Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Francine Pratt to head Prosper Springfield
(From the City of Springfield)
Passionate leader Francine Pratt will return to Springfield this spring to champion “Prosper Springfield.” Prosper Springfield is a collective-impact-model initiative created to unify the community’s efforts to lift people out of poverty. The initiative capitalizes on the momentum of successful programs such as the City’s Zone Blitz and The Northwest Project at the Fairbanks.
Pratt will work with the more than 300 partner organizations to create an environment in which Springfieldians in poverty are able to measurably improve their education, health and housing while becoming better employed and more financially secure.
“Our nonprofits, social service and health care providers, educational institutions, employers and local government have a tremendous positive impact on those less fortunate,” said Mayor Bob Stephens. “We believe that by working more efficiently together, we can increase that impact exponentially.”
Pratt is described by colleagues as having a “strategic mind and a compassionate heart,” and has more than 25 years of experience in leading government, private, public and non-profit organizations with a focus on community client sustainability, customer service and family support work.
She is the former executive director for Isabel’s House, a local crisis nursery where she says she was inspired by the families she worked with who were trying to better their lives. As the Drury University Scholars Program coordinator, she worked with students from historically underrepresented groups that did not believe college was an option. Pratt did double duty as the executive director for Multicultural Programs at Missouri State University, where she says she “had the privilege to work with college students to help them stay in college and graduate.”
Pratt relocated to California in October 2015 to care for an ailing family member. At the time, she had recently been elected to the Springfield R-12 Board of Education. She said her father’s health is now much better, which has allowed her and her siblings to reevaluate the situation.
“This 18-month experience made me appreciate more of what is important in life. My father is still very important to me and now has a stronger support group around him. However, I missed my husband, I missed my home and Springfield has always been my home. I missed serving and providing opportunities to those who may need a hand up. I can go on and on about my excitement in returning to Springfield.”
Pratt served on the Impacting Poverty Commission and the United Way of the Ozarks’ Board of Directors and received training on collective impact models in 2014. While in California, she continued to shepherd Springfield’s Lumina Foundation grant (which funds an effort to improve the educational attainment of people in historically underrepresented populations).
“Because of the Lumina Foundation grant, we were able to take the great working collaborations that Springfield has and develop a model that has helped the city focus on higher education attainment with a very systematic approach,” she explained. “The opportunity to be a part of creating the road map to success for our citizens and then lead the effort to work collaboratively to determine who will do what by when to achieve a 5 percent reduction in poverty is the ultimate opportunity to truly serve the Springfield community.”
Serious efforts to address poverty began when Community Partnership of the Ozarks convened the 30-plus member, multidisciplinary Impacting Poverty Commission. The commission issued a Report and Call to Action in 2015 and provided an update in late 2016.
“The Impacting Poverty Commission was like a sponge in learning the needs of the community through research, presentations, poverty simulation and learning about national best practices,” said City Manager Greg Burris, who co-chaired the commission with Gail Smart.
From the beginning, the commission was trained on the aspects of collective impact. Many parts of the community were represented around the meeting table and with the City’s Community Listen tour through nine northwest Springfield neighborhoods, the community was well represented in sharing what they wanted and what they needed, Pratt said.
“I cannot think of a better time to return to Springfield to utilize my passion, knowledge and experience. This is a position that requires one to roll up their sleeves, hit the ground in the community and make a significant change in the lives of others with the relationships that continued and the partnerships, which is something Springfield does well,” Pratt added.
The Prosper Springfield director position reports to Community Partnership of the Ozarks executive director Janet Dankert and is funded thanks to the generosity of donors, which include Central Bank, Charlie and Mary Beth O’Reilly, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Convoy of Hope, Mercy, Musgrave Foundation, Second Baptist Church and United Way of the Ozarks.
“I am thrilled that Francine is coming to back to our community and taking on this critical role. As the backbone organization for Prosper Springfield, CPO is excited to have her join our team,” Dankert said.
