News | Wednesday, August 13,2008

Creating quality lives

Springfield native shows how to reach children with autism

Barbara Doyle didn't set out to become an autism specialist. The Springfield native started her career in education more than 30 years ago as a teacher for the deaf. She helped develo

News | Wednesday, August 6,2008

How to build partnerships

Two Springfield dynamos turn the community’s vision for an “all-abilities” park into reality

By Amanda Robert

It's not often that you come across a real-life dynamic duo, but the Springfield community says that Butch Elzea and Diane Mathis are it. For the past 20 months the pair has met

News | Wednesday, August 6,2008

The force

Mahoney whips his neighborhoods in shape with new citizen patrol

By Amanda Robert

Ald. Mark Mahoney says it looks like his Ward 6 citizen patrol is already doing some good. Taking one of the first shifts last Friday night, Mahoney drove through neighborhoods that have b

News | Wednesday, July 30,2008

Determined opposition

Banner area residents push for state to overturn mine permit

By Amanda Robert

"I drove through farm ground getting here today — I fall in love with the soybeans, corn, and hay," Richard Fuller told the small crowd that assembled last week at the Illinois De

News | Wednesday, July 30,2008

A new sanctuary

Area Hindus prepare for temple dedication in Chatham

By Amanda Robert

Krishna Brahmamdam gives kudos to his fellow community members. Without them, he says, the Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield wouldn't exist. After a year of planning

Feature | Wednesday, July 23,2008

Lucky and charmed

Irish interns learn all things Lincoln and a bit about Springfield, too

By Amanda Robert

Five young adults in matching blue-and-burgundy polo shirts sit in a row at a long blond-wood table in the sunny Governor's Conference Room at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Lib

News | Wednesday, July 23,2008

A lack of commitment

Springfield drops the ball on promised east-side community center

By Amanda Robert

Three years ago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin gave hope to Springfield's east side. He promised the city's most neglected residents that he would help them build a much-needed community center,

News | Wednesday, July 16,2008

The rest of the story

Area historian to detail what happened to Illinois’ Kickapoo nation

By Amanda Robert

Untitled Document Kevin Young discusses the Kickapoo Indians with a certain familiarity and fondness, as if he and the native Illinois tribe are old friends. "We've just kind of fol

News | Wednesday, July 9,2008

Dead reckoning

The state’s lawyers say it’s time to end capital punishment

By Amanda Robert

Jack Carey, a general trial practitioner from Belleville and a 30-year member of the Illinois State Bar Association, had barely been president of the organization for 24 hours when its 201-m

Feature | Wednesday, July 2,2008

On the beach

The city pledges that Lake Springfield Beach will be back one day, better than ever

By Amanda Robert

Nearly 35 years ago, a young Frank Edwards stood watch over Springfield Beach. As one of the summertime spot’s lifeguards, he su