The Journal-News

Hillsboro Commissioner Resigns Tuesday Night

The Hillsboro City Council accepted a resignation from councilman Michael Murphy as the first action agenda item when they met Tuesday evening, April 12; Murphy had served as Public Safety (fire and … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 4/14/22

Nokomis City Council Proceeds On Water, K-9

The Nokomis City Council met Monday, April 11, at its regular meeting and continued to advance projects discussed at the previous meeting. Commissioners approved a request by Police Chief … more

by Ben Schwarm | 4/14/22

Construction Continues In Schram City

Members of the Schram City Village Board approved a resolution to approve the 2022 Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) at the amount of $28, 640 during their regular monthly meeting held Monday evening, April 11, … more

by Bethany Martin | 4/14/22

Board Reviews Parent, Staff Survey Results

The superintendent shared parent and staff survey results with members of the Hillsboro School Board during their meeting on Tuesday, April 12, at the unit office. "The survey was conducted in … more

by Mike Plunkett | 4/14/22

Three More Arrested On Warrants For Meth

Three Litchfield people were arrested on warrants for unlawful delivery of methamphetamine between April 7 and April 10 in what the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office called the second … more

4/14/22

Jeremy Heigert, right, was sworn in as a member of the Litchfield Volunteer Fire Department by Litchfield Fire Chief Joe Holomy on Thursday, April 7. Heigert, who is the principal at Colt and Russell schools in Litchfield, told the council he was looking for a way to give back to his community.

On Firefighter Honored, Another Sworn

The City of Litchfield welcomed one new volunteer firefighter and honored an exiting one during the city council meeting on Thursday, April 7, at Corwin Hall. With his family in attendance, Jeremy … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/11/22

It’s A ‘Shop Hillsboro’ Egg Hunt On Saturday

Shop Hillsboro returns this weekend, with a retail Easter egg hunt event set for Saturday, April 16. Just find the special Shop Hillsboro Easter Egg hidden at any of the participating sponsors, … more

4/11/22

This year’s recipients of the Christiana Tillson chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Good Citizen award, from the left are Timothy Downen of Hillsboro High School, Dalton Brunnworth of Mt. Olive High School, Spencer Hoehl of Litchfield High School, Joseph Cisler of Staunton High School and Kendra Wright, representing the DAR. Not pictured are Emma Hill of Nokomis High School and Sidney Glick of Lincolnwood High School.

DAR Presents Good Citizen Awards

Honoring the qualities of good citizenship, members of the Christiana Tillson chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) hosted their annual Good Citizen Awards brunch on Saturday … more

4/11/22

Hillsboro native Neal Strausbaugh was tapped as the crew chief for Tony Stewart Racing’s Top Fuel team in November 2021. He leads the team for driver Leah Pruett, and just finished the fourth race of the season in Las Vegas, NV, this April.

New Job Is No Drag For Neal Strausbaugh

In November 2021, Hillsboro native Neal Strausbaugh was named the crew chief for Tony Stewart Racing’s Top Fuel team, after working more than 20 years in the industry. But his passion for … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 4/11/22

Chase Wilhelm of Fillmore, at left, helps a Ukranian mother and her three daughters evacuate from Ukraine to a safe place in March. Wilhelm spent two weeks in Poland in March helping refugee families like this one.

Wilhelm Helps Families Evacuate From Ukraine

“I learned in seminary that when you pray, you have to move your feet,” said Major Chase Wilhelm of Fillmore. Wilhelm, who has previous experience in military combat zones, spent two … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 4/7/22

Raymond Community Plans Clean-Up Days

Following a motion to approve the March 21 meeting minutes, it was all business for members of the Raymond Village Board who met for their regular meeting on Monday evening, April 4, at the village … more

4/7/22

Imagine Hillsboro Seeks Help Clearing Bike Trails

Bike Hillsboro, a faction of Imagine Hillsboro’s Parks and Recreation Committee, is planning a community work day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, at the Sherwood Forest Campground … more

4/7/22

TASC Plans Events For Autism Awareness Month

The Autism Support Connection (TASC) has a whole slate of events planned in celebration of Autism Awareness Month in April. TASC will hold its regular monthly support group meeting on Thursday, … more

4/4/22

Murder Suspect Chase Begins Near Hillsboro

A suspect who was wanted after the murder of two women in Collinsville Saturday morning, April 2, was shot by law enforcement near Pana after a chase that began in Hillsboro. The suspect, Adam … more

4/4/22

Concert Series Seeking Sponsorships

Summer is much better when music fills the air and Imagine Hillsboro has the local community covered. Heading into its eleventh year, the Hillsboro Concert Series has a big summer coming up. The … more

4/4/22

$1.8 Billion Tax Relief Introduced In State Senate

Democrats in the Illinois Senate on Friday announced a $1.8 billion package of mostly temporary tax relief proposals that they hope to include in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget as the legislative … more

by Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois | 4/4/22

This March, McKay Auto Parts added the Charleston Napa store to its family of central Illinois stores. With the addition of the Charleston store, McKay Napa Auto Parts now has 23 stores.

McKay Auto Parts Adds New Charleston Store

In March, McKay Napa Auto Parts is once again growing, adding the Charleston store to its family of central Illinois stores. “The Charleston store was independently owned, and when the owner … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 4/4/22

Above, Matthew Sparks poses with his grinder (left) and his grandpa’s original grinder from his store (right).

Matthew Sparks Picks Up Lucchi Family’s Tradition

The only things Aerio, his wife, Dorothy “Dot,” and sister, Lena Lucchi kept when they closed Lucchi’s Market, a decades long staple in the Coalton-Nokomis area, on May 12, … more

by Tori O’Dell | 3/31/22

Ehrhardt Receives Praise For Excellent Police Work

Nokomis Mayor Michael Holliday presented a certificate of commendation to police officer Racheal Ehrhardt for her work that led to the apprehension of an alleged sex criminal. Presented at … more

by Ben Schwarm | 3/31/22

Dollar General has made its way into the old Kroger building on North Spruce Street in Nokomis. Following the closure of Kroger, local residents are happy to have a convenient store nearby again to purchase household items without having to travel.

Dollar General Opens New Nokomis Location

Dollar General (DG) is excited to announce its new store at 415 N Spruce Street in Nokomis is now open. “We’re glad to have a grocery store in town again. Everyone has … more

3/31/22