The right to remain silent
As a murder suspect, Christopher Harris was less than astute. Informed of his constitutional right to remain silent on the day of his arrest, Harris kept talking to police, saying things that he knew were not true as a video camera in a sheriff’s department interview room captured everything. “You guys aren’t close,” Harris said…
Tabitha survives, lawyers duel
Photos of Tabitha Gee’s head were bad enough. But CT scans of the toddler’s shattered skull after she was beaten with a tire iron and left for dead were, if anything, worse. Without blood, hair and skin to get in the way, the images of Tabitha’s skull shown Wednesday to the jury in the murder…
Tabitha survives, lawyers duel
Photos of Tabitha Gee’s head were bad enough. But CT scans of the toddler’s shattered skull after she was beaten with a tire iron and left for dead were, if anything, worse. Without blood, hair and skin to get in the way, the images of Tabitha’s skull shown Wednesday to the jury in the murder…
Torch Tuesday concert series tonight: Scribbling Idiots
Tonight, Oho-bred, ironically monikered hip-hop collective Scribbling Idiots will headline the Torch Tuesday stage. They’ve been compared to a nascent Wu-Tang Clan and have opened shows for The Pharcyde and Witchdoctor. …
Mistrial winds
Twice now, the prosecution has stumbled. Twice the defense has acquiesced, allowing proceedings to continue without strenuous objection despite opportunities to demand a do-over in the murder trial of Christopher Harris. Has the defense screwed up by not pressing matters and demanding a mistrial? Or is the defense’s comme ci comme sa approach evidence that…
A booty call after a blood bath
Christopher Harris may or may not have beaten the Gee family to death with a tire iron. But the sight of blood and battered bodies didn’t interfere with his libido. Harris, who says he walked in on a massacre, hooked up with an on-again-off-again girlfriend hours after the slayings. He had no marks on his…
We don’t need no steenking regulations!
The press is filled with pension talk, but other recent news reminds us that cutting a too-generous COL adjustment is not the worst way that governments can screw workers. Turns out that the plant manufacturing highly explosive anhydrous ammonia which blew up in west Texas, killing 14 and injuring more than 200, was equipped with…
Calvin Christian III jailed
Calvin Christian III was jailed Thursday for the second time in a week after he failed to produce required financial paperwork in connection with a collection action by the City of Springfield. Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Chris Perrin ordered Christian sent to jail with no bond for contempt of court. Christian, who has a…
The Pharmacy offering summer art classes for kids
Artwork in progress by the Pharmacy’s Janet Sgro For the first time, the Pharmacy Studio and Gallery (corner of South Grand and Pasfield) will be offering art classes this summer for children ages 5-10. Janet Sgro, a member artist of the Pharmacy collective, will be teaching the course, which will introduce budding young artists to…
A little knowledge…..No. 1 of a series
Back on April 30, the Kaiser Family Foundation, which is one of the most reliable and most interesting of the organizations tracking public thinking on health care, issued a new poll result. Fewer than six in 10 of the American adults asked knew that “Obamacare” – the Affordable Care Act signed into law on March…
Treegate review ends
Sangamon County state’s attorney says that he will not prosecute City Water, Light and Power workers who illicitly cut down a tree last year. “This is a CWLP employee matter, not a matter for the criminal courts,” said Sangamon County state’s attorney John Milhiser. Three employees were disciplined last year for falling the tree on…
Getting soaked
I paid a visit to one my old haunts the other day, thanks to the internet. I learned that two blocks in the heart of the business district of Multnomah Village, in Portland, Oregon’s southwest side, is getting spruced up. In addition to the usual street furniture and wider sidewalks, Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services…
From the earth to the kitchen
With all the local foods movements going on, Illinois Times has decided to start a blog about gardening. Over time people have become less knowledgeable about where their food comes from. However, it seems as though times are changing. With the rise of community gardens and urban agriculture, more people are returning to the age-old…
Corporate cowards divert shareholder funds into ‘dark money’
If corporations are people, as the Supreme Court pretends, they certainly are loudmouths, constantly telling us how great they are and spreading their names everywhere. Amazingly, though, these corporate creatures have suddenly turned demure, insisting that they don’t want to draw any attention to themselves. That’s because, in this case, corporations are not selling, they’re…
A star witness testifies
