Delays, reduced lanes anticipated on I-44 over 96 in Lawrence County

(From MODOT)

TRAFFIC ALERT: Expect Delays, Reduced Lanes on I-44 Over Rt. 96 in Lawrence Co. May 3-7


Where: I-44 over Missouri Route 96 at Exit 57 in Lawrence County near Halltown

When: 8 a.m., Monday, May 3 until 7 p.m., Friday, May 7

What: Pavement repair along a section of I-44 over Route 96

Traffic Impacts

Beginning Monday, May 3, contractor crews closing right lane in both eastbound and westbound directions

After pavement repair completed in right lanes, contractor will close left lanes in both eastbound and westbound directions

Speed limit reduced to 60 mph through the work zone

Drivers should expect delays and crews working close to traffic when driving through the work zone

No signed detour

Signs and message boards will alert drivers to the work zone

Drivers should find alternate route

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

Katy Knapp named principal at McGregor Elementary

(From Springfield Public Schools)

Springfield Public Schools has selected Mrs. Katy Knapp to be the new principal at McGregor Elementary School. Beginning July 1, she will replace Dr. Sara Shevchuk, who will become the new principal at Truman Elementary.

Mrs. Knapp is currently the school community liaison at Delaware Elementary and has served in that role since 2019. 

During her time at Delaware, she was recognized as an Outstanding Assistant Principal. Prior to her joining Springfield Public Schools, Mrs. Knapp was the elementary principal at South Harrison Elementary in Bethany, Mo. Her experience includes teaching Spanish at both the public school and college levels.

 

“I’m excited for Mrs. Knapp and for the McGregor community. Her love of students and her teacher’s heart will ensure that McGregor will be a place of success for students, families and staff,” said Dr. J Anderson, executive director of elementary learning.

Mrs. Knapp holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Spanish from Missouri State University and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Northwest Missouri State University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Evangel University.

“I am honored and humbled to join the McGregor family,” Mrs. Knapp said. “I’m excited to work with the team and continue the work of creating a positive community that honors and recognizes a diverse student population. My goal is to support students and staff so they can reach their full potential. As a product of Springfield Public Schools, I know firsthand the positive impact that our schools have on students and their families. I am proud to be a McGregor Tiger!”

Springfield man arrested on child pornography charge

(From the Missouri State Highway Patrol)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of Steven Michael Williams, 27, of Springfield, Missouri, on Thursday, April 22, 2021, for possession of child pornography. 

The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit and the Missouri Digital Forensic Center.

On Thursday, April 22, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at Williams’ residence on South Mentor Avenue, Springfield, Missouri, regarding an ongoing investigation. As a result of the search, investigators located child pornography on his cellular telephone. Williams was arrested and transported to the Greene County Jail.

On Friday, April 23, 2021, the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Williams with two counts of possession of child pornography. The investigation by the Division of Drug and Crime Control is ongoing. Williams remains in custody at the Greene County Jail, with no bond authorized.

The Division of Drug and Crime Control encourages Internet users to promptly report to the Patrol or local law enforcement anyone who attempts to engage in unwanted, inappropriate, or sexualized communications with children. The Digital Forensics Investigative Unit is partially funded by the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Missouri Digital Forensic Center is a joint effort of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri Department of Social Services, and the Missouri National Guard Counterdrug Program, and is coordinated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The above charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Springfield man shot to death, officers attempting to locate person of interest

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On April 21, 2021, at 9:37 p.m., Springfield Police were dispatched to 1049 S. Stewart after a 911 caller reported that a person had been shot. 

When officers arrived, they found the victim outside of the residence. Officers attempted life-saving measures on scene before EMS arrived and continued those efforts as they transported the victim to a local hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as Jacob Rowden, a 28-year-old male from Springfield, MO. Rowden’s next of kin have been notified.

A person of interest has been identified and officers are attempting to locate that individual.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

This incident marks the seventh homicide investigated by SPD in 2021.

Arkansas man pleads guilty to damaging, removing 27 trees from Mark Twain National Forest

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

An Arkansas man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally damaging and removing more than two dozen trees from a national forest.

Jamie R. Edmondson, 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of depredation of government property.

By pleading guilty today, Edmondson admitted that he illegally cut and removed 27 walnut and white oak trees in the Mark Twain National Forest in Barry County, Mo., between June 1, 2019, and Jan. 31, 2020, without the permission of the U.S. Forest Service, which owns and manages the national forest. Edmondson sold the timber to various sawmills in the area.

According to the plea agreement, federal agents installed surveillance cameras in the areas of the national forest where numerous trees had been removed. The cameras captured images of the truck used by Edmondson, which was later located by law enforcement.

As part of his plea agreement, Edmondson admitted that the government can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the value of the timber was at least approximately $20,269, and that the ecological damage value of the trees cut from the national forest and the damage remediation costs to the U.S. Forest Service from his actions within the national forest are at least $44,414.

Under federal statutes, Edmondson is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years 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 Casey Clark. It was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service and the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Aurora man killed in head-on collision near Republic

An Aurora man was killed in a two-vehicle collision 10:40 p.m. Saturday on MO 174, six miles west of Republic.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Dustun A. Stockton, 35, Aurora, crossed the center line and struck a 1998 Jeep Wrangler driven by Chrisian L. Clingman, 25, Ozark, head on.

Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin pronounced Stockton dead at the scene. 

Clingman and a passenger in his vehicle, Elisabeth A. Clingman, 22, Ozark, were treated for moderate injuries at Mercy Hospital, Springfield.

The fatality was the 32nd this year for Highway Patrol Troop D. 

Springfield man charged with murdering transgender woman

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On April 8, 2021, at 6:51 a.m., Springfield Police were dispatched to 905 N. Main after a 911 caller reported that a person had been shot.  When officers arrived, they found the victim inside an apartment who had suffered gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The victim was identified as Dominic Lucious, a 26-year-old transgender female from Springfield, MO. Next of kin notifications have been made.

The Springfield Police Department Violent Crimes Unit identified a suspect in the case as Charles Nelson, a 28-year-old male from Springfield, MO. 

Nelson was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail for 2nd Degree Murder. The case will be presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for review and potential filing of criminal charges.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).





This incident marks the sixth homicide investigated by SPD in 2021. 

Pierce City residents killed in I-44 head-on crash caused by wrong-way driver

Two Pierce City residents were killed in a two-vehicle accident 5:23 a.m. Wednesday on I-44, a half mile east of Mount Vernon.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2003 Ford Ranger driven by David H. Galer, 67, Pierce City, was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-44 and struck a 2017 International box truck driven by Shane L. Clark, 45, Ozark, head on.

Lawrence County Deputy Coroner Larry Eden pronounced Galer and a passenger in his vehicle, Joanne E. Merritt, 46, Pierce City, dead at the scene at 7 p.m.

The fatalities were the fifth and sixth in April and the 30th and 31st this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Lampe teen killed in rollover crash near Purdy

A Lampe man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 3 a.m. Sunday on MO 37, one mile south of Purdy.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Jarett T. Crouthamel, 19, Lampe, traveled off the right side of the road and overturned.

Barry County Coroner Gary Swearingen pronounced Crouthamel deceased at the scene at 4:29 a.m.

A passenger, Cade O. Hammen, 23, Purdy, was treated for serious injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

Another passenger, Trey G. Sturgell, 21, Cassville, sought his own treatment for minor injuries.

The fatality was the 28th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.