West Plains man sentenced for harvesting trees in national forest

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A West Plains, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally harvesting and stealing trees from Mark Twain National Forest.

Justin Lee Massey, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to two years and six months in federal prison without parole. 

The court ordered the federal sentence to be served consecutively to the unrelated state criminal convictions for which Massey is currently incarcerated. The court also ordered Massey to pay $30,000 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service and to forfeit to the government $30,000, which represents the proceeds of his theft.

On July 19, 2023, Massey pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property. Massey admitted that he illegally cut down trees in Mark Twain National Forest, in the area of HC Road 5120 in Howell County, Mo., between Dec. 15, 2020, and Jan. 20, 2021.

According to his plea agreement, Massey cut down at least 10 trees. The trees were removed from the area and taken to a local sawmill, where they were sold. Based on the value of the trees illegally harvested and stolen from Mark Twain National Forest and those trees damaged due to the illegal harvesting, the total restitution is $30,000.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service.

Republic man pleads guilty to fentanyl trafficking, illegal firearm

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A Republic, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing fentanyl to distribute and several firearms following two instances in which he fled from law enforcement officers.

Tonikko Fewell, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to two counts of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On Aug. 16, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Fewell’s residence. Fewell drove by his residence while officers were executing the search warrant. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Fewell dropped off a female passenger and quickly sped away at speeds over 100 miles per hour. Officers discontinued the pursuit over public safety concerns.

Officers searched Fewell’s residence and found approximately 588 grams of fentanyl, $3,420 in cash, and an Anderson .223-caliber semi-automatic rifle, which had been reported stolen, with a fully loaded 40-round magazine. Officers also found a Jimenez Arms 9mm semi-automatic pistol that had been reported stolen and a Walther 9mm semi-automatic pistol in a vehicle parked at the residence.

On Dec. 8, 2021, a Springfield, Mo., police detective attempted to conduct a traffic stop of an orange Cadillac Fewell was driving. The detective did not pursue the vehicle, but shortly afterward saw the vehicle had been involved in a three-car accident at the intersection of Commercial Street and National Avenue. The detective searched the vehicle and found 54 grams of fentanyl and $4,232 in cash. Fewell, a passenger, and their 2-year-old daughter were transported to the hospital for treatment.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Fewell has a prior felony conviction for unlawful use of a weapon.

Under federal statutes, Fewell is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Republic, Mo., Police Department, and the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Branson Police mourn passing of former officer

(From the Branson Police Department)

BPD is hurting. Many in the community already know but we wanted to acknowledge the passing of retired Officer Frank Hirahara.

 
Frank served the citizens of Branson honorably for 12 years, from 2008 until he retired in 2020. During that time, Frank served in Patrol, SWAT, K9, and finished his BPD career as a Detective. Frank was K9 Tygo's first handler and ultimately left BPD to pursue his passion in training canines for others.

 
Frank grew up in this community and we know he touched many lives throughout his time here. We have been in contact with Frank's family as they process their loss and they have relayed his love of his police career.

 
We are praying for Frank and his family and are thankful for our time with him!

Betsy Cannella named Springfield Public Schools Teacher of the Year

(From Springfield Public Schools)

Betsy Cannella was named 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year for Springfield Public Schools Friday, April 19, during Celebrate SPS, an event hosted by Foundation for Springfield Public Schools.

Cannella is currently an engineering teacher at Kickapoo High School. She started her career with SPS in August 2008 as a gifted education teacher and taught at Glendale High School before joining the KHS staff. During her tenure at SPS, Cannella has taught gifted education, art, physical education and science. She has also coached tennis, robotics and softball.

Cannella shared, “I strive to establish an interactive, hands-on, and engaging classroom space where students can utilize multiple senses to enhance their learning experience. Students of all types can find success in my classroom and hone their skills across various disciplines. There is limitless potential for innovation and rigor, benefiting both students and teachers alike.”

Three additional finalists were also celebrated during the event: Julie Buerke, Fremont Elementary, vocal music teacher; Alicia Johnson, Twain Elementary, first grade teacher; and Laurie Macy, Pipkin Middle School, special education teacher.

Cannella will continue on to compete in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s regional competition. Winners at the regional level will advance to the Missouri State Teacher of the Year competition.

Springfield man killed in collision at Sunshine and Scenic

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On April 16, at 7:38 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at Sunshine St. and Scenic Ave.

Jordan Oswalt, 29, from Springfield, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Scenic at Sunshine. Mischelle Moore, 55, from Rocky Comfort, was driving a white Honda Odyssey van westbound on Sunshine. The two vehicles collided in the intersection and Oswalt was ejected from the vehicle.

Oswalt was transported to the hospital where he later died. Oswalt’s family has been notified.

The circumstances of the crash are part of an ongoing investigation.

This was Springfield’s seventh fatal motor vehicle crash in 2024.

 

Springfield Police make arrest following assault at 128 Park Central

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Saturday evening, officers responded to the report of an assault at 128 Park Central.

 
The two victims were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect, Michael Wallace, 34, was identified and located a short distance from the scene.

 
Wallace was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for assault. Rocio Orozco, 39, was also arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Springfield woman killed in car-bicycle collision

A Springfield woman was killed in a two-vehicle collision 2:35 p.m. Monday on Highway YY a half mile east of Springfield.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a Cannondale One bicycle ridden by Renee B. Griffith Grantham, 34, Springfield, failed to yield to a 2004 GMC Yukon driven by Jeremy L. Compton, 50, Strafford.

Grantham was pronounced dead by Dr. Funk at Cox South Hospital, Springfield, at 3:10 p.m.

The fatality was the 23rd this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

 

Springfield man killed in fiery crash

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On April 12, 2024, at 12:36 p.m., the Springfield Police Department responded to a vehicle crash at Crenshaw and Ridgecrest.

Andrew Hendrix, 35, from Springfield, was driving a black Chevrolet Corvette northbound on Crenshaw, approaching Ridgecrest, when it went off the east side of the road, hit a tree and caught fire. A piece of debris hit a southbound 2001 Gray Buick.

 

Hendrix died at the scene. Hendrix’s family was notified.

The circumstances of the crash are under ongoing investigation.

This was Springfield’s sixth fatal motor vehicle crash in 2024.

Lampe teen killed in car-mini-bike collision

A Lampe man was killed in a two-vehicle collision 3:35 p.m. Saturday on MO 13 three miles south of Lampe.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2017 Coleman mini-bike driven by Taylor A. Phillips, 18, Lampe, pulled into the path of a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by David I. Shuppert, 66, Blue Eye.

Mercy EMS supervisor Blake Fox pronounced Phillips dead at the scene at 3:44 p.m.

The fatality was the 22nd this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Miller man flown to Mercy Springfield following motorcycle crash

A Miller man was injured in a one-vehicle accident 2:25 p.m. today on MO 39 four miles south of Greenfield.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2003 Kawasaki EX400 driven by Matthew B. Maas, 21, Miller, lost control on a curve went off the right side of the road, hit a fence pole and overturned.

Maas was airlifted to Mercy Springfield with serious injuries.