Springfield Police searching for missing man

(From the Springfield Police Department)

(UPDATE: The Springfield Police Department reported that Thomas has been found in Tulsa, Oklahoma and is safe.)

The Springfield Police Department is investigating a report of a missing and endangered person, and is asking for the public’s assistance.

 John L. Thomas III was last seen on July 29, 2018 at 3550 East Evergreen Street. Mr. Thomas is autistic and is unable to care for himself. He does not have his medication and can act out violently without it. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, and an unknown type of shirt. He typically carries a backpack with him.

John Thomas is a black male, 26 years old, 6’0” tall, 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding Thomas' whereabouts is asked to call 911, or contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

Pavement sealing work scheduled in Cedar, Hickory, Polk counties

(From MODOT)


Cedar/Hickory/Polk Counties – State routes in Cedar, Hickory and Polk counties are scheduled to be sealed with a mixture of rock and oil beginning the week of August 13, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Here’s a look at the locations:

Cedar County – Missouri Route 32 from Church Street in Stockton east to Cedar County Route A (8 miles)
Hickory/Polk County – Missouri Route 83 from Wheatland city limits south to near Polk County Route PP (12 miles)
Hickory/Polk County – Missouri Route 123 from Missouri Route 54 in Weaubleau south to Missouri Route 32 in Fair Play (20 miles)

Weather and/or construction delays could alter the work schedule

Drivers can expect one-lane traffic with flaggers and pilot vehicles directing them through the work zone. Traffic could be stopped for several minutes. Delays are expected. Drivers at side roads should wait for the pilot vehicle before entering the roadway.

Drivers are urged to use caution and reduce their speed when traveling over recently-sealed sections of highways.

A chip-seal is not an alternative to an asphalt overlay, but is planned for these roads as an economical way to maintain and preserve the roadway. The treatments keep a road from deteriorating and will extend its life.

Project information:
Contractor: Blevins Asphalt Construction Co., Mt. Vernon
Total cost: $1.6 million
Completion date: September 1, 2018

Springfield man sentenced on weapons charge, man arrested after driving through back yard, slamming into house

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

A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing firearms following a high-speed police chase that ended when he drove through a back yard and crashed into a residence.

Randall Hale, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to nine years in prison without parole.

On Jan. 9, 2018, Hale pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, Greene County sheriff’s deputies found Hale passed out behind the steering wheel of a stolen Chevrolet truck at 5092 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, on Nov. 21, 2016. Deputies parked behind the truck, got out of their vehicles and approached the truck. As one of the deputies approached the passenger window, Hale put the truck into reverse and slammed into another deputy’s patrol vehicle. Hale then drove over a sidewalk and struck a building before leaving the parking lot.

Hale fled eastbound on Sunshine Street at about 85 miles per hour with additional law enforcement officers in pursuit. The chase continued to a backyard on South Newton Street, where Hale crashed the truck into the residence. Hale ran from his vehicle and was apprehended a short distance away by Springfield police officers.

During a search of the stolen truck, officers found a loaded Springfield Arms Company .45-caliber pistol, a loaded Browning Arms Company 7mm rifle and a loaded O.F. Mossberg and Sons .243-caliber rifle, all of which had been reported stolen, as well as multiple rounds of ammunition.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearms or ammunition. Hale has prior felony convictions for vandalism, burglary, grand theft, petit theft, receiving stolen property, and sale of marijuana. He was on probation at the time of the federal offense.

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

Three Springfield residents sentenced for roles in heroin conspiracy

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

Three Springfield, Mo., residents were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in Greene and Webster counties.

Demarko Hinkle, 28, Victor Walton, 29, and Kimberly Robinson, 33, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes. Hinkle and Walton were each sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Robinson was sentenced to six years and five months in federal prison without parole.

Hinkle, Walton and Robinson each have pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin in Greene and Webster counties from Jan. 1, 2012, to Feb. 25, 2016. Hinkle and Walton also have pleaded guilty to possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Hinkle and Walton admitted they traveled to St. Louis, Mo., at least three times during the course of the conspiracy and transported back approximately a half ounce (12-14 grams) of heroin each trip. Hinkle was directly involved in the distribution of at least 133 grams of heroin.

Hinkle and Walton also admitted they were in possession of a Dan Wesson Arms .22-caliber revolver and an Armscor of the Philippines .22-caliber rifle on April 28, 2015, during a drug transaction with an undercover law enforcement officer.

Springfield police officers executed a search warrant at Robinson’s residence on June 12, 2013, and seized approximately .7 grams of heroin. Robinson admitted that she was selling heroin. On March 28, 2014, officers executed another warrant at two apartments associated with Robinson, where they found a large amount of cash. On Dec. 28, 2014, Robinson was arrested after she was found unresponsive in a public restroom with approximately .14 grams of heroin in her purse. Robinson admitted that she directly distributed or obtained for distribution at least an additional 50 grams or more of heroin during the course of the conspiracy.

Co-defendants Laura Brown, 25, and Brittany Jones, 26, both of Springfield, also have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and await sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Drought survival meetings scheduled in Springfield, Mount Vernon

(From University of Missouri Extension)

Summer drought has caused headaches for livestock producers who are preparing to feed cattle this winter with little forage or hay on hand.

As a result, county extension offices have been flooded with questions about what to do. Those questions have led to the Lawrence and Greene County MU Extension Councils offering meetings on Friday, August 17 for cattle producers who want tips for surviving the drought.

