News | The Journal-News

Pictured above, from the left, are Jackie Ashley of Decatur, Stan Huber, Leigh Ann Turner, Wayne Wedekind, Randy Richardson, Lou Meyer, Wayne Dowalder and Steve Woods of Decatur.

The Journal-News recently traveled to Guadalupe, Mexico, with the adult mission team from Hillsboro Presbyterian Church. The group completed another week serving at Rancho 3-M Orphanage working on … more

2/26/26

Gail Cole, winner of the quilt raffle, receives her quilt from Elaine Reinhart of the St. Louis Church Quilters.

St. Louis Church Donates To Senior Meal Program

St. Louis Catholic Church, Counsel of Catholic Women (CCW) and the St. Louis Catholic Church Quilters recently donated $4,700 to the Nokomis Christian Missions (NCM) Senior Meal Program, the proceeds … more

2/26/26

Avery Reynolds was named the CNB Student of the Month for the month of January. Pictured above, from the left, are Reynolds and Melissa Caldwell of CNB Bank.

Reynolds Named CNB Student Of The Month

CNB Bank and Trust in downtown Hillsboro named Hillsboro High School senior Avery Reynolds as the Student of the Month for the month of January. Reynolds is the daughter of Chris and Whitney … more

2/26/26

Hoxsey Named Volunteer Of Month

Susan Hoxsey has been named the CEFS AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Program’s Volunteer of the Month for the month of March . A longtime resident of Donnellson, Hoxsey began volunteering with RSVP three … more

2/26/26

Basketball Game, Bake Sale For McGlauchlen

Hillsboro’s fourth grade travel basketball teams are coming together to rally for one of their classmates, Piper McGlauchlen, by hosting a bake sale from Girl Scout Troop 6109 and basketball game. … more

2/26/26

HHS senior Rylie Jones expanded the reach of The Soap Box, which provides hygiene products to students in need. In addition to Hillsboro High School, Hillsboro Junior High School and Pana High School, The Soap Box is now operating at Faith Bible Christian Academy in Rosamond.

The Soap Box Opens At Faith Bible

Hillsboro High School senior Rylie Jones has opened The Soap Box to Faith Bible Christian Academy in Rosamond. “I am beyond excited to welcome them into our ‘Soap Box Family,’” said Jones. … more

2/26/26

TOPPER TALK • Hiltoppers Celebrate National FFA Week

Welcome back, Topper Nation! As we continue through the semester and look ahead to spring, here are several important updates and reminders for the HHS community. The answer to last week’s … more

by Milla Anderson at Hillsboro High | 2/26/26

Litchfield City Council Approves New Top Cop

Robert Carpenter was announced as the City of Litchfield’s pick for its next chief of police on Thursday, Feb. 19, after a vote by the Litchfield City Council. Carpenter was selected by a committee … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 2/23/26

Mattson Named To IHSA All-State Academic Team

Hillsboro High School senior Mark Mattson was one of 26 students across the state to be selected as part of the 2026 IHSA All-State Academic Team. “The students named to the IHSA All-State Academic … more

2/23/26

Nokomis Board Reviews Calendar

President Denny Bauman called to order the regularly scheduled February meeting of the Nokomis CUSD22 School Board at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17. In addition to Bauman, Superintendent Scott Doerr and … more

by Randy Rieke | 2/23/26

The young thespians starring in the show, from the left, are Gabby Estes, Huxlee Rogers, Archer Borgic, Charley Herschelman, Rowann Kious, Marlee Wrachford and Thalia Newingham.

I Believe That The Haunt Does Go On

The ghosts of the Harkey children serenade the audience with Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” to close out the second performance of The Ghosts of the Harkey House at the Grand Theatre in … more

2/23/26

Sparklight “Dream Bigger” Contest Returns

Sparklight is launching its 2026 “Dream Bigger” contest, awarding $30,000 to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education for K-12 students. Twelve winning schools or … more

2/23/26

Great Race Will Travel Route 66 During June

The Hemmings Great Race, presented by Coker Tire, will travel along the last 100 miles of Route 66 in southwest Illinois on Saturday, June 20, with a stop in Collinsville. The Great Race is a … more

2/23/26

Constituents To Visit Mary Miller’s Office

Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-15th) recently emailed a survey to Montgomery County residents asking which of five issues mattered most to them and their families. Voters were invited to check … more

2/23/26

Pictured above, from the left are Julie Timmerman, Kim Groom (club sponsor), Carol Burke, Tiffany and Makenzie Hendricks (Girl Scouts Troop 6143), Ian Polus (president-elect), Angela and Mike Taylor, Kara Amos (treasurer), Adam Ortega (president), Emily Farris and Alesia Haslett (secretary). Not pictured is Jessie Blackburn (LLCC).

Litchfield Kiwanis Assemble Birthday Party Kits

The Kiwanis Club of Litchfield assembled 64 birthday kits at their most recent meeting, all of which will be donated to local food pantries to ensure that no child ever goes without a birthday … more

2/23/26

Inspired Movement Academy recently competed at the Showstopper dance competition in St. Louis over Valentine’s Day weekend, Friday, Feb. 13 to Sunday, Feb. 15. Pictured above, in front, from the left, are Ellie Lesmeister, Hazel Holshouser and Ambrea Doll. In the back row from the left are Aubrey Johnson, Annie Chase, Audrey Cornelius, Julia Ward, Brylee Connor, Amelia Obermark and Kate Cunningham.

Inspired Movement Competes At Showstopper

Inspired Movement Academy recently competed at the Showstopper dance competition in St. Louis, MO. The event ran from Friday, Feb. 13 to Sunday, Feb. 15. In session one, which was held on … more

2/23/26

Bone Completes Director Education Program

Amanda Bone, executive director of the Montgomery County Housing Authority, has successfully completed the Exectutive Director Education Program, a nationally recognized professional development … more

2/23/26

St. Paul’s Invites All To Lent Gatherings

Pastor Stefan and the people at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro invite all to learn about how to follow Jesus with them out of bondage to sin, through the messes of the world and into a new … more

2/23/26

PANTHER PRESS • Panthers Present Chicago In March

Happy Monday, Panthers! Last Tuesday, the board of education held its monthly meeting, and there are several important updates to share. Since the previous board meeting, two more strategic … more

by Alli Frerichs at Litchfield | 2/23/26

Pictured above, from the left, are Democrat candidates Randy Raley, Jennifer Todd, Paul Davis and Kyle Nudo.

Indivisible Welcomes Candidates To County

Montgomery County Indivisible hosted a Meet The Congressional Candidates forum on Wednesday evening, Feb. 18, at the Annex at Lincoln Plaza in downtown Hillsboro. Attendees had the opportunity to … more

2/23/26