Month: April 2023

Springfield Police say they have a man in custody who allegedly tried to kidnap a child in Springfield.

Prosecutors have charged 48-year-old Danny Piper with enticement of a child and attempted child kidnapping.

Officers were called to the area of the Dream Center on West Atlantic Thursday night.

Investigators say the father of the victim allegedly saw Perry trying to get the child to leave with him and stopped it.

The child was not harmed, and Perry fled the scene.

Police say they believe Piper might be connected to prior incidents that may have gone unreported at the time.

The judge in his case ordered Perry be held without bond.

While the weather should be calm to start your weekend, there’s a growing risk for severe thunderstorms arriving mid-afternoon Saturday and continuing into the evening.

The National Weather Service says large hail up to the size of tennis balls, damaging winds up to 70 miles per hour, and an isolated tornado are possible.

Areas along the Interstate 49 corridor are under a “marginal,” or Level 1 risk, with Springfield and areas along and west of Highway 65 under a Level 2, or “slight” risk. The greatest threat for severe storms, an “enhanced” Level 3 risk, exists along and east of a line from Branson to Mountain Grove.

Forecasters say brief, localized heavy rainfall will also be possible Saturday, but widespread flooding is not expected.

Listen to 93-3 A-M 560 KWTO for the latest watches and warnings, and any hail, wind, or damage reports that come in from area spotters.

A change in leadership is coming to the Ozark School District after superintendent Dr. Chris Bauman announced his retirement.

Bauman made the announcement yesterday during a school board meeting.

During his speech, he cited his desire to spend time with his wife, his children and his grandson.

Bauman’s wife is battling terminal cancer.

The Board of Education appointed Dr. Lori Wilson to be the district’s interim superintendent for the 2023-2024 school year. She previously served as the superintendent of the West Plains School District.

Bauman’s retirement will be effective at the end of the school year.

A man from Branson has been charged with setting fire to the Track Family Fun Park-Track 4, and the Branson ferris wheel.

Frank Paul is charged with Second Degree Arson, two counts of Second Degree Burglary, Stealing and Tampering.

Paul reportedly told investigators he set fire to cover up his theft of electronics and food from the business.

There is a growing threat of strong to severe storms from mid-Saturday afternoon into the evening hours.

The National Weather Service says very large hail up to the size of tennis balls and damaging wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour are the biggest threats. An isolated tornado is possible.

The greatest severe storm risk is from Branson to Mountain Grove and areas East of there. Brief heavy rain will be possible, but widespread flooding is not expected.

We will keep you up to date with watches and warnings on 93.3 FM and 560 AM KWTO.

Springfield Police are investigating a woman’s body found in a creek Thursday evening.

The body was found just after 5 pm on the corner of North Broadway Avenue and West Nichols Street.

Police do not know the cause of death or the woman’s identity.

An autopsy will be performed.

City-Utilites-Awared-10-million-Grant

A Missouri State Senator who represents parts of southwest Missouri is receiving criticism for his support of child marriages.

Mike Moon, a first-term senator, said during a session this week that 12-year-olds should be able to marry adults with parental consent, defending a stance he has taken for several years.

“Do you know any kids who have been married at age 12? I do. And guess what — they’re still married.” said Moon.

He voted against a bill in 2018 that raised the age for children to marry with parental consent from 15 to 16.

The statement came during a discussion of his bill, Senate Bill 49, which would remove healthcare providers ability to performer gender transition operations on minors.

Senator Moon represents the 29th District, which includes all or parts of Barry, Christian, Lawrence and McDonald counties.

Crews in Springfield are investigating the cause of a fire that damaged a strip mall in the city.

Investigators say the fire started in a dumpster behind the buildings on Campbell and Primrose which blackened the brick walls of some businesses and burned up several wires that led into the various businesses.

Authorities were called to the scene at around 3:30 a.m. Thursday morning.

No one was injured during the fire. The extent of the damages and cost has not been determined.