Month: September 2021

More than half of Greene County residents ages 12 and older are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department calls it an exciting moment for the community as case counts and hospitalizations continue to decrease.

Health Director Katie Towns says she’s grateful to the more than 126,000 people who are doing their part to help put an end to the pandemic. “We need to keep the momentum going to prevent another deadly surge like what we experienced this summer with the Delta variant,” Towns said.

The health department provided more details on the county’s vaccination rate in the following edited news release:

While reaching 50% is a huge milestone, Greene County still lags the rest of the state and nation in vaccinations. In Missouri, 56% of those 12 and over are fully vaccinated and roughly 64% are fully vaccinated in the United States. 

Continuing to increase vaccination rates is particularly important for children under 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccine. More than 86,000 children in Missouri younger than 18 have contracted COVID-19 and tragically, 10 have died. So far in September, children ages 0 to 11 account for nearly 13.4% of all cases in Greene County, which is the highest we’ve seen in that age group to date. 

“Reaching 50% will help make vaccine the expectation instead of the exception which will help drive rates even higher,” said Towns. “It’s vitally important that vaccinated individuals talk about their experiences with those who are still hesitant to normalize the process and help people feel confident in their decision.”

Updated Citizen Strong signs will soon be available throughout the community to help celebrate this milestone and encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to join the majority of individuals who have rolled up their sleeves. Signs for businesses and organizations interested in promoting their individual vaccination rates are also available by filling out a request.

Free vaccines are offered throughout the community daily. Both walk-ins and appointments are available. Visit vaccine417.com for an opportunity near you or call 417-874-1211. Private appointments are also available by calling this number. 

The Health Department will hold a media availability at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 29, in the Public Safety Center media briefing room located at 330 W. Scott.  

Leaders from the Health Department, health care partners and local businesses will provide an update on the COVID-19 vaccination effort in Greene County. The public is invited to watch the media availability on the City’s and Health Department’s Facebook pages or at https://cityview.springfieldmo.gov/livestream/      

The Greene County Office of Emergency Management has confirmed what caused the loud boom heard over southwest Missouri late Monday morning.

According to officials, Boeing was running a test loop starting in St. Louis and made its way to the Ozarks.

When the military aircraft reached a certain speed, it created the boom.

On Sunday, the Mountain Grove Fire Department reported that another sonic boom was heard in that area.

The U.S. military told the fire department they were testing of a new jet.

A couple from Springfield have plead guilty to charges in connection to the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Zachary Wilson and Kelsey Leigh Ann Wilson entered a guilty plea in federal court in Washington, DC to parading or picketing in the Capitol Building.

A judge will sentence them in December.

An anonymous tipster informed the FBI of a Facebook post by Zachary Wilson saying he had entered the Capitol.

The tipster submitted a screenshot of the post, which had tagged Kelsey Wilson in a photo showing her in the Capitol.

A judge has ordered two people to stand trial in the shooting death of a Springfield man.

Paul Morales and Rickey Rose face second-degree murder charges in the death of Chandler Sweaney in February.

Investigators say Morales pulled the trigger.

They say Rickey Rose was part of a drug deal that led to Sweaney’s death.

Rose was Sweeney’s roommate, who he met through social media.

A teenage boy from Ava has died from a fall near the Lost Valley Trail at Buffalo National River near Ponca, Arkansas.

The National Park Service says at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 25th, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office dispatch was notified of a fallen hiker near Eden Falls Cave.

The 16-year-old was hiking with a large group from his church when he left the established trail and scrambled up the steep hillside near the cave entrance. After losing his footing, the boy fell about 20 feet, sustaining traumatic head and spinal injuries.

Witnesses performed CPR and rendered first aid until emergency personnel arrived on the scene, but the teen was unresponsive and life saving efforts were unsuccessful.

Park Superintendent Mark Foust says he and the park staff extend their deepest condolences to the teenager’s family and friends. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved and to the communities affected by such a tragedy.”

The park service says terrain in Buffalo National River can be rugged and steep, and off-trail travel is often dangerous. Visitors are asked to stay on established trails to avoid injury.

The Pulaski County Sheriff and Missouri State Highway Patrol are looking for a woman who made have been a witness to a homicide.

The Highway Patrol says Cherie Kelley may have information that could help them with the investigation into the death of Mark Ethington.

If you know where she is, you are asked to call the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office at 573-774-6196.

A mother and daughter from Rogersville accused of illegally operating a daycare, where a baby died, will be back in a Greene County courtroom today.

Cheri Beason and Danielle Gerdes are facing 34 criminal charges of felony child abuse and neglect.

Four month old Brynlee Jones died from what investigators call “unsafe sleeping” at the daycare.

Both women will be in front of a judge Monday for a pre-trial conference.

They are currently out of jail on bond.

Christina Randall, KOLR

FAIR GROVE, Mo. — Several craft booths were set up on Saturday for the 44th Annual Heritage Reunion.

The event was put on the Fair Grove Historian and Preservation Society each year during the last full week of September.

The main requirement for craft booths is that their products must be original and handmade.ADVERTISING

As KOLR-10 reports, the president of the society was pleased with this year’s crowd.