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The College Report: Haley Makes Major Impact At KC

Haley Major , a Hillsboro graduate and recent Kaskaskia College graduate, is headed to Indiana State University. As a student only. That is her decision as of today. If that remains the … more

6/26/23

Vitale Foods presented a check for $7,200 to Hillsboro’s recreational baseball, softball and T-ball teams. The funds were raised through a season-long fundraiser where the youth teams sold Vitale Foods’ frozen pizzas. From the left are Vince Vitale, Sports Administrator Bill Christian and Wayne Adams.

Vitale Foods Bolsters Youth Sports

Vince Vitale and Wayne Adams, owners of Vitale Foods, presented a check for $7,200 to Bill Christian, the City of Hillsboro’s youth sports administrator, on Friday afternoon, June 16, at the … more

by Tori O’Dell | 6/26/23

In just over a week, 11-year-old Katrina Millburg of Waggoner raised $2,220 for the American Legion’s ball field in Waggoner, which was recently rebuilt for use for the first time in more than 25 years. Pictured with Millburg, from the left, are American Legion Everett C. Burton Post 701 members Dan Brown, Jon Yard, Ryan Brown, Glenn Rovey, Roger Gunn and Carl Leonard.

Crown Or No Crown, Millburg Makes A Difference

Katrina Millburg may not have won the Junior Miss Irish Days pageant, but that experience turned into a major blessing for her community. That’s why the 11-year-old wanted to be Junior … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/26/23

Walshville's Travis Lentz goes wheels up across the finish line at the Hoosier in Crawfordsville, IN, on May 6-7, in celebration of his sixth win in a row in the Grand National Cross Country racing series.

Lentz Still Atop Grand National Series

It took seven rounds, but someone finally knocked Travis Lentz off the top of the podium in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series. Racing in the 85cc (12-13) youth bikes class, Lentz … more

6/22/23

THE COLLEGE REPORT • Bishop Wins Great Lakes Valley Title

Alex Bishop , a Litchfield graduate and Purdue University-Northwest golfer, might not always be called “the champ”, but you can if you would like to. The former Purple Panther golfer … more

by Daniel Chamness | 6/22/23

Cardboard Boat Regatta Will Return To Hillsboro

After a four year hiatus the Imagine Hillsboro Cardboard Boat Regatta will return on Saturday, July 15. Hundreds of spectators were on hand for the last event with the winner coming out of … more

6/20/23

Chase Saathoff, #88, was one of a half dozen racers who finished within three tenths of a second from first place at the Progressive American Flat Track Singles Series stop in DuQuoin on Saturday, June 17. Saathoff finished second to Australian rookie Tom Drane (#59) by just .011 seconds.

Saathoff Second At Magic Mile

It was a fight to the finish in DuQuoin on Saturday, June 17, as the Progressive American Flat Track series invaded the “Magic Mile” in southern Illinois. Hillsboro’s Chase … more

6/20/23

Hillsboro’s Archer Durbin picked up a win in the 50cc Beginner Open class at the 2023 North/East Mini Major at Lincoln Trail Motosports on June 2-4 in Casey, one of 10 entries he and brother Huntley had during the event.

Durbins Stay Busy At Lincoln Trail

It was a busy weekend for the Durbin brothers on June 2-4, as Huntley and Archer Durbin competed in the North/East Mini Major at Lincoln Trail Motosports in Casey. The Hillsboro racers competed … more

6/20/23

Hopley Gets Win In Midwest Super Series

Litchfield junior drag racer Greyson Hopley, son of Terra Hamby and Dan Hopley, picked up a win in the season opener of the Midwest Juniors Super Series, held at Kil-Kare Dragway in Xenia, OH, on May … more

6/20/23

Seven-year-old Huntley Durbin, son of Jon Durbin and Jordan Butler, finished first at the AMA Mid-East Youth Regional Qualifier at Baja Acres in Millington, MI, on June 10-11, to earn his spot for nationals later this year at Lorretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee.

