The Journal-News

Caleb and Sydney Randle (above) are renovating the old IGA building in Nokomis and plan to utilize the historic space as an event venue, Marie’s On State.

Montgomery County natives Sydney and Caleb Randle took a large leap out of their comfort zone when they purchased one of the historic buildings in downtown Nokomis in March of this … more

by Tori O’Dell | 5/26/22

Hillsboro City Council Approves 2023 Budget

Still short-staffed (the vacant seat caused by Michael Murphy’s resignation remains unfilled), the Hillsboro City Council held two meetings Tuesday night, May 24. A … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/26/22

Nokomis Council Approves Budget

The Nokomis City Council approved a budget for the May 2022 through April 2023 fiscal year at its regular meeting on Monday, May 23. Time was scheduled before the regular meeting to take … more

by Ben Schwarm | 5/26/22

Nokomis Board Faces Long Agenda

In the absence of President Chad Ruppert, Vice-President Steve Janssen called the Nokomis School Board to order on Tuesday, May 17. In addition to Janssen, Superintendent Scott Doerr, board … more

by Randy Rieke | 5/26/22

County Tax Bills Will Be Mailed By June 15

Tax bills will hit the mail on or before Wednesday, June 15, with the first installment due date on Friday, July 15, according to Montgomery County Treasurer Nikki Lohman. The second installment … more

5/26/22

Traffic Stop Results In Hillsboro Meth Bust

A Hillsboro man was arrested on two felony charges after an investigation that began with a traffic stop early Friday, May 20. David E. Henry, 57, of Hillsboro, faces felony counts of armed … more

5/23/22

Several employees from the City of Litchfield were honored for their years of service during the city council meeting on Thursday, May 19. From the left are Police Chief Kenny Ryker, Officer Zach Spaur, Officer Eric Lamb and Officer Cory Bilyeu of the Litchfield Police Department; Captain Chris Handshy of the Litchfield Fire Department; Officer Quincy Fergurson of the Litchfield Police Department, David Lindsay of the Litchfield Street Department and Building Inspector Gary Baker. Also honored but not present were Jason Black, Mark Hancock and Bob Sneed.

Litchfield Council Hears From Anti-Airbnb Side

In the first meeting of the Litchfield City Council in May, the council heard from someone in favor of using properties as short-term rentals, like those found on Airbnb and VRBO. In the second … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 5/23/22

Committee Reassesses Hillsboro Lake Fees

John Rapp of rural Hillsboro visited Hillsboro’s Natural Resources Committee at their monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 18; Rapp is expected to be appointed to the committee to fill a vacancy … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/23/22

Hillsboro Invites All To Memorial Day Ceremony

Hillsboro invites all to gather in observance of Memorial Day at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 30, at Veterans Memorial Park. In the event of rain, ceremonies will be moved to the Hillsboro Junior … more

5/23/22

Construction work continues on the new State Street Elementary School project in the Litchfield School District. Current crews are working on concrete footings throughout the footprint of the project.

Litchfield Board Buys Living Stones Church

Following closed session, members of the Litchfield School Board approved the purchase of Living Stones Church at 1100 Old Route 66 in Litchfield for $800,000. Board members met on Tuesday … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 5/19/22

Mt. Olive Offers English Course At Lincolnwood

The Panhandle School Board was able to add another dual credit opportunity for its students during the board meeting on Monday, May 16, one 23 miles away that won’t require the students to set … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 5/19/22

New Bike Trail Nearly Finished At Campground

Hillsboro Planning Commissioners Dave Booher, Michelle Ondrey, Mike Ryan, Dave Powell, Don Karban, Secretary Barb Hewitt, and Chairman Tom Gooding met for over an hour Tuesday afternoon, May 17, in … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/19/22

Hillsboro Ready For Summer Concert Series

The Hillsboro Concert Series is back for its 11th year with its biggest lineup yet, and unlike previous years, every concert this year will take place downtown Hillsboro. All shows are … more

5/19/22

With some help from his dad Jason, Camden Burke tees off to start the fourth annual Crush for Camden’s Crew Golf Outing on Saturday, May 7, at Indian Springs Golf Course in Fillmore. The event raises funds for specialized movement therapy for Burke, who was born with Cri du Chat Syndrome, and for scholarships for other families with special needs children.

Fourth Crush For Camden’s Crew a Huge Success

If you’ve been in this community very long you’ve seen firsthand that it is one which rallies around causes. That was once again the case on Saturday, May 7, as the family of Camden Burke … more

5/16/22

Hillsboro Man Killed In Mowing Accident

A rural Hillsboro man was killed in a tragic mowing accident on Saturday, May 14. Fred Roach, 72, of Hillsboro, was pronounced dead at the scene at his residence by the Montgomery County … more

5/16/22

Panhandle Plans Q&A

The Panhandle Community Unit School District No. 2 will be holding a question and answer session regarding the deactivation question at 6 p.m., Monday, May 16, in the library before the school board … more

5/16/22

Schram City Continues With Water Main Project

As construction on the water main project continues, members of the Schram City Village Board approved a number of payments during their regular monthly meeting on Monday evening, May 9, at the … more

by Bethany Martin | 5/16/22

McConnell Begins Role As Hillsboro City Planner

Sarah McConnell officially took on the role of the Economic Development and Community Planner for the City of Hillsboro on Monday, May 2, filling the vacancy left by Jonathan Weyer when he left the … more

by Tori O’Dell | 5/16/22

County Gets 1.77 Percent Multiplier

Montgomery County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0177, according to David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. The property assessment … more

5/16/22

Members of the Hillsboro United Methodist Church have helped raise funds to put a roof on a sister church in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. The church’s pastor, Louis Kasongo, visited the Hillsboro church on a trip to the United States in May.

African Pastor Visits Hillsboro Church This May

Louis Kasongo, a United Methodist pastor from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa, spent time with members of the Hillsboro United Methodist Church (HUMC) for several days in May. He … more

5/16/22