News | The Journal-News

As Hal Langheim of Langheim Auctioneers watches for bidders, grant recipient Reece Lohman holds up a bike for the auction. Also pictured is emcee Nikki Bishop, center.

“Overcome Through Courage And Strength.” That’s what each of the shirts read as the Montgomery County Cancer Association hosted its annual Birthday Party and Celebration of Life … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 6/29/23

Annual Event Needs Bed Race Teams

The next Shop Hillsboro event set for Saturday, Oct. 7, during the Imagine Hillsboro Harvest Market will include the downtown Hillsboro popular bed races. The event is hosted by The Journal-News and … more

9/11/23

Smith Pinned, Promoted To Chief Petty Officer

Jared C. Smith, formerly of Hillsboro, was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in a pinning ceremony held at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver, CO. Family members attended the Sept. … more

11/13/23

Fusion Fitness and Aquatics members enjoy a spin class in the facility's gym. Fusion kicked off its 15th annual Lighten Up for Montgomery County challenge this week.

Fusion Challenge Kicks Off 15th Year

Their mission is to promote wellness and healthier lifestyles by generating awareness of the benefits that health care, fitness and lifestyle changes can provide. … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 1/4/24

CEFS Opens Head Start In Litchfield

Montgomery County C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5, now known as Aumann Preschool Center, held a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Friday, Feb. 9, at the preschool, located at 402 W. St. John St. in … more

by Cayden Huber | 2/12/24

Pictured above are winners of the Nokomis Women’s Club Easter coloring contest. In front, from the left are Ella Bauman, Blakely Gross, Paislee Jones, Keagan Scoles and Lilly Patrick. In back are Easter Bunny (Abbey Spencer), Gauge Lehman, Adan Huddleston, Sydney Tarter and Alyvia Bugg.

Nokomis Women’s Club Hosts Hunt

Members of the Nokomis Women’s Club presented the awards from their annual Easter coloring contest, following the community egg hunt on Saturday afternoon, March 30, at Fred B. Johnson Park in … more

4/1/24

Pastor Stefan Munker, of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, gives an invocation during a plaque dedication, part of Hillsboro’s Bicentennial Birthday Party, on Saturday, June 24, at Central Park in Hillsboro, not far from the spot where the city’s first settlements were established in the early 19th century.

Happy Birthday To You, Hillsboro!

Community members celebrated Hillsboro’s bicentennial year with a 200th Birthday Party at Central Park on Saturday, June 24. Hosted by Imagine Hillsboro, the family-friendly event served … more

6/29/23

Gold Star Riders Will Stop In Litchfield

Illinois Gold Star Mission’s 510-mile Gold Star 500 endurance bicycle ride will pass through Central and Southern Illinois from Sept. 19-23–including a stop the first day in … more

9/11/23

District 5 Senior Mixed Choir Pictured above, in front, from the left are Isabella Collins, Lily Churchwell, Zoey Spinner, Aly Leisure, Lauren Storm and Rylie Jones. In the second row are Kyleigh Currie, Ryleigh Van Doren, Milla Anderson, Samuel Dilley and Garrett Kalaher. In the third row are Anika Cunningham, Kamdyn Putnam, Andrea Huber, Peyton Brewer, Lauryn Miller and Jaxon Wittenmyer. In back are Owen Earnest, Mitchell Cunningham, Dominic Clark and Mark Mattson. Not present for the photo were Leah Hemken and Frankie Huber.

