News | The Journal-News

Families bundled up and enjoyed a chilly morning hunting for brightly colored Easter eggs during the Sensory Friendly Egg Hunt hosted by The Autism Support Connection (TASC) and The First Baptist Church of Hillsboro on Saturday, March 28.

The Autism Support Connection kicked off a month of events celebrating April as Autism Acceptance Month with an Easter Egg Hunt. The annual hunt was held on Saturday morning, March 28, at the First … more

3/30/26

Donnellson Hosts Easter Eggstravaganza

The Village of Donnellson was abuzz with activity as they hosted an Easter Eggstravaganza event on Saturday, March 28. Vendors set up inside the Donnellson Community Center selling a variety of … more

3/30/26

Pictured above are dancers from Inspired Movement Academy who competed at the recent +Vibes Dance Contest in Bloomington, including Ellie Lesmeister, Avery Reynolds, Claire Trader, Bailey Davis, Calie Martincic, Lucy Moxey, Brylee Connor, Audrey Cornelius, Annie Chase, Ambrea Doll, Hazel Holshouser, Thea Lang, Zoey Seago, Aubrey Johnson, Julia Ward, Ema Kaculi, Andi Cady and Kate Cunningham.

Inspired Academy Shines at +Vibes Dance Contest

Inspired Movement Academy (IMA) proudly attended the +Vibes Dance Competition held Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22, in Bloomington. Although the studio just opened its doors on June 1, … more

3/30/26

No Kings 3 Draws An Estimated 150 Protestors

Hillsboro was one of more than 3,000 towns across the country to participate in the No Kings 3 series of protests against the Trump administration. The Hillsboro protest, organized by Montgomery … more

3/30/26

Candi Mazza was named the 2026 Citizen of the Year by the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce.

Candi Mazza Named Citizen Of The Year

“Everything was so easy to move here, it was like it was meant to be,” said Litchfield Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Candi Mazza. “It just seemed like this was where we were supposed … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 3/26/26

Hillsboro City Council Approves Several Upcoming Events

Three members of the Hillsboro City Council convened at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, to meet with a standing room crowd present; representing Hillsboro were Mayor Don Downs, Utilities Commissioner … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 3/26/26

Panhandle Approves Changes To Handbook

The Panhandle School Board approved the 2026-27 district handbook during their meeting on Monday, March 23, clarifying some of the expectations for its students in the process. Raymond Grade School … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 3/26/26

Robert Carpenter was sworn in as the next chief of police for the City of Litchfield during the city council meeting on Thursday, March 19. City Clerk Vickie Throne swore in Chief Carpenter, with the assistance of his wife Connie.

Carpenter Sworn In As Litchfield Chief

Surrounded by the officers he works with, past and present, Robert Carpenter was sworn in as chief of police for the City of Litchfield on Thursday, March 19, during the Litchfield City Council … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 3/26/26

Dan Mulch listens to discussion from the Stop The Shoals meeting in Witt in February. Mulch and others formed the group to oppose the Shoals Renewables project proposed by Pattern Energy, which consists of a 500 MW wind energy facility and a 500 MW solar energy facility.

Stop The Shoals Wants To Save County Skyline

Imagine buying five acres of land out in the country and building your dream house, some place to get away from it all. Now imagine that one of your neighbors wants to put up a wind turbine, a … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 3/26/26

Tom Burenga, above on the left, was honored for his committment to serving the agricultural industry with the 2026 St. Isidore’s Friend of Agriculture Award. Pictured above, Kevin Niemann, right presents the award to Burenga.

St. Francis Recognizes Farming Community

On Monday morning, March 23, farmers from across Montgomery and Macoupin Counties enjoyed a Farm Family event at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. The event was held by St. Francis … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 3/26/26

Since 2023, Rise and Grind Coffee Co. has provided the Litchfield community great drinks, friendly faces and space for community. The company was honored as this year’s Litchfield Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year and will be recognized at the awards ceremony on Thursday, March 26, at the Gudgel Ranch. Pictured above from the left are barista McKenzie Wilson, owner Sydney Budd and barista Tressa Zimmerman.

