News | The Journal-News

It was a show fit for a queen at the Orpheum on Sunday, Nov. 5, as Brianna Wolf of Brianna Wolf Photography hosted more than 60 past and present pageant winners from all around the area for a special viewing of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” in Hillsboro. Wolf is the official pageant photographer for the Montgomery County Fair, the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce, Post 905 in Kincaid and the Imagine Hillsboro Snow Queens.

Brianna Wolf of Brianna Wolf Photography hosted a private Taylor Swift event Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Orpheum in Hillsboro. More than 60 past and present queens throughout the area came together for an … more

11/9/23

Ivy Jenkins met Santa for the first time, pictured above at Bank and Trust during the Raymond Christmas activities on Saturday, Nov. 25.Raymond-News Photo

Plenty Of Happiness And Cheer In Raymond

The Raymond community held their annual Christmas Mall on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Also on Saturday, local businesses treated residents to open house events throughout town, … more

12/4/23

From the left Brian Bevell, Kent Lovelace and Jimmy Evans raise the American flag at a special ceremony at Glendale Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, May 27. The flag was draped over the coffin of Lovelace’s uncle, Kenneth D. Grigg, who was killed in a car crash in Florida while serving in the Reserves.

Grigg’s Flag To Fly Over Fillmore Cemetery

"We're here to celebrate the 238 veterans buried at Glendale Cemetery in Fillmore," said Kent Lovelace. "It's pretty amazing to me for a community such as Fillmore to be blessed and honored with so … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 5/30/23

It had been 25 years since the last time the American Legion baseball field in Waggoner had been used consistently, but with the help of some parent volunteers, the old ballpark is back in use and has never looked better. After removing all of the grass and weeds from where the infield once was and hauling in new dirt for the playing surface, the baseball field started hosting tee ball games and practices for other Farmersville-Waggoner Athletic Association teams earlier this month. Above, Maylee Hampton of the Bank & Trust team gets ready to take pitcher and Bank & Trust coach Landon Weitekamp deep during her team’s game against North Mac on May 27.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

It’s Saturday, May 27, and the baseball diamond located behind the Waggoner Centennial Hall is abuzz with activity as the Farmersville-Waggoner Athletic Association tee ball team takes the … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/1/23

City of Nokomis Considers Project Labor Agreements

The Nokomis City Council listened to a presentation outlining the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for all construction projects that go out to bid at its Sept. 11 regular meeting. Mike Young, … more

by Ben Schwarm | 9/14/23

Nearly 30 Gold Star Mission bicycle riders arrived at Litchfield High School just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, after the first 110 miles of a 500-mile ride to raise awareness and scholarship funds in the name of fallen military service members.

They Ride In Memory Of Fallen Heroes

Gold Star Mission riders enjoyed Litchfield hospitality on Tuesday, Sept. 19, after the first leg of their 500-mile bicycle ride to honor fallen military heroes. “These fallen men and women … more

9/21/23

Pictured above, from the left, back row are Benjamin Hoehn, Samantha Frailey, Kyleigh Currie and Mitchell Lowe. In the front row are Melissa Bell, Chloe Martincic, Jesse Balla and Annabelle Wright.

HHS Students Named State Scholars

Patricia Heyen, principal at Hillsboro High School announced that eight students from the Hillsboro High School’s graduating class of 2024 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. … more

11/9/23

Pictured with the championship trophy, in the front from the left is Curt Hagemeier, Kevin O’Malley, Dan Clavin, batboy Mick Fieldbinder, Greg O’Malley, Carl Fieldbinder and Brad Janssen. In the back row is John Crist, Tracy Epley, Dan Kinkelaar(representing Ronchetti Distributing), Barry Epley, Rick Brueckner, Rick Nelson, Roy Marquess, Monte Epley, Mike Havera and Karl Krumsiek.

