Local

The city budget is off to a better start in the new fiscal year.
The city began the 2010-11 fiscal year with $62,005.22, and went under budget by $49,348.63 in the same fiscal year.
In FY 2011-12, Springfield started with a balance of $111,353.85. The city began the 2009-10 fiscal year with a balance of $131,497.04.

Few products offer individuals the opportunity to save more than they spend. Starting today, The Springfield Sun will give readers this opportunity with the return of SmartSource coupons.
Inside The Sun each week, readers will find a coupon package regularly valued at more than $75 in savings through manufacturer, retail and restaurant coupons. Subscribers will usually find they can recoup the cost of a Springfield Sun subscription in just one week of coupon savings.

Josette Taylor learned a lot in her first year at the University of Louisville, but it doesn’t begin to compare with what she learned during her summer break.
Taylor, a 2010 graduate of Washington County High School, traveled this summer with International Student Volunteers. The group uses volunteers to help people around the globe. Each year, more than 4,000 volunteer students from more than 800 universities and colleges travel with ISV.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will visit Springfield tonight and attend a special program at the Opera House.
The Central Kentucky Community Theatre will welcome the governor, who is visiting to recognize the contributions of the theatre and its contributions to the cultural and artistic development of the state. He will also make an announcement at the event, according to Kerri Richardson, communications director for the governor.
See more coverage of this visit in next week's issue of The Springfield Sun.