Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Springfield’s new hotel tax and convention expansion mean for residents.

Coming up: Free HIV/HCV/STD Testing on the Springfield Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 16th Patch AM
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Cheers Springfield! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Springfield's new hotel tax and convention expansion mean for residents.
  • Deputies detail what led to a Springfield homicide suspect's standoff arrest.
  • Free Springfield screenings and food at this men's health night

Also on today's calendar: Boots & Bow Ties Annual Fundraiser benefiting Senior Services of Centra lIlinois and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A stray t-storm; hot, humid, with a high of 90 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Hot with a t-storm in spots, temps: high: 90, low: 70.
  • Friday: A stray t-storm; very warm, with a high of 90 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Hotel occupancy numbers are up in Springfield (bluewaterhealthyliving.com) — Springfield's hotel occupancy has inched up, but the closure of the Wyndham and a new 3% county hotel-motel tax now give the city one of Illinois' highest hotel tax rates. Local officials hope a $60 million Bank of Springfield Center expansion and growing sports tourism will attract more conventions and visitors, while hotel owners question the tax's impact.
   

2. Springfield homicide suspect arrested after standoff with deputies (wcia.com) — Sangamon County deputies arrested a man after a standoff in connection with the suspicious death of 64-year-old Donna Romine, found in her Springfield home after a wellness check. Investigators, including the coroner, are treating the case as a homicide but say there is no ongoing threat to the community while they await autopsy results and continue gathering evidence.
   

3. Springfield Memorial Hospital to co-host prostate cancer and men's health event Sept. 30 (peoriastandard.com) — Springfield Memorial Hospital is teaming up with SIU Medicine and The Springfield Project for a free men's health and prostate cancer event on Sept. 30 at CAP 1908 on South Grand. Springfield residents, especially Black men, can access PSA, blood pressure, A1C and colon cancer screenings, plus radon kits, health education, music, food, and networking.
   

4. Springfield motorcyclist killed in weekend crash (wcia.com) — A 32-year-old motorcyclist from Springfield died after crashing near South 5th Street and Stanford Avenue and being taken to HSHS St. John's Hospital. Authorities are still investigating, and this is the second fatal motorcycle crash involving Springfield residents in about a week.
   

5. Springfield Fire Department retains ISO Class 1 rating (capitolcitynow.com) — Springfield's Fire Department has retained its elite ISO Class 1 rating, confirming top-tier fire protection and fast response times for city residents. At Tuesday's Springfield City Council meeting, leaders praised the department's four-minute responses, collaboration with Sangamon County 9-1-1 and the Water Department, and tools like Knox Boxes that help firefighters enter buildings quickly during emergencies.
   

📸 Around Springfield

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • It's been a big week for woven crosses.
    Three cedar, one mahogany, and one Walnut have their first finish coat applied. Two to three more coats are coming. (Nextdoor Riddle Hill)
  • I have a bag of mainly 7/8 girl clothes for someone who needs them.
    Mostly t-shirts and hoodies. Might be a couple small adult tops in there too (Nextdoor Northside)
  • Cracker Barrel Old Country Store posted a job opening for Busser in Springfield. Apply here.
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Snack Bar Attendant Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $12-$22/Hr 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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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