News | The Journal-News

Panhandle Discusses Solar Project

Members of the Panhandle School Board heard about one possible option for a solar energy project at its Raymond campus on Monday, June 26, during their regular board meeting. Kyle Loyd of … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/29/23

Nokomis Prepares For Homecoming Celebration

At its June 26 regular meeting, the Nokomis City Council took action to accommodate organizations and businesses for special permitting for several upcoming events. The annual Nokomis Homecoming … more

by Ben Schwarm | 6/29/23

Temporary Tax Relief Will Expire On July 1

A new state fiscal year will begin July 1, ushering in the reinstatement of a 1 percent tax on groceries and a second increase to the state’s motor fuel tax in 2023. Amid record-high … more

by Jerry Nowicki Capitol News Illinois | 6/29/23

Team members pictured above, from the left are Tammy Johnson of Nokomis, Jill Wells, Colton Wells, Mary Ann Smith of Bloomington and Morgan Johnson. In front are little miracle twins Taylor Johnson, at left, and Quinn Johnson, at right.

Johnson Little Miracles Join St. John’s Benefit

The Little Miracles 5K was held on Saturday, June 10, at Washington Park in Springfield, and local participants included the family of Blake and Morgan Johnson of Nokomis. All money … more

6/29/23

Liz Row Huber and Rick Cina prepare for the upcoming production of “Love Letters,” which will open at The Grand Theatre in Hillsboro in July. Each performance is cast with a different pairing of local actors, adding a twist to the unorthodox play.

‘Love Letters’ Opens At Grand Theatre In July

“It is a really different type of show,” said Susan Collins, who is directing and producing the Blended Artists Imaginarium’s upcoming production of “Love Letters” … more

by Tori O’Dell | 6/29/23

Panhandle Registration Opens July 1

Online registration for the Panhandle CUSD #2 for the 2023 to 2024 school year will open on Saturday, July 1, and close Wednesday, Aug. 2. Information for online registration and … more

6/29/23

HSHS Offers Tips For Easier Breathing

With smoke from wildfires in Canada traveling down into the region, the air quality has deteriorated rapidly, leading the National Weather Service in Lincoln to issue an air quality alert. HSHS … more

6/29/23

Committee Discusses 'Adjacent Landowner' Sales

The Natural Resources Committee heard a few reports when they met Wednesday evening, June 21, but lack of a quorum limited both discussion and any motions. One item that requires a quorum (the … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 6/26/23

Trustee Tax Sale Runs Now Through July 14

Montgomery County has completed their tax deed proceedings on real estate properties that were delinquent for 2019 and prior real estate taxes. As trustee, the county will now offer the real estate … more

6/26/23

Jayden (left) and Keagan (right) Marten, the founders of The Ice Box, a new shaved ice food truck that will be located in downtown Hillsboro and Litchfield.

Marten Brothers Open New Shaved Ice Spot

For the Marten brothers, shaved ice has always been special. “We were there just about every day,” Jayden Marten explained, “Our parents could have gone bankrupt buying us shaved … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 6/26/23

Mental Health Board Forms New Sub-Committee

Montgomery County Community Mental Health Board (708 Board) President Dan Hough announced at their recent meeting held Monday, June 12, that the 708 Board has formed a sub-committee to address the … more

6/26/23

LLCC students participated in the LLCC Agricultural Study Abroad program in May.Particpants embarked on a ten day tour of Ireland. Pictured above from the left are, Pierce Gwinn, Logan Armstrong, Liz Hayden, Peri Andras, Shaylee Maddox, Morgan Black, Grace McCurdy, Kaitlyn Zeedyk, Kylie Schakel, Maggie McClelland, Maycee Cordes and Caedyn Finneran. In the middle row are Matt Crow, Wyatt Mahoney, Mallory Bowers, Genesis Stockton, Hadley Broadwater, Morgan Edwards, Elisabeth Lee, Natalie Lavin, Lizzy Hoppe, Brittany Slightom, Luke Adams, Blaine Gilley, George Jacaway IV and Wes Bland. In the back row are Cole Repscher, Alex Sidener, Will Jenkins, and Klayton Komnick.

Lincoln Land Students Study Ag in Ireland

Will Jenkins, Maggie McClelland and Brittany Slightom, all of Raymond, were among the 30 Lincoln Land Community College students who participated in a ten-day agricultural industry tour in Ireland … more

6/26/23

Alexis Lessman of Hillsboro is all smiles as they announced her name as this year's 2023 Miss Montgomery County Fair Queen during the opening day of the 37th Montgomery County Fair in Butler on Wednesday evening, June 21. Also crowned that night were 2023 Junior Miss Montgomery County Nataleigh Jackson of Hillsboro and 2023 Little Miss Montgomery County Fair Karsyn Jones of Hillsboro.

Pageant Shines To Open County Fair In Butler

It was all sparkles and shine to open the 37th Montgomery County Fair in Butler on Wednesday evening, June 21. Mary Bishop, president of the Montgomery County Fair Board, welcomed everyone to … more

6/22/23

Zoning Issue Decided By Hillsboro City Council

Again a zoning issue on Adams Street (behind Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home and the CVS drug store) drew a contingent from the neighborhood to the Hillsboro City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 6/22/23

MCCA Plans Birthday Party To Celebrate

Oprah Winfrey once said, "Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." And that's just what volunteers with the Montgomery County Cancer Association have planned this … more

6/22/23

HHS graduate Shaw Riggs will be playing the lead role of Drew Boley when Rock of Ages opens at the Springfield Muni this weekend.

Riggs Takes Center Stage At Muni

"I just love performing," said Hiltopper graduate Shaw Riggs. "As long as I'm on the stage, then I'm happy." A 2021 graduate of Hillsboro High School, Riggs will be playing the lead role of Drew … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 6/22/23

Steve and Patty Beal of Waggoner stand in front of the display cases at Beal's M&M Museum, the culmination of almost 40 years of collecting M&M memorabilia. While it's Steve's collection for the most part, Patty is an active participant as well, sometimes ordering items that she thinks may be a good fit for the collection. "She's just as nuts as I am," Beal said. "I admit I’m an addict. She’s in denial."

Beal's Museum A Pretty Sweet Spot

With more than $900 million in sales last year alone, M&M’s have been a favorite for those with a sweet tooth from far and wide since their introduction in 1941. But for some, the love of … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/22/23

Construction Projects On Litchfield Agenda

Progress was on the minds of the Litchfield School Board members when they met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, June 20, at the Unit Office building. Board members Jimmy Gorowski … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 6/22/23

Business As Usual For Raymond Village Board

The meeting of Raymond Village Board was called to order at 7:08 p.m. on Monday, June 19. Those present for the meeting included Mayor Denny Held, trustees Dan Hough, Bill Krager, Ryan Bruntjen and … more

6/22/23

Happy 200th Birthday Hillsboro, an illustrated book commemorating Hillsboro’s bicentennial year, is now available for purchase. From the left, are cover illustrator Don Downs, editor Barb Hewitt, illustrator Danielle Seago and writer Dr. Patty Whitworth.

Local Authors Release New Title In Hillsboro Series

Happy 200th Birthday Hillsboro is the title of the newest illustrated tale in the Hillsboro series.Written in celebration of Hillsboro’s bicentennial year, the book takes readers on a tour of … more

6/22/23