KWTO News Analysis Opinion

Springfield Public Works says that Zone 1 storm debris pickup is nearly finished, with just a few more residences to sweep.

Public Works estimates that 18,364 cubic tons of debris have been collected since August 11th.

About 70% of debris has been picked up by Public Works crews in Zone 3, and only around 5% has been collected from Zone 2 so far.

As for residences with larger trees on their property that ultimately left larger pieces of storm debris scattered, a city-contracted tree company is addressing those pickups free of charge to residents.

“Our priority at this stage is to wrap up the Zone-wide sweeps of brush and debris moved to the street,” Public Works Assistant Director Eric Claussen said in a city news release. “We’ll then refocus our tree management contractor to address larger trees and limbs.”

Public Works reminds residents whose debris has yet to be picked up that only organic debris will be collected, debris must be left by residence curbs or the nearest accessible location, and to be sure that debris is not blocking sidewalks, driveways, or drainage ditches.

All debris must be ready to collect by 7:00 a.m. on the first day of your zone’s scheduled pickup week, which you can more information about here.

Photo courtesy of Springfield Public Works.

The Friday morning commute in the Springfield area has been a bit slower in spots because of thick fog.

The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for much of southwest Missouri until 10am Friday.

Visibility is reduced to a quarter mile or less in spots, especially near lakes, rivers and valleys, and travel may be slow at times.

Be sure to slow down and use your low beam lights.

417 Taphouse in downtown Springfield will serve its last drinks this Sunday.

The bar announced the sudden closure on Facebook yesterday, saying that its last day of business will be August 31st.

No reason was given for the sudden closure, but the bar thanked everyone for their patronage and their staff for making the location successful during their 10 years of business.

417 Taphouse said that they will be open regular hours until midnight for the last day of business, and that some of the bar’s decor will be put up for sale next week.

Photo courtesy of 417 Taphouse.

A 55-year-old man died in a three-vehicle crash in Walnut Grove, MO yesterday evening.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that he tried to pass an SUV on State Highway 123 at Washington Street.

Investigators say that the man swerved to avoid an oncoming van while trying to pass but hit both the van and SUV. The man died at the scene.

The van’s driver and passenger were both taken to a hospital in Springfield with moderate injuries. No one in the SUV was injured.

Photo courtesy of Springfield Police Department.

A man wanted on several warrants is under arrest after causing a crash Thursday evening.

Springfield Police say they were trying to contact an individual who had with multiple warrants around the 600 block of South Scenic Avenue.

The suspect got into a car, pushing the woman driver out of the car, and took off down Mt. Vernon Street toward Kansas Expressway.

He side-swiped a vehicle and then crashed into another vehicle at the intersection.

Officers arrested him.

No injuries were reported.

A video marque is announcing a new D-M-V license office location in South Springfield.

The lighted sign at the Liberty Commons Shopping Center on South Campbell reads “Coming Soon: South Springfield License Office.”

It also says the office will be operated by the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks and will open on October 8^th.

The previous southside D-M-V office closed in May.

A warrant has been issued and charges filed in a fatal Stone County crash.

The Highway Patrol says a pickup truck driven by 77-year-old Daniel Drewry of Springfield struck the rear of a bicycle, throwing the rider, 33-year-old Bobbie Ogle of Billings, off the bike.

Ogle died later at a hospital.

A warrant has been issued for Drewry on a charge of second-degree involuntary manslaughter.