Good morning, Springfield.

Downtown Springfield Inc. will host four Shaping Downtown Springfield workshops to gather community input on downtown improvement plans; the first will be held on April 4 at the YMCA as Executive Director Carlos Ortega (DSI) explained.

A 65-year-old Springfield woman, Karla A.

Roberts, sustained a traumatic head injury at her home on the 4000 block of Sandhill Road on March 17 and was pronounced dead on March 23 at 10:49 a.m.—an autopsy later determined the injuries were due to blunt force trauma and ruled her death a homicide as the investigation continues.

On March 22, a Menard County Sheriff's deputy in Springfield chased a speeding car and arrested 54-year-old Matthew S.

Leonard after he resisted orders, with police later finding suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle.

Judge Adam Giganti set a hearing for April 8 to consider moving the trial venue for former deputy Sean Grayson who faces first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, and the Massey family expressed frustration over the delay while saying they will increase their role in the Massey Commission.

The Springfield School Board postponed a decision on ending the Project SCOPE before and after school program for kindergarten through fifth-grade students during Monday night’s meeting as the district worked on a three-year cost-cutting plan.

The program, which has faced a $787,000 deficit, will conclude at the end of this school year and merge with the YMCA—a move many parents oppose.

State lawmakers passed a committee vote to ban the sale and distribution of baby food with toxic metals—arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury—and manufacturers may need to test products monthly and label metal levels; senators will vote on the measure next month as a step to keep food safe for infants.

Fundamentals of Crafting a Business Plan

This workshop offers insights on creating a strategic business plan that includes goal-setting, marketing strategies, and financial planning for long-term success.

Murder Mystery Dinner Show - The Dinner Detective in Springfield, IL

Enjoy an interactive comedy murder mystery dinner experience while attempting to solve a hilarious crime at Maldaner's Restaurant.

On-Site Tour at Trustwell Living

9 AM - 7 PM | Trustwell Living of Springfield | Free entry | Explore a welcoming community featuring top-notch dining and engaging activities for seniors.

Brain Aging Conference - Community Day

10 AM – 4 PM — Northfield Inn Suites and Conference Center — Free entry — Gain essential insights on caring for those with memory loss from expert medical professionals.

Spring Lawn & Garden Sale

9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Illinois State Fair Campground — Free entry — Explore local vendors offering plants, flowers, garden supplies, and more.

The Snow Queen Performance

2 PM – 2 PM — Sacred Heart-Griffin High School — Costumes optional — Delight in a magical retelling of a classic fairytale featuring talented local youth dancers.

On-Screen Presence Mastery Workshop

6:30 p.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free — Enhance your video production skills to captivate audiences and grow your business.

Crafting a Business Plan for Success

11 a.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free entry — Gain expert guidance on creating a solid business plan covering all essential aspects for your venture's success.

Building A Website Presence

6:30 p.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free entry — Learn essential tips for creating or improving your online presence.

Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Erin's Pavilion — Check website for ticket prices — Experience a magical candlelight tribute to the timeless music of Coldplay performed by the Listeso String Quartet.