News | The Journal-News

Nokomis Police Officer On Supervisory Oversight

A Nokomis police officer has been assigned to duty, subject to supervisory oversight, following an investigation into an incident at the Casey’s General Store in downtown Nokomis. City officials … more

6/22/26

Cloey Hand and Ron Niehaus delivered a presentation about all things bee related at H and B Bremer Sanctuary on Saturday, June 13. They discussed how critical bees are for pollination, beekeeping as a business, products derived from bees, bee life cycles and hierarchies, the structure of beehives and much more.

Bremer Sanctuary Buzzing With Activity This June

H and B Bremer Sanctuary invited the public to learn the ins-and-outs of all things bees on Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m., as part of their second Saturday series of events taking place throughout … more

by Cameron Streitmatter | 6/22/26

Fr. John T. Hannigan Jr. celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination with a Mass of Thanksgiving on May 3, 2026. Another celebration was held prior on Friday, April 17, at Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein. Fr. Hannigan served at local churches including St. Agnes in Hillsboro, St. Maurice in Morrisonville and St. Raymond in Raymond.

Hannigan Celebrates Archdiocese Anniversary

Fr. John T. Hannigan Jr. recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to priesthood on May 3, with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Justin Martyr Parish in Seminole, FL. Another … more

6/22/26

County Fair Is Hosting Senior Day

As the Montgmery County Fair in Butler celebrates its 40th-year anniversary, the fair is honoring senior citizens by designating Sunday, June 28, as Senior Citizens Day. Seniors age 55 and up get … more

6/22/26

The Litchfield Public Library kicked off its Read Across America Summer Reading Program with a kids’ craft activity on Tuesday, June 16. Throughout the day, participants stopped by the library to make American flags from striped paper straws and flowers using patriotic cupcake liners. The Summer Reading Program crafts are held all day on Tuesdays this summer at the library. The next craft will be “Sweet Land of Liberty” on Tuesday, June 23.

Litchfield Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Fun

6/22/26

2:18 Missions To Hold Cookout Fundraiser

Local mission team, 2:18 Missions, out of Gillespie, will be having a cookout fundraiser held at Randy’s Market in Benld on Saturday, June 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food for sale will … more

6/22/26

The long-lost headstone for infant, Inez Barcie McDavid now stands in Irving Cemetery next to the monument for her parents, William and Barcelona McDavid.  Pictured, from the left are Mike Rappe of the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Rachel Korte of the Madison County Genealogical Society, and Bill Jurgena, caretaker of Irving Cemetery. Weeks before the June 14 event, Rappe and Jurgena mixed and  poured the concrete pad on which the stone rests.

Infant’s Long-Lost Headstone Now At Rest In Irving

The tombstone for a baby girl who lived less than a year now stands next to her parents’ graves in Irving Cemetery. The stone’s placement on Sunday, June 14, is thanks to research by genealogists … more

by Nancy Slepicka | 6/22/26

Pictured above, from the left, are Olivia Keiser and her father, Witt Volunteer Fire Department Chief Don Keiser, accepting the donation of $745 (a new record from the tap room in a month) from Red Rooster bartender Annabelle Wright.

Red Rooster Donates To Witt Volunteer Fire Dept.

Each month the tap room at the Red Rooster selects a charity they wish to highlight and help. In May the Witt Volunteer Fire Department was selected as the Charity of the Month. Donations are … more

6/22/26

Maria Eilers began the dedication with a speech about her father, Henry Eilers, detailing his passion and commitment to horticulture and conservation. She spoke of his inspiration and lifelong love of plants.

New Sign Dedicated To Henry Eilers

“From our ancestors come our names, but from our virtues our honors.” This Latin proverb emphasizes the importance of not just ancestry, but deeds and personal character that shapes … more

by Cameron Streitmatter | 6/18/26

Friends, family, former colleagues and current lake staff members met at the rendezvous area on Beach House Trail at Lake Lou Yaeger on Wednesday, June 10, to dedicate the new sign commemorating the late Jim Kirby, former lake superintendent of 23 years.

