Right and wrong on Route 66

Researcher says wrong road designated in Springfield

Carl Johnson grew up traveling part of historic Route 66 in central Illinois as a child, but it wasn’t until he stumbled upon a weathered highway placard on a deserted strip in New Mexico that t

County pays sex assault claim

Deputy accused of having sex with 911 caller

A 2009 encounter between a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy and a woman who called 911 has proven expensive for county taxpayers.In a little-noticed action, the county board’s civil liabil

Ameren: Pollution rules threaten jobs

Environmental groups push for enforcement of agreed limits

Dozens of people in bright yellow work vests fill seats in the drab blue meeting room at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s building on North Grand Avenue. Many wear expressions of c

Banning tanning for teens

Springfield debates safety vs. freedom

Clocking in at three and a half hours, the July 17 Springfield City Council meeting was one of the longest on record. The majority of the meeting was devoted to one topic, and emotions ran high as ald

Coroner candidates prepare for election

After more than a year on the job, Cinda Edwards says that she has fixed the mess left in the Sangamon County coroner’s office by her predecessor Susan Boone, who was forced out of office amid s

Kicking it

Dick’s Shoe Repair says goodbye

Back in the day, when spade soles were the rage and all Florsheims were made in America, there were plenty of places to get shoes fixed in the capital city.Springfield had 21 cobbler’s shops in

Shocking development

County sued, deputy’s veracity questioned

A woman who was Tased a year ago by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy has sued the county in federal court.Tamara Skube, 32, says that Deputy Travis Koester used excessive force when he twice T

The Roadshow is over

THR heads for bankruptcy

Not so long ago, Jeffrey Parsons was on top of the world.J. Parsons, the west side store that sells everything from socks to shoes to hats to watches to pants to historic documents to gourmet cheese,

Springfield father cleared of shaking infant daughter

Three-month-old recovered after apparent seizure

Richard Britts of Springfield told the police again and again that he never harmed his then three-month-old daughter, Saniya. “Right now, I know all fingers are pointing at me, man, but I love m

Olympian and world record holder visits Springfield

Jean Driscoll raises funds for disabled veterans center

Though she wore long sleeves, Jean Driscoll’s muscular arms were evident as she confidently gripped the handrims of her wheelchair. She hasn’t competed professionally in years, but Driscol