Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Springfield residents can and can’t do this New Year’s Eve

Spotted on the Springfield calendar: Time Travel Half-Marathon (and 5k/10k) - Springfield

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Good morning Springfield! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Springfield residents can and can’t do this New Year’s Eve
  • What investigators say about the deadly teen crash on East Norton Road
  • How these 2025 road projects will change your Springfield commute

Also on today's calendar: Time Travel Half-Marathon (and 5k/10k) - Springfield and 8 more events.

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

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

Weather forecast:

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

  • Tuesday: Sunshine and not as cold, with a high of 42 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 47, low: 31.
  • Thursday: More sunshine than clouds, with a high of 51 and low of 38 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Tips for a safe and happy New Year's Eve in the Ozarks (news-leader.com) — If you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve in Springfield, you can’t carry open drinks into the street, set off home fireworks in city limits, or fire guns in the air. The article explains what’s allowed in Springfield versus unincorporated Greene County and stresses using sober rides so everyone gets home safely.
   

2. 17-year-old driver dies after being ejected from vehicle in crash (news-leader.com) — A 17-year-old driver died Saturday evening after his SUV left the road and hit a guardrail on East Norton Road, ejecting him from the vehicle, according to Springfield police. Officers say this marks Springfield’s 22nd fatal vehicle crash of 2025, and they’re asking anyone who saw the incident to contact SPD or Crime Stoppers with information.
   

3. The biggest road projects of 2025 in the Ozarks (ozarksfirst.com) — Major 2025 road work is reshaping how you drive in and around Springfield, from the long-term I-44 widening to the delayed reopening of the West Sunshine bridge. City projects like the Eastgate/LeCompte extension and Galloway Street rebuild aim to ease congestion, boost safety, and open new areas for development while regional U.S. 60 and U.S. 65 upgrades improve connections beyond town.
   

4. Missouri's minimum wage increases to $15 per hour starting Jan. 1 (ky3.com) — Starting Jan. 1, Missouri’s minimum wage jumps to $15 an hour, a change that will immediately affect many workers and employers in Springfield. Local small business owners describe tightening staffing, raising prices, and rethinking hiring as they balance fair pay with the higher payroll costs and state rules on tipped workers and very small businesses.
   

5. Kickapoo defense overwhelms Hillcrest in White Division semifinal (ozarkssportszone.com) — Springfield hoops fans just saw Kickapoo’s defense smother Hillcrest in a Pink & White Tournament semifinal at Parkview, holding the Hornets to only five first-half points in a 53–40 win. With standout efforts from Anaya Perry and Lexi Ringgold, Kickapoo stays unbeaten and advances to today’s White Division title game, while Hillcrest moves into the third-place matchup.
   

📸 Around Springfield

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Secota, a dog who went missing in Springfield, MO, has been safely reunited with their family after 54 minutes. More details here https://www… (Nextdoor Ozark Highlands)
  • Sam is lost!
    He’s only a year old, has a bobtail, and blue eyes. He’s neutered, is not declawed and does not have a collar. He was last seen on West Broadmoor… (Nextdoor Marlborough Manor)
  • Worldwide Flight Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Air Cargo Ramp Agent - Part time (SGF) in Springfield. Apply here.
  • O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for General Machinist 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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