Memorial Health Launches Fundraising Initiative for Mobile Memorial Program at the Memorial Health Championship Presented by LRS, June 25-28
Memorial Health is launching a new $300,000 fundraising effort to establish Mobile Memorial, a mobile health program designed to bring preventive and essential healthcare services directly to the central Illinois communities where they are needed most. The initiative will debut as part of the Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS, taking place June 25–28 at Panther Creek Country Club.“Health does not start in the exam room. It starts in homes, workplaces, schools and neighborhoods,” said Mandy
Notice of Adjusted Summer Waste Collection Hours
The Office of Public Works is notifying residents of temporary earlier collection times for local waste haulers next week due to forecasted high temperatures and humidity. Beginning the week of June 29, 2026, and in accordance with City Ordinance 105, Republic Services, Lake Area Disposal, and Waste Management are authorized to begin daily waste collection at 5:00 a.m. Residents are encouraged to place their waste and recycling containers at the curb the night before their scheduled collection day to
Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln - Scholarships Awarded
The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln has awarded 102 scholarships and scholarship renewals for 2026, totaling nearly $230,000. The awards were made possible through charitable scholarship funds established by more than 45 individuals, families, and organizations committed to supporting local students and educational opportunities. With this year’s awards, the Community Foundation has distributed more than $2.7 million in scholarships over the past 22 years, helping hundreds of students pursue
LLCC announces spring 2026 Dual Credit President’s and Vice President’s lists
Lincoln Land Community College has announced its Dual Credit President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2026 semester. Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and achieved President’s list honors. Students who earned a GPA of 3.5-3.99 achieved Vice President’s list honors. LLCC partners with area high schools to provide college-level classes through Dual Credit (taught by teachers in high schools) and College Now (taught by LLCC instructors at one of the
LLCC announces spring 2026 part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists
Lincoln Land Community College has announced its part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2026 semester. Part-time students, enrolled in six to 11 credit hours, who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and achieved President’s list honors. Part-time students who earned a GPA of 3.5-3.99 achieved Vice President’s list honors. AlexanderAvery G. Blackorby, Baylie L. Colwell* ArenzvilleKaylee Z. Beck*, Jeris A. Wankel AshlandSamantha J. Hill, Bella
UIS Legal Studies Professor Deborah Anthony admitted to U.S. Supreme Court Bar
University of Illinois Springfield Professor of Legal Studies Deborah Anthony was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States during a June 18 ceremony in Washington, D.C.The admission allows Anthony to practice before the nation's highest court. Only a select group of attorneys are admitted to the Supreme Court Bar each year.Anthony was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts in the presence of the full court. Before the court convened, Roberts met privately with the group of attorneys
SIU Physicians Investiture Ceremony on Monday, June 29
WHAT: Three Southern Illinois University School of Medicine physicians will formally receive endowed chairs at an Investiture Ceremony. WHEN: 5 p.m. Monday, June 29, immediately followed by a reception WHERE: Edgar J. Curtis Memorial Learning Center, 228 W. Miller St., Springfield WHY: An endowed chair is among the highest honors in academic medicine, recognizing the person for whom the chair is named and also the faculty member who holds the chair. The investiture officially marks the
Community Foundation Announces Three Grant Opportunities and Employment Opening
Community Foundation Announces Three Grant Opportunities and Employment Opening SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln is sharing several announcements of interest to local nonprofit organizations and residents. Applications are currently being accepted for three grant programs supporting community needs and historic preservation, and the Community Foundation is seeking applicants for a full-time Grants and Scholarships Manager position. Community Foundation Accepting
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Michelle Pulce-Flynn
Michelle Pulce-FlynnDirector, Grant Development and AdministrationLincoln Land Community College (217) 786-2446michelle.pulce-flynn@llcc.edu What products and services do your business offer? LLCC offers affordable education whether earning a two-year associate degree and transferring to a four-year institution or completing a program that allows students to enter directly into the workforce. LLCC also offers multiple certificate programs that in most cases are stackable, which means a person can
Touch a Truck School Supply Drive seeks donations for local students
While summer vacation is in full swing, HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital is already looking ahead to the first day of school by scheduling its annual, popular Touch a Truck Back-to-School Supply Drive for July 10 in front of the hospital. “Touch-A-Truck has become a special tradition because it brings together our Mission and fun,” said Abigail Salzeider, MSNED, RN, Nurse Manager of Pediatrics and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the children’s hospital. “As caregivers, we see every day how
LLCC announces 2026 graduates
AltonAssociate in Arts – Kendall A. Lavender ArenzvilleAssociate in Applied Science – Kendrick J. BeckAssociate in Arts – Seth M. Burchard*, Kimberly GallegosCertificate of Achievement – Desiree L. CoilCertificate of Completion – Jace C. Beck, Anna J. Isringhausen AshlandAssociate in Applied Science – Kashton D. Henrick Parker*, Heidi Lyn Sipes, Allyson E. WhitakerAssociate in Science – Andrew Eugene WeisCertificate of Achievement – Camden L. Hays AssumptionAssociate in Applied Science – Shea D.
