Outdoor Guide: Easy trails to a dozen waterfalls around the Ozarks
Oh, the fickleness of an Ozarks spring: hot and sunny one day, stormy the next. But those showers are welcome by waterfall chasers.
state budget
State budget includes funding for health care alliance, Springfield Art Museum, Landers Theatre
The budget awaiting Gov. Mike Parson’s approval — or veto — include $727.5 million for improvements to Interstate 44, long-sought dollars for LeCompte Road, $15 million between the Springfield Art Museum and the Landers Theatre, and $2 million for a nonprofit-owned firing range for Greene County deputies.
Springfield man sentenced to 30 years for raping young girl
Gregory Crumm, 41, was found guilty in February of first-degree rape, first-degree statutory rape, first-degree sodomy, first-degree statutory sodomy and the class C felony of…
Scranton: Legendary Missouri State coach Keith Guttin trying to keep focus on his players as he prepares for final home game
Stories will be told on Saturday after Keith Guttin coaches his final home game in 42 seasons as Missouri State’s head baseball coach.
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BUSINESS
Sorry, Springfield, those White Castle dreams aren’t real
A picture that became quite popular on social media over the weekend built up hopes that a White Castle was being constructed on South Campbell Avenue.
Pokin Around: A short history of Hammons Tower, aka ‘Darth Vader Tower’ and now ‘Hammy T.’
I looked at the black monolith that dominates Springfield’s skyline and thought, yes, this is exactly where Darth Vader would reside if he lived in Springfield.
Citizen of the Year: ‘Deamber always has a smile on her face’
The Springfield Daily Citizen honored Deamber Brand and her efforts with the inaugural Citizen of the Year Award
Authentic and popular Corner 21 to open second Springfield restaurant
Jiapeng Lu said Corner 21’s popularity was a pleasant surprise. It was a gamble to open a Chinese restaurant that serves traditional plates in Springfield.
SCHOOLS & CHILDREN
Former Nixa Public Schools paraprofessional charged with sexual contact with student
Chelsea Paige Harper, 34, is charged with six counts of the class D felony of second-degree statutory rape and three counts of the class E felony of sexual contact with a student.
‘I have not been a good man:’ Springfield man sentenced to 15 years for child pornography
Joshua E. Wood, 46, pleaded guilty to receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material. He was convicted of a similar charge in 2018.
Read our 2022 Child Care Crisis series produced in collaboration with KY3 News.
GOVERNMENT
Springfield/Greene co.
Three Greene County residents indicted in cocaine conspiracy
Mario Jose Castillo, 55, of Springfield; Christhian Eduardo Cruz-Pineda, 22, a citizen of Honduras residing in Springfield; Johnathan David Emerson, 47, a resident of Willard; were charged in a 10-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
christian county
Man allegedly steals Audi off showroom floor, calls 911 to report himself before driving off
A man was arrested Sunday for allegedly breaking into Audi/BMW Springfield and stealing a $67,750 car from the showroom — but not without first using a phone in the dealership to try to call 911 to report himself.
elections
More than 380,000 Missourians sign initiative petition to put abortion on the ballot
Missourians for Constitutional Freedom hopes to put on the November ballot a measure that would legalize abortion up to the point of fetal viability.
public safety
Future projects on Highway 13 could improve safety for Springfield drivers
Before any asphalt is poured of earth is turned, all construction projects conducted by MoDOT go through the scoping and planning process.
Steve Pokin — Columnist
Steve Pokin writes the Pokin Around and The Answer Man columns for the Springfield Daily Citizen. He also writes about criminal justice issues.
latest columns
Answer Man: My house built in 1902 makes strange noises at night
To track the history of a house built prior to 1947, you need what I’ll call a Springfield Address De-Coder Ring.
Answer Man: He reads fine print on privacy disclosure; wonders why insurer wants info on sense of smell
It seems like the question is: What’s the connection between homeowner’s insurance and one’s ability to smell?
Answer Man: The stars are not out tonight outside Landers Theatre. Where’d they go?
Answer Man: I was thinking about Springfield Little Theatre. They used to have stars in the concrete in front of the theater to honor donors and volunteers. My parents Richard and Margaret Erb used to volunteer at the theater…
Answer Man: Where did the globe sculpture on Kearney Street go?
The metal globe of six of the seven continents — Antarctica is missing — was part of the April 18 move of the central office of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International World Mission Center from Kearney Street to 4100…
SPRINGFIELD CULTURE
Springfield’s oldest tavern transforms into Korean culinary pop-up
The pop-up is a switch-up for Springfield’s oldest tavern with a list of traditions as long as its history. In the late-1800s, the building where the bar stands got its start as a brothel.
Brunch might be nice, but it’s not the only way to celebrate Mother’s Day in Springfield
Brunches and lunches are popular Mother’s Day activities, but they aren’t the only ways to celebrate the mothers in your life.
OTHER SPRINGFIELD NEWS
state gov’t/politics
sports
Read the series about MSU basketball — Bears Insider: A promising season goes awry
VOICES
Opinion: Former foster youth, and now young mothers, serve as beacons of hope and inspiration
As May marks Foster Care Awareness Month, the stories of Madysen and Chainee serve as beacons of hope and inspiration, especially since it coincides with Mother’s Day.
Letter: Voters should oust Steve Makoski for supporting paddling in school
There is a preponderance of evidence apparent in even a cursory review of the available research over the last 50 years describing the destructive impact of corporal punishment on children.
Opinion: Really, no regrets? Well, I’ve had a few
When Henry Kissinger passed away November 30, 2023, news organizations ran interviews he gave late in his life. When asked if he would change anything in his life, Kissinger said he wouldn’t. He’s not the first I have heard say that, only the most recent. Many others — mostly successful, high-profile individuals — have responded…
Opinion: Forgiveness may be key to civil neighbor relationships
Forgiveness can be a powerful tool for fostering understanding, empathy, and peaceful coexistence.
SPEcial report: living in fear
Living in Fear: Breadth and terror of domestic violence is everyday occurrence in Greene County
Domestic violence is a black eye for Springfield and Greene County. It affects thousands of lives here every year — yet a major obstacle to addressing it is that many people still don’t believe it’s widespread or much of an issue.
Living in Fear: Laws protecting rights for both parents put domestic violence victims in a bind
When Missouri legislators changed family law in 2016 to prioritize co-parenting and focus on “frequent, continuing and meaningful contact” by both parents, critics say they opened a door that gives hardcore abusers the opportunity to continue the cycle of domestic violence.
Living in Fear: Batterers often sent to class, but no one knows if it reduces domestic violence
People found guilty of domestic assault in Greene County often are placed on probation with one of the conditions being they attend a batterers intervention class instead of going to jail or prison. Yet, no one in Greene County has compiled hard data that could determine if these programs actually reduce domestic violence.
9 ways to help those who are Living in Fear
Several changes in state law, better use of existing laws and stronger efforts to enforce potential federal penalties against abusers are among the top nine solutions offered in the course of interviews with 55 sources contacted by the Springfield Daily Citizen in its six-month investigation into domestic violence.