The Journal-News

Finance Commission Warns About Higher Utility Cost

Finance Commissioner Patrick Ward had words of advice for his fellow Hillsboro City Council members as he presented the October bills to be paid in November at the council meeting held Nov. 15. First … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 11/17/22

Litchfield Council Hires Interim Administrator

In a special meeting on Thursday evening, Nov. 10, members of the Litchfield City Council voted to hire Austin H. Edmonson, Jr. of Morganfield, KY, as interim city administrator. Edmondson will … more

11/17/22

Firefighters attack a downtown Litchfield fire with ladder trucks on Friday, Nov. 11. Ladders from Carlinville and Witt were also in service battling the blaze.

Fire Ravages Vacant Litchfield Building

Members of the Litchfield Fire Department spent the weekend battling a blaze in a vacant downtown building on Friday, Nov. 11. It took firefighters from Litchfield, Carlinville, Mt. Olive, Witt, … more

11/14/22

HVFD Plans 65th Annual Christmas Basket Program

Members of the Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department have finalized plans for their 65th annual Christmas Basket Program. The volunteers will again be collecting canned goods, such as vegetables, … more

11/14/22

Nokomis Chamber Gears Up For Holiday Season

Members of the Nokomis Chamber of Commerce held their regular meeting on Thursday morning, Nov. 10, at Demi’s Diner in Nokomis. Those present for the meeting included President Judy Rupert, … more

11/14/22

Stacy Mayfield, at left, shows off a yellow Kate Spade bag as Aumann accepts bids from the crowd. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit scholarships for medical professions other than doctors.

Purse Auction Raises Nearly $19,000

Sold! Volunteers with the Hillsboro Area Health Foundation announced nearly $19,000 was raised at this year’s 17th annual “It’s in the Bag” purse auction, held Thursday … more

11/14/22

Uh Oh . . . Time To Prepare For Winter Weather

“This is the ideal time to get ready for snow, ice and brutal cold because Illinois weather can be pleasant one day, and a winter storm the next day,” said Illinois Emergency Management … more

11/14/22

Members of the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard stand at attention as John Kieslar plays Taps to conclude this year’s Veterans’ Day program in Hillsboro on Friday, Nov. 11. Color Guard members from the left are Kieslar, Don Walcher, Dale Walcher, Bob Fuehne, Christ Gutierrez and Tyson Holshouser.

Hillsboro Pauses To Honor Veterans

“Today, our nation remembers and pays tribute to the 19 million U.S. veterans who are still with us today and the millions who have preceded them since the American Revolution,” said Bob … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 11/14/22

Dave Darte, one of the members of the Litcfhield VFW color guard, honors America during the Pledge of Allegiance to begin Veterans Day services in Litchfield Friday.

‘Not How We Served, But That We Served’

United States Air Force veteran Jim Allen reminded Americans to do everything they can to support veterans during services in their honor at the Litchfield VFW on Veterans Day Friday, Nov. … more

11/14/22

Sgt. First Class Kassidy Snyder (above) returned to her old stomping grounds, Nokomis High School, on Thursday morning, Nov. 10, as guest speaker of the school’s Veterans Day assembly.

Nokomis Students Remember Veterans

The students at Nokomis High School (NHS) took time to remember the country’s veterans on Thursday morning, Nov. 10. The American Legion opened the Veterans Day assembly with the … more

by Tori O'Dell | 11/14/22

Students and veterans gathered in Simmons Gym at Litchfield High School for the annual Veterans Day assembly held Thursday morning, Nov. 10.

Litchfield Students Honor Veterans

Students at Litchfield High School gathered for the annual Veterans Day assembly held on Thursday morning, Nov. 10, in the high school gym. Local veterans were invited to participate. The program … more

11/14/22

Winners of this year’s Litchfield High School Voice of Democracy contest, from the left, are Johnathan Conlee, Emma Diveley, Carlee Favre, Rylie Mix, Bella Reyes, Isabella Steiner, Kendall Stewart and AJ Sypherd. Not pictured is Hannah Schmidt.

Finalists Named For Voice Of Democracy

The names of the ten Litchfield High School students who are finalists in the 75th annual Voice of Democracy essay contest were announced Wednesday, Nov. 9. Finalists are Johnathan Conlee, Emma … more

11/14/22

The first annual music trivia night, in honor of Ayden O’Malley, was held on Saturday, Oct. 29. Above, are costume contest winners, Lisa Beaty, Chelsey Swisher, Kristen Meiners, Kurt Hoehn, Mandee Waterman, Jorgia Crowe, Megan Bertolino, Emily Chumley, Lori Kimbro, Andi Manes, Jamie Holt, Deb Sarsany, Amber Wright, April and Josh Hadowsky, Father Michael Meinhart and Bryce Pavolka.

Music Trivia Raises Money For AVM Research

In honor of October being AVM (arteriovenous malformation) Awareness Month, the Deb Sarsany Team from Real Estate Group, Inc., hosted a music trivia and Halloween costume contest on Saturday, Oct. … more

11/14/22

More than 10,800 people made their voices heard at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 8, as voters across Montgomery County cast their ballots for this year’s general election. Turnout countywide was 67.44 percent, with 15 precincts showing more than 70 percent turnout, led by Butler Grove with 76.8 percent, Zanesville with 76.51 percent and Rountree with 75.5 percent. Two Hillsboro precincts, Hillsboro 3 and 6, rounded out the top five in voter turnout with 74.24 and 73.27 percent.

Voters Green-light School Referendum

Voters in the Hillsboro School District overwhelmingly passed a bond referendum intended to replace the old main building on the high school campus and connect the remaining buildings with a new … more

11/10/22

Hillsboro School Board Reviews Report Card

Members of the Hillsboro School Board reviewed report cards from the state at their Tuesday, Nov. 8, meeting, which started at 4 p.m. at the unit office. The report cards concluded with all … more

by Mike Plunkett | 11/10/22

Village Of Raymond To Purchase New Tractor

The Raymond Village Board met for its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 7, at the village hall. Before addressing the agenda, a motion was made by Trustee Dan Hough and seconded by Trustee Kendall … more

11/10/22

Jim Allen Will Speak At Veterans Ceremony

Litchfield VFW Post #3912 will hold a Veterans Day celebration at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, at the VFW Post, located at 215 W. Ryder Street. Litchfield Mayor Steve Dougherty and representatives of … more

11/10/22

Pictured above, from the left are Tyson Holshouser, Joey and Patty Holshouser and Ruth Ann Bennett, who made the special military quilt for them.

Holshouser Family Receives Quilt For Reid

“It just amazes me how one person or event touches another person, and that person touches the next person, and so continues to touch many lives,” said Patty Holshouser of … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 11/10/22

Above, Diane Singler, longtime volunteer with Cross Over Ministries, speaks about the loss of her daughter, Miranda Singler, during the non-profit’s “Out of the Darkness” grief support and suicide prevention event.

Cross Over Continues To Light Darkness

Strong winds did not deter early morning walkers from participating in Cross Over Ministries “Out of Darkness” sunrise walk, an annual event held to foster grief support and suicide … more

by Tori O’Dell | 11/10/22

Wendy Ballhust of Butler, daughter of the late Don Walker, shares memories of her father at the ceremony dedicating the playground in Butler to his memory on Sunday.

Butler Playground Dedicated To Don Walker

“Always volunteer.” That’s the message on the sign dedicating the playground in Butler to the memory of a man who spent his life in volunteer work for his community. More than … more

11/7/22