Month: February 2024

From discussions on the state of our local and regional economy in 2024, to hiring and retaining quality employees, CEO’s from the restaurant, entertainment, events, banking, floral and legal services industries gathered Thursday for Zimmer Midwest Communications’ 11th CEO Roundtable in Springfield.

The event was held at the KWTO studios on east Chestnut Expressway in Springfield.

A number of our panelists expressed optimism about our local economy, but also uncertainty among local businesses on what the Federal Reserve will do with interest rates.

CEO’s also shared the value of Springfield and Branson as a tourist destination and why this area tends to be more resistant to some of the economic pressures affecting other parts of the state and our country.

Our CEO’s also discussed how to attract and retain quality employees, and how, if any, their hiring and management strategy is adapted to cater to the preferences and values of Generation Z.

Thanks again to these CEO Roundtable panelists for being a part of our lunch discussion Thursday:

Paul Sundy—Big Whiskey’s

Mark Steiner—Gig Salad

Brian Cheever—Clear Creek Golf Car and Utility Vehicles

Michelle Billiones—The Coffee Ethic

Aaron Owen—Ozark Empire Fairgrounds

David Payne—Ozarks Legacy Law

Theresa Suda—RosAmungThorns Flowers and Gifts

Christian Lewis—Simmons Bank

Our next CEO Roundtable will take place in May, 2024.

Deputies with the Wright County Sheriff’s Office say a missing boy is now found and home safe.

The 12-year-old boy went missing Wednesday from the Logan Road area in Hartville.

He was found Wednesday night and returned home.

Information about the situation is limited, included the boy’s identity, why he went missing, and where he was found.

Deputies have only confirmed that he was located and is now safe.

One person is in critical condition after a crash involving a sign, a wall, and another car along Kansas Expressway.

Officers say the crash happened Wednesday, when a car driving southbound on Kansas near I-44 hit the diverging diamond.

According to the report from SPD, the driver approached the area and cut the corner too close, hit a street sign, and then the pedestrian wall.

The car wound up flipping and landing in the northbound lanes of Kansas Expressway, and hit a car that was stopped at the light.

The driver of the vehicle was rushed to a nearby hospital in “critical condition”. The driver of the car that was hit suffered no injuries.

The investigation is still underway, but officers have said impairment may have been the cause of the crash.

The Republican-led Missouri House on Wednesday gave initial approval to a bill that would bar Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood, which is already banned by state law from providing abortions in almost all circumstances.

Republican lawmakers argued no public funding should go to the organization, which offers abortions in other states.

Kindergarten Students in the Springfield Public School System will be getting laptops for classes due to a recent School Board ruling.

The Board voted to approve purchasing 1,800 touchscreen laptops for the students, and 6,700 Chromebooks for students in grades 1-9 to replace some old ones. Total cost of the new tech comes to about 2.4 Million dollars.

Missouri requires students be able to type by 2nd grade, and be “proficient” at writing with technology by grade 4.

Detectives in Greene County are now requesting the public’s help in locating an alleged car thief.

29-year-old Karrie Anne McCoy is facing charges of car theft and three counts of stealing in the area.

Investigators describe her as 5’2″, 145 pounds with blue eyes and pink/purple dyed hair.

They warn that McCoy is known to change her hair color and style, so it may be a different color, and possibly shorter.

She also has two tattoos; the words “beautiful disasters” on her right collarbone, and a flower on her left arm.

Detectives believe McCoy is in the Greene County area, but she also has connections and is known to frequent Taney County.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at (417) 869-8477.

Authorities are searching for missing dogs following a house fire north of Brookline.

Investigators say the first started along Farm Road 140 near I-44 at around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Two people were inside the home at the time of the fire, but were able to escape safely.

Firefighters arrived and battled the flames, and located one of the missing dogs. Several others are still being searched for.

Crews are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. The exact damage to the home has not been released.

Some Statewide Candidates are rushing to the Kirkpatrick Building in Jefferson City today to make their bids for office official, while others await the final day of March 26th.

It’s a big year for elections in Missouri. Races include Senior Senator Josh Hawley’s seat, a heated race for Governor along with several other Statewide seats. In addition, all 163 House Seats and 17 of the 34 Senate seats are also up for grabs