Missourinet

Your source for Missouri News and Sports

You are here: Home / Archives for Missourinet Contributor

Missouri River likely to enter minor flood stage this week

By

Levels on the Missouri River could move into minor flood stage from Nebraska City to northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph this week. Chairman Tom Waters with the Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association says the area isn’t prepared for a high-than-normal runoff predicted.

The Missouri River spread out into St. Joseph in 2019/Photo by Brent Martin

“The big issue for us is soil moisture,” Waters tells Missourinet affiliate KFEQ in St. Joseph. “Normally, North and South Dakota, Montana through the summer and fall, it dries out and you go into winter dry, the soil moisture is dry and then it snows, you have your spring rains, but when the soil thaws it’s hungry and it soaks up a lot of that water. There’s not any of that water that is going to be soaked up this year. So, any snow, any rainfall we have we know today that that is going to run into the river and cause river levels to be higher.”

That makes members of the Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association nervous, according to Waters.

“Membership’s very anxious about what’s going on here,” Waters says. “We’ve seen people that had their 2018 crop in a bin that was flooded and lost, weren’t able to plant a 2019 crop and now going into 2020. If they don’t get this crop in, they may be out of business.”

Waters says the only good that could come out of the widespread damage from last year’s floods is that it could finally change attitudes about how best to manage the Missouri River.

Waters perceives a shift in attitudes after the 2019 floods which wasn’t the case after either the 1993 or the 2011 floods.

“Everybody realizes we have to do something different,” according to Waters. “We went through this in 2011. We went through it in 1993 and we didn’t do a lot different. I think we’re seeing some signs and hints it’s going to be different this time so that maybe five or ten years down the road we won’t have such a problem.”

Another wrinkle has been added. The US Army Corps of Engineers is on standby to help in whatever way it can in the battle against the coronavirus. At present, the Corps doesn’t believe that will hamper continuing efforts to rebuild the levees damaged by last year’s floods. Levees in the Omaha District of the Corps of Engineers have mostly been repaired. Several levees in the Kansas City District remain damaged, making vast areas of northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas vulnerable to flooding.

By Brent Martin of Missourinet affiliate KFEQ in St. Joseph

La-Z-Boy lays off 800 southwest Missouri workers

By

La-Z-Boy to lay off 800 southwest Missouri workers

Missourinet affiliate KZRG in Joplin reports La-Z-Boy has temporarily closed all manufacturing operations in the United States, including its factory in Neosho. The decision has put 800 southwest Missouri plant workers out of jobs. In total, the announcement affects approximately 6,800 employees, or approximately 70% of its global workforce.

The company announced its plans are in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Temporary closure of its U.S. manufacturing factories is effective immediately and is scheduled to be re-evaluated on April 13.

A salary reduction of 50% for senior management and 25% for salaried employees will be in place until further notice. The board of directors will forego the cash portion of its compensation until further notice as well.

By Rob Rauch of Missourinet affiliate KZRG in Joplin

Missouri man allegedly planning hospital bombing dies after FBI confrontation

By

The FBI says a man shot and killed Tuesday in Belton, near Kansas City, was the subject of a monthslong domestic terrorism investigation and was actively planning a bombing. KMBC-TV in Kansas City reports agents were attempting to arrest Timothy Wilson, 36, in Belton. Wilson, who was armed with a weapon, was injured and taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Missouri man allegedly planning hospital bombing dies after FBI confrontation

According to the FBI, the investigation revealed Wilson was a potentially violent extremist, motivated by racial, religious and anti-government views. He was actively planning to commit an act of domestic terrorism, a bombing, and decided to accelerate his plan as a result of the current coronavirus health crisis. The FBI said Wilson considered various targets and ultimately settled on a hospital in an attempt to harm many people.

“Wilson had taken the necessary steps to acquire materials needed to build an explosive device. At all times during the investigation, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force kept close track of Wilson in order to protect public safety,” the FBI said in a news release.

The bureau said it was ready to arrest Wilson when he arrived to pick up what he thought was a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. There was no actual bomb.

According to Don Ledford with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District, he says there is no probable cause arrest statement or court documents because no charges were ever filed.

View the FBI press release here.

Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet

Missouri church holds services at drive-in during COVID-19 outbreak

By

A church in eastern Missouri has figured out a way to reach its parishioners in person, but with plenty of social distancing. The Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Potosi  is meeting at the Starlight Drive-In in rural Washington County

“It was a joke at first,” says Pastor Trevor Kean. “We had tried to collaborate with the church leaders on what would be our next steps, knowing that these guidelines were going to be more emphasized on distancing ourselves, limiting numbers and gatherings. “I just kind of suggested it as a joke and thought ‘hey let’s just do it at the drive-in. Someone said ‘hey that sounds perfect, let’s reach out.’”

