News | The Journal-News

Kelly Wessing, pictured with 2022 Miss Irish Days MaKenna Lutz and event organizer Brad Whalen, was the first place winner at the 37th annual Irish Days Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, June 3.

Local Chefs Spice Up Irish Days Celebration

Some were sweet, some were spicy, but all of them were done for a good cause as 25 teams competed for the top prize at the 37th annual Irish Days Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, June 3, at the Irish Days … more

6/5/23

Members of this year’s Irish Days royalty court, from the left are Junior Miss contestants Kinlee Paproth, Katrina Millburg, Audrey Rovey, 2023 Junior Miss Irish Days Arya Stimac, 2023 Miss Irish Days Kamryn Russell, retiring 2022 Miss Irish Days MaKenna Lutz, 2023 Little Miss Irish Days Maylee Hampton, 2023 Little Mister Irish Days Sheffield Stimac and Miss Irish Days contestants Hally Kerske and Braylin Crawford.

New Quartet To Reign At Farmersville Irish Days

As the sun set on the 112th Irish Days celebration in Farmersville, a new quartet was crowned to represent the community. On the opening day of the festivities, the Little Miss and Little Mister … more

6/5/23

Members of the Hart family took home first and third place honors for their entries in the Antique Tractor category of the parade. Pictured above, from the left are Carley Hart, Stockton, Weston and Alexis Brown.

Farmersville Parade Steps Off

Bucket list wishes were on display as the annual Irish Days Parade took center stage in Farmersville on Saturday afternoon, June 3. This year’s theme was “What’s On Your Bucket … more

6/5/23

It had been 25 years since the last time the American Legion baseball field in Waggoner had been used consistently, but with the help of some parent volunteers, the old ballpark is back in use and has never looked better. After removing all of the grass and weeds from where the infield once was and hauling in new dirt for the playing surface, the baseball field started hosting tee ball games and practices for other Farmersville-Waggoner Athletic Association teams earlier this month. Above, Maylee Hampton of the Bank & Trust team gets ready to take pitcher and Bank & Trust coach Landon Weitekamp deep during her team’s game against North Mac on May 27.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

It’s Saturday, May 27, and the baseball diamond located behind the Waggoner Centennial Hall is abuzz with activity as the Farmersville-Waggoner Athletic Association tee ball team takes the … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/1/23

#ShopHillsboro 80s Style With Events On Saturday

The town will be rockin’ 80s style this weekend when #Shop Hillsboro I Love the 80s brings the big hair and parachute pants. Shop Hillsboro advertising sponsors will kick the day off with … more

6/1/23

Hillsboro Council Secures Property

The Hillsboro City Council met in special session Wednesday morning, May 31, in order to amend an ordinance regarding purchase of property at 506 Taylorville Road; the property is needed as part of … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 6/1/23

4-H Shows Set To Start In June

It’s that time of year when the Butler 4-H Park comes alive for the annual Montgomery County 4-H Shows. First on the roster is the 4-H Swine Show will be held in Macoupin County on … more

6/1/23

Nancy Savage of the Montgomery County Cancer Association holds up the memorial bookmarks and floral tributes that will be available at this year’s MCCA Birthday Party and Celebration of Life.

MCCA Tributes To Honor Cancer Patients

Author Frances Hodgson Burnett once said, “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” This summer, volunteers with the Montgomery County Cancer … more

6/1/23

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Paxton Chesney, Remie Witt, Andi Cady, Charlotte Reams, Ellis Limbaugh and Josie Wittenmyer. In back are Madison VanOstran, Audrey Billington, Lauren Storm, Zechariah Bilyeu, Noah Manasco, Jaxon Wittenmyer and Addison Manasco.

Piano Students Perform Spring Recital

Friends and family enjoyed listening to music performed by piano students of Tami Moler at a spring recital held Sunday, May 28, at 2 p.m. the Hillsboro United Methodist Church. Students who … more

6/1/23

Lusk Attends Global Symposium In Poland

Every spring, Blackburn’s International Business course offers students the opportunity to participate in a global business competition called X-Culture. Students from around the world from … more

6/1/23

The community said goodbye to Nokomis Public Library Director Debby Lehman, who officially retired from her position on Wednesday, May 31. Lisa Casterline (left) will step into the position on June 1.

