News | The Journal-News

Pictured above, from the left are Captain Patricia Whitworth of the U.S. Army, Master Sergeant Craig Foster of the Illinois Air National Guard, MM2 Felix E. Powell of the U.S. Navy, Lance Corporal Dale L. Walcher of the U.S. Marine Corps and E-5 Sergeant Randy G. Patton of the U.S. Army.

In honor of Veterans Day, local stitchers presented five Quilts of Valor at Beckemeyer Elementary School in Hillsboro on Monday, Nov. 10, with assistance from the school’s third graders. … more

11/13/25

The Rev. Michael Plummer of Calvary Baptist Church was recognized as part of Pastor Appreciation Month in October. Pictured above, from the left, are Charlotte, Abby, Katherine and the Rev. Michael Plummer with Deacon Chairman Louis Lang, who presented the Plummer family with a gift certificate from Calvary Baptist Church.

Pastor Plummer Recognized In October

The month of October is designated for Pastor Appreciation Month. Calvary Baptist Church Pastor, the Rev. Michael Plummer, and his family were were showered with different acts of love and kindness … more

11/13/25

Meghan Hyam, CRHCP at Litchfield Family Practice Center, represented the clinic at the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) Fall Conference in Reno.

Hyam Represents LFPC At Fall Conference

Litchfield Family Practice Center has proudly announced that Meghan Hyam, CRHCP, presented at the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) Fall Conference, held in Reno last month. Her … more

11/13/25

Pictured above are Raymond-Harvel Ambulance squad ready to help with the dinner. In the back from the left is Dale Weitekamp, Helene Robinson, Keasha Wagahoff, Danny McCallum, Aaron Myers and Rick Broaddus. In front is Barb McCallum, Mary Ann Skinner and Carol Benning.

Dinner Raises Funds For Helipad

Members of the Panhandle Community made their way to the Raymond Knights of Columbus Hall on Friday evening, Nov. 7, for the drive-through chicken dinner benefiting the Raymond-Harvel Ambulance … more

11/13/25

Litchfield Man Pleads Guilty, Sentenced To 25 Years

Litchfield resident William Groves pleaded guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault on Monday, Nov. 10, at the Montgomery County courthouse in Hillsboro. A plea was negotiated with lead … more

11/13/25

Litchfield Fire Department responded to a fire at a Douglas St. residence on Sunday morning, Nov. 9. Upon arrival, they discovered the garage fully engulfed in flame.

Litchfield Fire Responds To Engulfed Garage Fire

On Sunday, Nov. 9, at approximately 7:12 a.m., the Litchfield Fire Department (LFD) was dispatched to 206 N. Douglas Street for a report of an odor investigation and possible smoke in the area. While … more

11/13/25

Charlie Lentz, Sr., of Hillsboro, at left, is pictured in front of the Vietnam Wall as part of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight on Tuesday, Oct. 21. He is pictured with his son, Chuck Lentz, Jr., at right.

Local Veterans Take Honor Flight In October

Five veterans with connections to Montgomery County were on the Tuesday, Oct. 21 Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, the last flight for the 2025 season. Charlie Lentz of Hillsboro, Tom Currie of … more

by Cayden Huber | 11/13/25

DRAGON BEAT • Donations Collected For Food Drive

Hey there, Dragon Beat audience! Today is World Kindness Day and in honor of one of the kindest people in this world, Mr. Rogers, students were encouraged to wear an iconic cardigan in honor of him. … more

by Isabelle Zbinden at HJHS | 11/13/25

Angel Tree Posted In Hillsboro Fitness Lobby

Volunteers with the Hillsboro Angel Tree project have launched the 2025 season, with trees posted in the local community at Hillsboro Fitness and Aquatics, pictured above with Melanie Sherer and … more

11/13/25

Nokomis Council Meets In Brief Session Monday

At its regular Nov.10 meeting, the Nokomis City Council breezed through a brief agenda without taking any significant action. With two commissioners absent from the meeting (Commissioner Tisha Morris … more

by Ben Schwarm | 11/13/25

Martin, Libbra Wed In November Ceremony

Gillian Martin of Litchfield and Jordan Libbra of Mt. Olive were united in marriage on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hillsboro Lake. The ceremony was officiated by Dave Hockett. The new Mrs. Libbra is the … more

11/13/25

Orders for 2025 Grace license plates are due Dec. 31.

Panther Student Council Will Offer Grace Plates

For the ninth year, members of the Litchfield High School Student Council are selling temporary license plates to raise money for an ongoing research study for INAD (infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy) … more

11/13/25

Members of the Hillsboro community gathered in the old gymnasium at Hillsboro Junior High School to honor the many veterans in the local community. Pictured above is master of ceremonies and retired Major General Willie Cobetto delivering remarks.

Hillsboro Community Thanks Its Veterans

While cold winds pushed the ceremony indoors to the old gym at the junior high school, the Hillsboro community paused at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning, Nov. 11, to honor … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 11/13/25

Pictured above are local DAR members, in front, from the left are Pam Hopper, Regent Chris Garner, Treasurer and Trivia Night Coordinator Kendra Wright and Melanie Sherer. In back are Nancy Baker, Guylia Grigsby, Meg Wertin, Judy Failoni, Patty Whitworth and Anne McLaughlin.

DAR Chapter Hosts Tenth Annual Trivia Night

Members of the Christiana Tillson chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution hosted their tenth annual trivia night on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Hillsboro Lions Club. More than two … more

11/13/25

Navy veteran Jeff Leach gave the keynote address during this year’s Veterans Day program in Litchfield.

Litchfield Pauses To Remember Vets

The Litchfield community paused to salute local veterans during their annual Veterans Day program on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. This year’s … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 11/13/25

North Elementary Celebrates Veterans Day

The halls of North Elementary School in Nokomis were filled with items honoring veterans the week of Veterans Day. Several veterans were special visitors in the school’s classrooms, as well as … more

11/13/25

Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael Penrod listens to the playing of “Taps” during the Panhandle Veterans Day program on Nov. 7. Penrod also spoke to students at Raymond Grade School about his time in the Navy, which included time on three aircraft carriers.

Panhandle Honors Those Who Served

The students in the Panhandle School District paused on Friday, Nov. 7, to take time to honor those in the community who served their country at the annual Panhandle Veterans Breakfast at Lincolnwood … more

11/13/25

Ware’s Grove Dedicates Veterans Memorial

“This memorial is dedicated to help us remember the service of those brave men and women who answered the call,” said Pastor John H. Jaffry. “We set aside this place to honor these … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 11/10/25

Pictured above are several community members contributing to the new Farmers Station in Nokomis. From the left are Kismet’s Yellow Truck staff, owners, Brayden and Ann Helgen and family; Shane and Dawn Uhlry, Kurt and Kelly Aumann, Jen and Evan Gaton, Little Mister Nokomis Sawyer Otto and Miss Nokomis Jenna Kamer.

Farmers Station Opens This Fall In Nokomis

Nokomis residents young and old made their way downtown Saturday morning to attend the grand opening of Farmers Station on Saturday, Nov. 8, a brand-new fresh market offering local families and … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 11/10/25

Litchfield City Council Continues To Work On Water Issues

The Litchfield City Council approved another round of emergency expenditures for the Litchfield water treatment plant after the catastrophic failure of its chemical feed system in September. The … more

11/10/25