Springfield Public Schools announces leadership appointments

(From Springfield Public Schools)

Springfield Public Schools is pleased to announce the following leadership appointments for the 2022-2023 school year, effective July 1.

Sabrina Francis, Principal of Jeffries Elementary

Sabrina Francis, the current assistant principal of Hubble Elementary in Marshfield, will serve as the next principal of Jeffries Elementary. Prior to her three years of leadership experience in Marshfield, where she works to develop leaders and implement student interventions. 

Sabrina served as an elementary classroom teacher and curriculum coach for 11 years in Fair Grove. She completed her undergraduate studies in education at Missouri State University; graduate work in education at William Woods University; and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction at Evangel University.

“I am happy to be welcomed as part of the Jeffries family and community,” said Sabrina Francis. “I am eager to join in on the great things that are happening on behalf of students.”

Lee Ann Neill, Director of Health Services

Lee Ann Neill, MSN, RN, NBCSN, will serve as the next SPS director of health services upon the pending retirement of Jean Grabeel. Lee Ann has provided district leadership as the coordinator of health services for eight years after serving as an SPS school nurse for 19 years. 

Throughout her career, Lee Ann has been an active member of the Missouri Association of School Nurses and the National Association of School Nurses and has served on the board of directors for both organizations. She completed undergraduate studies in management and organizational communication at Missouri State University, undergraduate and graduate work in nursing from Loyola University and is nationally certified in school nursing (NBCSN). 

Lee Ann will complete her doctor of nursing practice degree (DNP) from Loyola University later this year.

“I am thankful for this opportunity to continue working with a wonderful group of school nurses to offer quality services to the district’s students and staff,” said Lee Ann Neill. “It has been my privilege to learn from Jean Grabeel. Continuity within the district’s health services department is beneficial for all those we serve.”

Dr. Julie Routh, Principal of Sherwood Elementary

Dr. Julie Routh will lead Sherwood Elementary as its next principal. She currently serves as a learning coach at Twain Elementary where she supports instructional programming by facilitating the Teacher Support Team, administers developmental assessments and provides targeted instruction. 

Prior to joining SPS, Julie’s education career included nine years teaching second and fifth grade in Humansville and Bolivar before serving 10 years as a principal and assistant principal for Bolivar R-1 Schools. 

Julie completed undergraduate studies in elementary education, graduate work and an education specialist degree in educational administration, and a doctorate in educational leadership - all from Southwest Baptist University.

“I am honored for the opportunity to be the next leader at Sherwood,” said Dr. Julie Routh. “I look forward to working with the staff, families, and community to continue the growth and success of our students!”

Helen Williams, Virtual Learning Elementary Principal

Helen Williams will oversee elementary virtual learning for Launch, which provides virtual curriculum for SPS and more than 360 partner districts across Missouri. Helen has served as SPS assistant principal of elementary virtual learning for two years. 

Prior administrative experience includes serving as assistant principal of McCulloch Elementary in Republic for two years and as building principal of Explore’s Artworks summer program. Helen’s teaching experience includes 12 years of kindergarten and first grade instruction at Rountree Elementary. 

She completed undergraduate work in human development and family studies at University of Missouri-Columbia and in early childhood education at Missouri State University, as well as graduate work and a specialist degree in education administration at William Woods University.

“I’m grateful to work with an amazing team at Launch, including our awesome full-time teachers working across the district,” said Helen Williams. “We’ve accomplished so much since our full-time virtual elementary program started two years ago and we have exciting new opportunities coming for SPS students.”

Appointments are official following approval by the Board of Education. To learn more, visit www.sps.org.

Roaring River State Park to hold annual Kids Free Fishing Day

(From Missouri State Parks)

Roaring River State Park team members invite the public to its Kids Free Fishing Day from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Saturday, May 14. Youth will have the opportunity to fish for free all day, along with the opportunity to connect with nature and participate in many different activities.

Children 15 and younger can get their free tags from the hatchery the day of the event. One section of the river will be designated for youth 15 years old and younger to fish in all day. Adults may only fish in this area if accompanied by a child who is participating in the free fishing day.

Volunteers will be present to help in any way possible. Parents or guardians are welcome to help the children as needed, but only one pole between the helper and the child may be used at any time.

The event will be held rain, snow or shine, assuming conditions are deemed safe. Free hot dogs, chips and drinks will be provided by the park concessionaire in the lower section of the CCC Lodge. There may also be nature activities and bluegrass music.

This event is being held in conjunction with the National Park Trust's Kids to Parks Day. For more information about Kids to Parks Day and to see a complete list of associated events at Missouri State Parks visit mostateparks.com/page/88241/kids-to-parks-day.

Roaring River State Park is located seven miles south of Cassville on Highway 112 in Barry County. For more information about the event, contact the park office at 417-847-2539.

Springfield pedestrian struck, killed at 65 and Battlefield Road

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Springfield Police responded to the area of US Highway 65 and Battlefield Road on April 27, 2022, at 9:29 a.m., regarding a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.

