News | The Journal-News

Pictured above, Bernie and Koonvadee Huber serve a monk after he blessed their food and restaurant in the Thai tradition. The Hubers celebrated the end of their inaugural season operating Happez.

They say all good things must come to an end, and Happez, a Thai American restaurant located on the south marina of Lake Glenn Shoals, celebrated the upcoming end of their inaugural year on Tuesday, … more

9/14/23

Brian Cress of Fillmore and his ten-year-old son, Kale, enjoy checking out some of the 55 cars on display at the inaugural Canines and Cars event, held Saturday, Sept. 16, at Fred B. Johnson Park in Nokomis.

Big Turnout For Canines And Cars In Nokomis

The inaugural Canines and Cars event drew 55 vehicles to Fred B. Johnson Park in Nokomis on Saturday, Sept. 16, as a fundraiser for Montgomery County Animal Control. Final donations are still coming … more

9/21/23

The building formerly housed Fleming Tawfall and Co. accountants. The larger facility will allow the health department to expand and better serve area residents.

MCHD Opens New Office In Litchfield

The Montgomery County Health Department's office in Litchfield has moved from West Union Ave. to 1357 East Union Ave., across from Elmwood Cemetery, although an official opening date for the new … more

11/22/23

Nancy Savage of the Montgomery County Cancer Association holds up the memorial bookmarks and floral tributes that will be available at this year’s MCCA Birthday Party and Celebration of Life.

MCCA Tributes To Honor Cancer Patients

Author Frances Hodgson Burnett once said, “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” This summer, volunteers with the Montgomery County Cancer … more

6/1/23

Glenshaw has been observing a pair of great horned owls in St. Louis’s Forest Park since 2005. Pictured above is Charles, a male, great horned owl.

Like Owls? Glenshaw Knows Owl About Them

“One of the happy challenges with owls is that there is just always something new to talk about,” said Mark H. X. Glenshaw, an award winning naturalist who has closely observed and … more

By Isaiah Atkins | 9/14/23

Coffeen Fall Fest Will Benefit Veterans Memorial

The City of Coffeen will host its annual Fall Fest event this Saturday, Sept. 23, beginning at 11 a.m. in Washington Park. Craft vendors will be set up from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and there is still … more

9/21/23

4-H Shows Set To Start In June

It’s that time of year when the Butler 4-H Park comes alive for the annual Montgomery County 4-H Shows. First on the roster is the 4-H Swine Show will be held in Macoupin County on … more

6/1/23

Pictured above, from left to right, Illinois FOP Corrections Lodge 263 treasurer Jay Dewitt, second vice president Ray Gonzales, correctional officer Rodney Stewart, president Scot Ward and sergeant-at-arms Dorsey Douglas.

Graham Officers Honored For Heroic 2023 Actions

Three officers at Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro have been presented with Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) awards for their actions in January 2023 when they came to the aid of 22 … more

9/14/23

Nearly 20 local fire departments and first responders lined the Frontage Road outside Farmersville on Sunday, Sept. 17, to pay their respects to longtime Farmersville-Waggoner Fire Chief Jeffrey Brown.

First Responders Pay Respects To Brown

“If you needed something, Jeff would be right there to help,” said Farmersville-Waggoner Fire Chief Mike Webb. “He did a lot of things that he didn’t ever want credit … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 9/21/23

Hillsboro Council Secures Property

The Hillsboro City Council met in special session Wednesday morning, May 31, in order to amend an ordinance regarding purchase of property at 506 Taylorville Road; the property is needed as part of … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 6/1/23

Dr. Marlow Begins Eye Surgery At Hillsboro Hospital

Beginning in August, Hillsboro Area Hospital welcomed a new face to its surgery team. Dr. Whitney Marlow of Ideal Eye Surgery officially began doing cataract surgery at the hospital on Monday, Aug. … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 9/14/23

Litchfield Church Will Celebrate Anniversary

The Christian Church of Litchfield located at 131 Yaeger Lake Trail, will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a special service on Sunday, Oct. 1, beginning at 6 p.m. Members past and present, … more

9/21/23

#ShopHillsboro 80s Style With Events On Saturday

The town will be rockin’ 80s style this weekend when #Shop Hillsboro I Love the 80s brings the big hair and parachute pants. Shop Hillsboro advertising sponsors will kick the day off with … more

6/1/23

Coalition Announces Press Forward Initiative

A coalition of 22 donors announce their new national initiative Press Forward, with the goal to strengthen communities and democracy by supporting local news and information with an infusion of more … more

9/14/23

State Has New Parameters Now For Jailing Defendants

Beginning Monday, Sept. 18, state courts in Illinois are prohibited from jailing individuals who are accused – but not convicted … more

by Jerry Nowicky & Hannah Meisel Capitol News Illinois | 9/21/23

It was a show fit for a queen at the Orpheum on Sunday, Nov. 5, as Brianna Wolf of Brianna Wolf Photography hosted more than 60 past and present pageant winners from all around the area for a special viewing of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” in Hillsboro. Wolf is the official pageant photographer for the Montgomery County Fair, the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce, Post 905 in Kincaid and the Imagine Hillsboro Snow Queens.

We All Know Now, We All Got Crowns

Brianna Wolf of Brianna Wolf Photography hosted a private Taylor Swift event Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Orpheum in Hillsboro. More than 60 past and present queens throughout the area came together for an … more

11/9/23

Ivy Jenkins met Santa for the first time, pictured above at Bank and Trust during the Raymond Christmas activities on Saturday, Nov. 25.Raymond-News Photo

Plenty Of Happiness And Cheer In Raymond

The Raymond community held their annual Christmas Mall on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Also on Saturday, local businesses treated residents to open house events throughout town, … more

12/4/23

From the left Brian Bevell, Kent Lovelace and Jimmy Evans raise the American flag at a special ceremony at Glendale Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, May 27. The flag was draped over the coffin of Lovelace’s uncle, Kenneth D. Grigg, who was killed in a car crash in Florida while serving in the Reserves.

Grigg’s Flag To Fly Over Fillmore Cemetery

"We're here to celebrate the 238 veterans buried at Glendale Cemetery in Fillmore," said Kent Lovelace. "It's pretty amazing to me for a community such as Fillmore to be blessed and honored with so … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 5/30/23

It had been 25 years since the last time the American Legion baseball field in Waggoner had been used consistently, but with the help of some parent volunteers, the old ballpark is back in use and has never looked better. After removing all of the grass and weeds from where the infield once was and hauling in new dirt for the playing surface, the baseball field started hosting tee ball games and practices for other Farmersville-Waggoner Athletic Association teams earlier this month. Above, Maylee Hampton of the Bank & Trust team gets ready to take pitcher and Bank & Trust coach Landon Weitekamp deep during her team’s game against North Mac on May 27.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

It’s Saturday, May 27, and the baseball diamond located behind the Waggoner Centennial Hall is abuzz with activity as the Farmersville-Waggoner Athletic Association tee ball team takes the … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/1/23

City of Nokomis Considers Project Labor Agreements

The Nokomis City Council listened to a presentation outlining the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for all construction projects that go out to bid at its Sept. 11 regular meeting. Mike Young, … more

by Ben Schwarm | 9/14/23