Feature | Wednesday, March 25,2009

The ABCs of school board candidates

Meet the people who want to guide Springfield schools

My kids don’t go to the public schools. I don’t have children. There’s an election? Despite routinely encountering the preceding rejoinders, the four individuals r

Feature | Wednesday, March 18,2009

The view from Elkhart Hill

A town of enduring character at the crossroads of history

By Rick Wade

Rearing up nearly 800 feet above sea level, above the flat land all around, Elkhart Hill stands guardian over a place where geography, nature and human history converge. It was here,

Feature | Wednesday, March 18,2009

Price of preservation

Wildflower Walks and book sales fund history projects

By Rick Wade

A living geologic and natural time capsule, Elkhart Hill shows off her best skirt in April as nature’s paintbrush splashes her slopes with color-drenched prairie wildflowers. The

Feature | Wednesday, March 11,2009

Ann Bova’s musical magic

The Cabin Concerts return to Springfield

By Tom Irwin

When Ann Bova first began the Cabin Concert music series, the idea of friends playing songs in her home and then inviting other friends to come listen seemed a given, a very natural thing

Feature | Wednesday, March 4,2009

The Outlaws can’t stop playing football

Springfield’s semi-pros play at home March 8

By Amanda Robert

Some guys hunt, some guys golf. Brent Bordenkircher plays football. He’s not just talking about throwing the pigskin around the backyard or calling up some buddies f

Feature | Wednesday, March 4,2009

Raise the colors

Scouting for diversity among the troops

By Dusty Rhodes

Last summer, while William Ferguson was working as a junior counselor at the Urban League’s Freedom School, a child fell and broke his arm. Ferguson used two sticks and a bandana to

Feature | Wednesday, February 25,2009

Medical marijuana

Patient advocates believe the stars are aligned perfectly for this to be the year medical marijuana finally becomes a reality in Illinois.

By R. L. Nave

Dennis nearly lost the lower portion of his right leg when the trencher he was working with unexpectedly hit a metal beam in the ground, causing the blade to jump up, catching the bridge

Feature | Wednesday, February 25,2009

The economic argument for legalization

Marijuana may have benefits beyond curing the sick

By R. L. Nave

Marijuana could help Illinois out of its budget mess. Advocates have long supported reforming current state and federal prohibitions against growing, trading and consuming marijuana. But existing ev

Feature | Wednesday, February 18,2009

Cleaning up Springfield’s garbage

Meet Alexander Harris-Taylor, trash cop

By Amanda Robert

Alexander Harris-Taylor deftly navigates his city-issued red sedan through the network of streets and snug alleyways in Enos Park, finally stopping in front of 315 E. Rafter. Bund

Feature | Wednesday, February 11,2009

Prelude to the Presidency

Locally produced documentary chronicles Lincoln’s time in central Illinois

By Zach Baliva

Noted historian and author of the best-selling Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin, says that Lincoln’s days in Illinois were “the root of his political education.” Kearn