The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is joining the America 250 Celebration in a big way on the Fourth of July. The day begins with free admission to the museum starting at 9 a.m., where visitors can fully explore the life and legacy of our 16th president – including a new exhibit, “The Second […]
IT Staff
Posted inArts & Culture
Goodwill to host Youth Summit
Area youth, families, community members and service organizations are invited to attend the Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries 5th Annual Youth Summit on Thursday, June 25, at its headquarters located at 1220 Outer Park Drive in Springfield. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and is free and open to the […]
Posted inTurning Points
Delores J. Martin
Delores J. Martin; beloved family matriarch, tireless community organizer, esteemed lawyer/urban planner, and a devoted, decades-long member of Springfield’s Baha’i community, passed peacefully from this world on March 22, 2026, in Cary, North Carolina, surrounded by her loving family. A Celebration of Life will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Sacred Heart […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Fletcher Farrar receives Freedom of the Press Award
Fletcher Farrar has received the James C. Craven Freedom of the Press Award. Don Craven, Illinois Press Association attorney, presented Farrar with the award at the Illinois Press Convention held June 4 in East Peoria. Michelle Ownbey, executive editor of Illinois Times, sent in a nomination earlier this year: “Fletcher Farrar is the owner of Central Illinois […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Visit ISM to get free State Fair admission
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of historic U.S. Route 66, visitors to the Illinois State Museum’s new Route 66 exhibit in Springfield this summer can earn free weekday admission to the 2026 Illinois State Fair, happening Aug. 13-23. The promotion began June 8 and runs for the next 66 days. Each visitor to the Illinois […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Artist in the Park kicks off 2026 season
The Springfield Area Arts Council is celebrating a successful start to the 2026 Artist in the Park at Food Truck Fridays season after welcoming nearly 200 attendees to the kickoff event on May 29. The organization invites the community to join them for the remaining nine weeks of free live entertainment in downtown Springfield. Held […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Illinois College to host Camp College
Local middle and high school students are invited to the Illinois College campus this summer for Camp College, a two-day immersive experience designed to introduce students to STEAM projects, college life and career exploration. The camp will take place June 15 – 16 and is open to rising sixth graders through eight graders and rising […]
Posted inTurning Points
Leroy G. McDaniels
Beloved husband, father, coach, mentor and community leader Leroy G. McDaniels, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his residence at 8:51 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026. He was born Aug. 9, 1945 in Springfield. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillie Mae (McDaniel) Daniels; father, Harry Flake; and brother, Jackie Daniels. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Women for Women awards $70,000 to area nonprofits
Women for Women awarded a record-breaking $70,000 in grants to three local nonprofits during its 18th Annual Grant Reception on Wednesday, May 13, recognizing organizations addressing some of central Illinois’ most pressing challenges facing women and children. This year’s grants will support programs focused on childhood food insecurity, family support services, and care for children […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Hospital Sister Mission Outreach ships $1 million of supplies to Bolivia
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach has shipped a container of medical supplies and equipment valued at $1 million to Bolivia. The 40-foot shipping container of requested supplies left the Mission Outreach warehouse, 4930 Laverna Road in Springfield, on May 5. This is the most expensive shipment since the medical supply and equipment recovery organization was founded […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Levitt AMP announces 2026 season
The Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series will return to downtown Springfield for a seventh season on Thursday nights starting May 28 through July 30. Presented by PNC, the 10-week live concert series will feature a diverse lineup of performers from across the world. Entertainment begins at 6:15 p.m. every Thursday in the vacant block north […]
Posted inTurning Points
Rodger Dale Paoni Jr.
Rodger Dale Paoni Jr., 52, of Springfield, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026. Rodger, known to many throughout his life simply as “Junior,” was born on Sept. 18, 1973, to Lynell Ayers and Rodger Paoni Sr., in Springfield, Illinois. Rodger married Kristy and she survives. Also surviving are his stepson, Jayson; daughters, Kendra, Cerria, […]
