Cover Story
Green growth
In many ways, the legal pot industry in Springfield is flowering, but the success of the industry’s next phase appears to be in the City Council’s hands. Home to three adult-use marijuana dispensaries – and with four more dispensaries potentially on the way in the next 12 months – Springfield is in the sights of…
A need for more nurses
A section of the former Shop ‘n Save grocery store on Springfield’s north end will be used to train Illinois State University nursing students beginning in August 2023. Almost 10,000 square feet of the property at 200 North Grand Ave. W. will be renovated through a partnership between Memorial Health and the Mennonite College of…
Can race riot site become part of National Park Service?
The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a “special resource study” to determine if the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site meets the criteria to be included in the national park system. Public comments are being accepted online now through Sept. 3 (see link below). The NPS hosted a meeting Aug. 10 to explain the process…
Science, math and fun at the fair
Drone racing, Unruly Splats, 3-D printed butter cows, virtual reality and an eSports competition are some of the engaging activities to be presented at the Tech Prairie STEAM Expo at the Illinois State Fair. The expo will be open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 17-21 in the Orr Building on the west side…
The growing GOP gap
To win the Illinois governorship, Republican candidate Darren Bailey needs to capture the votes of moderate and independent voters, particularly in the suburbs, and there is serious doubt whether he can accomplish this, former Gov. Jim Edgar told Illinois Times. “There really aren’t many moderates left in the Republican Party. So, when you talk about…
Addressing the fears of a new school year
In the wake of the horrific tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, many children and their parents are dealing with additional fears that have arisen in light of returning to school. While some anxiety about starting the new school year is common, beginning school in the wake of such an enormous tragedy has put many children and…
No news isn’t good news
Recently I was struck by a conversation I had with a progressive friend. When I noted the significant decrease in extreme world poverty over the past two decades – a remarkable achievement that has attracted relatively little news coverage – he responded by confidently denying that this was so. His reasoning was instructive: If this…
the nickel man – a 7th grade encounter
the nickel man – a 7th grade encounter a bonus of jr high school was after lunch I walked with my 9th grade sister to a small mom-and-pop store where patsy and I each bought a 5 c ice cream cone every noon we passed a business man probably on his way home to…
Letters to the editor 08-18-22
NO CO2 PIPELINE I write to compliment Dean Olsen on his recent article regarding the Navigator CO2 Pipeline proposed to run through Sangamon County. Our residents have every right to insist on our safety (“CO2 pipeline project proceeding,” Aug. 4). Please contact your township officials and Sangamon County Board members to implement minimum CO2 pipeline…
Fair enough
Good day, fellow travelers and a hearty welcome to you as we pass on through more time and space to discover what’s going on in the Springfield music scene. This week the live tunes landscape continues to be dominated by the happenings at the Illinois State Fair, but there’s a fair amount of fine stuff…
State Fair events are a preview of political campaigns
The two days of partisan political events during the Illinois State Fair are like miniature, stripped-down, informal versions of national political conventions. They serve as a sort of kickoff to our fall campaign season, so they are usually closely watched by reporters who cover campaigns and by insiders. The speeches and organized theater are usually…
Ending spoils Get Away, Delia’s Gone an engaging mystery
Awkward ending mars Get Away While Howard Hawks’ Red River is considered a classic, there has been debate since its release concerning its ending and if it really works. It smacks me as a bit too convenient, its tone not necessarily matching the rest of the film, yet I and some others excuse it because…
The church of baseball
“I’ve tried them all, I really have. And the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in and day out, is the church of baseball.” Annie Savoy in Bull Durham. Ask any fan to name their favorite baseball movies and the 1988 classic Bull Durham is probably on the list. Baseball films come in…
Tender, flavorful chicken breasts
Chicken breasts can often be quite dry and bland. They have a low fat-to-protein ratio, and fat content is a major contributor to flavor and moistness. Chicken breasts just aren’t something you can throw in a pan and come up with something flavorful. Nonetheless, they are extremely popular and convenient because they cook quickly, but…
With a little help from my friends
Chris Schaller, a former mortgage broker imprisoned in June for fraud, had partners who included two state employees, according to a 2018 court affidavit used to obtain a federal search warrant for contents of Schaller’s cellphone. In addition, three appraisers whom Schaller relied on have been disciplined by the state Department of Financial and Professional…
