News | The Journal-News

County Museum Exhibit Honors Farm Families

The next exhibit at the Montgomery County Museum in Hillsboro, set to open in May, will be "Down on the Farm, a Look at the Agricultural History of Montgomery County." The Historical Society of … more

1/29/24

Nokomis To Present Spring Musical

Students at Nokomis High School are bringing everyone’s favorite Peanuts characters to life this weekend as they present the spring musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie … more

3/7/24

Hantla Continues Judicial Campaign

Judge Christopher “Kit” Hantla announces that he is running to sustain his current position of resident circuit judge on Montgomery County. Judge Hantla was appointed by the Illinois … more

3/14/24

Only 20 percent of Montgomery County voters participated in the primary election on Tuesday, March 19.

County Primary Sees Low Voter Turnout

Montgomery County Democrats and Republicans alike filled out their ballots for the General Primary Election on Tuesday, March 19. The Democrat ballot was empty of contested county races, while the … more

3/21/24

Nancy Slepicka uses the interactive function on Hillsboro’s section of the “Spark! Places of Innovation” Smithsonian Institute exhibit now in the basement of the Hillsboro Area Public Library.

Spark! Smithsonian Exhibit Now Open

The “Spark! Places of Innovation” exhibit, a part of the Smithsonian Institute and Illinois Humanities’ Museum on Main Street” program, opened to a packed house during a … more

7/31/23

Hillsboro School Board Reviews Preliminary Tax Levy

Members of the Hillsboro School Board took their first look at the preliminary 2023 tax levy during their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the unit office. In the absence of board president Matt Lentz, … more

by Mike Plunkett | 11/9/23

Business As Usual For Raymond Village Board

Raymond Village Board’s recent meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20. Those present for the meeting included Mayor Denny Held, trustees Ryan Bruntjen, Dan Hough, Bill Krager, … more

11/22/23

Downtown Hosting Block Party

The Orpheum Theatre in Hillsboro has partnered with other local downtown businesses to host a Christmas Vacation themed block party on Saturday Dec. 23, starting at 5 p.m. Throughout the event, there … more

12/21/23

State Announces Tentative Multiplier At 1.000 For County

Montgomery County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. The property assessment … more

1/16/24

Later that night, many of the players and fans stuck around to see the Pacers knock off the 76ers by a slightly less defensive minded final of 134-122.

Hoop Dreams

Just a few hours before the Indiana Pacers took the floor on Thursday, Jan. 25, for an Eastern Conference showdown against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Lincolnwood and Madison boys basketball teams … more

1/29/24

Raymond Paint Party Benefits Dog Park

The community of Raymond was going to the dogs this weekend as local residents joined the fun in a “Paint with Ashley Blake” fundraiser on Saturday, March 2, at the American Legion Hall, … more

3/7/24

Longtime fifth grade teacher Amy Newkirk has been named the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year.

Newkirk Recognized As Top Educator

"Our students need someone to be in their corner and root for them, and that's what Amy does," said Litchfield Elementary School Principal Jeremy Heigert. Longtime fifth grade teacher Amy … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 3/14/24

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Willow McSperritt, Calie Martincic, Clara Armbruster, Hazel Holshouser, Kate Cunningham, Ella Reynolds and Ainsley Pollard. In back are Kenna Weiss, Lauren Storm, Avery Reynolds, Claire Trader, Emily Irvine, Brylee Connor, Miah Garmon, Brynn Connor, Audrey Billington and Shayla Sikorski.

Fusion Dancers Earn Competition Awards

Dancers from Hillsboro and Greenville Fusion Dance Center's competition team showcased their talent and dedication at the Positive Vibes Regional Dance Competition held in Godfrey, from March 9-11. … more

3/21/24

Kendall Stewart, of Litchfield, was crowned 2023 Miss Litchfield Chamber of Commerce and Miss Congeniality by retiring 2022 Miss Litchfield Chamber of Commerce Alyssa Lohman during the annual pageant held Saturday evening, July 29, in Simmons Gym at Litchfield High School. She is sponsored by House Of Glow. Other members of her court who will help her represent the Litchfield community are 2023 Little Miss Chamber of Commerce Tilly Fergurson and 2023 Junior Miss Addelyn Winans. Pictured above with Stewart and Lohman is second runner up Isabella Steiner and first runner up Caitlyn Travis.

Litchfield Chamber Welcomes New Royalty

“Welcome to the most fantastic night of the year,” said Meghan Bilyeu, 2000 Miss Litchfield Chamber of Commerce, and the event’s emcee. The pageant kicked off with Bilyeu … more

7/31/23

Three Veterans Receive Quilts Of Valor

“As of today, the story of this quilt is your story. We hope you will share your story with family and friends. It is our pleasure to honor you with this Quilt of Valor,” said members of … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 11/9/23

Taylor Springs Food, Toy Drive Applications Available

The Village of Taylor Springs will be hard at work again this year making sure that local families have a nice Christmas and groceries for their holiday meals, through their Toy and Food Drive. … more

11/22/23

Lush growth from this annual distribution of seeds will become evident next year.

Volunteers Seed City Pollinator Plot

In early December, volunteers with Imagine Hillsboro's Parks and Rec Committee cast millions of prairie seeds over the two-acre pollinator plot located east of the tennis courts at Hillsboro … more

12/21/23

Litchfield Participates In MAPPING Program

Litchfield has enlisted the help of the ‘MAPPING The Future of Your Community’ program through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University to take a proactive … more

1/16/24

New Year, New Ride For Saathoff

After winning rookie of the year in 2022 and scoring a top five finish in the Parts Unlimited American Flat Track Singles series in 2023, Hillsboro’s Chase Saathoff will be hitting the track … more

1/29/24

From the left, Mary Lowe, Helen Saxby and Lorinda “Mama Bear” Shaw of The Briar Rose in Litchfield, show the boot where they found nearly $4,000 and returned it to the customer earlier this year.

Briar Rose ‘Angels’ Return Nearly $4,000 To Customer

I keep telling them that they’re just angels,” said Laura Caulk of Irving. Caulk is talking about the ladies of The Briar Rose shop in Litchfield, who returned nearly $4,000 to her … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 3/7/24