News | The Journal-News

A long held dream of Cross Over Ministries will come into actuality with the opening of the Haven of Hope Home, a resource for those in the midst of mental health and substance use crisis in Montgomery County. Above, are members of the team that spearheaded opening Haven Home, (front, L-R) Dawn Young and Kim Noyes. In back, (L-R) Ryan Gnaegy, Amber Kite, Erica Petcher and Bonnie Goodwin.

A Refuge Of Hope, Haven Home Set To Open

“I don’t think the community realizes how many people are struggling with mental health and substance use issues in Montgomery County. These are real people with real families and friends … more

By Tori O’Dell | 7/27/23

Pickers Market Makes Return To Litchfield

The Litchfield Pickers Market will return this week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, at downtown Litchfield, starting at 400 North State Street. Hosted by the Litchfield Tourism Office and … more

8/10/23

Downtown Hillsboro was full of people making sweet memories as this year’s Old Settlers Parade rolled through town on Thursday evening, Aug. 10. Pictured above, the newly opened store, The Sweet Spot, took home first place honors in the business division of this year’s parade.

An Event 200 Years In The Making

Hundreds of people filled the streets in Hillsboro as the annual Old Settlers Parade stepped off on Thursday evening, Aug. 10. The theme of this year’s parade was “Spirit of … more

8/14/23

Harvest Time

Members of the Litchfield FFA chapter shelled corn on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at their seven-acre test plot on Dometic ground on Columbian Boulevard in Litchfield. Plot manager Grason Thimsen, a sophomore … more

10/26/23

Pictured above are the winners of the annual Patriot’s Pen Scholarship competition at Litchfield Middle School. From the left, first place winner Tilly Fergursen, second place Braeden Knapp and third place Sam Mazza.

Litchfield Middle School Holds Award Program

The annual Patriot’s Pen and the Citizenship Educator Teacher of the Year Awards Program was conducted at the Litchfield Middle School on Tuesday, Nov. 21. The Patriot’s Pen Scholarship … more

11/30/23

Ground To Grounds Coffee Teams Up With Beckemeyer

Ground to Grounds Coffee Shop in downtown Hillsboro is teaming up with students at Beckemeyer Elementary School this month for a special T-shirt contest. During the month of February, third graders … more

2/29/24

Hillsboro Mayor Don Downs signs a proclamation for National Volunteer Week at Hillsboro City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, April 16. Pictured above, in front, from the left are Lyn Fugate, April Leetham, Anne Huber, Hillsboro Mayor Don Downs and Carol Herrin. In back are Bob Schwandner, Doug Johnson, Ginger Barnes, Nancy Hindle, Mable Murray, Pam DeLong and Janece Neunaber.

April Marks National Volunteer Week

“It’s the things that people do to help others that make this a great community,” said Hillsboro Mayor Don Downs. Joined by nearly a dozen local volunteers, Mayor Downs signed … more

4/18/24

Art In The Park Extends Registration Deadline

The Litchfield Chamber of Commerce’s annual Art in the Park Festival will be returnning to Litchfield on Sunday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme of this year’s festival is … more

4/29/24

The entire Nokomis School District, from pre-K through 12th grade, filled the Nokomis High School gym Monday afternoon, May 15, for a special announcement. The school district was one of 12 in the entire country to be chosen as a National Showcase School as part of the Capturing Kids Hearts program.

Nokomis School District Earns National Recognition

More than 600 students and their teachers and staff filled the gym at Nokomis High School on Monday afternoon, May 15, for a surprise announcement. Through a virtual presentation, Shawna … more

5/18/23

Short Agenda For Nokomis

The Nokomis City Council breezed through a light agenda at its Monday, May 10, meeting. With few items on the agenda, and nothing controversial, the regular session lasted only 25 minutes. An … more

By Ben Schwarm | 7/13/23

Nearly 90 tractors were on display this weekend for the annual Old Tyme Tractor Show, which returned to Lake Hillsboro Park July 15-16. The two-day event featured a variety of tractor and lawn and garden tractor games, a kids pedal tractor pull, kids’ pedal races, tractor train rides, food trucks and more. Pictured above, David and Maynard Hartke of Litchfield check out some of the Farmall tractors on display on Saturday afternoon.

