News | The Journal-News

Montgomery County Fair To Host Clydesdale

The Montgomery County Fair will be hosting a beautiful Clydesdale horse for a special appearance on Family Day, Sunday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. JFP Equine … more

6/18/26

Montgomery County Fair Presents World Bird Sanctuary

The World Bird Sanctuary will be presenting a live bird program on Sunday, June 28, at 1:30 p.m. at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. This event will allow guests to see birds up close, learn about … more

6/18/26

Retiring 2025 Montgomery County Fair royalty, from the left are Junior Miss Presley Gifford, Little Miss Mavry Noyes, Young Miss Indi Flowers and Miss Isabella Steiner.

County Pageants Kick Off Fair On Wednesday

The annual Montgomery County Fair kicks off with three pageants on opening day, Wednesday, June 24, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Butler. The opening ceremonies for the fair will be held at … more

6/18/26

Rooted Salon And Spa Hosts Grand Opening

The Rooted Salon and Spa, located at Gudgel Ranch Saloon in Litchfield, hosted its official grand opening on Sunday, June 14, with live music, food vendors, a petting zoo, other vendors and tours of … more

6/18/26

HJHS English teacher, Florence Clark, led a group of eighth graders on the annual Washington, D.C. trip from June 1 through June 3. The group toured multiple monuments, museums and historical sites on their three day journey before returning to Hillsboro. Pictured above, the group sitting on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

HJHS Eighth Graders Tour Washington, D.C. In June

Florence Clark, Hillsboro Junior High School English teacher, led her last group of eighth graders on the annual Washington, D.C. trip from Monday, June 1 through Wednesday, June 3. Along with Mrs. … more

6/18/26

Pictured above are members of Milnot Beach’s summer staff. In front, from the left are Alex Gasperson, Rylie Mix, Lana Cress, Melanie Pence, Charlotte Reyes and Addison Monke. In back are Lukus Middleton, Clayton Hauser, Jackson Mullins, Xzavier Spencer, Braylen Stewart and Elise Walch. Not pictured are Manager Cara Schmitz, Assistant Managers Keanna Hawley and Kendall Stewart and staff members Isabella Reyes, Camron Zumwalt, Jalen Stewart, Maddy Dunham, Nick Fetter, Vinny Moore, Zoey Smith, Aryn Dooley, Emma Rhodes, Joelle Hughes, Will Cress, Cal Frerichs and Cam Stewart.

Milnot Beach Open For Summer Fun

With summer temperatures on the rise, Milnot Beach in Litchfield is a great place to beat the heat. The beach officially opened to swimmers on May 22, and remains open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. … more

6/18/26

Raise the Bar gym is celebrating its tenth anniversary, along with the one year anniversary of the Raise the Bar Wellness Spa the week of June 22 to June 27. Pictured above, from the left, are Raise the Bar owner Heather Greenwood, Trainer Krystal West, Spa Manager Luna Greenwood, Spa Receptionist Kinley McConnell, Massage Therapist Brian Morgan, Trainer Enon Greenwod, Massage Therapist Trinity Renner and Trainer Sara Swick. Not pictured are Spa Receptionist Maui Lemons and Yoga Instructor Kimberly Putnam.

Raise The Bar Celebrates Ten Years

Raise the Bar gym in Hillsboro is excited to celebrate ten years of serving the community with fitness, health and wellness, along with the one year anniversary of the Raise the Bar Wellness Spa. … more

6/18/26

Demolition Begins At Hillsboro McDonald’s

A new chapter is beginning for the Hillsboro McDonald’s restaurant, owned by Moreland/Bishop McDonald’s. The restaurant closed its doors temporarily, starting on June 8, for a complete … more

6/18/26

Mister Muscle Contest Will Be At County Fair

The Montgomery County Fair is excited to invite boys ages five to nine to participate in the 2026 Mr. Muscle Contest. Contestants must either live in Montgomery County or attend a Montgomery County … more

6/18/26

Witt Library Announces Summer Event

The Witt Memorial Library has announced two upcoming summer library programs. Available to residents in kindergarten through fifth grade, the library says attendees can expect activities, coloring, … more

6/18/26

The Hillsboro Farmers Market, organized by Imagine Hillsboro, returned for its second summer outing on Saturday, June 13, with 16 vendors set up around the New Courthouse parking lot, offering visitors a variety of goods from books and baked goods to custom jewelry and candles.

Second Hillsboro Farmers Market Returns

Cloudy, 74 degrees and a slight, cool breeze - one could not ask for a better morning for the return of the Hillsboro Farmers Market which was held on Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. until noon at the … more

6/18/26

Newkomis Names Loafman ‘Mr. Beer Belly’

The third annual “Breakfast with the Beer Bellies” event took place at the Nokomis Farmers Market on Saturday, June 13. This event began with a pancake and sausage breakfast, featuring Lucchi … more

6/18/26

Hundreds Attend June Pickers Market

Hundreds of visitors filled the streets in downtown Litchfield for the second Pickers Market of the season on Sunday, June 14. From live music and unique food and beverages to dozens of vintage … more

6/18/26

Wiplash Back For One Night Only

Nokomis-area favorites Wiplash are reuniting for one night only on Saturday, Aug. 1, for a farewell show at The Vault in Nokomis. Wiplash reached the peak of its popularity prior to the COVID-19 … more

6/18/26

Hillsboro Celebrates America 250 With Fun Summer Events

The City of Hillsboro is looking for patriotic citizens to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday this summer with three events taking part downtown, at Glenn Shoals Lake and at residents’ … more

6/15/26

Nokomis City Council Approves Police Hire

The Nokomis City Council approved the hiring of an Evidence Custodian for the Police Department at its June 8 regular meeting. Ben Lomprez, currently a dispatcher for the Christian County Sheriff’s … more

6/15/26

The Montgomery County 4-H program hosted a clean-up event at the 4-H Park in Butler on Wednesday evening, June 10. Members cleaned out the stalls in the barn and cleaned up the shelves in the show building and ring. They were treated to pizza afterward. Pictured above, from the left, Wild Roots Club members Dash and Abbey Quinn and Emily Monk clean stalls, while former 4-H member Cole Riemann uses a tractor to clean the barn.

County 4-H Members Ready To Show

Montgomery County 4-H has announced its show schedule in the leadup to the Montgomery County Fair, which runs from June 24 to June 28. On Saturday, June 20, the general projects show, which includes … more

6/15/26

A butterfly lands on a rock after being released as part of the HSHS annual butterfly release ceremony on Wednesday, June 10.

St. Francis Hosts Butterfly Release

HSHS Home Care and Hospice, in collaboration with HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, hosted the annual butterfly release ceremony on Wednesday, June 10. The goal of the ceremony is to allow … more

6/15/26

There was a little something for everyone at the No Chips’ Cruisin’ The Century Route 66 Car Show in Litchfield on Saturday, June 13, as 84 entries stretched all the way down North State Street to give the public a glimpse of automotive works of art, past and present. The event, hosted by No Chips 66, Ronco’s Autobody Tire and Wheel and Thic Whips Midwest Car Club, featured lifted trucks, motorcycles, imports, muscle cars and classics of yesteryear, like the ones pictured above.

Car Fans Get Their Kicks In Litchfield

With 84 entries stretched along North State Street the No Chips’ Cruisin’ The Century Route 66 Car Show had a little something for everyone. Hosted by No Chips 66, Ronco’s Autobody Tire … more

6/15/26

Local Fire Departments Receive IDNR Funding

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has awarded $495,000 in federal grants to 73 volunteer fire departments across the state to help with purchasing new equipment or paying for fire … more

6/15/26