News | The Journal-News

Aumann Auctions will once again be holding Tractor School in its Vintage Power Showroom, located down the street from the main office. Pictured above, attendees at the 2024 Tractor School view a presentation.

Aumann Auctions is excited for this year’s Pre ‘30 week of auctions, but also Tractor School 2025. The Tractor School is once again being held in Aumann’s Vintage Power Showroom, … more

1/23/25

DeLong Honored For Volunteer Work

Pam DeLong is the CEFS AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program’s Volunteer of the Month. A familiar face for many in Montgomery County, DeLong served the Hillsboro School District for 34 years, … more

1/23/25

Auction Items Highlight Fundraiser

Volunteers with Cross Over Ministries are finalizing plans for the second annual Pork Loin Dinner and Auction fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church. All proceeds will … more

1/23/25

LANCER LINES • Lancer Basketball Teams Are Keeping Busy

Happy Thursday, Lancers! I hope we are all staying warm this week with these cold temperatures. Due to the cold weather this Tuesday, students had an e-learning day in replacement to in-person … more

by Abilene Norris at Lincolnwood | 1/23/25

Students at the SCI Center in Litchfield were recently nominated as SCI students of the semester for the Fall 2024 semester. Pictured above, from the left, are Jason Jackson, Remington Koniak, Quentin Christian, Matt Belusko, Westin Fenton and Eric Gray.

SCI Students Named Students Of Semester

Instructors from the auto tech, welding, construction craft and education departments of the SCI Center in Litchfield nominated SCI students of the semester for the Fall of 2024. Students were … more

1/23/25

DRAGON BEAT • Boys’ Basketball Plays In Greenville Tourney

Welcome back to another week of the Dragon Beat! I hope you all enjoyed your extended weekend to celebrate the impact of Martin Luther King Jr. On Thursday, Jan. 16, the boys got a double win … more

by Audrey Billington at HJHS | 1/23/25

TOPPER TALK • Topper Musicians Heading All-State Festival

Hello, Topper Nation! Happy third week of school. Although the unexpected below-0, temperatures came as a surprise day off, the extra long weekend has fueled us up for the second … more

by Milla Anderson at Hillsboro High | 1/23/25

New TIF Would Fund Subdivision Infrastructure In Litchfield

A public hearing was held prior to the Litchfield City Council meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16, to discuss the proposed residential TIF (tax increment financing) … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 1/21/25

Irving Woman Killed In Collision This January

A 45-year-old Irving woman died following a two-vehicle, head-on collision on Wednesday, Jan. 15, a half-mile south of Irving. According to the Illinois State Police, emergency personnel … more

1/21/25

Mayor Steve Dougherty recognized HSHS St. Francis Hospital for 150 years of dedicated service to the Litchfield community during the city council meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16. From the left are Dr. Ashish Tokyo; Shannon Maddaleno, manager of maternity and oncology services; Ian Polus, assistant manager of surgery; Aryn Hunter, chief administrative officer; Deanna Ellis, manager of medical/surgery, cardiac rehab, cardio pulmonary and sleep lab; Paula Endress, director of philanthropy; Aleisia Haslett, executive assistant and Litchfield Mayor Steve Dougherty.

Litchfield Honors St. Francis For 150 Years

The City of Litchfield took time to honor the contributions of HSHS St. Francis Hospital at the start of their meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16, in honor of the hospital’s 150th anniversary. … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 1/21/25

Hillsboro City Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements Fred Butler opened the town hall meeting on Wednesday evening with a presentation of the proposed pool plans, should the pool be located in Central Park.

Hillsboro Council Offers First Look At New Pool

Mayor Don Downs greeted a relatively small but supportive group of people to the City Hall forum at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15. Joining Downs at the leadership … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 1/21/25

Jeff Boeckler of Northwater Consulting gave a presentation on strategies to combat the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment in Lake Glenn Shoals and Lake Hillsboro as part of the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District’s 84th meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at The Abbey on Broad.

MCSWCD Discusses Solutions At 84th Meeting

The Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District (MCSWCD) held their 84th meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at The Abbey on Broad. The meeting was led by … more

by Cayden Huber | 1/21/25

Two Arrested On Exploitation Charges

An ongoing investigation by the Litchfield Police Department led to the arrest of two Litchfield residents on Friday, Jan. 17. Litchfield Police Department executed a search warrant in the 200 … more

1/21/25

Jim Hefley, pictured above at Shawnee National Forest, has been unanimously elected the president of the Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society by the board of directors. Hefley has been active at Bremer Sanctuary since his retirement from the Illinois EPA.

Hefley Named President Of Hickory Hills Chapter

The Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society has named a new president. In December, the board of directors voted unanimously to elect Jim Hefley president of Hickory Hills. Hefley has … more

1/21/25

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Nataleigh Jackson, Emberlee Gilbert, Mila Harrell and Kenna Weiss. In the second row are Coach Jessica Furness, Raelynn Eskra, Elania Kenny, Memphis Putnam, Autumn Wildhaber, Zoey Tincher and Assistant Coach Elissa Leek. In back are Karsyn Adams, Aubree Rogers, Audrey Billington, Brylee Connor and Gracie Crane.

Dragon Cheerleaders Compete At State

The Hillsboro Junior High School cheer squad competed this year in multiple ICCA Cheer invitationals this season, earning a bid to the state finals. The 40th ICCA State finals were held on Sunday, … more

1/21/25

REDSKIN REVIEW • Redskin Students Keep Busy This Winter

Happy Monday, Redskin fans! It’s been cold the past week, but that didn’t stop the Redskins from keeping busy, as they made it through their first full week back since winter break. … more

by Grace DeWerff at Nokomis | 1/21/25

PANTHER PRESS • Litchfield Tips Off In McGraw Tourney

Last week at LHS, many students were recognized. First, congratulations to Noah Polus for claiming victory in this year’s annual Pop Culture Mario Kart Tournament. This event was a blast, and … more

by Claudia Deren at Litchfield | 1/21/25

Seas The Day To Hold Paris Cruise In 2026

Seas the Day Travel is asking those with Paris on their bucket lists or World War II history buffs to join them on a group river cruise being held in July of 2026. The cruise will sail the Seine … more

1/21/25

Litchfield Finalists Win VFW District Awards

Finalists in this year’s Smart-Maher Teacher of the Year Contest, Patriot’s Pen Essay and Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contests were recognized at the Annual VFW 12th District Awards … more

1/21/25

Two Vehicle Collision Occurs South Of Irving

On Wednesday evening, Jan. 15, at 5:32 p.m. the Witt Fire Department was dispatched to a two-vehicle head-on collision on IL Rt. 16, a half mile south of Irving. Montgomery County Sheriff’s … more

1/16/25