Feature

With the unpopular term of Gov. Bruce Rauner and divisive politics of President Donald Trump, coupled with a state that’s been losing population and a shifting demographic, Republican leaders are facing an uphill battle to maintain their place in Illinois politics. The typically Republican stronghold in the collar counties around Chicago – Kane, DuPage, Lake, […]

If you think there are a lot of politicians on the make in Springfield, you’d be right. Thirty-two candidates are vying for 13 municipal offices in the upcoming April 2 municipal election. Three citywide races – for mayor, city clerk and treasurer – each have two candidates apiece. Twenty-six candidates, the most in at least […]

“If you spend any time with these kids, your heart will melt. You look at these kids, some as poor as church mice, and they’re learning, they’re excited.” Those are the words of Harvard Park Elementary School building principal James Hayes, who is proud of what the teachers, volunteers and administration of the nearly 500-student […]

The thought has crossed my mind that perhaps my indifference to so many movies this year may be due to the fact that I’ve simply seen too many films. Could the burnout I’ve been warned about by others have finally set in? To a small extent, I think that’s true. Studios seemed to adhere to […]

Movies are about moments – big moments that erase our cynicism about cinema and remind us of its capacity to dazzle as well as touch us. This happens in a way only possible with a medium that seamlessly combines so many other art forms. There are instances that prompt us to consider things in a […]

Mary Poppins Returns is magical “Everything old is new again” seems to be the mantra at Disney Studios where their movies are concerned. Never mind the Marvel Films and Star Wars franchises, when it comes to Disney properties, the powers that be at the Mouse House are plumbing the vaults, plucking out previously successful projects […]

The holidays are upon us, and if you don’t yet need a drink, you will. What with relatives you can’t wish away and kids rip-ripping open packages, then bang-banging drums and bleep-bleeping electronic gadgets while Mannheim Steamroller blast-blasts new age tripe that sensible folk can’t stand but once a year, you need a cocoon. Enter […]

She loved horses and the Green Bay Packers. She hated her curly hair. She was in the sixth grade at Gillespie Middle School. She didn’t like to run, but she played soccer anyway. She’s been dead for nearly a year. If she were alive still, Madyson Loftis, Mady for short, would be thinking of softball […]

Pet portraits – Photos by Terry Farmer            

If you get a kick out of giving your pet a gift, you’re in good company. According to a survey conducted by Rover.com, 95 percent of pet owners said they have purchased a Christmas gift for their pet. Another 61 percent have bought birthday presents for their pets. While the average amount spent is $36, […]

Forever Home Feline Ranch was founded in 2009 to provide every cat in need a forever home, be a sanctuary where cats will have a second chance to live a full life in a no-cage, no-kill environment and to help end euthanasia as a method of controlling feline populations. Half of the cats at FHFR […]