Good morning, Springfield.

Springfield Park District and the Village of Grandview each received $600K+ grants to improve local parks today, with Springfield set to redevelop Dreamland Park and Grandview planning new outdoor sports facilities.

These funds are part of a $36M state program to boost community recreation.

Williamsville's Doug Furlow was named the 2026 Friend of County—an honor awarded before Friday night's championship game.

The ceremony in Williamsville recognized his contributions to the community.

The remains of a soldier missing since the Battle of the Bulge will be returned to central Illinois soon (local officials plan a ceremony to honor his service).

The UIS men's track team opened its indoor season last Saturday at the GVSU Bob Eubanks Open & posted notable efforts in distance events; Colin Graham led with 8:31.05 in the 3,000 meters, and the team will next compete at Bellarmine's PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic in Louisville.

Illinois Springfield beat Southwest Baptist 84-61 on Saturday at TRAC as the Prairie Stars built an early lead with Dutton’s three-pointer 23 seconds in and collected 13 three-pointers plus 22 assists, with Banks scoring 21 points; UIS will travel next week to Drury and Missouri S&T.

The MacArthur Generals lost 66-60 to Vashon on January 18 at the Southern Illinois Classic Shootout Series—Coach Terise Bryson and senior Tishawn Clemmons said the team will use the game’s lessons to improve future performance.

Illinois Springfield women's basketball beat Southwest Baptist 89-51 on Saturday at TRAC, powered by 42 points off turnovers.

Mingus led with 21 points as UIS outscored opponents by an average of 44 points in two home wins and will play Drury and Missouri S&T next week.

Residents can vote every hour for their favorite student section to win the Spirit Award at the City basketball tournament, which begins Jan.

21 at the Bank of Springfield Center and runs until Jan. 24; the poll closes at noon on Saturday. Springfield High won last year's award.

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.