Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How much more are Springfield renters paying compared to last year?

Spotted on the Springfield calendar: Ahren Belisle

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Sunday December 14th Patch AM
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Hello again Springfield! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How much more are Springfield renters paying compared to last year?
  • How Springfield bank withdrawals led to a murder charge for caretaker
  • Buffalo and Springfield families remember the life of Gloria Jean Hare

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 7 more events.

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

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and colder, with a high of 26 and low of 20 degrees.
  • Monday: Not as cold, temps: high: 46, low: 30.
  • Tuesday: Breezy and not as cool, with a high of 57 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. How much does apartment rental cost in Springfield? See median prices (news-leader.com) — If you’re renting in Springfield, median apartment asking prices hit about $1,197 in November, up 9% from last year. One-bedrooms now list around $909 and two-bedrooms about $1,050, still well below Missouri and national medians but rising enough that local tenants and prospective movers may feel the squeeze.
   

2. Willard, Mo., woman faces murder charge in death of man she was caring for (ky3.com) — A Willard caretaker is jailed in Greene County after being charged with second-degree murder, theft, and fraud in the death of a 74-year-old man she allegedly strangled. Investigators say she then withdrew enough money from the victim’s account at banks in Springfield, Joplin, and Willard to potentially leave the area. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s name.
   

3. Gloria Jean Hare (Buffalo) (myozarksonline.com) — Family and friends are mourning 93-year-old Gloria Jean Hare, who passed away Friday at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield. Born in Kansas City and later of Buffalo, she was a devoted wife, mother, and Christian, survived by four children, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A private family service will be held at a later date.
   

4. Woman gives birth at Bass Pro Shops aquarium in Missouri (notthebee.com) — A mom unexpectedly delivered her baby in the women’s restroom at Bass Pro’s Wonders of Wildlife aquarium in Springfield, with a Mercy EMS director calmly guiding the birth by phone. Springfield Fire Captain Sean Jackson and his crew arrived minutes later to clear the baby’s airway, cut the umbilical cord, and help transfer mom and newborn to a local hospital, where both were reported doing well.
   

5. Volunteers gather to lay wreaths at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield (ky3.com) — Hundreds of volunteers gathered at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield to place thousands of wreaths on the graves of service members as part of Wreaths Across America. Local veterans, students, and families described the ceremony as a powerful mix of pride, gratitude, and remembrance, highlighting how the Springfield community turns out each year to honor those who served.
   

📸 Around Springfield

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Springfield

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Sunday December 14
  • Ahren Belisle
    Springfield Improv, 1300 W Poplar St, Springfield
    7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • WE FOUND HIM!
    THANK YOU! Has anyone seen this cat? I live on Fairway behind Petco and Boot Barn and he got out early this morning on 12/12/25. His name is Chief… (Nextdoor Bradford Park)
  • Hello neighbors,
    I have been out of work since September. I have actively been looking for a job and have had some interviews, but unfortunately, I am not very good… (Nextdoor Kickapoo)
  • IN-DEPTH: Springfield transportation planners have allocated $1 million for a study of the 60/65 interchange. Stakeholders along Route 60 are... (X: sgfcitizen)
  • Petition challenging east Springfield housing development falls short... (X: springfieldNL)
  • Walmart, Inc. posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Springfield. Apply here.
  • Connections Academy posted a job opening for High School Counselor - Missouri Connections Academy 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 didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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