Springfield City Council votes yes to professional soccer feasibility study

(From the City of Springfield)

Springfield City Council unanimously approved a measure Monday night to sign a letter of intent between the City and the United Soccer League (USL), committing to exclusively negotiate the potential of bringing professional men’s and women’s soccer teams to Springfield.

City officials and a representative from USL will make the formal announcement at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at the proposed location for a potential new stadium at the Jordan Valley Commons (corner of Trafficway and National).

During the negotiation period, the City will evaluate the viability of supporting professional soccer teams and explore opportunities to enhance entertainment options in the City’s burgeoning sports district downtown. Council will consider sharing the cost of feasibility research with USL to consider various factors, including potential funding and the addition of a soccer stadium east of Hammons Field.

“We are incredibly excited about the potential opportunity to bring both USL men’s and women’s teams to Springfield,” says Justin Papadakis, USL Deputy Chief Executive Officer. “The City has a rich soccer culture and a passionate community of sports fans that aligns with the USL’s vision of growing the sport at all levels. We are committed to working closely with the City of Springfield to explore how we can contribute to the community’s vibrant future through professional soccer.”

Director of Economic Vitality and Workforce Development Amanda Ohlensehlen said the letter of intent includes discussions and potential collaboration for a real estate development project that would result in a multi-purpose sports and entertainment district in Springfield.

“We believe this partnership could elevate Springfield’s sports landscape, provide new entertainment options, and drive significant economic and community benefits,” she said.

Springfield’s soccer community has grown into a robust ecosystem, fostering talent and achieving competitive success through player development at all ages, as well as soccer facility growth.

Over the past decade, Springfield, Missouri, has seen significant accomplishments in soccer at various levels:

1. Missouri State University (MSU) Soccer Success:

MSU’s men’s soccer team has become a powerhouse in NCAA Division I soccer, boasting the best overall win percentage since 2019 and making six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. They have consistently been regular-season champions in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), hosting several MVC Championships in Springfield.

2. Springfield Demize Achievements:

The Springfield Demize, an amateur indoor soccer team, has advanced in league play, capturing the Midwest Division crown in the MASL (Major Arena Soccer League) 3 in 2022 and transitioning into the Major League Indoor Soccer (MLIS). Their development pipeline has produced players for professional teams and national pools.

3. Sporting Springfield Club Development:

As an affiliate of Sporting Kansas City, Sporting Springfield has excelled in youth soccer, winning numerous state and regional championships, and advancing players into collegiate, professional, and national team levels. The club also emphasizes community engagement, donating significantly to local causes.

4. Southwest MO Rush

Rush Soccer is an international sports organization focused on the development of youth soccer players.

Springfield, Missouri, has also fostered significant growth and investment in its soccer facilities recently. These initiatives aim to enhance the playability of fields, expand visitor capacity, and attract larger tournaments to Springfield, boosting local sports tourism and community engagement.

Key developments include:

1. Cooper Park and Lake Country Soccer Improvements: A $25 million renovation project is underway at Cooper Park, incorporating artificial turf for eight soccer fields and creating a new soccer stadium environment. Phase 1, set for completion in 2024, also includes new locker rooms, concessions, ADA-accessible walkways, and additional parking. Phase 2, scheduled for 2025, will expand improvements to other sports facilities within the park.

2. Betty and Bobby Allison Sports Town: This facility, opened in 2022, is home to the Sporting Springfield Soccer Club and continues to support soccer growth in the area. It offers a range of soccer programs and tournaments, further establishing Springfield as a regional hub for soccer.

The first reading of the measure to consider the letter of intent and a budget adjustment to assist in the financing of feasibility research will be Dec. 3rd. The public hearing will be held over to City Council’s Dec. 16th meeting, with a vote expected at that time.

About The USL

Founded in 1986, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, impacting more than 200 communities nationwide. The USL is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-toprofessional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. 

This structure includes three men’s leagues: the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III), and USL League Two (pre-professional). The women’s pathway includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024, and USL W League, the country’s leading preprofessional women’s league. The USL also oversees USL Academy, a progressive talent development platform, and USL Youth, a premier national youth competition.

With multi-year national and international media rights agreements across various platforms including CBS Sports, ESPN and Peacock, the USL is the most widely accessible soccer league in the country

Springfield could the next in line to be part of one of the most widely accessible soccer leagues in the United States.

Springfield man pleads guilty to fentanyl trafficking, illegal firearms

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

A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing more than a kilogram of fentanyl and 14 firearms.

Proevine Lennox Robins, 51, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

On March 21, 2023, Springfield police officers executed a search warrant at Robins’s residence. Officers found more than a kilogram of fentanyl, 14 firearms, ammunition, and $21,000 in cash.

The fentanyl was discovered in multiple locations throughout the house, including the garage, the attic space above the garage, and a bedroom. The fentanyl in the garage was hidden inside three stacked tires.

Among the 14 firearms seized by officers was a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm that had been reported stolen and another loaded 9mm handgun with no visible serial number.

Robins told investigators he paid about $9,000 to purchase the fentanyl, which he was selling for $1,000 to $2,000 per ounce. He estimated he had sold an average of two ounces per week for the past 10 to 12 months. Robins said he had made about 10 trips to St. Louis, Mo., over the past 10 months to purchase fentanyl.

Under federal statutes, Robins is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

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

Willard man killed in crash

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Dec. 13, at 10:32 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a single-vehicle crash the intersection of Kansas Expressway and Calhoun Street.

Allen Ferrell, 57, from Willard, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Kansas Expressway. He crossed over the raised median, the southbound lanes of travel, and Calhoun Street, finally coming to rest against the front of a house.

