News | The Journal-News

Raymond Plans Events For Day Of Halloween

The Raymond Celebration Committee will be sponsoring a Halloween parade on Halloween afternoon, Saturday, Oct. 31. Line-up for the parade will begin at 3:30 p.m. and the parade itself will start at 4 … more

10/8/26

Amanda “Mandy” Wall, pictured above, was named the employee of the month at Coffeen School. Employees of the month are selected by staff, who are encouraged to consider qualities of unity, attendance, going beyond expectations and focusing on all students and co-workers.

Wall Named Employee Of Month At Coffeen

Coffeen School is home to the pre-K program, birth-to-three program and life skills classroom. “Each month, staff members have the opportunity to recognize a colleague who exemplifies the values … more

10/8/26

SCI To Host Open House On Oct. 19

The South Central Illinois (SCI) Regional Workforce Training and Innovation will be hosting a sophomore open house for all nine districts across the consortium on Monday, Oct. 19. Two sessions will … more

10/8/26

Keith Seeks 105 Cards For 105th Birthday

Audrey Keith, known for her beautifully crafted afghans, will soon be turning 105 years old on December 4. For her 105th birthday, she is seeking 105 birthday cards from the community. Birthday cards … more

10/8/26

Newkomis Invites Public To Remembrance Walk Oct. 15

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, a time to honor the lives of children lost to miscarriage, stillbirth or early infancy. Nokomis will be holding a remembrance walk to break … more

10/8/26

First Community Bank of Hillsboro President Randy McFarlin, at right, visits with John Galer and Tom Anderson during a retirement reception on Wednesday morning, Sept. 30.

Randy McFarlin Retires From Hillsboro Bank

After 43 years in the banking industry, Randy McFarlin officially retired as president of First Community Bank in Hillsboro this fall. The bank held a retirement reception in his honor on … more

10/5/26

Taylor Springs Board Meets In September

The Taylor Springs Village Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Village Hall, located at 626 E. Main St. in Taylor Springs. Those present including Acting Village President Jody … more

10/5/26

Litchfield Council Prepares For Busy October Calendar

Members of the Litchfield City Council met on Thursday, Oct. 1, and approved ten items from the new business section of the agenda, with Mayor Jake Fleming and the council giving a preview of some of … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 10/5/26

Pictured above is a rendition of the Bank and Trust Company’s Litchfield Main Branch updated expansion. The expansion will include additional office space, an additional boardroom, an expanded employee break room and lounge, an elevator, a new outdoor plaza, a new ATM and a three-lane drive-thru with a third lane to accommodate oversized vehicles. The expansion is expected to be completed the second quarter of 2027.

Bank And Trust Expands Litchfield Main Branch

Construction is underway at Bank and Trust Company’s Litchfield Main Branch as the bank makes room for continued growth in Litchfield and the surrounding communities. Construction began in May … more

10/5/26

Historical Society To Discuss Francis Springer

An early leader of the Lutheran church and a close friend of Abraham Lincoln will be the topic of the Sunday, Oct. 11 gathering of the Historical Society of Montgomery County. The program will be … more

10/5/26

In the photo above, Autumn Kitchens attempts to reach the top of the rock wall.

Local Residents Enjoy Nokomis Fall Festival

The Nokomis Fall Festival was held on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Nokomis Memorial Park. The day included a rock wall, inflatables, Sweet BBQ and Shug Smoke Shack food trucks, live music from Molly Seaton and … more

10/5/26

As the Fillmore Fall Festival kicked off at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Molly McDowell Park, around 50 cars were displayed for the festival's car show. As time ticked by, cars continued to show up with the car show eventually registering over 70 vehicles. From classic American-made muscle cars to Japanese imported street cars, the car show offered a variety of makes and models comprising over a century of automobile technology and designs. See page 10A for more photos from this year's event.

Community Packs The Park For Fillmore Festival

One could not ask for better weather at Fillmore's Fall Festival, hosted by Let's Grow Fillmore, which took place in Molly McDowell Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. Hundreds of … more

10/5/26

Raymond Royalty To Host Kindness Card Drive

Raymond royalty will be collecting cards of kindness for local nursing home residents as part of the “You Are Not Forgotten” card drive. Organizers of the drive say, “The Raymond royalty is … more

10/5/26

HAMP To Host “Frozen” Sing-Along November 8

The Hillsboro Association of Musical Parents (HAMP) invites families to a “Frozen” Sing-Along on Sunday, Nov. 8, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., in the HHS Competition Gym. As “Frozen” is being … more

10/5/26

Upcoming Blood Drives Hosted By ImpactLife

ImpactLife is partnering with local blood donors and drive hosts on community blood drives during the week of Oct. 12 to Oct. 18. ImpactLife appreciates the support of local volunteers who step … more

10/5/26

Bank and Trust Company held its sixth annual family picnic for employees across all south-central Illinois branches and their families on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Bank And Trust Company Hosts Sixth Annual Picnic

Bank and Trust Company employees and their families gathered at the Farmersville Square on Saturday, Sept. 26, for the bank’s 6th Annual Family Picnic, bringing together employees representing all … more

10/5/26

Litchfield Trunk Or Treat To Be At Walton Park

The Litchfield Park District will be hosting a trunk or treat event this Halloween season. The event will be held on Friday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will be held at Litchfield’s Walton … more

10/5/26

Awning Brews Is Now Open For Business

For longtime local business owner Tina Jansen, her newest venture is about more than coffee. “It is about creating a fun, welcoming place for the community to gather,” says the new Awning Brews … more

10/5/26

GRS Foundation Hosts Meat Shoot Oct. 18

The “Give, Reach Out, Support” (GRS) Foundation, will be hosting a meat shoot on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Gudgel Ranch Saloon, located at 14265 E. 2nd Rd. in Litchfield. The meat shoot will begin at … more

10/5/26

Cary Eisentraut (left) presents Mason DeLisle (right) his prize for first place in Hillsboro’s Got Talent that took place at The Orpheum Theater on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Hillsboro’s Top Talent Perform At The Orpheum

Hillsboro’s most talented showcased their skills at The Orpheum and Grand Theaters’ Hillsboro’s Got Talent Show on Saturday, Sept. 19. Singers, songwriters, comedians, royalty and even a … more

10/5/26