Oh dear – the North Koreans are threatening the United States with a preemptive nuclear strike. In November, Kim Jong-un ordered a test launch of the Hwasong-15 missile, which has the potential to reach any spot in the U.S.

The question is whether this can continue. For one thing, the Fed has been raising interest rates, and will almost certainly continue to do so. Income inequality – a drag on the economy and a strain on our social structure – is accelerating. Equally worrisome is lackluster growth in productivity.

Those we include here are people who have come to the attention of our writers, and others brought to IT by readers answering our call to memorialize their loved ones in these pages.

People believed what they read in newspapers when Clarke was publisher of the capital city’s daily paper. Newspapers were strong businesses, with profit margins that exceeded 25 percent and publishers who were players, sitting on influential civic boards and bestowing make-or-break endorsements on candidates for public office.

Thomas R. Jones dedicated his life to serving his country and his fellow man. He spent eight years in the U.S. Navy, which included a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam, followed by a long and distinguished career in public service.

Barbara Dickerman, known as “Babs” to most, had boundless energy and a vivacious personality. She was a crusader for social justice causes in Springfield. Whether it was fighting for fair and equitable housing or speaking at a city council meeting, Babs wanted justice for all people of all races and all religions.

J. William Roberts was Sangamon County state’s attorney when he got a call in the 1980s from Harold Vose, who was regional superintendent of schools. Could he help the son of Phillip Schmidt, principal at Lanphier? “I said ‘Sure, I’ll give Phil Schmidt’s son an internship,” Roberts recalled.

Two hundred words is not enough. The impact John had on the lives of those he touched during his short time here will always be remembered. He was a proud father of two wonderful daughters, a beloved brother and son, a loyal friend and so much more.

She was a recovering alcoholic and perpetually late. A person who flitted between jobs and businesses and appointments like a hummingbird on methamphetamine. She held no public office, accumulated no power, was rarely quoted in newspapers and kissed no rings.

They called him Dan, Danny, Danny Boy, Dapper Dan, Mr. Dan and Mr. Buck, and all who knew him marveled at his resilience and the illumination he brought to nearly every conversation. Daniel R. Buck died on Thursday, Dec.

If you were to mention the name Al Lewin anywhere in the central Illinois emergency services community, there would be instant recognition. For many years, Al served the Illinois State Police, as well as fire departments in Auburn and Chatham. He could be seen often running to emergencies of all kinds.

Mary Link was born with a song in her heart to parents Fred C. and Myra Fern (Garrett) Brown, both of Springfield, an expression of joy she carried with her all of her 90 years. She was a pianist, a music teacher, a quilter, a ceramics artist and a member of the Red Hat Society and the Silver Steppers dance organization.

There was wind, with high gusts forcing a 40-minute postponement. And Cambest’s feet weren’t in the best of condition. Can you take a quick lap with the water truck before we start, William “Bill” O’Donnell, the driver, asked. “Yeah, sure,” Joseph “Pete” Morrison agreed.

Her first job was teaching in Paxton, Illinois, and she was president of the local teachers’ union. While teaching there, a call came over the PA system, “Miss Beggs, the governor’s office is on the phone” – the governor had appointed her to be the first executive director of the Illinois State Labor Relations Board.

Dr. Sumanta (Shuman) Mitra died as he had lived – peacefully. He died in his sleep next to his wife, Lynn. Thankfully, he did not suffer or struggle. His death was unexpected and its cause uncertain.

Mary passed away of ALS after battling it for just over two years. ALS is a debilitating disease that also took her sister, Linda, in 2015.

Stan Zielinski was a lifelong learner with many interests – soccer, the arts, cooking, family and the military to name just a few. He retired after a long career in marketing, sales and association management. In all aspects of his life, he was a dedicated volunteer committed to helping others.

When we met, both of us were living in Springfield and studying as undergraduates in the communication department at Sangamon State University, now University of Illinois Springfield, where I currently work part-time as an instructor in that same department while working full time as a staff writer at Illinois Times.

I met my late father-in-law, George Kenney, on Thanksgiving Day 1986 at Washington Park. It was the beginning of a friendship that would last for 30 years. Many of you may have known George as a lifelong resident of Springfield, a practicing attorney or through his involvement in the American Business Club.

Jim Forstall just had this twinkle in his eyes and a smile that drew one into him. Whether it was at a meeting of the Chamber’s Business Education Partnership discussing ways business and education could unite for students, or at one of the many community organizations that Jim participated in, he showed a gentleman’s demeanor.

As a stand-up comedian starting out in the mid-1960s, Gregory is often credited with being the first African-American comedian to break through to white audiences, paving the way for later success stories like the late Richard Pryor, who once said of Gregory, “He was the greatest, and he was the first.

Born in 1925, she and her four siblings grew up in the family’s funeral home at 1109 South Fifth Street. In fact, that was the only place Aunt Catherine called home, as she and her family of funeral directors always wanted to be on hand in case they were needed.

Nicknamed “Lisa Lu” (short for her maiden name, Lukaszewski), Lisa had been a little over two years cancer-free at the time they met. When her diagnosis came, the couple realized they no longer had the luxury of time and decided to get married as soon as possible.

Growing up in Gillespie, she was the first grandchild and only granddaughter and niece for many years, making her quite spoiled by her extended family. She was, understandably, everyone’s favorite. It was always entertaining to hear the stories of Mom’s youth in Gillespie, surrounded by so many aunts, uncles and cousins.

On April 24, 2017, Springfield lost one of its greatest treasures, Joseph Raymond Klauzer. In 64 years of life, he touched many hearts. If you knew Joe, you were blessed with an amazing friendship. He acquired many lifelong friends as a young boy who grew up on the north end.

With a shock of red hair, a full white beard and the body of a Weeble, children would often call Dave Leach “Santa Claus.” He was jolly and filled with joy. You would always walk away from Dave with a smile. You might be shaking your head and rolling your eyes, but you would be smiling.

Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) doesn’t think so, eager to make the change once he realizes he’ll never get ahead working his dead-end job. Besides, he wants to give his wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) the life he thinks she deserves.

With New Year’s Eve being a celebratory night and falling on a Sunday in 2017, we have a solid, full weekend before the party to party and partake in live music. It seems some of our music folk have taken full advantage of the situation and booked mighty good stuff for this pre-2018 weekend.

With Devin playing slide on his trusty acoustic guitar while fronting vocals, he’s joined by bandmates Casey Cantrall (guitar, vocals), Chuck Combs (bass), Justin Schmidt (drums) and Zach Eymann (harmonica), plus various other musicians who somehow end up jamming along.

Casey Cantrall’s Jukebox Open Jam.

Theater & Comedy Comedian Josh Alton.

On Monday, Jan. 1, join the Sangamon Valley Group Sierra Club for a Stone Soup Hike. During this annual event, attendees are invited to enjoy vegetarian or meat-eater soups and a guided hike through Carpenter Park, a 434-acre wooded park and nature preserve nestled along the north bank of the Sangamon River.

On Sunday, Dec. 31, children who can’t stay up late can still celebrate the coming year during the Children’s Museum of Illinois’ annual “Happy Noon Year” event. Enjoy a confetti balloon drop at noon, along with music, a craft and other festive fun. Admission is $6 for Children’s Museum of Illinois members and $8 for nonmembers.