Highway Patrol Arrests July 3-4

Roy L. Andrews, 49, Cassville, felony driving while intoxicated, felony driving while revoked

Collin J. Powell, 26, Springfield, felony driving while intoxicated-serious physical injury, careless and imprudent driving involving a crash, no valid plates, no insurance, Taney County warrant for failure to appear on traffic violation, two Webster County warrants for traffic violations

Charlotte J. Gipson, 31, Branson, felony child endangerment (two counts), driving while intoxicated, lane violation resulting in a crash, no insurance

Dale A. Hampton, 47, Springfield, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, no valid plates

David L. Hampton, 45, Strafford, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Mickala A. Schuler, 24, Alamogordo, New Mexico,  possession of marijuana

Henry Seals, Jr., 29, Jonesboro, Arkansas, Linn Creek municipal warrants for driving while suspeneded/revoked and speeding

Jeffery T. Lehman, 53, Kansas City, Kansas, possession of mariuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, allowing someone to ride on seatback

Christopher M. Nunnaley, 45, Carl Junction, driving while intoxicated

Kali S. Thurman, 21, Bolivar, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Springfield man arrested for DWI after crash that seriously injured pedestrian

 A Springfield man was arrested for felony driving while intoxicated following a three-vehicle accident, in which a pedestrian was injured.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2018 Hyundai Sonata driven by Collin J. Powell, 26, Springfield, struck a parked 1997 Ford Ranger causing it to hit Thomas E. Murph, 62, Springfield, and a parked 2009 Toyota Tundra.

Murph was treated for serious injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

In addition to DWI, Powell was cited for careless and imprudent driving, no valid plates, no insurance Taney and Webster County traffic violations.

Highway Patrol Arrests July 2-3

Carlos J. Sala, 36, Carthage, driving while intoxicated, no valid license, failure to drive in the right lane

Angel A. Barrientos, 26, Rogers, Arkansas, driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended, speeding, failed to stop at a stop sign

Miguel Cruz Garcia, 43, Monett, Barry County warrant for failure to appear on driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended

Sean P. Cook, 47, El Dorado Springs, driving while intoxicated, no insurance

Magic M. Carter, 29, Springfield, possession of marijuana, speeding

Justin S. Byerly, 39, Springfield, possession of marijuana

Michelle L. Ritchie, 34, Anderson, driving while intoxicated, failure to drive on right half of roadway, no insurance

Adam C. Terrell, 45, Greenfield, driving while intoxicated, no valid license, failed to drive on the right half of the roadway

Blake J. Sawyer, 27, Springfield, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding, no seat belt

Kyle W. Hatfield, 36, Seymour, boating while intoxicated, allowing person to ride on seatback

Travis G. Porter, 22, Nevada, driving while intoxicated

Richard S. Taylor, 52, Joplin, driving while intoxicated 

Highway Patrol Arrests July 1-2

Keith A. Bennett, 25, Goodman, Jasper County misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on no insurance

Davion J. Bailey, 20, Springfield, failure to appear warrant for speeding

Gary R. Smith, 39, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, possession of marijuana

Tana J. Smith, 34, Bentonville, Arkansas, possession of marijuana

Diamond N. Allen, 32, Shawnee, Kansas, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Jazmin Anaya, 19, Kansas City, possession of marijuana

Austin N. Wellinger, 26, Republic, driving while intoxicated

Emilie L. Machen, 25, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, failure to stop at a red light

Kevin A. Henson, 26, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, no seat belt

Demetrius L. Gordon, 47, Springfield, unlawful possession of a firearm, driving while revoked, speeding, no seat belt

Alexis L. McPherson, 22, Bentonville, Arkansas, McDonald County warrant for speeding

Randy L. Dotson, 62, Brighton, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Tristan J. Fare, 33, Cassville, driving while intoxicated (drugs), felony possession of a controlled substance-fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, careless and imprudent driving resulting in a crash, no seat belt

Allen S. Pippin, 38, Springfield, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Brandon P. Dueneske, 43, Kimberling City, boating while intoxicated,  displaying lights other than those prescribed for watercraft, allowed person under 7 to not wear lifejacket

Shashonie S. West, 35, Springfield, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failed to register motor vehicle

Lyndsey B. Strickland, 42, Cassville, felony possession of a controlled substance-fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, littering

Connor W. Else, 28, Liberty, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Billy A. Golden, 57, Olney, Texas, excessive blood alcohol content for commercial vehicle, failure to stay in right lane

