The Curve Inn once sat on an actual curve. The nightspot, housed in a 94-year-old building at 3219 S. Sixth Street Road, was badly damaged by fire in February 2026. The Inn originally was near a long curve that connected northbound Route 66 to Bypass 66 on the south edge of Springfield. (The bypass generally […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
Compass receives $230K donation
Representatives from the Asian Indian Women’s Organization presented Compass for Kids with a $230,000 check, funds raised from the most recent India Night celebration. The Nov. 8 event at the Crowne Plaza featured cultural performances, an auction and bazaar. Dr. Richa Pandey, who served as AIWO president last year, told Springfield Business Journal prior to […]
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State Treasurer Frerichs presents awards for Black History Month
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted a celebration Feb. 25 to commemorate Black History Month and honor leaders in the African American community. The event, held at the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office in the Marine Bank Building in downtown Springfield, recognized eight downstate honorees, including a Springfield dentist, the CEO and president of the Springfield […]
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We can build a mental health system we can all count on
For most of us in Sangamon County, gaps in mental health services are felt in deeply personal ways. A recent survey of every census tract in our community found that four in 10 of our neighbors have had an unmet mental health need in the last three years. While a decade of assessments has warned […]
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Heaven is for Trump, but …
In his remarks at the 74th National Prayer Breakfast, President Donald Trump proposed the idea that “he probably should get into heaven.” He seemed to base his rationale on his belief that he has “done a hell of a lot of good for perfect people.” His boasts that he “has done more for religion than […]
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DSI appoints interim executive director
Downtown Springfield, Inc. is searching for a new executive director “following a mutual separation with Carlos Ortega,” according to a statement the organization issued Feb. 17. Always On Consulting, the human resources company led by Debbie Thompson, has been retained to lead the search process. Jay Shanle, who currently serves as DSI’s director of communications […]
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The greatness of a nation
It is ironic and more than a bit frightening that in this Black History Month, 2026, those who claim to want to “make America great” are actively working to erase the numerous contributions made to this country by people of color and to downplay the enduring effects of slavery. A nation does not achieve greatness […]
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31,875 households: The reality of ALICE in our community
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – but behind that acronym are real people you probably see every day. They’re the teacher at your child’s day care center, the aide who cares for your aging parent, the cashier who rings up your groceries, and the server who brings your coffee. They work full-time […]
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Wreath-laying ceremony at Lincoln’s Tomb
Started by World War I Veterans and members of The American Legion in 1935, the Legion’s annual pilgrimage to the Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery is in its 92nd year. The wreath-laying ceremony that is part of this long-standing tradition was held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Lincoln Tomb in […]
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Heart and soul: A legacy built on love
February holds two truths at once: It’s a month where we pay homage to Black history. We honor the names, the hands, the kitchens and the legacies that our ancestors have shaped. It’s also a season devoted to the essence of love. Many times, the most powerful love stories aren’t written in cards. They are […]
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“Teach them diligently”
A non-Jewish acquaintance, who grew up knowing very few if any Jews, recently confided in me that he had been taught by his father to admire the Jewish people because of our reverence for and pursuit of knowledge. The Jewish respect for knowledge and appreciation of its value has ancient roots going back to the […]
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Save one life at a time
“Whoever saves a single life is considered by scripture to have saved the whole world.” (Talmud, Sanhedrin 37a). These words were among the scriptures quoted last Friday at an interfaith prayer vigil held at First Presbyterian Church by Faith Coalition for the Common Good (FCCG) – an emergency gathering in response to the state-sanctioned violence […]
