Article

By Ann Strahle Over the last few decades, changes in technology and newsgathering methods, as well as economic recessions, have caused a decline in newsrooms on both the national and local levels. With newspapers folding and reporter positions being eliminated in print and broadcast fields, there has not been much good news when it comes […]

By Teresa Paul Kathy Sgro, founder and owner of Alterna-Care Home Health System (319 E. Madison Street, Suite 3L in Springfield), has developed a hospital prevention program, HOSPREVENT, which is now in its 10th year. The system uses a TeleHealth monitor which at-home patients use to take their own vital signs on a daily basis. […]

By Teresa Paul Developer Daniel Mulcahy, along with former Springfield alderman Irv Smith, has purchased the former First United Methodist Church at Fifth and Capitol streets and have ambitious plans for transforming the downtown location into the new Metropolitan Place. The property remained vacant for the last six years and was purchased in early 2014. […]

By Roberta Codemo Joel Horwedel readily admits that former executive director Jim Matheis left some big shoes to fill when he retired from Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center. “He’s been really great,” said Horwedel, who was hired as Matheis’ replacement in the spring of 2013. “He lets me pick his brain.” Born and raised […]

By Ginny Lee Zipcar bills itself as a car-sharing enterprise. The company was founded in 1999 in Massachusetts, marketing itself to cool, urban hipsters looking to share rides rather than own cars. Zipcars are certainly more prevalent in larger cities, but two can be found in Springfield in the parking lot between the St. Nicholas […]

Medical transportation service expands to Springfield By Gabe House “Medical transportation is probably the fastest growing business outside of the medical industry, because it’s married to it,” said Anthony Cherry, co-owner and operator of Alpha and Omega Transit Network. “When they grow, we grow.” And they both appear to be growing. Alpha and Omega is […]

President and publisher of the State Journal-Register By Scott Faingold When Clarissa Williams took over as president and publisher of the State Journal-Register at the beginning of this year, it was the culmination of a lifetime in the newspaper business. Raised in southern Kentucky (“People can tell I’m not from Illinois as soon as I […]

By Gabe House It has been 15 years since Elmer Taborn had a realization of something seemingly simple. “I was thinking, ‘You know what, I made good money cutting grass as a kid.’ I thought that would be a good way to make some extra cash,” Taborn said. “I started out with six yards and […]

By Roberta Codemo Entrepreneurs are finding it increasingly difficult to access capital through traditional funding sources. According to the 2013 Sage Business Index, 57 percent of small businesses said they needed to look at alternative funding sources. Without access to financing, entrepreneurial startups cannot bring their dreams to life. When it comes to securing money, […]

By Mary Beth Stephens One definition of art provided by Merriam-Webster.com is “something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings.” While everyone might not agree with this definition, one point is universal – art is the creation of something. The Springfield Art Association was […]

By Scott Faingold As director of the Office of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Springfield, Mike Farmer has no illusions. “An overall decrease in manufacturing is the case everywhere,” he says. “It’s a historical trend and probably irreversible. Still, I think Springfield is a very desirable place for manufacturing, and have felt […]

By Michelle Higginbotham, associate publisher Reading this year’s nominations for Women of Influence brought one of my favorite sayings to mind, “People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it,” attributed to the author George Bernard Shaw. Reviewing the list of accomplishments of this talented group of ladies makes […]