News | The Journal-News

School Board, City Election Petitions Now Available

The 2025 election season has begun, with all arrows pointing to the April 1, 2025 consolidated election. All filings for municipal, park, library, fire districts and school board member candidates … more

8/8/24

As tradition dictates, members of the American Legion presented the colors to lead off the Raymond Celebration parade on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Raymond Celebrates With Saturday Parade

There were plenty of cars and queens on Broad Street in Raymond n Saturday, Aug. 3, as the annual Raymond Celebration parade was rolled through downtown. Led off by the American Legion and featuring … more

8/8/24

Paityn Reagan was named the new Miss Independence in Raymond, following this year’s pageant on Saturday evening, Aug. 3, in downtown Raymond. She is the daughter of Jeff Reagan and Danyel Moffitt and was sponsored by Pennock Hydraulics. First runner-up was Sally Corso, daughter of Joe and Jody Corso and sponsored by Creekstone Kettle Works. Miss Congeniality was Abigail Lipe. Pictured above, from the left are Carlee Moffitt, first runner-up Sally Corso, 2024 Miss Independence Paityn Reagan, retiring 2023 Miss Independence Kirsten Pope and Miss Congeniality Abigail Lipe.

Raymond Celebration Crowns 2024 Royalty

The Village of Raymond crowned its new royalty on Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Raymond Celebration. This year's winners are pictured above. more

8/8/24

June Gile of Coffeen swept the category for crocheted items with her beautiful handmade sweaters and dolls.

Lots Of Smiles At Old Settlers Country Fair

As the 140th Old Settlers celebration got underway this year, dozens of entries filled the basement of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for the annual Country Fair. Brightly colored ribbons were … more

8/8/24

Nicole Cunningham, at left, and Pastor Stefan Munker, at right, are the co-leaders of the PEACE Full Experiences that will soon be starting at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.

St. Paul’s Church Introduces PEACE Full Programs

Everyone is invited to pop-up wellness activities for all ages organized though St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. The congregation’s new “PEACE Full” ministry will … more

8/8/24

Katrina Millburg of Farmersville, pictured above, is raffling off four Cardinals tickets to raise money for the MCCA.

Millburg’s Raffle To Raise Funds For MCCA

After being a contestant in the Irish Days’ Junior Miss Pageant and helping out with the breast cancer walk, Katrina Millburg of Farmersville was inspired to help raise money for the Montgomery … more

8/8/24

Two Litchfield Businesses Set To Expand With TIF District Funds

Two Litchfield businesses will have the opportunity to expand after the Litchfield City Council approved development agreements with Kismet Coffee and Midwest Aftermarket during their meeting on … more

8/5/24

Old Settlers Celebration Continues Fun This Week

The 140th Old Settlers Days celebration will continue on Wednesday, Aug. 7, and Thursday, Aug. 8. The Historic Harkey House and Montgomery County Museum and Gift Shop will be open from 10 a.m. … more

8/5/24

The 140th Old Settlers celebration kicked off with an evening of pageants on Saturday evening, Aug. 3, at The Event Center of Montgomery County. New royalty, in front, from the left are 2024 Old Settlers Tiny Toddler Grace Phillips and 2024 Old Settlers Beautiful Baby Adalee Thacker. In back are 2024 Old Settlers Little Miss Tinley Rufus, 2024 Old Settlers Junior Miss Hazel Holshouser and 2024 Old Settlers Little Mister Keegan Page. For more coverage of this year’s pageants, see page 2A.

