Panhandling defended

Don Norton of Springfield has been homeless before, and he expects to be so again. Norton and his partner, Karen Denene Otterson, live with a friend who is planning to get married, meaning their welco

Lawyers set to take over Great Western Depot

Renovations begin at depot where Lincoln said goodbye

While the rest of Springfield celebrated America’s 236th birthday, Pinky Noll and her husband, Jon, took history into their home by moving exhibits from the Great Western Depot into a carriage h

Sex offender gets 60 days

Former teacher had sex with student

Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge John Schmidt called a tough one last week.Before him stood Robert A. Nika, a former Southeast High School teacher who committed an awful crime and had already gotte

End of the roadshow?

THR and Associates call workers home

Federal auditors visit Jerome

Village financial records scrutinized

U.S. Department of Justice auditors spent two days in Jerome last week reviewing how the village has handled federal Drug Enforcement Administration grants.The auditors declined to identify themselves

SMTD sees change ahead

Transportation advocates involved in talks to improve service

Janice Smith of Springfield says the public bus system is her lifeline. She rides buses all over Springfield to work, to shop and to visit friends – in short, everywhere. She’s on a bus al

Garbage in, garbage out, garbage everywhere

City vows fix to perennial waste issues

This time, things are different, says Springfield public works director Mark Mahoney.It doesn’t take many brain cells to figure out that the city’s method for collecting trash is, politely

Group forms to give voice to small businesses

Illinois small business owners want health care marketplace

A group of organizations and business owners in Illinois have banded together to create a united voice about health care reform for small businesses.The Small Business Health Care Consortium, or SBHCC

Illinois falls apart

State agencies scramble to avert crises as funding vanishes

Marc Miller has been an outdoorsman for as long as he can remember.Miller says he grew up in a family of hunters, anglers and camping enthusiasts, but also learned the value of protecting the land. He

Falsely accused mothers:Reopen shaken baby case

Three mothers traveled to Springfield on June 23 to speak out in support of another woman accused of shaking a baby to death. Pamela Jacobazzi, 57, is currently serving a 32-year prison sentence at th