Good morning, Springfield.

Baskin-Robbins on MacArthur is being rebuilt after a minivan crash on June 17, 2025; franchisee Mindi Gutmann shifted her lease to the new building — the tax service now occupies another spot.

Businesses and organizations are invited to register for the UIS Career Connections Expo on March 20 at TRAC from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a pre-Expo networking event, the C2C (College to Career) Exchange, scheduled beforehand.

Registration closes by March 6 as space may run out quickly.

The Illinois State Board of Education approved a $10.9B budget request for next fiscal year that keeps K-12 funding steady as $750M for early childhood shifts to a new department.

The plan adds $350M to Evidence-Based Funding and raises reimbursements by 13% amid tight revenue projections & fiscal pressures.

The Illinois Department of Human Services announced plans to cut more than $5.94 million in federal grants for suicide prevention and substance abuse programs earlier this week; federal officials later reversed the cuts after public pressure.

At Wednesday’s budget workshop, Ald.

Jeff Cox praised tourism chief Scott Dahl for quickly relocating Wyndham guests after vandalism closed the hotel last March — his team saved local conventions and set the stage for Route 66’s centennial celebration with the reopening of Shea’s gas station on Peoria Road.

City Water, Light, and Power will use a $600,000 grant to upgrade Lake Springfield’s Center Park with new pickleball courts, a modern playground (with safety surfacing), connected walking paths, and improved parking for accessibility.

Design and planning details will be announced soon.

HSHS hosted a healthcare bootcamp for high school juniors and seniors to explore different roles at the hospital.

Students gained hands-on insight into areas such as the PICU, NICU, and pharmacy and learned about local training programs.

APL Pet of the Week features Zucchini, a friendly 2-year-old tabby known for his chatty nature and love for head scratches.

Visit the Animal Protective League at 1001 Taintor Road (open daily noon to 5 p.m.) to meet this charming cat.

UIS Athletics is celebrating 15 years of NCAA Division II membership with a weekly series highlighting standout teams & athletes.

The celebration spotlights Ali Haesele, whose record-setting 2018 senior season boosted UIS softball, and fans can follow the series throughout the academic year.

Kenzie Szoke celebrated her college signing on Thursday at Athens High School + she will join Lincoln Land Community College to continue her softball career.

Kids Perler Bead Fun!

3-4 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free event — Create your own fuse bead design or follow a template at this fun craft program for children and tweens.

Arctic Lego Build & Play

2-3 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Create adorable arctic animals or imaginative creatures with Lego kits in a fun-filled afternoon.

PMP Exam Preparation Course

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Illinois State Fairground — Contact for pricing — Enhance your project management skills through a comprehensive 4-day workshop with certification guarantee.

Bath Bombs and Body Scrub Workshop

3:00-4:30 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Create a thoughtful Valentine gift with handmade bath bombs and coffee body scrub in a fun, messy setting.

Super Bowl LX Celebration

5-10 p.m. — 5th Street GEM — In person — Enjoy an evening of football, snacks, and good vibes at the Super Bowl LX Party.

Foster Parent Information Session

6-7:30 p.m. — Monical's Pizza — Free entry — Discover how you can make a difference in a child's life by exploring foster parenting in a supportive environment.

Snow Tulips Paint Night with Ashley Blake

2-4 p.m. — Harvest Market — No cost mentioned — Enjoy a relaxed afternoon painting a winter scene of snow-covered tulips with guided instruction.