Tag Archives: Rachel Otwell
Talk Of Supt. Search During 186 Candidate Forum
District 186 school board incumbents and hopefuls met this morning at a candidate forum. Much of the talk centered on a search for a new superintendent. The current board chose to end Walter Milton‘s contract at the end of this … Continue reading
Dist. 186 Superintendent Milton – Exit Interview
District 186 superintendent Walter Milton will be leaving that role at the end of the month. The school board voted to terminate his contract and replace him. The school board approved a separation agreement with Milton earlier this month. Milton recently spoke … Continue reading
Springfield Boys & Girls Clubs Asks Community For Funding
The Springfield Boys and Girls Clubs held a fundraising event this weekend, but efforts to raise more money will be ongoing throughout the year due to the group’s financial situation. Rachel Otwell recently spoke with Andre Arrington, executive director of … Continue reading
Debate Over CCPA Closure
Last week’s district 186 school board meeting in Springfield was contentious to say the least. On the agenda: voting to approve a new interim superintendent and deciding again whether or not to close a school. The second decision drew the … Continue reading
Springfield Art Co-Op Hosts Group Exhibit
The Pharmacy is Springfield’s art collective and co-op. It will host a group exhibition tomorrow night (Saturday 3/9) from 6 to 9 at its warehouse, located at 1022 South Pasfield street. Adam Nicholson helps lead the co-operative, he recently spoke with … Continue reading
Paper Shortage At Springfield High
As district 186 continues efforts to shave down its budget, which is millions in the red, at least one school has struggled to maintain the bare necessities. Rachel Otwell reports: Paper
Matthew Schultz’s Music Career – From Dark To Light
Area artist and musician Matthew Schultz has seen and been in his fair share of art and music scenes. In this interview, he looks back on the past couple decades of music that he’s been a part of. From the industrial … Continue reading
Sangamon Table Tennis Club Shares Love Of Ping Pong
Ping pong tables are commonplace in recreation rooms and family basements. But the Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church in Springfield has several of them. And fans of the game gather there every week to perfect their skills. Rachel Otwell brings … Continue reading
Interview: Guns And Butter, An Art Exhibit At UIS
Adam Brooks and Mathew Wilson are two artists who work together under the moniker Industry of the Ordinary. Their exhibit titled ‘Guns And Butter’ is currently on display at the UIS Visual Arts Gallery. Tomorrow (1/31) they will be on campus … Continue reading
Interview: Rap Artist Ryne Goodrich AKA Emcee R-Two
Ryne Goodrich is involved in the local hip hop community and is a rapper himself. In this interview he speaks with WUIS’ Rachel Otwell about it:
Springfield Group Graffiti Exhibit
Aerosolics Anonymous is the name of the exhibit that will open this Saturday (1/26) and run through February 2nd. It will be at Artifacts, an art-collective and studio on South Grand. Rachel Otwell recently spoke with the owner of artifacts, Mike Gritmacker … Continue reading
Time For Three, A ‘Classically Trained Garage Band’
Time for Three is a group that gives a classical twist to music from a variety of genres. Consisting of two violinists and an up-right bassist, the three call themselves a “classically trained garage band.” They’ll be playing at Sangamon … Continue reading
Interview: Folk Artist George Colin
George Colin is an 83 year old folk artist, known for his bright and colorful drawings. Many he does in chalk pastel on black paper. He recently illustrated a poem called ‘The Turtle’ by Vachel Lindsay which is now sold … Continue reading
‘Hedwig And The Angry Inch’ Brings Gender-Bending Rock To Springfield
Rolling Stone magazine once wrote that Hedwig and the Angry Inch is “the first rock musical that truly rocks.” The production is coming to Springfield this month at The Legacy Theatre. The Off-Broadway musical focuses on its title character, Hedwig Schmidt … Continue reading
Artist Profile: Chris Maxey Plays Acoustic Originals
Chris Maxey is a 24-year-old musician from Springfield. He hosts a weekly open-mic night and performs with his band The Chris Maxey Trio. Maxey also performs solo acoustic sets. He’s also a music instructor who says many of his songs have … Continue reading
2012 In Review: Illinois History
2012 was a busy year for Illinois history-lovers. With two movies released around the world about one of Springfield’s best-loved figures, and damage done to historic sites, it was also a year of ups and downs. Rachel Otwell recently spoke … Continue reading
Smoke Free IL Act Five Years Later
The Smoke Free Illinois Act went into effect 5 years ago today (Jan. 1, 2013), banning smoking in public places like offices, bars and restaurants. But there continues to be efforts to scale it back. Rachel Otwell explains:
Illinois Officials Differ On Fiscal Cliff Predictions
