Good morning, Springfield.

Woodward Communications Inc. announced on April 1 that it acquired four radio stations from Mid-West Family Group — it divested WCVS-FM to Educational Media Foundation and set up a local marketing agreement for WBBE with Great Plains Media — to broaden its Springfield operations.

IDOT announced a $5.5 million improvement project on North Dirksen Parkway from North Peoria Road to Northfield Drive that will include resurfacing, traffic signal upgrades — and ADA improvements.

Work will begin in mid-April and will first close southbound traffic between North Peoria Road and Terminal Road before switching to northbound after six weeks with a detour via North Peoria Road and Sangamon Avenue.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced a $5.5 million improvement project on North Dirksen Parkway from North Peoria Road to Northfield Drive—the project will include resurfacing, traffic signal upgrades and ADA improvements.

Work will begin mid-April with southbound closures from North Peoria Road to Terminal Road that will switch to northbound closures about six weeks later while lane closures remain between Terminal Road and Northfield Drive and detours will use North Peoria Road and Sangamon Avenue until early August.

Illinois State Trooper Alex Womack, who was injured in a 2019 Scott’s Law crash, said drivers still fail to move over properly—four crashes so far this year have injured three troopers—while state police will use new GPS alerts and higher fines to improve driver behavior.

Frito-Lay recalled fewer than 1,300 bags of Tostitos chips on March 26 because they may have milk not listed on the label that can hurt people with milk allergies—chips with a Guaranteed Fresh date of May 20 were sold in Illinois and 12 other states; people with the product should return it for a refund or throw it out.

UIS women's track and field standout Madelyn Miller reclaimed the Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month title in March after setting school records in the 5,000-meter race at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships and in the 10,000-meter race at the WashU Distance Carnival.

The honorees will be recognized at the Night of Stars banquet on April 28 — an event that also positions her for future UIS athlete awards.

Elaine Grant was named GLVC Women’s Golf Player of the Week after earning her first college win at the Flyers Spring Invitational by posting rounds of 73 and 74 for a total score of 147 +3; her strong play helped UIS finish sixth and marked her second career honor.

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.

LinkedIn for Entrepreneurs: Get Your Brand Out There

10 a.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free — Discover how to use LinkedIn to enhance your business networking and marketing efforts.

Starting Your Own Business

9:30 a.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free entry — Gain essential knowledge and confidence to launch your business with planning, setup, and financing tips.

Lawn Mower Clinic

Get your lawn mower ready for the season! The Springfield Jaycees will service push mowers that are in working condition (Must be able to start prior to servicing and we will start it with you at pick up) for $65.

Financing Your Business: Loans, Capital, And Financial Visibility

12:30 p.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free entry — Explore funding options and strategies to secure capital for sustainable business growth.

Illinois Symphony Orchestra Concert

7:30 PM - 12:30 AM — UIS Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a night of classical music featuring Ravel and Shostakovich performed by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra.