Attorneys for one of the men accused of kidnapping Cassidy Rainwater will ask for a bond hearing.
Attorneys for James Phelps will ask a judge to issue a bond.
Phelps will appear in court this Friday.
A new Judge John C. Porter will preside over the case in Dallas County.
By U.S. Rep. Billy Long
Working with Veterans has always been one of the most rewarding aspects of serving as your congressman these past 11 years. The men and women who have selflessly served our country deserve all the thanks we can give them for the sacrifices they have made. Ceremonies and celebrations take place across the nation each year, and over the last several years here in Missouri’s 7th Congressional District, I have taken part in an incredible tradition.
On Wednesday, we held our Annual Fishing Dreams for Veterans event on Lake Taneycomo in Branson. Every year we take disabled veterans fishing from across the state of Missouri. This year we set a record by taking 112 veterans – including a100 year old D-Day survivor – fishing with 50 professional guides that donated their time, boats and equipment to the effort. I’m always thrilled to see how happy they are to be out on the lake in the great outdoors. There are always plenty of tears flowing as they are used to hearing “thank you for your service,” but many are touched deeply by someone actually taking the time to spend the day with them and treating them like royalty.
Fishing Dreams would not be possible without the hard work of our sponsors Bass Pro Shops, Diversified Freedom for Disabilities and Fish Tails. Both Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, and J.P. Sells, the Director of Diversified Freedom for Disabilities and Fish Tails, have always had a tremendous appreciation for our veterans and the work that they did to secure our freedoms. That is why they partner with us in putting together this experience every year.
Freedom is not free. The men and women who have served our country in the Armed Forces understand this fact better than anyone. Whether they were drafted or enlisted, they answered duty’s call. In the last several decades, our nation has liberated Europe from Nazi occupation, held back communist advances, and fought against the terrorists who attacked our country on 9/11. None of this could have been accomplished without the men and women of the American Military. Hundreds of millions of Americans live in peace now because of the sacrifices made by these brave heroes.
After going out on the lake, we have lunch to thank the veterans in attendance. Here, I present each of them with an American Flag that was flown over the United States Capitol Building. Whenever I visit with veterans and hear their stories, I am reminded of the unique role a congressman can play in their life. My office in Springfield has two caseworkers who deal specifically with the bureaucratic red tape at the Department of Veterans Affairs and all other federal agencies. If you are a constituent of the seventh district who is having issues with the VA, or any federal agency, I invite you to call my office at 417-889-1800, and we will assist you in navigating your issue. Ask for Lisa or Sydney.
Each year, I am humbled to spend time with the disabled veterans who participate in the Fishing Dreams event. It was an honor to join these veterans, and I am grateful to Fishing Dreams and Bass Pro Shops for once again hosting a successful event.
For more information on my activities in our district and in Washington I encourage you to follow my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Rep.Billy.Long and my Twitter page at https://twitter.com/USRepLong. You can also subscribe to my weekly newsletter, “Long’s Short Report,” by visiting https://longforms.house.gov/newsletter-and-email-updates-form
A driver jumped a curb on north Glenstone south of I-44 in Springfield Monday morning and slammed their vehicle into a gas pump.
The fiery wreck happened at the Express Mart around 7:30 a.m.
The crash started a fire, damaging another vehicle being fueled nearby.
Fire crews say both drivers escaped without serious injuries.
Police shut down lanes of traffic on north Glenstone for a short time.
A park ranger hit by several shots fired by a suspect near Battlefield and Glenstone in Springfield will get an escort home from the hospital on Monday.
Here are the details in a news release from the Springfield-Greene County Park Board:
Springfield-Greene County Park Ranger Robert Bridges will be escorted home from the hospital this afternoon, Monday, Nov. 15, as he continues to recover from injuries sustained in the Nov. 11 officer-involved shooting near the intersection of South Glenstone and East Battlefield.
Exact timing is not yet known, but the procession is expected to begin between 12 and 2 p.m. Once the procession has begun, the Park Board will announce on Facebook and Twitter.
Bridges, 52, was providing backup to Springfield Police Department officers when he was hit by several shots fired by a suspect. Officials with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board say Bridges’ Kevlar duty vest probably saved his life, but he faces a long recovery from other injuries. Bridges has served as a park ranger about a year and a half, with 17 years of previous law enforcement experience.
Springfield Police are investigating the incident. All questions about the incident should be directed to the Springfield Police Department.
Following release from Cox Medical Center South in Springfield, Bridges will be escorted home by Springfield-Greene County Park Rangers, Springfield Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri Highway Patrol Troop D, with multiple area law enforcement agencies, fire departments and EMTs joining the procession as it makes it way to Bridges’ home in Stone County.
The planned route from Cox South is west on Primrose Street, south on Campbell Avenue, continuing south on Missouri 13/US 160 into Christian and Stone County, then west on Missouri 76 at Reeds Spring. Motorists are asked to yield to the procession, and the public is encouraged observe and cheer as the procession passes. Please do not park on the roadway.
