News | The Journal-News

DAR Patriot Flags On Display At Old Settlers

First displayed at the Hillsboro Memorial Day service in May, the Christiana Tillson chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) installed patriot flags around the … more

8/5/24

Almost 60 years after he finished clearing the last few trees that dotted the ground that would become Lake Lou Yaeger, Don Gibbs of Modesto got the opportunity to see the completed lake for the first time. “I didn’t know that they were going to develop this other than to just have a lake,” Gibbs said during his 90-minute tour on July 12. “All these buildings, it’s just amazing.”

After 60 Years, Gibbs Returns To Lake Lou

“Don, do you remember anything?” Marilyn Sisson asked Don Gibbs, over the low hum of the idling Lake Lou Yaeger patrol boat motor. “Well, no,” said the softspoken … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 8/1/24

Old Settlers Festivities Return This Weekend

The 2024 Old Settlers Days celebrations will begin this weekend, Saturday, Aug. 3, and Sunday, Aug. 4. This will mark the 140th year for the much-loved festival and this year’s theme, “In … more

8/1/24

Annual Raymond Celebration Looks Good In Neon

The 67th annual Raymond Celebration begins on Friday, Aug. 2 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 3 with many fun events in store. The bounce houses will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and from … more

8/1/24

Jill Ulrici sits inside the main floor of The Annex at Lincoln Plaza in downtown Hillsboro. She and her husband, Tim, purchased the building three years ago. The main floor is currently open to memberships as a shared working space and they are starting renovations of offices on the upper floor. The artwork on the chalkboard was created by the children of Brian and Kristen Lee.

The Annex Opens Doors In Hillsboro

“Tim and I moved to Hillsboro in 2020,” said Jill Ulrici. “We wanted to be part of the community and the things happening here. We started coming to town when the brewery first … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 8/1/24

Old Settlers Turtle Races Cancelled For This Year

The 35th annual Old Settlers Turtle Race scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 4 has been cancelled according to Sertoman John Galer. The race was sponsored by the Hillsboro Sertoma Club. “The … more

8/1/24

CWC To Host Upcoming Mental Health Summit

The Montgomery County Wellness Committee (CWC), a sub-committee of the County Mental Health board (aka the 708 board) will be hosting a Mental Health Legislative Summit and Town Hall meeting on … more

8/1/24

Annual Old Settlers Art Show Open To All

Organizers are hard at work preparing for the Old Settlers Art Show, slated to return Wednesday, Aug. 7, and Thursday, Aug. 8, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church located on the Courthouse Square in … more

8/1/24

Roll Tide As Blankenship Heads To Alabama School

Sophia Blankenship, a 2024 graduate of Hillsboro High School, took a copy of The Journal-News with her on a freshman orientation trip to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL, this July. … more

8/1/24

Martha Hahnenkamp, center, was honored as a Woman of Distinction on Saturday, June 15, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. She is pictured above with Father Dan Willenborg of St. Agnes Catholic Church, at left, and Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, at right.

Coderko, Hahnenkamp Named Women Of Distinction

Marti Coderko, a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Hillsboro and Martha Hahnenkamp, a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield were honored as Women of Distinction by the … more

8/1/24

Future Unknown For Senior Achievers Club

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Montgomery and Macoupin County Senior Achievers will meet for possibly the final time. Formed as the Academy of Lifelong Learning in 1999 under the sponsorship of Lincoln … more

8/1/24

Caitlyn Travis has a big smile as she’s crowned the 2024 Miss Litchfield Chamber of Commerce at the end of the annual event. Also crowned that night were 2024 Junior Miss Chamber of Commerce Presley Gifford and 2024 Little Miss Chamber of Commerce Parker Grosenheider. Pictured behind Travis, from the left are first runner-up Claudia Deren, and retiring royalty, 2023 Miss Litchfield Chamber of Commerce Kendall Stewart, 2023 Junior Miss Litchfield Chamber of Commerce Tilly Fergurson and 2023 Little Miss Chamber of Commerce Addelyn Winans.

Caitlyn Travis Crowned In Litchfield Pageant

It was a night of sparkles and shine as the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual pageant festivities on Saturday evening, July 27, in the Litchfield High School gym. Here are a few … more

7/29/24

The Glenn Shoals Lake Marina has been revamped over the past year, offering everything that lakegoers and campers could need in-store, along with a great restaurant. Pictured above are staff members Kyle Butler, Cheyenne Harston, Katie Mondin, manager Beth Netemeyer, Park Superintendent Jim May and staff Kinley McConnell and Gerhard Netemeyer. Not present for photo are staff Avery Batty, Laura Lessman, Chloe Atkins, Gavin Buckley and Mel Robinson.

Smooth Sailing For Glenn Shoals Marina

As anyone who’s made the trip can attest, the Lake Glenn Shoals Marina looks quite a bit different this summer than in years past. The marina storefront underwent significant renovations over … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 7/29/24

County Residents Reminded To Update Voter Information

The Montgomery County Clerk’s Office reminds voters that their voter registration information must be up-to-date to avoid problems or delays in voting in the Tuesday, Nov. 5 general election. … more

7/29/24

Hillsboro School Board Suspends Four Coaches

Four Hillsboro High School football coaches have been suspended for a portion of the upcoming high school football season following a special meeting of the Hillsboro School Board on Thursday … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 7/29/24

Litchfield Fire Department responded quickly to a structure fire on Diamond Dr. on Thursday, July 25. The department reminds the community of the danger of plugged in appliances.

Litchfield Fire Department Dispatched To Kitchen Fire

The Litchfield Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 10 Diamond Dr. in Litchfield on Thursday, July 25 at 6:36 p.m. Thanks to the swift and effective response of the firefighters, the … more

7/29/24

Raymond To Crown Miss, Jr. Miss Independence August 3

The Raymond Celebration will crown the 2024 Miss Independence and Junior Miss Independence on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m. to wrap up the events on the big stage in downtown Raymond. Last … more

7/29/24

Sierra Compton of Witt has launched a community-wide effort to raise donations for the Witt Food Pantry. The 2023 Hillsboro grad has posted dropoff boxes all over the town.

Compton Launches Food Drive For Witt Pantry

Witt’s Sierra Compton recently launched a food drive for her local community, after noticing the near-empty cart posted in town for donations for Witt Food Pantry. “It saddened me to … more

7/29/24

Members of the Historical Society of Montgomery County toured the Christian County Historical Society Museum on Thursday, July 25. Pictured inside a one-room school building moved from Buckeye, IL, to the museum grounds in Taylorville, from the left, are Nancy Slepicka, Susan Schwandner, Linda Zimmer, Sharol Hayes, Carol Calvert, Donna Wille, Mike and Marilyn Maccinelli.

Historical Society Tours Taylorville Museum

Eight members of the Historical Society of Montgomery County were treated to a guided tour of the Christian County Historical Society Museum, Taylorville, on Thursday, July 25. The expansive complex … more

7/29/24

TASC Group Will Host Swim Party In Litchfield

TASC (The Autism Support Connection) will host a swimming party on Thursday, Aug. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Memorial Pool in Litchfield. The free event is open to individuals and families affected … more

7/29/24