Feature | Wednesday, November 12,2008

Plug and play

Fun with an electric vehicle in Springfield

David Brunson has grown accustomed to the staring, the pointing, the laughing, the questions, and the picture taking. When he bought his electric car three years ago, he had no idea it would command

Feature | Wednesday, November 5,2008

Ice dreams

They’re off to a slow start, but the season is young. The Jr. Blues plan for a comeback.

By Amanda Robert

A hockey coach with a little less optimism might see the return of only two veteran players as a season-staller, but not Chris Wyler. In fact, the Springfield Jr. Blues head coach welco

Feature | Wednesday, October 29,2008

Libri's last stand?

As Election Day approaches, circuit clerk candidates Tony Libri and Cecilia Tumulty are dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s.

By R. L. Nave

In August 2005, former Republican Gov. George Ryan awaited trial on federal corruption charges, Democrats held almost every constitutional office in the state and a majority of se

Feature | Wednesday, October 29,2008

Race to the death

Coroner candidates disagree over who should perform inquests and autopsies

By Dusty Rhodes

The coroner's job is to deal with dead bodies, but the campaign for this office is turning into a lively contest. On one side is incumbent Susan Boone, with 30 years of experience

Feature | Wednesday, October 22,2008

Mean Streets of Springfield

PORA offers prostitutes an alternative

By Amanda Robert

Feature | Wednesday, October 8,2008

Kidney failure

Why Memorial Medical Center has put its transplant program on ice

By Dusty Rhodes

Ask Roy Maxfield how his kidney transplant changed his life, and the 62-year-old retired state employee gets emotional: "I may get verklempt," he warns. Then he recites a story th

Feature | Thursday, October 2,2008

The Pain of Art

Springfield filmmaker gathers awards and tries to get noticed

By Zach Baliva

"Great art comes from great pain," utters cult film legend Lloyd Kaufman halfway through The Art of Pain, which won Best Comedy in last month's Route 66 Film Festival. The fe

Feature | Wednesday, October 1,2008

Kid Schock

The boy wonder of the Illinois GOP is poised to become the nation’s youngest congressman. First he has to get past Democratic challenger Colleen Callahan.

By R. L. Nave

In a flawless Saturday in Beardstown, Aaron Schock sprints to catch up with his parade float after falling behind to shake hands, slap five with little boys, pose for photographs,

Feature | Wednesday, September 24,2008

Spirit of progress

Harvard Park celebrates a century as a working-class neighborhood that still works

By Tara McClellan McAndrew

T his year Springfield's Harvard Park neighborhood celebrates the centennial of its annexation to the city. The neighborhood's roots reach back to one of Springfield's oldes

Feature | Wednesday, September 17,2008

Citizens in action

Springfield club brings discussion to democracy

By Amanda Robert