News | The Journal-News

This summer marks the fourth season for the Harvel Community Garden (pictured above). Spearheaded by Trinity Lutheran Church, community members meet weekly on Wednesday evenings to tend to the garden.

“The community garden is a way for Trinity Lutheran Church to show our love for the community,” said Pastor Joe Nehring, who was at the forefront of starting the Harvel Community … more

By Tori O’Dell | 8/14/23

Hillsboro Council Awards Bid For Spillway Repairs

Hillsboro’s city council moved rather quickly through a 26 item agenda Tuesday evening, Sept. 5. All members were present, and there were no public comments. Several long-standing issues began … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/7/23

Pictured above, drum majors from their respective schools accept awards at the end of the program. From the left are drum majors from Vandalia, Gillespie, Hillsboro, Carlinville, Southwestern and Litchfield.

Litchfield Hosts First-Ever Marching Band Showcase

Music filled the air as Litchfield High School hosted the first-ever South Central Conference Marching Band Showcase on Saturday evening, Oct. 21, at Lloyd Hill Field. Students from Vandalia, … more

10/26/23

Litchfield native Lauren Plummer has been serving as the executive director of the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce since May of this year.

Plummer To Lead Litchfield Chamber

Growing up in a small business, Litchfield native Lauren Plummer knows not only the hard work and dedication it takes to succeed, but also some of the challenges business owners may face. Plummer, … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 11/30/23

The Passion Painter Andy Raines provided his testimony at the gala, as well as a painting demonstration.

Cross Over Gala Raises Over $10,000

Cross Over Ministries held its first annual banquet and silent auction fundraiser on Saturday Feb. 24, at the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church. The event raised over $10,000 to support … more

2/29/24

Harvest Of Hope Hosts Its Spring Food Drive

Harvest of Hope Food Pantry will be holding its Spring into Action Food Drive on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Food will be collected at Capri IGA in Hillsboro, Dollar General in … more

4/18/24

Panhandle Board Works On Budget

The Panhandle School Board approved the tentative amended budget for the 2023 fiscal year during their meeting on Monday, May 15 as the school year continues to wind down for the district. … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 5/18/23

Danny Millburg and Dave Waggoner spent a great deal of time and effort in making sure the former Waggoner High School building remained a centerpiece of their community before both passed away in 2022. Now, there is a lasting reminder of that dedication in two benches installed in front of the Waggoner Centennial Building in their honor.

Two Benches Honor Millburg, Waggoner

It was never a big surprise to see Danny Millburg or Dave Waggoner at the Waggoner Centennial Building before they passed away in 2022, but now friends and family of these two men have a lasting … more

8/10/23

The Panhandle Picklers are excited to host the ‘Pickler Putt-Putt’ event for the community. Proceeds will go towards the renovation of the public tennis court into three new pickleball courts. Pictured above, members of the Picklers, from the left, Sandy Smith, Dee Williams, Sharon Lyons, Ginny Brockmeyer and Pat Pope.

Panhandle Pickleball Group Hosts Fundraiser

The Panhandle Picklers are hosting their first ever ‘Pickler Putt-Putt’ event on Saturday, Aug. 19, as part of fundraising operations for the Raymond pickleball courts project. … more

8/14/23

LIHEAP Forms Available Oct. 2

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) released information about this year’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support … more

9/7/23

Pictured above are pumpkin contest winners from the Oct. 21 Fall Fling carving and decorating contest. On the left is first place winner Sterling Huber and right is second place Ivan Malisia.

Nu Way Deli, Iron Horse Saloon Host Fall Fling

Locals visited Nu Way Deli and Iron Horse Saloon in Panama on Saturday, Oct. 21. for the Fall Fling event. The event featured live music from noon to 2 p.m. and food such as brat burgers and pulled … more

10/26/23

The Village of Taylor Springs has renovated and refurbished the former VFW Post on Illinois Route 127 into The Outpost, now a meeting and banquet hall available to rent through the village.

Village Trustees Officially Open The Outpost

"I think it's just beautiful," said Village of Taylor Springs trustee Melinda Marsh. "The village is really investing in our future." The building Marsh is talking about is the newly renovated The … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 11/30/23

At left, Lincoln Jenkins’ imaginary penguin says, "If only I could talk," while carrying a skillet with eggs and bacon.

Comics Show Kids’ Creative Talents

Creativity, action and fun were fast-paced on Saturday morning, Feb. 24, as the "Comic Book Guy" challenged kids to imagine and draw creatures and people in a variety of wacky settings. It was the … more

2/29/24

Aumann Auctions has acquired multiple automobiles from 2023's Oscar nominated film, "Killers Of The Flower Moon," to be auctioned off online, beginning on Sunday, April 28.

Aumann Auctions Off 'Flower Moon' Vehicles

Aumann Auctions is proud to announce the acquisition of ten vehicles featured in the Oscar-nominated movie “Killers of the Flower Moon,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. … more

4/18/24

Eric Kohnen of Poettker Construction, at left, shows the board progress on the South Central Illinois Regional Training and Innovation Center before their regular meeting on Tuesday evening, May 16. Above, he shows the newly installed roll-up doors in the welding room.

Progress Continues On Litchfield Building Projects

Progress continues on three construction projects in the Litchfield School District and board members got an update on all of them as part of the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, May 16. … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 5/18/23

Raymond Village Board Continues Conversations

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

8/10/23

The Cooper clan from Coffeen won ribbons and ride tickets for their Just For Kids Lego entries. From the left are Jase, Maebry and Mason Cooper.

Old Settlers Country Fair Has Dozens Of Winners

The Country Fair returned to the 139th Old Settlers celebration on Sunday, Aug. 6, in the basement of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in downtown Hillsboro. Dozens of brightly colored entries … more

8/14/23

Pictured above, Joyce Knodle was inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame, after 20 years as a volunteer 4-H leader in Montgomery County.

Joyce Knodle Inducted Into Illinois 4-H Hall Of Fame

Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success, as the program relies on its more than 6,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Joyce Knodle, a 20-year volunteer in … more

9/7/23

Brandon Booher Earns Promotion To Captain

Hillsboro native Brandon Booher was recently promoted to the rank of Navy Captain in a ceremony held at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Captain A graduate of Hillsboro High School in 1999, … more

10/26/23

So Many Choices, So Little Time ‘Til Christmas

Ryker Weitekamp contemplates his options as he gets down to business with Santa Claus regarding the upcoming holiday season on Saturday, Nov. 25, in Farmersville. Santa made a trip down from the … more

11/30/23