🌱 Patch AM: Where Springfield’s power is still out after Sunday’s severe storms

Hi there, Springfield! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Where Springfield's power is still out after Sunday's severe storms
• Springfield veterans group gets a new home after fairgrounds dispute
• How Springfield is preserving the memory of the 1908 race riot

Also on today's calendar: Ella Langley and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and humid, with a high of 83 and low of 68 degrees.
• Wednesday: Humid with a stray t-storm, temps: high: 81, low: 64.
• Thursday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 80 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Thousands without power in Springfield following storms (wandtv.com) — Thousands of Springfield City Water, Light and Power customers lost electricity after severe storms toppled trees, poles, and lines across central neighborhoods and areas northwest of Lake Springfield. Crews are prioritizing safety and largest outage clusters, while residents are urged to treat all downed wires as live, stay clear, warn others, and report hazards to CWLP at 217-789-2121.
   

2. Retired couple donates building to veterans group (bluewaterhealthyliving.com) — A retired Springfield dentist and his wife have donated their former MacArthur Boulevard office to the Combined Veterans Association of Illinois, giving the group a new headquarters after disputes over its longtime fairgrounds building. CVA leaders say the Springfield space will help them better coordinate support for veterans and expand community-focused fundraising and outreach.
   

3. Earth moving: Soil commemoration ceremony honors Springfield 1908 lynching victims (qctimes.com) — Springfield residents and historians gathered August 14 to collect soil from the lynching sites of Scott Burton and William Donnegan, honoring victims of the 1908 race riot. The jars will be displayed at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum before traveling to the Equal Justice Initiative's Legacy Museum, connecting Springfield's painful history to a national remembrance effort.
   

4. Japan comes to Springfield this summer (capitolcitynow.com) — Springfield is drawing international attention as Japanese travel writers and agents tour the city's Abraham Lincoln sites before heading to Chicago and Route 66 towns. Tourism officials say these familiarization trips help bring longer-staying, higher-spending visitors, positioning Springfield as a key stop for overseas travelers exploring Illinois and the Mother Road's centennial.
   

5. Illinois Retail Merchants Association Announces Winner of First Illinois Best Bagger Competition (newschannel20.com) — Springfield hosted the first-ever Illinois Best Bagger Competition at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, where grocery pros raced to pack bags with speed and precision. Seventeen-year-old Carlos Sabino from a Hy-Vee in Rock Island took home the top title, cash, and a trip to Las Vegas, while other Hy-Vee employees from Galesburg and Moline rounded out the winners' circle.
   

📸 Around Springfield

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Springfield

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Tuesday August 18
• Ziggy Marley →
  Illinois State Fairground, 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield
  8:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday August 19
• GHS Meet the Staff
  Ball-Chatham CUSD 5 201 W. Mulberry, Chatham, IL 62629
  6:30 pm
Thursday August 20
• Pre-K First Day
  Ball-Chatham CUSD 5 201 W. Mulberry, Chatham, IL 62629
• GMS Meet the Staff
  Glenwood Middle School Chatham, IL 62629
  6:00 pm
Friday August 21
• Ella Langley →
  Illinois State Fairground, 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield
  8:00 pm
Saturday September 5
• Springfield Oyster & Beer Festival →
  Inn At 835 Boutique Hotel, 835 S 2nd St, Springfield
  12:00 pm

📣 Springfield Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday August 18
• Boys Middle School Baseball @ Rochester Junior High School
  Lincoln Magnet School 3 Rocket Drive, Rochester IL 62563
  4:30 pm
• Baseball at Ottawa
  John F Kennedy Elem School Ottawa Shepherd
  4:30 pm
• Boys Middle School Baseball @ Jacksonville Middle School
  Washington Middle School 664 Lincoln Ave, Jacksonville IL 62650
  4:30 pm
Wednesday August 19
• Boys Middle School Baseball @ Blessed Sacrament-Springfield
  Lincoln Magnet School 1100 Avon Dr., Springfield IL 62704
  4:30 pm
Thursday August 20
• Teacher Inservice - No Student Attendance
  U S Grant Middle School Springfield, IL 62704
  8:00 am
• Baseball vs. Peru
  John F Kennedy Elem School JFK
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Illinois farmers recognized statewide for conservation and local food leadership —Nicole Andas Read on Patch
• State Rep. Mike Coffey Delivers School Supplies to Springfield Public Schools District 186 —IL House Reps Read on Patch

• The organization helps house foster pets and get forever furry homes.
  I got my dog through them, and I appreciate all the care and kindness they show. Their thrift stores are an added bonus. I love that my dog can shop… (Nextdoor Northside)
• Last night around sunset time, I saw a white mink on my patio.
  I didn't get a picture, because when it saw me, it ran away. I never saw one before, but after looking it up, it was definitely a white mink. I… (Nextdoor North of Washington Park)

• Oracle posted a job opening for Principal Delivery Manager - Low Voltage - Saline Township, MI in Springfield. Apply here.
• Missouri State University posted a job opening for Part Time Academic Advisor, College of Education, West Plains in Springfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Springfield here.

Ok Springfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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