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Carlinville Wins Hallmark Channel Contest

The Carlinville community is jump starting its holiday season a little early this year as it was named the winner of the Hallmark Channel’s “Merriest Christmas Town” competition. Officials …

Route 66 Scenic Byway Announces 2026 Finalists

On Oct. 15, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announced the finalists for its 2026 Centennial Awards, with the city of Litchfield, the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center, Sky View …

Litchfield Adds Wind, Solar Farms To Special Use List

The City of Litchfield passed three motions pertaining to solar farms and wind energy conservation systems during their meeting on Thursday, Oct. 15, with City Attorney Michael McGinley saying that …

Rooted Rock Ranch Hosts Family Day

Rooted Rock Ranch in Irving hosted a family fun day event on Saturday, Oct. 17, with a huge turnout. Hundreds of guests visited the farm with lots of activities for the whole family, including a …
Journal-News Sports

Litchfield Doubles Up At SCC XC Championships

It had been seven years since the last time the same school won the boys and girls titles in the South Central Conference Cross Country championships, but that streak came to an end on Saturday, Oct. …

Topper Defense Grounds Birds To Go 9-0

Southwestern had first-and-ten inside the Hillsboro 15 three times against the Hiltoppers on Friday, Oct. 16, and came away empty handed all three times as the Hillsboro defense led the Toppers to a …

Tennis Toppers End Season At Sectionals

The Hillsboro High School girls tennis team picked up two wins in six matches at the IHSA Centralia Sectional on Oct. 15, to wrap up the 2026 season. Lux Reynolds had one of the two wins as one of …
Obituaries
Gary E. Forsee, 79 Gary Edwin Forsee, 79, of Coffeen, died Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, with his family by his side. Last rites were accorded by the Cathedral of the Immaculate …
Randall P. Damm, 60 Randall Paul Damm, 60, of Litchfield, formerly of Girard,  died on Friday morning, Oct. 16, 2026, at his home in Litchfield.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Mr. Damm …
Ruby M. Ellis, 89 Ruby Mae Ellis, 89, of Litchfield, died on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Carle Bromann Hospital in Normal. Service time for Ms. Ellis will be announced at a later date. Ms. Ellis was born on March 30, …
George G. Savage II, 86 George G. Savage II, 86, of Springfield, died on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at his home. Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 19, at Butler Funeral Home in Springfield, officiated by Fr. Michael …
Edward J. Kuhl, 73 Edward J. Kuhl, 73, of Sorento, died on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at the Staunton Health and Rehab Center in Staunton. The family is planning a service at a later date. Mr. Kuhl was born one of 13 …
Local News
From The Opinion Page

GROWING YOUR ROOTS • How Are Fuel Prices Affecting Our Farmers?

Diesel prices have increased sharply during the 2026 harvest season. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) analysis shows the U.S. farm diesel price increased from $3.01 per gallon in September 2025 …

A FEW GOOD WORDS • The Lion’s Great Tears

“The Son of God suffered unto the death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like His.” — George MacDonald In the wake of a flurry of stories coming out around the …
Letters To The Editor
Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor, I experienced a chill of joy when I read the Sailsbury and Sharp letters in The Journal-News issue of Sept. 21, some of us still love America! The Democrat party is riddled with …

Letter To The Editor

We have a serious problem with our elections. People focus too much attention on partisan races and waste excessive amounts of time and financial resources on them. At the same time, many of those …