Soy Oaxaca, which translates from Spanish to, “I am Oaxaca,” is also the name of downtown Springfield’s latest restaurant. Soy Oaxaca itself is both a state and a capital city in southern Mexico. Some call it the culinary capital of Mexico (especially with respect to mole) but all agree that its United Nations Educational, Scientific […]
Columns
Posted inProfessional Development
The introvert’s revenge
A few weeks ago, I took a DISC assessment. This is something I’ve done many times over the years, but this time, the result surprised me. For the first time, my leading trait was extroversion. It wasn’t wrong, exactly. I can be outgoing. I speak publicly, lead workshops and enjoy connecting with people. But being […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – March 16 to March 22
Rhodes Development Co. LLC (Plaza Tire Service) received a commercial permit (new construction) for 4200 Conestoga Drive. Contractor is Boulder Construction and the project is valued at $2.3 million. CMT Real Estate Co. received a commercial remodel permit for 111 S. Durkin Drive. Contractor is Creasy Construction and the project is valued at $155,000. STMKK […]
Posted inMedical News
Taylorville Memorial Hospital names new president
Aaron Puchbauer has been named president and CEO of Taylorville Memorial Hospital, effective March 30. He replaces Kim Bourne, who retired in December. Puchbauer has extensive leadership experience at rural critical access hospitals, including as president and CEO of HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. He is a […]
Posted inAsk an Attorney
Nonprofit basics
We’ve written before about issues potential board members should consider before joining the board of a nonprofit, but we’ve never really looked at some of the broader legal issues that are unique to nonprofits. As the nonprofit sector continues to play an ever-increasing role in communities across Illinois (think of recent developments with our own […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Making tomorrow better than today
Three Springfield banks created the Sangamon County Foundation in 1924 to provide financial resources to local charitable causes. As those causes grew, the board of directors saw the need to evolve to better serve area residents. The board voted to reorganize as the Sangamon County Community Foundation in December 2002. At the time, John Stremsterfer […]
Posted inQ & A
Q&A With Jerry Kruse
Dr. Jerry Kruse joined the SIU School of Medicine faculty in 1984 and has served the organization in many leadership roles, including the past 10 years as dean and provost of Springfield-based Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and president and CEO of SIU Medicine, the medical school’s multispecialty group practice of doctors. Kruse has […]
Posted inColumns
Salt & Light Wellness to open
Dr. Deepa Cyriac-Thirunelli is preparing for the grand opening of her Salt and Light Wellness center. Salt and Light, located at 3471 Freedom Drive, recently wrapped up a two-week soft launch, during which friends and supporters — or as Cyriac-Thirunelli refers to them, her “founders circle”— had the opportunity to sample the wellness center’s offerings. […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Hilltop Nursery acquires Pool Center
The owners of Hilltop Nursery in Sherman are acquiring the Pool Center of Springfield in a deal that will close April 1. Jordan Powell, who owns Hilltop along with his wife, Megan, said they had been looking for opportunities to get into the pool industry to complement Hilltop’s garden center and landscape design and installation […]
Posted inColumns
UCB names new president, CFO
United Community Bank (UCB) has announced that David J. Drennan has been named president of the bank and elected to the bank’s board of directors, and Kayla Mahaffay-Musson has returned to the organization as chief financial officer. Drennan has served in multiple leadership roles during his 20 years with UCB. Most recently serving as chief […]
Posted inColumns
Bite and Brew coming to West Jefferson
A new restaurant is in the works for the former KFC on West Jefferson Street in Springfield. Lexhol Inc. applied for a liquor license to operate a restaurant listed as Bite and Brew, which was approved March 3 by the Springfield City Council. The 1850 W. Jefferson St. property was acquired in February 2025 by […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – March 9 to March 15
Kent Plaza Associates LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 2777 S. Sixth St. Contractor is Able Construction and the project is valued at $948,000. Blackstone Group received a commercial remodel permit for 1987 Wabash Ave. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $14.1 million. Springfield JA LLC received a commercial accessory […]