New Lake Lou Sign Honors Jim Kirby

A sign can be more than a location marker - they can warn of danger, direct to a specific location or advertise for events. In the case of the newly dedicated sign at Lake Lou Yaeger, this sign … more

by Cameron Streitmatter | 6/18/26

Litchfield School Board Honors Track Qualifiers

It was a short night for members of the Litchfield School Board, who met for just about half an hour on Tuesday evening, June 16, at the Unit Office in Litchfield. Board member Ron Anglin was absent. … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 6/18/26

Envision Witt Plans July 4 Celebration

It’s a celebration 250 years in the making! Envision Witt is hosting a Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 4, to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The … more

6/18/26

Short Agenda For Hillsboro City Council At June Meeting

Hillsboro’s City Council met quorum requirements with Kendra Wright, Patrick Ward, and Tommy Justison in attendance Tuesday night, June 16; with Finance Commissioner Ward filling the role of Mayor … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 6/18/26

Educators got an inside look at Corteva Agriscience Pioneer Seed Facility during their Educator Agventure traveling workshop. Pictured left to right are Beth Burrow, Amy Manker, Nicole Emery, Kimberly Baker, Allie Guinn, Diantha Harston, Laura Marley, Suzanne Grundy, Mindy Baumann, Isaac Pizzo from Corteva, Denise Pope and Tom Fergin from Corteva.

Local Educators Learn All Things Agriculture

Eleven educators from Calhoun, Greene, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties explored more about agriculture during the Educator Agventure Summer Agricultural Institute conducted by the Macoupin County … more

6/18/26

Beeler Earns Award At State FFA Convention

Nora Beeler of Raymond was recognized for winning the state Creed Speaking LDE for Greenhand FFA members during the 98th annual Illinois State FFA Convention June 9-11 at the BOS Center in … more

6/18/26

MAC ArtBus Continues Tour In Irving June 28

The Macoupin Art Collective’s (the “Mac”) ArtBus will continue its 2026 tour with its next stop scheduled Sunday, June 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of T-Teez bar at 121 E. State St. … more

6/18/26

The 2026 Hot Rod Power Tour stopped in Litchfield on Tuesday, June 9, at the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center. The five day tour began in Joliet and ended in Tulsa, OK, featuring over 6000 participating vehicles.

Hot Rod Power Tour Stops In Litchfield

The 2026 Hot Rod Power Tour stopped at the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center on Tuesday, June 9. The tour acted as the world’s largest rolling automotive festival to celebrate 100 years … more

6/18/26

St. Francis Meal Will Be Held On Tuesday, July 13

The HSHS St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary will be sponsoring their next drive-thru dinner on Monday, July 13, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. to support the hospital’s Family Maternity Center. The meal will … more

6/18/26

The Morrisonville-Palmer Fire Protection District’s new pumper/tanker adds 2,000 more gallons of capacity for the department and enough storage to make it a multi-purpose response vehicle, capable of carrying water for fires and extrication equipment for car accidents. The truck, updated with new technology and other features, is the first new fire engine for the department in 25 years.

Morrisonville Fire Dept. Holds Open House

On Saturday, June 6, the Morrisonville-Palmer Fire Protection District hosted an open house for the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The crew of the firehouse served a free lunch consisting of burgers, … more

6/18/26

Veteran residents and staff of Evergreen Place in Litchfield sat front row for their Flag Day event held on Monday, June 15, at 11 a.m. The event honored present and past veterans for their service. At the conclusion of the ceremony, they were thanked for their service by Staunton’s Combined Veteran Honor Guard.

Evergreen Place Honors Veterans For Flag Day Event

Staff, residents and family members of Evergreen Place in Litchfield gathered together on Monday, June 15, at 11 a.m., in a Flag Day Ceremony to honor veteran residents and staff. The event began … more

by Cameron Streitmatter | 6/18/26