News | The Journal-News

Pictured above, Chef and Pastor Stefan Munker of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro extends a warm welcome to the community for the church’s “Taste and See” Lent series.

St. Paul’s To Host Weekly Dinner Service

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro is inviting the community to a “Taste and See” Lent Series. This Lent, the congregation is extending an invitation to “Taste and … more

2/22/24

Residents Urged To Pay Notice To Sirens

With spring storm season now underway, the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency wants to remind residents of the importance of heeding outdoor emergency warning sirens. According to … more

4/1/24

Enrollments Down 0.9 Percent This Year

Enrollment in Montgomery County schools is down slightly less than one percent (0.9) for the 2022-23 school year, a slower rate of decline than the decades-long trend. In total, there are 4,188 … more

5/1/23

A family operation with plots that are located across a 125 mile radius, Justison Farms is a staunch proponent of sustainable farming. Above, the family works as a unit to harvest their summer wheat crop and get it to market.

Local Farm Family Shifts Towards Sustainable Farming

The home base for Justison Farms is in Butler, where the family of Lituhanian immigrants settled in 1928 after coming to Montgomery County from the Chicagoland area, however, what started as an 80 … more

by Tori O’Dell | 8/28/23

Three-Vehicle Accident Closes Illinois Route 16

A three-vehicle accident closed Route 16 between Hillsboro and Litchfield on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 27. The accident involved a John Deere tractor, a Ford F-150 pickup and a Chevy three-quarter … more

9/28/23

After undergoing remodeling on Jan. 1, the Presbyterian Church in Witt has become the Outreach Center for the “These Three: Faith, Hope and Charity” charitable and religious organization. The Outreach Center is accepting donations of clothing, shoes, clothes racks, laundry hampers, baskets and shoe racks to help those in need.

These Three Outreach Center Is Open In Witt

On Jan. 1, David Cearlock of Witt started remodeling the Presbyterian Church in Witt as an “Outreach Center” for the community. The charitable and religious organization is called … more

4/1/24

Dometic employees who participated in this year’s National Volunteer Week on Tuesday, April 18, with LAMBO are pictured above. From the left are Gordon Vollmar, Rohan Kumar, Kaitlyn Jett, Mandy Jewell, Malindia Pruden, Wesley Loew, Megan Stewart, Gabby Maguire, Krista Komor, Bill Burdell, Alicia Bloomfield, Jane DeMartini, Bill White, Katlyn Hopper, Julie Mayberry, John Ziegler and David Herschberger with LAMBO.

Dometic Participates In National Volunteer Week

As part of National Volunteer Week, employees at Dometic in Litchfield partnered with the Litchfield Area Mountain Bike Organization (LAMBO) and Friends of Lake Lou Yaeger (FOLLY) to conduct clean-up … more

5/1/23

Tower Hill Man Killed In Accident

A two-vehicle accident on Route 16 east of Nokomis on Saturday night, Sept. 23, resulted in a fatality, according to Montgomery County Coroner Randy Leetham. David L. Kerr, 42, of Tower Hill, was … more

9/28/23

Brave firefighters from across the county and beyond provided vital mutual aid as an industrial site in Carlinville went up in flames in the early hours of Sunday, March 31. A second inferno began in the late afternoon, and local firemen returned to the scene.

Industrial Fire Strikes Early Easter Morning

In the early hours of Easter morning, Sunday, March 31, a massive blaze broke out at an industrial site in Carlinville, located at 14855 University St. Carlinville Fire Department immediately … more

4/1/24

Youth artwork, like the piece above created by Daisy Mulch, will be on display at the Heartland Gallery in Hillsboro.

Happy Children, Joyful Art Opens At Heartland

The talent of area youth will be on full display in the Heartland Gallery’s upcoming show “Happy Children, Joyful Art.” The joyful and colorful show will open to the public this … more

5/1/23

Pictured above, Grand Lodge of Illinois Most Worshipful Grand Master Michael E. Jackson addresses those in attendance at the recent rededication ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge Celebrates 175 Years

Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 51, AF and AM, celebrated their 175th anniversary with a re-dedication ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23. The lodge was originally chartered in 1848. Local lodge members were joined … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 9/28/23

Tiffany Reitz was awarded $50 for being the winning submission for the Old Settler’s big parade theme for 2024. Her theme of “In The USA” marks the third time she’s earned the honor. Pictured above, in front, is Rowan Reitz. In back, from the left, are Bryer Reitz, Tiffany Reitz and Mary Brown of Brown Insurance

“In The USA” Theme For Old Settler’s Big Parade

The Old Settler’s big parade theme for 2024 has been decided and will be “In The USA.” The winning entry was given by Tiffany Reitz, who received a $50 check as well as the pride in … more

4/1/24

Litchfield Middle School faculty member Eddie Green was first in line to get ‘pied,’ as a result of being the highest finisher in the recent 'Penny Wars' fundraiser for Gold Star Mission. Representatives from the Gold Star Mission project visited LMS on Wednesday morning, Sept. 27, to accept a donation from the Litchfield Middle School Student Council.

Litchfield Middle School Helps Gold Star Mission

Litchfield Middle School welcomed Barry Tobias and Brian Monahan of Gold Star Mission on Wednesday, Sept. 27, to present a donation on behalf of the Student Council. Gold Star Mission recently hosted … more

9/28/23

April Marks National Autism Acceptance Month

"April marks Autism Acceptance Month and TASC has organized a month-long celebration," Lynn Sellers, co-founder of TASC (The Autism Support Connection), a local support group for families and … more

by Tori O’Dell | 4/1/24

Today is now recognized as Patriot Day, a national day of mourning to remember the 2,977 victims of the attack, including the 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers who were killed that day.

Never Forget Those Who Sacrificed Everything

Some of the newest members of the Litchfield Fire Department were barely even born when the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, but each one of them knows … more

9/11/23

Members of the Veiled Non-Profit group, in front, from the left are Lonnie Bathurst, Nick Adam, Dorothy Mansholt, Mike Fleming, Ed Wernsing and Henry Eilers. In back are Roger Maulding, Steve Bryant, Dave Darte, Dr. Ross Billiter, Jerry Williams and Mark Stieren.

Veiled Non-Profits Meet In Litchfield

The Litchfield Past Veiled Non-Profit group met at the Ariston for their annual dinner on Sunday, Oct. 29. The Veiled Non-Profit was created in 1948 and has been an annual tradition since then. … more

11/13/23

Nominations Needed For Farmersville Award

Nominations are being sought for the 2024 Irish Days Citizen of the Year. Local members of the community who know someone who volunteers their time and talent in the community are invited to nominate … more

4/1/24

Litchfield Council Learns About Street Project Delays

Two pay requests for Litchfield street projects were approved during the city council meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7, but some of the payment was withheld due to issues, according to the engineers for … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 9/11/23

Pictured above, Bob Towner of Edwardsville in front of the Korean War memorial. Towner, the father-in-law of Joyce Towner of Litchfield, served in the Korean War era as part of the Air Force and Air National Guard.

Towner Takes Fall Honor Flight To D.C.

The final Land of Lincoln Honor Flight of 2023 departed from Springfield on Tuesday, Sept. 19 , with local veterans on board. Bob Towner of Edwardsville had the opportunity to make the trip to … more

11/13/23

There's Still Time To Add Names To Vets' Memorials

War Veterans who were past or are present residents of the boundaries of the Hillsboro School District have until Friday, May 10, to have their names added to the Hillsboro Area Veterans Memorial by … more

4/1/24