News | The Journal-News

Michael and his wife, Amanda, proudly pose for this 2011 photo with their newborn son, Grant. Little did they know of the devastating events that would arise to change their lives forever. Local residents have joined forces to help raise funds to get Michael an accessible van for Grant.

Oftentimes, a cry for help is silent … and goes unnoticed. Take Michael for instance, a man I met a few months ago who lives down the street a few blocks away. He has a heavy load to handle … more

by Steve McLaughlin | 4/15/24

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

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

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

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

An estimated 100 attendees were present at the Lighthouse Pregnancy and Health Services annual fundraising banquet on Friday, March 22.

Lighthouse Holds Annual Banquet

Lighthouse Pregnancy and Health Services held their annual fundraising banquet on Friday, March 22 at the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church for an estimated 100 attendees. In addition to a meal, those … more

4/15/24

NNA Concerned Over New Postal Rates

The July 2024 proposed periodicals rate increase amounts to an almost ten percent bump for community newspapers that are already paying high rates for subpar service. The rate increase means … more

4/15/24

The Hillsboro Sertoma Club presented a $750 check to the Beckemeyer Elementary School speech program. Pictured above, from the left, are Earl Meier of the Hillsboro Sertoma Club, Beckemeyer Speech-Language Pathologist Breanna Henson, Beckemeyer Speech-Language Pathologist Lorinda Jennings, Beckemeyer Principal Zach Frailey and Allan Spellbring of the Hillsboro Sertoma Club.

Sertoma Donates To Beckemeyer

The Hillsboro Sertoma Club recently presented a $750 check to the speech program at Beckemeyer Elementary School in Hillsboro. The check was presented by Hillsboro Sertoma members Earl Meier and … more

4/15/24

Sinkhole Forces Closure of Rt. 185

Illinois Route 185 from Hillsboro to Coffeen is closed indefinitely as a sinkhole was discovered 35 to 40 feet from the road near the Kasten farm on Thursday morning , April 11. … more

4/12/24

Hillsboro School Board Revisits Homeschool Athletic Policy

“Nobody is saying they want to take away athletics from homeschooled students,” board member Mike Cerutti said to a crowded audience at the Hillsboro School Board meeting on Tuesday … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 4/11/24

County Board Hires HR Consultant

It was a short night for members of the Montgomery County Board, who met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, April 9, at the Historic Courthouse in … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 4/11/24

Nokomis Eliminates Consultant Position

In a tense session of the April 8 Nokomis City Council meeting, commissioners voted 3-2 to terminate the contract of the part-time administrative consultant hired a year ago. Keith Hancock, a former … more

by Ben Schwarm | 4/11/24

Pictured above fourth graders in Steph Reynolds’ class, from the left, Lainey Barcum, Greyson Holliday and Ryann Powell, enjoy a birds-eye view from outside the new Litchfield Elementary School building. As a special treat, Litchfield National Bank provided special snacks for the day including Sunny D and Moon Pies.

Totality (Almost) Awesome

Although the path of totality for the solar eclipse did not come through Montgomery County, residents still enjoyed the wonder as the moon nearly covered the sun (97 percent) on Monday afternoon, … more

4/11/24

For more information on TASC or questions about the upcoming events contact Lynn Sellers at 217-556-9535 or Kim Draper at 217-710-3958, email tascillinois1@gmail.com, or follow the public “TASC (The Autism Support Connection)” page on Facebook.

TASC Families Enjoy Bowling Event

Above, families take to the lanes during The Autism Support Connection's (TASC) Bowling and Pizza Party at Galaxy Family Bowl in Hillsboro on Saturday, April 6. There was a full house for the first … more

4/11/24

Donations from the community and fundraisers like the Camden’s Crew Golf Outing made it possible for Camden Burke to participate in therapies that might not have otherwise been financially possible, like the Anat Baniel therapy he received in Chicago in 2018. The Burkes and Camden’s Crew want to help other special needs families in making alternative therapies and equipment possible through their financial assistance grants.

Camden’s Crew Makes Special Needs Therapies Possible

The Burke family knows firsthand how important different therapies can be to the development of a child with special needs. Since Jason and Gina Burke’s son Camden was diagnosed with 5p minus … more

4/11/24

The Briar Rose in Litchfield is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month with festivities on Saturday, April 13. Pictured above are owner Danell Fogle, at left, and her mother, Lorinda “Mama Bear” Shaw.

The Briar Rose Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

It’s a celebration ten years in the making, as The Briar Rose in downtown Litchfield marks its tenth anniversary this month. Owner Danell Fogle said she bought … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 4/11/24

HHS Art Club To Host Topper Art Studio Event

The HHS Art Club will be hosting an art studio on Saturday, April 20 for kindergarten through fifth graders. The theme for the art studio will be Earth Day. In each session, students will make … more

4/11/24

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Stamp Out Cancer committee members Dana Holshouser, Renee Laughlin and Zach Wygal. In back are Team Rock, Paper, Sisters (Amber Kalaher and Paula Bartz of Hillsboro), Team Hitch Up (Butch and Samantha Hitchings of Hillsboro), Joyce Lipe and Shelley Halleman of the MCCA, Team Um-Believable (Tina and Denny Umberger of Nokomis) and Team Gudgel Ranch Saloon (Cody Gudgel and Jennifer Gudgel, not pictured).

Stamp Out Cancer Donates $150,000 To MCCA

Members of the Stamp Out Cancer team presented a check for $150,000 to the Montgomery County Cancer Association on Wednesday evening, April 10, at The Event Center of Montgomery County, following … more

4/11/24

State Awards Victory Lane Charging Stations Grant

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director John J. Kim announced $25.1 million is being awarded to 20 applicants for electric vehicle charging infrastructure under the Driving a … more

4/11/24

Hendricks Home Furnishings, a third-generation family business in Virden, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this April.

Hendricks Celebrates 75th Anniversary In Virden

Hendricks Home Furnishings, the region’s quality furniture store, is celebrating its 75th year focused on serving longtime and new customers. The family-owned business was founded in 1949, when … more

4/11/24