Top stories

County Board Honors Three Retirees

“Montgomery County is better because you served in it,” said Montgomery County Treasurer Nikki Lohman during the final minutes of the Montgomery County Board meeting on Tuesday evening, Nov. 10, …

Coffeen Dedicates Memorial On Veterans Day

After years of preparation and fundraising, the City of Coffeen officially dedicated its Veterans Memorial with a Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The event began with opening remarks …

Applications Available For Christmas Baskets

The Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department is continuing a holiday tradition that began in 1957. The department’s 70th annual Christmas Basket Program is a cherished tradition that continues to bring …

Community Revitalization Plan Meeting Targets Housing

Housing was the topic of discussion at the first Community Revitalization Plan meeting that took place on Tuesday evening, Nov. 10, in the basement of the Hillsboro Area Public Library. The meeting …
Journal-News Sports

Schwab Makes Her Return To Cross Country State Finals

Litchfield sophomore Maggie Schwab ran her second fastest time of the year on her sport’s biggest stage on Saturday, Nov. 7. Schwab finished 19th at sectionals the week before to earn her spot …

Hiltoppers Land 16 On All-Conference List

A glance at the 2026 South Central Conference all-conference football team shows you just how special the season was for Hillsboro High School. Nine of Hillsboro’s 16 all-conference picks were …

Four From Nokomis Make All-Conference

Four members of the Nokomis High School football team all-conference received recognition from the coaches of the Lincoln Prairie Conference, including one earning first team honors. Senior …
Obituaries
Raymond Camp, 91 Raymond “Ray” Camp, 91, of Highland, died on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, at home, surrounded by family. A memorial visitation will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., at Highland …
Catherine A. Johnson, 70 Catherine Ann Johnson, 70, of Litchfield, died at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. A full obituary will be published in the Monday, Nov. 16 edition of The …
William H. Dooley, 79 William “Butch” Hencill Dooley, 79, Nokomis, died on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, surrounded by loved ones at his home. Funeral services took place on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at South Fork Church in …
Betty J. Shannon, 85 Betty “Jean” Shannon, 85, died at Hillsboro Rehabilitation and Health Care in Hillsboro on Nov. 8, 2026. A prayer service by the Rev. Dan Willenborg will be held at 10:45 a.m., on Saturday, Nov. …
James D. Cameron, 88 James D. “Slim” Cameron, 88, of Raymond, died at his residence on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at 5:50 a.m. No public services are scheduled. Mr. Cameron was born Oct. 11, 1938, in Gainesville, FL to …
Local News
From The Opinion Page

LANCER LINES • Lancers To Host Basketball Preview Night

Gobble, gobble! Thanksgiving is around the corner; what are your plans? We hope all the women and men who served our country are having a great Veterans Day. Here at Lincolnwood, we are still …

DRAGON BEAT • HJHS Celebrates World Kindness Week

Welcome to another amazing week with The Dragon Beat. We have some things to get to but first we have to reveal our mystery Disney Character Quote. Last week’s quote was, “Everything you see …
Letters To The Editor
Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor, The midterm election is over. The blue wave turned out to be a blue tsunami. No one could have predicted Texas becoming a blue state. The Democrats have been handed a mandate much …

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 …