Governor Mike Parson has signed Executive Order 23-05 declaring a drought alert in the state of Missouri.
The Governor said in a news release that he wanted to be proactive on drought conditions before it gets worse in the late summer.
The executive order directs Missouri Department of Natural Resources director Dru Buntin to activate the state’s drought assessment committee.
The U-S Drought Monitor indicates 60 counties in Missouri are experiencing drought conditions.
Governor Mike Parson has signed Executive Order 23-05 declaring a drought alert in the state of Missouri.
The Governor said in a news release that he wanted to be proactive on drought conditions before it gets worse in the late summer.
The executive order directs Missouri Department of Natural Resources director Dru Buntin to activate the state’s drought assessment committee.
The U-S Drought Monitor indicates 60 counties in Missouri are experiencing drought conditions.
Police in Arkansas are still investigating, but have discovered the cause of death for a doctor from Cassville.
Investigators say the body of 49-year-old Dr. John Forsyth was found by a kayaker in Beaver Lake outside of Rogers, Arkansas on May 30.
The body was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy. The report lists the cause of death as a gunshot wound.
Forsyth was reported missing Sunday, May 21 after he failed to show up to work at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, where he had worked for nearly 15 years.
Authorities issued a search, and found his vehicle at a park in Cassville. There were no signs of foul play, but Forsyth’s wallet, two phones and laptop were found in the car.
There has been no indication as to whether the gunshot wound was self-inflicted or if he was shot by someone else.
The Cassville Police Department, Missouri State Police and Benton County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas are coordinating the ongoing investigation.
Missouri Prime Beef Packers in Pleasant Hope has filed an application to dump treated wastewater into the Pomme De Terre river.
The company wants to dump 350 thousand gallons of treated wastewater a day into the river.
The Missouri Department of Natural Recources is giving residents until June 26th to voice their opinions about the proposal.
Missouri Prime Beef is currently releasing it’s wastewater onto the fields, which is DNR officials is not sufficient.
The body of a Cassville emergency room doctor, who has been missing for over a week, has been found.
Dr. John Forsyth was last heard from on May 21st.
His brother, Richard, says authorities called the family Tuesday night to say his brother was found dead in northwest Arkansas.
He provided no other details.
Forsyth failed to show up for his shift at Mercy Hospital in Cassville.
His car was found in a remote area near a park.
His wallet, two phones and laptop were still inside.
No more details have been released.
A man from Springfield will spend several years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a domestic abuse situation.
Prosecutors say Cole Penson pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree domestic assault and three counts of armed criminal action.
Investigators say Penson threatened a woman with a gun at a home in Springfield in November of 2022.
The victim told police he arrived at the home and began beating her. Reports say she was punched numerous times and thrown into various objects until she lost consciousness.
Penson later threatened to shoot and kill her. There was a three-year-old child in the home at the time.
She was taken to the hospital where she gave a statement and informed police of numerous guns in the home.
When investigators searched the house, they found six firearms which were all confiscated.
Penson was sentenced to five years in prison for each charge, to be served concurrently.
A woman is being treated for moderate injuries after a swimming accident over the holiday weekend at Stockton Lake.
The Highway Patrol says Kellie Davidson, 42, jumped from a swim platform, slipped, and hit an anchored boat.
It happened in Crabtree Cove about a mile South of Stockton.
A man from Springfield has been killed in a crash North of Branson.
Highway Patrol Troopers say Bobbie Sullivan was driving Northbound on Highway 65 when he ran off the right side of the road.
Troopers say Sullivan overcorrected, and his vehicle went off the Left side of the road, hit a beam, and flipped. Sullivan was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is updating its Vaccine Opportunities map with new locations and vaccines being made available in the area.
The map, which can be found here, is designed to make getting vaccinated easier for residents, covering more than 20 different diseases.
Some of the vaccines available include:
To view the complete list of services the health department offers, visit vaccine417.com.
An upcoming festival celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in the area is receiving backlash from local legislators.
The Ozarks Pridefest is scheduled for June 10 on Park Central Square in Springfield, featuring a performance from drag queen Crystal Methyd.
Representative Jamie Gragg of Ozarks says the performance is over sexualized, and not appropriate for children.
Activists and organizers of the event assured residents in a social media post over the weekend that the performance will be family-friendly.
Gragg cited a recent performance in Columbia that drew backlash, and shared a quote from Attorney General Andrew Bailey regarding drag shows.
“Drag shows are inherently sexualized performances. They are an outward expression of a desired sexuality and sexual identity. They are intended to draw attention to human sexuality in a manner that appeals to prurient interests.” said Bailey following the performance in Columbia.
Gragg is asking local lawmakers and officials to reconsider allowing the event.