News | The Journal-News

Hillsboro painter Joseph Williams is sharing his talents with the community through a series of paintings in the children’s section at the Hillsboro Area Public Library. Painting work has been done during the month of December. His work is titled “Reading Opens Your Mind to a World of Possibilities.”

New Paintings Add Splash Of Color At Library

Colorful and playful murals above book shelves in the children's area of Hillsboro Area Public Library exhibit the creative vision and talent of Joseph Williams of Hillsboro. Titled, "Reading Opens … more

12/28/23

Ward 2 Alderman Dan Newkirk was sworn in by Finance Clerk Connie Joyce during the Litchfield City Council meeting on Thursday, June 1.

Two Sworn Thursday At Litchfield Meeting

A recently elected alderman and a new member of the Litchfield Police Department were sworn in on Thursday, June 1, at the Litchfield City Council meeting at Corwin Hall. Ward 2 Alderman Dan … more

6/5/23

Pictured above is the last eastern bluebird nestling banded for the 2023 breeding season. Notice the band on the left leg.

Bremer Sanctuary Reports 2023 Banding

Bremer Sanctuary entered its second season this spring with the banding of the nest box nestlings. Bird banding is a tool that enables biologists to obtain information about birds, much of … more

10/12/23

After Special Meeting, Hillsboro Has Acting City Clerk

Hillsboro has an acting city clerk after a short meeting of the city council Thursday night, Oct. 12. After no action was taken on an agenda item to restore recent city clerk Cory Davidson to the … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 10/16/23

Veto Session First Week Wraps Up

Lawmakers are heading back to their districts after three days of legislative session in Springfield this week that saw little movement on several major initiatives. They will have a week off before … more

by Andrew Adams Capitol News Illinois | 10/30/23

The Rev. Sheryl Van Dyke is the new pastor at the Witt United Methodist Church.

Witt United Methodist Welcomes New Pastor

On Sunday, Dec. 3, the Witt United Methodist Church welcomed the Rev. Sheryl Van Dyke as their new pastor. The Rev. Van Dyke was appointed to serve the Witt United Methodist Church beginning Dec. 1. … more

by Joyce Shelton | 12/7/23

‘Tis The Season Of Christmas Lights

It’s the season for spectacular Christmas lighting displays, and the home of Dan and Linda Bilyeu on Lands End Road at Glenn Shoals Lake in Hillsboro is one to be admired. Bright white lights … more

12/28/23

Members of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office telecommunications department were nominated for an Illinois Sheriffs’ Association award for their response to the dust storm accident on Interstate 55 on May 1, 2023. Pictured above, from the left are Jeff Wilson, Stephanie Lawton, Sara Saathoff, Kara Black, Montgomery County Undersheriff Tyson Holshouser, Kay Raffety and Taylor Faure. Not present for the photo were Mary Shipman and Ed Boyd.

Telecommunicators Honored By State

Montgomery County Undersheriff Tyson Holshouser nominated the county’s telecommunications department for an award with the Illinois Sheriff’s Association for their response to the … more

2/8/24

Nokomis Library Closes For Move

The Nokomis Public Library will be closed Monday, June 5, through Tuesday, June 20, when they will reopen at the new location at 100 N. Spruce. As due dates approach on items already checked … more

6/5/23

More than 100 runners and walkers joined the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce for this year’s Colors of Cancer run on Saturday, Sept. 23, in downtown Litchfield.

Annual Colors Of Cancer Run Steps Off In Litchfield

It was a beautiful morning as more than 100 runners and walkers stepped off in the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce’s Colors of Cancer 5K event on Saturday, Sept. 23, in downtown Litchfield. … more

10/12/23

Dan Ricketts of St. Louis Sign and Mural Company works on a postcard mural on The Opera House building in downtown Farmersville on Thursday, Oct. 12. The new addition is part of the Route 66 Postcard Mural Trail. Also helping to paint the mural was Mike Meyer.

New Mural Brightens Farmersville Landscape

The village of Farmersville is a little brighter thanks to a tourism grant from the state of Illinois and painters from the St. Louis Sign and Mural Company. Farmersville is now home to a brand … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 10/16/23

Pictured above, second graders in Mrs. Eaker’s class participate in the annual Halloween parade around the Lincoln Trail.

Beckemeyer Enjoys Spooky Good Fun

It was all spooky good fun at Beckemeyer Elementary School as students in all grades celebrated Halloween on Friday morning, Oct. 27. Pictured above, second graders in Mrs. Eaker’s class … more

10/30/23

Hosted by the St. Isidore chapter of the Knights of Columbus, the 37th Annual Irish Days Chili Cook-Off raised $5,429.20 for the special education programs in the Panhandle School District this past year. At the check presentation are Jim Hester and event organizer Brad Whalen of the Knights of Columbus, along with Panhandle Special Education staff Alexis Hardy, Emily Grandchamp, Chris Lipe and Erica Watts.

Panhandle Special Ed Receives Donation From Farmersville KC Chili Cook-Off

The 37th Annual Irish Days Chili Cook-Off, organized by Farmersville KC Council 1152, raised $5,429.20 for the Panhandle School District’s Special Education Fund. The event is part of the … more

12/7/23

Cookie Business Promises Sweet Rewards At LHS

The Panhandle Board of Education heard a proposal for a new student business during their meeting on Monday, Dec. 18, one that has some pretty sweet benefits. Lincolnwood cross category teacher … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 12/21/23

Journal-News Publisher Mike Plunkett, at left, is retiring from the newspaper business at the end of 2023. Mary (Galer) Herschelman, at right, has been named the new publisher.

Plunkett Retires From Newspaper

After a 33-year career in the newspaper business, Mike Plunkett, current publisher of The Journal-News, is retiring at the end of 2023. Stepping in to fill his shoes will be a woman with a long … more

12/28/23

Last year’s Citizen of the Year Virginia Murphy, at right, presented the award to this year’s recipients, Al and Mary Ann Rimini as part of the Irish Days celebration.

Rimini Couple Honored As Citizens Of The Year

“Thank you so much,” said Mary Ann Rimini, as she and her husband, Al, were honored as this year’s Citizens of the Year in Farmersville. “We were not expecting this. We feel … more

6/5/23

National Newspaper Association Foundation President Mike Fishman, at right, presents awards to John and Susie Galer, owners of The Journal-News.

The Journal-News Wins Seven National Awards

The Journal-News received seven awards in this year’s National Newspaper Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest. Awards were presented on Saturday, Sept. 30, as part of the annual … more

10/12/23

Reigning Montgomery County Fair Royalty took their turn in a mud drag at the inaugural event, held Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Butler. From the left are Junior Miss Montgomery County Fair Nataleigh Jackson, Little Miss Montgomery County Fair Karsyn Jones and Miss Montgomery County Fair Alexis Lessman.

Mud Drags Draw Over 20 Entries

A little wind, rain and inclement weather couldn’t keep two dozen entries from joining the fun at the inaugural mud drag races. With a pit built behind the fair office and the pavilion at the … more

10/16/23

Hillsboro Council Votes Not To Open Central Park Pool

After much discussion about the longevity of the current pool in Central Park, a motion to not spend the funds necessary to reopen the facility for the 2024 season passed 3-2, with Fred Butler, Tommy … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 12/7/23

Litchfield Council Puts Golf Cart, UTV Issue On Ballot

With unanimous support, members of the Litchfield City Council added a non-binding referendum question to the March 19 election as part of their regular meeting on Thursday evening, Dec. 7, at Corwin … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 12/11/23