Month: March 2023

It’s still four days away, but forecasters are monitoring for the potential of severe thunderstorms in the Ozarks on Friday.

The National Weather Service says what we know is the atmosphere will be conducive for thunderstorms and potential severe weather to close out the work week, but what we don’t know are the exact details of timing, locations and hazard types.

Areas along and east of Highway 65 are already under a level three “enhanced” risk for severe weather on Friday, with areas west of Springfield in a level two “slight” risk.

93-3 and A-M 560 KWTO will keep you up to date with the latest on the weather forecast as new updates come in and with any watches and warnings on Friday.

One person is in custody and Springfield Police are looking for two more after an armed robbery Sunday afternoon.

Police say three suspects went into the Dollar General store in the one thousand block of East Commercial and stole merchandise.

One pointed a gun at the store clerk. The three then fled the store on foot.

Police found one suspect and arrested him at the Kum and Go store at Division and National.

Springfield Public Schools is asking for the public to vote for a new multi-million dollar bond issue to help with renovations and other measures for the district.

The district says the bond issue is similar to the one passed in 2019, which was recently used to renovate York Elementary.

The new bond is an estimated $220 million and would allow SPS to improve and upgrade security and safety measures, do repairs on several school facilities and construct new buildings for Reed Elementary and Pipkin Middle School.

The bond issue will not enact a tax rate increase on city residents.

Deer hunters in Missouri donated more than 235 thousand pounds of venison to the Share the Harvest program this past deer season.

The donated meat goes to food banks and food pantries across the state.

The cost of processing the meat is paid for by local sponsors and statewide sponsors like Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Feeding Missouri, and the Department of Conservation.

Prosecutors in Laclede County say a man from Lebanon is facing decades in prison for charges of rape.

52-year-old Jerry Warnock pleaded guilty to first-degree rape and armed criminal action after allegedly kidnapping and raping a cab driver in July of 2022.

Following his guilty plea, he was sentenced to 20 years for the rape charge and 10 years for armed criminal action to be served consecutively, making Warnock’s total sentence 30 years.

Investigators say a 911 call came in on July 3 of last year in which the cab driver was heard pleading with Warnock to not hurt her.

She told police he subdued her by wrapping a seatbelt around her neck and used zipties to restrain her before threatening her with a knife prior to the rape.

Officers say Warnock had two separate outstanding warrants prior to his arrest for the assault.

Springfield, Mo. – Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson ruled on March 8, 2023, that the use of deadly force by four Springfield Police officers against Justin Barker on Feb. 1, 2023, was justified.

The four involved officers are no longer on administrative leave and have been released to active duty.

Previous information release:

On Feb. 1, 2023, at 1:46 p.m., Springfield Police officers were sent to Tom Watkins Park at 2100 W. High St. to check the well-being of a male who was making suicidal statements.

When the officers arrived, they contacted the man in the middle of the park.

While officers were talking with him, he said he had a gun and proceeded to draw a handgun from his waistband.

The officers immediately ordered him to drop the gun, but he failed to comply and instead pointed the handgun toward them.

The officers fired their handguns at the man, striking him several times.

The officers immediately took him into custody and performed life-saving measures while awaiting the arrival of paramedics.

However, he did not survive.

The deceased male has been identified as Justin M. Barker, 33, from Springfield. Barker’s family has been notified.

The four officers involved in the shooting incident have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

The results of a concurrent criminal investigation will be presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

# # #

Case number:  23-3287

Two people have died after a vehicle carrying six young adults was swept off Highway M in Grovespring.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office says it happened around midnight Friday morning.

The sheriff’s office, Missouri Conservation Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Grovespring Fire Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the scene.

Authorities say four people were able to get out of the vehicle and water safely.

The body of one person was located, while a search was conducted for another victim.

The sheriff’s office announced late Friday morning a second body had been found.

The popular North Carolina chain, ‘Go Burrito,’ makes its way to Springfield.

Owner Lucas Forchler grew up in Springfield before moving out of state for college, where he developed a love for the chain. When he moved his family back to Springfield, he decided that he wanted to bring the chain with him.

‘Go Burrito’ will open on Friday, March 24, at 11:00 a.m. at 2100 W Republic Rd #124 in the Magers Crossing shopping center. They serve California style burritos, nachos, and more, and will soon have a full service bar.

Forchler says the restaurant is a place you would want to hang out with your friends, while still providing the convenience of fast food.