Good morning Springfield! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Springfield and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the tractor say to the plow? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. 9/11 cemented Springfield firefighter's career in public service (news-leader.com) — A Springfield Fire Department division chief reflects on how witnessing 9/11 as a young volunteer firefighter solidified his calling to protect local communities. His story highlights how Springfield and other Missouri departments have since improved coordination, communication, and access to federal grants, strengthening local emergency response and safety for residents a quarter-century later.
2. ENDANGERED SILVER ADVISORY: Greene County deputies seek help finding man with Alzheimer's, car last seen in Kansas (ky3.com) — Authorities are asking Springfield residents to help find 82-year-old Richard Gonzalez, who went missing Friday morning from Quade Road and is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He may be driving a maroon 2004 Dodge Ram with Missouri plate 4DGH84, last seen heading north on Highway 7 from Highway 126 near Beulah, Kansas; anyone with information should call 911 or Greene County at 417-868-4040.
3. At nearly 30, Gilardi's Ristorante plans new era with expansion, new model (sgfcitizen.org) — A longtime downtown Springfield favorite, Gilardi's Ristorante is planning a building expansion and new take-and-bake "celebration meals" aimed at making family dinners more affordable. Owner James Martin hopes the new model will deepen ties with Springfield families while preserving the restaurant's fine-dining experience and supporting steady jobs for staff.
4. Springfield cave discovered after 9/11 stoppage marks 25 years (ky3.com) — A remarkable Springfield discovery made on 9/11's work stoppage is marking 25 years, as Riverbluff Cave remains one of North America's most important fossil sites. Local geologist Matt Forir and the Missouri Institute of Natural Science continue using Springfield's own Ice Age fossils to teach visitors about ancient climate, mammoths, and the region's unique geologic past.
5. Sedalia man sentenced after 2025 Springfield shooting incident (ozarksfirst.com) — A Sedalia man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after a 2025 shooting in downtown Springfield that left one person critically injured. Springfield police traced the incident to an armed confrontation near South Patton Avenue and West Walnut Street, where surveillance and evidence linked the defendant to a stolen firearm hidden under a nearby car.
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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: Hold me close John Deere. (Thank you Jenny H. for sending it in!)
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