The Journal-News

Jacob Volentine checks in on Smuckers, a freshwater jellyfish he found while fishing in his family's pond on Sunday, Sept. 8. According to the United States Geological Survey, there have been fewer than two dozen verified sightings of Craspedacusta sowerbyi in Illinois since 1915, and none in Montgomery County in that span.

Totes Jelly: Litchfield Sixth Grader Finds Rare Freshwater Jellyfish

Eleven-year-old Jacob Volentine has fished often in his family's pond north of Litchfield, but on Sunday, Sept. 8, something special caught Litchfield sixth grader's attention. "I was fishing … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 9/12/19

The College Report: Topper Tandem Scores For Blackburn

Tess Saathoff and Lexi Lusk, both Hillsboro graduates, were each only one goal from a hat trick against Lincoln Christian University. In the 8-0 Greenville win, Saathoff, a freshman … more

by Dan Chamness | 9/12/19

Litchfield racer Rich Komor won both the box and no box divisions at the inaugural Working Man’s $10 Grands at Wagler Motorsports Park in Lyons, IN on Aug. 24. From the left are Rob Fisher, Jake Hodge, Barb, Rich and Brooke Komor and Lucas Walker.

Komor's Work Pays Off Big At Wagler

Something was definitely working for Litchfield's Rich Komor on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the inaugural Working Man’s $10 Grands at Wagler Motorsports Park in Lyons, IN. Komor not only piloted his … more

9/9/19

Lynch Brothers Race At Macon, Fayette County Tracks

The Lynch Motorsports team made stops in Macon and Brownstown over the last few weeks as the racing season continues for the brothers from Hillsboro. Brady Lynch would race in the pro-modified … more

9/5/19

Under the watchful gaze of teammates Dalton Goldsmith and Brendan Pesko, Broc Epley finishes off his tee shot at the Arrowhead Open on Aug. 17.

Arrowhead Open Weathers The Storm

A rain delay and a power outage didn't stop the sixth edition of the Arrowhead Open from being another win for Nokomis athletes on Saturday, Aug. 17. The annual golf tournament, held at Indian … more

8/26/19

Litchfield racer Dustin Bryant had plenty of company in victory lane on Saturday, Aug. 3, at the I-57 Dragstrip in Benton, after his second win in as many weeks. From the left are Corey Wood, Scott Pinkerton, Phil Bryant, Dustin Bryant, Hadley Weller, Sharon Bryant, Sarah Weller and Randy Weller.

Three Weeks, Three Wins For Bryant

The I-57 Dragstrip in Benton has been pretty good to Dustin Bryant over the last few weeks. After winning the footbrake division at the track's weekly bracket racing series on July 27, Bryant has … more

8/15/19

Timothy Hearn, the ten-year-old son of David and Michelle Hearn of Litchfield, waits for his run in the Midwest Junior Super Series event at Byron Dragway on Saturday, Aug. 10. Racing against older, faster competition this year, Hearn was still in third place in the 10-to-12 age group going into last weekend's race.

Hearn Races In Midwest Junior Super Series

The Hearn Motorsports team was in Byron on Aug. 9-11, as ten-year-old Timothy Hearn competed in the Midwest Junior Super Series event at the Byron Dragway. Going into the race, Hearn was third in … more

8/15/19

Lynchs Race At Macon, Brownstown

The Lynch Motorsports team continued its season on Aug. 3 and Aug. 10, as brothers Nathan and Brady Lynch raced in Brownstown and Macon. On Saturday, Aug. 3, Nathan Lynch overcame a tough setup in … more

8/15/19

One of the top defensive coordinators in college football, Nokomis grad Bud Foster will be retiring from Virginia Tech following the 2019-2020 football season.

Nokomis Grad Foster To Retire After 2019

Nokomis High School grad and Virginia Tech associate head coach/defensive coordinator Bud Foster and head coach Justin Fuente announced on Thursday, Aug. 1, that Foster plans to retire from coaching … more

8/8/19

Following a successful championship, Ryan Held of Springfield paid a special visit to his grandmother, Marge Held, in Raymond. Pictured above with Held and his grandmother is his father, Randy Held.

