The State of Illinois owes Springfield’s municipal utility $12 million. File photo by Patrick Yeagle As the state passes into month nine of the budget impasse, Illinois’ financial backlog is growing. But higher education and human service providers are not the only people waiting for money from the state. The State of Illinois owes City […]
CWLP
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A life-or-death decision for Dallman power plants
PHOTO BY RACHEL WELLS CWLP power plant Springfield City Water, Light and Power must decide whether to upgrade or decomission its three oldest boilers in light of changing pollution regulations, and the utility’s decision could affect the cost of power in Springfield for decades. An environmental compliance study commissioned by CWLP in December 2013 explored […]
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Coal ash ruling could mean new restrictions
A federal judge has ordered the United States Environmental Protection Agency to pass regulations on disposal of coal ash, which could have far-reaching implications for Illinois’ rebounding coal industry and coal plant operators like Springfield City Water, Light and Power. The Illinois-based environmental group Prairie Rivers Network participated in the lawsuit that prompted the decision […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This will grow you more brain cells
You grow new brain cells with each new experience. Never tasted chai tea? Drink it and grow more brain cells. Never listened to Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Listen: New brain. Never wrote a poem. Do it, new cells. Cross off your list another “never done this before” — attend Springfield Poets and […]
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Looking for jobs
A local activist group is putting pressure on the City of Springfield to hire more minorities and to only work with contractors who also hire minorities. Larry Beckom of Springfield leads Bridging the Gap, a group dedicated to ensuring minority job opportunities. He calls the city’s record of minority hiring “dismal,” and is pushing for […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Grow spinach, tasty, cool and easy
The arrival of yellow daffodils, green lawns and garden fresh salad are sure signs of spring. Leafy greens are among the easiest vegetables to grow, according to a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “You are sure to enjoy the best-tasting salad with greens that you have grown,” promised Jennifer Fishburn. “Spring greens such as […]
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Home sweet ‘green’ home
When Harv Koplo and Annette Chinuge met at Sangamon State University during the 1970s they had no idea their interest in preserving the earth would lead them to become pioneers for sustainable living in Springfield. “Nobody had heard of green or sustainable, but that doesn’t mean the principles weren’t there,” said Chinuge. “I think it […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Beat the heat with less air conditioning
It doesn’t seem possible, but 60 years ago people survived without air conditioning. Not only did they survive, but they may have even enjoyed life more, since they actually went outside in summertime and talked to their neighbors. Today the only people without it are the poor and radical environmentalists doing their part to avert […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Rain barrels save dollars and make sense
The drought of 2012 took a great toll, not only on the plants in the garden, but also on the gardener’s wallet. “It was tough for some gardeners to decide which plants to water and which to let survive on their own,” said University of Illinois horticulture educator Candice Miller. “Unfortunately, if a gardener did […]
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New and recommended flowers and vegetables
There seems to be an award for everything, whether it is for the best picture, best actor, best country music video or best automobile for 2013, and gardening is no exception, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “There are plenty of ‘new’ things out there to try. For many gardeners, the problem is […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Another dry gardening season?
Gardeners were really glad to see the cooler weather and some rainfall at the end of the 2012 gardening season. The question is whether 2013 will be any better, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “For a lot of areas in Illinois, the usual fall rain did not materialize, and through mid-January snow […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Every drop counts
CWLP just announced their 2013 Water Conservation Poster Contest winners! Submissions were received from first through third grade students in Springfield schools. The theme was Every Drop Counts. Entries were to demonstrate water conservation in action, highlighting the need for everyone to conserve. Below is the top honor winner given to Dallas Crum of Laketown School. […]
