Good morning, Springfield.

The owner of the Wyndham Hotel in Springfield was accused of orchestrating vandalism on March 27 that damaged fire safety systems and elevators when the Springfield Fire Department responded to flooding—Affiliated FM is now seeking $12.2 million for alleged insurance fraud.

Christobal Santana was convicted of attempted murder after a Springfield traffic stop on October 24 and counts of aggravated battery, and he will be transferred to Chicago to face a murder trial for the death of his ex-girlfriend with sentencing set for December 17—state attorney John Milhiser confirmed the accountability.

A Chicago man, Cristobal Santana, was convicted on Aug 27 of attempted murder of a trooper during a stop on Toronto Road in Springfield — he faces another murder charge in Chicago and will be sentenced on Dec 17 with a possible sentence of 45 years to life.

The UIS women’s cross country team has been ranked 3rd out of 14 teams in the GLVC preseason poll for the fall season + coach Emmons King and his Prairie Stars look to improve on last season’s finishes at the GLVC Championship and NCAA Division II Midwest Regional.

They will begin their season at the 10th Annual Prairie Star Invitational on Sept. 5 and rely on key returners like Maddie Miller-Ross to boost their scoring lineup.

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.