FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEArt Museum
• Opening exhibit for WatercolorNow at 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20. This invitational exhibition, hosted every four years by the Springfield Art Museum, will feature work by current members of the Watercolor U.S.A. Honor Society. Contact: Nick Nelson, Director, Springfield Art Museum at 837-5700 or [email protected]Health
• The Health department works hard alongside other organizations to make sure Springfield has happy, healthy moms and babies. Our city has a 7.5% prematurity rate, which is even better than the 8.1% goal set by the March of Dimes.
Contact: Kathryn Wall, Public Information Administrator, 874-1205 or [email protected]Public Safety
• 911 telecommunicators are prepping for increase in calls due to severe weather.
Contact: Zim Schwartze, Director, Springfield-Greene County 911 Emergency Communications, 829-6000 or [email protected] • Flash flooding presents high risk for people needing water rescues. The Springfield Fire Department has done 21 water rescues to date in 2015.
Contact: Cara Erwin, Fire and Life Safety Educator, Springfield Fire Department, 864-1699 or [email protected] • Twelve students received rides to school in fire trucks following a successful Fire Prevention Month. Students who turned in a smoke alarm survey were entered into a contest to win a ride to school in a fire truck. Approximately 250 homes that didn’t have smoke alarms will have alarms installed by firefighters. The alarms were donated by HBA and Meeks.
Contact: Cara Erwin, Fire and Life Safety Educator, Springfield Fire Department, 864-1699 or [email protected] • The Springfield Police Department awarded three citizens with commendations, medals and citations at an awards ceremony Nov. 17.
Contact: Lisa Cox, Public Affairs Officer, 864-1786 or [email protected] Parks
• Turkey Trot discounted Early Bird registration ends Friday. Springfield’s Thanksgiving Day tradition attracts thousands of participants, making it one of Springfield’s largest timed 5Ks of the year and the largest Thanksgiving Day 5K in Missouri. Turkey Trot is held rain, snow or shine.
Contact: Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Springfield-Greene County Park Board Public Information Administrator, 874-2943 or [email protected] • The Park Board is hosting a winter outdoor safety and preparedness class 9:30-11 a.m., Dec. 5 at Valley Water Mill Park.
Contact: Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Springfield-Greene County Park Board Public Information Administrator, 874-2943 or [email protected] Planning/Economic Development/Workforce Development
• Project CoRE (Construction, Rehabilitation, Education) partnership allows troubled youth to improve community, lives.
Contact: Mary Lilly Smith, Planning & Development Director, 864-1096 or [email protected] • Veterans Wanted: Workforce Development’s Career Center actively works with area businesses to hire veterans. Veteran representatives also available to help vets overcome significant barriers to employment.
Contact: Megan Short, Communications Coordinator, 841-3386, 839-7612 or [email protected]Transportation
• Public Works has been prepping for snow removal season for more than a month and is installing automated vehicle locators (AVLs) in every snowplow over the next couple of weeks.
Contact: Ron Bailey, Superintendent of Streets, 864-11136 or 988-0530. Office of Emergency Management
• John Wall, OEM CERT coordinator, was recently awarded the distinction of Region D Metro Preparedness Volunteer of the Year by the Show Me Partnerships Planning Committee at this year’s Show Me Partnerships – Joint Emergency Human Services Conference and Volunteer Symposium. Photo available.
Contact: Erin Hedlun, Public Information Officer, 869-6040 or [email protected]