News | The Journal-News

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

Accepting nearly two dozen awards from the Illinois Press Association, from the left, were Sports Editor Kyle Herschelman, Publisher Mary (Galer) Herschelman and owners Susie and John Galer.

Journal-News Staff Wins IPA Awards

Staff members at The Journal-News attended the annual Illinois Press Association convention on Thursday, June 6, in Bloomington. In addition to programs on local news coverage and building ad … more

6/10/24

Applications Now Available For Litchfield Chamber Pageant

The Litchfield Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Queen Pageant on Saturday, July 27 at Litchfield High School Simmons Gym. Applications for the pageant are now available. For those wanting to … more

6/27/24

From the left are Fusion Executive Director Linda Weiss, Charley Herschelman and Angel Tree Chairman Melanie Sherer. Herschelman was the first to adopt angels off the tree this year.

Time To Adopt An Angel In Hillsboro

It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas and organizers of the Hillsboro Angel Tree Project need the community’s help to make the holidays a little brighter for local families. … more

11/13/23

Hearts United in Litchfield is celebrating 25 years of operation throughout the month of April. Pictured above, from the left, are Jeanie Grove and Jeanette Ackerman.

Hearts United Celebrates 25 Years In Litchfield

Hearts United, a not-for-profit Christian Ministry in Litchfield will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on Tuesday, April 2, and although there will be cookies and coffee in the store on that date, … more

by Cayden Huber | 4/1/24

Pictured above are winners of the eighth annual DAR trivia night, held Saturday, Nov. 11, in Hillsboro. In front, from the left are Melanie Hubert and Terri Casey. In back are Shawn Balint, Tony Hubert and Chris Casey.

Annual DAR Trivia Night Raises Scholarship Funds

Members of the Christiana Tillson chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted their eighth annual trivia night fundraiser on Saturday evening, Nov. 11, at the Lions Club in Hillsboro. … more

11/13/23

Hillsboro Council Approves Hiring City Marina Manager

Hillsboro’s city council opened the new year with a rather mellow, no controversy meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 2; the only perhaps upsetting change for the upcoming summer … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 1/4/24

A police sketch of the I-70 serial killer utilized by the St. Charles Police Department. The killer was described as as “white, 5 ft. 7 to 5 ft. 8 ins. tall and weighing between 150 and 160 lbs., with sandy light hair.

Litchfield Author Profiles 30-Year Hunt For I-70 Killer

It’s May 3, 1992. A quiet Sunday afternoon in the Channel 4 KMOV newsroom in St. Louis, MO. The hometown Cardinals are playing the San Diego Padres on the TV. A slow day … more

By Isaiah Atkins | 2/12/24

Paula Bartz (far left) and Amber Kalaher (far right) from Stamp Out Cancer Team Rock, Paper, Sisters hosted a pickleball tournament in Hillsboro on Sunday, March 10. Winners of the beginner’s bracket, from the left are Clarence and Aryanna Pulcher (silver), Ann Marie and Chad Compton (gold) and Anne and Ralph McLaughlin (bronze).

Team RPS Dinks Out Cancer

Pickleballers came to Hillsboro Sunday, March 10, to Dink Out Cancer as a part of the Stamp Out Cancer fundraisers hosted by Team Rock, Paper, Sisters. Brackets were split into co-ed beginner and … more

4/1/24

Brian and Lynette Taylor were recognized as this year’s Family of Distinction during the CEFS board meeting and awards banquet on Aug. 1, in Effingham. Pictured with the Taylors is CEFS Board Chairperson Chuck Buchanan.

CEFS Honors Those Who Help Them

“Community action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are … more

8/12/24

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

Panhandle District To Look At Gym Renovation

In April, the Panhandle School Board learned about some of the options pertaining to the issues involving Lincolnwood High School’s gymnasium. On Monday, June 24, the board decided to move … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/27/24

Abigail Kroski, vocalist for the band Salmon Creek, was one of the high notes in the Old Settlers parade on Thursday, Aug. 8, as she performed atop The Abbey on Broad's float, which won first place in the business division.

Oh The Sweet Sounds Of Old Settlers

As early as Wednesday night the telltale signs of the Old Settlers Parade were evident as parade-goers staked out their spots for the main event on Thursday, Aug. 8. This year’s theme was … more

8/12/24

First place in the Witt Labor Day Parade’s antique vehicle category was awarded to Jose Morales’ Chevy Impala. Pictured above, Morales shows off his car’s impressive hydraulics for the crowd.

Witt Parade Caps Off Long Weekend

Witt was the place to be to celebrate Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2, when the annual parade stepped off at 11 a.m. The city streets were lined with hundreds of celebrants, enjoying the weekend of … more

9/3/24

Student Arrested After Making Threatening Statements

A 12-year-old juvenile was arrested by Litchfield Police Thursday night after allegedly making threatening statements toward the Litchfield School District. On Thursday, Sept.5, 2024, at … more

9/6/24

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