I-44 off ramps at Lawrence County Route O interchange to close during nighttime hours

(From MODOT)

Traffic Alert

I-44 Off Ramps CLOSED at Lawrence County Route O (MM 57) During Nighttime Hours Dec. 12 & 15

What: I-44 eastbound and westbound off ramps CLOSED during nighttime hours at Lawrence County Route O interchange (Mile Marker 57) near Halltown

When: 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Wednesday and Saturday, Dec. 12 & 15

Why: Contractor crews resurfacing off ramps and shoulders near the entrance to the ramps

Traffic Impacts:
Drivers cannot exit off of I-44 onto Route O from westbound or eastbound lanes during paving work
Ramps closed for short periods – up to three hours at a time
Drivers urged to use other nearby I-44 interchanges to reach destinations during the work. No signed detour is planned.

(Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule)

Agenda posted for Springfield/Greene County Park Board meeting

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will meet in regular session on Friday, December 14, 2018, 8:30 a.m., at the Park Board Administrative Office, 1923 N. Weller, Springfield, Missouri.

1. Roll Call

2. Approval of Minutes
a. November 9, 2018 Park Board Meeting

3. Japanese Fall Festival Overview and Check Presentation


4. Director’s Report

5. Unfinished Business

6. New Business

7. Calendar:
a. Park Board Meeting: Friday, January 11, 2019, 8:30 am, Park Board Administrative Offices

8. Adjournment

Complete video of tonight's Springfield City Council meeting

Former Barry County man sentenced to 17 years in prison for having sex with and impregnating underage girl

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

A former Barry County, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for traveling from Missouri to Tennessee to engage in an illicit sexual relationship with a 15-year-old victim, who became pregnant and bore his child.

Michael Douglas Peterson, 35, of Morristown, Tenn., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, to 17 years in federal prison without parole.

On April 25, 2018, Peterson pleaded guilty to traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual activity.

Peterson admitted that he moved from Missouri to Tennessee in June 2014 because the child victim, who was then 15 years old, moved to Tennessee. Peterson lived with the child victim and her mother and helped to pay for rent and groceries. Peterson engaged in illicit sexual conduct with the child victim, who became pregnant and gave birth to their child on Feb. 26, 2015.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI.

Bennett Street bridge between South and Jefferson avenues to close

(From the City of Springfield)

Public Works street division will close the Bennett Street bridge between South Avenue and Jefferson Avenue on Tuesday, Dec. 11 and Wednesday, Dec. 12 beginning at 8:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. for bridge maintenance work.

Motorists are advised to seek an alternate route.

Agenda posted for Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau Board meeting

Strafford man struck, killed by train east of Springfield

A Strafford man was struck and killed by a train 3:48 p.m. Saturday on Route DD, a half mile east of Springfield.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a Burlington Northern General Electric locomotive driven by Ron Fosdick, 36, Springfield, struck Jeff L. Dade, 57, Strafford, who was walking eastbound on the railroad tracks.


Dade was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:30 p.m. by Greene County Medical Examiner Mike Laphere.

The fatality was the 127th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Crane teens seriously injured crashing into tree near Nixa, driver airlifted to Cox South

Two Crane teens were injured in a one-vehicle crash 1:15 a.m. today on Old Stillhouse Hollow Road, 10 miles south of Nixa.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1996 GMC 1500 pickup driven by Isaiah R. Hufft, 18, Crane, ran off the roadway and struck a tree.

Hufft was airlifted to Cox South Hospital with serious injuries.


A passenger, Laurie A. Little, 17, Crane, was treated for serious injuries at Cox South.

The Patrol cited Hufft for misdemeanor possession of marijuana, careless and imprudent driving involving a crash and for not wearing a seat belt.

Springfield man airlifted to Cox South following rollover accident while fleeing from authorities

A Springfield man was seriously injured and three other people in his vehicle injured following a one-vehicle accident 2:02 a.m. today while fleeing from authorities at MO 13 at the Bolivar city limits.

According to the Highway Patrol accident, David L. Schroeder 37, Springfield, driving a 2004 Isuzu Ascender, was being pursued by law enforcement when he lost control of the vehicle, ran off the roadway and overturned multiple times.

Schroeder was airlifted to Cox South Hospital, Springfield, with serious injuries.


Two passengers, Ashley N. Durden, 35, Springfield, and Clint E. Smith, 45, Springfield, were treated for moderate injuries at Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar.

Another passenger, Amber J. Klinglesmith, 40, Bolivar, was treated for minor injuries at Citizens Memorial.

The Patrol cited Schroeder for felony resisting arrest, misdemeanor driving while suspended, careless and imprudent driving involving a crash, no insurance and no seat belt.

Springfield PD makes three DWI arrests, two drug arrests during saturation patrol

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Friday, December 7th, Springfield Police Officers conducted a saturation patrol, looking for impaired drivers in the city. Extra officers were deployed to proactively seek out and apprehend drivers impaired on alcohol, drugs or both.

In four hours, our officers arrested three alcohol-impaired drivers (including one who had an outstanding warrant for DWI), made two drug arrests and arrested one wanted person.

This operation was made possible through grant funds from the Missouri Department of Transportation.