FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEHealth
• Historic City Hall is looking especially dapper these days. The building is sporting a ‘stache to celebrate “Movember,” which encourages men to pay attention to their health.
Contact: Kathryn Wall, Public Information Administrator, 874-1205 or [email protected]Public Safety
• According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. The Fire Department offers advice to help you avoid a holiday tragedy.
Contact: Cara Erwin, Fire and Life Safety Educator, Springfield Fire Department, 864-1699 or [email protected] • The Springfield Police Department was awarded meritorious law enforcement accreditation on Nov. 21 for the seventh consecutive period (reaccreditation occurs every three years) from The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).
Contact: Lisa Cox, Public Affairs Officer, 864-1786 or [email protected] • The Springfield Police Department urges you to “hide it, lock it, keep it” anytime you leave belongings in the car, but especially during Black Friday. View a public service announcement.
Contact: Lisa Cox, Public Affairs Officer, 864-1786 or [email protected] Parks
• There is still time to register for the 21st Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk, returning to downtown Springfield Thanksgiving morning, 8 a.m. Early Bird registration closed Friday afternoon, but on-site registration opens on Wednesday, 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. at the Springfield Expo Center. You may also register the morning of the race 6:15-7:15 a.m.?Proceeds from Turkey Trot benefit the Park Board Scholarship Fund, allowing income-qualifying youth to take part in Park Board programs, sports and summer camps, and the Developmental Center of the Ozarks. The event also serves as the largest one-day food drive of the year for Ozarks Food Harvest, so don’t forget to bring three canned food donations. Motorists, be advised, portions of St. Louis Street, National Avenue, Grand Street and Kimbrough Avenue will be closed Thanksgiving morning. A map and other race details are available at parkboard.org.?.
Contact: Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Springfield-Greene County Park Board Public Information Administrator, 874-2943 or [email protected] • The Park Board’s holiday activities begin Thanksgiving weekend and continue in December, including:
Free Ice Skating at Mediacom Ice Park Thanksgiving Day, 5-6 p.m., and Saturday after the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, 7-8 p.m. Free ice skating also Saturday, Dec. 12, 6-7 p.m., 5-6 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 19, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; and Christmas Day, 5-6 p.m. Candy Cane Lane, drive-through light display at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, open Friday and Saturday nights, Dec. 4-19. Christmas at the Gray-Campbell Farmstead, an old-fashioned celebration with carols and sweets, Sat., Dec. 5, 1-3 p.m. Breakfast with Santa and Friends, Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center. SPARC Winter Break Program, activity-filled weekday fun during Winter Break for kids ages 5-12 at Oak Grove Community Center.
Contact: Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Springfield-Greene County Park Board Public Information Administrator, 874-2943 or [email protected] Planning/Economic Development/Workforce Development
• Springfield shoppers have another opportunity to score holiday shopping bargains and support the local economy at the same time. Mayor Bob Stephens is encouraging residents to participate in Small Business Saturday on Saturday, Nov. 28, issuing a proclamation declaring the Saturday after Thanksgiving as “Small Business Saturday” in Springfield.
Contact: Mary Lilly Smith, Planning & Development Director, 864-1096 or mlsmit[email protected], or Sarah Kerner, interim Economic Development Director, at 864-1035 or [email protected]Transportation
• On tonight’s City Council meeting agenda are a pair of special ordinances calling for an April 5, 2016 election to renew the 1/4-cent Capital Improvements and 1/8-cent Transportation Sales Taxes. First approved by voters in 1989, the 1/4-cent Capital Improvements Sales Tax, is estimated to generate about $30 million to be invested in high-priority projects, such as major street resurfacing and rehabilitation, traffic flow improvements, school sidewalks, stormwater management and neighborhood initiatives. Renewed for an eighth time in 2013, the tax has passed with more than 70% in support in the past three cycles. When possible, funding is leveraged with other partners, including county, state, federal governments and developers. Voters have approved the 1/8-cent Transportation Improvements Sales Tax every four years since 1996. It is estimated to generate about $20 million to be invested in high-priority projects, such as intersection improvements, street and bridge widening, and alternative transportation projects. With a four-year sunset, the renewal of the 1/8-cent sales tax ensures the completion of key projects, including those identified as priorities by citizens.
Contact: Dan Smith, Public Works Director, (reachable via Kristen Milam, 864-1402 or [email protected]). • The Transportation Management Center of the Ozarks has you covered for Black Friday. Visit ozarkstraffic.com to view live traffic camera feeds at SGF intersections.
Contact: Tom Dancey, Traffic Engineer, at 864-1167 or [email protected]Office of Emergency Management
• In its recently released annual Travel Forecast, AAA projects 46.9 million travelers will journey at least 50 miles from home this Thanksgiving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationoffers important travel safety tips to keep in mind as you finalize your holiday travel plans.
Contact: Erin Hedlun, Public Information Officer, 869-6040 or [email protected]