Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Where Springfield pet owners can get free food any time of day
Spotted on the Springfield calendar: Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Springfield
Greetings Springfield! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Where Springfield pet owners can get free food any time of day
- How the $471 million I-44 overhaul will change Springfield driving
- How strict will Springfield police be in school zones this week?
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!)
From our Partner
Today's Springfield Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Springfield Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Springfield. 
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 91 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Humid with a stray t-storm, temps: high: 90, low: 67.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 89 and low of 64 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
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.
📸 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!
- Citizens' Advisory Board →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 840 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield
10:00 am - Downtown Wiffle League →
Springfield, MO Calendar, Park Central Square 100 Park Central Square, Springfield
5:30 pm - Landmarks Board Meeting →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 840 N. Boonville Ave. 2nd Floor, Springfield
5:30 pm - STI Clinic Appointments →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 227 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield
8:40 am - Shingles/RSV/Tdap Clinic →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 227 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield
9:00 am - Administrative Review Committee Meeting →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 840 N. Boonville Ave, Springfield
3:30 pm - Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 2620 W Battlefield, Springfield
6:30 pm - STI Clinic Appointments →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 227 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield
8:40 am - Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Springfield →
Truman Elementary School, 3850 N Farm Rd 159, Springfield
8:00 am
Wednesday August 26
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Saturday September 12
📣 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
- First Day of School!
Republic R-iII Republic, MO 65738
8:10 am - City Council Meeting →
Republic, MO Calendar, 540 Civic Boulevard, Republic
6:00 pm - Crocheting Club-Learn or Bring your WIP →
Local Republic Market, 224 N Main St, Republic
6:30 pm - Ribbon Cutting: Abacus!
Republic Area Chamber of Commerce Community Events 1835 E Republic Rd Suite 200 Springfield , MO 65804
11:30 am
Tuesday August 25
Thursday August 27
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
Kaida was LOST on August 23, 2026 in Springfield, MO 65807 near Near S Nettleton Avenue at apmts Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information… (Nextdoor Ozark Highlands) - Mark came out first thing last Monday and repaired our AC after a different company was out the day before and told us our AC was not repairable and we would have to buy a whole new system.
He has been doing this for many years and knew exactly what to do for our AC problem. We will continue to use him for as long as he is in business… (Nextdoor Sunset Hills)
- EnerSys Energy Products, Inc posted a job opening for Plant 2 Assembly 1st Shift in Springfield. Apply here.
- Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Cake Decorator 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: 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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