Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Want a last look inside Springfield’s fading Pillsbury mill?
Be sure to catch Comedy Fundraiser for Animal Protective League (APL) on the Springfield Patch calendar

Good morning Springfield! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Want a last look inside Springfield's fading Pillsbury mill?
- What Springfield's elite fire rating means for your neighborhood
- How could Springfield's cannabis taxes jump-start eight local small businesses?
Also on today's calendar: Boots & Bow Ties Annual Fundraiser benefiting Senior Services of Centra lIlinois and 8 more events.
Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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- Thursday: Hot with a t-storm in spots, with a high of 90 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Partly sunny, a stray t-storm, temps: high: 88, low: 71.
- Saturday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 90 and low of 67 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Pillsbury book signing, film preview to revisit mill's legacy (sj-r.com) — Springfield residents can revisit the history of the abandoned Pillsbury mill at a Sept. 24 book signing and film preview at Ursuline Academy on North Fifth Street. The evening features author Robert Mazrim, filmmaker Matthew Konicek, and a sneak peek at a documentary exploring rarely seen areas of the complex as demolition nears completion.
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2. Springfield Fire Department Maintains ISO Class 1 Rating (springfieldherald.news) — Springfield's Fire Department has maintained its top-tier ISO Class 1 rating, reflecting strong investments in stations, staffing, and response times across the city. Recent additions and relocations of fire stations have expanded coverage, especially on the west side, helping ensure faster responses and potentially better insurance outcomes for local homeowners and businesses.
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3. Springfield considers cannabis tax revenue for small business grants (capitolcitynow.com) — Springfield officials are weighing a plan to use local cannabis tax revenue to fund grants of up to $100,000 each for eight small businesses in the city. Alderman Shawn Gregory says the expanded program, rooted in Illinois' legalization of cannabis, aims to boost neighborhood development and support communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.
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4. Man arrested on assault, weapons charges (newschannel20.com) — Springfield police arrested a 31-year-old man after a September 10 confrontation on East North Grand Avenue in which a woman reported he pointed a handgun while accusing her of having his phone. Officers later recovered the firearm and magazine from his car and, after reviewing video, charged him with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated assault.
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5. Springfield airport receives $11M in federal funding (illinoistimes.com) — Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is getting more than $11 million in federal funding to rebuild its aging crosswind runway, improving safety and reliability for local travelers. Work starting in early 2027 will upgrade paving, lighting, drainage, and signage without disrupting airport operations, and is part of a broader $66 million investment in Illinois airports.
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📸 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 ★
- Comedy Fundraiser for Animal Protective League (APL) →
210 Broadway, Springfield
Friday September 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- ASCI Zoo Night →
Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 East Lake Shore Drive, Springfield - We Want You Hiring Event - Springfield Office →
LCFS Office, 400 S. Ninth St., Suite 202, Springfield
10:00 am - Outside the Binary Campout →
Phoenix Center Out on Second, 120 E. Scarritt St, Springfield
5:30 pm - LGBTQ+ yOUTh (ages 15-17) Group →
Springfield IL
6:00 pm - Titus 2:12 Restoration Run/Walk →
Springfield IL - Explore Every Sense →
Dance Creations Dance Studio, 1401 East Cottonwood Street, Springfield - William J. Baldon Jr. Scholarship All White Affair →
Crowne Plaza Springfield - Convention Ctr by IHG, 3000 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield - Kolby Cooper →
Boondocks Pub, 2909 N. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield - Old Capitol Farmers Market →
Old Capitol Farmers Market, 4th & Adams, Springfield
8:00 am - Boots & Bow Ties Annual Fundraiser benefiting Senior Services of Centra lIlinois →
Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex, 600 Toronto Rd, Springfield
6:00 pm
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
Saturday October 3
📣 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.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Anyone missing a white kitten?
Maybe about 3-4 months old. Super sweet. Found on Hoover, near Hobbs Park. (Nextdoor Cabbage Patch) - We have the best mail carriers & delivery people!
We just got our packages at 9:27 pm! Wouldn't trade any of them! Always friendly! (Nextdoor Harvard Park)
- Olive Garden posted a job opening for Bartender in Springfield. Apply here.
- McDonald's posted a job opening for Overnight Crew Member 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: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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