Cover Story
Not present at crime, still charged with murder
Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser says Katherine Smith wasn’t present when 19-year-old Dohndre Hughes received a fatal stab wound to the chest in February 2018. Prosecutors also said they don’t believe Smith, a Chatham resident and 18 at the time, anticipated the home invasion, armed robbery and theft that she allegedly helped arrange would…
DCFS finds foster parent negligent in death of 7-year-old boy
The state’s child welfare agency has found a Springfield man negligent in the March 16 drowning death of a 7-year-old foster child in the man’s care. An investigation completed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on June 28 concluded that neglect by David Yankee led to the death of Barrett Koches, DCFS…
Senate President keeps his cool
During the last couple weeks of the spring state legislative session, Senate President Don Harmon got whacked twice by allies, including Gov. JB Pritzker, but still managed to keep his cool. On May 14, the pro-choice powerhouse group Personal PAC issued a blistering press release blasting the Senate super-majority for an “unacceptable decision” to strip…
Quantum technology companies set for big tax incentives under new law
Gov. JB Pritzker has given final approval to a plan to bolster the state’s tech industry, including an incentives package – backed by $500 million in the state budget – aimed at making Illinois the nation’s leader in quantum computing. The package also expands tax credits for the film industry, extends a tax credit program…
Horizon is a four-film passion project for Kevin Costner
Muddled start for Costner’s epic Horizon If nothing else, you have to admire the big swing Kevin Costner is taking with Horizon, a four-film passion project the actor/director has been contemplating for decades. Having personally invested up to $40 million into this endeavor, he’s taking no small steps in realizing his dream, the first and…
Daddio an impressive directorial debut, Family Affair a lighthearted look at May-December romance
Penn and Johnson take us for a ride in Daddio It’s been said that sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger than a friend. Writer/director Christy Hall takes that notion and runs with it in her impressive debut Daddio, an intriguing two-hander that’s essentially a prolonged confessional between a pair of troubled souls in…
Editor’s note 06-27-24
When reformers try to lessen penalties for accomplices or bystanders, they inevitably get accused of being soft on crime. They’re “just trying to empty the prisons,” is the way Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, described the effort to change Illinois’ “felony murder” law, explained in this week’s cover story by Dean Olsen. McClure’s characterization is an…
Big plans for future of the State Fairgrounds
The Illinois State Fair has a rich history dating back to 1853 when the first fair was held in Springfield. Multiple cities hosted fairs before Springfield became the permanent home of the Illinois State Fair in 1894. For the first time in this long history, there is now a long-term master plan for the Illinois…
Resurrecting Resurrection City
Shortly before Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination in 1968, he began the Poor People’s Campaign, which had a pronounced economic rather than strictly racial focus, taking aim at poverty across the United States as it affected not only African American but Native American, Latino, white and other communities unable to obtain adequate housing, food, health…
Growing with Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens
Last year the Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens, located at 1022 N. Fifth St. in Springfield, generated 1,200 pounds of fresh produce, which was shared with Kumler Outreach Ministries, Intricate Minds (a nonprofit that promotes harm reduction) and the local community. Now in its 12th year, the garden is a partnership between Kumler Outreach Ministries and…
Last chance for June music
I’m not sure where June went, but I do know it went flying by in a hurry. And I do believe we can blame the appearance of time’s quickness on the overabundance of things to do, especially within our music scene. I guess we should get used to watching time fly by and enjoy what…
Celebrate Independence Day at city’s oldest house
Clara Irwin’s 4th of July Strawberry Party Thursday, July 4 3-6 p.m. The Elijah Iles House 628 S. Seventh St. ileshouse.org Independence Day is coming up fast, and what better way to begin the day’s celebration with this popular, annual event in Springfield. Clara Irwin’s 4th of July Strawberry Party takes place at the Elijah…
Letters to the editor 06-27-24
CHANGE OF PLANS? I am confused. I read Scott Reeder’s recent story about the former Chiara Center becoming a trade school with some classic education added (“Rebuilding the Catholic church,” June 6). But is this the same reporter who told us in your pages in 2022 that the Chiara Center was destined to be a…
The Farmer in the Dell
The Farmer in the Dell How many below are familiar to you? Pom-Pom Pullaway; Capture the Flag; Kick the Can; Duck, Duck, Goose; London Bridge, Drop the Handkerchief, Hopscotch, Mumblety-Peg, Red Light Green Light, Fox and Geese, Tug-of-War, Marbles and Jacks If a number on this list are, you are an oldster! 2024 Jacqueline Jackson
Independence Day reflections
The Fourth of July is an occasion for picnics, parades, fireworks and patriotic oratory celebrating our history and heritage as a country. As a child I enjoyed having my Dad home from work on a weekday, going out as a family to eat, and, after nightfall, watching the fireworks that were shot off from the…
Green beans a great summer side dish
One of the greatest joys as a gardener is dabbling with new plant varieties. I love finding a new (to me) hot pepper or a luscious old world tomato variety. I make tough choices after hours ogling seed catalogs, resigned (and usually failing) to keep my order to a reasonable quantity. And yet, a few…
Real-life chemistry of leads brightens Muni’s The Music Man
Meredith Willson’s well-known 1957 musical, The Music Man, follows the story of Harold Hill, a con man who poses as a band director, promising to teach the children of River City, Iowa, to play musical instruments. He charms the unsuspecting townsfolk with chicanery and musical nonsense. The town librarian, Marion, is the only one who…
