Route 66 in Springfield: What led up to the famous telegram sent in 1926
On April 30, 1926, a telegram was sent from Springfield to Washington D.C. requesting the “66” name for the highway connecting Chicago and Los Angeles, which was accepted and became the iconic Route 66.
crime
Man pleads guilty in 2024 fatal shooting outside bar in south Springfield
Josue Fernando Alvarado-Valenzuela, 28, pleaded guilty on Monday, April 6, to second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison.
business
Torch Electronics suspends Missouri slot machines after criminal probe
Torch Electronics, the largest maker of video lottery terminals, has agreed to suspend all operations across Missouri beginning Friday, April 10, following a criminal investigation by the Attorney General’s office.
Join us April 23 for the next Pokin Around: Live
Get tickets here as Daily Citizen Columnist Steve Pokin interviews federal Judge M. Douglas Harpool on April 23 at Mother’s Brewing.
Missouri Senate expands antisemitism bill with broader anti-discrimination language
The bill now returns to the House to approve the Senate’s changes and send it to the governor or ask for a conference committee to…
Dickerson Park Zoo opens new and improved Bear Boardwalk
Dickerson Park Zoo has completed construction of a new Bear Boardwalk, which includes improved viewing of the bears and swift foxes, a covered gazebo, and other features, and is now open to the public.
most read
latest news & Sports
NEWS
Logan-Rogersville voters approve of $24 million bond for new ag center
Voters in the Logan-Rogersville R-8 School District approved a $24 million bond issue to fund several construction projects across the district, including an agricultural center, renovations, and new classrooms.
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SPORTS
Glendale slugger and Missouri State pledge Brady Yates continues to impress
Falcons junior has eight home runs (including three grand slams) to start the season.
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BUSINESS
University of Missouri purchases Jack Henry building for Springfield medical school expansion
The University of Missouri has purchased a 77,000-square-foot building on Jack Henry’s Springfield campus to expand its School of Medicine.
Springfield voters once again reject hotel tax increase; convention center project likely dead
Springfield voters have rejected a 3% increase to the city’s hotel license tax for the second time in five months, which would have funded the renovation and expansion of the Springfield Expo Center into a multipurpose convention and events center.
Pitt Development Group reaches settlement with Mercy Health following blackmail, sexual assault accusations
On the eve of a multimillion-dollar civil trial set to begin last month in St. Louis County, the Pitt Development Group and Mercy Health reached a settlement.
State Sen. Curtis Trent touts income tax repeal in mid-session legislative update
Missouri is considering a constitutional amendment to eliminate its income tax and expand its sales tax, which supporters say will attract investment and give individuals more control over their income, while opponents argue it will shift the tax burden onto low-income individuals.
SCHOOLS & CHILDREN
Read our special series SPS: District of Choice?
Brian Fogle: Families find comfort, home in Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks has been providing families of seriously ill and injured children with a place to stay, meals, and other services for 38 years, and their Tooth Truck program has provided over 31,000 children with free dental care since 2011.
Glendale to host national, state lawmakers Thursday
Glendale High School will host U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison in a private event for Turning Point USA, and a public panel discussion featuring Missouri Reps. Betsy Fogle, Stephanie Hein and Melanie Stinnett to discuss statewide education issues.
GOVERNMENT
Springfield/Greene co.
Greene County Commission rejects rezoning for battery energy storage system
The Greene County Commission denied a request to rezone 40 acres of property for a lithium-ion battery energy storage system proposed by Sofos Power, citing concerns from residents and firefighters over the potential risks of fire, groundwater contamination, and roadway deterioration.
christian county
Christian County voters reject property tax credit after schools, fire districts warned of funding challenges
Christian County voters narrowly rejected a property tax credit in the April 7 election. Schools, fire districts and other entities warned that the program would have curbed their annual revenue.
elections
Ozark voters reject ‘home rule’ in April 7 election
Ozark voters said “no” to establishing a charter commission, which would have moved the city in the direction of “home rule” along with neighboring Nixa, Republic and Springfield.
public safety
Following fatal overdose, suspected drug dealer charged with involuntary manslaughter
Matthew J. Brekken has been charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and delivering a controlled substance. He is suspected of selling fentanyl to someone who died of an overdose a few hours later.
Steve Pokin — Columnist
Get tickets for Pokin Around: Live on April 23 as Steve Pokin interviews Doug Harpool
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
Pokin Around: Searching for what was missing in life, they found the Catholic church
In a typical year, about 300 people convert to the Roman Catholic faith in the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese. This year, says a spokeswoman, 519 will convert at Holy Saturday evening Masses.
Answer Man: Reader says he went to the park to play tennis, but the courts were gone
A reader says he went to Ewing Park to play tennis, but something was missing — the tennis courts. He asks The Answer Man: What happened?
Join us as Steve Pokin interviews federal Judge Douglas Harpool on April 23
Join Steve Pokin, the Springfield Daily Citizen’s one-of-a-kind columnist and Answer Man, as he interviews M. Douglas Harpool, senior judge of the U.S. district court in Springfield.
Pokin Around: Rapid Robert’s has apparently removed its Torch gaming machines
Earlier this month, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway was in Springfield to announce a crackdown on gaming machines.
SPRINGFIELD CULTURE
Aubrey Logan, Missouri Jazz Orchestra bring big band sound to Gillioz Jazz Festival
Aubrey Logan, a jazz musician known for her vocal prowess and trombone playing, will be performing with the Missouri Jazz Orchestra at the Gillioz Jazz Festival on April 4, featuring a mix of originals and covers.
April’s First Friday Art Walk supports nonprofits with special shows
The April 3 First Friday Art Walk in Springfield will feature 15 venues, including two stops benefiting local nonprofits, a birdhouse auction, and artwork by a Missouri State University student and a visiting professor.
OTHER SPRINGFIELD NEWS
state gov’t/politics
sports
VOICES
Opinion: What made former SMSU president John Keiser a great leader
Former Southwest Missouri State University President Dr. John H. Keiser was a man of substance who inspired his staff and left a mark on the community.
Opinion: Springfield’s indoor sports challenge is about capacity
Springfield is a strong sports community with quality facilities, according to the executive director of the Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission, it lacks a large, centralized indoor space to host large tournaments.
Letter: Springfield convention center has been decades in the making
Former board chair of Convention and Visitor’s Bureau urges a “yes” vote on the April 7 hotel tax increase to fund a new convention and events center.
Letter: Vote ‘no’ on April 7; Springfield’s $175 million gamble isn’t worth the bet
Letter writer says now is not the time to spend big on a convention and events center in Springfield.
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.