According to the initial investigation, a 1997 International 490 dump truck was southbound in the right, outside lane of US Highway 65, south of Battlefield. 

The pedestrian was walking along the southbound US Highway 65 shoulder when he stepped into the right, outside lane of traffic and was struck by the dump truck. The dump truck swerved into the middle lane while attempting to avoid hitting the pedestrian and hit a red 2022 Chevrolet truck.

The pedestrian, identified as Harrison Charlesworth, 33, from Springfield, was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. Charlesworth's family has been notified.

Officers with the department's Traffic Section are continuing to investigate the circumstances involved in the crash and are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

This was the fifth fatality motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2022.

Bolivar man arrested after Springfield pedestrian killed by hit-and-run driver

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Springfield Police responded to the area of Kansas Expressway and Division at 5:33 a.m., on April 26, 2022, regarding a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.

The initial investigation indicated that a pedestrian was crossing Kansas Expressway, south of Division and had stopped on the raised median to allow northbound traffic to clear. 

While the pedestrian waited for traffic, a silver SUV was traveling northbound on Kansas Expressway. The silver SUV drove onto the median and struck the pedestrian. After hitting the pedestrian, the vehicle left the scene and was last seen westbound on Division from Kansas Expressway. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

The pedestrian was identified as Jerry Westmoreland, a 59-year-old male from Springfield, Missouri. Westmoreland's family has been notified.

During the investigation, officers identified a suspect who resides in Bolivar, Missouri. With the cooperation of the Bolivar Police Department, John E. Hofstetter, a 43-year-old male, was arrested.

Officers with the department's Traffic Section continue to investigate the crash. The case will be presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office to make a determination on filing of criminal charges. Investigators ask anyone with additional information to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

This was the fourth fatality motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2022.

Springfield man sentenced for meth conspiracy

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri9)

A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Darrell Lynn Ferguson, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 13 years and one month in federal prison without parole.

On Oct. 6, 2021, Ferguson pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from March 12 to June 6, 2018. According to court documents, the conspiracy was responsible for distributing at least 32 pounds (14.15 kilograms) of methamphetamine.

Ferguson was arrested on June 6, 2018, in Apache County, Arizona. Ferguson was transporting approximately three pounds of methamphetamine and one pound of marijuana from California to Missouri. Ferguson was convicted in state court in Arizona and incarcerated for almost 31 months until he was transferred to federal custody in this case.

On April 12, 2018, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence of co-defendant Donnie Ray Overton, 60, of Springfield. Officers found approximately 646 grams of pure methamphetamine. Overton admitted that he originally purchased two pounds of methamphetamine from Ferguson and had sold half a pound. The methamphetamine had been delivered to him by co-defendant Laurita Jane Simmons, 37, of Springfield.

Overton and Simmons each have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and await sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Apache County, Arizona, Sheriff’s Department.

Springfield man sentenced to 20 years for producing child pornography

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

A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for producing child pornography and distributing those images over the internet.

Dennis Tyler Murray, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On Oct 25, 2021, Murray pleaded guilty to one count of using a child to produce child pornography and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

On Sept. 29, 2020, law enforcement officers received three CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after Google discovered multiple images of child pornography in Murray’s account. Murray had distributed the pornographic images of a 6-year-old victim to another user through Google Hangouts.

On Oct. 1, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Murray’s residence. Murray admitted he used his cell phone to take sexually explicit images of the child victim. Murray also admitted he sent some of those images through Google Hangouts. Officers seized Murray’s cell phone, which contained pornographic images of the child victim.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

Springfield Police looking for information on this vehicle, man driving it

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department needs the public’s assistance with identifying a vehicle and suspect related to a series of suspicious activities.

The suspect is described as a white man in his mid-20s to 30s with brown or reddish hair and a beard who is 5’8” to 6’2” with a muscular build. The suspect’s vehicle is described as a four-door red sedan with a sun/moon roof, possibly a 2014 Chevy Cruz.

The suspect is flagging down female drivers then following them into parking lots to tell them they have a flat tire. On more than one occasion, the suspect has approached the female drivers with a tire gauge and asks the driver to exit the vehicle so he can show them the flat tire. None of the victims had a flat tire.

Past incidents occurred during daylight hours between March 16, 2022, and April 3, 2022.

Anyone who has experienced a similar encounter is encouraged to call the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 to file a report.

If anyone recognizes the vehicle or suspect description, please contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

Springfield Police looking for missing, endangered woman

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating an endangered missing person.

Kesley L. Marquez, 24, has blonde hair and blue eyes, with a flower tattoo on her chest and a Playboy bunny tattoo on her neck. Marquez is a white female, 130 pounds, and 5’4” tall. Marquez was last seen wearing a red hoodie, black pants, pink shoes, and carrying a green purse.









Marquez left her residence on foot and is without required medication. It is possible that Marquez is en route to the St. Louis area. Marquez is a diagnosed schizophrenic with bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and manic depression

Anyone with information relating to her whereabouts should call 911 or the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.