Month: August 2023

A woman from Nixa is facing arson charges for allegedly setting a house on fire with the help of a spicy tortilla chip.

Investigators say 42-year-old Patricia Williams set the house on fire August 11 by pouring gasoline from a soda bottle onto a pile of clothes, then set the tortilla chip on fire and threw it onto the clothes.

Witnesses told police at the scene that she had set the fire, which she later admitted.

Police also found video footage of her buying $2 worth of gasoline at an area gas station.

Williams is charged with first-degree arson. No one was injured in the fire.

Officials in Springfield say the charges against a juvenile have been dropped in connection with a multi-car crash that killed one person last month.

The crash happened the morning of July 22 at the intersection of Kansas and Sunshine, when the juvenile hit a Chevy Malibu driven by Jonathan Wright.

The two cars in the initial crash then hit three other cars at the intersection.

Wright was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say alcohol and speeding played a role in the crash.

The case was dismissed without prejudice, which gives prosecutors the opportunity to collect more evidence and refile the charges at a later time.

The City of Republic is asking residents to conserve water following a well failure in town.

Officials say well No. 3 went out of service following the failure earlier this week.

It’s the city’s second largest water producer.

Crews are working around the clock to repair the device, but it will be unserviceable for approximately the rest of the week.

While the well failure will not effect the quality of the water, officials ask that you limit the amount of clothes washing, dish washing, poll filling and showering/bathing until the well is repaired.

Just a day after Springfield broke a record when the heat index topped 120, the extended period of dangerous heat and humidity continues today, with an excessive heat warning in effect through late Thursday night.

Heat index readings will range from 105 to 120 across Southwest Missouri.

Take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air conditioned building, drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous outdoor activity in the hottest part of the day.

Springfield City Utilities has issued a peak demand warning for this week due to the excessive heat and humidity.

How Can Customers Conserve Energy and Save Money:

 Use a smart thermostat to adjust the setting at night and when no one is home. Keep your home
warmer than normal when you are away.

 Change or clean the filters in the air handler at least twice during the cooling season. On the
outside unit, keep the fins and coils free from leaves, dust and grass clippings and other debris.

 Close drapes and shades during the day to keep out the heat from the sun – especially on the south
and west sides.

 Turn ceiling fans counterclockwise to push cool air down.

 Keep cool air from heading out an exterior door by placing a draft stopper to block gaps at the
threshold, adding weather stripping inside door frames, or attaching a door seal to the bottom of the
door.

 Cook with small appliances. Ovens release heat that makes it harder to keep your home cool. Try
cooking with appliances that use less energy, such as microwaves, crockpots, or an air fryer.

 Replace heat producing incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs.

 Check to make sure your fireplace damper is tightly closed.

Monday was the first day of classes at Missouri State University and they are already setting attendance records.

According to a press release from the University, there were a total of 2, 685 first-time-in-college students.

Last year’s class total was 2,103 first-time-in-college students.

There was a record setting increase in graduate students as well with a total of 4, 288 enrolled.

The number of full-time students enrolled is up 3.3 percent.

Official enrollment numbers will be released near the end of September.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has identified a man killed in a fiery crash on I-44 near Halltown last week.

The Patrol says the victim is 30-year-old Henri Sanchez Rodriquez of Springfield.

His car burst into flame after being struck from behind by another vehicle.

His car had stalled in the passing lane after a previous crash.