News | The Journal-News

MyFormals in Litchfield held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate their 35th anniversary on Saturday, March 2, at 9 a.m. Refreshments were provided, alongside a chance to meet with former Project Runway contestant and fashion designer Johnathan Kayne. In front, from the left, are Litchfield Chamber of Commerce President Kassidy Paine, Morgan Laurie, Litchfield Chamber of Commerce Queen Kendall Stewart, Little Miss Litchfield Chamber of Commerce Addy Winans, MyFormals owner Lisa Brumm, Brielle Marten and Lauren Plummer. In the back, from the left, are Maria Eilers, Meghan Hyam, Megan Stewart, Johnathan Kayne, MyFormals co-owner Katy Pederson, Athena Sedlack and Vickie Throne.

MyFormals Celebrates 35 Years Of Local Fashion

Coral may not be one’s first thought when it comes to fashion, but MyFormals in Litchfield made that the case as they celebrated their 35th anniversary on Saturday, March 2. The 9 a.m. … more

3/4/24

Stamp Out Cancer Team Seeks Silent Auction Items

The Stamp Out Cancer team is looking for items to add to their silent auction for their big event on Saturday, April 6. The Stamp Out Cancer silent auction is one of the biggest in the county with a … more

3/18/24

Coffeen Alumni Share Memories At Reunion

There were 30 members and six guests in attendance for the 104th annual Coffeen Alumni Association meeting, which was held at the East Fork Community building in Coffeen on Saturday, May 27. … more

7/10/23

Main Street Closed Overnight Saturday

Main Street in downtown Hillsboro will be closed from Tilson Street north to Courthouse Square overnight Saturday for re-striping of parking spots and crosswalks, according to Mayor Don Downs. … more

7/13/23

Gold Star Mission To Ride Into Litchfield Sept. 19

“Always remember, never forget,” reads the motto of Gold Star Mission, speaking to those who lost their lives serving their country. On Sept. 19, Gold Star Mission will ride into … more

By Isaiah Atkins | 8/17/23

Trump Still Candidate In County Primary Race

Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser informs voters that the court ruling on Wednesday, Feb. 28, by Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter to remove Republican Presidential … more

3/4/24

Katie Rogers pins her husband David’s badge on after he was sworn in as the Litchfield Fire Department’s newest captain on Thursday, July 6. Rogers has worked for the Litchfield Fire Department since 2011.

Litchfield Fire Promotes One, Adds Another

A promotion and a new addition to the Litchfield Fire Department led off the city council meeting on Thursday, July 6. The council had approved testing for the captain’s position with the … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 7/10/23

Registration Open For October Pickers Market

Registration is open for art and craft vendor booth space at the final 2023 Litchfield Pickers Market on Sunday, Oct. 8. This market will feature juried vintage, antique and refurbished items, … more

8/17/23

Pictured above is Holly Leetham of the Hillsboro Lions Club and Mayor Don Downs.

Hillsboro Lions Club Host Candy Day This Saturday

Mayor Don Downs of the City of Hillsboro proclaimed Saturday, Oct. 21, to be Lions Club Candy Day, as the Hillsboro Lions Club will participate in Candy Day by giving away candy and accepting … more

10/19/23

Hillsboro’s city council paused long enough during Tuesday’s meeting to hire Nathan Brown as the newest member of the police force. City Clerk David Jenkins, at left, did the ceremony. Brown, at right, born in Grand Tower, now lives in Pana, but is looking for housing for his family in Hillsboro; he brings 15 years police experience with him.

Hillsboro Approves New Capital Improvement Fund

For the first time in recent history (perhaps it’s the first time ever), Hillsboro has a Capital Improvement Plan. The city council unanimously approved it 5-0 at their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 1/18/24

Bridge The Gap Ministry To Host Lenten Meals

Bridge the Gap, a ministry of the Nokomis Ministerial Alliance will be serving Lenten meals at a variety of Nokomis churches, and donations will go to support Cross Over Ministries, specifically the … more

2/5/24

Ease Summer Stress By Pre-Paying Taxes

Those who want to use income tax returns to make this summer less stressful may want to look at pre-paying their property taxes. Montgomery County propert tax installments are typically due in July … more

3/4/24

For four generations the Houck family has farmed in Montgomery County. Pictured above, from the left are Dale Houck, Heath Houck, Larry Houck and Ike Houck.

Houck Eager To Learn More About The Field

Since 1964, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has served 43,000 soybean farmers across the state, guiding market development, soybean production and government relations efforts while also … more

By Isaiah Atkins | 3/18/24

The Queen Cobras cheer team (pictured above) received first place in their division and were announced prep grand champion at the Florida Finals in Kissimmee, FL, where they competed at the end of May.

MWR Queen Cobras Take First Place

Midwest Royals competitive cheer team the Queen Cobras attended the Florida Finals in Kissimmee, FL, at the end of May. The Litchfield-based cheer team received a paid bid after competing and … more

6/20/23

City OKs Tourney, Street Closures

Hillsboro’s city council met at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 6 (the regular meeting date would have been July 4), and the early hour seemed to shorten the proceedings. Only Tommy Justison was … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 7/10/23

Miss Montgomery County Fair Queen Alexis Lessman competed with more than 70 young women in this year’s Miss Illinois County Fair Queen competition, held Jan. 11-14, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield.

County Queen Shines At Stage Competition

“It was a really great experience for me,” said 2023 Miss Montgomery County Fair Queen Alexis Lessman as she competed in the 2024 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen pageant, held Jan. 11-14 … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 1/18/24

Trust Launches Campaign To Preserve Route 66

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is launching the Preserve Route 66: Share Your Story campaign, an effort to collect stories about the people and places that make America’s … more

2/5/24

County Farm Bureau Plans Field Day Event

Montgomery County Farm Bureau farmers and community partners will be hosting the 2024 Nutrient Stewardship Field Day on Wednesday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held rain or … more

3/4/24

The Midwest Royals All Stars teams “Venom” and “Girl Fight” (pictured above) received paid bids to compete in the “All Star Worlds” cheer competition in Orlando, FL. The competitive cheerleaders represented their gym well, both bringing home high placements.

Midwest Royals Bring Home Hardware

The Midwest Royals All Stars (MWR) took two teams to the “All Star Worlds” cheer competition in Orlando, FL, at the beginning of May. Teams must receive a bid in order to … more

6/20/23

You Can Sign Up Now For 2023 Old Settler’s Fun Run

The 2023 Hillsboro Old settlers’ four-mile run, team run and two-mile walk will take place Sunday, Aug. 6, with a start time at 7:30 a.m. Race day registration opens at 6:45 a.m. at 114 E. Wood … more

7/10/23