Month: June 2024

Springfield Police and Springfield Public Schools are investigating after a loaded gun was found in the backpack of a student at Mallory Early Childhood Center.

Principal Melissa Knetzer said in a statement that a member of the staff at the school located the gun in the backpack of a three-year-old student.

That staff member immediately secured the weapon and contacted school police.

Authorities say the child did not know the gun was in the backpack.

The gun was never discharged, and no injuries occurred with the incident.

As Missouri State University begins its search for a new athletic director, school officials are taking steps to get the process started.

On Wednesday, MSU Athletics announced that Senior Associate Director of Athletics Casey Hunt has been named as the interim AD for the school.

Likewise, incoming President Biff Williams named Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement, to be the chair of the search committee.

It will be Dunn’s responsibly to vet and review any potential candidates, as MSU prepares for a nationwide search to replace outgoing Athletic Director Kyle Moats.

Moats had his introductory press conference at Eastern Kentucky University Wednesday morning as he accepted their opening for the athletic director position.

President Williams hopes that a new AD will be finalized at the university within 6-8 weeks.

A man from Morgan County was killed in an A-T-V accident in Laclede County.

The Highway Patrol says an A-T-V driven by 66-year-old Mark Wand of Barnett overturned when he overcorrected after crossing the centerline of Ottawa Drive near Lebanon.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Springfield Police are confirming that one man is dead following a car crash in Springfield Tuesday morning.

Investigators say 61-year-old Charles Crowder was driving his vehicle along westbound Chestnut Expressway near the Cedarbrook Avenue intersection when a car travelling south at the intersection crashed into his car.

The initial crash caused Crowder’s vehicle to go off the road and hit a utility pole.

He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

The investigation into the crash is still underway. Anyone with information is asked to contact SPD (417) 864-1810.

Voters in Willard will go to the polls June 18th to elect their next Mayor.

In the April election, Sam Snider and Troy Smith tied for the seat with 349 votes a piece.

Smith says he spent the last two months holding several events to connect and build relationships with voters.

Snider claims he has been meeting voters on a one-on-one basis in order to emphasize what he’s already done for the city during his time as Mayor.

A man from Springfield is now in custody and is facing charges for an alleged attempted carjacking.

Investigators say 21-year-old Parker Smith was in the parking lot of the Braum’s location on West Republic May 16 when he approached a vehicle with a bandana covering his face.

The victim told police he came up to the driver’s side door and started pulling on the handle and demanding she open the door.

She said he had a gun in his hand, and at one point aimed it at her to try and scare her into letting him in the car.

It was at that point, authorities say, the victim began honking the horn of her car to draw people’s attention, which caused Smith to flee the scene.

Springfield Police released photos of the incident on June 4, and tips and witnesses were able to confirm it was Smith, who was arrested by SPD on June 7.

Officers say he had a previous criminal record, which included multiple pharmacy burglaries in 2021 and 2022, and that he was on probation at the time of the attempted carjacking.

Smith is charged with vehicle carjacking with a deadly weapon, first-degree attempted robbery, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

A man has been arrested and charged in a carjacking at a fast-food restaurant last month.

Court records say 21-year-old Parker Smith of Springfield is charged with hijacking a vehicle, attempted robbery, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Springfield Police circulated photos of the suspect from a security camera.

Seven people contacted Springfield Police and identified Smith as the carjacker.

He is being held in the Greene County Jail without bond.

Authorities have released the name of a woman killed in a crash in Republic last week.

Police say 34-year-old Lori Durham of Republic was killed when her vehicle struck a trash truck near State Highway M-M and Sawyer Road.

The accident is still under investigation.