Good morning, Springfield.

Pumpkin Creek Farms in central Illinois offers fall fun with pumpkin picking, hay rides, a corn maze and a 180 ft slide for families, along with free store access and food without admission.

It opened early Sept (runs through Nov 1 with October as peak season).

The Staab family will host the 13th Ride in Honor motorcycle ride on Oct.

11 at Staab Funeral Home (1109 S Fifth St.), with registration starting at noon and a 1 p.m. ride visiting veteran memorials and ending at VFW Post 755; $15 and $5 fees support Veterans Memorial Foundation.

The Staab Family will host its 13th annual Ride in Honor on Sunday, Oct.

11. Participants register at Staab Funeral Home (1109 South Fifth Street) at 12 p.m. and leave at 1 p.m. with stops at local memorials to support the Veterans Memorial Foundation.

Build Springfield, a free event at Bun Field on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., brings city agencies & community groups together for family activities, including free barbecue and flu shots.

The event also highlights neighborhood improvements made over the past four years.

Residents are invited to attend HSHS hospital pet blessing ceremonies in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with events scheduled in Springfield, Effingham, Shelbyville, Litchfield, and Decatur from Sunday, Oct.

4 to Thursday, Oct. 8. Pet owners must bring pets securely on a leash or in a carrier.

State leaders celebrated Illinois Literacy Day on Wednesday by donating more than 8,000 books to children at 22 YMCA locations and 118 early childhood centers statewide — an effort to boost early reading skills.

The Catholic Conference of Illinois is urging Gov. JB Pritzker to join the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, which lets taxpayers claim credits for donations aimed at funding school needs starting Jan.

1, 2027. Advocates say this step could help cover shortfalls in transportation, tutoring, supplies & special education services.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Gov. JB Pritzker and state lawmakers on Thursday, Oct.

1 to review the Bears’ search for a long-term stadium solution. The meeting confirmed Illinois remains in play (covering Hammond and Arlington Heights) as public funding discussions continue.

Sangamon County Animal Control & Adoption Center identified feline panleukopenia in cats today, which mainly affects kittens and unvaccinated animals.

Officials advise residents to avoid bringing stray cats unless essential & recommend fostering healthy cats to limit crowding.

An out-of-state buyer will purchase and restore the historic Virgil Hickcox Building downtown with plans to convert it into a bed and breakfast or apartments (or offices) after a February fire.

He is expected to close in October and open the first-floor tavern by year-end.