Month: April 2024

As an ongoing trend of vandalism and attempted thefts of vehicles continues in Springfield, officers are offering a potential solution for owners of two different car brands.

SPD is now making wheel locks available for residents in the community who own Kia or Hyundai model cars, which have been among the most affected by the recent incidents.

The locks are free for the following makes and models:

Kia

• 2011-2021 Forte
• 2021-2022 K5
• 2011-2020 Optima
• 2011-2021 Rio
• 2011-2021 Sedona
• 2021-2022 Seltos
• 2010-2022 Soul
• 2011-2022 Sorento
• 2011-2022 Sportage

Hyundai

• 2011-2022 Accent
• 2011-2022 Elantra
• 2013-2017 Elantra GT
• 2013-2014 Elantra Coupe
• 2011-2012 Elantra Touring
• 2011-2014 Genesis Coupe
• 2018-2022 Kona
• 2020-2021 Palisade
• 2011-2012, 2019-2022 Santa Fe
• 2013-2018, 2019 Santa Fe; Santa Fe XL
• 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
• 2011-2019 Sonata
• 2011-2022 Tucson
• 2012-2017, 2019-2021 Veloster
• 2020-2021 Venue
• 2011-2012 Veracruz

If you own a vehicle that qualifies, you can pick up your free lock at the Springfield Police Department Headquarters at 321 E. Chestnut Expressway with proof of ownership from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

A man has plead guilty to trafficking fentanyl and illegal firearms.

34-year-old Tonikko Fewell of Republic pleaded guilty before a federal judge to two counts of possessing and intending to distribute fentanyl, one count of possessing a firearm to further drug-trafficking and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Fewell could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life without parole.

Fort Leonard Wood is changing its gate policy.

Beginning May 6, the South gate to the Fort will now be open 24 – 7 and the West gate will be open from 4 am to 9 pm daily.

This comes after a 60-day assessment of gate operations, in which the Garrison team listened to concerns from personnel and analyzed new technology to reduce military manpower but still maintain safety and security.

A former pharmacist from Kansas City convicted of diluting the chemotherapy drugs for more that 4,000 patients more than 20 years ago is getting out of prison this summer, and will be living in Springfield.

On April 8th the Federal Bureau of Prisons sent an email to families of Robert Courtney’s victims, saying Courtney would be transferred to a halfway house in Springfield on June 20th.

Nine days later the DOJ sent another email saying Courtney, who is now 71, will be transferred from the halfway house to home confinement.

Many of Courtney’s victims are outraged, and demanding new charges.

Police in Republic are asking for the public’s help finding vandals that damaged several vehicles over the weekend.

Officers have detained one suspect and while others have been identified, several remain at large.

Anyone affected by the vandalism or who has some footage of the alleged vandals are being asked to file a police report.

Police have confirmed the suspects are minors

Springfield Police are holding two people in custody, and are searching for a third suspect after a report of shots fired in north Springfield.

Investigators say the call came in along Yates Street near the Division Street intersection Sunday morning.

A neighbor in the area said he saw a group of people get into an altercation and then heard two separate rounds of shots go off.

Three suspects were seen in a vehicle firing off shots when police arrived, then fled the scene.

The car was eventually stopped, and the suspects attempted to flee on foot. Two of the three suspects were apprehended, and officers continue searching for the third.

SPD has said there is no threat to the general public, and that the suspects knew each other. There have been no reports of any injuries with the case so far.

One person is in serious condition after they were hit by a car while walking in Springfield.

Details are limited, but investigators say the incident happened at the intersection of North Franklin Avenue and High Street early Monday morning.

The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital while the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene.

Officials have not released the identity of the driver or the pedestrian at this time.

The Well Aquatic Center is a non-profit in Springfield that hopes to build an Olympic-sized pool and diving pool near the Betty and Bobby Allison Sports Town.

Laura Gott is the President of the group, and says there is a need for such a facility in Springfield.

The estimated cost of the Aquatic Center is about 35 million dollars. Gott believes a partnership of public and private funds can make the center a reality.

Due to a decrease in demand for boats and boating products, Bass Pro Shops is eliminating 85 jobs at the Tracker Boats plant in Lebanon.

Spokespeople for the company said it is an unfortunate consequence of the declining need, but they do not anticipate any further layoffs for the time being.

Some 900 people are employed by the plant, located at 1500 Maple Lane, just off Highway 44.

A statement from Bass Pro Shops on the announced layoffs can be found below:

Today, we undertook the difficult task of reducing 85 jobs in our Lebanon plant. Similar to others in the marine industry, we needed to make adjustments to our operations in response to the current soft demand for marine products and the overall economic climate.

We are grateful for the contributions of these team members and will be supporting them through this transition. Following this change, we will continue to employ nearly 900 skilled craftsmen and women in the Lebanon community.

As the leader in the marine industry, we have strived to deliver unmatched value and performance to our customers and believe that because of this, we have been less impacted than many others in our industry.

Bass Pro Communications