News | The Journal-News

Pictured above is an antique stove and vintage holiday decorations in the Harkey House parlor.

Vintage Decor, Nativities Featured On Tour

The Harkey House, the mid-1800s period museum of the Historical Society of Montgomery County, is decorated upstairs and down for the Christmas House and Church Tour on Sunday, Nov. 30, from 1 to 4 … more

11/26/25

Huddle House To Provide Free Thanksgiving

With the recent cut of SNAP benefits, many families find themselves struggling and living with fear that they made not be able to provide their children with a Thanksgiving meal. In order to make … more

11/26/25

The top finalists from the annual Voice of Democracy contest at Litchfield High School are pictured above. From the left are scond place Lily Sipes and first place Bill Crispens. Not pictured is third place Claire Reid.

Litchfield Announces Voice Of Democracy Winners

Litchfield High School conducted an awards ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 22, to recognize those who participated in three important contests. The event was sponsored by the VFW and Auxiliary nationwide … more

11/26/25

Barnes, Senko Take Paper To Finland

College friends Ginger Barnes, of Hillsboro, pictured above on the left, and Tammy Senko of Mt. Olive, right, took a copy of The Journal-News abroad on their recent trip to Finland. While there, they … more

11/26/25

Hillsboro Christmas Clothing Drive is returning for the holiday season to deliver clothes to children in need. Those looking to pick up a snowflake may do so at MCR Realty Professionals, Inc. and Sullivan Drugs in Hillsboro, as well as Bank and Trust in Witt.

Hillsboro Clothing Drive Returns For Holidays

The Hillsboro Christmas Clothing Drive is returning once again to provide children in need with new clothing for the holiday season. Those who wish to give may pick up a snowflake at either MCR … more

11/26/25

Pictured above with his family looking on, Brian Lee looks down aisle 11 as he bowls his turkey down the lane. Lee was one of the many locals who took their best shot at a strike.

Hillsboro Locals Bowl A Turkey At IGA Store

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Hillsboro locals made their way to ‘Capri Lanes’ at IGA to bowl a turkey down aisle 11 for the chance to win a holiday turkey. Shoppers had the chance to … more

11/26/25

Pictured above, in no particular order, are Recreation Chair, Ethan Marley, Junior Secretary Layne Johnston, Vice President Katelyn Marley, President Fallon Knodle, Health Tip Officer Thomas Marley, Junior Treasurer Kaylee Hilgendorf, Secretary Landon Hilgendorf, Historian Kinley Hand, Social Media Chair Kinley Stolte and Treasurer Drew Schweizer. Not pictured is Reporter Grace King.

Starr Shooters 4-H Holds Auction, Installs Officers

Starr Shooters 4-H Club held their annual fundraising auction with family on Sunday, Nov. 16. Club Secretary Landon Hilgendorf served as auctioneer for the event, with support from Gage Lehman and … more

11/26/25

Voting Open For TCCU Scholarship Program

In the only instance where people are openly encouraged to ‘vote early and vote often,’ Taylorville Community Credit Union has announced that voting has begun to determine the eight … more

11/26/25

Litchfield Thanksgiving Serves Hundreds

The annual Litchfield Community Thanksgiving meal, hosted by the Litchfield Ministerial Alliance on Tuesday, Nov. 25, served upwards of 485 dinners to the local community. Carry-out boxes were loaded … more

11/26/25

Small Town Christmas Event Returns

Imagine Hillsboro’s “A Small Town Christmas” will be held this Saturday, Nov. 29. A Christmas Vendor Market will be open throughout the duration of the event, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. … more

11/26/25

Fire Department Decorates Raymond

Raymond-Harvel Fire Department took advantage of the lovely fall weather on Sunday, Nov. 16, to hang up Christmas decorations around downtown Raymond. The decorations are just another step as the … more

11/26/25

Brown’s Insurance in Hillsboro recenlty made a $950 donation to the Montgomery County Breast Cancer Support Group (MCBCSG). Pictured above, in front, from the left, are Lisa Bertolis, Diane Hendricks, Lori Erskine, Tracey White of MCBCSG, Mary Brown, Susan Taylor, Dianne Hampton, Kathy Everett and Andrew Reck. Pictured in the back is Payton Brown.

