Scott Reeder

Operations at the Viper Mine in Elkhart are shutting down after the city of Springfield chose a cheaper coal supplier for its electrical power plant. The mine, which at its peak employed about 300 miners, now is down to a skeleton crew responsible for dismantling equipment, Jim Smith, president of Knight Hawk Coal, told Illinois […]

It is being called the closest countywide race in the history of Sangamon County. Republican Frank Lesko edged out incumbent Josh Langfelder, a Democrat, by a mere 31 votes out of 98,217 ballots cast. “To think that almost 100,000 ballots were cast in a countywide race for Sangamon County recorder, and for it to be […]

The Town and Country Shopping Center on MacArthur Boulevard may be on the brink of being transformed into an upscale apartment complex and retail area. The Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission is slated to consider the proposed transformation of the strip mall in the 2300 to 2500 blocks of MacArthur Boulevard on Nov. 20. The […]

The only people to speak in support of a serial sex offender at a recent sentencing hearing were two Springfield police detectives. More than three years after his arrest by Illinois State Police, Zane Merreighn, 25, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the sexual abuse of five girls who ranged in age from […]

While national pundits were surprised by the strength of Donald Trump’s showing, local political observers found few surprises in Sangamon County. That said, the winners of two area races will not be known until Nov. 19. The hotly contested race for Sangamon County recorder had Republican Frank Lesko ahead of Democrat Josh Langfelder by 68 […]

A group determined to end racial affirmative action programs has filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois in hope of ending its scholarship program for minority students who want to become teachers. “Illinois can offer assistance to young, aspiring teachers, but not when they exclude a significant number of applicants based on their skin […]

The state legislative district representing much of Springfield and Chatham is destined to have an Italian flavor. The race for the 95th District House seat pits GOP incumbent Mike Coffey, a Springfield restaurateur against Democrat Kristen Chiaro, a Chatham village trustee and retired state worker. Coffey, 54, emphasizes the business acumen he brings to the […]

A 38-acre lot the city of Springfield owns along Clear Lake Avenue may become a $38 million complex of municipal warehouses and offices. The city is contemplating erecting a $24 million water distribution facility and a $14 million Public Works building in the 2100 block of Clear Lake Avenue. The matter was slated for consideration […]

Security Bank of Springfield is seeking approval from the federal government to change its ownership structure so that it is owned by investors rather than by the financial institution’s depositors. A recent bank filing with federal regulators also indicated the financial institution is deeply involved with state-licensed cannabis businesses. Bank president and CEO Stephan Paul […]

Ana Manriquez came to the United States from Mexico 24 years ago seeking a better life for herself and her family. During the past two decades she has seen her career transform from cleaning hotel rooms to owning her own business. But in September she took a new step: taking English classes. “In immigrant families, […]

Education has always come in many shapes and forms. But in Springfield Public Schools, some of those forms may be the plank, the downward-facing dog and the butterfly. Yes, youngsters are being taught yoga along with reading, writing and arithmetic. Jennifer Martin, associate professor of education at University of Illinois Springfield, is partnering with Springfield […]

The vacant block in downtown Springfield across from the Governor’s Mansion may be on the brink of becoming a city park, Mayor Misty Buscher told Illinois Times recently. “I’m referring to it as the ‘North Mansion Park,’” she said. “We’ve had conversations with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and with landscape architects to create […]