Jennifer (Jen) Boyer Named Memorial Health Chief Nursing Executive
Jennifer (Jen) Boyer has accepted the role of senior vice president and chief nursing executive at Memorial Health, effective June 22.In this new role, she will be part of the Enterprise Leadership Team, reporting directly to president and CEO Mandy Eaton, PhD. She will oversee operations at Memorial Health primary care, specialty care and urgent care clinics. She will also guide professional nursing practice, development and workforce strategies across Memorial, working closely with chief nursing officers
First Graders Invited To Springfield's First-Ever Safety City Camp
Registration is now open for Springfield Safety City, a free, interactive summer safety camp designed for children entering first grade. Youth will interact with members of the Springfield Fire Department, Public Works, City Water, Light and Power, Springfield Police Department, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in a fun daily camp with hands on activities and games centered on safety and learning. This marks the first year Springfield will host Safety City, providing young learners with the
Ali Siddiq to Perform October 23 at UIS Performing Arts Center
Tickets Go On-Sale Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m. Comedian Ali Siddiq announces the extension of his international standup tour Ali Siddiq: Custom Fit with over 30 additional markets in September through January 2027. Coming to the UIS Performing Arts Center on Friday, October 23, 2026. Pre-sales for 2nd Act Campaign Donors $125+ start on Thursday, June 25 at 10 a.m. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m. at UISpac.com. Tickets are $45 - $175 and available at
2026 OFFICIAL FIELD FOR THE 2026 MEMORIAL HEALTH CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY LRS
The Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS announced the official field for this week’s tournament. Currently all ten players at the top of the Korn Ferry Tour’s points list are slated to compete including, Ian Holt, Doc Redman, Alistair Docherty, Cole Sherwood, Hunter Eichhorn, Ben Kohles, Jeremy Gandon, Cooper Dossey, Michael Johnson and Taylor Dickson. The field includes a strong collection of the Korn Ferry Tour’s rising stars as they continue their pursuit of PGA TOUR membership. Two past
Big Texan Steak Challenge Road Show Rolls into Springfield as Part of Route 66 Centennial Celebrations
Route 66 enthusiasts, food lovers, and adventure seekers are invited to witness one of America's most famous food challenges when The Big Texan Steak Ranch® 72oz Steak Challenge Road Show arrives in Springfield on Tuesday, June 23. The event will take place at the Illinois Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, with a live stream beginning at 5:00 p.m. and the challenge kicking off at 5:30 p.m. Participants will include Scott Dahl of Visit Springfield and Paul "Rocki" Nawrocki of 98.7
CITY BRANCH PICKUP BEGINNING TWO WEEKS EARLY
The Office of Public Works announced that it will begin early branch pickup two weeks early due to the recent storms. Crews are actively collecting branches and storm debris city-wide. This round will have one pickup, which will happen in every neighborhood. In July regular pickup by quadrant will proceed as normal. Branches are to be placed on the right of way, between the curb & the sidewalk. Branch piles should be no larger that what would fit in the back of a pickup truck. Contractors are not to
City of Springfield Reviews June 10 Severe Weather Event and Emergency Siren Activation Procedures
Public safety remains the highest priority for the Mayor of Springfield and the Springfield Fire Department. Unpredictable weather often makes this priority challenging. Following the severe weather event that impacted portions of Springfield on the evening of June 10, 2026, city officials completed an after-action review of the storm, emergency notifications, and outdoor warning siren activation procedures. In a post-storm assessment conducted by the National Weather Service (NWS),
Central Illinois woman first patient in Illinois to undergo groundbreaking procedure for irregular heartbeat at Prairie Cardiovascular
A 75-year-old woman from Watson, Illinois, who has suffered with atrial fibrillation (AFib) since she was a teenager is the first patient in Illinois to receive a groundbreaking procedure performed by Dr. Bharath Rajagopalan of Prairie Cardiovascular. Carolyn Burk said she has noticed no AFib symptoms, has experienced at least a 75% improvement in her health, and has been able to stop taking AFib medication since recently undergoing the innovative procedure for her irregular heartbeat. “I feel this
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, Named as Recipient of the 2026 Achievement Citation at Assembly 2026
