Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What these 20 new Springfield fire promotions mean for your safety

And on the Springfield Patch calendar - Loteria and Taco Night

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Wednesday October 7th Patch AM
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Cheers Springfield! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What these 20 new Springfield fire promotions mean for your safety
  • Details on the serious Springfield crosswalk crash at 9th and Monroe.
  • When you can grab tickets for Dolly Parton's Christmas show at UIS

Also on today's calendar: Lotería and Taco Nite at the Dana-Thomas House! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 85 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and not as warm, temps: high: 75, low: 50.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 82 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Springfield Fire Department promotes 20 members to new roles (sj-r.com) — Springfield's Fire Department has promoted 20 firefighters and officers, including a new battalion chief, following a Sept. 30 ceremony at the Springfield Firefighters Lake Club. The promotions to driver engineer, captain and battalion chief reflect growing leadership ranks that will shape how the department serves neighborhoods across the city.
   

2. UPDATE: 14 broken ribs, lacerated kidney suffered by pedestrian hit by Sangamon Co. Sheriff's officer (newschannel20.com) — A pedestrian hit by an off-duty Sangamon County Sheriff's lieutenant in a Springfield crosswalk suffered 14 broken ribs and a lacerated kidney but is reported to have non-life-threatening injuries. The crash happened Sept. 24 at 9th and Monroe, and Springfield Police handled the investigation, which led to a citation for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
   

3. Dolly Parton-created Christmas performance comes to UIS (capitolcitynow.com) — Springfield residents will be able to see the national tour of "Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol" at the University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center on Monday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, ranging from $39 to $129, go on sale to the public October 9, with early access for FRIENDS members starting October 7.
   

4. Statewide tour celebrating Manufacturing Month makes stop in Springfield (wcia.com) — A statewide "Makers on the Move" bus tour stopped at the University of Illinois Springfield, spotlighting modern manufacturing careers and UIS's new Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology launching in fall 2027. Springfield-area students can apply starting Nov. 1 and were encouraged to explore high-tech, hands-on pathways into thousands of open manufacturing jobs across Illinois and beyond.
   

5. Illinois Credit Union League announces retirement of Keith Sias at Year End 2026 (cuinsight.com) — Springfield residents connected to local credit unions may notice leadership changes as longtime Illinois Credit Union League advocacy leader Keith Sias plans to retire at the end of 2026. Based in Springfield for decades, he helped shape state and federal credit union policy and built relationships that will continue influencing how Illinois credit unions serve their members.
   

📸 Around Springfield

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Looking for someone local that can knit?
    A stocking like this. My mom did these years ago and can no longer see well enough to make more. Thanks in advance. (Nextdoor Cobblestone)
  • Thank you all.
    I am truly amazed with all the responses I received related to the crippling arthritis. Greatly appreciated. And a few things I'm going to try. Good… (Nextdoor North of Washington Park)
  • Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager - Level 1 in Springfield. Apply here.
  • Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Beauty Advisor - Cosmetic Company Store - Seasonal Parttime - Springfield, US -IL 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: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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