News | The Journal-News

Downtown Hillsboro was full of people making sweet memories as this year’s Old Settlers Parade rolled through town on Thursday evening, Aug. 10. Pictured above, the newly opened store, The Sweet Spot, took home first place honors in the business division of this year’s parade.

Hundreds of people filled the streets in Hillsboro as the annual Old Settlers Parade stepped off on Thursday evening, Aug. 10. The theme of this year’s parade was “Spirit of … more

8/14/23

This summer marks the fourth season for the Harvel Community Garden (pictured above). Spearheaded by Trinity Lutheran Church, community members meet weekly on Wednesday evenings to tend to the garden.

Harvel Garden Continues To Flourish

“The community garden is a way for Trinity Lutheran Church to show our love for the community,” said Pastor Joe Nehring, who was at the forefront of starting the Harvel Community … more

By Tori O’Dell | 8/14/23

Pam Roberts, at left, and Sally Adams look at some historic wedding dresses as part of the “Something Old, Something New” program presented at The Event Center of Montgomery Center in Taylor Springs. The program was hosted by the Christiana Tilson chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

DAR Hosts Program On Weddings

Nearly 50 attended the “Something Old, Something New” program focused on the history and traditions of weddings, hosted by the Christiana Tillson chapter of the Daughters of the American … more

8/14/23

Open House To Showcase New Litchfield School

The Litchfield School District is hosting an open house tonight, Monday evening, Aug. 14, to showcase the brand new Litchfield Elementary School, located at 127 W. St. John Street in downtown … more

8/14/23

Electronic Recycling Drive Set For Sept. 16

BLH Computers will host their annual electronics recycling drive from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 16, at the former Wright Automotive Building in Hillsboro, located on the northeast corner of … more

8/14/23

The Panhandle Picklers are excited to host the ‘Pickler Putt-Putt’ event for the community. Proceeds will go towards the renovation of the public tennis court into three new pickleball courts. Pictured above, members of the Picklers, from the left, Sandy Smith, Dee Williams, Sharon Lyons, Ginny Brockmeyer and Pat Pope.

Panhandle Pickleball Group Hosts Fundraiser

The Panhandle Picklers are hosting their first ever ‘Pickler Putt-Putt’ event on Saturday, Aug. 19, as part of fundraising operations for the Raymond pickleball courts project. … more

8/14/23

The Cooper clan from Coffeen won ribbons and ride tickets for their Just For Kids Lego entries. From the left are Jase, Maebry and Mason Cooper.

Old Settlers Country Fair Has Dozens Of Winners

The Country Fair returned to the 139th Old Settlers celebration on Sunday, Aug. 6, in the basement of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in downtown Hillsboro. Dozens of brightly colored entries … more

8/14/23

Bryer and Rowan Reitz and Natalee, Brooklyn, Paisley and Wrenlee Fenton won first place in the Floats division for their entry, "Little Big Town."

Kiddie Parade Celebrates Hillsboro Bicentennial

The Old Settlers Kiddie Parade stepped off in celebration of Hillsboro's Bicentennial celebration on Thursday morning, Aug. 10, in downtown Hillsboro. This year's theme was "Cheers to 200 Years," and … more

8/14/23

Hillsboro High School sophomore Jenna Durbin was crowned 2023 Old Settlers Queen on Wednesday evening, Aug. 9, at The Lodge on Main in downtown Hillsboro. Due to inclement weather, the annual queen's parade was cancelled and the coronation was moved inside. Pictured above, newly crowned Old Settlers Queen Jenna Durbin, at left, gets a hug from her cousin and retiring 2022 Old Settlers Queen Marah Huber. Durbin is the first Old Settlers Queen to also have served the community as Little Miss Old Settlers and Junior Miss Old Settlers.

Jenna Durbin Crowned Old Settlers Queen

Jenna Durbin was crowned 2023 Old Settlers Queen in the dry Lodge on Main on Wednesday evening, Aug. 9. The new queen is the daughter of Kendra and Travis Durbin and is the first to win the titles of … more

8/10/23

The Old Settlers Art Show officially opened on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 9, in the basement of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. From the left, are “Best of Show” winners Jo Hutson, Mette Lee and Marvin Thomas. Not pictured is Lilly Jeffers.

