News | The Journal-News

Bringing direct primary care to the Panhandle community, Dr. Jennifer Richards opened her new practice, Real Family Medicine, in downtown Farmersville in late 2022.

New Farmersville Doctor Offers Direct Primary Care

Bringing direct primary care to the Panhandle community, Dr. Jennifer Richards of Loami opened her new practice, Real Family Medicine, in downtown Farmersville in late 2022. An Iowa native, she … more

by Bethany Martin | 4/20/23 | 1 comment

On May 19, State Representative Wayne Rosenthal recognized the first responders who tended to those in the I-55 dust storm on May 1. In front, from the left, are Curt Deming of the Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service, Divernon Village President Jim Copelin, Montgomery County EMA Assistant Danny Hough, Litchfield Fire Chief Adam Pennock, Montgomery County EMA Assistant Joe Gasparich, Representative Wayne Rosenthal, Hillsboro Police Officer Tim Hopper and Springfield Fire Chief Ed Canny. In the second row are Chatham Assistant Chief Joe Bolleta, Jay Fahs of Prairieland Ambulance, Montgomery County EMA Director Kevin Schott, Raymond-Harvel Fire Chief Danny McCallum, Hillsboro Police Chief Randy Leetham, David O’Shea and Matt Tennill of the Staunton Area Ambulance Service. In the back row are Divernon Fire Chief Randy Rhodes, Brett Cullivan of America Ambulance, Litchfield Police Lt. Brian Reid, Girard Fire Chief Craig Bridges, Farmersville-Waggoner Assistant Chief Brian Byers, Carlinville Fire Chief Jess McKee, and Shoal Creek Fire Chief Steve Langheim.

Rosenthal Recognizes I-55 First Responders

On May 19, the State of Illinois and the Illinois House of Representatives honored the first responders who jumped into action to save lives during the unprecedented dust storm that struck I-55 on … more

6/5/23 | 1 comment

Hillsboro Moose Lodge Under New Ownership

Jim and Kelly Hewitt are excited to announce that they have taken ownership of the former Moose Lodge, located in downtown Hillsboro. “We want to take a moment to express our gratitude to … more

4/27/23 | 1 comment

More Choices Coming To Panhandle School District Cafeteria

Panhandle Superintendent Aaron Hopper spoke about a change in the way students at Raymond Grade School and Lincolnwood Junior/Senior High School will get their lunches during the Panhandle School … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 3/28/24

Get 'Taste Of Extension' Friday Night In Hillsboro

Locals are invited to come get a “Taste of Extension” at the Montgomery County Extension Office on Friday, April 19, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. “Taste of Extension” is the perfect … more

4/15/24

Planning Commission Hears Update On Exhibit

Barb Hewitt, acting as chairman pro-tem, called the July 18 meeting of the Hillsboro Planning Commission to order Tuesday afternoon at 12:30. No votes could be taken as only four commissioners (Mike … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 7/20/23

Budget Concerns Keep Brown Shoe Fees The Same

Members of the Litchfield City Council approved nine of the 10 agenda items during their meeting on Thursday, Sept. 21, with one item dying due to lack of a motion. The outlier was a request from the … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 9/25/23

Hiltopper Alumni Celebrate New High School

They’ve seen the Hiltop as students and and as part of the system that makes it work, but now the alumni employees of Hillsboro High School will have the opportunity to see education take its … more

1/25/24

Nokomis To Regulate Motorized Bicycles

The Nokomis City Council voted to approve an ordinance to regulate low-speed electric and gas-powered bicycles at its Monday, March 25, council meeting. To operate such vehicles on the street, … more

by Ben Schwarm | 3/28/24

Ray Wille of the Raise the Bar Powerlifting Team dead lifts 500 pounds at the inaugural Raise the Bar Against Cancer Powerlifting challenge, held Saturday, April 13, on the Lincoln Plaza. Nearly 25 power lifters competed that day, raising $500 for the Montgomery County Cancer Association.

Power Lifters Raise $500 For MCCA

“For our first one, this far exceeded my expectations,” said Bobby Johnson, one of the organizers of the inaugural Raise the Bar Against Cancer event. Put on by McCormick Strength … more

4/15/24

Panhandle School Board To Meet Monday, July 24

The Panhandle School Board will hold their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 24, at the board’s new meeting location, which will be in the Panhandle Learning Center, located at 113 N. … more

7/20/23

They Were Crowned At Litchfield, Lincolnwood And Nokomis Homecomings

Tate Dobrinich and Amy Frerichs were crowned king and queen of the Litchfield High School homecoming during a coronation ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Simmons Gym. Lincolnwood High School … more

9/25/23

The Hillsboro Health Primary Care Clinic opened in December in the Douglas Telfer Building. It is being staffed by Dr. Michael Koeppen and Nurse Practitioner Katie Wollerman.

Hillsboro Health Opens Primary Care Clinic

"I went into medicine to take care of people," said Dr. Michael Koeppen, a longtime ER (emergency room) doctor at Hillsboro Health. "And I just kept thinking there's got to be a better way to take … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 3/28/24

RV, Truck Catch Fire On Interstate 55

Raymond Fire Department responded to an RV fire on southbound Interstate 55, near mile marker 60, on Wednesday, April 10. at 12:36 p.m. The RV and attached truck caught fire under the eastbound lane … more

4/15/24

Founded in 1873, Boston Chapel Christian Church will celebrate its sesquicentennial year with a special celebration on Sunday, Aug. 27.

Boston Chapel Celebrates Sesquicentennial Year

A small church in a time of transition, Boston Chapel Christian Church has plenty to celebrate, not the least of which is their sesquicentennial year. Boston Chapel Christian Church has a long … more

by Tori O’Dell | 7/20/23

NRC 'Pretty Close' On Lot Agreement

Hillsboro’s National Resource Committee learned during their Wed. Sept. 20, meeting in city hall that city councelman Fred Butler and Parks’ superintendent Jim May are “pretty … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/25/23

Pictured above, Gene Hebenstreit and family pose with HSHS St. Francis Hospital CEO, Jim Tempe, and director of philanthropy, Paula Endress, after a matching donation of $5000 to the St. Clare Center Food Pantry.

Victory Lane Matches Donation To Food Pantry

Victory Lane Ford recently presented the St. Clare Center Food Pantry in Litchfield with a check for $5,000. The check was a matching gift that represented every dollar donated up to $5,000 through … more

1/25/24

Nokomis School Board Prepares For AI Technology

President Chad Ruppert called the Nokomis CUSD22 School Board to order at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. In addition to Ruppert, Superintendent Scott Doerr, board members Steve … more

by Randy Rieke | 2/26/24

Vendors May Apply Now For Farmer’s Market

Vendor applications for the 2024 Hillsboro Farmers Markets are now open. Interested vendors should complete the application prior to participation in markets. The application is available online at … more

4/15/24

Schram City Board Honors Rhoades At July Meeting

A moment of silence for longtime trustee Russell Rhoades preceded the regular agenda as members of the Schram City Village Board gathered for their monthly meeting held July 10, at the village hall. … more

by Bethany Martin | 7/20/23