An imperfect witness took the stand Wednesday in the murder trial of Christopher Harris, at once helping and harming both sides. In opening statements, Logan County state’s attorney Jonathan Wright had warned that Jason Harris, the defendant’s brother, is not likeable, and Jason certainly delivered on that score, displaying no emotion or remorse as he…
Filet-O-Snitch
Jason Harris is the sort of criminal who seems incapable of telling the truth, his penchant for lying certified by a perjury conviction. On matters large and small, he lied and lied and lied again to police more than three years ago as they made a murder case against his older brother Christopher Harris, who…
Illinois’ rocky political landscape
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady resigned last week just as a new statewide poll showed big trouble for his political party’s brand. Brady had been under pressure to resign ever since the disastrous 2012 elections. The pressure increased publicly after Brady announced his support for a gay marriage bill. Multiple attempts to oust Brady…
The goodness of young garlic
Recipes that call for lots of garlic are always best when they’re made with new crop garlic, which is making its first appearance at farm stands and local farmers markets. New crop garlic’s flavor is intense but sweeter and less harsh (especially when raw) than that of garlic available in late winter. I don’t have…
LGBT celebration
Downtown Springfield is the setting for three festivals this weekend. Make sure to visit Springfield PrideFest on Capitol Avenue between Fourth and Sixth streets on Saturday, May 18, between noon and 9 p.m. Hosted by the Phoenix Center and with something for everyone, this soirée is partying up its third year. Besides vendors and exhibitors,…
Juvenile Justice shows progress
When the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice was created in 2006, the state’s youth prisons held 1,500 juvenile offenders. Today, there are fewer than 900 kids behind bars in Illinois juvenile justice system. It’s one sign of progress for the relatively new department, which was previously part of the adult-oriented Illinois Department of Corrections. The…
Pioneer experience
The largest lineup of entertainment, food, re-enactors and demonstrations of pioneer craftsmanship and skills ever assembled await you at the Clayville Spring Festival, May 18-19. Taking you back in time will be more than 40 craft vendors and food vendors, as well as more than 30 demonstrations of pioneer skills and crafts, plus period music from the…
Physician claims prescription drugs worse than marijuana
Two doctors stood on opposing sides as the Illinois Senate was preparing to vote on legalizing medical marijuana. Dr. Dora Dixie, an addiction specialist from Chicago, argues that marijuana is highly addictive. Dr. David Walters, a Mt. Vernon physician who has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and given 11 to 13 months to live, says…
Tail from the crypt
I’ve been with my boyfriend for two years. I do have trust issues, having been cheated on in past relationships. My boyfriend’s best friend of six years, a beautiful and intelligent woman, passed away three months ago. Since then, he has visited her grave weekly and kept a photo of them together posted online. When…
Shredgate: City’s actions, or lack thereof, stink
Don’t watch what we do, listen to what we say. That’s what politicians who behave badly would have the public do when the going gets weird. And what the city of Springfield is doing as Shredgate unfolds does a disservice to the word “weird.” What started all this was pretty simple. The city got tired…
Betting on bikes
Kevin Greene of Springfield still remembers getting his first bicycle as a child. “It took me a long time to figure out how to ride a bike, but once I learned, I never looked back,” Greene said. “That bicycle meant freedom.” Greene, chairman of the Springfield Bicycle Advisory Council, hopes the adoption of a bicycle…
DUI DEATH MEMORIAL
Danny Dapron Sr. hopes his son’s needless death can yield some positive results with the posting of a road sign memorial in his son’s honor. On the night of Aug. 8, 2010, Danny Wayne Dapron Jr. of Springfield was killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle on South Grand Avenue. The driver, Ursula…
Letters to the Editor 5/16/13
MONEY SPEAKS In his article, “Looking for Mr. Right,” (May 9) James Krohe Jr. makes several valid points regarding the failings of the school board as well as the problems inherit in searching for a new superintendent. However, Mr. Krohe ignores the largest problem facing District 186 – a lack of adequate funding. It’s simply…
ARTIFICATION of Springfield
“It used to be scary down this way.” Barry Friedman, owner of the Alamo, 115 N. Fifth St., is reminiscing about conditions in downtown Springfield prior to the 2005 opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, situated on Sixth Street near his establishment. “Things are so much better than they used to be.…
