Good morning, Springfield.

Everest is a one-year-old dog at the Sangamon County Animal Control and Adoption Center who has lived in a kennel for over one month—he is friendly, plays fetch well, and is ready for foster, foster-to-adopt, or adoption.

Special reduced adoption fees apply through August 30—act now to give him a loving home.

Everest is a one-year-old dog who has spent over a month in a kennel at Sangamon County Animal Control and Adoption Center and loves to play fetch and walk on a leash.

He is ready for foster — foster-to-adopt or permanent adoption during shelter hours, with special fees until August 30.

Early Saturday morning, Springfield police responded to a report of a person with a gun near the 2500 block of S 9th St — they used ShotSpotter to detect rounds fired and searched a nearby home where they arrested 45-year-old Aumaurionne Flowers after finding two firearms and charging him with multiple firearm offenses.

Today, 39-year-old Cristobal Santana—a Chicago man accused of shooting and beating Illinois State Police trooper Dakotah Chapman-Green during a traffic stop at an apartment complex on Toronto Road in October—faces a jury trial in Sangamon County; he was arrested hours after the incident and is also accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend.

Lincoln Land Community College President Charlotte Warren announced on Aug.

22 that she will retire in June 2026—her nearly twenty-year tenure brought new facilities, increased funding, and stronger partnerships that transformed the campus.

Jordan Robinson became the new student board member for Springfield Public Schools for the 2025-26 school year after taking the oath of office during a board meeting—she, a senior at Springfield High School, said the century-old building has character and potential.

Jordan Robinson was sworn in as the new student board member for Springfield Public Schools for the 2025-26 school year and described the century-old Springfield High School building—currently under construction—as having character and potential.

Flock Safety paused its pilot programs with Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations last week after Illinois officials reported that federal agents had accessed license plate data without clear permission — state law forbids such sharing.

The company has since updated its system to allow only one-on-one searches by law enforcement — the change aims to prevent similar data-sharing issues.

Battleship is a handsome tabby that arrived as a stray on July 15 and is healing from wounds on his back—he is now neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and available for adoption at Sangamon County Animal Control & Adoption Center.

UIS Athletics held a women’s soccer scrimmage in Greenville on Monday and will host a men’s scrimmage versus Millikin today at Kiwanis Stadium—donations will be gathered for the UIS Cares Food Pantry.

The week will also feature Orion’s 10th birthday party on the UIS quad Friday with cupcakes and music—and a women’s scrimmage against Roosevelt on Sunday with free youth admission.

Healing Arts Festival

2-10 p.m. — Buzz Bomb Brewing Co — Free entry — Experience a vibrant community gathering featuring live music, healthy food, and local art.

Illinois Prairie Pastel Society 'Pastel Play' Member Show

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Athens Municipal Library — Free entry — Explore vibrant pastel artworks during this engaging member exhibition.

Tour de Heartland

8 AM – 1 PM — Historic Marbold Farmstead — Registration fee applies — Enjoy a bike ride fundraiser supporting the Historic Marbold Farmstead Association.

Illinois Senior Games

9 AM – 6 PM — Iles Park — Registration open — Compete in various sports including pickleball during this exciting senior Olympics event.

Art Spectacular

10 a.m.–5 p.m. — Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon — Free admission — Celebrate 20 years of art and music at Central Illinois' premier fine art fair featuring local and regional artists.

Book Discussion: Thinking Fast and Slow

10 AM – 12 PM — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Engage in a thought-provoking discussion on behavioral finance inspired by Daniel Kahneman's insights.

Pumpkin Spice Gnome Paint Night with Ashley Blake

1-3 p.m. — Harvest Market — Cost includes materials — Paint a cozy Pumpkin Spice Gnome and enjoy fall vibes with fellow art lovers.