Local Artists Showcase Best Work At Old Settlers

The basement of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church was once again transformed into a gallery showcasing the work of local artists for 2023 Old Settlers Art Show. The annual art show officially opened … more

8/10/23

Hillsboro School Board Looks At Tentative Budget

"This is the third year in a row we're looking at a balanced budget," Superintendent David Powell said to begin a tentative budget presentation at the Hillsboro School Board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. … more

By Mike Plunkett | 8/10/23

Pickers Market Makes Return To Litchfield

The Litchfield Pickers Market will return this week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, at downtown Litchfield, starting at 400 North State Street. Hosted by the Litchfield Tourism Office and … more

8/10/23

Montgomery County State’s Attorney Andrew Affrunti, at right, introduced new assistant state’s attorney Clark Johnson, at left, during the board meeting on Tuesday evening, Aug. 8. Johnson is originally from the Farmersville area.

Short Agenda For Montgomery County Board Meeting In August

It was a short night for members of the Montgomery County Board, who met in open session for just 59 minutes at their regular August meeting on Tuesday evening, Aug. 8, at the Historic Courthouse in … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 8/10/23

These smiling faces won first, second or third place ribbons in this year’s Old Settlers pigtail, ponytail and braid competition. It was held Sunday, Aug. 6, as part of the Country Fair at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Lots Of Smiles In Old Settlers Ponytail Contest

Whether it was a ponytail, pigtails or a braid, there were lots of smiles and lots of ribbons in this year’s Old Settlers competition, held Sunday, Aug. 6, as part of the Country Fair at St. … more

8/10/23

The Panama Community Progress Committee presented plaques to several community members for their donations to purchase new playground equipment for John. L. Lewis Memorial Park. Above, committee member Dolly Knebel (center) presents memorial plaques to the families of Darrell Rau (left side) and Mark Spensberger (right side).

New Playground For Panama’s Kids

After several years of fundraising, a much needed new playground brightens up Panama’s John L. Lewis Memorial Park and is put into regular use by the children that reside in the village. … more

by Tori O’Dell | 8/10/23

Above, (retired) Col. John S. Raschke speaks about his time in Vietnam, as well as the process of writing a memoir of his experiences during a meet-and-greet at Hillsboro Public Library.

Col. Raschke Speaks At Local Library

Author John S. Raschke, a retired US Army Colonel, discussed his recently released memoir A Tour in Chuong Thien Province: A U.S. Army Lieutenant with MACV Advisory Team 73 in the Mekong Delta, … more

8/10/23

2023 Old Settlers Dog Show Most Handsome and Best Of Show Grover, with Margot and Emma Dixon

Sunday's Old Settlers' Weather Was For The Dogs

Rain may have resulted in a little wet smell, but ultimately the 2023 edition of the Old Settlers Dog Show came out smelling like a rose on Sunday, Aug. 6. More than 20 pooches and parents were … more

8/10/23

Army veteran Terry Schulte stands with niece Shannon Lawrence in front of the Washington Monument, pictured above. Schulte was one of many veterans who took part in this year’s Honor Flights.

Local Army Veterans Take Honor Flights To DC

Two local veterans were recognized with special Land of Lincoln Honor Flight trips on May 16 and June 20. The free, one day trip is designed to give veterans a chance to visit the … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 8/10/23

Danny Millburg and Dave Waggoner spent a great deal of time and effort in making sure the former Waggoner High School building remained a centerpiece of their community before both passed away in 2022. Now, there is a lasting reminder of that dedication in two benches installed in front of the Waggoner Centennial Building in their honor.

Two Benches Honor Millburg, Waggoner

It was never a big surprise to see Danny Millburg or Dave Waggoner at the Waggoner Centennial Building before they passed away in 2022, but now friends and family of these two men have a lasting … more

8/10/23

Raymond Village Board Continues Conversations

Raymond Village Board met at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 7, Those present for the meeting included Mayor Denny Held, trustees Greg Bernhardt, Dan Hough, Kendall Snyder, Bruce Poggenpohl, Bill Krager and … more

8/10/23