As the clock ticks down to the fiscal cliff in Washington, Illinois’ comptroller sees dire consequences for the state. But the Governor’s more optimistic. Rachel Otwell has more:
Reports Of Child Sex Abuse Up In Downstate IL
Family members and those close to children are failing to report cases of sexual abuse, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services says. That agency said today that reported cases of sex abuse against children are up in Downstate … Continue reading
State Museum Highlights “Artists With Histories”
An exhibition that runs now through January 6th showcases work by people who have created art for several decades. The eleven artists hail from Illinois. Jim Zimmer is director for art and history for the Illinois State Museum, which curated … Continue reading
Military Museum Event Highlights Christmas For Soldiers
About a century ago, US troops were deployed to Europe where they fought in World War I. Included were soldiers from Illinois. The Illinois State Military Museum, located in Springfield, is paying homage to those troops and soldiers tonight (Tuesday, … Continue reading
Park’s Golf Courses Will Stay Open Through Winter
Die-hard golfers will have the chance to play through the winter this year at courses run by Springfield’s park district. For the first time, the Lincoln Greens, Bunn, Bergen, and Pasfield courses will stay open throughout the winter months. Park district executive … Continue reading
APL Holiday Benefits For Cats & Dogs
The Animal Protective League in Springfield takes abandoned animals and helps them find new homes. The group has two Holiday events and benefits over the weekend. WUIS’ Rachel Otwell recently spoke with Angie Antonucci from the APL about them. *APL Holiday … Continue reading
Interview: Kim Leistner, SpringfieldMoms.org Founder
Kim Leistner is the founder and president of SpringfieldMoms.org. It’s a website catered to area parents, but there are events listed that may appeal to kids of all ages. Those looking for family-friendly activities over the holidays will be able … Continue reading
Interview: UIS Art Gallery’s Silent Auction Benefit
Holiday shoppers and art enthusiasts will have a chance to bid on art at the UIS Visual Arts Gallery this week. Jeff Robinson is the director there. He recently spoke with WUIS’ Rachel Otwell about the silent auction that will … Continue reading
Interview: James S. Murray Exhibit At Lincoln Land
The late James S. Murray helped found the arts department at Lincoln Land Community College. Some of his artwork is currently on display there, at the visual arts gallery named after him. On display are his sketches. Rachel Otwell recently … Continue reading
Hostess Bankruptcy Affects Springfield Schools
The bankruptcy of Hostess, maker of Twinkies, Ho Hos, and also bread products, has affected what students in Springfield District 186 are eating. While Twinkies aren’t part of the average school lunch, bread sure is. And the district was contracting with Hostess for … Continue reading
Interview: Tom Frost on Muni’s 2013 Season
Rachel Otwell recently spoke with Tom Frost, president of the Springfield Muni board of managers about Muni’s 2013 season as well as changes to the schedule this year: CLICK HERE for more info on the Muni’s 2013 season.
Human Rights Radio Founder Broadcasting In Springfield For 25 Years
Human Rights Radio turned 25 years old this month. That’s a quarter century of illegal broadcasting. The low-power Springfield station focuses on African American issues with a radical slant. And at its heart, is a man named Mbanna Kantako. Rachel Otwell brings … Continue reading
Springfield Program Supports Homeless Students
Getting any young child excited about learning can be a challenge. But for kids who don’t always know where their next meal is coming from or where they’ll be sleeping for the night – it can be even harder to … Continue reading
Wrongfully Convicted Julie Rea Speaks At UIS
A woman who was found guilty of murdering her own son but who has since been exonerated spoke publicly for the first time about the case in Springfield. Julie Rea was found guilty of murdering her ten year old son … Continue reading
Play About Darker Period Of Lincoln History
A contemporary play sheds lights on a darker period of Abraham Lincoln’s life. It’s set at a time when his son Willie had recently died and the Civil War was raging on. That play is called The Heavens Are Hung … Continue reading
Speaker Brings Stories From Poor And Homeless People To Jacksonville
Robert Wolf has dedicated his life to collecting and sharing the stories of poor and homeless people. Wolf will be speaking at MacMurray College tonight in Jacksonville at seven o’clock. Wolf has focused on struggling farmers in the Midwest as … Continue reading
Mauricio Rameriz, An Artist Insipired By Graffiti
Mauricio Ramirez is a 24 year old artist and student at the University of Illinois Springfield who hails from the Chicago area. His art is inspired by grafitti. WUIS’ Rachel Otwell recently spoke with him about his first solo art … Continue reading
