Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hi Springfield, hope you’re having a great weekend! In today's in-case-you-missed-it edition: Aviation mega-project, bird watching 101, and carousel for a good cause + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.
Some family trips fade. This one didn't. Twenty years later, I still remember standing under that giant tipping water bucket, waiting to get soaked. That was Great Wolf Lodge, and my family spent the whole weekend like that, drenched and laughing, climbing back up for one more slide. The water park is entirely indoors, kept at 84 degrees year-round, and included with every stay, so the forecast doesn't matter. You can book a discounted family getaway right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing Most popular stories this weekThe three top stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Aviation investment lands locally: Electra announced plans to build its first EL9 Ultra Short production facility at AirPark Ohio in Springfield, an $850 million project to create 1,975 jobs and strengthen Springfield's aerospace sector -- read the full story.
New grocery option ahead: Aldi will open an east-side Springfield store this fall on a parking lot next to UEC Theatres and across from Dollar Tree, with the opening date to be announced -- read the full story.
Local favorite says goodbye: OH! Boba inside Springfield’s Myers Market will close July 31, ending a three-year run. The Troy location stays open, co-owner Jess Justice said, calling it a heartbreaking decision -- read the full story.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's 50% off right now.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.* All the crowd favorites: |
02 — From our sponsor Some family trips fade. This one never did.Twenty years later, I can still put myself in that water park: standing under the giant tipping bucket with a crowd of other kids, waiting to get soaked, then climbing the stairs with my family for one more run down the slide. We spent the entire weekend like that, drenched and happy. Most childhood vacations blur together. That one stuck. What I understand now, as the adult who'd be planning it, is why it worked so well. Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor water park resort, kept at 84 degrees every day of the year, and the water park comes with every overnight stay. No separate tickets, no watching the forecast all week, no rained-out weekend. The big slides keep the older kids busy, the shallow splash areas keep the little ones happy, and nobody has to sit out. Everything else is under the same roof too: an arcade, interactive adventures, daily kid programming, and places to eat. You park the car on Friday and don't think about it again until Sunday. The suites are built for families, with themed rooms and enough space that everyone actually sleeps. Clean, safe, and simple, which on a trip with kids counts for as much as the slides. Your kids will remember the bucket. You'll remember how easy it was. *Plan a getaway they'll never forget → |
03 — On our radar
This week's top findsLocal spotlights your fellow readers loved last week.
Breakfast that hits right: Whether you’re up early or rolling in later, Mundy's Bar & Grill nails the Springfield essentials with fluffy pancakes, hearty omelets, and no-nonsense burgers with crispy fries. Friendly vibe, local regulars, and just enough bar energy to make brunch feel like a tiny celebration.
Your summer hang spot: Mother Stewart's Brewing turns a historic warehouse into an event-driven taproom with a sprawling beer garden, live music, and frequent food trucks. Swing by this week for seasonal pours made with locally sourced ingredients, then linger while the stage fires up and the neighborhood basically becomes your living room.
Mini-golf that moos: Between two farm-themed 18-hole courses with waterfalls, a windmill, and even a mooing 18th-hole surprise, Udders & Putters keeps kids grinning and grown-ups humble. Add batting cages, a carousel, or the driving range and you’ve got an easy Springfield outing this week.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
A blown engine can cost more than your car is worth: And it almost never warns you. One day it runs fine, the next you're staring at a $7,000 repair on a car you still rely on every morning. That's the kind of bill an extended warranty exists to absorb, the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that wreck a budget overnight. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. Enjoy a free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. *See everything it covers →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing: No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Sneak peek at next weekPlan ahead for the next seven days. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐦 Bird Watching 101 @ London Public Library | Tuesday (7/28) at 6:30 PM – Getting into birding with Gwen Grubb, covering where to start, the gear you actually need, and how to tell those commonly misidentified lookalikes apart. Finally, a hobby where standing still counts as participating, ages 13+, and yes, you snag an extra grand prize ticket.
🖍 Carousel of Good Causes: Crayons to Classrooms @ Young's Jersey Dairy (Yellow Springs) | Wednesday (7/29) at 11:00 AM – Feel like being a kid, and a decent human? Hop on the carousel at Young’s Jersey Dairy, where every ride kicks 50 cents to Crayons to Classrooms, the resource center serving under-resourced schools. You get nostalgia, they get notebooks, everybody wins.
🚶 Downtown Victorian Hour Tour @ The Heritage Center of Clark County - Clark County Historical Society and Museum | Wednesday (7/29) at 5:30 PM – Swap your usual happy hour for a Victorian one, a downtown stroll with historian Kevin Rose past Springfield’s Golden Age beauties like Warder Library and company. It’s $22, includes a drink at Hi Hat Social, and meets at the Heritage Center.
🎣 Passport to Fishing 2026 @ Old Reid Park | Thursday (7/30) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’ve fished Buck Creek since you could walk, or your knot skills stop at shoelaces, this kids-and-caregivers program covers fish ID, handling, knots and rigging, and safety, then you actually cast a line. Quality time, mild chaos, and stories for years.
🎱 Urbana FFA Boosters Bingo Night @ VFW Post 5451 | Friday (7/31) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’re a dabber diehard or here for the food truck and cash bar, Bingo Night at Brownridge Hall at the VFW is peak Urbana. The FFA Boosters bring prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and cards are sold at the door by single or booklet.
🌸 Clark County Master Gardeners Flower Show @ Snyder Park | Saturday (8/1) at 9:30 AM – This flower show from the Clark County Master Gardeners is your annual reminder that your philodendron is not “thriving,” it’s surviving. Wander through prize dahlias, heirloom roses, and arrangements so tidy they make your spice drawer feel judged. Open to everyone, even plant whisperers-in-training.
🏃 Splish-Splash 5K - 10K - 1 Mile Fun Run @ Splash Zone Aquatic Center | Saturday (8/1) at 6:00 PM – Run a 5K, 10K, or 1 mile out-and-back on the paved Simon Kenton Trail, starting and finishing at Splash Zone. Then earn your lazy river the old-fashioned way at a private pool party with slides, food, drinks, music, and prizes. Adults must be registered.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Springfield report Weather forecastToday — High: 87°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 4%
Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind 0 to 7 mph. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 56%
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 3 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Most popular house this weekNew construction in the Estates at Melody Parks showcases the striking Emmett design with 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. An expansive family room anchors the open layout, while the kitchen brings a large island and walk-in pantry. The morning room opens to the patio, and the owner’s suite adds a private bath, walk-in closet, and a 3-bay garage.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
