Good morning, Springfield.

Families in Springfield can meet live zoo animals and build habitat projects this fall at the Dana-Thomas House and Old State Capitol (events run from Aug.

24 to December). Free Zoo Booth sessions and hands-on Building for Wildlife workshops are offered for people 12 and older.

Officials held a ribbon cutting Saturday for a new 25-foot Cozy Dog statue at the Illinois State Fairgrounds — honoring local Route 66 tradition with neon mustard and ketchup colors.

The display was supported by DCEO, Visit Springfield and the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission.

Crafters and artists will fill a bag with donated art materials for $20 at a sale hosted by the Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club.

The event will be on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the club (2626 Pasfield Street) in Springfield.

Artist Danny Houk's House Rules exhibit opens at Trutter Museum & Murray Gallery at LLCC on Aug.

24 and runs through Sept. 18, featuring interactive art, games and installations. Visitors may join an artist talk and reception on Sept. 16 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Parkland College has partnered with University of Illinois Springfield to launch a transfer program (offering academic advising and career development) for students planning to transfer to a 4-year school.

Applications for current students are open until Oct. 2 and the program runs through June 30, 2029.

The Ball-Chatham School District addressed two safety incidents at Glenwood schools earlier this week when a student brought a fake gun onto a school bus and a social media threat was reported at Glenwood High School; staff and local police responded quickly.

High school football kicked off as Normal Community, Normal West & Dunlap each won big games while East Peoria beat Springfield Southeast.

The matches were played last week, marking a strong start for local football.

Demetrius Roberson made a one-handed 42-yard touchdown catch with 9.1 seconds left to secure a 27-23 win for Sacred Heart Griffin over Lincoln Way Central, and the team will face Joilet Catholic Academy next Saturday evening.

On Aug. 22, the South Fork Ponies won their season opener with a 50-0 shutout against Martinsville & they will travel to Unity Christian on Thursday.

Briggs Danner won the USAC Silver Crown Series Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Saturday after coping with multiple wrecks and Justin Grant’s engine failure.

Fans saw stage adjustments for a concert scheduled later & efforts to protect equipment from race dust.