Month: April 2024

The Springfield Police Department is hosting an open house for those interested in career opportunities.

The event will take place Saturday from 10 AM to noon at the Police & Fire Training Center at 2620 W. Battlefield.

Springfield Police say the goal of the event is to connect with those interested in joining the department by providing career information.

The City of Willard has appointed a new city administrator.

Wesley Young has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas and is a member of MENSA and the International City/Council Management Association.

He has spent over 20 years in public service.

Here is the complete news release:

The City of Willard is pleased to announce the appointment of Wesley Young as the new City Administrator. With an extensive history in public service and a proven track record of effective leadership, Young brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his new role. As City Administrator, Young will oversee the day-to-day operations of the city, working closely with elected officials, department heads, and community stakeholders to advance the city’s goals and priorities.

“I am excited that after just a few months of actively seeking candidates for the position of permanent city administrator, we have successfully located and hired a candidate that meets all of our requirements and then some. Mr. Young is just the right person to help Willard maintain the stability we’ve reestablished over the last few months,” said Mayor Sam Baird. “He’ll keep the city moving forward in a positive direction. I couldn’t be more pleased.” 

Young’s career in public service spans over 20 years, during which he has held various leadership positions in local government. His expertise in strategic planning, budget management, and community engagement will be invaluable as Willard continues to grow and evolve.

“I am thrilled with the capability that Wesley is going to bring to our community and am looking forward to watching what he does. He has accomplished fantastic things in his prior roles, and I know that Willard is going to benefit from his knowledge and experience, not to mention his leadership ability!”

said Alderman Casey Biellier “I can’t wait to see where we go following his direction.”

Further comments from the board included:

“He brings a fresh perspective and competency to the position of City Administrator. He is a very articulate and intelligent individual who will bring new ideas and policies to the city of Willard. He has already implemented innovative and creative problem-solving methods in prior positions and will no doubt lead Willard through our next evolution of growth.” Alderman Troy Smith

           “Wesley is an innovative thinker that brings experience in infrastructure, economic development, and municipal utilities.  I believe he will help grow and unite our community.  I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the work and time Interim City Administrator Stewart invested in helping to find a full time CA for Willard.” Alderman Joyce Lancaster

Young holds a master’s in public administration from the University of Arkansas, and he is a member of several professional organizations, including the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and MENSA. He received several meritorious awards while working for the state of Arkansas. He has a strong background in personnel management and efficiency improvements.

Mr. Young issued the following statement:

“As I prepare to assume my responsibilities as City Administrator, I am inspired by the potential for positive change and meaningful impact that lies ahead. My commitment to excellence and my decades-long passion for public service will guide me in fulfilling my duties and responsibilities to the best of my abilities. I am eager to collaborate with community stakeholders, city staff, and elected officials to address the challenges and opportunities facing Willard and to ensure that it remains a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Please join us in welcoming Wesley Young to the City of Willard. His passion for public service and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and prosperity of the Willard area.

City Utilities of Springfield CEO Gary Gibson is announcing his retirement.

Gibson has been the President and CEO of City Utilities since 2019.

He says he will retire in February 2025.

Gibson began his career at C-U in 1990.

Here is the news release from Springfield City Utilities:

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Gary Gibson, President – CEO of City Utilities of Springfield, today announced his plan to retire in early 2025. Gibson has led City Utilities as its top executive since 2019 and his last day at the utility will be in February 2025.  During his tenure, City Utilities achieved many goals including completion of the Fiber Expansion Project making Springfield a Gigabit City, securing grant funding of over 60 million dollars for infrastructure improvements, the retirement of James River Power Station and completion of phase one of the Lake Springfield Plan study. Gibson also led the Utility through 3 historic winter storms. Throughout his tenure, Gibson has strongly focused on community involvement and economic development.

“It has been an honor to have worked with such an outstanding group of people and community. Leading the talented employees of City Utilities has been the most enjoyable and gratifying time of my professional career, which has made the decision to retire very difficult,” Gibson said. “Over the past 34 years, I have loved seeing how CU’s leadership and bold vision has been at the forefront of advancing the quality of life in our community in so many ways.”

“Garys leadership and vision for the utility and our community has been a guiding force that has led the utility to be a premiere public utility,” said Kristin Carter, Chair of the Board of Public Utilities. “Since 2019, our community and utility has weathered many storms and challenges that we came away from stronger because of his leadership.”

In 1990, as a student at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Gibson joined City Utilities as an Engineering Co-op and has held numerous leadership roles at CU and with many utility industry organizations during his 34-year career.

In the coming months, the Board of Public Utilities will establish a committee and begin the search process for a new leader.

Springfield Mayor Ken McClure issued a proclamation Tuesday to make April 23rd “Kenny DeForest Day” after the Springfield-native comedian who passed away after being struck by a car while riding his bike last December.

DeForest was a nationally known comedian making many appearances on talk shows, and comedy specials. A comedy festival called “DeForest” in his honor is occurring this weekend.

April 23rd was Kenny DeForest’s Birthday.

A man from West Plains will spend over two years in prison for an usual type of theft… trees.

40-year-old Justin Massey admitted to illegally cutting down close to ten trees inside Mark Twain National Forest between December of 2020 and January of 2021 and then took the trees to a local sawmill.

He pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property in July of 2023.

The estimated damage of the stolen trees led to a restitution of $30,000, which he will pay back to the U.S. Forest Service.

Massey will also forfeit another $30,000 to the government, and spend two and a half years in federal prison. He will not be eligible for parole.

Laclede County was without 9-1-1 services Tuesday afternoon.

The Laclede County Sheriff’s Office says recent lightning strikes wiped out the 9-1-1 lines, dispatch lines and sheriff’s office and Lebanon Police Department phone lines.

Technicians worked to repair the lines.

The sheriff’s office said it was restored just after 9 PM.

Two suspects from Illinois are in custody after a chase on Highway 65 that ended in Highlandville.

Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole says his deputies spotted a wanted vehicle and tried to pull the driver over.

The driver sped away and the deputies followed in pursuit.

The suspect turned onto an outer road that was a dead end.

The driver and his female passenger were arrested.

Sheriff Cole says they were wanted for shooting a police officer in Illinois.

The Christian County Commission has voted to not allow a battery storage facility to be built in the county.

Black Mountain Energy Storage out of Texas wanted to build the facility near a substation off of Old Prospect Road in Ozark.

Company officials say the facility would have provided backup power in emergencies, and balance the power grid.

County Commissioner Bradley Jackson says there’s not enough data on such facilities to ensure public safety.

Investigators in Stone County are trying to determine how, and why, a man was killed near Crane.

Sheriff’s deputies say a 50-year-old man, who’s identity has not been made public, was discovered along Elm Springs Road, just off Highway 413 at around 7:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Reports are he was shot and killed by a shotgun.

Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader says a woman was arrested near Verona County in connection with the death and was transported back to Stone County.