Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Springfield teacher helped launch modern sign language interpreting

You won't want to miss NO:::::SIGNAL..... 6.0 on the Springfield Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday September 24th Patch AM
Thursday September 24th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning to you Springfield! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

Need to get the word out about a local event in Springfield? Posting to Patch's local calendar is free and gets your event in front of Patch newsletter readers and quickly found by search engines and AI platforms. You can also share your event to nearby communities for as little at 25 cents per day. Click here to get started.

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Springfield teacher helped launch modern sign language interpreting
  • What new tech is helping Springfield's deaf students prepare for work?
  • Springfield man seriously hurt in three-vehicle crash on U.S. 160

Also on today's calendar: Spooky Sprint - Springfield and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Do you know what the two sides of a circle are? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Pleasant with sunshine, with a high of 79 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Friday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 81, low: 63.
  • Saturday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 78 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. The woman in Springfield who helped reshape sign language history (ozarksfirst.com) — Springfield's own Lottie Riekehof quietly helped pioneer professional sign-language interpreting, starting formal interpreter training at Central Bible Institute in 1948 and serving Deaf residents in local churches, classrooms, and even Greene County courtrooms. Her Springfield-based work shaped national standards, books, and university programs that still influence how interpreters are trained and how Deaf Missourians access education and justice today.
   

2. Deaf Awareness Week highlights resources and workforce programs for Missouri students with disabilities (ky3.com) — In a Holland Elementary classroom in Springfield, a deaf and hard-of-hearing teacher is showing how tailored support and technology can help local students with disabilities thrive. During Deaf Awareness Week, Missouri education officials are spotlighting vocational rehabilitation, assistive tools like real-time captioning and "sign glasses," and other resources that prepare Springfield-area students with disabilities for future jobs.
   

3. Springfield motorcyclist airlifted after three-vehicle crash in Dade County (ozarksfirst.com) — A 57-year-old Springfield motorcyclist was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. 160 east of Greenfield and was airlifted to Cox South. Highway Patrol troopers say a semi sideswiped his motorcycle in a curve, and a second motorcyclist then overturned trying to avoid the collision, though the other drivers were not reported injured.
   

4. Amarillo Sod Poodles Defeat Springfield Cardinals in Texas League Championship (news-usa.today) — Springfield baseball fans watched the Cardinals' championship hopes fade at home as the Amarillo Sod Poodles rallied late to clinch the 2026 Texas League title in Springfield. A strong start, highlighted by a two-run homer and 3-1 lead, wasn't enough as missed chances and a late Amarillo surge ended the franchise's postseason run.
   

5. Missouri Rural School Safety Law Draws Support in Springfield as Residents Back Trained Staff and School Rangers Carrying Firearms on Campus (centralrecorder.com) — Springfield-area residents and former first responders are voicing support for Missouri's law allowing rural districts to arm specially trained staff or school rangers, stressing strict vetting and state-approved training. They argue that in outlying communities where officers may be miles away, having qualified protection already on campus could buy crucial minutes in a crisis.
   

📸 Around Springfield

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Springfield

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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!

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Springfield PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • What are you thankful for today?
    I'm thankful for waking up to another day on the right side of the grass even though with the rain it'll need mowed again... (Nextdoor Oak Grove North)
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 26th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Location: 4039 Mt Carmel Rd, Clever, MO 65631 YOU can make a difference! Help preserve the dignity and history of our local cemeteries. This is a… (Nextdoor Ewing)
  • Andy Frain Services posted a job opening for Retail Security Officer in Springfield. Apply here.
  • BlueChip Pros posted a job opening for General Cleaner Academy Sport Springfield M,W,F,S 6a-12:05p 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: The inside and the outside ! (Thank you James M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Springfield