Good morning, Springfield.

Community Partnership of the Ozarks is preparing for winter and calls for at least 30 volunteers every night to keep its 13 crisis cold-weather shelter sites running.

Volunteers can help with roles like overnight stays, meal service, pet transportation, and cleaning — offering vital support during cold weather.

Former Springfield-Greene County Parks Director Dan Kinney died on September 29 at age 83—he led the department from 1977 to 2006 and grew local parks from 33 to 88 facilities.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. at Schweitzer Church, 2747 E Sunshine St. in Springfield.

Local firefighters visit Springfield schools to teach fire safety through lessons that build trust with young children and offer practical tips to older students on cooking safety, smoke alarms, and escape plans — a program designed to keep families safe.

Drivers on Interstate 44 in Springfield are facing overnight slowdowns as MoDOT crews install five girders for the new Melville Road Bridge from today through Friday while the Greene County Sheriff’s Department delays traffic for up to 11 minutes at a time.

Westbound lanes are affected Tuesday and Wednesday night and eastbound lanes Thursday and Friday—drivers can use detour routes via West Bypass, Kearney Street, Kansas Expressway, and Norton Road.

Dan Kinney, longtime director of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, died on Sept.

29 at 83 and helped grow the park system from 33 to over 100 sites—he is survived by three children, grandchildren, and a great-grandson. A celebration of life is set for Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. at Schweitzer Church on E Sunshine St.

The Renew Jordan Creek project nears its halfway point as most excavation and bridge work is finished.

Campbell — set to reopen the week of October 27 with one lane — will see detoured traffic while Boonville closes for several months, with contractors finishing detail work on public spaces.

The city closed the Walnut and Broadway intersection on Oct.

6 and will keep it closed through Dec. 5 to allow work on a raised crosswalk and ADA-compliant sidewalks—detours are set up on New Avenue, College Street, and 9th Avenue. Speed cushions, rain gardens, and landscaping will be added to slow traffic and improve safety.

Gov. Kehoe appointed Gretchen Shull—an endocrinologist from the Joplin area—to serve on the Missouri Board of Education for the state’s 7th Congressional District that includes Springfield; she will await Senate confirmation during the 2026 legislative session.

Kate Evert, aged 75 from Republic began powerlifting in 2018 and has competed in four national championships; she will debut at the IPF World Masters championship in Cape Town from Oct.

10—19. She trains with coach Steve DeNovi who uniquely guides older athletes in building strength.

Missouri State football will travel to Middle Tennessee on Wednesday for its first game on ESPN2 with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT at Floyd Stadium—where the Bears are slight favorites—and the team will start either injured quarterback Jacob Clark, listed as day-to-day after a knee injury, or true freshman Deuce Bailey.

Night of Valor Gala

5:30 PM — Oasis Hotel & Conv. Center — Support veterans through a night of dinner, entertainment, and inspiring stories with service dogs.

Mystery Masquerade Ball

7 PM – 12 AM — Chateau Charmant — VIP tickets available — Experience a night of mystery and elegance at this enchanting Halloween masquerade.

Speed Dating for Single Parents

2-5:30 p.m. — Arris Pizza Springfield — Limited seating — Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with fun speed dating rounds designed for single parents to connect.

Movie Matinee: To Catch A Thief

2-4 p.m. — Gillioz Theatre — $0 to $10 — Watch Cary Grant in the classic 1955 film about a retired cat burglar accused of a series of robberies.

Pets & Pumpkins Family Festival

11 AM – 4 PM — All About Dogs & Cats — $2 entry — Enjoy a fun-filled day with costume parades and activities for pets and families while supporting local charities.

Montycler Concert

9 PM – 1 AM — The Regency Live — Tickets from $49 — Experience an electrifying EDM night with Montycler's high-energy performance.

A Foreign Affair: From Istria to Italy

7:30-10 p.m. — Gillioz Theatre — $205 — Experience the flavors of the Adriatic paired with the passion of Italian song during an evening with tenor Michael Spyres.

Eric Johnson Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Gillioz Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience guitar legend Eric Johnson live, blending rock, blues, and jazz in an intimate setting.

MPO Concert: Fall into the Magic of Music

7:30-8:30 p.m. — The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing — Free entry — Experience enchanting orchestral melodies in the vibrant heart of Springfield, MO.

Springfield Business Journal Pancake Breakfast

7-9 a.m. — Garbo's Pizzeria — Donations appreciated — Enjoy pancakes and support domestic violence awareness efforts in Greene County.