Held Earns Two National Titles, Breaks Meet Record

It was a record setting day for Ryan Held on Wednesday, July 31, as the Springfield native put down the best time ever at the US National Championships in the 100 meter freestyle. Held set the … more

8/8/19

2018-19 A Year To Remember For Coffeen Official

Even by his own standards, the 2018-19 school year was a busy one for Coffeen official Louis Lang. Lang, who stays busy officiating during the football, basketball and softball seasons at the high … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 8/8/19

Luckett Named Head Coach At Newberry

Newberry College Director of Athletics Ralph Patterson has announced the promotion of Hillsboro High School grad Hannah Luckett to head women's golf coach. "We are pleased to promote Hannah," … more

8/5/19

Even with the big hill at the end of the course, the group that did this year's Old Settlers 4-Mile Fun Run and 2-Mile Fun Walk still had smiles on their faces at the end of the day on Saturday, Aug. 3.

The Hills Were Alive With The Sound Of Footsteps

Seventeen runners and eight walkers braved the big hill at the end of the Old Settlers 4-Mile Run and 2-Mile Walk on Saturday, Aug. 3, the 38th edition of the race. Rem Dyas made up the deficit in … more

8/5/19

With 12 top three finishes and two national championships, Hillsboro's Chase Saathoff brought home plenty of hardware from the AMA Flat Track Grand Championships in Ohio on July 23-26. Saathoff won five feature races and never finished lower than third in the mains during his championship run in the Buckeye State.

Saathoff Takes Titles At Nationals

It was a busy four days for Hillsboro racer Chase Saathoff on July 23-26, as the eighth-grader-to-be competed in the AMA Flat Track Grand Championships in Ashland, OH and Harpster, OH. Saathoff … more

8/1/19

Litchfield racer Rich Komor picked up his second win in as many weeks on Saturday, July 27, taking the top spot in the pro class at the Ron "Papa" Zinn Memorial Race at Coles County Dragway in Havana. In victory lane, from the left are Barb and Rich Komor, Brayden, Michelle, David and Timothy Hearn, Kate Komor and Jim Komor.

Komor Makes Return Trip To Victory Lane

Litchfield's Rich Komor picked up his second straight win on Saturday, July 27, following up a victory at Gateway with a win in the Ron "Papa" Zinn Memorial Race at Coles County Dragway in … more

8/1/19

Dustin Bryant (left) shared victory lane with father, Phil Bryant, on Saturday, July 27, as the pair won the footbrake and super pro classes respectively at I-57 Dragstrip in Benton.

Bryants Pull Off Father/Son Double

It was a case of "like father, like son" on Saturday, July 27, as Phil Bryant and his son, Dustin, both came away with victories at I-57 Dragstrip in Benton. Phil would make it to victory lane in the … more

8/1/19

Olivia Reid gives Connor Creasey a dose of refreshment during the 2019 Big Dawg Dare at Wolff Farms near Litchfield on Saturday, July 20. Reid, who will be a seventh grader student council member at Litchfield Middle School in the fall, joined teacher Jennifer Fleming at the water station to give some of the more than 750 runners either a sip or a splash.

More Than 750 Run Eighth Big Dawg Dare

Four years ago, 12-year-old Will Carlile finished first in the 2K Puppy Dawg Dare, the shortened version of the Big Dawg Dare 5K obstacle mud run at Wolff Farms near Litchfield. On Saturday, July 20, … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 7/25/19

Lynch Family Makes Return To Racetrack

A familiar name to local racing fans has returned to the track for the 2019 season. Third generation racers Nathan Lynch and younger brother Brady Lynch (along with brother/mechanic Evan Lynch) … more

7/25/19

Everett Racing Grabs Points At Tri-City

It's been a productive summer of racing for siblings Bristol and Bodee Everett of Litchfield. The pair are currently in the top three in points in three divisions in the Metro St. Louis Quarter … more

7/25/19

Saathoff Warms Up For Amateur Nationals Event

In a few short weeks, Chase Saathoff will be back at Hillsboro Junior High for his eighth grade year. But until then, you'll find Saathoff on his motorcycle as he continues to tear up tracks … more

7/25/19