News | The Journal-News

The Illinois Department of Transportation dedicated its new headquarters in honor of the late James L. Easterly, a lifelong Litchfield resident who spent his entire career in a variety of roles in the department. Pictured above with the new sign for the building are Easterly’s wife, Gale Easterly, daughter, Tammy Rahn, and son, Gregg Easterly.

New IDOT Building Named After Litchfield Engineer Jim Easterly

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced its new District 6 headquarters at 3215 Executive Drive in Springfield has been named in honor of the late longtime employee and former … more

7/6/23

Raymond Man Killed In Virden Airplane Crash

A Raymond man died in an airplane crash southwest of Virden Saturday morning, Aug. 12. Gregory M. Bierman, 62, was pronounced dead at the scene by Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya at about 9 … more

8/17/23

Hillsboro native Meghan Gonzalez, center, was honored by the VFW posts between Quincy and Springfield as Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Hillsboro Native Earns VFW Teaching Award

Hillsboro native Meghan Gonzalez was honored as the Middle School Teacher of the Year for the VFW posts between Quincy and Springfield. The daughter of Bill and Becky Gonzalez of Hillsboro, she is a … more

1/18/24

The Hillsboro High School Building Trades Class recently wrapped up work on a renovated home on Vandalia St. in Hillsboro. Pictured above are students Elliot Lentz, Elias Guiterrez, Alec Leetham and Jace Stewart. An open house will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Building Trades’ House Ready To Be A Home

“Welcome to a home where education meets practical application,” the Montgomery County Realtors stated, in an announcement of a new home listing on Facebook. The new home is the product … more

By Isaiah Atkins | 1/25/24

The family of Michael Assalley is continuing his legacy through Assalley Funeral Homes. Assalley passed away in January, just two days after being diagnosed with leukemia. Pictured above with the late Michael Assalley are his wife, Lauren, and children, Ila, Vincent and John.

Assalley Funeral Homes Continues Michael’s Legacy

"My husband was taking on the world," said Lauren Assalley of Taylorville. "He lived a life of service, honesty, integrity, and we want everyone to know that we are still here to carry on his … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 3/28/24

Pictured above, Mitchell Cunningham as Nick Bottom, at left, and Samuel Dilley as Nostradamus, are ready to produce a musical.

Something Rotten! Opens Tonight At HHS

There's Something Rotten! in the Hillsboro High School gym as this year's operetta performance opens tonight, Thursday, April 25, with the Hillsboro Rotary Club dinner theater. Additional … more

4/25/24

State Police ID Five More I-55 Pile-Up Fatalities

Illinois State Police released five more names on Saturday, May 6, of the seven people killed in the May 1 accident that involved 72 vehicles on Interstate 55 north of Farmersville last week. In … more

5/8/23

Alexis Lessman of Hillsboro is all smiles as they announced her name as this year's 2023 Miss Montgomery County Fair Queen during the opening day of the 37th Montgomery County Fair in Butler on Wednesday evening, June 21. Also crowned that night were 2023 Junior Miss Montgomery County Nataleigh Jackson of Hillsboro and 2023 Little Miss Montgomery County Fair Karsyn Jones of Hillsboro.

Pageant Shines To Open County Fair In Butler

It was all sparkles and shine to open the 37th Montgomery County Fair in Butler on Wednesday evening, June 21. Mary Bishop, president of the Montgomery County Fair Board, welcomed everyone to … more

6/22/23

First Installment Of Property Taxes Due July 14

Montgomery County Treasurer Nikki Lohman reminds county residents that the first installment of real estate taxes are due to her office by July 14. They were mailed to local residents on June 14. … more

7/6/23

Property Taxes Due On Sept. 1

The second installment of Montgomery County property tax payments is due on Friday, Sept. 1, according to the Montgomery County Treasurer’s Office. A penalty of 1.5 percent will be added to the … more

8/17/23

Jeff Boeckler of Northwater Consulting presents a multitude of statistics, along with action plans made with the goal of making the water clearer in Lake Glenn Shoals and Lake Hillsboro.

Soil And Water District Host Annual Meeting

The Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) held their annual meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the University of Illinois Extension office in Hillsboro. Before the meeting began, … more

by Cayden Huber | 1/25/24

Congress Passes NNA Language Directing HHS

Three years of planning and effort by the National Newspaper Association and its partners resulted this weekend in an emphatic recognition by Congress of the vital role community newspapers play in … more

3/28/24

Work Begins On Site Of Sinkhole

Excavators can be seen on the site of a large sinkhole on Wednesday afternoon, April 24, on the property of Arlen and Pat Kasten, located on Illinois 185 between Coffeen and Hillsboro. The highway … more

4/25/24

Melanie Sherer of The Event Center (center) gives Cassie Gunn (right) a tour of the facility’s new bridal suite during an open house on Saturday, May 6.

Event Center Unveils New Bridal Suite

An open house on Saturday, May 6, celebrated a new place for brides to prep for their big day. The new bridal suite at The Event Center in Hillsboro was unveiled in a spacious, tuck-away spot at … more

5/8/23

Pickers Market Returns July 9

The Litchfield Pickers Market returns Sunday, July 9, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at 400 N. State St. in downtown Litchfield. This vintage and antique market is a fun, family-friendly event and the city of … more

7/6/23

Committee Will Make Recomendations

The Hillsboro Natural Resources Committee’s meeting on Wednesday evening, July 19, was relatively short but perhaps meaningful in terms of the closed session in which two candidates for open … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 7/24/23

Representing Lincolnwood High School is sophomore Robbie Gunn.

County Musicians Take Talent To All-State Festival In Peoria

A dozen county high school musicians will be taking their talents to Peoria this weekend for the annual ILMEA (Illinois Music Education Association) All-State Festival. Held Jan. 24-27 at the Peoria … more

1/25/24

For the past seven months, countless drivers have passed the now iconic sign off the shoulder of Rt. 16 between Litchfield and Hillsboro. Bright colors and lights make the sign visible at all times of the day, a lighthouse for weary traveling boondockers to set up camp.

Boondockers Welcome, Just Look For The Sign On Route 16

It’s hard to miss. “BDW,” painted in bright striped letters across the billboard-sized sign, sitting right off the shoulder of Route 16, between Hillsboro and Litchfield. Small … more

By Isaiah Atkins | 2/5/24

Montgomery County Republican Central Committee members and office holders, in front, from the left are Cody Gudgel, County Board member Chad Ruppert, Larry Hewitt, County Board member Patty Whitworth, Secretary Roberta Meyer, County Board member Connie Beck, Christine Daniels, Jim Jones, Adam Ortega, Treasurer Tommy Justison, County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser and Undersheriff Tyson Holshouser. In back are County Board Chairman Doug Donaldson, Sheriff Rick Robbins, Chairman Mark Hughes, Shawn Bizaillion, County Board member Andy Ritchie, State Representative Wayne Rosenthal, State Senator Steve McClure, State Senator Jason Plummer, Judge Christopher (Kit) Hantla, Coroner Randy Leetham, State’s Attorney Andrew Affrunti, Circuit Clerk Daniel Robbins, Rob Corso and Vice-Chairman Jeremy Jones.

County Republicans Hold Annual Lincoln Dinner

The Montgomery County Republican Central Committee (MCRCC) hosted their annual dinner on Saturday, March 23, at The Lodge on Main. The message of “your vote counts” remained the same … more

3/28/24

Fletcher Retires From Bank & Trust This May

Patty Fletcher, assistant vice president and branch manager at Bank & Trust Company’s Raymond Branch, has announced her retirement after 29 years of dedicated service. Fletcher began her … more

4/25/24