Dave Bakke, SJ-R Breaking News

Dave Bakke

SJ-R Breaking News

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Past:
  • SJ-R Breaking News

Past articles by Dave:

Dave Bakke: A life in newspapers began as a runaway toddler

My life in newspapers ends Friday with my retirement. I normally say I started in newspapers 41 years ago, but it really began at the age of 2. That was → Read More

Dave Bakke: A love story that was just meant to be

Ann and Andy Smith have a good love story to tell. It involves disco dancing, collecting for cancer research, coffee, two mourning doves and their late- → Read More

Dave Bakke: Hand-hewn cross is lasting tribute to SHG teacher Simon Cory

There are many crosses in and around Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. None, though, quite like the eight-foot replica of the cross Simon Cory used → Read More

One more ride in Corvette for Joan Jones

Today we revisit a column from last fall. There is a good reason to do so.In October, I wrote about Joan Jones, her daughter Brenda Samonds and a Corvette. → Read More

Dave Bakke: Former couple doing fine after kidney transplant

After one false start, when transplant surgery had to be postponed due to a surgeon's illness, Corey Having has his new kidney, courtesy of a former → Read More

Dave Bakke: Frank Rumble gets final wish, first helicopter ride

Frank Rumble's spirits were lifted Friday afternoon. And so was he.Frank is in the terminal stage of lymphoma and recently entered Memorial Medical → Read More

Dave Bakke: Message in bottle found after 10 years in river

In June 2006, Dan Frachey put a $20 bill and a typed message inside a wine bottle. He took the bottle to the Rochester Road bridge that goes over the → Read More

Dave Bakke: Hunter Gross edits Bourdain's CNN show from Springfield

What Hunter Gross does in Springfield is sort of like being a coach for the St. Louis Cardinals but never going near Busch Stadium.Hunter is one of the → Read More

Dave Bakke: 'Star Trek' fan Les Blain is an Enterprising guy

I have been waiting for a reason to write about Les Blain's "Star Trek" room at his Springfield home. I found it. This year is the 50th → Read More

Dave Bakke: Worries about Ms. D's restaurant premature

There has been a lot of interest focused on local restaurants lately. Some have closed, igniting a debate over supporting local vs. chain restaurants. → Read More

Dave Bakke: Ashland man in search of a saxophone

Todd Wallbaum of Ashland wants to buy a saxophone, but not just any saxophone. He wants to buy back the same one he sold to — someone — about 30 years ago.Good luck with that.When Todd was a student at Ashland High School he played a Conn Shooting Star tenor saxophone. He graduated in 1984 and, figuring he wouldn't be keeping up with his music, he sold the horn."My son sold the instrument to a… → Read More

Dave Bakke: Local stylists give The Donald's hair The Makeover

Sarah Moore's post on our newspaper's Facebook page regarding Donald Trump's Monday appearance here gave me an idea."My salon is inside the Hilton ... → Read More

Dave Bakke: Bride wore black, groom was dead on his feet

When Amanda Jones and Jake Bryant got married Saturday in Washington Park, the bride was late — in more ways than one.Amanda, Jake and their → Read More

Dave Bakke: Want to see Illinois? Run in every county like this man

If this is Dave Joens' midlife crisis, it is a socially acceptable one.Instead of buying himself a sports car and a new, hip wardrobe, Dave did something → Read More

Dave Bakke: Generic state budget crisis story will save time

Let me make things simpler for those of us in Illinois media. Since the state moans the same sad blues number year after year after year, I see no need → Read More

Dave Bakke: No pressure, Cubs, but longtime fan depending on you

Bob Viehweg entered hospice a year ago. Most people who go into hospice care do not come out again. Not only did Bob come out but he was in Wrigley Field → Read More

Dave Bakke: Comparing state fairs is a fun game to play

It's a fun parlor game to compare our state fair with the fairs in surrounding states. While sort of an "apples/oranges" event, it's as close as we can come to judging how the Illinois State Fair measures up to our neighbors.Take attendance figures, for example. Ours were bleak when compared, say, to Iowa's. Iowa's fair, which ran concurrently with Illinois', drew about 1.1 million (and all-time… → Read More

Dave Bakke: 74 years later, Harold and Wilma are getting married

Love and persistence are a powerful combination. And time has no effect on strong emotions.We go back to 1941. Two teenagers, Harold Simburger and Wilma → Read More

Dave Bakke: Darneille family copes with second death in two months

A few years ago, it was all so good. My column then was about how musical prodigy Ben Darneille of Rochester had been selected to solo on "Suite For Tuba" on the National Public Radio show "From The Top," which highlights classical musicians from ages 8 to 18.His sister, Emylee Darneille, had been senior class president at Rochester High School, National Honor Society member, Illinois State… → Read More

Dave Bakke: Story behind haunting photo on Calvary Cemetery grave marker

Adding a photograph of deceased loved ones to their grave marker was once popular. When we see those old photos today, they give us some indication of who → Read More