Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How did Springfield lose 142 public housing units in one year?

And check out Damon Wayans Jr. on the Springfield Patch calendar

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Thursday August 20th Patch AM
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Hey there, Springfield! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did Springfield lose 142 public housing units in one year?
  • What Springfield teachers heard about pay, funding and morale this week
  • How MSU's Sample Springfield helps new Bears plug into the city

Also on today's calendar: Damon Wayans Jr. and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid with clouds and sun, with a high of 90 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 94, low: 69.
  • Saturday: Warm with a stray t-storm, with a high of 93 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Springfield loses 142 public housing units in 2025 (springfieldstandard.com) — Springfield now has 142 fewer public housing units than last year, dropping to 312 and ranking sixth among Missouri cities for public housing availability. HUD data show 1,364 voucher units and 953 project-based units here, with average rent at $321 and tenants spending about 27.5% of their income on housing.
   

2. Gratitude, encouragement given to SPS employees at annual back-to-school pep rally (sgfcitizen.org) — Springfield Public Schools brought nearly 3,500 employees to Great Southern Bank Arena for a spirited back-to-school pep rally focused on encouragement amid tight finances. Superintendent Grenita Lathan explained why flat state funding prevented cost-of-living raises, highlighted academic gains, and urged staff to advocate for better school funding while celebrating the creativity and community spirit of Springfield educators preparing for the new year.
   

3. MSU hosts Sample Springfield as a part of new week-long welcome initiative (ozarksfirst.com) — Missouri State University is expanding its Week of Welcome by turning the Sample Springfield event into a week-long effort to plug new students into Springfield businesses and community life. Local favorites like Bass Pro Shops, MudHouse Coffee, and Bambino's set up on campus, helping newcomers see Springfield as home while giving them time between classes to explore, socialize, and build lasting connections.
   

4. Cyclists faced choice between child and concrete embankment, Springfield lawsuit alleges (ozarksfirst.com) — A wrongful death lawsuit filed in Greene County alleges a Springfield couple failed to keep their child out of a neighborhood street before a March bicycle crash. The suit says two cyclists swerved into a concrete embankment to avoid the child, leading to fatal injuries for one rider and permanent injuries for the other, and seeks damages for medical, funeral, and income losses.
   

5. Springfield surveys 1,770 lane miles of roads to guide repair spending (ky3.com) — Springfield is sending a high-tech survey vehicle across all 1,770 lane miles of city-maintained roads over the next four weeks to decide where repair dollars go. Each street will get a pavement condition score so engineers can fix roads while they're still in fair shape, stretch voter-approved sales tax funds further, and reduce future potholes and major rebuilds.
   

📸 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

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Springfield Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday August 20
  • Wake Up Republic
    Republic Area Chamber of Commerce Community Events Whataburger Republic 1371 US-60, Republic, MO 65738
    8:30 am
  • Open House Events - EC (PreK & ECSE), McCulloch, Sweeny
    Lyon Elementary Republic, MO 65738
    5:30 pm
  • Open House (PreK & ECSE)
    Early Childhood Center Republic, MO 65738
    5:30 pm
  • Board of Education Meeting
    Lyon Elementary 636 N Main St, Republic, MO 65738, USA
    7:00 pm

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

  • FOUND THE OWNER, DOGS ARE HOME
    Two black labs on La Siesta and Lulwood. One has a purple collar. Are these yours? Two boys (Nextdoor Chestnut Place)
  • I don't mean to flood anyone's page with her face.
    But everyday has been more and more stressful since shes disappeared. My cat has gotten me through so much and I met her when I met the love of my… (Nextdoor Barnes/Grand)
  • Unifi Aviation, LLC posted a job opening for Airport Ramp Agent - SGF in Springfield. Apply here.
  • Pilot Company posted a job opening for Janitorial Maintenance 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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