Month: April 2022

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation into allegations of mistreatment at the Barry County Jail.

The investigation began after leaked body cam footage showed jail employees being physically abusive with inmates, including put their hands on inmates necks on one of more occasions.

The leak was conducted by Seligman police officer Terry Burgess, who says he wants to see change occur at the jail.

Burgess claims these incidents are occurring because Barry County Sheriff Danny Boyd is not doing enough to train his employees to deescalate these situations.

The officer being investigated has been placed on administrative leave.

The Springfield Police Department says catalytic converter thefts have dropped since a theft ring was broken up last year.

More than 1,000 catalytic converters were stolen in Springfield in 2021, but police say that number has dropped to 20 to 30 per month.

The department also reports response time to priority calls in the city has increased by 30 seconds.

Chief Paul Williams says that’s because police are getting more calls.

Read more on catalytic converter thefts from the Springfield Police Department’s 2021 Annual Report.

SPDAnnualReport21_WEBFINAL

The Environmental Protection Agency has fined a business in Nixa $18,000 for selling illegal defeat devices.

Defeat devices prevent emissions control systems from working in cars and violate the Federal Clean Air Act.

Baillie Diesel Incorporated agreed to pay the fine.

The company also agreed to destroy its inventory of defeat devices and certify that it has stopped selling the devices.

Two men are in jail after a fatal shooting at a truck stop in West Plains late Tuesday night.

When police responded to the 14 Junction Truck Stop on north Highway 63, they found a man with several gunshot wounds.

The victim was taken to a local hospital, but died from his injuries.

Witnesses told authorities two suspects left the scene in a red Chevrolet Avalanche.

West Plains police and Howell County deputies found the vehicle at a house and arrested the two men.

In a press release, police say the victim, identified as James Harlan Vineyard, 34, West Plains, had apparent gunshot wounds to his torso, legs, and other locations.

Murder charges are pending from the Howell County Prosecutor’s Office.

Some money issues were voted on around Greene County.

A use tax for the City of Fair Grove didn’t pass because the vote was tied at fifty percent for both yes and no.

Bonds issues for the Ebenezer and Strafford both passed.

There were several mayoral races around the area.

Among the winners Caleb Smith in Ash Grove, Stephen Short in Fair Grove, Jim Cole in Walnut Grove, Alicia Hagen in Seymour and Sandra Simmons in Urbana.

Several school districts in Greene County have filled seats on local school boards in Tuesday’s election.

Here are the unofficial final returns, with winners in bold lettering:

Fair Grove School Board (Vote for 2 for 3-year term):

Cheryl Kepes (I) (22.88%) ELECTED

Jennifer Harp (I) (21.44%) ELECTED

Jeremy George (20.38%)

John Morris (18.46%)

Josh K. Butler (16.06%)

Republic School Board (Vote for 2 for 3-year term):

Travis Edwards (I) (36.4%) ELECTED

Robin Davidson (28.08%) ELECTED

Reggie George (23.81%)

Dave Daniel (10.91%)

Strafford School Board (Vote for 2 for 3-year term):

Sarah June Call (34.68%) ELECTED

Kyle Muncy (32.91%) ELECTED

Steve Heil (30.25%)

Willard School Board (Vote for 2 for 3-year term):

David A. Menditto (28.20%) ELECTED

Kip A. Baker (I) (25.35%) ELECTED

Elizabeth Nothum (19.30%)

Christopher Moak (14.20%)

Jennifer Triplett (12.45%)

Willard School District Bond Issue:

This is a no-tax increase $29.5 million bond issue for constructing multipurpose safe rooms, secured entryways and classroom additions, safety and security upgrades, and repairing and renovating school facilities.

Yes: 71.93%

No: 28.08%

Two newcomers will join the Springfield R-12 School Board following Tuesday’s elections.

Kelly Byrne and Steve Makoski were the top two vote-getters at the polls, winning over incumbent Charles Taylor, as well as Chad Courtney and Brandi VanAntwerp.

Byrne garnered more than 10,000 votes at the polls. During his campaign, he stressed the need for students to be in a classroom setting. He blames the district’s reaction to COVID-19 for losing 1,400 students in the first year of virtual learning.

Makoski says he decided to run because he saw a decline in academic achievement. He says the decline is over the last ten years, and that’s concerning to him.

Makoski adds he will fight for better access to classrooms for school board members to help them make better decisions.

Makoski will join us live on Wake up Springfield Wednesday morning at 8:15 a.m. on 93.3 and AM 560 KWTO.