Month: July 2023

There are two new lives in Camden County thanks to the work of a father, and a 911 dispatcher, while a woman gave birth at her home.

Sheriff’s Office Communication Officer Amy Hufferd says she received a call at around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning from a man.

The man told Hufferd that his wife had gone into labor at their house, and he was not sure what to do.

She wasted no time, jumping right into action and coaching the father through the birthing process, allowing him and his wife to safely deliver both babies.

Hufferd herself is the mother of twins. She was awarded a Stork lapel pin for her efforts on the call.

First responders arrived at the home shortly after the birth to care for the children.

KWTO will air a live Town Hall panel discussion “The Vicious Cycle of Homelessness in Springfield and Greene County” Wednesday night from 6-7 p.m.

The program will originate from the KWTO studios on east Chestnut Expressway in Springfield.

A variety of agencies who assist or interact with the homeless in our community on a daily basis will be represented by the following panelists:

Casey Merrick—Director of Men’s Discipleship—Freeway Ministries

Jason Hynson—Executive Director—Springfield Victory Mission

Chris Brumett—Director of Social Services—The Salvation Army

Jim Arnott—Greene County Sheriff

Our panelists will address various aspects of the homeless crisis, such as what’s being done to help the unsheltered in our community? Are we doing enough? And how does our community suffer when desperation sets in?

KWTO News Director Don Louzader will moderate the panel discussion.

A new ordinance moved forward in the City of Branson aimed at restricting where drag shows can be performed.

The ordinance would not allow drag shows to be performed at all within 600 feet of a church, school, or park, and the windows of the venue would have to be covered or blacked out to obstruct the view of passersby.

The ordinance was opened to public comment before being moved forward, with many noting that Branson is a family friendly destination, and concerns were raised that allowing drag shows at all could potentially stain that reputation. Others in favor of drag shows asked the city to “get over their fear” of the shows, and noted that Springfield would benefit from the increased drag show traffic if Branson further restricted them.

The Springfield Police Department is purchasing some equipment to help combat speeding on the city’s streets.

Chief Paul Williams says the Department is purchasing 2 drones to help with pursuits.

He says the drones will be used in pursuing reckless motorcyclists when it would be unsafe for a police cruiser.

Chief Williams says the drones were purchased with money allowed in the 2024 Fiscal Year budget.

A man from Springfield is in custody for allegedly breaking into a couples home and stand over them in their bed completely nude.

Investigators say 41-year-old Gene Ferguson broke into the home via an unlocked door in the Delaware neighborhood late Sunday night.

The homeowners were woken up by Ferguson, who was standing over them in the bed naked.

Authorities were called to the scene shortly after, and Ferguson fled the home. He was later arrested still in the Delaware neighborhood.

According to prosecutors, he was arrested and sentenced to probation in 2019 for a similar crime, breaking into a woman’s home and getting in bed with her.

Ferguson is charged with burglary and sexual abuse. He is being held in the Greene County Jail.

Thieves have targeted a storage facility in North Springfield.

Police say thieves have broken into Golden Hills Mini Storage in North Springfield several times, most recently early Monday Morning.

The thieves are cutting into the units and prying them open.

The owner has installed more security cameras, lights, and motion detectors.

Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams says implementing a Department of Justice program is helping reduce crime at hot spots around the city.

The program is a data-driven approach to crime and traffic safety.

Williams says police have identified Kearney and Kansas, Kearney and Glenstone, Glenstone at Sunshine, and Sunshine at Kansas as hot spots for crime and traffic incidents.

The Chief says extra patrols have reduced violent crime in those areas.