillsboro High School seniors on Thursday evening, May 25, in the school gym. The service begins at 7 … more

5/22/23

From the left are Snow Royalty Hazel Holshouser, Tinley Rufus and Jade Christian, and the first place the Journal-News Paperboys team of Isaiah Atkins, Cayden Huber, Shane Huber, Tori O’Dell and August Plunkett.

Bed Races Return To Downtown Hillsboro This Fall

Seven teams dashed down Main Street in Hillsboro Saturday, Oct. 7, during the annual Shop Hillsboro Moonlight Madness Bed Races. This year the event was held in conjunction with and at the conclusion … more

10/10/23

After almost 22 years with the Litchfield Fire Department, Captain Chris Handshy retired on Oct. 11, 2023. Handshy was recognized by Mayor Steve Dougherty, members of the Litchfield City Council and his fellow firefighters during the council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 2. From the Litchfield Fire Department, from the left, are Dave Rogers, Chris Bates, Chief Adam Pennock, Mike Chappell, Chris Handshy, Curt Glover and Joshua Mayfield.

First Responders Honored At Litchfield Council Meeting

Members of the Litchfield City Council took time to honor the contributions of three of the city’s employees during their meeting on Thursday, Nov. 2. Captain Chris Handshy was the first of the … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 11/6/23