“We are incredibly relieved that Ranger Bridges is able to go home today,” said Director of Parks Bob Belote. “We invite our community to show support for our first responders and help lift Ranger Bridges’ spirits as he heads home to continue his recovery. And we thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for Ranger Bridges and his family, as well as the Springfield Police Officers involved in this incident.”
Springfield-Greene County Park Rangers are law enforcement officers, commissioned through the Greene County Sheriff’s Department and dispatched through 911. Park Rangers have jurisdiction in both the city and county, not limited to parks. While on patrol, rangers often provide backup to officers with Springfield Police, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, area School Resource officers, Airport Police and other agencies within Greene County.
The Springfield – Greene County Park Board has released the name of the Park Ranger that was shot, while assisting the Springfield Police Department in a shopping center at Glenstone and Battlefield Thursday night.
Here is a news release from the Springfield – Greene County Park Board.
SPRINGFIELD, MO — The Springfield-Greene County Park Board has identified the park ranger injured in the Nov. 11 officer-involved shooting near the intersection of South Glenstone and East Battlefield.
Ranger Robert Bridges was providing backup to Springfield Police Department officers when he was hit by several shots fired by a suspect. Bridges remains in serious condition with non-life-threatening injuries at a Springfield hospital. Bridges has served as a Springfield-Greene County park ranger about a year and a half, with 17 years of previous law enforcement experience.
Springfield Police are investigating the incident. All questions about the incident should be directed to the Springfield Police Department.
Springfield-Greene County Park Rangers are law enforcement officers, commissioned through the Greene County Sheriff’s Department and dispatched through 911. Park Rangers have jurisdiction in both the city and county, not limited to parks. While on patrol, rangers often provide backup to officers with Springfield Police, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, area School Resource officers, Airport Police and other agencies within Greene County.
“All our thoughts and prayers are with Ranger Bridges and his family, as well as the Springfield Police officers involved in this incident,” said Director of Parks Bob Belote. “We are extremely proud of our park rangers and the work they do with our law enforcement partner agencies, who work tirelessly and too often in harm’s way in keeping our community safe.”
For media inquiries, contact Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-224-5510.
Christina Randall, KOLR
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield-Greene County Park Board has identified the park ranger shot and injured on Thursday as Robert Bridges.
According to the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Ranger Bridges was providing backup to the Springfield Police Department when he was hit by several shots fired by a suspect.
As KOLR-10 reports, Bridges remains in serious condition with non-life-threatening injuries at a Springfield hospital. Bridges has served as a Springfield-Greene County park ranger for about a year and a half, with 17 years of previous law enforcement experience.
A local coaching legend will walk the sidelines for the last time this season.
Nixa Public Schools says Jay Osborne will retire as head coach of the Eagles basketball team at the end of the 2021-22 season.
Osborne will have served a total of 35 years in education, with 33 years as a head basketball coach.
He enters this season with a career record of 647-242, averaging more than 20 wins per season and a .728 winning percentage.
Osborne’s teams have won 12 district championships, played in three final fours, won 45 tournament titles, including 13 Nixa Invitational Tournament championships, and seven Blue and Gold Tournament titles.
Osborne is the all-time winningest coach in the history of the Greenwood Blue and Gold Tournament, compiling a record of 75-25. From 2010-2014, his teams won an unprecedented five consecutive Blue and Gold titles.
In December of 2019, the Nixa boys basketball program was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Nixa Activities and Athletics Director Brandon Clark says Osborne’s dedication to both basketball and Nixa is “something that will be a part of the school’s legacy and the foundation for a program that will be successful to years in the future. However, Jay’s impact on his players and their lives is something that will leave a ripple effect for generations.”
Assistant Coach Brock Blansit will be named the new head coach beginning with the 2022-23 school years.
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department will update the community on the COVID-19 vaccination effort during a media availability at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Leaders from the health department, Springfield Public Schools, and Community Foundation of the Ozarks will speak at the news conference.
Emily Kuschel, KOLR
Springfield Police say they were called to respond to a disturbance and reports of an intoxicated person in the parking lot of a restaurant Thursday night, at 9:38 p.m.
Lieutenant Mark Foos says officers were called to 1724 E. Battlefield, which is the address of Downing Street Pour House, in the shopping center behind Olive Garden and Barnes and Noble. Police say there were reports the person was causing a disturbance.
Lt. Foos told OzarksFirst witnesses said the man ran to his car, then walked East through the parking lot behind Barnes and Noble. Officers made contact with him on the east side of the Barnes and Noble building. Foos says officers were warned the man might be armed.
Police say they believe the man was trying to leave the scene or get away from officers when the gunfire exchange happened.
As KOLR-10 reports, Greene County Parks officers patrol that area and will help if needed in threatening situations, according to Foos. The Greene County Parks officer who was shot has non-life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition.
Springfield Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian Thursday afternoon.
The pedestrian was walking near the intersection of Center and Jefferson when they were struck by a silver Chevy H-H-R that left the scene.
The pedestrian was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.