Latest news with #News-Leader
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Midnight Rodeo announces closure, move to new location after 30 years
After three decades in the same spot, Midnight Rodeo is moving to a new location. In a Facebook post, the country bar announced that this week, the week of June 2, will be its last at the corner of Sunshine Street and Glenstone Avenue that the bar has called home for the past 30 years. Dave Marsh, co-owner of Midnight Rodeo, told the News-Leader via email the move comes after the venue was not able to come up with an agreement for a new lease. The building is owned by SFH Real Estate LLC, according to the Greene County Assessor's online database. "I have worked at Midnight Rodeo since the beginning and it makes me sad that this chapter is coming to an end," Marsh said. "But my wife and I plan on continuing the Midnight Rodeo tradition of live country music and country dancing just in a new location and starting a [new] chapter." More: Springfield bar sued for playing Nelly, LL Cool J without proper music license The new location has not yet been disclosed. With the last week on their original spot, Midnight Rodeo is hosting several events throughout the week. Those include a Ladies Night on Thursday, live concert on Friday, and "the biggest party in town" on Saturday, according to the Facebook post. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield country bar Midnight Rodeo moving to new location
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
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fair Grove hires new police chief, the city's fifth in 5 years
Fair Grove has a new police chief, again. The newest man to be appointed to the job will be the fifth to serve in that role since 2020. Mayor Thomas Voorhis announced in a Facebook post that Mark Riggin has been hired as police chief. Riggin served as the chief of the Willard School Police Agency, establishing the K-12 school-based law enforcement program. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree from Evangel University. Riggin graduated from the United States Army Military Police School in 1989. He served in the New Jersey and Missouri Army National Guard as a military policeman, according to the announcement. After his military service, Riggin joined the Springfield Police Department, where he served for more than 24 years. During his time at Willard School Police, he participated in developing policies and procedures that enhanced safety within the school environment. In his latest role as the school police program coordinator with the Missouri School Boards Association, Riggin worked on school safety initiatives, providing training and support to K-12 safety coordinators and law enforcement personnel across the state, according to the release. Riggin is filling a vacancy left by the departure in late January of the former chief, Roy Howell, which included a $32,800 severance. Prior to his resignation, Howell was placed on administrative leave. While the full circumstances behind the separation have not been disclosed, records obtained by the News-Leader previously pointed to a doorbell camera incident and the subsequent investigation that followed directed by Howell. Voorhis told the News-Leader the city received roughly 30 applications for the job posting. The top 10 applicants were interviewed by the city's Police Committee and the Personnel Committee. The base salary for the position was set at $70,000, compared to $58,500 Howell was making, according to previous News-Leader reporting. More: Fair Grove police chief resigns, receives $33,000 severance after administrative leave Howell was hired March 2024 after a shakeup at the Fair Grove Police Department at the end of 2023 that left the department with only one fully trained officer. He was able to rebuild the staff to only one vacancy. A staff exodus that occurred with previous chiefs' departures did not occur when Howell was placed on leave or after he resigned. 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: Fair Grove hires Mark Riggin as police chief after years of turnover
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hear from local candidates: Nonpartisan coalition hosts interviews for April 8 election
Election season is unfolding with election day on April 8 fast approaching. As in past elections, more than a dozen nonpartisan Springfield-area organizations have partnered to produce a series of candidate interviews allowing local voters to hear directly — in their own words — from those running for elected office. Volunteers with the Informed Voter Coalition, which includes the Springfield News-Leader, collaborated to help voters learn about mayor, City Council, and school board candidates in Springfield and mayoral candidates in Ozark. Starting Tuesday, March 25, candidates will share their ideas and goals in brief conversations to air on KSMU Ozarks Public Radio (91.1 FM). After they air, video versions of the interviews produced by the News-Leader will be added to this story at and on the websites of other coalition members. The coalition selected four contested races to cover, which will air at noon on the following days: Candidates for Ozark mayor Donald Currence, David Snider, and Eddie Campbell participated in the interviews. Candidates for Springfield school board Kelly Byrne, Sarah Hough, David Myers, and Gail Smart participated in the interviews. Candidates Matt Simpson and Bruce Adib-Yazdi for Springfield City Council Zone 4 seat, and Heather Hardinger and Eric Pauly for Springfield City Council General A seat participated in the interviews. Monica Horton, running unopposed for Council Zone 1 seat, and Craig Hosmer, running unopposed for Council General B seat, also participated. Candidates for Springfield mayor Jeff Schrag and Mary Collette participated in the interviews. More: Here's what's on the April ballot in Springfield and surrounding communities in the Ozarks Launched in 2019, the Informed Voter Coalition aims to educate voters and foster engagement between candidates and citizens. All organizations are nonpartisan. Members are: Be Civil Be Heard Drury University's L.E. Meador Center for Politics & Citizenship KSMU Ozarks Public Radio Leadership Springfield League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri Missouri State University's Office of Public Affairs NAACP Springfield Ozarks Technical Community College's Social Sciences Department Rosie Show Me Christian County Springfield Business Journal Springfield-Greene County Library District Springfield News-Leader Please enable Javascript to view this content. 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 candidates share city, school board thoughts in interviews
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
