It may be the only place in Springfield where a person can get a haircut and a meth pipe for free. Intricate Minds provides free hypodermic needles and pipes to those struggling with addiction as part of a harm-reduction strategy designed to reduce the spread of disease. “We provide clean syringes and pipes. We have […]
Scott Reeder
Scott Reeder is a staff writer at Illinois Times.
Posted inColumns
Lutheran High School plans to rebuild near Cherry Hills Church
After mine subsidence forced Lutheran High School to abandon its west-side Springfield campus in 2022, it is looking to rebuild on land owned by Cherry Hills Church, near the northeast corner of Chatham and Woodside roads. “We’re negotiating with Lutheran right now for them to buy 23 acres of farmland to the north of our […]
Posted inColumns
An interview with the new DSI director
Carlos Ortega, a man with a passion for promoting economic development, has set his sights on improving his hometown’s central business district. The Springfield native is Downtown Springfield Incorporated’s new executive director. He began the job Feb. 1. “He brings with him extensive nonprofit and business knowledge that we feel is going to translate very […]
Posted inArticles
Credit card company monopolies impact small businesses
Strings are often attached in Mark Yeates’ business transactions. The owner of Dick’s Shoe Repair, 314 W. Laurel St., enjoys putting new shoestrings on pairs of Oxfords or stitching new soles onto wingtips. But one string he doesn’t like is the one credit card companies attach to every charge-card transaction that happens in his shop. […]
Posted inArticles
Show me the money
The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes have $10 million in ideas about how to improve Robin Roberts Stadium. But the question is: Who will pay for it? “First and foremost, it starts with the ownership group,” said Jamie Toole, an executive and an owner of the team. “Our ownership group has shown a commitment and a willingness […]
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City pursues legal action against Olde Towne Apartments
The city of Springfield is seeking court orders to take possession of eight vacant, dilapidated apartment buildings so that they can be demolished. The structures are part of the 23-building Olde Towne apartment complex, located at the corner of Jefferson Street and Bruns Lane. City officials are also seeking to have the owner rehabilitate four […]
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Postal problems
For Tonia Morrell, the U.S. mail is a lifeline. But the 51-year-old disabled woman living on Springfield’s north side is finding that lifeline is becoming frayed. For the past three months, her Social Security check has arrived several days late. “I’ve called down there to the post office and said, ‘Hey, I’m looking for my […]
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Liquor license dilemma
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is overruling the decision of Rochester’s village president to deny a liquor license to a business owner who had recently evicted his son. Village President Joe Suerdieck said Nov. 27 he hasn’t decided yet whether to appeal the commission’s ruling. He declined to speak further on the matter. “I don’t […]
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A child care crisis
A lack of affordable day care options is contributing to a workforce shortage in the Springfield area, contends Kayla Edwards, managing partner of Express Employment Professionals. “I don’t use the word ‘crisis’ lightly. But we are in a crisis right now when it comes to finding enough people to fill positions,” she said. Her firm, […]
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SHG says so long to a good habit
By Scott Reeder Soon, for the first time in its storied 128-year history, a member of a religious order will no longer be at the helm of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. Sister Katherine O’Connor, the longtime president of the school, is retiring and a search is on for her replacement. The Dominican sister has led […]