Prestan T. Skaggs, 26, Independence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, Lafayette County misdemeanor warrant for driving while intoxicated (drugs)

Jacob L. Dollarhide, 21, Berryville, Arkansas, felony possession of a stolen firearm

Mackia A. Lawson, 26, Seneca, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Gabriel T. Blain, 22, Salina, Oklahoma, possession of marijuana

Scott A. Breeding, 62, Lowell, Arkansas, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding

Henry C. Doelling, 46, Ozark, Pulaski County felony warrant for possession of methamphetamine, Christian County misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on domestic assault

Route 96 bridge over Turnback Creek west of Halltown to be closed

(From MODOT)

Route 96 Bridge Over Turnback Creek to CLOSE Week of July 18 for Rehabilitation

Contractor crews are set to CLOSE the Missouri Route 96 bridge over Turnback Creek west of Halltown for up to 115 days beginning the week of July 18 to rehabilitate the bridge, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Crews will demolish the existing bridge deck/driving surface and beams, leaving the piers and foundation in place to be re-used in the new structure. In addition, the contractor will add new barrier walls, guardrail at the ends of the bridge, an upgraded drainage system and new permanent striping.

The bridge also will be widened by three feet to a total of 30 feet to accommodate two 12-foot-wide lanes with three-foot wide shoulders.

This bridge was built in 1960 and is in a deteriorating condition. Approximately 6,200 vehicles cross the bridge daily.

Traffic Impacts

All lanes of Route 96 will be CLOSED over Turnback Creek for up to 115 days

Drivers will have access to driveways and entrances on either end of the bridge, but will not be able to drive through the work zone

Drivers will be directed along a signed detour using I-44 and I-49

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone

Drivers should consider alternate routes during the project

Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or construction delays could alter the work schedule.

This work is part of a three-year project to improve 25 bridges within 15 miles of I-44 across the Southwest District. Of the 25 bridges in the project, known as the I-44 Corridor Bridge Bundle, seven (7) are mainline I-44 bridges, five (5) are I-44 overpass bridges and the remaining bridges are on adjacent routes over various features. Sixteen (16) bridges will be replaced and nine (9) bridges will receive major rehabilitation work.

All work in 2022 will be in Lawrence County, where crews will replace five (5) bridges and rehabilitate four (4) others.

More information about this project can be found on the project website – I-44 Corridor Bridge Bundle.

Project Details

Prime Contractor – The ESS TeamEmery Sapp & Sons, Inc. – Columbia
Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. – St. Louis
Total Project Cost: $43.2 million
Contract Completion Date: September 30, 2024

The ESS Team is a partnership of engineering and construction firms that will design and construct the project with oversight by MoDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations on the rise in Springfield, Greene County

(From the Springfield-Greene County Health Department)

Springfield-Greene County Health is advising people to get tested for COVID-19 and stay home if sick this Fourth of July weekend. 

The seven-day average of new cases of has risen 10% in the past week to 87 cases per day. Additionally, 56 people were hospitalized in Greene County as of yesterday afternoon, with 4 in critical care.

 

Due to this increase in cases and hospitalizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now classifies Greene County as a medium impact level for COVID-19. This change in CDC impact level includes updated prevention guidance for Greene County. The CDC now recommends: Wearing a face mask while indoors if you are at high risk for severe illness or have frequent contact with a high-risk person.

 
Getting tested if you are exposed or have COVID-19 symptoms.

 
Staying up-to-date on vaccines and boosters.

With Fourth of July festivities only a few days away, the Health Department recommends outdoor gatherings to celebrate safely and reduce the spread of COVID-19. More information on staying healthy at outdoor summer celebrations can be found at health.springfieldmo.gov/summer.

 

If you have COVID-19 symptoms over the holiday weekend, the Health Department encourages the use of at-home tests. A map of testing opportunities and pharmacies that carry at-home antigen tests can be found at COVIDTesting417.com.

If you do test positive for COVID-19 with mild-to-moderate symptoms, you may be eligible for antiviral treatment options. The Health Department recommends calling your healthcare provider or scheduling a virtual appointment with a physician to discuss COVID-19 treatment options, especially for those at high-risk for severe illness, hospitalization and death. More information on COVID-19 care and treatment options can be found at: health.springfieldmo.gov/COVIDtreatment.

Those needing a vaccination or booster dose opportunity can visit vaccine417.com or call the COVID-19 Call Center at 417-874-1211 for a list of walk-in and appointment opportunities.

