The Journal-News

LIFE LESSONS CONTINUED • Holding Out For A Hero

I don't necessarily have Bonnie Tyler in mind as I write today, but her hit song of decades ago did come to mind when I heard the line that inspired this column. A new legal drama is coming out soon … more

by Nancy Richardson | 5/20/19

Ramblings: What Does The Elected Job Pay?

This "Ramblings" was inspired by a question a constituent asked me back in late October while I and my work crew for the day were eating lunch at the Cozy Cafe. We were clearing the yard, though not … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/6/19

Letter To The Editor: Law Enforcement Teamwork Wins Again

If you've been following our local news lately, you are aware that a minor crime spree was stopped and the suspected culprit arrested by the Hillsboro Police Department. It began with a car … more

5/6/19

Letter To The Editor: Heroes In The Real World At Resource Center

The recently released Avengers Endgame movie has been taking the world by storm. Your favorite heroes–Captain America, Ironman, Thor, Black Widow, Hulk and Hawkeye–are back at it … more

5/6/19

Letter To The Editor: Join Us Thanking Wonderful Nursing Professionals

Nursing professionals are a valuable and instrumental part of our hospital. We appreciate our nurses for the excellent care they provide during each shift they work, 365 days a year. They are the … more

5/6/19

A GRACE FILLED JOURNEY • Making Comfort Food For Friends

Sometimes, a little comfort food just makes everything better. It was after paper night, and I was standing in the kitchen making chicken pot pie, which is my standard go-to recipe when making a … more

by Mary Herschelman | 4/29/19

Worked With War Hero's Father At Eagle Picher

I wish to take this opportunity to commend your newspaper for the most interesting and enlightening news article by Mr. Mike Plunkett you recently published in your March 28 edition regarding the … more

by: John K. Williams of Fairfax Station, VA | 4/29/19

GRANDMA'S DIARIES • April 1952–New Sewing Machine, Tractor

April 1952 begins with leftover winter weather, but by the end of the month, Grandma is sowing garden seed. Big happenings during the month include the purchase of a new sewing machine for Grandma … more

by Carole (Best) Brown, rosebudbooks@gmail.com | 4/22/19

Denita Hedden Family Still Searching For Answers

My wife Denita Marie Hedden disappeared on Dec. 25, 2017, out of Royal Lakes in Macoupin County and has been presumed to be deceased since the first week in February of 2018 in a public announcement … more

Michael Hedden, Gillespie | 4/22/19

AFTERTHOUGHTS • Social Security: Moral Right But Not Legal One

"Did you know about this? That no one is guaranteed to get Social Security," Butler resident Don Walker said to me at the front counter of the newspaper office a couple of weeks ago. I did not … more

by Mike Plunkett | 4/22/19

Trim The Size Of County Board, Not Recycling

Montgomery County would be taking a giant step backwards if it ended the recycling program. Surely it's better to recycle acceptable items than fill our dump with those same items. Some … more

Alan A. Pretnar, Taylor Springs | 4/22/19

It's National Telecommunicators Week

"Who is that talking?" A Coffeen pre-K student asked on Friday morning while on a tour of The Journal-News office and press room. The talking was coming from the scanner that sits in the middle of … more

by Mike Plunkett | 4/15/19

LIFE LESSONS CONTINUED • Keep Your Focus

It sometimes amazes me that, at 58 years old, I still have so many lessons to learn. I also many times find the manner in which God presents this information to me amusing. Today's light-bulb moment … more

by Nancy Richardson | 4/15/19

GUEST COLUMN • What It Means To Me To Be A Queen

I can close my eyes and still hear the trumpets sound. The pause, and then my name being called out into the crowd, announcing me for the first time, "This year's Old Settler's Queen is...Shawnna … more

by 1990 Old Settlers Queen Shawnna (Irvin) Rovey | 4/15/19

I Wish I Could Say The Challenge Becomes Easier

Any family that has lived with autism is grateful that in recent years April has become Autism Awareness Month. I wish I could say that as time moves on, the challenges become less complicated and … more

Linda Hagood, Taylorville | 4/15/19

There Remains A Top-Down Lack Of Credibility

The Pope stopped the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops from passing their own rules for stopping the molester priests and the cover-ups by bishops at their national meeting last November. … more

Michael R. Glenn, Nokomis | 4/15/19

Have That Love And Caring For The Unborn

I am thankful for being born during a time when America and its people were fighting for our nation and its protection during World War II. I remember the drafting of our men to be trained to fight … more

Patty Reents, Litchfield | 4/8/19

Make Safe Driving Your Top Priority

An alarming number of Illinois State Police officers have been struck by motorists this year. Three have died. Knowing these crashes were preventable makes the statistics even more … more

Kevin J. Martin, Executive Director, Illinois Insurance Association | 4/8/19

Illinois Cannot Live On Borrowed Money

Our Illinois politicians love new programs, but cannot even pay for the old ones. "We need more taxes!" they say. I never hear them say, "We must also have a 5 percent cut across the board … more

Michael R. Glenn, Nokomis | 4/8/19

Community Conversation On Future Of Illinois Energy

You are invited to join a conversation on the development and opportunities of our changing energy economy. BlueGreen Alliance, Prairie Rivers Network, and Grow Gillespie Initiative are … more

Mary Ellen DeClue, Litchfield | 4/8/19