City staff recommend zoning change approval, with conditions, for ‘The Heights’
Documents released ahead of the April 6 Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission meeting show City Hall staff sees the proposed development in University Heights as consistent with long-range plans to create ‘diverse, exciting urban locations.’
VOTING GUIDE OPEN TO ALL READERS
Springfield MO Voting Guide: Everything you need to know for April 4 local elections
In one place, all readers of the Springfield Daily Citizen get free access to learn about the candidates and important ballot issues facing Springfield voters on April 4. Links within the story may require a subscription to the Daily Citizen.
Pokin Around: When your mind says you are ‘garbage,’ but Springfield police tell you otherwise
Police officers have stressful jobs. One Springfield woman, formerly homeless, wants you to know the officers who have been kind and caring to her.
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SPRINGFIELD LIFE
Fly a kite, whack a piñata and celebrate spring at Springfield Sister Cities Association’s Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival
Celebrate Springfield’s sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan, and Tlaquepaque, Mexico April 1 at the Springfield Botanical Gardens.
Springfield’s Jamaican Patty to open second location downtown
Jamaican Patty Company, a south Springfield Jamaican restaurant and market, is expanding — bringing a second location to downtown Springfield later this spring. While they are known for their patties, enclosed pastries filled with spices and meat or other savory fillings (similar to an empanada), they are expanding their menu downtown to include other traditional…
Steve Pokin — Columnist
Steve Pokin writes the Pokin Around and The Answer Man columns for the Springfield Daily Citizen. He also writes about criminal justice issues.
latest columns
Pokin Around: What’s this? Springfield Quonset hut once home to Casper’s might have new life
The Quonset hut that was once home to Casper’s in downtown Springfield might once again be put to use, possibly as a restaurant.
Pokin Around: City proved this week homeless camps can be cleared compassionately
I’m not here to tell a heart-warming tale. I’m here to point out what has been made obvious this week. The law can be enforced with compassion.
Pokin Around: You can be skeptical of claim of regrown toes without being un-Christian
A Joplin woman says toes that were amputated years earlier miraculously regrew during a healing service at James River Church. Skepticism is understandable. But the hostility directed at the church and the woman — particularly from people who claim…
Pokin Around: DirecTV giving price reductions to customers upset KOLR-10 was dropped
After five months without KOLR-10, you would think DirecTV customers would be thinking about a financial discount or rebate. Since Oct. 21, customers unable or unwilling to find other options, such as an indoor antenna, have gone without some…
SCHOOLS & CHILDREN
MSU’s top fundraiser agrees to stay at university with added $150,000 incentive
Brent Dunn, Missouri State University’s No. 1 fundraiser, has accepted a $150,000 incentive agreement from MSU and will not be leaving the university. In November, he and the university announced he would exit MSU on Aug. 1 for a new job raising money for the Missouri State Fair Foundation. Dunn said Tuesday the foundation has…
McBride Elementary’s playground named ‘best all-inclusive playground in the nation’
The playground at McBride Elementary in Springfield has been named the best all-inclusive playground in the nation, according to a study by Soliant, a school and health care staffing company.
economy & growth
Concerned about housing affordability and quality in Springfield? City candidates share views and ideas
The campaign season affords candidates the chance to sound off on issues ranging from homelessness, housing rentals, type of housing, nuisance properties, vacancies, and what exactly the city government’s role is in the overall housing picture.
Developers break ground on affordable housing project along Grant Avenue Parkway area
City officials along with the leaders of Flourish Community Development Corporation and DHTC Development broke ground March 27 on Nordic Landing, a 41-unit affordable housing project with eight apartments set aside for youth aging out of the foster care system.
elections
Pipkin students will have new home, address if voters support Springfield schools bond measure
If Springfield school district voters approve an April 4 bond measure providing money to build a new Pipkin Middle School, the new school will rise about four miles east of the century-old building. On Thursday, Springfield Public Schools announced the new Pipkin would be built on a 20.9-acre property located at 3207 E. Pythian, near…
Attack ad portrays SPS board candidates Thomas-Tate and Brunner as against American values
Back in October when Shurita Thomas-Tate announced she would seek a second term on the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education, she said she expected to be targeted by attack ads. The first one aired Tuesday night on KY3. The ad, paid for by the SWMO Forward PAC, a Columbia-based political action committee with a trove of…
Mayor, City Council candidates exceed $290K in campaign funds
All told, donors have put more than $290,000 toward the eight candidates running for contested seats in the municipal election April 4. In terms of dollars, the Springfield Good Government Committee is the most heavily invested political action committee in the election.
OTHER SPRINGFIELD NEWS
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OZARKS ALIVE | CULTURAL PRESERVATION PROJECT
Work continues to save landmark store in old mining town of Wentworth
In June 2022, a Wentworth store with about 130 years of history was sold at auction. The buyers are working to restore the building.
VOICES
Opinion: For Women’s History Month, let’s lift up, not tear down
OPINION | This month reminds me of how I grew up in the 70s while being raised by my dad. I heard talks about women’s liberation, and how women can open their own door. These talks were different for me because my dad would make comments like “work hard when you are young, so you…
Letter: For a better future for Springfield, vote Melanie Bach for mayor
OPINION | by Lynda Orris, Springfield Springfield’s incumbent mayor has had three terms in office to deal with the issues, and yet here we are: These problems have a negative impact on the quality of life in Springfield. They make it difficult for people to live safely and comfortably. As citizens, we need to work…
Letter: Shurita Thomas-Tate is a fierce advocate for children on school board
OPINION | by Holly Madden, Springfield I am the director of Family Connection at The Connecting Grounds, a program that provides support and supervised visits for families that are working toward reunification inside the foster care system. Over the last 4 years, I have worked with dozens of families with children inside of Springfield Public…
In their own words: SPS School Board candidate Chad Rollins
I have made it a priority to give back to my community and specifically to kids through fitness over the last five years. At this point in my life, I wanted to do even more and felt offering my service on the Board of Education would be a good area to give back to my…
