U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a Republican representing Illinois’ 13th Congressional District is running for re-election against Democratic challenger Ann Callis. pHOTO BY PATRICK YEAGLE Part 1 – 13th Congressional District: Rodney Davis vs. Ann Callis William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It is famous for the line “All the world’s a stage, and all the […]
Patrick Yeagle
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From the streets to stability
William Guyer PHOTO BY PATRICK YEAGLE It only took about a month for William Guyer of Springfield to go from employed to living on the street, but it took him almost a year to get back. Guyer’s story is one of injustice, heartbreak and determination. Although he ultimately climbed out of homelessness, he says he’s […]
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Hope Institute rebounds with innovations for better care
KAREN PHOTO BY Terry Farmer, AMANDA PHOTO COURTESY The Hope Institute Karen G. Foley and Amanda Brott A Springfield school for children with developmental disabilities is making big changes following two incidents of abuse in November 2013. The Hope Institute for Children and Families was already planning changes before the isolated abuse came to light, […]
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Illinois DNR revises fracking regulations
State regulators have released new regulations for a highly controversial oil and gas extraction technique. Environmental groups in the area that will be affected say the new protections aren’t enough, while energy companies say the new rules are too burdensome. The Illinois General Assembly in June 2013 passed a law allowing high-volume hydraulic fracturing, which […]
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300 million years ago
Scientific illustrator Mary Parrish of the Smithsonian Institution created this painting of what the Danville area would have looked like 300 million years ago using real fossils for reference. Parrish worked under the direction of Smithsonian paleobiologist Bill DiMichele. Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution. Painting by M. Parrish. A warm, moist breeze blows through the swampy forest […]
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A fight against forgetting
Dr. Thomas Ala, interim director of the Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (CADRD) at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, is heading a trial of an experimental Alzheimer’s drug as part of a larger study nationwide. PHOTO BY PATRICK YEAGLE More than 100 years after it was first medically recognized, Alzheimer’s disease still […]
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Missing the money
Computer tampering charges have been dropped against a defendant in a bizarre court case involving supposed computer hacking at a defunct Illinois nonprofit. Still, millions of dollars in state and federal grants are missing, and the nonprofit’s director has yet to account for the money. Annabel Melongo of Chicago was found not guilty of computer […]
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Medical pot regulations approved
Dan Linn, executive director of the marijuana advocacy group Illinois NORML, holds a canister used by the federal government to mail marijuana to one of the last remaining participants in the federal medical marijuana program that began in 1978. In May, Linn and others spoke at a public hearing in favor of making medical marijuana […]
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Forging a new path
An artist’s rendering of how a revamped pedestrian-friendly Jackson Street might appear, from Fifth Street looking west, with the Executive Mansion grounds on the left. MASSIE MASSIE AND ASSOCIATES In the 1820s, when Springfield was still changing from a sleepy frontier settlement to a bustling metropolis, a small creek ran through what is now the […]
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Woman priest defies Catholic diocese
Mary Keldermans (left) of Springfield leads Holy Family Inclusive Catholic Community, while John Freml (right), also of Springfield, serves as the church’s spokesman. PHOTO BY PATRICK YEAGLE By most measures, Mary Keldermans of Springfield is a good Catholic. She was raised in the church, volunteered and for many years helped convert people to Catholicism. She […]
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Giving them something to strive for
Lanphier senior forward Kalvin Caesar drives to the hoop against three defenders at the Boys and Girls Club in Springfield. Photo BY PATRICK YEAGLE It’s already warm outside at 85 degrees on a breezeless summer evening in Springfield, but inside the gym at the Boys and Girls Club, it seems even hotter. The gym, sans […]
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SIU makes up with AFSCME
Employees at SIU School of Medicine protested in April after being told they were no longer part of the union. Photo BY PATRICK YEAGLE They took a firm stand, and then they promptly retreated. In late April, SIU School of Medicine in Springfield surprised about 230 employees by not deducting their union dues from their […]
