Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Recognize this suspect from the Carter’s Fish Market arson?

Happening soon: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Springfield, IL on the Springfield Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 25th Patch AM
Thursday December 25th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning to you Springfield! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Recognize this suspect from the Carter’s Fish Market arson?
  • Springfield remembers Joseph Hartzler’s impact at home and nationwide
  • How Springfield’s “Santa’s Workshop” saves Christmas for kids in the hospital

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Springfield, IL.

Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Mist; fog in the morning, with a high of 54 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and warm, temps: high: 59, low: 40.
  • Saturday: Warm with clouds and sun, with a high of 59 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Crime of the Week: Help identify suspect in weekend arson (capitolcitynow.com) — Springfield authorities are asking for help identifying a suspect in an early-morning arson that caused over $25,000 in damage at Carter’s Fish Market on East South Grand. Surveillance video shows a man pouring liquid from a blue jug around the cook shed before igniting it. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $2,500 for anonymous tips that lead to an arrest.
   

2. Springfield US attorney tapped to prosecute Oklahoma City bomber dies (sj-r.com) — Longtime Springfield federal prosecutor and community volunteer Joseph Hartzler has died at 75. Hartzler, who once served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Springfield and sat on the Ball-Chatham school board, was best known nationally for leading the prosecution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. He was active at St. John’s Lutheran Church and is survived by his wife, three sons, and six grandchildren.
   

3. Santa's elves make Christmas special for patients of HSHS St. John's Children's Hospital (capitolcitynow.com) — Families with children spending Christmas at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield are getting help from “Santa’s Workshop,” stocked by local toy drives and the McGraw family. Volunteers sort and wrap gifts so parents can surprise their kids, easing the stress of spending the holiday in the hospital and highlighting how Springfield neighbors rally around families in tough moments.
   

4. ISP Welcomes New Troopers Of Cadet Class 151 (effinghamradio.com) — Illinois State Police welcomed 21 new troopers at a graduation ceremony held at the ISP Academy in Springfield, where recruits completed intensive 11-week training. The new officers will now fan out to seven troop areas statewide, part of more than 700 troopers added since 2019, while Springfield continues to serve as the training hub for state law enforcement.
   

📸 Around Springfield

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Springfield

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Springfield Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Springfield PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • If you have used or broken holiday lights, make no excuses—dispose of them properly!
    No matter what holiday they are from, you can drop them off to the City of Springfield to be recycled for free. Boxes are located in the lobby of… (Nextdoor North of Washington Park)
  • Stolen E-Bike
    Hello This Is Our Neighbor Mr.Kelly He Rides This Tan EBike Today It Was Stolen If Anyone Sees Anything He Has Filed A Police Report. (Nextdoor South Street)
  • Five Below posted a job opening for Seasonal Freight Associate in Springfield. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Meat Cutter and Wrapper in Springfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Springfield here.

Ok Springfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Springfield