News | The Journal-News

Lohman Is Secretary, Treasurer Of The Year

Montgomery County Treasurer Nikki Lohman was voted Illinois County Treasurers’ Association 2023 Zone Two Treasurer of the Year during the Illinois Association of County Officials spring … more

6/12/23

Gary Hulbert (right), representing Nokomis Lions Club, recently presented a donation to Chief Travis Hocq (left) in support of the Nokomis-Witt Area Ambulance Service.

Nokomis Lions Donate To Ambulance Group

Nokomis Lions Club made a donation to the Nokomis-Witt Area Ambulance Service (NWAAS) earlier this month. The donation was one of many contributions the service has received from the community … more

6/12/23

Mia and Elias Redman, grandchildren of Taylor Springs Fire Chief Brian Redman, take a look at the cab of the Taylor Springs fire truck during the First Responders Day on June 10.

Masons Host First Responders Day

It was a day to celebrate those who keep local communities safe, as the Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge held a First Responders Day at Fourth of July Point at Lake Hillsboro on Saturday morning, June 10. … more

6/12/23

Ladles of Love celebrated its 12th anniversary by handing out to-go meals of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, rolls and cake on Wednesday afternoon, June 7. From the left, are volunteers Pastor Stefan Munker, Paula Keepper, Maribeth Rahe, Margarite Bolen, Lisa Finley, Carolyn Meier and Lori Evans.

St. Paul’s Church Continues To Ladle Out Love

“If you do a good thing more good things will follow,” said Pastor Stefan Munker of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, when asked about the impact the church’s Ladles of … more

6/8/23

Hillsboro City Council Discusses Lake Restoration Work

One question about watershed restoration for Hillsboro’s two lakes may have received a partial answer at the end of the city’s council meeting held Tuesday evening, June 6, during a … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 6/8/23

Pickers Market Makes Return To Litchfield

The Litchfield Pickers Market will return this week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, at downtown Litchfield, starting at 400 North State Street. Hosted by the Litchfield Tourism Office and … more

6/8/23

Ten-year-old Isabel McLaughlin of Hillsboro, pictured above with Dr. Lauren Draper of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, has been named the honorary chairman of the Montgomery County Cancer Association’s Birthday Party and Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 24.

McLaughlin Named Honorary Chair For MCCA

It wasn’t exactly the birthday present she was hoping for when Isabel McLaughlin found a bump in her mouth on her eighth birthday. That bump turned out to be a rare form of childhood cancer … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 6/8/23

Panhandle Hires Three At Monday Special Meeting

Members of the Panhandle Board of Education approved three hires and two advisor positions during a special meeting held on Monday, June 5, in Raymond. Kenneth Wolf, a 2017 graduate of … more

6/8/23

Raymond Village Board Discusses Improvements

Raymond Village Board met at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 5. Those present for the meeting included Mayor Denny Held, trustees Greg Bernhardt, Dan Hough, Kendall Snyder, Bill Krager, Ryan Bruntjen and … more

6/8/23

Above, Dr. Helaine Silverman from the University of Illinois Mythic Mississippi Project speaks to a group of community members about how they can work with the project to expand Hillsboro’s tourism reach.

Coal History Could Draw Tourism

At the invitation of the Montgomery County Historical Society, Dr. Helaine Silverman, a professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois, spoke to community members about her … more

by Tori O’Dell | 6/8/23

HSHS St. Francis Hospital colleagues on hand to congratulate Cassie James, Radiology, who was named the BEE Award winner, were (left to right) Jim Timpe, CEO; Jennifer Lewis Radiology Manager, Carrie Small, Radiology; Lauren Armstrong, Radiology; Cassie James; Sam Moseley, Radiology, Aryn Hunter, Director of Operations.

HSHS Presents BEE Award To James

HSHS St. Francis Hospital recently presented the Being Exceptional Everyday (BEE) Award to Cassie James of the Radiology Department. James was nominated by a colleague, who stated, “Cassie … more

6/8/23

Pickleball Play Heats Up At Central Park

Care to find yourself in a pickle? We have just the place for you. Open pickleball play has begun this summer on Tuesday evenings on the courts at Central Park in Hillsboro. Players of all skill … more

6/8/23

Last year’s Citizen of the Year Virginia Murphy, at right, presented the award to this year’s recipients, Al and Mary Ann Rimini as part of the Irish Days celebration.

