Peggy Klaus stands next to what was once a road that formed the path between farms outside of Litchfield. The retired Carlinville schoolteacher remembers the day in 1990 that the road was closed, the damage done to it making it unusable. She remembers drivers having to turn around to deal with the sudden loss of […]
Jackson Adams
Posted inNews
Historic stagecoach stop to be burned down
An old white building stands in Buffalo, about 15 miles east of Springfield, as a sign of a different time. Its stately porch and a smokehouse behind it give credence to its place as a relic of history. The house was built around 1840 and it is now scheduled to be burned down. “It’s really […]
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The art of stuffed animals
A leopard leaps on top of a downed impala, one claw going for the throat. Its mouth is wide open, preparing for the kill. The prey can only look up in horror as it lives its final moments. This moment was frozen forever and prominently displayed at the National Taxidermist Association Convention July 15-17 at […]
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New law requires testing all rape kits
On July 6 Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation requiring police departments around the state to submit sexual assault kits to a lab for DNA analysis. In the past, some of these kits were not tested for months, and some were even forgotten. A study done by Human Rights Watch showed that out of the 7,494 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Outkast and the eternal glory of
Big Boi formerly of the hip-hop Beatles, actually known as Outkast, just released his stupendous solo album, “Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty.” It’s really good, and it lends even more credence to the rumors of an Outkast reunion. Which is the greatest thing ever. I’m not the world’s biggest Outkast fan. […]
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Birth records opened, but not enough
Michelle Edmunds knows the problems that adoptees can face gaining access to their birth certificates. She was born in Illinois and currently lives in Toronto and wanted to retrieve her birth certificate after her mother died. When she attempted to access the document, she was told that she would need to prove her mother’s death […]
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Katy Perry is my arch-nemesis
As a person who has more than a passive interest in pop music, I am always disappointed by the summer. It’s a time when the radio is ruled with trashy throwaway ballads that mostly appeal to people who tweet about lying out by the pool. It’s disposable, usually focused on how much cheap beer you […]
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New laws to fight Medicaid fraud in Illinois
On June 25, Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law legislation to encourage openness in the Medicaid program and to cut down on fraud, with a focus on allowing transparency. These efforts are in line with President Barack Obama’s directive to expand and increase efforts to recapture funds that have been wrongfully paid out. The Department […]
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Marijuana fines going fine
Since Springfield passed an ordinance to issue a fine for possession of less than 2.5 grams of marijuana instead of a state misdemeanor charge, 167 people have received citations. The city considers the ordinance a success. The city ordinance came into effect Feb. 3, 2009, and gave people who were in possession of less than […]
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Lake Springfield stays clean despite recent runoff
Though advisories have been issued warning of high E. coli levels in Lake Springfield, the professionals who supervise water quality at the lake don’t consider this to be much of a problem. “It happens after every rainstorm in every body of water from runoff from soils and from bacteria,” said Tom Skelly, water division director […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Louisiana style
The UIS performing arts season kicks off with a Creole dinner and performance by BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, one of the premier Cajun bands in music today. The Grammy-winning group blends country, blues and New Orleans jazz and a myriad of other influences into new pieces and contemporary Creole versions of traditional songs. Since the […]
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Painters and Poets
The Prairie Art Alliance Gallery is hosting “Painters and Poets,” a gallery display where Springfield Poets and Writers will write and read poems inspired by the paintings of the Prairie Art Alliance juried artists. The paintings and poems will be on display and for sale. The artists will also be at the event to discuss […]