West Plains man sentenced for illegal firearm

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

A West Plains man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a sawed-off shotgun, which was found in one of the two vehicles he stole within a week of each other.

Michael Bryant, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Tuesday, June 28, to eight years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 18, 2021, Bryant pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A Howell County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy located a stolen Mazda Miata in a trailer park located on County Road 6540 on Oct. 23, 2019. As the deputy was about to search the trailer, he heard glass break and saw Bryant jump out of the back window of the trailer. The deputy chased him until he injured his leg and Bryant was able to escape.

Another deputy arrived and searched the stolen vehicle. The deputy found a loaded Harrington and Richardson 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun wedged between the driver’s side door and seat.

On Oct. 28, 2019, an individual called the Howell County Sheriff’s Department to report that a vehicle was stuck on a rock near the driveway of her rental property. Deputies arrived at the location and found an extensively damaged Chevrolet Silverado stuck on some rocks. 

The truck’s license plate was registered to another vehicle. Deputies learned that Bryant, who had a number of outstanding arrest warrants, had been operating the truck earlier in the day.

The deputies knocked on the door of a nearby residence. They were told that Bryant was no longer there, but refused permission to enter the residence to search for him. While the investigators began preparing a warrant to search the home, Bryant came out of the residence and was taken into custody.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Bryant has prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, stealing, resisting arrest, and possession of a controlled substance.

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

Miller man killed after car goes airborne, hits utility pole, storage building

A Miller man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 4:42 p.m. Thursday on MO 59 in Diamond.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2022 Kia Seltos driven by Louie L. Taylor, 55, Miller, traveled off the left side of the road and struck a utility pole, became airborne and struck a storage building.

Newton County Deputy Coroner Jerry Deems pronounced Taylor dead at the scene.

The fatality was the 49th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D. 

Highway Patrol Arrests June 30-July 1

Troy F. Ferguson, 22, Merriam Woods, felony resisting arrest, felony probation and parole warrant

Taelee M. Kessler, 19, Springfield, felnoy possession of a weapon at a county jail, felony unlawful use of a weapon, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

Elmer R. Velesquez, 29, Avilla, driving while intoxicated, no driver's license, careless and imprudent driving resulting in a crash

Kaleb J. Davies, 20, Elkland, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended/revoked, no seat belt

Kay L. Day, 53, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended/revoked, no insurance, failure to display valid plates, no seat belt 

Pavement sealing work scheduled for Polk, Dallas, Cedar, Hickory counties

(From MODOT)

State routes in seven (7) southwest Missouri counties are scheduled to be sealed with a mixture of rock and oil beginning the week of July 11, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Here’s a look at the locations:

Benton County – Route UU from Missouri Route 7 to end of state maintenance at the entrance to Harry S Truman State Park (approximately 2.5 miles)

Bates County – Missouri Route 52 from Bates County Route BB west of Appleton City east to Missouri Route 13 in Henry County near Deepwater (approximately 25 miles)

Dallas County – Missouri Route 73 from U.S. Route 65 in Buffalo east to Cowden Road (approximately 0.5 miles)

Dallas County – Route D from U.S. Route 65 in Urbana east to Missouri Route 73 in Tunas (approximately 8.2 miles
Polk County – Business Route 13 (Tilden Street) in Humansville from Missouri Route 13 east to Gulf Street (approximately 0.4 miles)

Polk County – Missouri Route 215 from Missouri Route 123 in Eudora east to Missouri Route 13 near Brighton (approximately 11 miles)

Polk County – Route D from Polk County Route NN northeast of Bolivar to Missouri Route 64 west of Louisburg (approximately 8.5 miles)

Hickory County – Missouri Route 254 from Missouri Route 83 south of Wheatland east to Missouri Route 64 south of Hermitage (approximately 7.2 miles)

Cedar County – Missouri Route 32 from just south of El Dorado Springs to Missouri Route 39 in Stockton (approximately 19.3 miles)

Barton County – Missouri Route 43 from U.S. Route 160 south to Missouri Route 126 west of Lamar (approximately 6.4 miles)

Speed limits will be reduced to 45 mph where contractor crews are working.

Drivers also can expect flaggers and pilot cars directing them through the work zone. Drivers should wait for the pilot vehicle before proceeding through the work zone or before entering the work zone from a side road.

Signs and message boards will alert drivers to the work zone.

Weather and/or scheduling delays will alter the work schedule.

A seal coat 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: $2.7 million
Completion date: September 1, 2022