News | The Journal-News

Litchfield Receives $300,000 Grant

Nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. For the second year in a … more

2/1/24

Witt Fire Department Plans Rib Fundraiser In February

The Witt Volunteer Fire Department's (WVFD) 15th annual drive-thru Rib Dinner Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Witt Lions Club. The $20 meal includes a half-rack … more

2/12/24

Four Arrested After Theft Of $500,000 In Property

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, an investigation into the thefts of large amounts of copper and other materials from Vistra’s Luminant Coffeen Power Plant resulted in the arrests of four individuals and … more

2/20/24

Liz Row Huber and Rick Cina prepare for the upcoming production of “Love Letters,” which will open at The Grand Theatre in Hillsboro in July. Each performance is cast with a different pairing of local actors, adding a twist to the unorthodox play.

‘Love Letters’ Opens At Grand Theatre In July

“It is a really different type of show,” said Susan Collins, who is directing and producing the Blended Artists Imaginarium’s upcoming production of “Love Letters” … more

by Tori O’Dell | 6/29/23

Recent Greenville University graduate Isaiah Atkins of Hillsboro has joined the editorial staff at The Journal-News this summer as a reporter and photographer.

Atkins Excited To Join Newspaper Staff

The Journal-News is excited to announce the recent addition of Isaiah Atkins to the editorial staff. Atkins, a member of the 2019 Hillsboro High School graduating class, is the son of Brian and … more

7/3/23

Bremer Presents Coyotes And Bobcats Program

Curious about the interesting history of coyotes and bobcats in Illinois? The H&B Bremer Wildlife Sanctuary present an exciting program and presentation by Nathan Grider. more

2/1/24

Litchfield To Begin Planning For 2026 Rt. 66 Celebration

In 2026, the states through which the historic Route 66 passes will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the route’s designation. Posts on many Route 66 social media platforms show that travelers … more

2/20/24

Panhandle Registration Opens July 1

Online registration for the Panhandle CUSD #2 for the 2023 to 2024 school year will open on Saturday, July 1, and close Wednesday, Aug. 2. Information for online registration and … more

6/29/23

Glenn Shoals Lake had an influx of piratical activity on Sunday, July 2, as two boats of buccaneers were among the seven entries in the inaugural Glenn Shoals Lake Club Boat Parade at the south marina. Several other entries had a patriotic theme to their crafts, including the Manzer family, who ran afoul of “By Dawns Light” and Captain Don McCollum. Above, Cole Curry gives the Manzer craft a taste of the water cannon, prior to the judging, which McCollum and his fellow privateers won to earn two free passes to the Glenn Shoals Aqua Run on July 29.

Boat Parade A Hit At Glenn Shoals

The threat of wet weather moved up the start time of the inaugural Glenn Shoals Lake Club Boat Parade, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the dozens in attendance. Staged at the south … more

7/3/23

Vegetable printing will be the activity at the Nov. 14 MCAG meeting. This is Huber’s sample of flowers stamped with shallots. Blue specks in background are from rolling corn on the cob.

County Art Guild Veggie Painting On Tuesday, Nov. 14

Montgomery County Art Guild will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the basement of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. This month’s activity will be vegetable printing led by … more

11/13/23

Four teams will be competing for the crown in this year’s Stamp Out Cancer event. In front, from the left are Team Gudgel Ranch, Cody and Jennifer Gudgel of Litchfield and Team Hitch Up, Samantha and Butch Hitchings of Hillsboro. In back are Team Um-Believable,a Tina and Denny Umberger of Nokomis and Team Rock, Paper, Sisters, Paula Bartz and Amber Kalaher of Hillsboro.

Stamp Out Cancer Launches 13th Year

“Hopefully, we’re making our march toward a million dollars this year,” said Zach Wygal of Stamp Out Cancer. Wygal and his committee officially launched the 13th season of Stamp Out … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 2/1/24

Redfern Looks Back On Coffeen And Preaching

“I preach the same message because it’s always true,” said Leland Redfern, a 91 year old retired Baptist minister who currently resides in Centralia, with origins in Montgomery … more

by Cayden Huber | 2/12/24

Hillsboro Board Makes Personnel Moves

Following executive session at the Hillsboro School Board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13, board members accepted the resignation of teacher’s aide Kaili Hanner, custodian Ridge Snoddy, and High … more

2/20/24

HSHS Offers Tips For Easier Breathing

With smoke from wildfires in Canada traveling down into the region, the air quality has deteriorated rapidly, leading the National Weather Service in Lincoln to issue an air quality alert. HSHS … more

6/29/23

At 92 years young, Fred “Sonny”Bergman of Irving continues to plant a large garden each and every year, sharing the bounty of produce with family and community members.

Bergman’s Garden Continues To Grow In Irving

“Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.” – Unknown. That certainly holds true for 92-year-old Fred “Sonny” Bergman of Irving, who continues to … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschleman | 7/3/23

With Litchfield High School Homecoming just around the corner, the Fairy Godmother Boutique has been set up in the school office for those in need of a dress to wear to the dance.

Fairy Godmother Returns To Litchfield

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo! And just like that, the Fairy Godmother Boutique has returned to Litchfield High School just in time for the annual Homecoming dance on Saturday evening, Sept. 23. The boutique, … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 9/18/23

Don Walcher, along with other members of the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard, offer a 21-gun salute to conclude this year’s Veterans’ Day program in Hillsboro.

Hillsboro Pauses To Remember Veterans

“The best definition I have ever heard for a veteran is ‘Someone who, at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America for an amount up to and … more

11/13/23

HSHS, ImpactLife Host February Blood Drive

HSHS St. Francis Hospital will be hosting a community blood drive on Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 1215 Franciscan Drive, inside the donor bus. Those interested in making a donation … more

2/20/24

The Pesko family attended the Distinguished Citizen dinner honoring Kevin Pesko, where Pesko was awarded as the 2023 Distinguished Citizen. Pictured above from left to right are Ben and Brittany Brown, Linda and Kevin Pesko, and Lauren and Matt Ziegler.

Kevin Pesko Honored As Distinguished Citizen

Kevin Pesko of Belleville was honored as the 2023 Distinguised Citizen Award recipient by the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America at the Distinguished Citizen Dinner on Thursday, … more

7/3/23

Gold Star Mission Riders Come Through Litchfield

Riders with the Gold Star Mission project will come through Litchfield this week, as part of a 500-mile bicyle ride. The cyclists will be arriving in Litchfield around 4:30 p.m. and will gather at … more

9/18/23