The meetings on Aug. 17 will be offered from 9 a.m. until noon at the University of Missouri Southwest Research Center, 14548 Hwy H, Mt. Vernon and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. the same day at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, 821 W Independence Dr, Springfield.

The programs will focus on supplementing low-quality hay, alternative feeds, herd culling, precautions with nitrates and prussic acid, fall forage alternatives and assessing the price of forages.

Producers are also welcome to bring lower stems of fertilized sudangrass, millet, Johnsongrass and bermudagrass for a quick subjective analysis of nitrates.

“The drought has taken a major toll on beef and dairy farms in the area. Short hay supplies will continue to plague these farms as we go into winter”, said Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “Producers need to take extra steps to stretch their feed supplies and know what alternatives are available to address the crisis.”

Schnakenberg, along with Dr, Eric Bailey, state beef nutrition specialist, Eldon Cole, regional livestock specialist, Jill Scheidt, regional agronomy specialist and Jim Spencer, regional ag business specialist, will be on hand for the discussion at both meetings.

For more information, contact Tim Schnakenberg at 417-357-6812.

Cape Fair motorcyclist killed slamming into utility pole on East Jean Street

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department responded to the 2800 block of East Jean Street to investigate a motorcycle crash at 8:37 am on Saturday, August 4, 2018. 

The motorcycle was traveling east on Jean when it left the roadway and struck a utility pole. The driver was identified as Andrew Kramer, a 26 year old male from Cape Fair, Missouri. Kramer died at the scene. Next of kin has been notified and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who might have witnessed this crash, or who has more information, is asked to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

Carnation Drive between Olive and Pleasant near Aurora to be closed until December

(From MODOT)

TRAFFIC ALERT
Carnation Drive at Route 39 CLOSED in Aurora Aug. 8 until December

Where: Carnation Drive between Olive Street and Pleasant Street near Route 39 in Aurora

When: August 8 until late December 2018

What: Contractor crews building temporary bypass for railroad bridge project

Traffic Impacts: Carnation Drive CLOSED at Route 39. Drivers urged to find alternate routes including Route 39 to get around the city street closing

NOTE: Carnation Drive closed to allow crews to build a temporary bypass for Route 39 traffic. Work is part of a larger project to build a railroad overpass and complete other railroad crossing upgrades in Aurora.

(Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule)

U. S. Bankruptcy Court Petitions- Springfield

Cedar County

Bridget L. Sanderson

Christian County

Crystal Jo Miller
Jason Charles Jameson and Denise L. Smaglinski
Dylan B. Carter and Kayla Renee Carter
Darrell Wesley Thomas and Kristi Lynn Davis
Randall James Gaddy II and Shannon Renea Gaddy
Leandra Perez Mattix and Victoria Lyn Mattix

Dade County

Randy Lee Stafford and Gina Rae Stafford

Greene County

Brien Leon Stokes
Susan Ann Rives
Cathy Lynn Vonholt
Randy Irwin Randall
Aaron Michael Yates and Amelia Celeste Darling
Carl R. Piper
Sierra L. Duncan

Howell County

Debbie Ann Powers
Tamela Louise Wheeler

Oregon County

Rodger John Watson, Jr., and Kathleen Ann Watson

Polk County

Heath Garrett Douglas and Sherri Lynn Douglas

Pulaski County

William Preston Goodwin
Bruce William Brech, Jr., and Nathalie Aquino Brech
Joshua B. Reed
Clifford Drury Korte-Bustamante and Jeannette Ilene Korte-Bustamonte

Taney County

417 Specialty Optics, dba Vicious Vision
Brett Tyler Hebblethwaite and Melanie Ann Hebblethwaite
Toni I. Finley

Texas County

Douglas Allen Swan and Candi J. Swan
ReBena Ann Scheets

Wright County

Dakota Michael Mings
Guy Clifton Mullanack and Brandy Jolene Mullanack
Timothy W. Green and Penny Gayle Green
Sheila L. Butterfield

Kids fish for free at Roaring River August 18

(From Missouri State Parks)

Roaring River State Park will hold its annual Kids Free Fishing Day 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, August 18. Youth 15 years of age and younger can fish all day for free.

This annual event offers more than just fishing; a variety programs and activities are held throughout the day for parents and youth alike. Classes include fish cooking, fish cleaning, fly casting, fly tying, knot tying, furs and skulls and other programs. There will be a live bluegrass band performing periodically throughout the day as well. Drawings for prizes will be held at 5 p.m. for the youth.

Roaring River State Park is located outside Cassville. For more information about the event, call the park office at 417-847-2539.

Five Branson residents injured, two seriously, in two-car collision

Five Branson residents were injured in a two-vehicle accident 10:38 p.m. Thursday on Fall Creek Road, a quarter of a mile east of Branson.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2007 Kia Optima driven by Venizia G. Abbey, 23, Branson, attempted to make a left turn and turned into the path of a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by Natori M. Homer, 18, Branson.

Abbey and a passenger in the Homer vehicle, Nicholas Homer, 12, Branson, were treated for serious injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

Homer and another passenger in her vehicle, Ethan Keller, 15, Branson, were treated for moderate injuries and another passenger in her vehicle, Larry Homer, 14, Branson, was treated for minor injuries at Cox South.