The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) has announced Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach (HSMO) as the recipient of the 2026 Achievement Citation at Assembly 2026. The organization was honored at the Assembly 2026 awards banquet on June 3. Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach addresses critical global needs by strengthening health systems, expanding access to medical care, and promoting sustainable development. As a Medical Supply and Equipment Recovery Organization, HSMO collects,
Heyen celebrates 25 years with Hanson
Matt Heyen, P.E. Matt Heyen, P.E., a vice president and the power operations lead at Hanson Professional Services Inc., recently celebrated 25 years of service with the firm.Heyen, who joined Hanson in 2001 and works at the Springfield headquarters, is a senior project manager for power generation and transportation infrastructure clients. He provides services including environmental studies, concept and alternative analysis planning studies, engineering design, construction document preparation and
Women's Pro Baseball Leadoff Luncheon
Be part of history as we officially welcome the inaugural season of the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) to Springfield! The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes invite you to attend the 2026 Women’s Pro Baseball Leadoff Luncheon on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center. This special event will serve as our community’s official welcome to the WPBL and celebrate the beginning of a groundbreaking new chapter in professional baseball. Attendees will have the
CREWS RESPONDING TO POWER OUTAGES
Electric crews are responding to power outages following damage caused by storms with high winds last night that broke several poles and brought power lines down. Damage assessment and crew work is underway by CWLP, contract crews, City personnel and other first responders. Crews are working to restore power to the largest groups of customers as quickly and safely as possible.At the height of the storms over 5,300 customers were impacted. Current outages as of 9:15 a.m. are at 1,270 customers located in
Springfield’s Mary Bryant Home celebrates 80 years of service to blind and visually impaired community
The Mary Bryant Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Springfield, Illinois, is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026, marking eight decades of providing safe, supportive and independent housing for adults who are blind or visually impaired in central Illinois. Licensed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Mary Bryant Home is a certified supportive living community serving up 42 residents ages 22 and older. The home offers health care, dining, activities and support
DR. IAN MARTIN SELECTED AS NEXT PROVOST, DEAN AND CEO OF SIU MEDICINE
Southern Illinois University has selected Ian B.K. Martin, M.D., M.B.A., FACEP, FAAEM, to serve as the next provost and dean of SIU School of Medicine. Martin will also serve as CEO of SIU Medicine, the school’s faculty practice. Martin was selected following a highly competitive national search because of his extensive experience in academic and clinical leadership and health system strategy, along with his commitment to mission-driven healthcare. Throughout the process, he distinguished himself as a
Study finds waste sites with cancer-causing chemicals more common near marginalized communities
A new nationwide study led by a University of Illinois Springfield faculty member finds that people in lower-income communities and communities of color are more likely to live near sites where industries dispose of cancer-causing chemicals. The research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute.Jessica M. Madrigal, associate professor in the School of Integrated Sciences, Sustainability and Public Health in the UIS College of Health,
Smarter Visual Marketing for Professional Services Using Adobe Firefly
What Is Adobe Firefly? Adobe Firefly is a generative artificial intelligence application that produces high quality images, videos, and audio clips from simple text descriptions. It operates by interpreting natural language commands and turning them into professional visual and auditory assets that can be customized for various media platforms. All files generated through its features out of beta are fully cleared for commercial use because the system was trained exclusively on licensed Adobe Stock images
Krista Kinison Named May Colleague of the Month for Memorial Health, System Resources
Memorial Health has named Krista Kinison as the May Colleague of the Month for System Resources. Kinison joined Memorial Health in November 2021 and works as an insurance pre-authorization specialist in patient access services. Colleagues describe her as a steady, generous presence in the department and someone who brings expertise and warmth to every interaction, regardless of what is happening around her. "Krista is a valuable resource in many ways, consistently maintaining a great attitude and a calm,
