News | The Journal-News

Lincolnwood High School class of 2025 celebrated the culmination of their local education on Friday, May 9. Thirty-three Panhandle students crossed the stage to receive their well-deserved diplomas.

The Lincolnwood High School class of 2025 was awarded their well-deserved diplomas at the high school on Friday, May 9. “I have been privileged and blessed to grow alongside my best … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 5/12/25

New Publication Year Begins With This Issue

Readers will note that on the front page of today’s issue, under the words The Journal-News , it reads “Volume 174, No. 1.” This signifies the beginning of a new publication … more

5/12/25

Pictured above, Becki Stolte of Curbside Cravings presents a check to Mila Heldebrant.

Curbside Donates Proceeds From Diabetes Fundraiser

Mila Heldebrant, youth ambassador for Breakthrough T1D teamed up with Curbside Cravings in Nokomis to donate 10% of all sales from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, to support Type 1 diabetes … more

5/12/25

In honor of Women’s Health Month, Nokomis Library is hosting a month-long raffle to emphasize the importance of mental and emotional health.

Nokomis Library Hosting Basket Raffle During May

May is Women’s Health Month and Nokomis Public Library (NPL) is holding a raffle to help emphasize the importance of mental and emotional health. National Women's Health Month is an annual … more

5/12/25

REDSKIN REVIEW • Redskins Prepare For Final Few Days

Happy Monday, Redskin fans! This is officially the last full week for seniors. Graduation will be on May 23! The Lady Redskins have three games this week, and they’re the last of the … more

by Grace DeWerff at Nokomis | 5/12/25

PANTHER PRESS • Litchfield Seniors Graduate Friday

Hello, Panthers! We’re excited to announce Litchfield High School’s April Students and Teacher of the Month. Congratulations to Mrs. Brummet, who has been named April’s Teacher … more

by Claudia Deren at Litchfield | 5/12/25

LLCC Commencement Planned For May 16

Lincoln Land Community College will conduct commencement exercises on Friday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. Olivia Hentzien of Morrisonville has been … more

5/12/25

Three Retire From Harvel Township Office

Harvel Township would like to acknowledge three members who have recently decided to retire. Sharon Funderburk has served as township clerk for 42 years, Bob Matli has served as road commissioner for … more

5/12/25

McKay NAPA To Host Fifth Annual Cruise-In

McKay NAPA Auto Parts will be holding its fifth annual Strut Your Stuff Cruise-In to benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois. The Cruise-In will be held at Concordia Hall, located at 709 S. Union St. in … more

5/12/25

Litchfield Students Raise $162 For Willa

The Litchfield Middle School Student Council held an “Anything But a Bookbag” fundraiser for former LMS student Macey Blevins. Blevins’ daughter, Willa, was recently diagnosed with … more

5/12/25

With summer just around the corner, local residents looking for a new hobby are encouraged to play a round or two out at Brewer’s Spring Disc Golf Course. Hillsboro’s very own public course is located out by the Fireman’s Clubhouse.

Brewer’s Spring Disc Golf Course Fun For All

With the arrival of summertime on the near horizon, disc golf enthusiasts, curious locals and more should be sure to make their way out to Brewer’s Spring Disc Golf Course. Hillsboro’s … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 5/12/25

They also accepted the resignation of Vince Fanelli as physical education teacher at the end of the school year. The board approved the transfers of Rebecca Deal (LECC paraprofessional to third grade special education paraprofessional), Emily Long (LECC paraprofessional to fourth grade special education paraprofessional), Tamara Cleaver (third grade special education paraprofessional to fifth grade special education paraprofessional), Michelle Piefer (LHS life skills paraprofessional to LMS special education paraprofessional), Marcia Hartel (fifth grade special education paraprofessional to LHS life skills paraprofessional), Jennifer Fergurson (fourth grade special education paraprofessional to second grade paraprofessional) and Sandi Friend-Jackson (LECC paraprofessional to first grade special education paraprofessional). They also approved the reassignment of Justina Trojcak from bus driver and clerical aide to bus driver, Kim Carlile from seventh grade English teacher to middle school/high school dean of students and middle school reading/exploratory teacher and Amanda Lamore from high school English teacher to middle school/high school dean of students and high school English teacher, all beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The board of education will meet for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, May 20, beginning at 6 p.m.

Mandy Jewell Joins Litchfield School Board

Members of the Litchfield School Board held a special meeting on Monday evening, May 5, at the unit office to re-organize, following the April 1 consolidated election. Incumbents Julie Abel and Ron … more

5/8/25

Longtime company man and Hillsboro native Jeremy Connor was recently named president of Hurst-Rosche, Inc. The engineering and architectural firm was founded in Hillsboro in 1937, and remains headquartered there to this day.

Jeremy Connor Named President Of Hurst-Rosche

On Friday, April 4, after 20-plus years with the company, Jeremy Connor was named president of Hurst-Rosche, Inc., an engineering and architectural firm founded and headquartered in Hillsboro. … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 5/8/25

Chris and Terri Casey continue to make headway on the downtown Corner Block building, working hard to revamp the colossal structure. On Tuesday morning, a crew from Big Dog Construction in Carlinville installed several large new windows while taking out some of the existing decaying frames. The iconic building was a topic of conversation that evening at the Hillsboro City Council meeting.

Hillsboro Council Grants Extension On Corner Block

Twenty-nine items on the Hillsboro City Council agenda for Tuesday evening, May 6, were covered in not quite an hour; the city’s business including citizen input, was efficiently covered. A few … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/8/25

Newkomis Announces Farmers Markets

The Nokomis Farmer’s Market will be moving to a new venue for the 2025 growing seasons, as well as being under new management through the Newkomis community organization. The Farmer’s … more

5/8/25

Pictured above, from the left are Tycen Thacker of Hillsboro High School (Entrepreneurial Spirit Award), Bond Knodle and Natalie Brownback of Nokomis High School (Patton and Company Scholarship) and Natalee Fenton of Hillsboro High School (Most Deserving CEO).

CEO Students Excel At Trade Show

After studying local businesses for the past year, 11 students in the Montgomery County CEO program (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) launched their personal businesses at the annual Trade … more

5/8/25

Colby Wygal, a junior at Millikin University, was recently honored with the Scovill Award.

Wygal Honored With Millikin Scovill Award

Colby Wygal, son of Chris and Stacie Wygal and 2022 graduate of Litchfield High School, has been awarded the Scovill Award at Millikin University. The most coveted student award for overall … more

5/8/25

Nokomis FFA Chapter Named National Finalist

Following the announcement of the National Chapter Award Application results, Nokomis FFA has been ranked a national finalist and the Premier Chapter in Section 19. The Nokomis FFA chapter also … more

5/8/25

August Plunkett of Hillsboro received the Katie Langham Academic Excellence in Social Work Award on Friday, May 2, at Greenville University. Pictured above, at left, Dr. Ron Quick, Assistant Professor of Social Work at Greenville University presents August Plunkett, at right, with the Katie Langham Academic Excellence in Social Work Award.

Plunkett Earns Langham Award

August Plunkett of Hillsboro earned the Katie Langham Academic Excellence in Social Work Award during the departmental awards ceremony on Friday, May 2, at Greenville University. In presenting … more

5/8/25

Litchfield Inducts Members Into National Honor Society

Litchfield High School inducted several new members into the National Honor Society chapter on Thursday evening, April 24, at the Unit Office in Litchfield. Pictured above are the class of 2025 … more

5/8/25