Good morning, Springfield.

Girl Scouts began selling cookies on Friday with a new Exploremores flavor, and proceeds will support local community programs including a nursing home and a cat cafe.

The girls set up stands outside local retailers to reach neighbors.

Retailers in Springfield report a shortage of pennies that is forcing them to adjust cash handling and pricing strategies.

The coin shortage is affecting payment habits for both customers and local businesses.

On Monday, Feb. 16 (Presidents Day), many services will adjust hours as government offices, schools, and the DMV close while retailers like Costco, Aldi, and Walmart open with modified hours and carriers such as FedEx and UPS keep delivering.

Residents should verify local hours before planning errands.

HSHS St. John's earned Advanced Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission on Friday, Feb.

14. The certification reassured families that its care teams are trained to handle routine and complex pregnancies effectively.

Springfield Urban League received $55K from MolinaCares and Molina Healthcare to launch its EmpowerHER: Uplift Black Mothers Program, which will fund doula services, baby showers, breastfeeding groups, and workshops to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

The grant is part of a larger $5M community health effort.

The Prairie Stars completed a perfect 4-0 weekend at the UIS Springfield Clinic Classic at Scheels Sports Park on Friday — defeating Thomas More twice — and improved to 7-3 overall; they will host the Capital City McDonald's Classic on Feb.

19-20.

Eight Springfield-area wrestlers earned state qualifier status on Feb.

14 (with several from Chatham Glenwood and Petersburg PORTA/Havana) as boys' finals are set for Feb. 19–21 at State Farm Center in Champaign and girls' finals for Feb. 27–28 in Bloomington.

The State Journal-Register invites local readers to vote for its athlete of the week by casting their vote every hour until Friday, Feb.

20 at noon. Voters can check the nominees online to support local sports talent.

Ten wrestlers from five schools earned bids to compete in the 2A state tournament next weekend after success at the Granite City Sectional.

Glenwood qualified five wrestlers, Jacksonville two, and Springfield High, Southeast and Lincoln each sent one competitor.

On Friday, the Springfield women's track team competed at GVSU Big Meet where senior Madelyn Miller-Ross broke the UIS 3K record with a 9:35 finish and an NCAA Division II ranking; the team will return on Saturday for more conference events+personal bests.

Six local wrestlers advanced for state finals at the North Mac Sectional on Feb.

14 — they will later compete at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Feb. 27-28.

Sixteen area wrestlers advanced after the 1A Olympia sectional this weekend.

Sacred Heart Griffin’s Casen Lyons and PORTA’s Justin Zimmerman were crowned champions while the host Spartans will send seven to the State Farm center on Thursday — wrestlers from Riverton, PORTA, Williamsville, and Rochester also earned a state spot.

Stay & Play

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free — Enjoy engaging activities and themed stations for toddlers and children every Thursday morning in February.

Stained Glass Hearts Crafting

3-4 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Create beautiful stained glass hearts and other shapes in this fun craft program for children.

Illinois Product Expo 2026

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Orr Building — $10 for wine tasting — Explore local flavors and indulge in wine from 14 Illinois wineries.

Toddler Time at Lincoln Library

10:30-11:00 a.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Move, learn, and play with stories, songs, and activities tailored for toddlers and their caregivers.