On the Street

A retired mortgage banker in Springfield is $50,000 wealthier after winning the May 28 SHOW ME 5 Paydown drawing. Garry Avery, 69, purchased his winning ticket at Kum & Go, 1313 W. Battlefield. According to a Missouri Lottery news release, Avery “doesn’t have a clue” as to what he will do with the prize money, besides putting new floor coverings in his home. Since SHOW ME 5 Paydown began Nov. 6, 2000, 89 players have matched all five numbers drawn to win $50,000 (after taxes are paid). Avery let the computer select his winning combination.

Web video streams

Springfield citizens can now watch City Council meetings and TV 23 feature programming online. Through the city’s new video streaming option on TV 23’s Web site, http://tv23.springfieldmogov.org, current and recent City Council and Planning and Zoning meetings as well as informational programs “City Beat” and “The Mayor’s Roundtable” are available for viewing. This new feature is part of the city’s effort to provide more access to government services on a 24-hour basis.

Washington overhaul

Missouri’s economic development efforts are getting a boost from an unexpected source this month. A construction crew from The Learning Channel’s “Town Haul” TV show landed in the city of Washington, located between Jefferson City and St. Louis, June 3 to work with community members to improve existing buildings. The crew is expected to be in Washington into July, and the show is expected to air in August. Washington was chosen from more than 50 towns. “This brings an entirely new dimension to downtown revitalization, and we are especially looking forward to seeing the final results of this exciting opportunity,” said Greg Steinhoff, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, in a news release.

Spirit move approved

It’s official. The North American Hockey League Board of Governors June 1 unanimously approved the Springfield Spirit’s move to Wasilla, Alaska, for the 2005-06 season. Team ownership will remain under the partnership of Marty Brickey, Dr. John Putman, Robert J. Smith and Grant Wistrom, who have owned the Spirit since January 2004. The team will play at the 1,700-seat Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Arena inside the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex.

Slice of Nice

The Springfield Cardinals, American Family Insurance and Ozark Food Harvest teamed up to organize support for National Hunger Awareness Week, beginning June 3. Cardinals fans attending the June 3–4 games donated 5,725 pounds of canned goods and $1,357 in cash. Giving monetary value to the canned goods, the food bank estimates $10,975 was raised during the games. June 7 was National Hunger Awareness Day.