A large number of homes in Springfield were without power Friday night.
High winds may have been the cause of these power outages.
According to City Utilities, nearly 400 were out of power around O-T-C campus with over 600 out of power around Missouri State University.
There were also around 100 near the Galloway Neighborhood along with other neighborhoods throughout Springfield.
C-U says they are working to restore power.
Weather experts are issuing a Tornado Watch for several counties in southwest Missouri with severe storms expected in the Ozarks beginning Friday afternoon.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, the following counties in Missouri are under the Tornado Watch until 8:00 p.m.
Authorities in Springfield say a student-athlete at Evangel is dead following a car crash.
18-year-old Deverin King, who ran track and field at Evangel, was killed when he collided with a car on his motorcycle along Glenstone between Chestnut Expressway and St. Louis Street.
Investigators say the car, a Ford Explorer, was pulling out of a parking lot when it was hit by King.
He was thrown from the motorcycle and died at the scene, despite life-saving measures from law enforcement.
It is the 10th traffic death in Springfield so far this year.
Southwest Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison is pushing a new energy package through the U.S. House.
With both Democrats and Republicans debating a new energy package, Burlison says removing certain energy requirements from energy companies will aid the country.
The House passed the bill on Thursday.
Greene County detectives are trying to identify a man who they believe has committed more than a dozen thefts in the Western part of the county.
Several thefts from vehicles have occurred in neighborhoods near I-44, Haseltine, and West Bypass.
Sheriff’s Deputy Paige Ripee says detectives are investigating six thefts from unlocked vehicles in the area. Rippee says four firearms were stolen in those thefts.
Thunderstorms will develop in the Ozarks Friday morning and move through the area quickly through the afternoon, with the highest risk for severe weather east of Highway 65.
The National Weather Service says hail up to the size of golf balls, damaging winds of 70 miles per hour and a few tornadoes are possible as storms race from west to east.
Areas along and east of Highway 63 in south central and southeast Missouri will have a significant tornado threat for an EF2+ twister.
The best chances for golf ball size hail will be along and north of a Nevada to Lebanon line.
There is a low flooding potential with this system.
Outside of any thunderstorms, wind gusts could reach dangerous levels in parts of southwest Missouri Friday.
Areas west of Springfield are under a “High Wind Warning” through Saturday morning, with maximum wind gusts as high as 45 to 60 miles per hour.
With winds that high, loose objects will be blown around and scattered power outages are expected.
The entire Ozarks is under a Wind Advisory. Use caution if traveling in high profile vehicles.
We’ll have the latest watches and warnings on 93-3 A-M 560 KWTO.
Weather forecasters say to expect some extreme winds Friday.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for counties west of Springfield Friday.
The warning will run from 1 pm to 7 pm.
The Weather Service says to expect wind gust up to 60 miles per hour and a possibility of damage to trees and power lines.
A motorcyclist is dead after a crash that closed traffic at a major Springfield intersection.
Springfield Police say the crash happened around 3 pm Thursday at the intersection of Glenstone and Chestnut Expressway.
Investigators say a pickup truck struck a motorcycle, ridden by 18-year-old Deverin King of Springfield.
Emergency personnel tried to save King, but he died at the scene.
Traffic was closed on Glenstone between Chestnut Expressway and St. Louis Street while the crash was investigated.
Authorities in Ozark say they have located a missing teen, and that he is safe.
17-year-old Wyatt Brown was reported missing on Wednesday, March 29, according to his family.
The search began in the area of Frosty Drive and Highway NN in Ozark Wednesday night.
Police say Brown requires daily medication, so there was increased fear for his safety.
Details about the case, including where Brown was found and the reason behind his disappearance, have not been released at this time.
College of the Ozark hosted Mike Rowe of the popular television show, Dirty Jobs, Tuesday night in their Spring Work Ethic Forum.
Rowe spent the day visiting the various student-run work stations around campus, participating in jobs such as tending to the livestock, baking the campus’ famous fruitcake, and more.
“We don’t come into the world fully formed with the kind of work ethic that you all celebrate here at College of the Ozarks,” Rowe said. “That has to be taught, and that’s why I wanted to come here because you are teaching it. It’s not just a lecture or a sermon, you’re actually doing it.”
Rowe encouraged College of the Ozarks students to change their mindset when looking at what it means to work a job.
“I think we all have to find our own path,” Rowe said. “If you want to look at it as something more than merely transactional, then you have to love it. You have to be passionate about your job, even if your job isn’t your passion.”
Governor Mike Parson also attended the event and addressed students.
