7+ hour, 13+ min ago (581+ words) The Springfield City School District will close the School of Innovation (SOI) at the end of the 2025-26 year, after which the 100 impacted students will transition to Springfield High School (SHS), where it will consolidate with beginning the 2026-27 school year. District leaders emphasized this decision was driven by "the need to ensure long-term financial stability while expanding academic opportunities" and is about "protecting the interests of all students," according to Superintendent Bob Hill. "Consolidating SHS and SOI will preserve academic programs, career pathways, athletics and the arts, while stabilizing the district's financial future. Without this step, Springfield schools would face devastating cuts impacting every student and every classroom," he said. The SOI gives a second option for high school students in the district to focus on project-based learning instead of traditional classroom instruction. It has normal classes and all of the…...

1+ day, 8+ hour ago (522+ words) Donations of essentials items for Springfield's local shelters will be accepted at a collection drive during Holiday in the City on Friday. Community members who would like to contribute items can attend the donation drive 5-8 p.m. at COhatch, 101 S. Fountain Avenue. For those not attending Holiday in the City, donations can be dropped off at Myers Market in front of the COhatch doors during business hours up to the Friday event, according to a news release. In Springfield, the homelessness crisis continues to grow, City Commissioner Tracey Tackett said. "The challenge is greater every single year. It feels like we're going backwards," Tackett said. "It is growing, and we need to address it, and we know it. It's nationwide; it's not just Springfield." People are coming up against a number of challenges, she said. "The economy is working against us, funding cuts…...

5+ day, 9+ hour ago (1638+ words) At a nondescript church off a rural road in Springfield, a community at the epicenter of America's ongoing immigration crackdown can be found. On a Saturday it is not pews that are full but a basketball court where men play five-a-side. It's a scene that could take place anywhere in the country: shots are made, fouls contested, plays called. The only difference is the language they speak. "Al, al, al" they shout in Haitian creole. For many, this sanctuary is a refuge from the storm awaiting outside of anti-immigrant sentiment and fear that after legally entering the U.S., the life they built here could be destroyed. "It's because we have faith that the storm will be over one day. It won't be forever. What makes us believe that is hope that one day God will touch the hearts of the people…...

5+ day, 18+ hour ago (588+ words) Immigration enforcement may be forceful in Springfield when Temporary Protected Status for Haitians ends in February, local advocates alledge. Advocates Vil's Dorsainvil, president of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center; Casey Rollins, director of St. Vincent de Paul in Springfield; and Carl Ruby, Central Christian Church pastor, all met with a representative from U.S. Sen. Jon Husted's, R-Ohio office recently. Rollins said she asked about people with asylum or asylum status pending and if they should be "safe" from enforcement and was told, "Well, I'm not an immigration attorney but I work with the State Department and I work with immigration attorneys every day and no, they're not going to be safe here." Advocates were told to find a "third country" to help people "self-deport," Dorsainvil said. "It was "Picture this: Signs on deportation centers everywhere that say self-deport, free…...

1+ week, 8+ hour ago (508+ words) Myers Market inside COhatch in Springfield has re-launched and transformed into a "multi-concept culinary hub" with new dining and beverage concepts. Tyler McCleary, head of Myers Market operations, said they've "completely reimagined" what Myers Marker can be for Springfield. "Each concept has been carefully crafted to offer something special " whether you're craving authentic pizza made with 300-year-old wild yeast, expertly mixed cocktails, local craft beer, or bold new flavors from our rotating kitchen," he said. "This is about creating a destination where every visit offers something to discover." The new concepts are: Dough Re Mi Pizza uses house-made dough crafted with 300-year-old wild yeast, which creates "an exceptional crust with perfect texture and a symphony of flavors that sets it apart from anything else in the region," according to the Myers Market. The Rose Room offers crafted cocktails that "blend…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (431+ words) A Springfield resident will compete in the PGA Jr. League National Championship in Frisco, Texas, this week. 12-year-old Chaz Zitzner, who finished fifth in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals in Augusta, Georgia, in April, will be among the nine competitors on Team Ohio representing the Southern Ohio PGA section. "It's really cool just to honor Team Ohio and be a part of this," Zitzner said. "Going to the national championship is just really cool." Chaz's father Brad Zitzner said he's looking forward to the golfers having "a chance to get excited together." Team Ohio is asking for monetary pledges for every birdie made during the national championship to be donated benefitting PGA REACH Southern Ohio. According to a release, "with four two-player teams competing over 36 holes, the group expects to make between 50 and 65 birdies, with each one turning…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (758+ words) A Springfield ministry will host its third event to honor "transplant heroes" who have relocated to Springfield from other places and have impacted the community. Urban Light Ministries will host the third annual Mayor's Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 20 at the Courtyard Marriott Springfield Downtown. The Transplant Heroes Project acknowledges and celebrates people who "adopt the city as their new home and positively impact the community's wellbeing," according to Urban Light Ministries. "The Springfield Mayor's Breakfast is an annual opportunity to celebrate the many blessings of our community, and to recognize the contributions of some of our neighbors who've chosen our area as their home," said Eli Williams, president and CEO of Urban Light Ministries. The 10 people who will be honored this year include: Wes Babian, from Michigan, was ordained in 1971. He later joined First Baptist Church of Springfield in 1984 and was…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (264+ words) The Springfield High School Marine Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MJROTC) celebrated a "milestone in military tradition" this week with the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, according to a press release from the school district. The Marine Corps birthday, officially observed on Nov. 10, honors the founding of the branch by the Continental Congress in 1775. "On the birthdate of our Corps, we gather, we celebrate, we eat together," said Master Sergeant Richard McGinn, MJROTC instructor. "No matter where you are in the world today, your brothers and sisters in arms are celebrating with you." Springfield's cadets participated in "time-honored customs of the Corps," including the reading of the Commandant's message and the ceremonial cake-cutting, where the oldest and youngest Marines (or cadets) share the first slices as a symbol of continuity and legacy, according to Jenna Leinasars, communications specialist....

1+ week, 6+ day ago (382+ words) A Springfield man who recently pleaded guilty to attempted murder for a non-injury shooting in May filed a motion to withdraw that plea, citing inefficacy of council. Bradley Trent, 32, pleaded guilty to the first-degree felony with a firearm specification Oct. 28 and filed a pro se (representing himself) motion to withdraw his plea. Trent was believed to be involved in a May 10 shooting dispute in the 200-300 block of West Grand Avenue. Witnesses told police Trent got out of a silver GMC Yukon near a house on the street and shot a silver and black pistol down the roadway to the west, according to a probable cause affidavit. Police found a Toyota's windshield was shot while parked in front of the home. Witnesses described the shooter as wearing a black hoodie, long white shorts, a red mark and black and white Air…...

2+ week, 4+ day ago (631+ words) After two years away from the game, CJ Wallace finally got the itch to play football again this winter. The Springfield High School junior " the son of South High School and Toledo University standout quarterback and current Wildcats offensive coordinator Chris Wallace " grew up playing under center, but opted to focus on basketball his first two years of high school. Chris Wallace also spent a year away from the team, calling games alongside Marty Bannister as part of the Spectrum News 1 high school football coverage team. While his son was committing to winter workouts, Springfield coach Maurice Douglass was also looking for an offensive coordinator and Chris Wallace decided to rejoin the program. "I was comfortable with (Spectrum), but I saw the opportunity to help coach my son and a lot of these other kids that are in my mentoring…...