Artist in the Park Kicks Off Summer Season with Strong Attendance
The Springfield Area Arts Council is celebrating a successful start to the 2026 Artist in the Park at Food Truck Fridays season after welcoming nearly 200 attendees to the kickoff event on May 29. The organization invites the community to join them for the remaining nine weeks of free live entertainment in downtown Springfield. Held at Union Square Park, 500 E. Madison Street, the opening performance featured Mike Anderson the Dulcimer Guy and brought together residents, downtown workers, and visitors for
Misty Buffenmeyer Named May Colleague of the Month for Memorial Health Ambulatory Group
Misty Buffenmeyer, an advanced practice provider at Memorial Care Urgent Care on US 36 East in Decatur, has been named May Colleague of the Month for the Memorial Health Ambulatory Group. Buffenmeyer joined Memorial Health in March 2024 and has distinguished herself as a provider who combines clinical precision with compassion. Colleagues say she brings the same calm, solutions-focused approach to every patient encounter. Nominated for her ability to make patients feel heard while maintaining efficiency,
Deborah Edmonson Named May Colleague of the Month at Springfield Memorial Hospital
Springfield Memorial Hospital (SMH) has named Deborah Edmonson, RN, as its May Colleague of the Month. Edmonson has been a nurse at SMH since October 1997, spending nearly three decades caring for patients on the 5A/G Adult Psych unit. She is a colleague others look to for both her clinical knowledge and the steady, empathetic presence she brings on even the most demanding days. She works across multiple units, remains kind and hardworking regardless of the challenges in front of her, and takes time to
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Kyle Edmiston
Kyle H. Edmiston, ChFC®Financial AdvisorEdward Jones (217) 606-0696Kyle.Edmiston@edwardjones.comWhat products and services does your business offer? Edward Jones is a full‑service financial firm offering investment management, financial planning, insurance, retirement, estate, and banking solutions to individuals, families, and business owners. What is one thing you'd like for people to know about your business? Whether you are looking for a trusted relationship to provide financial advice or
LLCC offering free Media Makers Camps
Lincoln Land Community College is offering free Media Makers Camps July 13-16 for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to get an introductory, inside-look at the field of 21st-century graphic design, also known as integrated media design. The camps will be held at LLCC-Medical District, 130 W. Mason St., Springfield. Each camp is four days with morning (9 a.m. to noon) and afternoon (1-4 p.m.) options. The morning camp will focus on digital photography and video. The afternoon camp will
Lake Springfield Host to State Bass Fishing Tournament
Lake Springfield is host to the Illinois High School Coaches and Student State Tournament for bass fishing on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday May 31. The Lindsay Boat Launches will be reserved for the tournament beginning Friday, May 29th at 10 p.m. through Sunday, May 31st around 3 p.m. The Harbor Point and Sailboat Launches in Center Park, the Spaulding Dam Launch and Marine Point Launch will remain open to the public.The public is invited to attend and view from the Lindsay Boat Launch but the launches will
Damon Priddy State Farm Launches ''Red Nets Program'' to Revitalize Community Basketball Courts
Springfield, IL — Damon Priddy State Farm is proud to announce the launch of its Red Nets Program, a community-driven initiative focused on replacing worn and missing basketball nets on courts throughout the Springfield area and surrounding communities. The Red Nets Program is designed to bring new life to local courts, creating a more welcoming and engaging environment for families, kids, and athletes of all ages. By identifying courts in need and installing fresh, vibrant red nets, the initiative aims
Damon Priddy State Farm Sponsors Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for the Month of March in Partnership with United Way of Central Illinois
Damon Priddy Insurance & Financial Services - a State Farm Agency is proud to partner with the United Way of Central Illinois and its sponsorship of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for the month of March, reinforcing the agency’s continued commitment to education, literacy, and community investment. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a globally recognized literacy initiative founded by Dolly Parton that provides free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Each