Durbin Earns Another Shot At Nationals

Hillsboro seven-year-old Huntley Durbin is heading back to the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Lorretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN, on July 31 through Aug. 5. … more

6/15/23

On just about any Tuesday or Friday morning, plus Thursday evenings, you can hear the sound of plastic hitting paddle at open play for the Panhandle Picklers pickleball group. From the left are Pat Pope, Ginny Brockmeyer, Jean Fuchs, Marcia Osterholt, Sandy Smith, Robin Riggs, Linda Hocking, Kathy Johnson and Rhonda Sanford.

Panhandle Picklers Ready To Have A Ball

If you haven’t heard of pickleball by this point, you’re probably living under a rock. According to an article on pickleball website The Dink , an estimated 36.5 million people played … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/15/23

Run, walk or ride, nearly 50 eager individuals crossed the starting line at the first Tutus and Bow Ties Fun Run to benefit Project Third Day-Panhandle on Saturday, June 10, in Raymond.

Project Third Day 5K Tutu Much Fun

Nearly 50 eager individuals were running for a reason in Raymond on Saturday, June 10, at the first Tutus and Bow Ties Fun Run to benefit Project Third Day-Panhandle in Raymond. The starting … more

6/15/23

Area Racers Off To Strong Start At Lincoln Trail MX

It takes a while to get from Montgomery County to Casey, but several local motocross riders have found the trip worthwhile so far. Four rounds into the Thor Showdown Series at Lincoln Trail … more

6/15/23

Timothy Hearn (second from the right) took his junior dragster to victory lane on June 4, as he won his class at the Midstate Lucky Sevens event at the Central Illinois Dragway in Havana. Pictured with Hearn are his younger brother Brayden, his parents Michelle and David and fellow junior dragster racer Rebekah Motley.

Hearn Takes Top Spot At Havana Race

Litchfield junior drag racer Timothy Hearn picked up a win on day two of the Midstate Lucky Sevens event at the Central Illinois Dragway in Havana on Sunday, June 4, earning the $500 grand prize in … more

6/15/23

Addy Beal, pictured with her parents Angie and Andy Beal of Farmersville, picked up a second place finish in the Jr. Dragster class on Sunday, June 4, at Coles County Dragway in Charleston. Beal also did well the night before, winning the Ray Evans Consolation Bracket.

Beal 2nd, Consolation Winner At Charleston

Racing season is starting to heat up for 14-year-old Addy Beal of Farmersville, and by the looks of it, the driver of the Bad Addytude is ready. Racing at Coles County Dragway in Charleston on … more

6/15/23

Wood Scores Runner-Up For Litchfield Gang

The drag racers known as the Litchfield Gang recently partnered with Five Star Racewear ( fivestarracewear.com/thelitchfieldgang ) to release new merchandise featuring the cars of Dustin Bryant, … more

6/15/23

Bryant 2nd Twice At I-57

Litchfield racer Dustin Bryant, pictured above with his dad Phil, hadn’t raced since October, but old habits die hard and Bryant put on a show at Ellis I-57 Dragstrip in Benton on May 27-28. … more

6/15/23

The College Report: Major, Blue Angels Post Postseason Wins

Haley Major , a Hillsboro graduate, and her Kaskaskia College teammates earned a berth in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Softball World Series. The Kaskaskia College … more

by Dan Chamness | 6/12/23

From the left, the team of Larry Reincke, Jim Eickhoff, Danny Eickhoff and Denny Hiller finished first at the Roy L. Hertel Foundation For Better Communities golf outing at Indian Springs Golf Course in Fillmore on June 10, shooting a 53.

Fourth Annual Hertel Golf Outing Raises $6,500

On Saturday, June 10, the Roy L. Hertel Foundation For Better Communities held its fourth annual golf outing at Indian Springs Golf Course in Fillmore. After expenses, the group was able to … more

6/12/23

Bill Walker (right) and I on pit road at the Enjoy Illinois 300 on June 4. He probably wouldn't have sent me this if he knew I was going to put it in the newspaper.

Center and Guard: Halt! Imposter!

It’s been more than 15 years since I first started writing for The Journal-News and I’ve had the opportunity to cover some pretty cool things, from state championships to UFC fights to … more

6/12/23