News | The Journal-News

TASC Group Plans Events This Month

The Autism Support Connection (TASC) has announced its events for the month of May. On Saturday, May 23, there will be an open gym at Hilltop Elite Academy of Tumbling and Trampoline from 10 to … more

5/18/26

HCCDC Hosts Fundraiser For Playground Equipment

Hillsboro Community Child Development Center (HCCDC) is hosting ‘Touch A Truck’ on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 9181 Rt. 127. This event will provide children the opportunity … more

5/18/26

HSHS St. Francis raised a flag to honor organ donors across the country on Thursday, May 7. The ceremony was co-sponsored by Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network and Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry.

St. Francis Raises Flag To Honor Organ Donation

HSHS St. Francis Hospital hosted a flag raising ceremony on Thursday, May 7, to honor organ and tissue donors, recipients and those still waiting. Speaking at this year’s ceremony was donation … more

5/18/26

Cameron Streitmatter, pictured above, is excited to be joining The Journal-News editorial staff. The Litchfield native looks forward to sharing all of the happenings across Montgomery County.

Streitmatter Joins Journal-News Team

The Journal-News is excited to announce the newest addition to their editorial staff, Cameron Streitmatter. Streitmatter, a 2003 graduate of Litchfield High School, is the son of Robert and … more

5/18/26

TOPPER TALK • Topper Students Ready For Summer

Welcome back, Topper Nation! School is almost over and there’s a lot happening at HHS, so here are a few important reminders to keep you in the loop. First, the answer to last week’s riddle is: … more

by Milla Anderson at Hillsboro High | 5/16/26

The Hillsboro School District honored their own on Tuesday evening, May 12, thanking its 11 retirees for years of service and wishing them well. Pictured above, from the left are Sara Wilson, Paula Schwartzkopf, Chris Ferrill, Gayla Brauns, Florence Clark, Lauren Pesko and Mary Jo Moore. Not pictured but honored were Doug Huber, Beth Harnetiaux, Tami Hanner and Nancy Reynolds.

Hillsboro School Board Honors Retirees At May Meeting

The Hillsboro School Board celebrated 11 district retirees on Tuesday evening, May 12, beginning their regular board meeting with a reception thanking them for their years of service to the district. … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 5/14/26

County Jury Server, Software Undergoing System Update

The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk’s office is beginning a second update to their jury server and software, Montgomery County Circuit Clerk Daniel Robbins announced. “If you have received a … more

5/14/26

Hillsboro Invites Community To Celebrate America 250

Head to Hillsboro is inviting all residents, businesses, churches, neighborhoods and organizations in Hillsboro to help celebrate America 250 by decorating their homes, storefronts, porches, windows … more

5/14/26

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Hillsboro High School students Alexander Duff, Alexis Carlyle, Raegan Worley, Ethan Hamby, Logan Gill and Xander Baney and The Next Network Executive Director Jon Magnuson and his son, Foster. In back are board members Jodi Reynolds, HHS business teacher Angela Kaculi, Dawn Young, Kaitlyn Fath and her daughter, Winry, Tristan Morton and Tim Fogle. Not present were board members Wayne Wedekind and Kate Wedekind.

HHS Students Donate To Haven Home

Hillsboro High School business management students donated $4,500 to the Haven Home of Hope in Hillsboro, a program of The Next Network, on Tuesday morning, May 12. The donation was raised through … more

5/14/26

After finishing at the police academy, Tanner Jett (right) was sworn in by City Clerk Vickie Throne, with assistance from his father Scott Jett, as the newest police officer for the City of Litchfield. Litchfield Police Chief Robert Carpenter mentioned that Jett finished first out of 92 students in his class at the academy.

Litchfield City Council Meets On May 7

Members of the Litchfield City Council met on Thursday, May 7, at Corwin Hall for their regular meeting. To start the meeting, Mayor Jake Fleming read a proclamation to start the meeting, declaring … more

5/14/26

Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser, at right, administers the oath of office to new Montgomery County Board member Cody Gudgel of Litchfield on May 12. He fills the vacancy created by the death of board member Bill Bergen.

Gudgel Appointed To County Board

Members of the Montgomery County Board unanimously approved Cody Gudgel of Litchfield to the board at the start of their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, May 12, at the Historic Courthouse … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 5/14/26

Old Settlers Shares This Year’s ‘Who’s Who’ List

The Old Settlers Association has announced the “Who’s Who” list for 2026, with the contact numbers listed for those in charge of particular events. Old Settlers 2026 will take place on Saturday … more

5/14/26

Kravanya & Boente Add Dr. Fleshren To Practice

Kravanya and Boente Family Dentistry in Litchfield will be welcoming a new dentist to the practice in July with the addition of Dr. Callie Fleshren. A native of Port St. Joe, FL, Dr. Fleshren … more

5/14/26

Planning Commission Discusses Wind Mills

The Hillsboro Planning Commission met for the first time since October of 2025 (the date of the minutes that were approved at this meeting) when a quorum assembled Tuesday afternoon, May … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/14/26

Education Committee Seeks Community Input

A group of former educators has met several times in hopes of writing a section of a book covering Hillsboro’s history since 1984 to the present. The book is to be a continuation of … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/14/26

Two Veterans Will Be Etched Into Memorial

According to Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser, two war veterans who were past or present residents of the boundaries of the Litchfield School District will have their names added to … more

5/14/26

LANCER LINES • Lancer Seniors Are Ready To Graduate

Hello and welcome back to another week of the Lancer Lines. I hope you all have had a great week. I will start this week with the answer to last week’s riddle! Here it is: How do you know when … more

by Ella Jenkins at Lincolnwood | 5/14/26

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro will be hosting a “Star Wars” themed service on Sunday, May 17, in the lead-up to the new franchise film, “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Pictured above, is Pastor Stefan Munker as The Mandalorian, at right, and Grogu (also known as Baby Yoda) at left.

St. Paul’s Hosting Star Wars Service May 17

Jedi Pastor Stefan Munker will be offering a “Star Wars” themed service as “The Mandalorian” at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. At 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, the congregation … more

5/14/26

Hillsboro Sertoma Club President Bob Schwandner, at right, presents this year’s Service to Mankind Award to Zach Wygal of Hillsboro.

Zach Wygal Receives Service To Mankind Award From Sertoma

“I love this town, because I believe in this town,” said Zach Wygal of Hillsboro, who was recognized as this year’s Hillsboro Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award winner. “There’s … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 5/11/26

Visitors and vendors attend the first annual Hillsboro Farmers Market sponsored by Imagine Hillsboro on Saturday, May 9, at the New Courthouse parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon.

Hillsboro Farmers Market Kicks Off The Summer

Clear skies and warm temperatures welcomed the first Hillsboro Farmers Market of the season on Saturday, May 9, at the New Courthouse parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by Imagine Hillsboro, … more

5/11/26