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Litchfield Volunteers Plan Halloween Event

Spooks, specters, princesses, pirates and other costumed creatures will be celebrating Halloween in Litchfield on Saturday, Oct. 31. The day-long festivities kick off at 9 a.m. in downtown Litchfield …

Nora Beeler Wins FFA Creed Speaking Contest

Nora Beeler of Raymond won the National FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event on Thursday, Oct. 22, as part of this year’s National FFA Convention, held in Indianapolis, IN. The daughter …

Nokomis Approves Upgrade To City’s Security Cameras

The Nokomis City Council met for its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 26 in the council chambers with three members present. The last meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, was cancelled due to lack …

Annual Trick Or Treat Trail Returns To Hillsboro

Come one, come all as the 14th annual Trick or Treat Trail and Halloween Parade returns to Hillsboro on Friday, Oct. 30. Grab a candy bag or bucket and head downtown for an afternoon of …
Journal-News Sports

Lady Toppers Survive And Advance

Hillsboro’s regional semifinal win over Auburn on Tuesday, Oct. 27, was either a bad sign for the Lady Hiltoppers or evidence that good teams win games even when they don’t play well. Either way, …

Toppers Extinguish Effingham

The Hillsboro High School boys soccer team will have the opportunity to play for a sectional title on Thursday, Oct. 30, after beating Effingham for the second time this season. The two teams played …

Litchfield Holds Off Salem In Sectional Win

The Litchfield High School boys soccer team staked themselves to a 3-0 lead, then held off a charge from Salem in the waning minutes of their sectional semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Effingham, as …
Obituaries
Landon S. Moore, 22 Landon Skylar Moore, 22, of Coffeen, died on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Hillsboro. A celebration of life was held on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Stonington United Methodist Church. McClure Funeral Home …
Doris J. Best, 62 Doris Jean Best, 62, of Litchfield, died at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at 7:03 a.m. Private family services will be held. Ms. Best was born Sept. 17, …
Jeffrey D. Boaz, 51 Jeffrey Duane Boaz, 51, of Gillespie, died at Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Mr. Boaz was born …
Melvin L. Bergman, 87 Melvin Leon Bergman, 87, of Litchfield, died on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Litchfield. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Fr. …
Ruby M. Ellis, 89 Ruby Mae Ellis, 89, of Litchfield, died on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Carle Bromann Hospital in Normal. A memorial visitation for Ms. Ellis will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 at …
Local News
From The Opinion Page

TOPPER TALK • Hiltopper Teams Enjoy Postseason Success

Hello, Hiltoppers! Tomorrow is Halloween at HHS! To those returning, the answer to last week's Topper Tangle was Anatomy! This week has been a blast for many with pajama and pink dress-up days, as …

DRAGON BEAT • Seventh Graders Gear Up For First Basketball Game Of The Season

Happy Halloween Dragon Beat readers. Let’s start with our magical, Disney Character Quote. Last week’s quote was, “In every job that must be done there is an element of fun.” Now time for the …
Letters To The Editor
Letter To The Editor

There is much hubbub these days about socialism being a preferred system of government. Only the uninformed and the deluded think so. When the Pilgrims landed on the shores of what is now …

Letter To The Editor

The United States constitution provides for the protection of religion. This guarantees the individual expression of faith. Christians are called to participate in public discourse and decisions as …