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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Springfield and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Springfield's first 24/7 pet food pantry helps pet owners financially struggling (ky3.com) — If you're struggling to afford pet food in Springfield, a new 24/7 self-serve pantry at 2228 W. College St. offers free food, collars, and supplies. Stocked by Havaheart Rescue and Token and Friends, it also shares low-cost spay-neuter and vaccine resources to help families keep beloved pets at home during tight times.
2. MoDOT launches $471 million I-44 project in southwest Missouri (ky3.com) — MoDOT is launching the $471 million Forward 44 project, adding nearly 19 miles of new six-lane interstate between Springfield and Webster County and redesigning key interchanges like I-44 at Kansas Expressway. Construction near Springfield will start after 2027, with at least two lanes open each way during peak hours and full completion expected by fall 2031.
3. SPD and SPS team up for enhanced school safety (ozarksfirst.com) — Springfield police, Springfield Public Schools and the Greene County Sheriff's Office are launching stepped-up traffic enforcement around school zones as SPS students return to class. Officers will target speeding, crosswalk violations and illegal passing of school buses, including at some Willard schools inside city limits. Drivers are urged to slow down, stay alert and prioritize children's safety during busy drop-off and pickup times.
4. Springfield man faces burglary, drug charges after alleged apartment break-in (ozarksfirst.com) — A Springfield man is jailed on $25,000 bond after prosecutors charged him with first-degree burglary and drug possession following an alleged break-in at an East Walnut Street apartment. Police say he kicked in a neighbor's door, damaged the unit and threw furniture before being confronted by the resident and later admitting to having cocaine. No serious injuries were reported, but another nearby apartment door was also found damaged.
5. Springfield cannabis workers secure Missouri's second union contract after four-year wait • Missouri Independent (missouriindependent.com) — Key Cannabis Dispensary workers in Springfield have ratified Missouri's second union contract in the marijuana industry, winning raises, bonuses, more time off and clearer protections. The four-year effort shows how long local employees waited after voting to unionize in 2022. Company leaders and union representatives say the agreement improves pay, scheduling stability and anti-discrimination safeguards for the Springfield staff.
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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: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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