Cover Story
Sending the wrong message?
A sharp cough came from the BearCat’s engine as it struggled to start. After another try, the massive bulletproof vehicle outfitted with a turret booth and remote battering ram for bashing in doors and windows came to life. The driver, who asked not to be identified or photographed because he is “working in an undercover…
Deep Water better than expected, message gets lost in Animal Farm remake
Water deeper than expected In the spirit of giving credit where it’s due, my hat’s off to director Renny Harlan and screenwriters Pete Bridges, Shayne Armstrong, S.P. Krause and Damien Power, where their latest film, Deep Water, is concerned. All involved obviously embraced the notion of making the ultimate disaster movie, shamelessly cribbing from The…
Relic
A friend helping clean my kitchenbrought me resting on her palmsa long rusty flat item. I said“Doesn’t everyone keep a bayonet in their pantry?”About that weapon: My dad pickedit up in France 1924 from Belleau Wood where was the worst carnage.The trenches now overgrown with weeds. Thousands killed here –They had to clamber over the slainto fire, though…
Letters to the editor 4/30/26
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. ADS AREN’T TRUE There has been a rash of ads vilifying a “new” law that “may” make it so tipped workers can’t get tipped in a credit card (“‘Credit card chaos’? Financial institutions bet big…
Dr. Turner prescribes
Downtown Springfield has been slowly bleeding retailers, office tenants and cobblers-to-kitchen installers since 1951 when Sears, Roebuck & Co. moved its store from Adams Street downtown to South Grand Avenue. Weakened but tenacious, downtown has been “revitalized” more times than the Batman movie franchise thanks to tourists, state workers, apartment dwellers and visiting urbanism experts…
The verdant resurrection
The onset of spring brings with it a shift in what we do in restaurant kitchens. The season marks our departure from the heavy root vegetables of winter to fresh, vibrant produce. Following months of quiet dormancy, the emergence of foraged treasures like morel mushrooms and ramps, followed by locally grown asparagus, changes our menu…
Into May music
Join me in saying so long to anxious and unusual April and hello to the very, merry month of May. We’re certainly hoping and expecting more consistency as the weather turns toward the summer season, but as we know – who knows? So let’s go take a walk down music lane and see what we…
Meet the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden
Meet former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, known for firing the shots that killed terrorist Osama bin Laden, during this inaugural Heroes at Home Plate event. O’Neill, 50, will be the keynote speaker at the event. Heroes at Home Plate is designed to feature inspiring individuals who have shown courage, leadership and impact through their stories…
Chief addresses use-of-force policy
The Springfield Police Department’s chief sees calls for changes in the department’s use-of-force policy as opportunities to educate the public on how officers make split-second decisions that may result in viral posts on social media and accusations of police brutality. “Let’s sit down and talk about what law enforcement use of force is – what…
