Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which Springfield favorites disappeared from the local business scene in 2025?

Happening soon: First Night Springfield on the Springfield Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 30th Patch AM
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What's up Springfield! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Springfield favorites disappeared from the local business scene in 2025?
  • How new hospital visitor limits could affect your Springfield hospital visits
  • Which Springfield museums anchor this winter’s Central Illinois arts circuit?

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Partly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 33 and low of 30 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Intervals of clouds and sun, temps: high: 39, low: 17. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and chilly, with a high of 31 and low of 25 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Businesses, restaurants that closed in Springfield in 2025 (sj-r.com) — A long list of Springfield restaurants, shops, and even a grocery store shut their doors in 2025, capped by Buzz Bomb Brewing and A Taste of Seoul closing on Dec. 31. From downtown eateries to east-side staples, the closures reflect financial pressures, retirements, bankruptcies, and shifting foot traffic that are reshaping where residents can dine, shop, and gather.
   

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

2. Memorial Health limits hospital visitors amid rise in respiratory illnesses (wandtv.com) — Visitor rules are tightening at Springfield Memorial Hospital as Memorial Health responds to rising cases of COVID-19, flu, and RSV across Illinois. Adult visitors are now limited to two at a time for inpatients, with sick visitors barred and masks encouraged but not required. Outpatient clinics in Springfield remain unaffected, though health officials urge good hygiene and up-to-date vaccinations.
   

3. Looking for art, culture? See the latest Central Illinois exhibits (pantagraph.com) — Springfield art and history lovers have strong options close to home, from the Illinois State Museum’s look at natural and cultural history to immersive Lincoln exhibits at the Presidential Library and Museum. The roundup also points you to notable galleries and museums in Bloomington, Peoria, Champaign, Lewistown, Normal, and more for winter cultural day trips.
   

4. Meet Boss — Friends of SCAC Dog of the Week (wdbr.com) — If you’re looking to adopt in Springfield, Boss is a one-year-old dog who’s been waiting at Sangamon County Animal Control since September for a new home. Volunteers say he walks well on a leash, sits politely for treats, and loves attention. The shelter welcomes visitors Monday through Saturday to meet Boss and other adoptable pets.
   

5. Gov. Pritzker Names Colonel Steven B. Rice as Assistant Adjutant General - Air of the Illinois National Guard (riverbender.com) — Springfield’s 183rd Wing will soon report to a new top Air Guard leader as Gov. JB Pritzker appoints Col. Steven B. Rice Assistant Adjutant General – Air for the Illinois National Guard. Rice will oversee nearly 3,000 Air Guard personnel, including those at Springfield, Scott Air Force Base, and Peoria, guiding readiness, construction, and new missions across the state’s three major air wings.
   

📸 Around Springfield

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📣 Springfield Shout Outs!

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🗓 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! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We just lost our kitty!!
    His name is Georgie. He does not have a collar, because we just adopted him. His ear is clipped, due to him being a stray in the past. He is all grey… (Nextdoor Laketown)
  • Im back at it again.
    This time I have googling eyes on my rocks. Heading to BINGO today and I will be hiding the BINGO rock there. Happy Hunting!! (Nextdoor Dirksen Pkwy)
  • OSL Retail Services Corporation posted a job opening for Wireless Retail Sales Associate - W3602 in Springfield. Apply here.
  • Golden Corral posted a job opening for Cashier / Host / Attendant 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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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