Month: March 2024

All modes of severe weather are possible in the Ozarks on Monday, particularly in the late afternoon into the evening.

The National Weather Service says all of southwest Missouri is under a Level 3 out of 5 “enhanced risk” for severe weather, although there is still some uncertainty in specific timing, locations and hazard types.

The severe hazards expected at this time are hail up to the size of baseballs, 70 mile per hour wind gusts, a few (possibly strong) tornadoes and a conditional threat for flash flooding.

Forecasters say these threat levels may change over the next 24 hours as they get a better understanding of storm mode and evolution.

Areas generally along and east of Highway 65 have the best potential for a significant tornado.

There are low chances of severe thunderstorms beginning as early as Monday morning and early afternoon, which may decrease severe thunderstorm potential later in the day.

93.3 and A-M 560 KWTO will keep you up to date with the latest watches and warnings, as well as damage reports from the National Weather Service and local emergency managers.

Here’s the latest report from the National Weather Service on Monday’s severe weather.

A child abuse case that began in 2017 and included the death of a four-month-old has now ended with a plea deal.

Cheri Benson who used to operate “Books and Blocks” daycare in Rogersville was facing over 30 counts of charges related to child abuse.

As a plea agreement, Benson has been sentenced on 3 of those charges and will serve 120 days in Greene County Jail.

Cheri also will no longer be able to operate a daycare in the future. If Benson violates that clause, she will spend 6 years in jail.

Four people are now facing charges after Fentanyl, Methamphetamine other drug paraphernalia were found in a West Plains hotel room.

Daniel Alderliestien, Julie Nickels, Amy Smith, and Heather Stouffer are each charged with four counts of delivery of a controlled substance after police searched the room.

Each person is currently being held in Howell County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Springfield Public Schools is planning a move for Pipkin Middle School, pretty close to the current location.

District officials say the school will be moving about a quarter-mile to a property owned by General Council of the Assemblies of God between West Division, Lynn, and North Campbell in Springfield.

The move is part of Proposition S, a $220 million bond issue that was passed by voters in 2023 to fund improvements and renovations for several SPS facilities.

According to SPS, the current Pipkin Middle School building has electrical, plumbing, and other infrastructure issues, and requires a new building.

The property is just under 9 acres, and once the district closes on the land, demolition on the current property and the building of the new school can begin.

Pipkin Middle School’s current building opened in 1925.

For several years now, sports betting bills have failed to gain much traction in the Missouri Legislature.

While that remains the case in this session, a new way to legalize sports betting is gaining momentum.

A coalition called Winning for Missouri Education is now leading a petition drive to get a sports betting question on the ballot for Missouri voters in November.

According to Missouri law, the group needs to get 180,000 signatures by May 5th to get this project off the ground. A spokesman for the coalition says they could surpass 250,000 signatures after this weekend.

The Missouri House of Representatives has designated Branson as the Live Entertainment Capitol of Missouri.

A bill sponsored by Taney County Representative Brian Seitz recognized Branson’s contributions to the economy of Missouri has passed with support from both Republicans and Democrats.

The bill has been sent to the State Senate for further approval.

Four people have been arrested after a drug bust at a hotel in West Plains.

The Howell County prosecutor have filed four counts of delivery of a controlled substance charges against three women and one man after West Plains Police executed a search of a hotel room Tuesday night.

They found what they believe to be methamphetamine, fentanyl, used syringes, and other paraphernalia.

One person is in the hospital and an investigation has begun after a fire in Forsyth destroyed a home.

Investigators say the fire started early Wednesday morning, at around 3:00am.

Forsyth Fire Department crews were on scene quickly to battle the flames, which had already engulfed both stories of the house.

They fought the fire for several hours in order to keep it contained.

There has been no word on the extent of the damage to the home, and the cause of the fire is still being determined by Missouri Fire Marshals.

Multiple people were inside the home at the time of the fire, and were able to evacuate. Most were treated at the scene, but one man was taken to Mercy Hospital in Springfield.