Man featured in 2006 story wanted for Mattoon killing

O’Dell wanted for murder

Once a poster boy for drug treatment and reform, Thomas O’Dell is now wanted for the killing of a Mattoon bartender on March 18.Authorities in Coles County on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant fo

Park board campaigns short on substance

Candidates refrain from taking positions on issues

Candidates for public office are prone to saying lots of things.“The park district needs to be run like a business, not a political organization.”That’s what Leslie Sgro said way bac

Group pressing school board candidates on CCPA closure

A group of Springfield parents and educators is hoping to prevent the closure of a popular middle school, despite two unfavorable votes by the Springfield School Board. Their main tactic? Elect a diff

Red flags aplenty

Park board warned on money issues

Buyer beware

State warned before purchase of Lincoln relics

An appraiser hired to verify the value of a $23 million purchase of Abraham Lincoln artifacts, including a stovepipe hat, noted concerns about the authenticity of the hat and two other artifacts befor

Lobbying for local food

Consumers, farmers and other citizens traveled from across the state to Springfield last week to lobby for local food reforms. As a part of Local Food Awareness Day, the group wanted to spread the wor

The typewriter man

In February of 1949, at the age of 18, Ben Bushnell started working for Royal Typewriter Company in Springfield. He had no idea then that his job would lead to a lifelong hobby. Bushnell began his car

Education to suffer most under next state budget

Governor’s proposal cuts billions from elementary and higher ed

Illinois’ public pension costs will eat up nearly a fifth of state spending in the coming fiscal year, with education largely absorbing the impact. “This is the most difficult budget I hav

Legislation backs access to local food

A state legislator is proposing a monthly Eat Local Buy Illinois Products Day to support local economies and healthier lifestyles. Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Round Lake Beach, proposed legislation to design

Springfield small business owner lobbies in Washington, D.C.

Local retailer says “Marketplace Fairness Act” is anything but fair

If there’s a stereotype of a men’s clothing salesperson, Brandi Tolley of Springfield isn’t it. A work-from-home single mother and a military veteran, Tolley started her online eBay-