A 30-year-old Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy was indicted July 17 on first-degree murder charges in the July 6 shooting death of Sonya Massey. Sean Grayson is in police custody, has been fired by the sheriff’s department and will make his first court appearance on July 18, when he will be arraigned on three counts of […]
Dean Olsen
Dean Olsen is a senior staff writer for Illinois Times. He can be reached at:
dolsen@illinoistimes.com, 217-679-7810 or @DeanOlsenIT.
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City council moves Frito-Lay project forward, despite objections from neighbors
Almost two dozen neighbors of what is expected to be a large Frito-Lay distribution center along Interstate 55 near the Chatham exit left a Springfield City Council meeting frustrated July 16. The council voted 6-3 in favor of zoning variances allowing the project to move forward. Voting in favor were Alds. Chuck Redpath of Ward […]
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Protests continue following death of Sonya Massey
Less than a month ago, Sonya Massey was acting “extremely paranoid” and had voiced concerns for months “about being killed by the police,” her cousin, Sontae Massey, told Illinois Times. Sontae Massey said July 11 that he is not sure why his 36-year-old cousin was exhibiting such anxiety. But Sontae Massey, 53, a manager for […]
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Probe into shooting of Sonya Massey complete
The Illinois State Police investigation into the July 6 shooting death of Sonya Massey at the hands of Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies is complete. And Massey’s family plans to meet with ISP officials and the Sangamon County state’s attorney the afternoon of July 17 at the Springfield NAACP building at 801 S. 11th St. to […]
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Protesters demand release of video in Black woman’s death
As recently as two weeks ago, Sonya Massey was acting “extremely paranoid” and had voiced concerns for months “about being killed by the police,” her cousin, Sontae Massey, told Illinois Times. Sontae Massey said July 11 that he is not sure why his 36-year-old cousin was exhibiting such anxiety. But Sontae Massey, 53, a manager […]
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Partial closure for Interurban Trail
A two-mile section of the Interurban Trail used by bicyclists, walkers and runners will be closed until September because of earth-moving work at the future site of Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe. The closure is needed because contractors are removing dirt from the north side of the site and using it to raise the […]
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Sam McCann sentenced to 42 months
Former Illinois state senator and gubernatorial candidate Sam McCann’s criminal misuse of more than $630,000 in campaign funds justified a 3½-year prison sentence and contradicted his stated dedication to serving the public, a federal judge said July 9. “You knew exactly what you were doing, all the while holding yourself out as a God-fearing man […]
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DCFS finds foster parent negligent in death of 7-year-old boy
The state’s child welfare agency has found a Springfield man negligent in the March 16 drowning death of a 7-year-old foster child in the man’s care. An investigation completed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on June 28 concluded that neglect by David Yankee led to the death of Barrett Koches, DCFS […]
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Not present at crime, still charged with murder
Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser says Katherine Smith wasn’t present when 19-year-old Dohndre Hughes received a fatal stab wound to the chest in February 2018. Prosecutors also said they don’t believe Smith, a Chatham resident and 18 at the time, anticipated the home invasion, armed robbery and theft that she allegedly helped arrange would […]
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Doctor receives zoning approval to build apartments near medical district
Zoning for a $4 million project to construct an apartment complex on Springfield’s north side was unanimously approved June 18 by the Springfield City Council, despite continued opposition from neighbors who believe it will increase traffic hazards and otherwise detract from the feel of the residential neighborhood. Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase, who represents the […]
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City compromises on liquor licenses
The six Springfield bars allowed to be open until 3 a.m. on weekends will see their closing times moved to 2 a.m. on Jan. 1 and beyond instead of the 1 a.m. closing that originally was proposed. Bars that were previously required to close at 1 a.m. will now have the option to stay open […]
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City may delay vote on 3 a.m. liquor licenses
The Springfield City Council member whose ward includes much of downtown hopes to delay a scheduled vote June 18 on whether 3 a.m. liquor licenses should be eliminated in favor of a 1 a.m. closing time. Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase – whose ward includes The Alamo, Clique, Celtic Mist Pub and The Gin Mill, […]
