The future of electric vehicles
Electrons are gradually replacing hydrocarbons as the propulsive power of choice for many Americans as electric-powered vehicles continue to make inroads with the motoring public. According to Kelly Blue Book, electric vehicle (EV) car and pickup truck sales reached 1.3 million in 2024, which is a 7.3% increase from 2023. EVs made up 8.7% of…
Q&A With Kathy Nichelson
Kathy Nichelson has worked for Capital Area Realtors for the past 30 years, serving as the CEO for the last six years. She obtained her Realtor Certified Executive designation 10 years ago. Nichelson and her spouse live in rural Girard, and she has two adult sons and three young grandchildren. In her free time, she…
A more balanced housing market in 2025
The National Association of Realtors held its annual economic and real estate summit in December to provide a forecast of the national economy and its impact on the real estate market in 2025. It was hosted by Lawrence Yun, chief economist and senior vice president of research for NAR, and moderated by Jessica Lautz, deputy…
An aging population means more demand for active senior living
For many people approaching their senior years, active-senior housing is a better alternative to maintaining a large home and yard. A new 55-plus community is currently being built on Springfield’s west side. Westgate Patio Homes offers duplexes with garages separating units. Owner and real estate broker Kyle Killebrew said his idea to build homes for…
Barndominiums are the new lifestyle trend in country living
In the spring of 2020, Morrisa and Chet Reynolds walked 20 acres of property in Chatham with the intention of building a different sort of life. Chet had been raised in an agricultural community, and the couple was starting to feel as though subdivision life just wasn’t right for them. Fast forward five years and…
Placing a value on pets
Historically, pets have been treated like any other personal property. Unless your pet was a prized purebred or a service animal, the law placed very little value on it. Pets had no rights, and the law did not take into account their best interests. But a lot of that has changed. If your pet was…
Helping others reach the American dream of home ownership
Larry Robinson is constructing a better life for others one house at a time. He founded Springfield’s J&L Properties in 2010 and recently formed J&L Foundation to focus on revitalizing poverty-stricken neighborhoods, particularly on Springfield’s east side where he grew up. “Most of my properties are in lower-income neighborhoods,” said the 41-year-old Robinson, “and about…
Memorial Health announces new president and CEO
Three new members have been named to the board of directors of Memorial Health. “We’re proud to have a board that brings together people with a wide range of expertise from across the region we serve,” said Ed Curtis, president and CEO of Memorial Health. “Each of these new members brings their own valuable perspective…
St. John’s Foundation welcomes 2025 Children’s Miracle Network Champions
Two Springfield-area former patients of HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital have officially assumed their roles as 2025 local and national champions for the Children’s Miracle Network. Jase Hendricks, 9, of Rochester, and Lyndie Jones, 11, of Chestnut, will serve as ambassadors for the 170 U.S. and Canadian member children’s hospitals for the next year by…
CD’S BBQ
CD’s BBQ is a family-owned restaurant near the intersection of North Grand Avenue and Eighth Street. The “C” is for Cecil Turner, who’s been barbecuing virtually his whole life, while the “D” is for his wife, Doris Turner, who helps prepare the food when she isn’t at the Statehouse performing her duties as a senator.…
Speak up or shut down?
With a background in business psychology, I have to admit that one of my guilty pleasures when out and about in the community is to observe and study organizational culture. Are the employees chatting and helping each other? Do they seem happy? Are the manager’s actions supportive and upbeat, or terse and punitive? Between client…