1983 Nokomis Champs Celebrate 40 Years

The 1983 Nokomis Budweiser Class A State Championship Fast Pitch softball team held their 40 year reunion on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the home of Mike and Cherie Havera in Coalton. In a field of 46 … more

12/4/23

Litchfield Announces 2024 Pickers Schedule

The Litchfield Tourism Office and Prairie Pickers have announced that the 2024 Litchfield Pickers Markets will again be on the second Sunday of each month from May through October. The City of … more

2/29/24

Volunteers Needed For Spring Clean-Up

Imagine Hillsboro and Hillsboro Health Junior Board are organizing the annual spring cleanup on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Residents in need of help clearing leaves, brush and simple … more

4/8/24

Irish Days Celebration Returns On Thursday

The Village of Farmersville will hold the 112th Irish Days Celebration next week, Thursday, June 1, through Saturday, June 3. This year’s celebration “What’s on your Bucket … more

5/30/23

The voluntary members of the Shoal Creek Fire Protection District gathered their surplus equipment and sent it off to their fellow firefighters in the Ukraine where firefighting gear is desperately needed. Above, (L-R) are members of Shoal Creek Fire District, Assistant Chief Kelley Voyles, Skylar Voyles (junior firefighter), Jeremey Hudson (FF), President Brett Kunkel, Kent Priddle (FF), Justine Joiner (FF), Chief David Caulk, Trustee Kim Houchlei, Nick Aubachon (junior firefighter) and Daniel Revelle (FF).

Shoal Creek Extends Aid To Ukraine

The volunteer members of the Shoal Creek Fire Protection District, covering Sorento, Panama, Donnellson and Walshville, extended their service borders across continents to provide aid to their fellow … more

by Tori O’Dell | 6/1/23

Schram City Approves 2023 Audit For Village

A moment of silence, honoring the men, women and children who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks 22 years ago, preceded this month’s Schram City Village Board meeting held Monday, Sept. 11, … more

by Bethany Martin | 9/14/23

Construction crews work on the storm shelter as part of the new Litchfield Primary School construction project. Formerly JD Colt Elementary School, the new building will house pre-K through first grade students in the district. It’s expected to be completed for the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

Litchfield Approves Bids For Addition

Members of the Litchfield School Board approved several bid packages for the pre-Kindergarten addition at the new Litchfield Primary School (formerly J.D. Colt Elementary) as part of their regular … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 9/21/23

Students in this year’s Montgomery County CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program are bringing a Christmas drone show to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Butler on Sunday, Dec. 17, for this year’s class business.

CEO Students Planning Holiday Drone Show

"This is something that's never been done before in the county," said Griffen Hughes, a student in the Montgomery County CEO program. "It's a very unique event and we … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 12/4/23

Captain Thomas Stanfill, at left, and firefighter Leah Stanfill, at right, were honored at the monthly meeting of the Coffeen fire department, which was held on Tuesday evening, Feb. 13.

Coffeen Firefighters Receive Recognition

The Coffeen fire department held their monthly meeting Tuesday evening, Feb. 13. At the metting, they celebrated some of their staff. Those honored include Captain Thomas Stanfill and firefighter … more

2/29/24

Electronic Recycling Will Be Available In Litchfield

BLH Computers will host their annual electronics recycling drive from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 27, at the former recycling building in Litchfield, located on the corner of Illinois and Ryder … more

4/8/24

Help Celebrate Litchfield Museum’s Tenth Birthday

Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center is inviting the public to help them mark their 10th anniversary with a celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. The festivities will … more

5/30/23

Nearly 90 pickleball players from three states joined the fun in Hillsboro for the Central Park Slam Pickleball Tournament Sept. 8-10.

Pickleball Tourney Draws Nearly 90

The MoCo Pickleball Club hosted the Central Park Slam Pickleball Tournament Sept. 8-10, drawing 88 players from three states. All players received a MoCo Pickleball cooling towel, paddle over … more

9/14/23

Lake Drawdown Begins This Month In Hillsboro

Parks and Public Properties Commissioner Fred Butler advised those who have docks on the shores of the old city lake in Hillsboro that the water level there will drop significantly in the near future … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/21/23