Passionate leader Francine Pratt will return to Springfield this spring to champion “Prosper Springfield.” Prosper Springfield is a collective-impact-model initiative created to unify the community’s efforts to lift people out of poverty. The initiative capitalizes on the momentum of successful programs such as the City’s Zone Blitz and The Northwest Project at the Fairbanks.
Pratt will work with the more than 300 partner organizations to create an environment in which Springfieldians in poverty are able to measurably improve their education, health and housing while becoming better employed and more financially secure.
“Our nonprofits, social service and health care providers, educational institutions, employers and local government have a tremendous positive impact on those less fortunate,” said Mayor Bob Stephens. “We believe that by working more efficiently together, we can increase that impact exponentially.”
Pratt is described by colleagues as having a “strategic mind and a compassionate heart,” and has more than 25 years of experience in leading government, private, public and non-profit organizations with a focus on community client sustainability, customer service and family support work.
She is the former executive director for Isabel’s House, a local crisis nursery where she says she was inspired by the families she worked with who were trying to better their lives. As the Drury University Scholars Program coordinator, she worked with students from historically underrepresented groups that did not believe college was an option. Pratt did double duty as the executive director for Multicultural Programs at Missouri State University, where she says she “had the privilege to work with college students to help them stay in college and graduate.”
Pratt relocated to California in October 2015 to care for an ailing family member. At the time, she had recently been elected to the Springfield R-12 Board of Education. She said her father’s health is now much better, which has allowed her and her siblings to reevaluate the situation.
“This 18-month experience made me appreciate more of what is important in life. My father is still very important to me and now has a stronger support group around him. However, I missed my husband, I missed my home and Springfield has always been my home. I missed serving and providing opportunities to those who may need a hand up. I can go on and on about my excitement in returning to Springfield.”
Pratt served on the Impacting Poverty Commission and the United Way of the Ozarks’ Board of Directors and received training on collective impact models in 2014. While in California, she continued to shepherd Springfield’s Lumina Foundation grant (which funds an effort to improve the educational attainment of people in historically underrepresented populations).
“Because of the Lumina Foundation grant, we were able to take the great working collaborations that Springfield has and develop a model that has helped the city focus on higher education attainment with a very systematic approach,” she explained. “The opportunity to be a part of creating the road map to success for our citizens and then lead the effort to work collaboratively to determine who will do what by when to achieve a 5 percent reduction in poverty is the ultimate opportunity to truly serve the Springfield community.”
Serious efforts to address poverty began when Community Partnership of the Ozarks convened the 30-plus member, multidisciplinary Impacting Poverty Commission. The commission issued a Report and Call to Action in 2015 and provided an update in late 2016.
“The Impacting Poverty Commission was like a sponge in learning the needs of the community through research, presentations, poverty simulation and learning about national best practices,” said City Manager Greg Burris, who co-chaired the commission with Gail Smart.
From the beginning, the commission was trained on the aspects of collective impact. Many parts of the community were represented around the meeting table and with the City’s Community Listen tour through nine northwest Springfield neighborhoods, the community was well represented in sharing what they wanted and what they needed, Pratt said.
“I cannot think of a better time to return to Springfield to utilize my passion, knowledge and experience. This is a position that requires one to roll up their sleeves, hit the ground in the community and make a significant change in the lives of others with the relationships that continued and the partnerships, which is something Springfield does well,” Pratt added.
The Prosper Springfield director position reports to Community Partnership of the Ozarks executive director Janet Dankert and is funded thanks to the generosity of donors, which include Central Bank, Charlie and Mary Beth O’Reilly, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Convoy of Hope, Mercy, Musgrave Foundation, Second Baptist Church and United Way of the Ozarks.
“I am thrilled that Francine is coming to back to our community and taking on this critical role. As the backbone organization for Prosper Springfield, CPO is excited to have her join our team,” Dankert said.
