News | The Journal-News

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Little Miss contestants Ella Milanos, Bayleigh Abrams, Korra Smith, Tinley Rufus and Renna Burke; Beautiful Baby contestant Nora Phillips, Tina Toddler contestant Grace Phillips and their mom, Tia Niehaus. In back are Junior Miss contestants Aleeha Gilbert, Alayna Gilbert, Hazel Holshouser, Emberlee Gilbert, Krystelynn Cooper and Zoie Jones, as well as 2023 Old Settlers Queen Jenna Durbin, 2023 Little Miss Old Settlers Avree Meyer, 2023 Junior Miss Old Settlers Avery Robinson and 2023 Little Mister Old Settlers Jackson Craig. Not present for the photo were Junior Miss contestant Abby Staff, Little Miss contestants Charley Herschelman and Sadie Lawson, Beautiful Baby contestants Adalee Thacker, Sara Reindl and Oakley Eddington and Tiny Toddler contestants Ivoree Weaver, Charleigh Terry and AvaJane Lawson.

There's Still Time To Sign Up For Old Settlers Pageants

Old Settlers Pageant Director Kendra Durbin, along with this year's Old Settlers royalty, hosted an informational meeting for this year's pageant on Sunday afternoon, May 5, at the Fireman's … more

5/9/24

Cross Over Ministries board members, from the left are Wayne Wedekind, Dawn Young, Kate Wedekind, Amber Kite and Barbara Boston. Not pictured are Jodi Reynolds, Erica Petcher and Jennifer Carron.

Barb Boston Joins Board For Cross Over Ministries

Cross Over Ministries welcomed a new board member at their May meeting. As one of the first items on the agenda, board members unanimously approved Barbara Boston’s proposal to join … more

5/9/24

Mark Osborn, at left, presents this year’s Hillsboro Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award to Ron Duff, center, on Wednesday evening, May 1. Also pictured is guest speaker Matt Ferguson, pastor of the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church.

Duff Receives Service To Mankind Award

“The best life you can have is to serve those in need,” said Pastor Matt Ferguson of the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church. He spoke at this year’s Hillsboro Sertoma Club Service to … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 5/6/24

Pictured above are members of the Montgomery County CEO class of 2024. From the left is Mason Stauder, Eldon Brown, Ryan Vollintine, Cydney Bertolino, Cooper Law, Trenton Hemann, Griffin Hughes, Landon Reincke and Mitchell Lowe.

Young Entrepreneurs To Star At Tradeshow

On Tuesday, May 7, the best and brightest young entrepreneurs in the county will showcase their exciting new business adventures. Nine senior students from the four county high … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 5/6/24

Litchfield Council Tables Appointments

A motion to appoint Robbin Huffman as an alderperson for the second ward was on the agenda for the Litchfield City Council on Thursday, May 2. It will be on there on Thursday, May 16, as well, unless … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 5/6/24

Pictured above is a bird's eye view of the market from the roof of Opera House Brewing Company. The Imagine Hillsboro Farmers Markets will continue on the first and third Saturdays of each month from May through September.

Farmers Market Opens Season In Hillsboro

The weather was perfect as Imagine Hillsboro launched its first Farmers Market of the year on Saturday, May 4. Paired with the first #ShopHillsboro event of 2024, downtown Hillsboro was the place to … more

5/6/24

Hillsboro High School seniors Lily Churchwell and Ian Anderson were crowned 2024 Prom Queen and King on the Lincoln Plaza in downtown Hillsboro on Saturday evening, May 4. Following coronation, this year's Prom, "Night Of A Thousand Lights" was held at The Lodge on Main.

Churchwell, Anderson Reign At Hillsboro Prom

Hillsboro High School seniors Lily Churchwell and Ian Anderson were crowned 2024 HHS Prom Queen and King in a ceremony held on the Lincoln Plaza in downtown Hillsboro on Saturday evening, May 4. … more

5/6/24

Lincolnwood High School seniors Taryn Millburg and Gabe Armentrout were crowned 2024 LHS Prom Queen and King at this year's dance, held Saturday evening, May 4, in the school auditorium. Following the coronation, students headed to the gym for the dance.

