Latest news with #MartaMieze
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield is reopening the police lobby on Battlefield Road after 5 years. What to know
The Springfield police station on the south side of town will reopen to the public after more than five years. The lobby at South District Station at 2620 W. Battlefield Road will reopen to the public starting June 2, according to a news release from the Springfield Police Department. Cris Swaters, SPD chief spokesperson, said the station has remained closed to the public since March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. She said the station is now reopening due to staffing improvements among non-sworn, police service representative staff. The lobby will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. The lobby at police headquarters at 321 E. Chestnut Expressway will continue to be open Monday through Friday 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. SPD also announced the extension of telephone reporting hours. Citizens can make reports by phone by calling 417-864-1810, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A report for certain situations can also be made online on the SPD website. More: With 60 budgeted positions vacant, Springfield police are reallocating unused salaries Online reporting is available for: forgery, fraudulent use of a credit device, graffiti, harassment, identity theft, lost property, past disturbance, stealing, stealing from a vehicle, vandalism, and as a supplement to filed reports. In an emergency or for immediate assistance, citizens should still call 911. Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@ This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield police reopen southside lobby, extend phone report hours
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hundreds of wildfires sparked by dry conditions, high wind across Missouri last week
Ahead of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes at the end of last week, the lack of rain and high winds created the perfect conditions for wildfires across the state. In all, agencies from around Missouri responded to 224 wildfires covering more than 15,500 acres, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. While the fires occurred between March 10-16, most were reported on Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14, MDC said in a release. No injuries or deaths resulted from the wildfires, though more than 20 homes and numerous vehicles and outbuildings were lost to the flames. More than 90 specially trained MDC staff responded to 83 of the wildfires, covering nearly 9,000 acres. In southwest Missouri counties, nine wildfires were reported, including one that covered 75 acres on Comstock Prairie Conservation Area in Barton County, with the rest on private land. MDC also assisted the U.S. Forest Service fighting a 173-acre fire burning part of its Seligman Hollow area. In the Ozark region, MDC staff fought 19 fires covering almost 1,500 acres, including nearly 300 acres of conservation lands. "MDC reported that extreme weather conditions had one of its teams fighting a fire one minute and then taking shelter in a Dent County homeowner's basement for a tornado warning the next," the release stated. Regionally, central Missouri saw the most fires, with 42 recorded in the Camdenton area with a total of 6,086 acres burned, including 761 acres on Granny's Acres Conservation Area in Benton County. More than 30 MDC staff responded. These fires have been extinguished but, per the National Weather Service, much of the state remained under a Red Flag Warning on Wednesday, with wind gusts expected up to 55 miles per hour and low relative humidity. This means conditions are ideal for wildfire ignitions and rapid spread, so outdoor activities that involve sparks or open flames should be avoided. Fire danger conditions will continue through the end of the week with significant fire risk expected on Friday as well, according to the NWS. More: 12 people dead, severe damage across Missouri after Friday tornadoes, storms Some fires are started by vandals. To report information related to a possible crime, MDC encourages calling Operation Forest Arson at 800-392-1111. Callers will remain anonymous and rewards are possible. According to the release, MDC supports about 700 rural small-town, mostly volunteer fire departments by providing thousands of dollars in annual grants that help purchase personal protective gear and firefighting equipment. The money is used on everything from radios to chainsaws, hoses and hand tools. Funding from the program is provided by MDC and the U.S. Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance Program. Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@ This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri firefighters fought over 200 wildfires during high winds
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Walnut Street Bridge will be replaced starting Monday. What to expect
The bridge running over Jordan Creek on Walnut Street is set to be replaced, with work starting Monday. The bridge, just east of Kansas Expressway, will close for one week to allow for preliminary work, according to a city news release. It will open temporarily before a full closure in early April. Once fully closed, it will remain so for the duration of the project, expected to last until the fall. Drivers will be encouraged to use detours around the work zone using College Street, Grant Avenue and Mt. Vernon Street. The replacement was prompted by a Missouri Department of Transportation condition inspection, according to the release. More than just replacing the bridge, the construction project will also include a multi-use path on and beneath the bridge to enhance trail connectivity. The project will also improve safety, traffic flow and creek flood capacity. Please enable Javascript to view this content. In total, the project is estimated to cost $3.2 million. Most of this is funded through the Off-System Bridge Program funds, with a 20% local match from sales taxes. Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@ This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Closures begin for Walnut Street bridge replacement in Springfield
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Friday event aims to gather input for constitutional amendment protecting voter voices
A statewide coalition is hosting an event Friday in Springfield to gather input about a new constitutional amendment aimed at protecting voting power. The event is organized by the Respect MO Voters Coalition, a newly formed, cross-partisan organization working to use the ballot initiative process to safeguard voters' choices from being undermined by politicians. It is one of 25 scheduled events to be held across the state, according to a news release from the coalition. The interactive town hall is set to take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave. Through the event, citizen feedback will be gathered to shape a statewide campaign for a constitutional amendment in the next state election cycle. "The amendment will ban Missouri politicians from undermining citizen initiatives, including banning politicians from placing biased language on the ballot," the release stated. Missouri lawmakers have a long tradition of attempting to alter citizen initiatives. In 2020, when Missourians voted to expand Medicaid coverage, lawmakers refused to fund it until the Missouri Supreme Court ruled they had to. More recently, voters approved Proposition A, requiring paid sick leave and increases to the minimum wage, and Amendment 3, enshrining abortion-rights protections in the state's constitution. Despite this, lawmakers in Jefferson City have filed legislation repealing paid sick leave and changing the terms of the minimum wage increases, as well as, trying to reinstate a ban on abortions that was ended through voter approval. More: Here's what's on the April ballot in Springfield and surrounding communities in the Ozarks "The Respect MO Voters Coalition aims to enshrine protections for citizen-led initiatives in the state constitution, ensuring that the power remains with the people," the release says. "The coalition is committed to ensuring that Missouri voters' rights are protected from political interference." According to the coalition's website, after the town hall events throughout March, it will host a statewide policy summit to decide what versions of the initiative to file with the state. The coalition then plans to conduct several petition signature drives and pledges to place the question on the August or November 2026 ballot. Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@ This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Respect MO Voters Coalition seeks Missouri constitutional amendment