Agenda posted for Springfield/Greene County Park Board meeting
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will meet in regular session on Friday, March 10, 2017,
8:30 a.m., Davis House and Property, 5780 S. Farm Road 141, Springfield, Missouri.
1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes
a. February 7, 2017 Budget Workshop Meeting
b. February 10, 2017 Park Board Meeting
c. February 10, 2017 Closed Park Board Meeting
3. Davis House Development and CODP Archery Program Update
4. Park Board Scholarship Report
5. Missouri Park and Recreation Association Conference Report
6. Committee Reports
a. Food and Beverage Committee to Meet in March
7. Director’s Report
8. Chair’s Report
9. Unfinished Business
10. New Business
11. Calendar
a. Park Board Meeting: Friday, April 14, 2017, at 8:30 a.m., Dickerson Park Zoo, 1401 W. Norton Road, Springfield, Missouri.
b. Dickerson Park Zoo Boardwalk Dedication: Friday, April 14, 2017, at 10:00 am, following the Park Board Meeting.
12. Adjournment
1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes
a. February 7, 2017 Budget Workshop Meeting
b. February 10, 2017 Park Board Meeting
c. February 10, 2017 Closed Park Board Meeting
3. Davis House Development and CODP Archery Program Update
4. Park Board Scholarship Report
5. Missouri Park and Recreation Association Conference Report
6. Committee Reports
a. Food and Beverage Committee to Meet in March
7. Director’s Report
8. Chair’s Report
9. Unfinished Business
10. New Business
11. Calendar
a. Park Board Meeting: Friday, April 14, 2017, at 8:30 a.m., Dickerson Park Zoo, 1401 W. Norton Road, Springfield, Missouri.
b. Dickerson Park Zoo Boardwalk Dedication: Friday, April 14, 2017, at 10:00 am, following the Park Board Meeting.
12. Adjournment
Monett woman injured in accident near Joplin
A Monett woman was injured in a one-vehicle accident 6:40 a.m. today on Route NN, two miles south of Joplin.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2006 Pontiac G6 driven by Bobbi L. Spain, 26, Monett, ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a fence.
Spain was treated for moderate injuries at Mercy Hospital, Joplin.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2006 Pontiac G6 driven by Bobbi L. Spain, 26, Monett, ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a fence.
Spain was treated for moderate injuries at Mercy Hospital, Joplin.
Springfield woman injured in one-vehicle accident on 13
A Springfield woman was injured in a one-vehicle accident 3:55 p.m. Monday on MO 13, six miles north of Springfield.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2016 Toyota Corolla driven by Pamela A. Risner, 61, Springfield, traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a road sign, crossed a crossover and came to rest in the median.
Risner was treated for minor injuries at Mercy Hospital, Springfield.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2016 Toyota Corolla driven by Pamela A. Risner, 61, Springfield, traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a road sign, crossed a crossover and came to rest in the median.
Risner was treated for minor injuries at Mercy Hospital, Springfield.
Springfield trucker injured in accident on I-44
A Springfield man was injured in a one-vehicle accident 10:59 p.m. Monday on I-44, a quarter of a mile east of Mt. Vernon.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2013 Kenworth tractor-trailer driven by Daniel J. Cummings, 65, Springfield, ran off the roadway, struck a guard rail and a bridge, coming to rest down an embankment.
Cummings was treated for minor injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.
According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2013 Kenworth tractor-trailer driven by Daniel J. Cummings, 65, Springfield, ran off the roadway, struck a guard rail and a bridge, coming to rest down an embankment.
Cummings was treated for minor injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.