Ferrell died at the scene. Ferrell’s family has been notified of his death.

The circumstances of the crash are part of an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or the tips hotline at 417-869-TIPS.

This was Springfield’s 23rd fatal motor vehicle crash in 2024.

Rockaway Beach sex offender indicted for child pornography

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

A Rockaway Beach, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender was indicted by a federal grand jury today for receiving child pornography.

Roy Dean Faux, 51, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. Faux has two prior state felony convictions for attempting to entice a child under the age of 15. Due to his prior convictions, Faux is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole if convicted.

Today’s indictment alleges that Faux received child pornography from July 1, 2023, to May 7, 2024. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Faux to forfeit to the government two cell phones and a computer tablet, which were used to commit the offense.

The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being 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 Taney County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office.

Springfield man killed in collision at Sunshine and Jefferson

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Nov. 29 at 8:42 a.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Sunshine Street.

Donald Abraham, 54, from Springfield, was driving a silver 2013 Chevrolet Sonic westbound on Sunshine Street at Jefferson Avenue when his vehicle hit a southbound white 2010 Ford F150 driven by Douglas Oss, 70, of Springfield. Abraham and Oss were transported to area hospitals.

 

On Dec. 4, 2024, the Springfield Police Department was notified that Abraham died from his injuries on Dec. 2. Abraham’s family has been notified.

The circumstances of the crash are part of an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or the tips hotline at 417-869-TIPS.

This was Springfield’s 22nd fatal motor vehicle crash in 2024.

City officials working to bring men's and women's professional soccer to Springfield

(From the City of Springfield)

The City of Springfield is in preliminary discussions with the United Soccer League (USL), regarding the possibility for bringing both men’s and women’s professional soccer to Springfield. 

 A measure before City Council Dec. 3 will consider a letter of intent (LOI) between the City and committing to sharing the cost of feasibility research with USL.

 

Director of Economic Vitality and Workforce Development Amanda Ohlensehlen said this work would include discussions and potential collaboration for a real estate development project that could result in a multi-purpose sports and entertainment district in Springfield. City-owned property located at 1109 E. Trafficway has been identified as a potential site for a soccer stadium.

City Council will hear a first reading at at its Council Lunch Workshop, 11:30 a.m., Dec. 3, with the public hearing carried over and an expected vote Dec. 16. More details can be found on the agenda posting here: https://springfieldmo.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8648/overview.

Springfield sex offender sentenced for child pornography

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

A Springfield, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography.

Marvin E. Smith, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to 16 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Smith to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.

On March 5, 2024, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography.

Smith’s state parole officer discovered images of child pornography on his cell flip phone on Feb. 8, 2023. The next day, the manager of the halfway house where Smith resided discovered a microSD card that had been taped to the back of Smith’s television. Investigators found additional files of child pornography on the microSD card, including infants and prepubescent girls being sexually assaulted and children engaged in bestiality and bound. In total, investigators found more than 6,400 files of child pornography.

Smith has prior felony convictions for possessing child pornography and residing within 1,000 feet of a school. Smith had been released from state prison eight months earlier and was on parole at the time he committed the federal offense in this case.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the FBI, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

Springfield Police investigate officer-involved shooting

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On. Nov. 21, 2024, at 12:06 a.m., Springfield police officers responded to check the well-being of a man with a firearm who was making suicidal statements near Golden Avenue and Division Street.

When officers arrived, the man pointed a firearm at officers and citizens. He continued walking west toward Ohara Avenue and Division Street. 

While officers were talking to him, the man again pointed the firearm at the officers. An officer fired their duty weapon at the man, hitting him once. Officers immediately took him into custody, and he was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No officers or citizens were injured.

The officer involved in the shooting incident has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. The results of a concurrent criminal investigation will be presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Springfield man charged with murder in connection with June 5 shooting

(From the Springfield Police Department)

The Springfield Police Department investigated the June 5 homicide of Darryl Douglas, 60, and the case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s office.

Aaron Altic, 34, was charged with 2nd degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, and resisting arrest. Altic is being held at the Greene County Jail with no bond.

The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previous Release

On June 5, 2024, at 6:07 a.m., Springfield police officers responded to report of a shooting at 803 S. Douglas.

Officers arrived on scene and located Darryl Douglas, 60, from Springfield, with a gunshot wound. Douglas was transported to a local hospital. On June 23, 2024, Douglas died from his injuries at the hospital. Douglas’ family has been notified.

Detectives continue to investigate and ask anyone with additional information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or online at p3tips.com.

This is Springfield’s third homicide investigation in 2024, which includes the fourth victim for the year.

Springfield man dead following collision caused by juvenile running stop sign

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On Nov. 14 at 6:04 p.m., officers with the Springfield Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Kellett Avenue and Talmage Street.

A juvenile was driving south on Kellett Avenue in a gold 1997 Buick Century with Matthew Hill, 34, from Springfield. Nicholas Brady, 22, from Springfield, was driving a white 2003 Chevrolet S-10 west on Talmage Street, with Jayde Campbell, 22, from Springfield. 

While traveling southbound on Kellett Avenue, the juvenile disobeyed a stop sign and hit Brady's westbound vehicle. This caused Brady's Chevrolet S-10 to roll and come to rest on its passenger side.

Hill, Brady, and the juvenile were transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Campbell died at the scene and her family has been notified.

The circumstances of the crash are part of an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or the tips hotline at 417-869-TIPS.

This was Springfield’s 21st fatal motor vehicle crash in 2024.