A star witness testifies
An imperfect witness took the stand Wednesday in the murder trial of Christopher Harris, at once helping and harming both sides. In opening statements, Logan County state’s attorney Jonathan Wright had warned that Jason Harris, the defendant’s brother, is not likeable, and Jason certainly delivered on that score, displaying no emotion or remorse as he…
From Perkins to Presney
John Michael Presney spent the better part of the last two years on the road in the first national touring production of the Tony award-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet portraying the “father of rockabilly,” Carl Perkins. The Rochester native, talking to me by phone from poolside in Tucson, Ariz. as he prepared for his final…
WASHINGTON PARK WOODPECKER
If you’re enjoying the early morning coolness with a stroll in Washington Park, don’t be alarmed if you hear a metallic rat-a-tat nearby. It’s just a woodpecker who likes to sit atop the light posts by the western “lower” lagoon. Although woodpeckers are known for drilling into trees to eat burrowing insects, the University of…
Fitzgerald’s Gatsby survives Luhrmann’s grandiose approach
Director Baz Luhrmann is one of the more polemic filmmakers working today. While many praise his modern take on the Bard with his Romeo Juliet (1996) and his radical musical Moulin Rouge (2001), others are equally adamant that he’s a stylistic hack who lets his elaborate visuals and seizure-inducing editing-style suffocate his innovative narratives. I…
Scots and Irish revelry
Rain or shine join the Celts in Chatham for a day of Irish and Scottish dancing, athletic competitions, food, music and more on May 18. Celtic bands from around the U.S. may participate in the Springfield area games, and those who have made the trip will march and play for audiences at massed band times…
Talent trove
Old Capitol Art Fair is one of the most beloved festivals in central Illinois. Join scores of art and festival lovers this weekend, May 18 and 19, on the downtown square for amazing and unique fine art creations. With more than 150 artists from across the U.S. in attendance, including 30 new artists, regular visitors…
ZZ Tripp
Springfield’s ZZ Tripp with Brad Alan (as Billy Gibbons on guitar), Dan Kress (as Dusty Hill on bass) and Tom Summerlin (as Frank Beard on drums) gives ZZ Top a tremendous tribute treatment. With songs “structured like their studio work, but with some of ZZ Top’s signature live elements added in,” the trio spans “over…
ecopoem #17
ecopoem #17 everything livingon this thin skin that supports life has three missions eat to stay alive for the same reason avoid being eaten and breed in order to perpetuate your line so it can go on eating and avoid being eaten all the rest is frosting like the bruch first violin concerto 2013 Jacqueline…
The neighborhood school, redefined
Schools, conventionally, seek to train the minds of their young charges. The problem is that it is not only their minds that show up every day in the classroom. Their bodies, their attitudes, their expectations of themselves and school, their social skills – they all show up too. A hungry kid isn’t going to learn.…
Talk about flip-flopping
Flip-flops are on my mind. And no, I don’t have a shoe or foot fetish. My feet just love to be comfortable and naked; my toes just love to be free. And warm weather means I can break out the flip-flops and sandals. Thanks be to the Egyptians. Thanks to America for falling in love…
Home Run rife with errors
It really comes as no surprise that faith-based dramas have found a devoted following. Films such as Facing the Giants, Fireproof and Courageous answer a need with their life-affirming messages as the product from Hollywood seldom supplies such themes. I have no problem with the intent of these movies or those who embrace them. I…
Refreshing reds and whites
Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association and Downtown Springfield Inc. offer Art of Illinois Wine Festival both Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 19. Open to anyone over 21 years of age, admission includes a wine glass and five samplings from Illinois wineries. You can also buy wine by the glass, bottle or case. Once…
Filet-O-Snitch
Jason Harris is the sort of criminal who seems incapable of telling the truth, his penchant for lying certified by a perjury conviction. On matters large and small, he lied and lied and lied again to police more than three years ago as they made a murder case against his older brother Christopher Harris, who…
News Quirks 5/16/13
Homeland insecurityObjecting to the bipartisan immigration bill, U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, declared that radical Islamists infiltrating the United States “are trained to act Hispanic.” (CSPAN) Fecundity folliesLayne Hardin, 44, accused his ex-girlfriend of stealing his sperm and conceiving a child without his permission. According to his lawsuit against Toby Devall and a Houston sperm…
