Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, February 21,2007

Why the blood bank never has enough

Snow, wind, fire — and regulation — contribute to an urgent need

Untitled Document Lying with a needle in his arm and parts of his blood streaming into three separate bags, David Parsons is donating platelets, which takes longer t

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, February 7,2007

Lincoln, Stevenson, and Obama

The heartland is where history converges

By Fletcher Farrar

Untitled Document One reason Barack Obama chose the Old State Capitol as the site where he would launch his presidential campaign is the reason it was built there in the first pl

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, January 24,2007

In Vietnam, peace gets its chance

For now, people are happy making money. But how long will that last?

By Fletcher Farrar

Untitled Document Our guide called Vietnam “the land of 10 million motorbikes,” and they all seemed to be zooming down the street between the Lucky Hotel and Hoan Kie

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, January 10,2007

What makes for a happy new year?

Some gathered advice from Brits, economists, gardeners, God, and Coca-Cola

By Fletcher Farrar

Untitled Document This time of year, everyone is wishing everyone happiness. In the week after Christmas we all heard, a hundred times, “Happy New Year if I don’t see

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Thursday, December 14,2006

Can the governor, like Bush, change his tune?

Report predicts financial disaster, but Blagojevich remains in denial

By Fletcher Farrar

Now that we finally have President George W. Bush talking about “a new way forward” for the United States in Iraq, it would be good to hear Gov. Rod Blagojevich discuss ways to deal with r

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, November 29,2006

Coal miners: “Please save our lives.”

The 2006 echo of the Centralia and West Frankfort mine disasters

By Fletcher Farrar

Though I knew how the story turned out, as I read I kept hoping that one of the safety inspection reports on Centralia Coal Co. Mine No. 5 would move somebody to action before it was too late. In the

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, November 1,2006

Watching Obama grow

He knows that his celebrity is a gift. What will he use it for?

By Fletcher Farrar

I’m ready to look beyond this election to the next, and hope that, with Barack Obama, our team can win the World Series again. The prospect of our senator as a candidate for president is more fu

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, October 11,2006

The Springfield underground

In Oak Ridge Cemetery, courage comes to life

By Fletcher Farrar

The Springfield underground The three girls danced around in a circle. “I’m so happy we’re together again,” the oldest one said. I realized they were dancing in heaven. Ther

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, September 27,2006

Topinka's last best chance

Voters need something better than her Rod-like casino stopgap plan

By Fletcher Farrar

There is still time for Judy Baar Topinka to talk straight to the people of Illinois. That’s the only thing that might help her win this disappointing campaign against Gov. Rod Blagojevich and h

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, September 13,2006

Renewing the spirit of Atlanta

When 39 Springfield leaders got together and saw what can be done

By Fletcher Farrar

Just over a decade ago, in October 1995, Springfield saw a huge outpouring of civic energy into what has become known as “the trip to Atlanta.” That’s when 39 of Springfield’s