Campaign Digest: Mike Kehoe says ‘if you want a flame-thrower ... I'm probably not your guy'
Mike Kehoe is seeking to step up after six years as lieutenant governor. He says “bomb-throwing” is not the same as governing.
Crime and the courts
Man who sexually assaulted women in Rountree homes given 25-year sentence
In a large, mostly empty courtroom, Greene County Circuit Judge Todd Myers gave Gene Ferguson a 25-year prison sentence on charges of first-degree burglary and first-degree sodomy/attempted sodomy.
Former CFO leader Brian Fogle to build nonprofit service at Drury
The longtime leader of a charitable foundation has joined Drury University’s staff to help students reach nonprofits, and to help those nonprofits find promising developmental…
Man arrested, charged with fatal shooting Sunday in parking lot
Josue Fernando Alvarado Valenzuela, 27, of Mexico, was arrested July 14, and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, according to a press release…
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BUSINESS
Springfield's Jason Gage among finalists for city manager in Manhattan, Kansas
Springfield City Manager Jason Gage is among four finalists for the same position in Manhattan, Kansas.
Redbox is deadbox? DVD rental company faces liquidation
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment converted its bankruptcy process into a liquidation process on July 10. It will include Redbox.
Children's Mercy highlights first specialties; acquires cardiology unit
The Kansas City-based hospital system recently acquired a Springfield pediatric cardiology practice after its parent company decided to divest clinics across the country
City Council considers apartment project near Mercy Springfield
A developer plans to build a two-story, 14-unit apartment building near the intersection of National and Cherokee.
SCHOOLS & CHILDREN
SPS grants easements for two construction projects
The Springfield Board of Education granted easements and to the City of Springfield at Campbell Early Childhood Center and Carver Middle School.
Gatorade splash? SPS students appear to hit yearlong attendance goal
Based on fourth quarter attendance results in Springfield Public Schools, it looks like Superintendent Grenita Lathan may need to brace herself to be doused by a sports drink.
Read our 2022 Child Care Crisis series produced in collaboration with KY3 News.
GOVERNMENT
Springfield/Greene co.
City Utilities lifts boil advisory 24 hours after water main break
Service has been restored after a water main break in northwest Springfield, but CU has issued a boil advisory for those impacted.
christian county
‘It's not the music, it's the people:' the Bruner Acoustic Jam
Everyone knows that on Monday, a crowd gathers in the 114-year-old Bruner school building for the Bruner Acoustic Jam.
elections
Springfield’s Lori Rook among six GOP candidates for state treasurer
Six Republican candidates, including incumbent Vivek Malek and Springfield attorney Lori Rook, are vying in the Aug. 6 primary for the job of Missouri treasurer, the state’s chief financial officer.
public safety
Illinois man charged with involuntary manslaughter in Springfield
The charges stem from a meet-up to purchase a computer in July 2023, which resulted in the victim's death due to blunt force injuries.
Steve Pokin — Columnist
![](https://hauxeda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20220104_131205.jpg?resize=1024%2C461&ssl=1)
Steve Pokin writes the Pokin Around and The Answer Man columns for the Hauxeda. He also writes about criminal justice issues.
latest columns
Pokin Around: Embalmers from around the world coming to SGF; organizer calls it a ‘rewarding job'
Springfield's Fountain National Academy was founded by Vernie Fountain, a man who has done a lifetime of embalming.
Pokin Around: No left turn sign at park exit gone; can't have it attached to stop sign pole
Hauxeda co-worker John Tate recently informed me the no-left-turn sign at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park that I wrote about in April is gone.
Answer Man: Did someone decide Springfield doesn't need another car wash?
Construction on a Take Five car wash at Glenstone and Cherry was completed months ago, but it's still not open and weeds are growing on the property. What's going on? Answer Man Steve Pokin is doing his best to…
Answer Man: Reader wants to know plans for former Houlihan's
The Houlihan’s on 2431 N. Glenstone Ave., at the DoubleTree Hotel, remains open. It is owned and operated by franchisee O’Reilly Hospitality.
SPRINGFIELD CULTURE
Sleepy Opossum Cafe to move to standalone Rountree location
The breakfast café will officially make the move two doors down to 1423 E. Cherry St. at some point in August 2024
C-Street Floral Stroll ‘Golden Scissors' winners announced
A panel of judges selected winners of the second annual C-Street Floral Stroll — after “much debate” and decisions to add honorable mention awards in each category. Florists competed along a one-mile stretch of Springfield’s Historic Commercial Street on June 27. Winners in four categories received engraved “Golden Scissors” on July 3. Flowers were displayed…
OTHER SPRINGFIELD NEWS
public safety
Health/environment
state gov't/politics
sports
Read the series about MSU basketball — Bears Insider: A promising season goes awry
VOICES
Opinion: How we treat others during a tragedy is a big part of being a human
We all have busy lives, but we are also humans, living next to humans, and each one has a story with victories and defeats in life.
Letter: Turn corner of Sunshine and National into green space
Mr. Duda and his partners at BK&M miscalculated. A good use of the barren corner would be a wonderful green space.
Letter: Mixed-use development is best for corner of National and Sunshine
Mixed-use developments are the most efficient way to provide people with places to live, work, shop, and eat. What right do a handful of property owners have to deny this to a hundred future residents?
Opinion: Catch me in Nashville at a Sounds game
Our catch-playing ambassador was invited to Nashville, where he caught a ceremonial first pitch at a Nashville Sounds game and spread his message encouraging people from all walks of life to play catch.
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 Hauxeda in its six-month investigation into domestic violence.