Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy now facing murder charges in the death of Sonya Massey, left a previous agency following allegations of inappropriate conduct with a female detainee. Grayson, 30, was also accused of retaliating against the detainee’s boyfriend after she filed a complaint. Invisible Institute, Illinois Public Media and the Investigative […]
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Bodycam video of Sonya Massey death released
Here is video from the body-worn cameras of two Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies who entered Sonya Massey’s Woodside Township home on July 6. Massey, 36, received a fatal head wound, allegedly from a 9mm handgun fired by Deputy Sean Grayson. Grayson, 30, has been charged with first-degree murder in the incident, and authorities have said […]
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Peace march planned after bodycam footage release
A “peace march” has been scheduled for 3 p.m. July 22 in Springfield after the 2 p.m. release of body-worn camera video of the police-involved shooting of Sonya Massey. The march, organized by nonprofit Intricate Minds on behalf of the Massey family, will begin outside Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 904 S. Martin Luther King Drive, […]
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‘Red flags’ surrounded hiring of alleged killer
On a day when a nationally known civil rights attorney said the scheduled July 22 release of body-worn camera footage of the death of Sonya Massey will shock the country, her father questioned whether the Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy who allegedly shot her should have been hired in the first place. “They were all these […]
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Argument about pot of water leads to murder charges
A Sangamon County deputy sheriff fired his gun three times at Sonya Massey in her home after the unarmed 36-year-old woman held her hands in the air, told him “I’m sorry” and ducked for cover behind a counter. That information was part of the successful argument a Sangamon County assistant state’s attorney used July 18 […]
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Probe into shooting of Sonya Massey complete
The Illinois State Police investigation into the July 6 shooting death of Sonya Massey at the hands of Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies is complete. And Massey’s family plans to meet with ISP officials and the Sangamon County state’s attorney the afternoon of July 17 at the Springfield NAACP building at 801 S. 11th St. to […]
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Protesters demand release of video in Black woman’s death
As recently as two weeks ago, Sonya Massey was acting “extremely paranoid” and had voiced concerns for months “about being killed by the police,” her cousin, Sontae Massey, told Illinois Times. Sontae Massey said July 11 that he is not sure why his 36-year-old cousin was exhibiting such anxiety. But Sontae Massey, 53, a manager […]
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Doctor receives zoning approval to build apartments near medical district
Zoning for a $4 million project to construct an apartment complex on Springfield’s north side was unanimously approved June 18 by the Springfield City Council, despite continued opposition from neighbors who believe it will increase traffic hazards and otherwise detract from the feel of the residential neighborhood. Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase, who represents the […]
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Illinois GOP chair announces resignation weeks before Republican National Convention
Halfway through the 2024 election cycle and just a few weeks away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy on June 19 announced his resignation as head of the state Republican Party. Tracy, who’d held the job since February 2021, explained his resignation in a two-page letter that cited intraparty […]
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Petersburg man pleads guilty to child porn charges
A 30-year-old Petersburg musician, music teacher and former volunteer in Springfield-area theater productions could go to federal prison for at least 15 years after pleading guilty May 3 to 34 counts of producing, receiving and possessing child pornography. Adam L. Power is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Lawless on Sept. […]
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PILLSBURIED: Art, artifacts and curiosities from the former Pillsbury site
For a unique and immersive experience, head downtown to 413 E. Adams St. from 6-9 p.m. March 28 or 29 and see a one-of-a-kind, massive art installation inspired by the rich history and subsequent decay of the Pillsbury Mills site. Over two tons of artifacts, building remnants and other curiosities from the former Pillsbury site […]
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Springfield Clinic, Blue Cross make a deal
After two years of financial and emotional stress for thousands of central Illinois patients, those covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois will regain in-network access to Springfield Clinic medical providers on Jan. 1. Chicago-based Blue Cross and the clinic issued statements Dec. 22 that they have reached a new five-year agreement allowing […]
