Good morning, Springfield.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will hold a celebration at Schweitzer Church on October 18 at 11 a.m. to honor Dan Kinney, whose leadership expanded our park system from 33 to 88 parks and boosted the annual budget from $857,000 to $25 million—his work helped shape a nationally recognized system.

empower: abilities will host a White Cane Awareness Walk on October 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1450 W.

Cambridge—teaching drivers to yield to pedestrians with white canes who have right of way at intersections.

A new study by WalletHub ranked Springfield 39th among 182 U.S. cities for disability support, with scores of 32nd for economy, 67th for quality of life, and 64th for health care.

Nearby cities such as St. Louis, Kansas City, and Minneapolis ranked higher — Minneapolis placed first among the evaluated cities.

CASA of Southwest Missouri will host its annual Older Youth Resource Fair on October 9 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque in downtown Springfield; the event will provide youth aged 14 and older with resources for employment, education, housing and mentoring.

Dan Kinney, who led Springfield’s park system from 1977 until his retirement in 2006, died Sept.

29 at 83—his work helped grow the parks and start events that shaped the community. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. at Schweitzer Church and donations may be made to Dickerson Park Zoo/Friends of the Zoo.

Bass Pro Shops will host a hiring event today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at its Springfield store and Branson Landing location to fill 80 positions in the Ozarks ahead of the holiday season—applicants can also call the stores for more information.

Today the Romero twins celebrated a double quinceañera with family and community coming together to honor their cultural heritage.

The festive event featured traditional decorations, food, and dancing—marking their milestone into womanhood.

Springfield friends traveled to Kansas City on Oct.

3 to see Greene County native Chappell Roan perform a sold-out concert at the National WWI Museum and Memorial—her elaborate set design and costume show impressed hundreds of fans. The event was part of her limited tour that highlighted her strong Midwest roots.

The Springfield Regional Arts Council will host the 40th annual Ozzie Awards on Oct.

11 at the Historic Gillioz Theatre downtown to honor local arts leaders, educators and volunteers. The event will feature general admission at $35 and live performances—offering a special evening for our vibrant arts community.

Billions of birds are migrating south this fall as state experts say residents should help by leaving bird feeders out and turning off outdoor lights to protect the flocks.

Radar data recorded 492 million birds in flight last Tuesday and over 800,000 in Greene County between 7 p.m. and 7:10 a.m.—showing that our region plays a key role in this natural journey.

Local experts advise homeowners to care for their lawns and trees by trimming dead branches, shortening grass to manage falling leaves, and servicing irrigation systems to avoid winter damage—steps that help prevent injuries and costly repairs.

They encourage preventive measures now to ease the transition into cooler weather.

A Cole County judge ruled in favor of Springfield when it denied Torch Electronics’ business license renewal due to a new city code banning gambling machines—Torch Electronics has appealed the ruling.

KY3 Sports Director Sully Engles looks ahead as Missouri State prepares for its Conference USA game at Middle Tennessee State tonight—he expects a hard test for the team.

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.