Rise And Grind Named Litchfield Business Of The Year

“I’m so thankful to open a store and work here in Litchfield,” Sydney Budd says. “This is a dream and it feels really good to be seen.” Since 2023, Budd has owned and operated Rise and … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 3/26/26

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Montgomery County Circuit Clerk Daniel Robbins, Cody Gudgel (candidate for Montgomery County Board), Shawn Bazillion (precinct committeman), Montgomery County Board member Russ Beason, Kendra Wright of the Hillsboro City Council, Roberta Meyer (precinct committeeman and secretary of Montgomery County Republican Central Committee), Retha Corso (precinct committeeman), Leo Hernandez (precinct committeman) Roy Schieferdecker (precinct committeman) and Montgomery County Board member Jeremy Jones (chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee). In the second row are Montgomery County Board member Chris Daniels (treasurer of the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee), Tim Hopper (candidate for Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder), Litchfield Mayor Jake Fleming, David Vollmer (precinct committeeman), Hillsboro City Council member Tommy Justison (precinct committeeman), Jim Jones (precinct committeeman), Litchfield City Council alderman Bert Holloway, Montgomery County Sheriff Tyson Holshouser, Billy Beckham (incoming precinct committeeman), Montgomery County Board member Ethan Murzynski and Montgomery County Board member Rob Corso (vice chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee). In back are Brian Patton (precinct committeeman), John Wright (precinct committeeman), Montgomery County State’s Attorney Brian Shaw, Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser, Ed Boyd (candidate for Montgomery County Board) and Illinois State Senator Jason Plummer.

Republicans Host Annual Lincoln Day Dinner

Montgomery County Republicans rallied at the 54th annual Lincoln Day Dinner, held Saturday, March 21, at the Litchfield Community Center. Hosted by the Montgomery County Central Republican … more

3/26/26

TOPPER TALK • Topper Students Gear Up For A Busy Spring

Welcome back, Topper Nation! Welcome to the third week of the fourth quarter! As we head into spring, here are a few important updates and reminders for the HHS community. The answer to last … more

by Milla Anderson at Hillsboro High | 3/26/26

Nokomis’ Izaak Doyen was selected as the State Winner by a committee of agriculture teachers, industry friends, parents and volunteers knowledgeable in this work-based area.

Doyen Wins State FFA Proficiency

Izaak Doyen was selected as the State FFA SOE Award Winner in Human and Public Services. Doyen is a member of the Nokomis FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association FFA. The Illinois FFA … more

3/26/26

Pictured above, from the left, in the back are Levi German, Parker Morrison, Andrew Suslee, Izaak Doyen, Fausto Centeno and student teacher Ryan Koster. In the front row are Mason Fesser, Grace King, Kennley Kirk, Abigail Centeno, Alauna Patton and Marissa Carlock.

Nokomis FFA Celebrates State Success

Nokomis FFA is celebrating their recent success at the Illinois FFA’s State Awards Day.Nine Nokomis FFA members compete with their SAE recordbook projects at the state level. Izaak Doyen was named … more

3/26/26

LANCER LINES • Lincolnwood FFA Attends State Capitol Day

Hello and welcome back to another week of the Lancer Lines! I hope you all have had a great week and are ready for this week’s article! I will start this week with the answer to last week’s … more

by Ella Jenkins at Lincolnwood | 3/26/26

Imagine Hillsboro To Host Free Back To School Store

Imagine Hillsboro will be hosting their free back to school store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 25. Imagine Hillsboro is asking for new and gently used clothing in sizes four to adult. … more

3/26/26

St. Francis Offering Teens Volunteer Opportunities

HSHS St. Francis Hospital is offering opportunities for area teens to volunteer this summer through the 2026 Junior Volunteer Program. Applications are being accepted now through May 1. … more

3/26/26

South Central Conference Honors Scholastic Bowl

Following the end of the regular season, the South Central Conference has announced this year’s 2026 All-Conference team, including several students from Litchfield and Hillsboro. This … more

3/26/26

Two Local Queens Meet Miss America In March

Two local queens made their dreams come true when they met with 2026 Miss America Cassie Donegan at the Miss Illinois Rising Stars brunch, held Saturday, March 21, at the Prairie View Reception … more

3/26/26