The Journal-News

Athens Man Arrested For Climbing Tower

An Athens man was charged with criminal trespassing after he allegedly climbed a 150-foot radio tower near Honey Bend on Friday, March 25. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was … more

3/28/22

Operation REAL Results In Numerous Drug Arrests

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsboro Police Department and Litchfield Police Department joined with the Illinois State Police, South Central Illinois Drug Task Force and the … more

3/28/22

Mason Morris is pictured above with the custom hand-painted football he received as part of the award.

Chicago Bears Name Morris As All-Star Winner

The Chicago Bears have announced that Mason Morris of Nokomis High School has been named the third Community High School All-Star award winner of the season. The Community High … more

3/28/22

Professor Longhair, at right, is celebrating 20 years as a magician this year. He is pictured above with his trusty assistant, Mys Jill, who is also celebrating 15 years.

Professor Longhair, Mys Jill Celebrate Anniversary

A staple at many local events and fundraisers, Professor Longhair, better known as Randy Thompson is celebrating 20 years of magic and puppetry this year. This year also marks 15 years for his … more

by Bethany Martin | 3/24/22

Hillsboro Council Approves Summer Events

Three separate proposals to use city property for community events were approved by the Hillsboro’s City Council during their March 22 meeting; all council members were present for the meeting, … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 3/24/22

Panhandle Votes To Put Deactivation On Ballot

It was the duty of the Panhandle and Morrisonville school boards to determine whether the idea of reorganization was worth considering, but after Monday, March 21, whether it actually happens will be … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 3/24/22

Hiltopper Graduate Earns Lead Role At Muni

Hillsboro High School graduate Shaw Riggs has earned a lead role at the Springfield Muni this summer in their production of Newsies . Auditions were held the first week in March, and Riggs was … more

3/24/22

One Killed, One Injured In Self-Inflicted Shootings

One person was killed and another was injured, both victims of separate self-inflicted shootings on Monday, March 21. Timothy C. Hopwood, 57, of Fillmore, was pronounced dead in his vehicle … more

3/22/22

Hillsboro native Bonita (Sheridan) Katz cuddles a newborn as part of her family-centered teaching methods for perinatal professionals around the world.

Hillsboro Native Educates Childbirth Professionals Globally

Mothers and fathers need just as much attention as the newborn. Because they too have just been born. Above is a quote from HHS class of ‘77 graduate Bonita (Sheridan) Katz’s … more

by Barb Boston | 3/21/22

Litchfield Budget Bounces Back After Pandemic

The members of the Litchfield City Council met on Thursday, March 17, to discuss what Budget Officer Jereme Zook called the city’s road map for spending for the next two years. Zook said … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 3/21/22

Nokomis Board Hears Football Light Proposal

The Nokomis School Board was called to order on Tuesday, March 15, by President Chad Ruppert with Superintendent Scott Doerr, board members Steve Janssen, Denny Bauman, Carl Ray Fesser, Ben Tarter, … more

by Randy Rieke | 3/21/22

Three generations of the LaVerne Young family will celebrate 40 years in business as Young’s Roofing in Litchfield. Pictured above, from the left are Todd and Rebecca Bergman, LaVerne Young and Nic Bergman.

Young’s Roofing Celebrates 40 Years In Business

This April will mark 40 years since the family of LaVerne and Juanita Young started Young’s Roofing, Inc. “We have been very fortunate since then,” said LaVerne Young, noting … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 3/21/22

Dirtwork continues in the opening phase of construction on the new State Street Elementary School project in downtown Litchfield. Despite some weather delays, the project remains on schedule.

Construction Continues On New Litchfield School

“We’re pretty much on track, even with the weather delays,” Project Manager Peter Ratermann of Poettker Construction told Litchfield School Board members at their regular monthly … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 3/17/22

Gaming Permit Fee To Remain In Schram City

Upon entering their regular meeting on Monday evening, March 14, members of the Schram City Village Board chose to keep the annual municpal video gaming permit fee at $25 per machine. This year, … more

by Bethany Martin | 3/17/22

Nokomis To Receive Water Treatment Grant

The Nokomis City Council confirmed at its Tuesday, March 14 meeting that it is expecting a $600,000 federal grant to replace the water treatment plant. Though the total amount of the project … more

by: Ben Schwarm | 3/17/22

City Planners Discuss Old Highway Department

Five Hillsboro Planning Commission members (Chairman Tom Gooding, Mike Ryan, Rex Brown, Dave Booher, and David Powell) were in-person attendees at their meeting Tuesday afternoon, March 15, in city … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 3/17/22

Three Contested Races In Republican Primary

Voters will pick winners in three contested local races in the primary election on June 28 when they select their nominees for partisan office and pick their precinct committee … more

3/17/22

Members of the Nokomis Public Library District have kicked off their fundraising efforts for a new building during an open house held Tuesday, March 15, at the Nokomis Masonic Lodge. Pictured above with their very first fundraising initiative–a money wall–from the left, are Library Board President Debi Dawson, Treasurer Cynthia Crowe and Member Judy Rupert.

Nokomis Library Kicks Off Fundraising Efforts

“This space is almost exactly double the space we’re in over at the city complex,” said Nokomis Public Library Board President Debi Dawson. “We’re really excited about … more

by Bethany Martin | 3/17/22

Hillsboro Veterans To Submit Memorial Names

War veterans who were past or are present residents of the boundaries of the Hillsboro School District have until Thursday, April 14, to have their names added to the Hillsboro Area Veterans Memorial … more

3/17/22

Linda Liebscher of Cross Over Ministries welcomes about 125 to the first-ever mental health summit, Conquering the Mind, held Saturday, March 12, at the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church. Behind Liebscher are actors from the musical, “The Master’s Peace,” which was previewed to open the summit.

Light Shines In Darkness At Cross Over Summit

“I didn’t want to die, I just didn’t know how to live,” drug overdose survivor Sam Anthony Lucania told the crowd of about 125 at the first-ever mental health summit, … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 3/14/22