Month: October 2022

Bolivar Police are investigating a motorcycle crash that has left the driver in the hospital.

Authorities responded to the scene around 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon near the intersection of West Keeling Place and South Main Street in Bolivar.

Investigators say the motorcyclist was traveling south when he was hit by a truck. They are still investigating the cause of the crash

Officers say the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries in the crash.

The identity of the victim has not been released at this time.

Story by Jason Wert, Branson Tri-Lakes News

The city of Branson has placed Police Chief Jeff Matthews and another officer on administrative leave.

City Administrator Cathy Stepp confirmed to Branson Tri-Lakes News Matthews and Sergeant Pat Gray were placed on administrative leave.

“On Tuesday, October 25, both the chief and Sergeant Pat Gray were placed on administrative leave pending an HR investigation,” Stepp told Branson Tri-Lakes News. “We have engaged the services of an outside organization to handle the investigation to ensure the highest integrity and fairness to all involved.”

Matthews was named Branson Police Chief on March 15, 2018, and he began work with the department in April of that year. He replaced former Branson City Administrator Stan Dobbins, who was elevated from Police Chief to City Administrator. Matthews had been serving at the time as Deputy Chief of the Arlington, Texas police department.

Mayor Larry Milton confirmed to Branson Tri-Lakes News Matthews and another officer were placed on leave, but said he could not comment further because it is a personnel matter.

Assistant Police Chief Eric Schmitt has been named acting chief for the department. He has been with the Branson Police Department since July 2017, and has 31 years in law enforcement. He graduated this summer from the ​​FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

A World War 2 veteran will soon be laid to rest in Springfield.

Sergeant Moses Tate was a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator that went down over Romania in 1943. His was one of 50 planes that did not return on August 1st, 1943 during operation Tidal Wave, a bombing raid against the oil refineries around Ploiești, Romania. Forensic experts were able to identify his remains in July of this year.

A memorial for Tate will take place Thursday at Faith Lutheran church in Branson, before being laid to rest at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield.

A half cent sales tax increase for the Ozark County Sheriff’s office is on the November ballot.

Sheriff Cass Martin says the money is needed to fix the county jail and hire more deputies. Martin says the jail has several leaks in the roof, holes in the walls, and broken windows.

Sheriff Martin also says the money is needed to get deputies back on patrols, which were cut last Summer.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has arrested a hit-and-run driver wanted in the death of a motorcyclist in Barry County.

The Patrol says 19 year-old Derek Coburn faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of 38 year old Patrick Anderson of Aurora.

The crash happened in June near Jenkins.

Coburn is accused of striking Anderson’s motorcycle and then abandoning the pickup he was driving, which authorities say was stolen from Monett.

The passenger train at Silver Dollar City derailed Wednesday evening.

Witnesses say The Frisco Silver Dollar Line tipped over around 6 PM.

The Stone County Sheriff’s Department, Southern Stone County Fire Protection District, the Highway Patrol and Mercy Ambulances responded to the scene.

Stone County’s Emergency Management Director Tom Martin confirms four people were taken to hospitals with not life-threatening injuries.

Authorities are not sure what caused the derailment.

A large emergency vehicle presence is at Silver Dollar City.

The Stone County Sheriff’s Department, Southern Stone County Fire Protection District, the Highway Patrol and Mercy Ambulances have been at the park since 6:50 PM.

This is a breaking story and we will have more for you as it develops.

The Conway School District is considering changing to a four day school week.

The district says the change is because of issues with teacher recruitment and retention.

If approved, Conway schools would be in session Monday-Thursday with school days being 15 minutes longer.

A meeting on the change is being held November 1st at Conway High School.

Veterans from around the Southwest Missouri are back home following the final Honor Flight of the Ozarks trip of 2022.

Over 80 veterans flew out Tuesday morning and spent the day in Washington D.C. taking in the sites and memorials, including a changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

Hundreds gathered at Springfield-Branson National Airport to welcome the veterans back home Tuesday night.