Month: April 2022

New details have emerged in the investigation into the fatal vehicle crash that involved a pedestrian on Highway 65 on April 27th.

According to a press release from the Springfield Police Department, a pedestrian was walking along the Southbound righthand lane of U.S. 65, just South of Battlefield Road. A dump truck was driving in the righthand lane when the pedestrian stepped into the lane, and was struck by the dump truck. The dump truck attempted to avoid the pedestrian, and swerved into the left lane, striking a red Chevrolet truck.

The pedestrian was identified as Harrison Charlesworth, 33, from Springfield. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. No other injuries have been reported at this time.

The investigation is ongoing, and people are asked to call the Springfield Police Department if they have any information at 417.864.1810.

After an investigation by police, more information has been revealed about a hit-and-run crash that left a man dead.

Authorities have identified the victim as 59-year-old Jerry Westmoreland of Springfield. Investigators say Westmoreland was crossing traffic along Kansas Expressway when he stopped at a raised median to allow cars to pass. He was then struck and killed by a silver SUV travelling along the roadway.

After investigating the scene, police were able to track down and arrest a suspect. That suspect has been identified as John Hefstetter, a 43-year-old Bolivar native.

Investigators ask that anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

College of the Ozarks has revealed their newest president, who is very familiar with Southwest Missouri.

The C of O Board of Trustees announced Wednesday that Dr. Brad Johnson has been tabbed as the next president of the school.

Johnson spent time as the interim president at Southwest Baptist University before accepting the position. Since 2012, Johnson has been the vice president for institutional advancement at SBU.

Prior to arriving in the Ozarks, Johnson had spent time in Texas at three separate colleges, McMurry University, Hardin-Simmons University and Howard Payne University.

Dr. Johnson will begin his tenure effective June 1 of this year.

The Springfield School Board voted unanimously to change bus eligibility for the upcoming school year.

The new proposal is designed to deal with the shortage of bus drivers in the district.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. John Mulford says the changes will help the Springfield Public School District to offer transportation to the most significant number of students possible, despite staffing issues.

With just over a week remaining, the Missouri State Senate has advanced a roughly $46 billion budget that now heads for debate.

The budget was passed on Tuesday, and included funding for many different entities within the state. Most recently, money from federal funds was used in the budget to help with busing for public schools K-12, as well as for raises in teachers salary.

The budget included a ban of state funding for all Planned Parenthood clinics, which state Democrats warn could result in the federal government pulling Medicaid funding for Missouri.

Negotiators will now debate the budget before the deadline to pass on May 6.

There’s a new president of Mercy Hospitals Springfield, and he’s no stranger to the hospital system.

David Argueta, who has 17 years of health care experience, has spent the past five years as the Chief Administrative Officer at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City.

President of Mercy Communities, Dr. John Mohart, says in a news release that Argueta is an “outstanding, experienced leader.” “He has a servant heart, and he will bring his expertise in hospital operations, board relations and co-worker development to the Springfield community.”

Argueta replaces Brent Hubbard, who left the health care system earlier this month for a job with a hospital system in Oklahoma City.

The news release says Argueta and Mercy Springfield Communities President Craig McCoy will report to Mohart.