Brown’s Insurance Donates To MCBCSG

For the past four years, Brown’s Insurance has proudly participated in Breast Cancer Awareness month by giving back to the community. Every October, the business donates $10 to breast cancer … more

11/26/25

Nokomis Shop Celebrates New Owners

Volunteers with the Newkomis organization hosted a ribbon cutting at Nokomis Gift and Garden on Saturday, Nov. 22, to celebrate its new owners. The shop was purchased this fall by Junction Garden … more

11/26/25

Compton Attends IAAF Central Zone Meeting

Miss Pana Tri-County Fair Sierra Compton of Witt, at left, attended the IAAF Central Zone Meeting at the Morgan County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Nov. 2. She did a mock interview for the state pageant in … more

11/26/25

Pictured above are Lincolnwood High School’s graduating Illinois State Scholars. From the left is Sally Corso, Madilyn Barnes, Eliana Nudo and Ella Jenkins.

Lincolnwood Seniors Named State Scholars

Lincolnwood High School Principal Joe Schuster is pleased to announce that four students from the Lincolnwood High School graduating class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State … more

11/26/25

Nokomis High School's 2026 Illinois State Scholars are pictured above. From the left are Camryn Engelman, Addison Glenn, Levi German, Blain Goodwin and Bryce Gillock.

Nokomis Students Named State Scholars

Nokomis High School Principal Lindsey DeFevers is pleased to announce that five students from the Nokomis High School graduating class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. … more

11/26/25

Nine students from Hillsboro High School were named as Illinois State Scholars. Pictured above, in front, from the left, are Jayden Poggemoeller, Milla Anderson, Avery Reynolds and Madison VanOstran. In back, from the left, are Mark Mattson and Owen Trader. Absent for the photo were Sophia Mullen, Ian Van Doren and William Yeske.

HHS Students Named State Scholars

Hillsboro High School has announced that nine students have been named as Illinois State Scholars. Students named include Jayden Poggemoeller, Milla Anderson, Avery Reynolds, Madison VanOstran, Mark … more

11/26/25

Pictured above are Litchfield High School’s graduating Illinois State Scholars. In the front, from the left are Deeya Patel, Amanda Sypherd, Melody Ellinger, Ava Ballard, Brooke Braasch, Darby Braasch and Alli Frerichs. In the back are Jackson Mullins, Isaiah Burdell, Conner Favre, Kaiden Law, Kale Dexheimer and Johnathon Bowles. Not pictured are Lucien Quarton and Sam Schwab.

Litchfield Seniors Named State Scholars

Litchfield High School Principal Hilary Wagenblast is pleased to announce that 15 students from the Litchfield High School graduating class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. … more

11/26/25

Pattern Energy made a $600 donation to Imagine Hillsboro on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Pictured above, from the left, are 2024 Imagine Hillsboro Little Miss Snow Princess Sadie Lawson, 2024 Imagine Hillsboro Snow Princess Kaelin Cress, Hillsboro Mayor Don Downs, Business Development Manager of Pattern Energy Diogo Botelho, Susan Schwandner of Imagine Hillsboro and Economic Developer Melissa Smith.

Pattern Donates To Imagine Hillsboro

Pattern Energy recently made a $600 donation to Imagine Hillsboro on Tuesday, Nov. 11. “We’re proud to partner with Imagine Hillsboro to support projects that strengthen and … more

11/26/25

New Sign Welcomes Visitors To Beal's M&M Museum

One of Montgomery County's hidden gems has a new way to draw in visitors traversing Historic Route 66. Beal's M&M Museum in Waggoner recently installed a new sign just off the frontage road, … more

11/26/25