Heard on the Street

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BREAKING AWAY |ret||ret||tab|

The local office of Snelling Personnel Services became WillStaff Worldwide Aug. 8. WillStaff, formed as The Williamson Group in 1968, was previously the largest single franchisee of Dallas-based Snelling & Snelling Inc. WillStaff recently broke away from Snelling to form its own operation with a new name and identity. "It's a very, very exciting time for us," said Springfield WillStaff Manager Vicki Smith, who transferred here from Fort Smith, Ark. The change to WillStaff "opened up a lot of new available services to our clients; we're able to be a lot more client-specific with our services ... and provide more benefits for our employees." The staff in the Springfield office has 30 years' combined experience in the staffing industry. Smith added that WillStaff is opening an average of 12 new offices per year, making it one of the fastest growing staffing services in the nation.|ret||ret||tab|

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SOBER UP |ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield Police Department, with the help of the Greene County Sheriff's Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, will conduct sobriety checkpoints through October. Officers will ensure that traffic is not delayed by waving drivers through if they have not been contacted after three minutes. Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of Springfield drivers are not drunk. They just don't know how to signal ... or merge ... or use a four-way stop ... or yield ... |ret||ret||tab|

STOP SMOKING|ret||ret||tab|

Or at least stop the couch from smoking. The Springfield Fire Department reminds you that the No. 1 cause of civilian home fire deaths in the United States is smoking. The fire-related deaths of about 800 people a year almost one-fourth of all home fire deaths start with smoking. And most cigarette fires start when a hot cigarette drops onto upholstery, bedding, carpeting or clothing. The Fire Department recommends extra smoke detectors for smokers' bedrooms and other areas where they spend time. We recommend four or five smoke detectors per room it will at least encourage them to spend time somewhere else. Outside, for example.|ret||ret||tab|

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PLAY WITH YOUR SISTER|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield Sister Cities Association, in cooperation with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, presents the fourth annual Japanese Fall Festival and Candlelight Walks Sept. 8-10 at the Japanese Stroll Garden, Nathanael Greene Park, 2400 S. Scenic. Visitors from Isesaki, Japan, will present a fashion show of traditional Japanese clothing, and entertainment includes the Traditional Dance and Music Society and the Uncivil Servants. There will be hands-on activities for children, traditional crafts, tea ceremonies and concessions. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children under 12. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Sept. 8 and 9; 1-10 p.m. Sept. 10.|ret||ret||tab|

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PARAGON|ret||ret||tab|

The Greater Springfield Apartment & Housing Association has been awarded National Apartment Association Paragon of Excellence honors. SAHA was recognized for its Better Rental Living Program in the education category, and for its work with local government officials and other industry-related agencies and associations in the government relations category. SAHA is the only association in the nation to receive two Paragon awards, according to a SAHA press release.[[In-content Ad]]