Old Settlers Kicks Off With Pageant Night

This year’s Old Settlers festivities opened up with a night of pageants on Saturday evening, Aug. 3, at The Event Center of Montgomery County in Taylor Springs. This year’s winners were … more

8/5/24

The 2024 Old Settlers Memorial Prayer

The Journal-News offers this prayer to the community as a public service. It is a chance to remember with fondness those who have passed in the last year. Space constraints limit the area we can … more

8/5/24

New Faces Shine At Raymond Celebration

Four new faces will represent the Raymond community following this year’s Raymond Celebration Aug. 2-3 in downtown Raymond. Pictured above, from the left are 2024 Mister Muscle Grayson … more

8/5/24

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Topper cheerleaders, Zoey Fulhorst, Brynn Connor, Audrey Schultz, Clara Armbruster and Miah Garmon. In the second row are Amber Carroll, Taylor VanOstran, Jenna Durbin, Addy Ulrich and Kinsley Trader. In the third row are Hannah Laurent, Bailey Davis, Anika Cunningham, Emma Roach and Kamdyn Putnam. In back are Lilly Taylor, Emily Irvine, Gracie Chambers and Avery Maddaleno.

HHS Cheerleaders Finish Strong At Summer Camp

This summer, the Hillsboro High School cheerleading squad worked on improving their skills at cheer camp, held July 25-27 at Southern Illlinois University at Edwardsville. Topper cheerleaders had the … more

8/5/24

Red Cross To Host Litchfield Blood Drive

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in Litchfield on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, located at 221 N. Madison St. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment … more

8/5/24

Members of the Old Settlers Honor Society and this year’s Grand Marshal were honored during the community worship service. Pictured above, in front, from the left are LeEllen Watson, Marti Benning, Mary Bishop, Mary Martin and Carol Eickhoff. In back are Grand Marshal Ron Deabenderfer, Sharon and Greg Schoen, Bea Sellers, Bob Wagner, Stephen Murray and John M. Galer. Not present for the photo were Janet Carlyle and the Rev. Ralph Ward.

Community Gathers For Worship Service

Nestled under the oak trees at Beckemeyer Elementary School, Hillsboro churches gathered for the annual Old Settlers community worship service on Sunday morning, Aug. 4. To open the service, … more

8/5/24

Dan White Elected To Growmark Board

Dan White, a farmer from Irving, was elected to the Growmark board of directors. White has served on FS boards for 33 years and is currently president of the M&M Service Company board. He is also … more

8/5/24

Even Abe was speechless while watching Ray Wille and his powerlifting contemporaries at the inaugural Old Settlers Powerlifting Meet on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Lincoln Plaza in Hillsboro. In addition to the powerlifting meet, which was put on by Virden-based McCormick Strength Training along with Hillsboro’s Raise the Bar and Boss Hawg Strength Training, Saturday’s schedule also featured a tennis tournament at the Hillsboro Sports Complex and the Little Miss, Little Mister and Junior Miss Old Settlers pageants at The Event Center.

Old Settlers Gets Off To A Strong Start

The 2024 Old Settlers celebration kicked off in Hillsboro on Saturday, Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4, with a host of activities. Here is a glimpse of what was going on in Hillsboro during those two days. more

8/5/24

Janet gets a quick tip before competing in the javelin event as part of the Senior Olympics.

Locals Compete At Evergreen Senior Olympics

Evergreen Place in Litchfield partnered with Litchfield Family Practice Center to host their 2024 Senior Olympics event on Friday, July 19. Residents, friends, family and members of the community … more

8/5/24

Pictured above from the left are Janet Verraro, Janice Crabtree, Joyce Brengard, Barb Whitlow, Arlene Jones and Nancy DeWerff in front of the Witt United Methodist Church.

Sewing For Missions To Help Thousands Of Kids

On Tuesday, July 23, six members of Sewing for Missions met at the Witt United Methodist Church to deliver a truckload of finished children’s hospital gowns to the Midwest Mission Distribution … more

8/5/24

Raymond Studio Plans Open House

Although she’s already well-known in the community for her photography skills, Ramie Meisner is hosting a grand opening of her new photography studio. Ramie Jayne Photography, located at … more

8/5/24

County Museum Open During Old Settlers

The Montgomery County Museum and the Harkey House will be open throughout Old Settlers on Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 8, from 1 to 7 p.m., located at 305 S. Broad … more

8/5/24