News | The Journal-News

Ribbon Cutting Will Celebrate Farmersville Ball Field

The ball fields in Montgomery County’s panhandle have never looked better and the Farmersville Waggoner Athletic Association (FWAA) is inviting the community to come and see some the latest … more

4/18/24

Hillsboro Mayor Don Downs signs a proclamation for National Volunteer Week at Hillsboro City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, April 16. Pictured above, in front, from the left are Lyn Fugate, April Leetham, Anne Huber, Hillsboro Mayor Don Downs and Carol Herrin. In back are Bob Schwandner, Doug Johnson, Ginger Barnes, Nancy Hindle, Mable Murray, Pam DeLong and Janece Neunaber.

April Marks National Volunteer Week

“It’s the things that people do to help others that make this a great community,” said Hillsboro Mayor Don Downs. Joined by nearly a dozen local volunteers, Mayor Downs signed … more

4/18/24

Pictured above, owner Dane Bondurant, at right, visits with customers at the open house.

Bondurant Plumbing Celebrates 15 Years

Bondurant Plumbing celebrated 15 years of business with an open house on Saturday, April 13. Customers enjoyed a free lunch at the shop, located at 204 Smith Road in Hillsboro. In addition, they gave … more

4/18/24

McKay Cruise-In Helps Make-A-Wish

McKay NAPA Auto Parts will hold their fourth annual Strut Your Stuff Cruise-In to benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois on Saturday, May 4, at 12 p.m. with a cost of $20 per vehicle. The event will be held at … more

4/18/24

Pictured above is Jump’s 2018 award winning entry, his grandfather’s 1977 MG. The show features cars of all makes, models and years and including all kinds of modifications as well as stock.

Jump Handed Keys To Old Settlers Car Show

One of the many staples of each August’s Old Settlers Celebration is the annual car show, which for the past 41 years has filled downtown Main St. with impressive cars and vehicles of all makes … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 4/18/24

Nokomis Public Library Plans Fun April Activities

The Nokomis Public Library (NPL) has some exciting events coming up in April that they would like to invite the public to. A Royal-Tea Party will be held on Saturday, April 20, after the library … more

4/18/24

Bremer Sanctuary Adds New Events To 2024 Calendar

Bremer Sanctuary in Hillsboro has announced their remaining 2024 calendar events. Events include a Woodland Wildflower Walk with refreshments afterwards on Saturday, April 27, at 10 a.m and, a … more

4/18/24

The Next Network Plans Race For Recovery Event

The Next Network is hosting their first ever “Race For Recovery” on Saturday, April 20. Members of the community are invited to come and support the lives impacted by substance abuse and … more

4/18/24

Paws Care Group Hosts Trivia Night Fundraiser

Paws Care of Montgomery County will again be holding its annual trivia night. The trivia night will be held on Saturday, May 18 at the Litchfield Community Building. Doors will open at … more

4/18/24

Eighteen youth from Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery Counties explored careers in environmental science on Monday, April 1 at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton.

4-H Learns About Environmental Science Careers

Eighteen 4-H youth from Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery Counties took part in an environmental science career exploration trip and tour with the Army Corps of Engineers and Melvin Price … more

4/18/24

Together Litchfield Can Plans April Walkabout

In 2024, a MAPPING (Management and Planning Programs Involving Nonmetropolitan Groups) program was held to help with the future of the Litchfield community. This program led to the collective team … more

4/18/24

Hanging Baskets Bloom For Mother’s Day Sale

The Montgomery County Master Gardeners will be holding their annual Mother’s Day Hanging Basket Sale on Friday, May 3, from 9 a.m. until baskets are sold out. The sale will take place at Mt. … more

4/18/24

Sertoma Honors Ron Duff For His Service To Mankind

“I just like helping people,” said Ron Duff, who on May 1, will be honored by Hillsboro Sertoma Club with its Service to Mankind Award. In Duff’s vocabulary, “help” … more

by Nancy Slepicka | 4/15/24

A 95-foot wide sinkhole in a field along Illinois Route 185 has indefinitely closed a portion of the road from Hillsboro to Coffeen in Montgomery County. The sinkhole was first noticed on Thursday morning, April 11, and is being closely monitored by officials from Deer Run Mine, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Montgomery County Emergency Management Association.

Large Sinkhole Closes Illinois Route 185

llinois Route 185 from Hillsboro to Coffeen is closed indefinitely as a sinkhole was discovered 35 to 40 feet from the road a mile and a half east of Graham Correctional Center on Thursday morning, … more

4/15/24

Michael and his wife, Amanda, proudly pose for this 2011 photo with their newborn son, Grant. Little did they know of the devastating events that would arise to change their lives forever. Local residents have joined forces to help raise funds to get Michael an accessible van for Grant.

Community Can Help Grant’s Family

Oftentimes, a cry for help is silent … and goes unnoticed. Take Michael for instance, a man I met a few months ago who lives down the street a few blocks away. He has a heavy load to handle … more

by Steve McLaughlin | 4/15/24

Get 'Taste Of Extension' Friday Night In Hillsboro

Locals are invited to come get a “Taste of Extension” at the Montgomery County Extension Office on Friday, April 19, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. “Taste of Extension” is the perfect … more

4/15/24

Ray Wille of the Raise the Bar Powerlifting Team dead lifts 500 pounds at the inaugural Raise the Bar Against Cancer Powerlifting challenge, held Saturday, April 13, on the Lincoln Plaza. Nearly 25 power lifters competed that day, raising $500 for the Montgomery County Cancer Association.

Power Lifters Raise $500 For MCCA

“For our first one, this far exceeded my expectations,” said Bobby Johnson, one of the organizers of the inaugural Raise the Bar Against Cancer event. Put on by McCormick Strength … more

4/15/24

RV, Truck Catch Fire On Interstate 55

Raymond Fire Department responded to an RV fire on southbound Interstate 55, near mile marker 60, on Wednesday, April 10. at 12:36 p.m. The RV and attached truck caught fire under the eastbound lane … more

4/15/24

Vendors May Apply Now For Farmer’s Market

Vendor applications for the 2024 Hillsboro Farmers Markets are now open. Interested vendors should complete the application prior to participation in markets. The application is available online at … more

4/15/24

An estimated 100 attendees were present at the Lighthouse Pregnancy and Health Services annual fundraising banquet on Friday, March 22.

Lighthouse Holds Annual Banquet

Lighthouse Pregnancy and Health Services held their annual fundraising banquet on Friday, March 22 at the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church for an estimated 100 attendees. In addition to a meal, those … more

4/15/24