Good morning, Springfield.

Over 100 people attended Monday’s groundbreaking at 1414 W.

Elfindale for the Child Advocacy Center’s new campus named for Dr. John P. Ferguson. The project adds a 5,000 sqft forensic space + a renovated facility, and will open summer 2027.

Bart Brown, who has led Ozarks Food Harvest for 25 years, will retire in March 2027 — his departure signals a new phase for the nonprofit's expanded hunger-relief programs across southwest Missouri.

A six-month-old Belgian Malinois mix was found wandering in the parking lot of the Jose Locos restaurant off Glenstone (near the intersection with Pythian) on Friday, Oct.

2. Animal control asks anyone who recognizes the friendly dog to call 417-833-3592.

Small business owners can attend a free half-day seminar at the efactory Jay Wasson Idea Loft on Oct.

14 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., where the SGF Business Lab will offer three tracks to guide new and growing businesses (lunch is provided).

Hoffman Stone, a local dental office, closed without warning in early October, leaving patients and employees unsure how to get refunds or care.

Dr. Hoffman said patient records are moving to another dentist and patients will be contacted between Monday and Wednesday.

A historic photo shows Brownies enjoying outdoor games and friendship at Camp Burgisota, just south of Springfield on Oct.

29, 1950. The event highlighted community spirit among a large group of girls & leaders.

The Library District hosts its annual horror series with bestselling authors sharing chilling tales—Luke Dumas on Oct.15 at the Community Room, Caitlin Starling and Emily C.

Hughes on Oct.22 at 4 By 4 Brewing, Jennifer McMahon and Kylie Lee Baker on Oct.27, and Daniel Kraus on Nov.19 at Hatch Auditorium.

Springfield business and civic leaders visited Indianapolis last week to study housing growth, infrastructure, and workforce issues.

City Utilities adopted a 3-year contract on Sept.

27 with a 9% wage increase + planned raises in April 2027 and April 2028 for 368 union workers, even though 95% of IBEW members voted against it. The move followed more than a year of tense negotiations.

Springfield’s Glenstone License Office ranked as the best in Missouri and seventh nationally, per a study analyzing over 1.2 million Google reviews.

The office (525 S. Glenstone Ave. Ste. A) received more than 7,400 reviews with an average rating of 4.87 stars.

A Missouri couple shares their sorrow over losing daughter Lydia at two months and finds healing through local nonprofit M.E.N.D. — which holds monthly support meetings at Project HOPE on South Enterprise Avenue.

They encourage grieving parents to find solace during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

The March of Dimes reports 52% of Missouri is a maternity care desert where rural mothers must travel long distances for care, adding childcare and work challenges, with Dr. Elizabeth Harper Juanillo at Jordan Valley Clinic stressing that such delays risk missing early interventions.

High school football Week 7 games featured standout performances like Joe Roche (306 rushing yards) and Adam McKnight (225 passing yards).

The Metro schedule lists Week 8 matchups including Nixa at Lebanon and Carthage at Republic.