Debby Lehman Retires From Nokomis Library

The community got the chance to say goodbye to Debby Lehman, who has served as director of Nokomis Public Library for the last 33 years, during an open house retirement party held at Nokomis Public … more

by Tori O’Dell | 6/1/23

Make Appointment For Hospital’s Wellness Fair

Hillsboro Area Hospital’s annual Wellness Fair will be held Tuesday, June 13, and Wednesday, June 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the hospital in the Cloud Room near the front entrance. … more

6/1/23

Nokomis State Farm Agent Tim Huber is stepping away from the helm to enjoy retirement but clients will still see the familiar faces and have the expertise of staff members Julie Sisk and Jeannie Rathberger when they visit the office.

State Farm Family Legacy Ends With Retirement

“I have always believed in an open door policy. My office has always been open to anyone that walked through our door, appointment or not, and that is one of the biggest reasons that I have … more

by Tori O’Dell | 6/1/23

Some very special pen pals got a chance to meet on Thursday, May 11. Above, (not in order) are adult volunteers and their student pen pals, Mrs. Mindy Fischer, Pam Dawson and Nehemiah, Donna Youngless and Will, Charlene Modla and Levi, Angela Karban and Roger, Tish Spelbring and Annabel, Marlyn McCafferty and Iris, Brenda Oberle and Brenna, Pamela DeLong and Reagan, Diana Putnam and Jasmine, Nancy Hindle and Hunter, Lisa Birchmier and Owen, Janece Neunaber and Louis and Colton, Lyn Fugate and Jace and Junice Springer and Preston. Not pictured are Carol Naylor and Milo.

Pen Pals Meet After Year Of Letter Writing

The third and fourth grade students at Zion Lutheran in Litchfield got to take part in a very special reveal prior to the end of the school year on Thursday, May 11. Through a collaboration with … more

by Tori O’Dell | 6/1/23

The voluntary members of the Shoal Creek Fire Protection District gathered their surplus equipment and sent it off to their fellow firefighters in the Ukraine where firefighting gear is desperately needed. Above, (L-R) are members of Shoal Creek Fire District, Assistant Chief Kelley Voyles, Skylar Voyles (junior firefighter), Jeremey Hudson (FF), President Brett Kunkel, Kent Priddle (FF), Justine Joiner (FF), Chief David Caulk, Trustee Kim Houchlei, Nick Aubachon (junior firefighter) and Daniel Revelle (FF).

Shoal Creek Extends Aid To Ukraine

The volunteer members of the Shoal Creek Fire Protection District, covering Sorento, Panama, Donnellson and Walshville, extended their service borders across continents to provide aid to their fellow … more

by Tori O’Dell | 6/1/23

Saturday Is 37th Annual Irish Days Chili Cook-Off

The 37th Annual Irish Days Chili Cook-Off is being held as part of the Farmersville Irish Days celebration. Hosted by the St. Isidore chapter of the Knights of Columbus, the event will be held … more

6/1/23

Help Celebrate Litchfield Museum’s Tenth Birthday

Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center is inviting the public to help them mark their 10th anniversary with a celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. The festivities will … more

5/30/23

Irish Days Celebration Returns On Thursday

The Village of Farmersville will hold the 112th Irish Days Celebration next week, Thursday, June 1, through Saturday, June 3. This year’s celebration “What’s on your Bucket … more

5/30/23

From the left Brian Bevell, Kent Lovelace and Jimmy Evans raise the American flag at a special ceremony at Glendale Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, May 27. The flag was draped over the coffin of Lovelace’s uncle, Kenneth D. Grigg, who was killed in a car crash in Florida while serving in the Reserves.

Grigg’s Flag To Fly Over Fillmore Cemetery

"We're here to celebrate the 238 veterans buried at Glendale Cemetery in Fillmore," said Kent Lovelace. "It's pretty amazing to me for a community such as Fillmore to be blessed and honored with so … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 5/30/23

Members of Boy Scout Troop 89 of Litchfield posted the colors at the start of Litchfield’s Memorial Day service, which was held on Monday morning, May 29, at Litchfield Veterans Memorial Garden in downtown Litchfield.

Litchfield Remembers The Fallen

A large turnout attended the Litchfield Memorial Day service held at the Veterans Memorial Garden in Library Park Monday morning. Roy Schieferdecker, commander of American Legion Kniery-Knagg … more

5/30/23