Rimini Couple Honored As Citizens Of The Year

“Thank you so much,” said Mary Ann Rimini, as she and her husband, Al, were honored as this year’s Citizens of the Year in Farmersville. “We were not expecting this. We feel … more

6/5/23

Nokomis Library Closes For Move

The Nokomis Public Library will be closed Monday, June 5, through Tuesday, June 20, when they will reopen at the new location at 100 N. Spruce. As due dates approach on items already checked … more

6/5/23

Zach Boston (left) and Jenni Boden (right), graduating seniors at Litchfield High School, both received $1000 awards from Taylorville Community Credit Union, toward their continuing education. TCCU-Litchfield Branch Manager, Josh Maddaleno (center) presented the awards.

Students Earn Scholarships From TCCU

Eight graduating seniors from Hillsboro, Litchfield, Taylorville and Pana High Schools were awarded $1,000 scholarships toward their continuing education as part of Taylorville Community … more

6/5/23

On May 19, State Representative Wayne Rosenthal recognized the first responders who tended to those in the I-55 dust storm on May 1. In front, from the left, are Curt Deming of the Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service, Divernon Village President Jim Copelin, Montgomery County EMA Assistant Danny Hough, Litchfield Fire Chief Adam Pennock, Montgomery County EMA Assistant Joe Gasparich, Representative Wayne Rosenthal, Hillsboro Police Officer Tim Hopper and Springfield Fire Chief Ed Canny. In the second row are Chatham Assistant Chief Joe Bolleta, Jay Fahs of Prairieland Ambulance, Montgomery County EMA Director Kevin Schott, Raymond-Harvel Fire Chief Danny McCallum, Hillsboro Police Chief Randy Leetham, David O’Shea and Matt Tennill of the Staunton Area Ambulance Service. In the back row are Divernon Fire Chief Randy Rhodes, Brett Cullivan of America Ambulance, Litchfield Police Lt. Brian Reid, Girard Fire Chief Craig Bridges, Farmersville-Waggoner Assistant Chief Brian Byers, Carlinville Fire Chief Jess McKee, and Shoal Creek Fire Chief Steve Langheim.

Rosenthal Recognizes I-55 First Responders

On May 19, the State of Illinois and the Illinois House of Representatives honored the first responders who jumped into action to save lives during the unprecedented dust storm that struck I-55 on … more

6/5/23 | 1 comment

Ward 2 Alderman Dan Newkirk was sworn in by Finance Clerk Connie Joyce during the Litchfield City Council meeting on Thursday, June 1.

Two Sworn Thursday At Litchfield Meeting

A recently elected alderman and a new member of the Litchfield Police Department were sworn in on Thursday, June 1, at the Litchfield City Council meeting at Corwin Hall. Ward 2 Alderman Dan … more

6/5/23

Taylor Meyers and members of the Blended Artists Imaginarium Theater Group kicked of their summer by organizing a food drive to benefit local youth. Above, are (L-R) Liz Huber, Paula Bartz, Frankie Huber, Taylor Meyers, Paula Keepper, Denise Renee and Brian Goss.

Summer Food Drive Benefits Youth

On Saturday, May 27, Taylor Meyers organized a food drive for the Harvest of Hope Food Pantry in Hillsboro to collect food for their Summer Youth Bags. Meyers was assisted in the … more

6/5/23

Above, the tiny tots enrolled in the Montgomery County Learning Express program enjoy a little free play during May’s Library Lapsit program.

ROE Learning Express Hosts Lapsit

Montgomery County Learning Express hosted a “flowers” themed Library Lapsit on Wednesday, May 10, at Hillsboro Public Library. The families enrolled in the early education program … more

6/5/23

Rachel Hammon, emergency department RN, (fourth from left), was recently named St. Francis Hospital’s DAISY Award winner. Hammon was congratulated by (left to right) Karen Webb, emergency department Manager, Jim Timpe, CEO, Heather Senaldi, director of nursing and Bethany Price, RN educator.

Rachel Hammon Receives DAISY Award At St. Francis

HSHS St. Francis Hospital recently awarded Rachel Hammon, emergency department RN, with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to … more

6/5/23