Good morning, Springfield.

WEEK 25News earned Medium Market Station of the Year at the Illinois Broadcasters Association’s Silver Dome Awards in Springfield, receiving six additional honors in news reporting, community service, and digital storytelling.

The station said the awards show their team’s hard work & dedication to keeping the community informed.

Ameren's gas public awareness supervisor Jake Dukett demonstrated safe generator practices at the utility’s Pawnee training center on Thursday, Oct.

1, advising residents to operate gas-powered units outdoors and install transfer switches to avoid electric backfeed hazards.

Local Halloween events fill Springfield this October with attractions including haunted hayrides at 1580 S.

Sherman Blvd., a museum event at Abe's Haunted Hollow on Oct. 24, and a parade on Jefferson Street; several ghost tours and haunted attractions also offer spooky fun across town.

The Illinois Department of Insurance returned $9.3 million this year to heirs using its free Life Policy Locator service — a tool that helps locate unpaid life insurance policies and annuities under state law.

LIHEAP applications opened yesterday for select groups including seniors and families with young children, and appointments are booked for seven weeks in Sangamon and Macon counties + funding is expected to last through winter.

Applicants must provide utility bills and income proof to qualify under the income guidelines.

State and local fire safety officials met at the Paris Fire Department on Thursday to promote the Be Alarmed! program by installing free smoke alarms and teaching residents to test and replace outdated devices.

Officials noted over 215 alarms have been installed in 75 households to help protect home safety.

Memorial Health partnered with Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Decatur Memorial Hospital, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital (and the Logan County Department of Public Health) to survey local residents for input on the Community Health Implementation Plan.

Surveys remain open through Oct. 31.