News | The Journal-News

“As of today, the story of this quilt is your story. We hope you will share your story with family and friends. It is our pleasure to honor you with this Quilt of Valor,” said members of … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 11/9/23

It was a show fit for a queen at the Orpheum on Sunday, Nov. 5, as Brianna Wolf of Brianna Wolf Photography hosted more than 60 past and present pageant winners from all around the area for a special viewing of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” in Hillsboro. Wolf is the official pageant photographer for the Montgomery County Fair, the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce, Post 905 in Kincaid and the Imagine Hillsboro Snow Queens.

We All Know Now, We All Got Crowns

Brianna Wolf of Brianna Wolf Photography hosted a private Taylor Swift event Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Orpheum in Hillsboro. More than 60 past and present queens throughout the area came together for an … more

11/9/23

Pictured above, from the left, back row are Benjamin Hoehn, Samantha Frailey, Kyleigh Currie and Mitchell Lowe. In the front row are Melissa Bell, Chloe Martincic, Jesse Balla and Annabelle Wright.

HHS Students Named State Scholars

Patricia Heyen, principal at Hillsboro High School announced that eight students from the Hillsboro High School’s graduating class of 2024 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. … more

11/9/23

After almost 22 years with the Litchfield Fire Department, Captain Chris Handshy retired on Oct. 11, 2023. Handshy was recognized by Mayor Steve Dougherty, members of the Litchfield City Council and his fellow firefighters during the council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 2. From the Litchfield Fire Department, from the left, are Dave Rogers, Chris Bates, Chief Adam Pennock, Mike Chappell, Chris Handshy, Curt Glover and Joshua Mayfield.

First Responders Honored At Litchfield Council Meeting

Members of the Litchfield City Council took time to honor the contributions of three of the city’s employees during their meeting on Thursday, Nov. 2. Captain Chris Handshy was the first of the … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 11/6/23

Local volunteers, from the left, Noelle and Hailey Black and Carol Sneed sort and pack bags on Saturday, Nov. 4, at The Next Network in Litchfield as part of this year’s Coats for Kids program.

Coats For Kids Serves 174 Youth

With winter on its way, volunteers with Coats for Kids in Litchfield are helping to keep kids warm in the cold winter months. “This year, we were able to help 174 kids from 76 local … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 11/6/23

Donaldson Will Speak At Hillsboro Vets Day

Montgomery County Board Chairman and United States Army veteran Doug Donaldson of Witt will be the guest speaker at the Veterans Day ceremony in Hillsboro on Saturday, Nov. 11. The program will begin … more

11/6/23

Friends Jennifer Anderson, at left, and Christine May, check out some of the purses in the silent auction at the 17th annual “It’s in the Bag” purse auction to benefit the Hillsboro Area Health Foundation on Thursday evening, Nov. 2.

Annual Purse Auction Raises Over $20,000

Volunteers with the Hillsboro Area Health Foundation raised more than $20,000 at this year’s “It’s in the Bag” purse auction. Nearly 200 ladies were in attendance at The Event … more

11/6/23

Hillsboro Rotary Donates Dictionaries

The Hillsboro Rotary Club has been donating dictionaries to every third grade student in the Hillsboro School District for several years, and this year was no exception. Jerry Wesley is the local … more

11/6/23

Pictured above, from the left are LHS Illinois State Scholars Emma Diveley, Annika Rhodes, Kendall Stewart, Zachary Leitschuh, Jonathan Conlee, Camden Quarton, Nolan Dougherty and Caitlyn Schneck. Not pictured is Amanda Niemann

Litchfield Seniors Named State Scholars

Litchfield High School Principal Juletta Ellis is pleased to announce that nine students from the Litchfield High School’s graduating class of 2024 have been designated as Illinois State … more

11/6/23

Former Hillsboro resident Jeff Sandlin with his news director Emmy Award at KWWL News 7 in Waterloo, IA.