At The Olde Tyme Tractor Show It's All Fun And Games

The Olde Tyme Tractor Show returned to Lake Hillsboro Park on July 15 and 16 for the 25th edition of the tribute to farm machinery of the past. This year, the Mid-State Tractor Collectors Club … more

7/17/23

Nokomis Public Library’s new location held its first event on Monday, July 12, kicking off a new era for the community. Pictured above is the young adult and youth section at the new 100 N. Spruce St. location.

Nokomis Library Starts New Chapter

For centuries, libraries have been an essential part of society. Their status as a center for learning and community engagement has given many the space and resources to seek opportunities and pursue … more

By Isaiah Atkins | 7/27/23

Hillsboro High School sophomore Jenna Durbin was crowned 2023 Old Settlers Queen on Wednesday evening, Aug. 9, at The Lodge on Main in downtown Hillsboro. Due to inclement weather, the annual queen's parade was cancelled and the coronation was moved inside. Pictured above, newly crowned Old Settlers Queen Jenna Durbin, at left, gets a hug from her cousin and retiring 2022 Old Settlers Queen Marah Huber. Durbin is the first Old Settlers Queen to also have served the community as Little Miss Old Settlers and Junior Miss Old Settlers.

Jenna Durbin Crowned Old Settlers Queen

Jenna Durbin was crowned 2023 Old Settlers Queen in the dry Lodge on Main on Wednesday evening, Aug. 9. The new queen is the daughter of Kendra and Travis Durbin and is the first to win the titles of … more

8/10/23

Electronic Recycling Drive Set For Sept. 16

BLH Computers will host their annual electronics recycling drive from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 16, at the former Wright Automotive Building in Hillsboro, located on the northeast corner of … more

8/14/23

Autumn In Full Swing Across The County

Journal-News reader Allan Spelbring shared a photo taken at old Hillsboro Lake on Tuesday morning, Oct. 28, showcasing some beautiful fall colors. Old Hillsboro Lake is just one of the many serene … more

10/26/23

Pictured above, Laekyn Hemken, at left, and Morgan Sands dance to some of their favorite songs.

Beckemeyer First Graders Rock Out

Don’t stop believin’ these first graders are going places. First grade students at Beckemeyer Elementary School celebrated the 120th day of school by dressing up as rock stars on … more

2/29/24

Pictured above, owner Dane Bondurant, at right, visits with customers at the open house.

Bondurant Plumbing Celebrates 15 Years

Bondurant Plumbing celebrated 15 years of business with an open house on Saturday, April 13. Customers enjoyed a free lunch at the shop, located at 204 Smith Road in Hillsboro. In addition, they gave … more

4/18/24

Pictured above, in front, from the left, are Litchfield City Council member Jake Fleming and Jason Plumer of First Baptist Church in Litchfield. In the middle row, from the left, are Lauren Plummer, executive director of Litchfield Chamber of Commerce and Meghan Bilyeu, owner of Fit-2-Go. In the back is Danell Fogle, owner of The Briar Rose.

Together Litchfield Can Surveys Businesses

Members of the Together Litchfield Can (TLC) Business Development committee walked around downtown Litchfield on Tuesday, April 23, with information about current facade programs and a survey asking … more

4/29/24

Hillsboro High School student Mya Bolton won Best of Show honors for her Advanced Colorful Designs entry, “Tacky Bee Society” in the 41st annual Hillsboro High School Art Show.

Hillsboro High School Hosts 41st Art Show

During the weekend of the operetta, the 41st annual Art Show hung in the gym lobby at Hillsboro High School. This year's juror of the art show was the Beckemeyer art teacher Amy Gruner. For … more

5/18/23

Old Tyme Tractor Show To Raffle Bike

Hillsboro’s 25th annual Old Tyme Tractor Show is on Saturday, July 15, and Sunday, July 16, out at Lake Hillsboro Park in Hillsboro. Saturday’s activities begin at 11 a.m. with the … more

7/13/23