Good morning, Springfield.

Residents in Springfield have been voting heavily in a Best Bakery contest that runs through Friday, Aug.

8, with five nominees including Laced with Sugar Macarons, Le Torte Dolci (soon to be Torte and Iron Cafe), Schuler's Bakery, VS DONUTS and Willow Ridge Bakery. Fans saw pastries at Le Torte Dolci Bakery on Wednesday, June 25 in Springfield.

A local playground caught fire on August 4 and arson is suspected (call 937-333-TIPS or 937-222-STOP if you have information).

Clark State Performing Arts Center will launch its season on Sept.

18 with The SteelDrivers and will offer Buddy the Elf’s national tour on Nov. 1 plus a co-presentation of A Charlie Brown Christmas on Dec. 7. The season will also include Club Kuss concerts — theatre productions of To Kill a Mockingbird with auditions on Sept. 2 and 3 and The Prom with auditions on Jan. 27 and 28 — giving local audiences a range of live shows.

AES Ohio and CenterPoint Energy requested permission to raise rates, which could add about $22 + $12 per month to average utility bills.

The Public Utilities Commission will review the proposals while residents may comment at meetings on Aug. 7 at 1 p.m. and Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Dayton Municipal Building.

A U.S. Senate draft appropriations bill may give Springfield federal funds for housing and community development programs that were cut from the regular spending law.

The Senate version proposes $1.7 million per year in CDBG funds and over $439,000 per year through the HOME program while Springfield’s five-year spending plan will be sent to HUD on Aug. 16 + Congress is set to vote on the full bill in September.

Springfield police will keep their downtown headquarters while plans move the county jail and sheriff’s office to another site to address capacity issues in the current facility.

County voters will decide on a 20-year, 0.5% sales tax levy in November to help finance a new $100 million facility (which may include $15 million from the state) that is expected to take three years.

Springfield’s historic Wren Building is being renovated into a $32 million multi-use development with new modular apartments, a garage and commercial space—preserving 50,000 square feet of pre-World War II history.

The project is set to finish its first phase of housing early 2026 and is expected to create over 200 local jobs with support from the Turner Foundation and local partners.

Springfield Jazz & Blues Festival

2:30-11:30 p.m. — National Road Commons — Free entry — Experience award-winning jazz and blues artists along with local brews and food trucks in a vibrant atmosphere.

Stories of Independence Kids Series: The Lail Family

10:00 – 11:30 AM — Davidson Interpretive Center — Free entry — Celebrate America's Independence with stories and games from early American pioneers.

Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition

11 AM – 7 PM — Veterans Park Amphitheater — Free entry — Sample delicious dishes from numerous food trucks while enjoying live music and a cold brew.

Doggy Day at Splash Zone

5-7 p.m. — Splash Zone Aquatic Center — $5 per dog — Bring your furry friends for a splashin' good time at Springfield's favorite aquatic center.

The Fair at New Boston

6:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — George Rogers Clark Park — Admission price varies — Experience a lively historical fair showcasing early Ohio with parades, crafts, and delicious period food.

20th Anniversary United Way Golf Outing

11 AM – 6 PM — Springfield Country Club — Registration required — Celebrate 20 years of community support with a commemorative golf scramble.