Hillsboro Music Students Participate In ILMEA District 5 Festival

Hillsboro Junior High and Hillsboro High School musicians recently auditioned for the Illinois Music Educators Association District 5 ensembles. Students submitted virtual auditions in September to … more

11/13/23

Jeff Dunn of Hillsboro had the chance to take a scenic ride around town after servicing a neon bulb for Midwest Aeronautical Helicopter Services in Pacific, MO. The helicopter landed in Central Park on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

It's A Beautiful Day For A Helicopter Ride

Central Park made the perfect landing spot for a pair of recent visitors from Missouri on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Charlie Duchek of Midwest Aeronautical Helicopter Services in Pacific, MO, piloted the … more

1/4/24

Panhandle District Prepares For 2024-25 School Year

The 2023-24 school year is more than halfway complete and preparations are in full swing for the 2024-25 school year in the Panhandle School District. During the meeting of the board of education on … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 2/1/24

Sculptor John McClarey was the first to pose with the Lincoln statue and Historic Courthouse background, on Aug 11, 2009.

Thanks To McClarey, Hillsboro’s Lincoln Is Like No Other

John McClarey’s death in a car crash three weeks ago has spurred fond memories of how this world-renowned sculptor helped Hillsboro reconnect to its rich history. Fifteen years ago, … more

by Nancy Slepicka | 2/12/24

Local Donation Set To Approve Aesthetics In Litchfield

Members of the Litchfield City Council approved a beautification project for the city, funded by a $100,000 donation by a local resident who wishes to improve the aesthetics within the community. The … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 2/20/24

Pictured above, two-year-old Brynlee Bell chooses a yellow egg to add to her basket.

Youngsters Hunt Easter Eggs In Irving

Youngsters of all ages met at the Irving Methodist Church for the annual community Easter egg hunt in Irving on Saturday morning, March 30. Prior to the hunt, children and their families joined the … more

4/1/24

Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser warns local residents about a scam coming through the mail asking property owners to purchase a copy of their deed. Anyone concerned about something they receive in the mail may contact her office.

County Clerk Warns Property Owners About Scam

Montgomery County property owners are warned to disregard letters they may receive in the mail or via email from companies advising them to buy a copy of the deed to their property and a … more

6/29/23

School Enrollment Drops Across Montgomery County

The decades-long slow and steady decline in school enrollment appears to have picked up a little speed during the current school year. The number of students attending the four public school … more

1/4/24

Nokomis Continues With Water Projects

The Nokomis City Council met at its regular meeting on Jan. 29 and continued processing the legal paperwork necessary to continue its city water and sewer upgrades. Commissioners passed an ordinance … more

By Ben Schwarm | 2/1/24

Pictured above are this year’s celebrity waiters. In front, from the left are Steven Janssen, Sandy Leitheiser, Dr. Stacy Funderburk, Lisa Walden, Tommi Cline, Lucas Altenberger, Karen Sanders, Michelle Reeves, Megan Kindernay and Cooper Law. In the middle row are Jaimann Ellis, John Rapp, Bryant Hitchings, Bob Schwander, Mike Plunkett, Randy Leetham, Dr. Ben Cady, Jordan Hewitt, Riley Hewitt, Tyson Holshouser and John Kindernay. In back are Jeremy Connor, Dylan Richter, Greg Cowell, James Hertel and Earl Flack.

A New Record!

As the Hillsboro Area Health Foundation annual Valentine’s Gala celebrated its silver anniversary this year, the event also set a new fundraising record of over $135,000. The 25th annual event … more

2/12/24

Kurt Probst Dies In Missouri Truck Crash

The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed that 45-year-old Kurt Probst of Fillmore lost his life as a result of a truck accident that occurred in Lafayette County on Tuesday evening, Feb. 13. … more

2/20/24

The City of Coffeen held its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 30. Each age group had one golden egg that could be found in exchange for a reward. Golden egg winners are pictured above with the Easter Bunny. The winners are, from the left, Caleb Fleming, Ava Fath, Weston Stanfill sitting on the Easter Bunny’s lap, Brooklyn Fleming and Bailey Yates.

Coffeen Firefighters Host Easter Bunny, Egg Hunt

The City of Coffeen held its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 30, at the Community Park near Coffeen School. Hunters were divided into age groups of zero to one, two to three, four to five, … more

4/1/24