News | The Journal-News

Gold Star Mission Riders Come Through Litchfield

Riders with the Gold Star Mission project will come through Litchfield this week, as part of a 500-mile bicyle ride. The cyclists will be arriving in Litchfield around 4:30 p.m. and will gather at … more

9/18/23

In front, from the left are Cora Owens, Rigley Skinner, 2023 Little Miss Independence Hadleigh Millburg, 2023 Mister Muscle Jesse Carron, Madalynn Millburg, Lucy Wagahoff, James Carriker and Blaire Seaton. In back are Grayson Bockewitz, Adelyn Nicol, Colton Owens, Gabryella Hayes, Zeke Meisner, Owen Meisner, Emmett Mitchelar, retiring 2022 Miss Independence Kasandra Reif, retiring 2022 Junior Miss Independence Josephine Beeler, retiring 2022 Mister Muscle Freddie Wagahoff, retiring 2022 Little Miss Independence Zoey Robinson, Evelyn Goebel and Jazlyn Wilfong.

Hadleigh Millburg, Jesse Carron Reign In Raymond

It was their night to shine as Hadleigh Millburg and Jesse Carron were crowned winners in the 2023 Little Miss Independence and 2023 Mister Muscle competition as part of this year’s Raymond … more

9/18/23

Paislee Krager, seated in front, was crowned 2023 Junior Miss Independence on Saturday evening, Sept. 16, as part of this year’s Raymond Celebration at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Standing behind are Chloe Hoffman, Jocelynne Carron, Emery Meisner, Layla Wagahoff, retiring 2022 Junior Miss Independence Josephine Beeler, first runner-up Regan Morris, Bailey Hudgins and Jaylynne Carron.

Kirsten Pope, Paislee Krager Reign At Raymond

The night didn’t go exactly as they expected, as a mid-pageant downpour moved the crowning of the new Raymond Celebration Miss Independence and Junior Miss Independence inside the Knights of … more

9/18/23

From the left are Donna Yeske, Jay Martin, David Pembroke, David Cearlock, Robert Martz, Chris Becker, Dale Walcher, Bill Hartman, Tim Taylor and Mary Jean Myers.

Hero Koozie Donates To Witt Memorial

Witt Veterans Memorial is still working on raising funds to build their memorial, and during the Witt Labor Day celebration, donations were received throughout the weekend with help from Hero’s … more

9/18/23

The Litchfield Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 416 North Madison, where a grease fire started in the kitchen.

Litchfield Fire Department Battles Structure Fire

The Litchfield Fire Department responded to the report of a structure fire at 416 N. Madison in Litchfiled at 4:46 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14. Upon arrival, the first unit found a two-story house … more

9/18/23

Dorothy "Dot" Pinkston was honored as the 2023 Grand Marshal in this year's Raymond Celebration parade, held Saturday evening, Sept. 16.

Pinkston Leads Raymond's Parade

Dorothy "Dot" Pinkston led the way as this year's 2023 Grand Marshal for the Raymond Celebration parade on Saturday evening, Sept. 16. Pinkston was born in West Frankfort on Oct. 6, 1927 to Italian … more

9/18/23 | 1 comment

Hillsboro High School Building Trades students are hard at work constructing a new pavilion in Central Park. Pictured above, class instructor Aaron Shultz helps students Alec Leetham, Elias Guiterrez, Jace Stewart and Elliot Lentz put in one of the many repurposed trusses.

If You Build It, They Will Come To Central Park

Hillsboro High School students enrolled in the Building Trades classes are working hard constructing a new pavilion in Central Park, with a pair of picnic tables and a perfect location near the … more

9/14/23

Animal Control, Budget Deficit On County Agenda

Animal control facility policies, a budget deficit and special use funds were the topic of discussion at the regular monthly board meeting for members of the … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 9/14/23

Hillsboro School Board Approves Budget For School Year

Members of the Hillsboro School Board approved a $29.4 million budget for fiscal year 2024 during their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the unit office. The action came after a budget hearing that … more

by Mike Plunkett | 9/14/23

Pictured above, Bernie and Koonvadee Huber serve a monk after he blessed their food and restaurant in the Thai tradition. The Hubers celebrated the end of their inaugural season operating Happez.

Happez Celebrates End Of Season

They say all good things must come to an end, and Happez, a Thai American restaurant located on the south marina of Lake Glenn Shoals, celebrated the upcoming end of their inaugural year on Tuesday, … more

9/14/23

Glenshaw has been observing a pair of great horned owls in St. Louis’s Forest Park since 2005. Pictured above is Charles, a male, great horned owl.

Like Owls? Glenshaw Knows Owl About Them

“One of the happy challenges with owls is that there is just always something new to talk about,” said Mark H. X. Glenshaw, an award winning naturalist who has closely observed and … more

By Isaiah Atkins | 9/14/23

Pictured above, from left to right, Illinois FOP Corrections Lodge 263 treasurer Jay Dewitt, second vice president Ray Gonzales, correctional officer Rodney Stewart, president Scot Ward and sergeant-at-arms Dorsey Douglas.

Graham Officers Honored For Heroic 2023 Actions

Three officers at Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro have been presented with Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) awards for their actions in January 2023 when they came to the aid of 22 … more

9/14/23

Dr. Marlow Begins Eye Surgery At Hillsboro Hospital

Beginning in August, Hillsboro Area Hospital welcomed a new face to its surgery team. Dr. Whitney Marlow of Ideal Eye Surgery officially began doing cataract surgery at the hospital on Monday, Aug. … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 9/14/23

Coalition Announces Press Forward Initiative

A coalition of 22 donors announce their new national initiative Press Forward, with the goal to strengthen communities and democracy by supporting local news and information with an infusion of more … more

9/14/23

City of Nokomis Considers Project Labor Agreements

The Nokomis City Council listened to a presentation outlining the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for all construction projects that go out to bid at its Sept. 11 regular meeting. Mike Young, … more

by Ben Schwarm | 9/14/23

Schram City Approves 2023 Audit For Village

A moment of silence, honoring the men, women and children who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks 22 years ago, preceded this month’s Schram City Village Board meeting held Monday, Sept. 11, … more

by Bethany Martin | 9/14/23

Nearly 90 pickleball players from three states joined the fun in Hillsboro for the Central Park Slam Pickleball Tournament Sept. 8-10.

Pickleball Tourney Draws Nearly 90

The MoCo Pickleball Club hosted the Central Park Slam Pickleball Tournament Sept. 8-10, drawing 88 players from three states. All players received a MoCo Pickleball cooling towel, paddle over … more

9/14/23

Hillsboro Zoning Board Approves Haven Of Hope

For the first time in a long time (perhaps ever), a decision by the Hillsboro Zoning Board of Appeals was met with enthusiastic applause Monday evening, Sept. 11. Members present (Chairman Gene … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/14/23

Today is now recognized as Patriot Day, a national day of mourning to remember the 2,977 victims of the attack, including the 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers who were killed that day.

Never Forget Those Who Sacrificed Everything

Some of the newest members of the Litchfield Fire Department were barely even born when the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, but each one of them knows … more

9/11/23

Litchfield Council Learns About Street Project Delays

Two pay requests for Litchfield street projects were approved during the city council meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7, but some of the payment was withheld due to issues, according to the engineers for … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 9/11/23