Top stories

Hillsboro, Nokomis Receive State Revitalization Grants

Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and local leaders in Jacksonville on Tuesday, April 22, to announce state-funded grant awards totaling …

Beer Sommelier Visits Local Beer Enthusiasts

The locally based Beer Enthusiasts of America welcomed acclaimed international beer sommelier Markus Raupach to Montgomery County on Thursday, April 17. Raupach is guiding a five-day seminar, diving …

Superintendent Powell Retires After 16 Years

After 16 years at the helm of the Hillsboro School District, Superintendent David Powell will retire following the conclusion of the 2024–2025 school year. A reception honoring …

Lottery Picks Cady For Witt Alderman Seat

On Tuesday, April 22, a lottery was held by the Montgomery County Clerk’s Office in the Courthouse Annex Meeting Room on the Historic Courthouse Square in Hillsboro, to break the tie between …
Journal-News Sports

Matoush’s Path Leads To Dartmouth University

It’s April and Chris and Jill Matoush are sitting at a table on the far side of the Hillsboro High School gym as their child, the all-time leading scorer in the history of Topper basketball, …

Nokomis Girls Are MSM Champs Again

The third time was just as charming as the first for the Nokomis girls track team as they picked up their third straight MSM Conference championship in Pawnee on Tuesday, April 22. The Redskins …

Lady Toppers Beat Gillespie For Mattson's 100th

Two goals in the final five and a half minutes gave the Hillsboro girls soccer team a 6-4 win over Gillespie on Monday, April 21, as the Toppers picked up their second South Central Conference …
Obituaries
JoAnne Martin, 87 Helen “JoAnne” Martin, 87, died in the early hours of Friday, April 18, peacefully surrounded by love and memories of a life well lived. Visitation will be held at Stiehl-Dawson …
David A. Higgins, 71 David Alan Higgins, 71, of Mount Olive, died on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at HSHS St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, surrounded by family. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 3, from 10 to …
Kevin L. Cearlock, 61 Kevin L. Cearlock, 61, died Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at his residence. Per Mr. Cearlock’s wishes cremation rites were accorded and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. …
Jennifer L. Gaffney, 61 Jennifer Louise (Lively) Gaffney, passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Born to Boyd and Phyllis Lively of Litchfield, Jennifer brought joy and music into every room she entered. She was a …
Carol Thacker-Varner, 93 Carol Thacker-Varner, 93, died at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, peacefully, surrounded by her family, at Litchfield Health & Rehabilitation Center. Services will be held at Litchfield …
Local News
From The Opinion Page

LANCER LINES • Lancer Students Plan April Senior Trip

Happy Thursday, Lancers! The weather is finally warm, and the countdown until summer is on here at Lincolnwood! Lancers went on their spring break last Thursday and returned to their normal schedule …

TOPPER TALK • Tickets Now Available For Topper Prom

Welcome back, Topper Nation! Can you believe we’re already 16 weeks into the school year? It’s almost the end of the year. We only have a little left. Congratulations to everyone who …
Letters To The Editor
Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor,   From the very first stages of the establishment of the Deer Run Mine, the concerns of the community have been given little consequence or just ignored. Starting with the …

Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor,   In context, this is my full statement I read at the Hillsboro City Council meeting on April 15 during our ‘Mayor and Commissioner Reports.’  On a …