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🌱 Patch AM: What led to a 30-year sentence in this Springfield teen shooting?

And on the Springfield Patch calendar - Thursday Night Trivia at Anvil & Forge!

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Wednesday December 10th Patch AM
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Hello Springfield! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What led to a 30-year sentence in this Springfield teen shooting?
  • Which Springfield Hardee’s are gone—and what’s next for those sites?
  • Why Sangamon County’s overdose deaths keep climbing despite Narcan’s availability

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Springfield, IL and 7 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the alien say to the puzzle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: A snow shower in the morning, with a high of 40 and low of 21 degrees.
  • Thursday: A snow shower in the p.m., temps: high: 31, low: 27.
  • Friday: Mostly cloudy and chilly, with a high of 34 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. 1 of 2 Springfield teens charged with deadly 2024 shooting pleads guilty (wandtv.com) — A Springfield teen has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the 2024 shooting of 16-year-old Keyon Day near Southeast High School. Police found Day with a gunshot wound on Taylor Avenue, and he later died at a local hospital. The defendant will receive credit for time served and face supervised release after prison.
   

2. Hardee's closes five area locations, one already sold (springfieldbusinessjournal.com) — If Hardee’s is part of your routine, take note: two more Springfield locations on Clear Lake Avenue and Stevenson Drive have permanently closed, leaving only the Sangamon Avenue and Jefferson Street restaurants open. The story tracks a broader pullback, with earlier closures in Springfield, Chatham, Virden and other towns, plus what’s happening with the now-vacant properties and potential subleases.
   

3. Sangamon County continues to struggle with accidental overdose deaths (wandtv.com) — Springfield and the rest of Sangamon County are facing a record-high toll of accidental overdose deaths in 2025, with up to 85 fatalities already possible this year. The county coroner urges residents to recognize the crisis, reduce stigma, and use tools like Narcan and the Illinois Substance Abuse Hotline to seek help for themselves or loved ones.
   

4. Sangamon County residents continue to voice concerns over proposed data center (newschannel20.com) — A packed Sangamon County board meeting in Springfield drew residents questioning a proposed CyrusOne data center and urging firm written guarantees. Economic boosters say the project could bring 100 permanent jobs plus hundreds more indirect positions, while others worry about noise and are encouraged to keep speaking up at future meetings.
   

5. Glenn Marshall Named Anchor/Reporter At Chicago's WBBM. (insideradio.com) — Springfield viewers may remember Glenn Marshall from his reporting days at WICS-TV; he’s now been named evening anchor and reporter for Chicago’s WBBM Newsradio. The Chicago native, an Emmy-nominated journalist, brings experience from Springfield, Boston, Atlanta and WGN-TV to his new role covering big-city stories for a major regional audience.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Voices: Firefighters Sound Alarm on Recruitment Crisis — Lawmakers Hold the Key —Steve Corsaro Read on Patch
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Betty, a dog who went missing in Springfield, IL, has been safely reunited with their family after 12 hours, 58 minutes. Message from Owner: "Call… (Nextdoor Grandview Ave/Wolfe St)
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Aj , a dog who went missing in Springfield, IL, has been safely reunited with their family after 12 hours, 54 minutes. Message from Owner: "He is… (Nextdoor Grandview Ave/Wolfe St)
  • Electrolux posted a job opening for Material Coordinator-1st Shift in Springfield. Apply here.
  • Sonic Corporation posted a job opening for Crew Member 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 come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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