Monday, March 6, 2017
Tornado watch issued for Springfield area
(From the National Weather Service)
TORNADO WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WT 64 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 650 PM CST MON MAR 6 2017 TORNADO WATCH 64 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 AM CST FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS MOC009-011-015-029-039-043-057-059-065-067-077-085-091-097-105- 109-119-125-131-141-145-149-153-161-167-169-185-203-209-213-215- 217-225-229-070900- /O.NEW.KWNS.TO.A.0064.170307T0050Z-170307T0900Z/ MO . MISSOURI COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BARRY BARTON BENTON CAMDEN CEDAR CHRISTIAN DADE DALLAS DENT DOUGLAS GREENE HICKORY HOWELL JASPER LACLEDE LAWRENCE MARIES MCDONALD MILLER MORGAN NEWTON OREGON OZARK PHELPS POLK PULASKI SHANNON ST. CLAIR STONE TANEY TEXAS VERNON WEBSTER WRIGHT
Red flag warning issued for Springfield area
(From the National Weather Service)
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service SPRINGFIELD MO 208 PM CST Mon Mar 6 2017 ...Significant Fire Weather Conditions on Tuesday... .Gusty west to northwest winds will usher a very dry airmass into the area on Tuesday. West to northwest winds will gust to between 25 and 30 MPH during the afternoon hours. As temperatures warm into the low 60s, humidity levels are expected to rapidly drop below 20 percent, with some parts of the region falling to around 15 percent. KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>070-077>081-088>090-094-071200- /O.UPG.KSGF.FW.A.0004.170307T1800Z-170308T0100Z/ /O.NEW.KSGF.FW.W.0006.170307T1700Z-170308T0100Z/ Bourbon-Crawford-Cherokee-Benton-Morgan-Miller-Maries-Vernon- St. Clair-Hickory-Camden-Pulaski-Barton-Cedar-Polk-Dallas-Laclede- Jasper-Dade-Greene-Lawrence- 208 PM CST Mon Mar 6 2017 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM CST TUESDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY WINDS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 055, 056, 057, 058, 066, 067, 068, 069, 070, 073, 077, 078, 079, 080, 081, 088, 089, 090, 094, 097, AND 101... The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 11 AM to 7 PM CST Tuesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Roughly along and northwest of the Interstate 44 corridor. * WIND...Wind gusts of 25 to 30 MPH. Sustained 20 foot winds will be near 20 MPH. * HUMIDITY...Afternoon humidity levels between 15 and 20 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... && PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Elevated tornado risk tonight for Springfield area
(From the National Weather Service)
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Springfield MO 306 PM CST Mon Mar 6 2017 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-072115- Bourbon-Crawford-Cherokee-Benton-Morgan-Miller-Maries-Vernon- St. Clair-Hickory-Camden-Pulaski-Phelps-Barton-Cedar-Polk-Dallas- Laclede-Texas-Dent-Jasper-Dade-Greene-Webster-Wright-Newton- Lawrence-Christian-Douglas-Howell-Shannon-McDonald-Barry-Stone- Taney-Ozark-Oregon- 306 PM CST Mon Mar 6 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Weather hazards expected... Elevated Tornado Risk. Elevated Hail Risk. Elevated Thunderstorm Wind Damage Risk. Significant Lightning Risk. Elevated Non Thunderstorm Wind Risk. DISCUSSION... Strong southerly sustained winds of 20 to 30 MPH with gusts of 35 to 45 MPH will continue into early evening across western portion of the outlook area. An initial wave of thunderstorms will be possible early this evening across the western part of the region between 6 PM and 9 PM. Additional thunderstorms will then form along an advancing cold front, and will sweep across the entire area from mid evening tonight through the pre dawn hours on Tuesday morning. This line is currently expected to affect areas along and north of Interstate 44 between 9 PM and midnight, and areas south of Interstate 44 between midnight and 4 AM. All modes of severe weather will be possible, including large hail, wind gusts to 70 MPH, and tornadoes. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Behind the frontal passage, a mild and very dry air mass will return to the region Tuesday. Elevated to significant fire weather conditions will be possible Tuesday and to a lesser extent on Wednesday. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for areas along and north of the Interstate 44 corridor for Tuesday. Thunderstorms will again be possible late in the week into the first part of the weekend as a front sets up in the region.
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