The Journal-News

Despite record turnout in the November general election, turnout in Montgomery County was much smaller for the consolidated election, held Tuesday, April 6. Pictured above, Hillsboro City Council member Michael Murphy casts his vote at the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church on Tuesday afternoon.

Voters Make Decisions On Local Officeholders

Voters in Montgomery County decided who would represent them at city halls, township sheds, school district unit offices, and other offices during the consolidated election on Tuesday, April … more

4/8/21

Vaccinations, Testing Continue In County

COVID-19 vaccinations continue in Montgomery County, as well as free weekend rapid testing in Litchfield “We are transitioning away from the call list,” the health department posted in … more

4/8/21

Bicentennial Celebration On Saturday

Montgomery County will celebrate 200 years with an event beginning at 12 noon on Saturday, April 10, at the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro. The event had originally been scheduled for Feb. 13, … more

4/8/21

Butler, Coffeen And Witt To Receive DCEO Grants

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the recipients for the 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Public Infrastructure on Monday, April 5. A … more

4/8/21

Central Park Volunteers Kick Off New Campaign

Imagine Hillsboro’s Reinventing Central Park Committee has launched an online subscription drive to help bring in funding for their large-scale renovation of Central Park in Hillsboro. The … more

4/8/21

Devon Schoen was sworn in by City Clerk Carol Burke, along with Schoen’s fiance Kristin Bertolis, as the newest member of the Litchfield Police Department on Thursday, April 1, prior to the meeting of the Litchfield City Council.

Schoen Is New Litchfield Officer

Members of the Litchfield City Council welcomed the newest member of the Litchfield Police Department to start their meeting on Thursday, April 1, as Devon Schoen was sworn in by City Clerk Carol … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/5/21

County Positivity Rate 0.8 Percent Last Week

In spite of increasing numbers of coronavirus cases around the country and throughout Illinois, Montgomery County maintained a positivity rate just below one percent last week. According to the … more

4/5/21

Tuesday Is Consolidated Election Day In County

Voters have municipal, township, school district, library and park district offices to fill in the consolidated election on Tuesday, April 6. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election … more

4/5/21

County School Districts Receive Federal Funding

Schools districts across Central Illinois will receive nearly $125 million in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Doris Turner … more

4/5/21

A sophomore at Hillsboro High School, Summer Smith opened her own home-based business, One Life Apparel, to help raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention in honor of her late uncle, Barry McNew, who lost his life to suicide on July 9, 1994 (pictured at right in frame), as well as her mother’s cousin, Chris Loskot.

Summer Smith Helps To ‘Barry The Stigma’

“You never realize who is hurting and that is why we should be kind. I wish more people would understand that everyone has a story, and you may never know who is struggling,” said Summer … more

by Bethany Martin | 4/5/21

Cooper Martin, at left, gets a good aim as he pies Caleb Coulter with shaving cream as part of their fundraising efforts for local families battling childhood cancer. Both boys are sixth grade students at Litchfield Middle School

Litchfield Students, Faculty Get Pie’d

Students and staff members of Litchfield Middle School have raised $1,309 in just seven days in support of three local families who are battling childhood cancer. And as part of their fundraising … more

4/1/21

Local Cases Continue To Drop, State On Rise

Montgomery County finished the month of March with just over 100 new COVID-19 coronavirus cases, the lowest number since last summer, according to daily stats provided by the Montgomery County Health … more

4/1/21

Francis To Wrestle At Olympic Trials

“It’s the farthest I’ve ever driven to go see her wrestle,” Doug Francis said about the 750-mile trip he’ll make this weekend to see his daughter, Victoria, compete at … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/1/21

The Montgomery County Drug Court team honored the program’s newest graduates on Friday, March 26. From the left, are Defense Attorney Barbara Adams, Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Bach, Substance Abuse Counselor Amber Mifflin, Drug Court Probation Officer Cheryl Adams, graduates Shawn Denton, Mikka Lipe and Gary Taylor, and Judge Jim Roberts.

Drug Court Continues To Change Lives

“Drug Courts require the courts to step outside of the confines of what our traditional roles are. Everyone involved, including the defendants, must rethink their roles and act differently than … more

by Tori O’Dell | 4/1/21

Litchfield grad Luke Epplin’s first book takes a look at baseball legends Larry Doby, Bill Veeck, Satchel Paige and Bob Feller leading up to the Cleveland Indians’ 1948 World Series championship.

Epplin’s Book Out Tuesday

Luke Epplin’s writing has appeared online in The Atlantic, The New Yorker, GQ and Slate, among others, but the Litchfield High School grad’s latest project was a whole new beast when it … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 3/29/21

State OKs Early Eligibility Expansion

Areas of the state may begin vaccinating those 16 years of age or older earlier than anticipated as vaccine demand slows under current guidelines and COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases see an … more

by Grace Barbic, Capitol News Illinois | 3/29/21

Nokomis Council Hears Water Presentation

Mayor Mike Holliday called the scheduled meeting of the Nokomis City Council to order on Monday, March 22, with Commissioners Ann Brookshire, Louis Stauder, Derek Durbin and Jocko Nash, along with … more

by Randy Rieke | 3/29/21

Three Earn State Honors With FFA

Three Montgomery County FFA members were selected as state winners in their individual proficiency areas, announced on Saturday, March 27. Elaan Bader of Litchfield was selected as the state … more

3/29/21

Candidates for mayor Steve Dougherty, at left, and Dwayne Gerl, at right, take the stage at the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce political forum held Tuesday evening, March 23, at the Litchfield Community Center.

Voters Hear From Local Candidates

Members of the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce provided voters a chance to hear from local candidates during the political forum held Tuesday evening, March 23, at the Litchfield Community … more

3/25/21

AG: Hillsboro Violated Open Meetings Act

The city of Hillsboro violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act when it talked about Summer Street sewer lines in closed session last November, according to a March 4 decision by Attorney General Kwame … more

3/25/21