Month: November 2022

Missouri State University is unveiling a plan for a new Baptist Student Union.

The announcement came Tuesday, following the demolition of the old building that took place on November 17.

Reports say the new facility will be five stories-tall, featuring student housing and space for retail businesses.

The former building was said to have flooding issues, and was boarded up several years ago.

Due to that, students involved in the BSU were forced to meet in other locations.

Officials say the construction will be a multi-million dollar project. There is hope the building will be completed by 2025.

A man from Branson been charged with sexually assaulting a woman during a

massage. Yang Li is charged with second degree sodomy. The incident happened

at Orchid Massage at the Branson Landing. Investigators say the victim had

been to the business several times with her husband, but was alone with Li

when the incident allegedly occurred. Li has a hearing scheduled for December

13th.

The Executive Director of the Springfield-Greene County Library System says

she’s concerned about Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s proposal to stop state

funding for libraries that allow minors access to age-inappropriate material.

Regina Greer Cooper says she understands Ashcroft wants to protect children,

but isn’t sure his proposal is the right way to do it. Cooper met with Ashcroft

recently to express her concerns.

In a release Monday afternoon, the city of Springfield has announced the passing of former Mayor Mac McCartney.

McCartney was a stalwart in the Springfield community, serving on the city council from 1987 to 1993 before serving as mayor from ’93 to 1995.

Reports say he spent over 50 years in the city as a businessman and community advocate, highlighted by his work with organizations such as the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Town of Missouri and the ARC Foundation.

Prior to his time in business, McCartney spent 30 years in the armed forces, from World War II through the Korean War. He retired in 1972 as a Colonel in the U.S. Army.

McCartney also spent time in education, as a business professor at Missouri State University.

The release says McCartney passed away peacefully on Friday. He was 99-years-old.

The official statement from the City of Springfield can be found here.

Police are investigating a deadly crash over the weekend in Springfield. Officers

say Ronald McClellan from Buffalo was driving Eastbound on Division East of

Glenstone when his vehicle ran off the road and hit a utility pole. McClellan,

who was 61, died at a local hospital.

Expect traffic delays through Wednesday on Highway 65 between Ozark and

Branson. MODOT says crews are putting in rumble strips, guardrails and high

friction surface treatment and working on left turn lane additions at

Highway A and BB and Busiek road. The Southbound Highway 65

passing lane will be closed at Emory Creek during the day today, and there will

be Southbound lane closures at night between Highway EE and Busiek road.

The Taney County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the deaths of two people.

A Facebook post from the Sheriff’s Office said shots were reported fired near Rinehart Road in Branson.

Deputies found two people dead.

The Sheriff’s Department said they can’t release many details at the moment.

The investigation is continuing.

Authorities say there is no threat to the public.

NEWS RELEASE: The Springfield Police Department continues to investigate the homicide that happened at 1824 N. Lone Pine Ave., on Nov. 1, and the department is asking the public for help. 

Anyone with information about the death of Timothy J. Williamson, 42, from Springfield should call 417-864-1810 or make any anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

Previous release:

On Nov. 1, 2022, at approximately 11:48 a.m., the Springfield Police Department was dispatched to 1824 N. Lone Pine Ave., to a man bleeding from unknown injuries. When officers arrived at the residence, they determined the man was deceased and circumstances surrounding the death appeared to be suspicious.

The man was identified as Timothy J. Williamson, 42, from Springfield. Williamson’s family has been notified. 

A suspect has not been identified in this case.   

Detectives are investigating Williamson’s death as a homicide and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477).

This incident marks the 16^th homicide investigation for 2022. 

A man from Ava has been charged with attempted drug trafficking.

Douglas County deputies went to serve a search warrant at the home of Vincent Adkins but Adkins wasn’t home.

Sheriff Chris Degase spotted Adkin’s pickup and stopped him. Degase found 91 grams of Methamphetamine during a search of the pickup.

Degase says that Adkins was on parole and has been a major distributor of illegal drugs since his release from prison.