Month: August 2023

A woman from Branson is recovering after she was stabbed by her own son.

Investigators say the man and his mother got into a dispute at the Penleigh Apartment Friday morning.

When officers arrived, they found the woman was a stab wound in her arm. She was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police and K9 units tracked the suspect to a wooded area, where he was apprehended.

The names of the victim and suspect, as well as the motive behind the stabbing, has not been released.

The City of Republic has canceled the water conservation order.

The city said the workers have repaired Well #3 faster than expected.

They also thank the citizens of Republic for their conservation effort.

They say that the city’s water usage has been reduced by 20 per cent over the last 2 days.

A man from Springfield will spend several years in prison for stealing two separate cars, crashing one of them, fleeing the scene and leading police on a car chase.

Ervin Joy was sentenced to seven years in prison for the following charges:

• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Hijacking
• Tampering
• Unlawful possession of a weapon
• Resisting arrest

Investigators say he stole a car on June 13 of this year, which he crashed following a short pursuit at the intersection of Kansas and Calhoun in Springfield.

Joy left the vehicle, tracked down a Chevy Silverado and forced the driver out of the car before stealing it.

A 20-minute pursuit began following the second theft before he exited the vehicle at Wabash and Division. He was arrested shortly after.

From the real estate industry to banking, fast food and small business, CEO’s from several different companies joined KWTO News Director Don Louzader Thursday for our ninth CEO Roundtable.

The group gathered in a luncheon held at our KWTO studios in Springfield.

Our CEO’s had an open and frank discussion about the effect of the national economy on local businesses, including inflation and interest rates.

We discussed how our business community can work together to create and maximize opportunities for local businesses to grow.

Our panel also addressed the problem of illegal drugs and crime in Springfield and how it negatively impacts our downtown and other areas.

The business leaders also shared their ideas on attracting and retaining talent, and what role company culture plays in keeping good workers.

Thanks to the following individuals for being a part of our discussion, which will continue through Town Hall meetings hosted by the radio station, along with interviews on Wake-Up Springfield, the Elijah Haahr Show, and Watching the Ozarks.

Keith Noble—President of Commerce Bank

Jeff Childs—-Senior Advisor of Rankin Company

Kelle Rathe—J.L. Long Traders

Daphne Stewart—McDonald’s

Railroad crossings in Greene County will be closed for upgrades.

BNSF railroad is making improvements to railroad crossings between Springfield and Lamar starting next week.

Some of the crossings may be closed for a total of two days. Most are on farm roads.

The upgrades are expected to be finished by September 4th.

The third inmate in three weeks has died at the men’s prison in Licking.

The Texas County coroner confirms an inmate died Tuesday at the South Central Correctional Center.

The Missouri Department of Corrections says 46-year-old Michael Hudson was serving multiple life sentences for first-degree murder and other convictions.

An autopsy will be conducted Thursday.

A Camden County Deputy has been fired after a child pornography investigation.

Sheriff Tony Helm says the sheriff’s office received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding someone in Camden County uploading child pornography.

After an investigation by the sheriff’s department and the Lake Area Cyber Crimes Task Force, it was found that the suspect was a Camden County deputy.

The deputy was terminated. The deputy’s name has not been released.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is in Springfield this week for a court hearing calling for the reversal of the gender-affirming care ban in the state.

The lawsuit was filed by three Missouri families and two separate LGBTQ+ organizations earlier this year, arguing it discriminates against transgender people.

AG Bailey says the lawsuit is not discriminatory because it applies equally to “both boys and girls.”

Hearings in the case began Wednesday, with the judges decision expected be handed down by Monday.

The oppressive heat is now expected to continue through the end of the week.

The National Weather Service has extended the excessive heat warning for Southwest Missouri through 10 pm Friday night. Forecasters say the heat index readings will range from 105-115.

A pattern change is expected to bring cooler temps to the area, with highs in the mid 80’s by Sunday.