Springfield Police Department to conduct weekend holiday DWI enforcement

 

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Officers with the Springfield Police Department’s Traffic Section will be conducting a holiday DWI saturation enforcement this Friday night (December 18, 2020) between 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. 

This enforcement is an effort to proactively target hazardous moving violations that pose a threat to safety for motorists in Springfield. Violations will be identified through increased patrol efforts.

The operation is funded by a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation. The Springfield Police Department wants to remind drivers to be vigilant and to watch for suspected impaired drivers operating on our roadways. Remember, “You Drink, You Drive, You Lose."

Springfield Police reveal identity of Marionville man killed in November traffic accident

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On November 19, 2020, at about 5:00 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to the intersection of Kansas Exp. and Catalpa regarding a motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck.

The rider of the motorcycle was traveling northbound on Kansas Exp and struck the rear of a pickup truck that was slowing in traffic. 

Medical personnel responded, but the rider succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The motorcycle rider was identified as James A. Gailey, a 39-year-old male from Marionville, MO. After several attempts, investigators were eventually able to locate and notify next of kin.

Officers with the department’s Traffic Unit are investigating the circumstances involved in the crash. Impairment was not suspected to be a factor. This was the 21st fatality motor vehicle crash and the 23rd total crash-related death of 2020 for Springfield.

Autopsy scheduled today after student commits suicide at Nixa Junior High School

 

(From the Christian County Sheriff's Office)

On 12/15/2020 at approximately 0935 hours Christian County School Resource Deputies were requested for assistance in reference to a medical emergency at the Nixa Junior High School. 

A School Resource Deputy was already on campus at the time assistance was requested and immediately began rendering medical aid to an individual identified as a Nixa Junior High student until emergency medical personnel arrived on scene. The student was transported to the hospital by ambulance where he was later pronounced deceased.

The scene was immediately secured by other responding School Resource Deputies until Detectives arrived and processed the scene. 

At this time Christian County Detectives, School Resource Deputies and the Christian County Coroner continue to investigate the incident. Preliminary indications from the investigation indicate the incident to be a suicide and at no time were any other students or school personnel in any danger.

An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow and next of kin have been notified.

Cox Health opens Nixa facility

(From Cox Health)

Patients are now being seen at CoxHealth Nixa, which opened its doors on Dec. 14.

Located at 501 N. Wilderness Rd. in Nixa, the new 30,000 square-foot facility represents CoxHealth’s most recent effort to give health care with convenience. It offers primary care, urgent care, and physical therapy in one place. All services are now available with the exception of physical therapy, which will open in January.

“As we have evaluated the needs of our region, something we have consistently heard from our patients is that they desire convenience when it comes to their health care,” says Max Buetow, vice president of Cox Medical Group. 

“This facility, the first of several we have slated to open in the coming months, is part of our effort to fulfill that need. Our patients have high expectations for their care, and we strive to meet them in every way that we can.”

Urgent care is available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Primary care is available Monday to Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Save My Spot is available at the facility, which allows patients to hold their place in line from home.

Other similar facilities are set to open in Ozark, Monett and Republic in the coming months. Next in line is Ozark, which will open later in December.

This facility replaces the former CoxHealth Center Nixa location. For more information, click here.

Reeds Spring man killed in crash on 65

A Reeds Spring man was killed in a one-vehicle crash 12:45 a.m. today on U. S. 65 in Saddlebrooke.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Slade E. Russell, 38, Reeds Spring, traveled off the roadway, struck a rock bluff and overturned.

Christian County Coroner Mandi Armitage pronounced Russell dead at the scene at 1:48 a.m.

The fatality was the 110th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Video- Complete Springfield City Council meeting

 

City of Springfield mourns death of former councilman Tommy Bieker

(From the City of Springfield)

Springfield Mayor Ken McClure expresses sincere condolences to the family and friends of a former City Councilman who died Sunday after a battle with leukemia. 

"It was a heavy heart that we share our sadness over the passing of former City Councilman Tommy Bieker. He was a bright light in our community, serving in many capacities to help make Springfield better. His work in environmental science will be remembered, as will his passion for bringing people together who have different backgrounds and perspectives," McClure said. 

Despite being ill, former Councilman Bieker contacted Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement in July, wanting to help with public education about COVID-19. He shared video ideas and started shooting a public service announcement. 

“Tommy was a force of nature. He had a lot of great ideas and was always willing to jump in to help,” Scott said. “He texted me this past Wednesday again and asked that I share with people his comments to: 1) #maskup417 and 2) love each other and 3) he feels that we are literally the best community ever. Those are his words verbatim. He will be missed greatly.

Bieker was elected as an at-large City Council member (Seat D) in April 2011 and served until November 12 when he moved outside the city limits. While on City Council, he was a member of the Plans & Policies Committee and Community Involvement.

Springfield man killed in crash north of Halfway

A Springfield man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 9:10 p.m. Friday on Route HH, 12 miles north of Halfway.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Victor T. McCarty, 60, Springfield, went off the right side of the road and struck a tree.

Dr. Funk pronounced McCarty dead at the scene.

The fatality was the 108th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Fleeing suspect in vehicle runs over Greene County deputy

(From the Greene County Sheriff's Office)

Greene County Deputies responded to a residence in the 1200 block of State Highway WW in Springfield, for a domestic disturbance.

Deputies remained in the area to try and locate the suspect. The suspect drove back by the victim's house and a car stop was attempted.

The suspect failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. Information was provided that the suspect was also possibly wanted for a probation violation. 

The suspect fled northbound on State Highway 13 into Polk County. Deputies received assistance in the pursuit from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Pleasant Hope Police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The pursuit continued north to just south of Bolivar. The suspect turned around and proceeded back south bound on SH 13.

The suspect continued south to E 565th and SH 13 in Polk County.

At that intersection a Greene County Deputy was stopped, and parked off of the roadway in an attempt to deploy stop sticks.

In what appears to be a deliberate act the suspect veered off of the road and struck our Deputy.

Deputies immediately took the suspects into custody and began to render aide to our injured Deputy.
The injured Deputy was transported by Air with very serious injuries to a local hospital.

Greene County Detectives, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office remain on scene investigating this event. The Missouri Department of Transportation is aiding with traffic direction and detouring.

Significant impacts to traffic are being experienced at this time.

Sheriff Arnott and Sheriff Morrison want to thank all agencies involved for their assistance. Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement and MODOT all worked seamlessly together in this event. Sheriff Arnott states "I would ask the community to please keep our Deputy and his family in your thoughts and prayers. We are working closely with Polk County Sheriff Morrison, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Springfield Police Department to investigate this incident. I want to also thank my Deputies for their professionalism and dedication as we investigate this horrible assault.”

The Greene County Deputy who was injured in today's incident at State Highway 13 and E. 565th Rd. is Lieutenant Steven Westbrook. Steven has served GCSO for 24 years. Lt. Westbrook remains in serious but stable condition.

Springfield mayor extends civil emergency through January 11

(From the City of Springfield)

As a housekeeping item in order to ensure the city has needed flexibility in the coming weeks, Mayor Ken McClure issued the Fifth Renewal of the Sixth Proclamation of Civil Emergency, effective Dec. 12, 2020-Jan. 11, 2021.

“There continues to reasonably appear to exist a state of civil emergency, and I, therefore, am renewing the Sixth Proclamation of Civil Emergency for an additional 30 days; however, due to the passage by City Council of an ordinance setting out regulations to protect public health and safety from the spread of COVID-19, I do not believe it necessary to exercise the additional powers granted to me under City Code at the present time,” McClure said.