News | The Journal-News

Montgomery County Republican Central Committee members and office holders, in front, from the left are Cody Gudgel, County Board member Chad Ruppert, Larry Hewitt, County Board member Patty Whitworth, Secretary Roberta Meyer, County Board member Connie Beck, Christine Daniels, Jim Jones, Adam Ortega, Treasurer Tommy Justison, County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser and Undersheriff Tyson Holshouser. In back are County Board Chairman Doug Donaldson, Sheriff Rick Robbins, Chairman Mark Hughes, Shawn Bizaillion, County Board member Andy Ritchie, State Representative Wayne Rosenthal, State Senator Steve McClure, State Senator Jason Plummer, Judge Christopher (Kit) Hantla, Coroner Randy Leetham, State’s Attorney Andrew Affrunti, Circuit Clerk Daniel Robbins, Rob Corso and Vice-Chairman Jeremy Jones.

County Republicans Hold Annual Lincoln Dinner

The Montgomery County Republican Central Committee (MCRCC) hosted their annual dinner on Saturday, March 23, at The Lodge on Main. The message of “your vote counts” remained the same … more

3/28/24

Fletcher Retires From Bank & Trust This May

Patty Fletcher, assistant vice president and branch manager at Bank & Trust Company’s Raymond Branch, has announced her retirement after 29 years of dedicated service. Fletcher began her … more

4/25/24

New Ad Hoc Committee Discusses Sequestration

Amid months of discussion about a proposed carbon sequestration project and pipeline in Montgomery County, members of the Montgomery County Board formed a new ad hoc committee to address issues on … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 7/6/23

Summer Work Going Well In Nokomis District

President Chad Ruppert called the Nokomis School Board meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18. In addition to Ruppert, Superintendent Scott Doerr, board members Steve Janssen, Denny … more

by Randy Rieke | 7/24/23

Extension To Conduct County Yield Survey

Montgomery County Extension will conduct the yearly yield survey of the area corn crop. Join them at 8 a.m., Monday, Aug. 21, at the Extension office in Hillsboro, located at 1 Industrial Park Dr. … more

8/17/23

Laura Naugle of Carlinville started as the library director at Hillsboro Area Public Library in August.

Naugle On The Job As Library Director

Now on the job as library director of Hillsboro Area Public Library is Laura Naugle of Carlinville, who brings a wealth of experience to the position. Naugle earned a master of library … more

by Nancy Slepicka | 8/21/23

Local youth had a chance to practice being bird banders using stuffed toys.

Bremer Sanctuary Hosts Bird Banding Event

Feathered friends and their fans flocked to Bremer Sanctuary in Hillsboro Saturday morning to help and watch bird banding by the Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders (LLABB). Birds were captured … more

10/2/23

LHS Grad Publishes Article On COVID

Beverly Matthews of Springfield, formerly of Waggoner, has published an article in BMJ Case Reports on the effects of long-COVID this year. The article, "Long-term cognitive effects of COVID-19 … more

4/25/24

Old Settlers Art Show Open To All

Organizers are hard at work preparing for the Old Settlers Art Show, slated to return Wednesday, Aug. 10, and Thursday, Aug. 11, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church located on the Courthouse Square … more

7/6/23

Litchfield Finds 'One Way' Solution To Street Issue

The wheels of democracy meshed well during Litchfield’s city council meeting on Thursday evening, April 20. All but one alderman (Dwayne Gerl) answered roll call, and the two ladies who … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 7/24/23

Individuals served by Fayco Enterprises in Montgomery, Bond and Fayette counties are showcasing their work at “Artability” hosted by Heartland Gallery in Hillsboro.

Fayco Work On Display At Heartland

“This one’s going to my mom and dad,” Chuck, an artist from Greenville, said pointing to his work featuring the northern lights with deer silhouetted in the snow. The work is … more

8/21/23

Local author Amber Huff will be having a book signing on Saturday, Oct. 7, signing copies of her two published fantasy novels. Copies will be available for purchase on the day of the signing.

Nokomis Library Hosts Local Author In October

The Nokomis Public Library is will be hosting a book signing of local teen author Amber Huff, on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Amber volunteers at the library a couple of days a … more

10/2/23

VandenBergh Hits All The Notes At Piano Recital

Margaret Agnes VandenBergh, of Nokomis, recently presented a recital of piano music for her family and guests at their Witt-Nokomis home. She has been an active piano student of Nokomis … more

7/6/23

Historian Kevin Kaegy describes Abraham Lincoln’s law career during a lecture hosted by the Historical Society of Montgomery County on Sunday.

Lecture Shines Light On Lincoln The Lawyer

Bond County historian Kevin Kaegy described the legal career of Abraham Lincoln at a lecture hosted by the Historical Society of Montgomery County on Sunday afternoon, July 23, at the Challacombe … more

7/24/23

In the past two years, 11 Litchfield homes have been renovated at no cost to the homeowners thanks to a grant from the DCEO (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity). Pictured above, some of the work on this Lincoln Street home included new siding, step repair, metal doors and electrical work.

Litchfield Homes Get Facelift

“It’s almost like hitting the lotto,” said Litchfield resident Jon Schmidt. The home owned by he and his wife, Kate, was one of 11 homes renovated at no cost to the homeowners … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 8/21/23

Gold Star Mission Riders Here About Bates, Dalhaus

Nearly 30 Gold Star Mission riders spent the night on Tuesday, Sept. 19, in Litchfield after the first leg of their 500-mile bicycle ride to honor fallen military heroes. Gold Star Mission is a … more

9/25/23

John Clarke of Morrisonville was accompanied by his son Tharin, pictured above, on the Aug. 22 Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Nine Local Veterans Take Honor Flight To D.C.

Nine local veterans were recognized on a Land of Lincoln Honor Flight trip on Tuesday, Aug. 22. They were part of the 93 Vietnam and Korean-era veterans flown to Washington D.C. for the day. The free … more

By Isaiah Atkins | 10/2/23

With temperatures below zero, Haven Home of Hope in Hillsboro opened its doors as a warming center Jan. 12-14. Cross Over Ministries and staff assisted more than a dozen people in keeping warm from the freezing weather.

Haven Home Of Hope Hosts Warming Center

During the frigid weekend of Jan. 12-14, Cross Over Ministries staff and volunteers hosted a warming center at Haven Home of Hope, located at 205 Pleasant Street in Hillsboro. Approximately 14 … more

1/25/24

HSHS To Hold Women’s Conference

HSHS St. Francis Hospital presents the “Women’s Health Survival Guide” event, an informational conference to discuss women’s health concerns and safety resources with local … more

4/25/24

Hillsboro students enjoyed their visit to Bremer Sanctuary on June 21 as they learned about local bird species. Pictured above, Linda Meyers assists a group of students as they work on coloring pages.

Hillsboro Summer Fun Club Flocks To Bremer

The Hillsboro Summer Fun Club visited Bremer Sanctuary on Wednesday, June 21. Twenty-seven students attended the Hillsboro wildlife reserve, with the hope of learning about birds. Upon arrival, they … more

7/6/23