Juan Caballero plants seeds a little differently than most people. “I use my finger to make a hole in the potted soil and that way I can judge how deep the seed will go,” Caballero said. “When I’m in the potting room sometimes I would rather have the light off than on, but it depends […]
David Blanchette
David Blanchette has been involved in journalism since 1979, first as an award-winning broadcaster, then a state government spokesperson, and now as a freelance writer and photographer. He was involved in the development of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and more recently the Jacksonville Area Museum. David and his wife, Sue, live in Petersburg.
Posted inNews
A loss for Illinois farmers and food banks
The decision to eliminate federal funding for programs that support farmers and food banks goes against the Trump administration’s commitment to “Make America Healthy Again” according to advocates for local producers and nonprofit hunger abatement organizations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture in February cut two federal programs, the Local Food for Schools program and the […]
Posted inNews
Federal government should keep its promises
What is the status of the federal Local Food Purchase Assistance Program funding in Illinois? There were two batches of monies, $28.8 million and then $14.7 million, adding up to a collective $43.5 million. The original $28.8 million was frozen, but now we are being told that we’re able to access those funds and complete […]
Posted inNews
The future of electric vehicles
Electrons are gradually replacing hydrocarbons as the propulsive power of choice for many Americans as electric-powered vehicles continue to make inroads with the motoring public. According to Kelly Blue Book, electric vehicle (EV) car and pickup truck sales reached 1.3 million in 2024, which is a 7.3% increase from 2023. EVs made up 8.7% of […]
Posted inNews
Tiny houses project faces big hurdles
A nonprofit that wants to build tiny homes on Springfield’s southeast side faces more big hurdles after the Springfield City Council on Feb. 11 unanimously voted to withdraw a resolution to commit funding for the project’s resource center. Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory, who represents the area where the homes would be built, said he […]
Posted inNews
A critical loss for District 186
Hundreds of families in Springfield that count on after-school and summer learning programs are about to have the rug pulled out from under them as federal funding has evaporated for key agencies that supply those services. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois informed Springfield School District 186 in early December that a grant […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
ROBERT E. “BOB” CHIPMAN June 27, 1952-July 20, 2024
The Jacksonville community owes a debt of gratitude to local businessman, volunteer and all-around good guy Robert E. “Bob” Chipman. “Bob was good at whatever he did, whether it was loaning money, selling real estate or giving his time to organizations that were important to him and to Jacksonville,” said Joy French Becker, president and […]
Posted inNews
UIS Performing Arts Center to close temporarily
Sangamon Auditorium and the UIS Studio Theatre, housed within University of Illinois Springfield’s Public Affairs Center building, will temporarily close starting in June 2025 for an extensive, state-funded, 15-month plumbing improvement project that will address ongoing issues with the facility’s 50-year-old infrastructure. Plans call for the auditorium and theater to reopen following the completion of […]
Posted inNews
Asking the public for help
Several local small businesses, faced with plummeting sales entering this holiday season due to unforeseen circumstances, have turned to a new method of keeping the doors open – pleas for help from the public. A growing number of small business owners have recently posted heartfelt pleas on social media about not being able to pay […]
Posted inNews
Langfelder versus Lesko
What could be the closest and most interesting countywide race this election cycle pits the incumbent Democrat against a well-known Republican in the contest for Sangamon County recorder. The Sangamon County Recorder’s Office is the county’s official land records office and files deeds, mortgages, releases and assignments, property liens, veteran discharge papers, corporation papers, and […]
Posted inNews
County Board elections in the spotlight
The July 6 shooting of Sonya Massey by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy occurred many months after the deadline for candidates to get their names placed on the 2024 Sangamon County election ballot. But that single issue has focused interest on county elected offices like never before. Gone are the days when Sangamon County Board […]
Posted inNews
Tiny houses, big controversy
Tiny homes have generated big discussion recently as the Springfield City Council tries to decide if it should provide financial backing for a resource center that would serve a planned east-side housing development for homeless veterans. As of press time the proposal by the city to commit $400,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds […]