Jeff Sandlin Wins News Director Emmy Award

Former Hillsboro resident Jeff Sandlin, now of Waterloo, IA, earned an Emmy Award during ceremonies on Saturday, Oct. 14, in Minneapolis, MN. Sandlin, a 2002 graduate of Hillsboro High School, is the … more

11/6/23

Litchfield Hosting Veterans Day Service

VFW Post 3912 and Auxiliary, with the cooperation of other Litchfield veterans’ organizations, will sponsor a Veterans Day Celebration to honor the brave men and women who have served their … more

11/6/23

The Litchfield October Students of the Month, pictured above, from the left, Alec Ellinger, Ian Birkenkamp, Gigi Reyes, Lucas Paine, Claire Reid and Ella Hunn.

Litchfield Names Students Of The Month

Litchfield Middle School announced their October Students of the Month. For the month of October, the focus was on Trustworthiness, one of the Pillar Trait words at the school. Students were awarded … more

11/6/23

State School Report Card Shows Improvement

Elementary and secondary students in Illinois showed consistent improvements in their reading and math scores while the state’s high school … more

by Peter Hancock Capitol News Illinois | 11/2/23

Work began this week on the spillway at Old Lake Hillsboro, a project that has been in the works for a number of years.

Work Now Underway On Spillway At Hillsboro Lake

Work by Stutz Excavating in Alton began this week on the spillway at Old Lake Hillsboro, a project that has been on the city radar for about five years. The Hillsboro City Council awarded the job to … more

11/2/23

Pictured above, Pam Pugh presents the Million Miles Award to retiring longtime Raymond postman Harlan Brown.

Brown Retires After A Million Miles

For forty years, Harlan Brown has served the Raymond community, delivering the mail and packages every day to residents all along his daily route. On Tuesday, Oct. 31, he did so … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 11/2/23

Waggoner Players Celebrate 35 Years

Waggoner Centennial Players have started rehearsing for their 35th annual production, Hillbilly Hayride, an evening of hilarity and food to benefit the Waggoner Centennial Building. Producer Marla … more

11/2/23

Hillsboro Churches Plan 32nd Annual Thanksgiving Meal

The Churches of the Hillsboro area invite the community to the 32nd annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. The free thanksgiving meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksviging Day, … more

11/2/23

Pictured above, from left to right are volunteers Kandi Tucker, Hannah Tucker, Shelby Simonton, Judy Williams, Lisa Harbaugh and Dave Harbaugh from the First Baptist Church in Litchfield, Linda Williams, Village of Fillmore President Rexdon Boliard and Heidi Miles, Five Loaves board member. The picture taken by volunteer Angelina Branch.

Five Loaves Food Pantry Opens Doors

On Saturday, Oct. 21, Five Loaves Food Pantry in Fillmore opened its doors. After many months of preparations, Director Linda Williams along with many volunteers, welcomed families who needed extra … more

11/2/23

From the left are Coach Toby Baugher, Claire Reid, Jackson Mullins, Jake Wilson, Ranger Brock Key, Isaiah Burdell, Conner Favre, Ethan Rosado, Lahna Kruse, Sarah Rieke and Coach Amy Jones.

Litchfield Eco Teams Win First Place

The 46th annual Lake Shelbyville Eco-Meet, coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was held at Camp Camfield Ecological Study Area on Thursday, Oct. 19. The Eco-Meet is an environmental … more

11/2/23

Mila Heldebrandt of Nokomis officially cut the ribbon at this year’s 2023 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation One Walk event on Sunday, Oct. 22, at St. Louis Community College in Meramac.

Heldebrandt Raises $2,300 For Juvenile Diabetes Walk

Mila Heldebrandt of Nokomis raised $2,322 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation One Walk event on Sunday, Oct. 22, at St. Louis Community College in Meramac. The daughter of Dustin and Lacey … more

11/2/23