Cover Story
African American history in photos
African Americans in Springfield is a new book by Mary Frances and Beverly Helm-Renfro of Springfield that brings to life African Americans who lived and worked in Springfield. Prominent African Americans who visited Springfield are also featured. Richly illustrated with nearly 150 black and white photos, the deeply researched book celebrates people who shaped the…
Third time’s the charm?
The second unsuccessful attempt by a New York-based developer to win zoning approval for a proposed $25 million renovation of Springfield’s Wyndham City Centre hotel into market-rate apartments and hotel rooms doesn’t necessarily mean the project is dead. Mayor Jim Langfelder said the developer, David Mitchell of GoodHomes, submitted a new proposal after the City…
Sangamon County judge rules Pritzker executive order invalid
Gov. JB Pritzker’s July 6 executive order that suspended the statutory 20-day time period for state hospitals to accept jail inmates for court-ordered psychiatric treatment is an illegal overreach of his authority, a Sangamon County judge ruled Aug. 4. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office says it plans to ask the Illinois Appellate Court to overturn…
CO2 pipeline project proceeding
The clock is ticking on a Texas-based company’s plans to build a multi-state pipeline carrying pressurized, liquified carbon dioxide across 250 miles of central Illinois – including Sangamon County south of Springfield – to sequestration fields in Christian County. What is expected to be at least an 11-month process for the Heartland Greenway pipeline began…
Editor’s note 08-04-22
Children and face-painting, neighbors and hotdogs, cops and city officials on a perfect evening in August made for some holy togetherness in parks around Springfield Tuesday. It was National Night Out, which used to be called a “night out against crime,” but now it’s as much “for” as against. For building relationships, for dismantling racial…
Crossing the line
There is little sympathy for a rat. On July 25, a giant, inflatable rat rose 15 feet in front of Staab Funeral Homes in Springfield, and a woman came out of the business and repeatedly stabbed the rodent with a knife. The rat is intended to call public attention to companies employing nonunion labor. John…
The Oklahoma onion burger
I’m back in Oklahoma City for a few weeks, helping out at Nonesuch, the restaurant I worked at before the pandemic. Our bus is encamped at a peaceful spot beneath a big oak tree at the farm of Nonesuch’s general manager. The daily high temperatures have been over 100 degrees F every single day of…
Matilda, weird and wonderful
The weird and wonderful Matilda closes out the Muni Opera season and is sure leave you inspired as well as entertained. A witty and heartfelt book by Dennis Kelly, melodious score by Tim Minchin, along with a talented cast and staff combine to present this unique story based on the classic 1988 novel and characters…
Brad Pitt miscast in Train, Easter Sunday is a bore, Prey is a remake
Pitt miscast in runaway Train I like Brad Pitt. I really don’t know anyone who doesn’t. He’s a talented man, has charm to spare and has been very smart where his career is concerned. However, with his latest, Bullet Train, something occurs in one of his movies that never had before – he’s woefully miscast.…
10-day sales tax reduction on clothing, school supplies begins Friday
Beginning Friday and lasting through Aug. 14, the state will reduce its sales tax rate from 6.25 percent to 1.25 percent for certain clothing items costing less than $125 and school supplies. The “tax holiday” was included in Gov. JB Pritzker’s “family relief plan,” one prong of several bills making up the Fiscal Year 2023…
Gregory Small found not guilty by reason of insanity
A Sangamon County man with mental illness who was shot four times as he ran toward a Chatham police officer with a knife was found not guilty by reason of insanity July 29. Gregory Small Jr., 31 – who spent several weeks at HSHS St. John’s Hospital after being shot by Officer Adam Hahn in…
Crime and punishment
It was an odd theft and even odder punishment. After the wife of a Springfield orthopedic surgeon stole a $273 set of pajamas from a boutique while on vacation in Florida and was arrested for retail theft, a Florida judge came up with a unique punishment: publication of her photo, along with the offense she…
Finding forever friends for felines
Forever Home Feline Ranch (FHFR) is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with a sanctuary near Rochester where cats live in a no-cage, no-kill environment. Typically, there are more than 50 cats on site. About half will live out their lives at the ranch. The other felines are in need of fostering or adoption. Last year, 378…
Letters to the editor 08-04-22
TACKY STUNT The Staab family has served this community – in many ways – with dignity, compassion and professionalism for years. This was a distasteful and shortsighted move by the unions (“Inflatable rat stabbed at Staab Funeral Homes,” July 28). It’s also a poor comment from the union rep that there wasn’t a funeral going…
Enter into August music
August always (except those last two years…) is beside itself with an abundance of live music-making happening. Between all the events at the Illinois State Fair, plus the normal bookings at regular bars and the Old Capitol Blues & BBQ at the end of the month, it’s just nearly unbelievable all the gigs going on.…
