Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What spooky science awaits at LLCC’s free Haunted Lab night?

Coming up on the Springfield Patch calendar: Vampire's Ball at The Pasfield House

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Saturday October 10th Patch AM
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Morning Springfield! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What spooky science awaits at LLCC's free Haunted Lab night?
  • Springfield's beloved Norb Andy's building may finally get a new life
  • Have you seen the suspect wanted in the Springfield restaurant burglary?

Also on today's calendar: The Turnaway Play and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Very warm with periods of sun, with a high of 82 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Sunday: Clearing and very warm, temps: high: 80, low: 62.
  • Monday: Very warm, with a high of 91 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

1. LLCC's 'Haunted Lab' returns Oct. 23 (springfieldherald.news) — Families in Springfield can mark their calendars for Lincoln Land Community College's free "Haunted Lab" on Friday, Oct. 23, featuring spooky science shows every 30 minutes on the LLCC-Springfield campus. Kids can enjoy erupting experiments, hands-on activity stations, costumes, and popcorn while learning simple science tricks they can safely try at home.
   

2. Former Norb Andy's under contract (illinoistimes.com) — A landmark Springfield property at 518 E. Capitol Ave., longtime home to Norb Andy's and the historic Virgil Hickox mansion, is finally under contract to a buyer planning renovations. Locals who remember its famous horseshoes and political crowd may see new life breathed into the National Register-listed building, which has deep ties to Springfield's early business and railroad history.
   

3. Burglary suspect wanted in Springfield; alleged accomplice already caught (wcia.com) — Sangamon County deputies are asking Springfield-area residents to help locate 46-year-old Troy Rathbone, wanted in connection with a July burglary at Mama Lee's Sandbar on Mechanicsburg Drive in unincorporated Springfield. One suspect has already been arrested, but investigators say Rathbone remains at large and also faces charges in a separate case, urging anyone with information to contact the Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers.
   

4. Illinois State Police Holds Full-Scale Preparedness Exercise to Improve Response During an Emergency (myradiolink.com) — Springfield residents should know that state and local agencies just ran a full-scale emergency preparedness drill at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, simulating a major CBRNE threat at a large public event. Illinois State Police, Springfield Fire Department, the National Guard, FBI Springfield Field Office, and others practiced coordinating medical aid, hazard containment, and communication to sharpen their real-world response.
   

5. Take the Community Health Survey (illinoistimes.com) — Springfield-area residents in Sangamon and Menard counties are being asked to complete a Community Health Survey that will guide local hospitals' priorities and programs. Past Springfield results have already led to free mental health advocate training and better connections to food, housing, and transportation resources, and this year's feedback will shape future health initiatives through Oct. 31.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • American Cancer Society provides free rides for people in treatment but it isn't possible without volunteer drivers.
    If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer driver in American Cancer Society's free rideshare program, Road to Recovery, please… (Nextdoor Laketown)
  • Mulch Daddy was here to pull and spray those viney weeds that take over your flower beds, cut some shrubs out, and mulch, plus a few new perennials.
    Stephen is very nice and profession, excellent at cleaning up. Will have him back in the spring. (Nextdoor Panther Creek)
  • Hilton posted a job opening for Steward (PM) - President Abraham Lincoln Springfield, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Springfield. Apply here.
  • Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Team 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: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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