Armentrout, Millburg Reign At Lancer Prom

Lincolnwood High School seniors Gabe Armentrout and Taryn Millburg were crowned 2024 Prom King and Queen at this year's dance on Saturday evening, May 4, at Lincolnwood High School in Raymond. They … more

5/6/24

Volunteers from across the community came out to help support the Give Grant a Lift fundraiser on Friday, May 3, at the CNB Bank and Trust parking lot in downtown Hillsboro. More than $25,000 was raised to help get an accessible van for Hillsboro Junior High School seventh grader Grant Bryant and his dad, Michael.

Give Grant A Lift Fund Gets A Big Boost

Overwhelming! Astonishing! Amazing! Miraculous! These were words frequently heard following the conclusion of the fundraising cookout, held on Friday afternoon, May 3, in Hillsboro to support the … more

by Steve McLaughlin | 5/6/24

Hillsboro High School student Jaide Sloan won Best of Show honors for her entry “Silent,” pictured above on the right. Her entry on the left won first place in the portraits/figures category.

Hiltoppers Hosts 42nd Art Show

During the weekend of the operetta, the 42nd annual Art Show was displayed at Hillsboro High School, showcasing the talent and hard work of students from the past year. For this year’s show, … more

5/6/24

Hillsboro Methodist Celebrates 200 Years

The Hillsboro Methodist Church is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, beginning with a special service of Thanksgiving on Sunday, May 19. During the service there will be a historical … more

5/6/24

State Historical Society Honors County

Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser and Montgomery County Veterans Assistance Commission Superintendent Cassandra Hampton, and their staff have received an Award of Merit from the … more

5/6/24

Final Multiplier Announced For Montgomery County

Montgomery County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). The property assessment … more

5/6/24

A Litchfield residence went up in flames in the early hours of Monday, April 29. Pictured above, one of the many brave firefighters on scene prepares to climb to the roof in order to cut ventilation holes.

Firefighters Battle Blaze Early Monday Morning

The Litchfield Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire at 4:51 a.m. on Monday, April 29, at 612 N. Harrison. Upon arrival, the on-duty captain observed a large glow and the response … more

5/2/24

Winners of this year’s DAR Good Citizen award, from the left, are Maxwell Eldred of Staunton High School, Reece Lohman of Nokomis High School, Amanda Niemann of Litchfield High School and Marianna Lowe of Hillsboro High School and DAR Good Citizen Chairman Kendra Wright. Not present for the photo was Trenton Hemann of Lincolnwood High School in Raymond.

DAR Good Citizens Recognized In April

“The students sitting in this room are just exceptional,” said Kendra Wright, chairman of the DAR Good Citizen Award for the Christiana Tillson chapter of the Daughters of the American … more

5/2/24

Agriculture Exhibit Now Open In County Museum

The Montgomery County Museum has a new exhibit, “Down on the Farm – a Look at Agriculture in Montgomery County.” Stop by to see some unique and rare items of agricultural history … more

5/2/24

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Emily Burke, Tyler Beard and Pageant Director Shawnna Rovey. In back are Tatum Christian, Makenna Zanni, 2023 Old Settlers Queen Jenna Durbin and Old Settlers President Mary Brown. Not present for the photo was queen candidate Nevaeh Vandiver.

Five Compete For Old Settlers Queen

Five young ladies will be competing for the title of 2024 Old Settlers Queen. The committee held its annual Queen Kick-Off on Tuesday evening, April 30, at the Challacombe House in Hillsboro. This … more

5/2/24

Registration Still Open For Litchfield Art Event

Local and out of town artists are invited to participate in this year’s Art in the Park festival. The Litchfield Chamber of Commerce is holding the event on Sunday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 … more

5/2/24

Science Fair Has All Kinds Of Reactions

After weeks of preparations, fourth and fifth grade students at Beckemeyer Elementary School in Hillsboro showed off their findings at the second annual Science Fair, held Tuesday evening, April 30, … more

5/2/24

Pictured above, in front, from the left, are Sheila White and Coffeen Mayor Robert Wessell of the Coffeen Veterans Memorial Committee, Darrell Miller of the Witt Veteran’s Memorial Committee and Chris Sherer of the Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department. In back are DAR Regent Patty Whitworth, Gabe Osborn of the Coffeen Veteran’ s Memorial Committee, Daryl Hodges of the Ware’s Grove Cemetery Veteran’s Memorial project and Bill Hartman of the Witt Veterans Memorial Commitee.

DAR Makes Several Local Donations

Members of the Christiana Tillson chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution made several special presentations following this year’s DAR Good Citizen brunch, held Saturday, April 27, … more

5/2/24