How will retirements affect Springfield?

Should Illinois release old and costly inmates?

In 2010, Illinois prisons held 223 C-Number inmates who had been there for more than 30 years. These inmates were a part of a sentencing scheme from a different era.C-Number inmates are prisoners who

Losers are winners in Lose Big contest

Shedding pounds and making lifestyle changes at the YMCA

On Jan. 9, 1990, Dave Morris experienced a life-changing event. So on Jan. 9 this year he decided to change his life again. He enrolled in the YMCA Lose Big contest. Morris was in his garage working o

Children’s library is more than books

When the Northside Community Children’s Library opened its doors in October 2011 it was originally supposed to offset the closings of the north and west branches of Springfield’s Lincoln L

Nature’s friends

Land preservation group continues to grow

When the Friends of the Sangamon Valley – formerly known as the Friends of Carpenter Park – was established in 1998, the organization began by targeting one piece of land to preserve. The

Recycling opportunities grow

Better yet, don’t buy it in the first place

Abby Walden believes that before Springfield residents start to consider recycling their trash, they should first be aware of the goods they are purchasing.“Products that cannot be reused, you s

Don’t lie to your doctor

Springfield physician urges honesty in the exam room

A middle-aged man sits in a chair in a Springfield exam room, facing Dr. Joshua Ellison of North Dirksen Medical Associates, a division of Memorial Physician Services. As Ellison looks through the man

New basketball league brings hoops to Springfield

Springfield Xpress wants to bring community together

When Steffen Spinks was a young boy growing up in Manteca, Calif., his mother didn’t want him to spend his time playing basketball. She encouraged Spinks to get involved in other sports because

Springfield filmmaker champions social issues

Latest project focuses on women with breast cancer

Springfield filmmaker Kimberly Conner says there are many advantages to filming movies in Springfield. “Springfield is an excellent place to make films because you don’t have a lot of the

Bills would require ID to vote

Preventing voter fraud, but at what price?

Illinois is one of at least 24 states considering controversial voter identification measures. Proponents say ID%u2008requirements would prevent vote fraud while critics say they amount to discriminat