Month: November 2025

Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller says there will probably be a low turnout of 3-5% in today’s special election in Springfield.

The election seeks voter approval for a 3% tax increase on hotels, motels, and short-term rentals to boost travel and tourism, which includes funding for a regional convention center.

This measure is the sole item on Greene County ballots, with non-city residents not participating in the vote.

You can get the election results here:  https://vote.greenecountymo.gov/elections/

A major project is underway to upgrade a dangerous 4-mile section of U.S. 60 through Webster County.

MoDOT contractors have begun work to improve traffic flow and safety on a stretch of highway between Fordland and Diggins.

The construction will result in elimination of multiple intersections and upgrading portions of U.S. 60 to full freeway status.

The segment has been a particular concern for motorists and officials for decades, mainly due to its multiple crossover intersections and the busy BNSF rail line that follows the highway and crosses several adjoining roads.

Several fatal crashes have occurred in that section, including collisions between vehicles, vehicles and Amish buggies, and vehicles and trains due to the adjoining roads.

Construction work has been ramping up in recent weeks, and drivers will encounter a work zone until December 2027 when the project is set to finish.

Route A will be permanently closed at U.S. 60 as a part of the project starting November 10. Traffic for that route will be detoured to Route O and a new North Outer Road until the interchange is completed.

Photo courtesy of MoDOT.

The Springfield City Utilities will offer support to residents affected by challenges with the SNAP due to the federal government shutdown.

Customers can reach out to CU to explore available assistance options at 417-863-9000.

Tuesday is election day in the Ozarks.

The biggest issue is for those in the Springfield city limits and has to do with increasing the Springfield hotel/motel tax to fund a new convention center.

Nixa and Cassville are voting on issues regarding fire districts.

Voters in Bolivar will be voting on a franchise agreement with Southwest Electric Cooperative.   

Behavioral health care provider Brightli officially completed its merger with Nashville, Tennessee-based Centerstone today.

The combined organization will serve about 250,000 people annually, and Centerstone will be the largest nonprofit provider of mental health and substance use disorder care across the U.S.

David Guth, Jr., CEO of Centerstone, says that the completion stage helps Centerstone team members put aside the “maybe” aspects of the merger and move forward with a mission to make behavioral health care more accessible and powerful than it has ever been.

“These are two very well-known, well-respected organizations in our space,” Guth said. “We still feel that we’ve been under-scaled for the opportunities that sit in front of behavioral health today.”  

Former Brightli CEO Dr. C.J. Davis is the CEO-elect of Centerstone, meaning that he will become CEO of Centerstone after Guth’s planned retirement in 2027.

“What makes this merger historic isn’t just the scale; it’s the opportunity to reach more people, invest in innovation and ensure no one faces behavioral health challenges alone,” Davis said. “Together, we are building a future where access, quality and compassion define behavioral health care in this country.”

Davis stresses there will be no disruption to patient care resulting from the merger. Over the next 14 months, Brightli subsidiaries Burrell Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare, Places for People, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, Adult & Child Health, Clarity Healthcare and Comprehensive Mental Health Systems will rebrand and start doing business under the Centerstone name.

“The service, that personal touch that local administration over local care will remain unchanged,” Davis said. “Providing care that’s convenient has to be the central focus of our partnership. Our clients need convenience; they need seamless, coordinated care.  Addressing the access challenges will be important.”

Centerstone has more than 360 outpatient, inpatient and residential locations across nine states, and has clinical staff serving the mental health needs of students in more than 1,500 K-12 schools across the nation.

They also maintain a network of more than 2,000 clinical providers to meet the needs of U.S. veterans and military families.

Executives from Centerstone and Brightli also raised a Centerstone flag on one of the flagpoles at the former Brightli Administrative Campus on West Battlefield Road earlier today, confirming the completed merger agreement.

Photo courtesy of Director of Media Relations at Burrell Behavioral Health.