Kean explains how they were able to pull off the idea.

“They have a microphone that comes from the upstairs part of the drive-in,” he says. “And then everyone will be tuned into the FM radio channel that they had assigned to it.”

And how do they engage with a congregation of cars?

“We asked that if you are having a great time or this is a great thing, flash your lights at us and let us know how things are going. [There were] a lot of honked horns, flashing lights, blinkers, whatever they could do,” Kean says. “We had a lot of people reach out afterward, thanking us for offering that.”

The drive-in sits in a field near the busy Highway 21 between Potosi and Cadet. It has been around since 1952.

Thanks to Chad Speakar of Missourinet affiliate KREI in Farmington

Mark Twain National Forest changes operations, some sites shut down, trails and boat launches open (Detailed press release)

By

Mark Twain National Forest in a press release, issued operations changes for the safety of visitors and employees, yet still serve the public.

Click here for the most up-to-date Forest Recreation information.

The release:

Offices will be assisting customers virtually; multiple recreation sites have been temporarily shut down, and services have been reduced at many more sites for the health and safety of visitors and staff.  All these actions will strongly promote social distancing on the Forest.  Although these changes may seem out of the ordinary, they are in line with current national guidance and with what other agencies across Missouri are doing to help reduce opportunities for the spread of COVID-19.

All Mark Twain National Forest offices have implemented virtual services and shut their doors to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public during the COVID-19 outbreak in accordance with guidance from federal and state authorities.  Visitors are encouraged to contact their local forest or ranger district www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mtnf/about-forest/offices for the latest office hours and availability.

Recreation sites temporarily shut down –

Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District (417-683-4428):  Cobb Ridge Campground; KC Pavilion within Chadwick trails riding area; Shell Knob Recreation Area; Noblett Lake Recreation Area and North Fork Campground

Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District (417-967-4194):  Paddy Creek Campground; Lane Spring Campground and Day Use; Pine Ridge Campground; Dry Fork Campground; and Carrington Pits Recreation Area

Salem Ranger District (573-729-6656):  Loggers Lake Campground

Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger District (573-438-5427):  Wild Boar Campground and Beach at Council Bluff; Pavilion within Berryman Campground; Marble Creek Campground and Day Use; and Red Bluff Recreation Area

Eleven Point Ranger District (573-996-2153):  Greer Crossing Campground and Watercress Campground

Poplar Bluff Ranger District (573 785-1475):  Pinewoods Lake Campground and Markham Springs Campground

REDUCED SERVICES
Restrooms have been locked at most of our recreation sites.  Other services, like access to pavilions and places where many people traditionally gather, may be temporarily suspended as well.

DELAYED OPENINGS
Some of our sites were already shut down for the off-season.  Some of these will remain shut down until further notice.  For example:  Wild Boar Campground and Chapel Hill Beach at Council Bluff Recreation Area; Loggers Lake Campground; Marble Creek Campground and Day Use Area; and Red Bluff Recreation Area

OPEN SITES  Even at open sites, please use social distancing per Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines

  • All trails and associated trailheads will remain open for the enjoyment of our users.  All trailheads will be signed with information regarding COVID-19.
  • Select campgrounds, such as Berryman Campground and Silver Mines.
  • Boat Launches, including Council Bluff

Mark Twain National Forest continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and evaluate potential impacts and adjustments to reservations and our reservation policies through Recreation.gov.

Reservation holders will be notified via email and/or cell phone text messages if there are any changes affecting their reservation. In the event of delayed openings of some, part or all of our recreation facilities, to ensure safe social distancing, you will receive a full refund for your reservation. Please remember to review current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and focus on recreating safely while protecting yourself, Forest Service employees and our volunteers.

As we work through this unpredictable and rapidly changing situation, health and safety will remain our number one priority. We are committed to continuing to support our communities and fulfill our mission as we all work together to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19.  As changes occur, Mark Twain National Forest will continue to update the public.

BREAKING: Two more coronavirus related deaths at Springfield assisted living center

By

Springfield-Greene County Health Director Clay Goddard (Photo courtesy of KSGF)

Two more residents of an assisted-living center in southwest Missouri’s Springfield have died from the coronavirus, bringing the number of deaths in the state to eight. Springfield-Greene County Health Director Clay Goddard says the victims lived at Morningside of Springfield East. The latest victims are a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 90s.

A woman in her 80s who also lived at the center died Monday.

A fourth resident has been hospitalized.

Missouri’s total number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus has risen to 255, up from 183 on Monday.

By Jason Rima of Missourinet affiliate KSGF in Springfield

Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet

NOAA forecasts another year of widespread river flooding, but not as severe as 2019

By

From NOAA reports

NOAA forecasters predict widespread flooding this spring, but do not expect it to be as severe or prolonged overall as the historic floods in 2019. Major to moderate flooding is likely from the Northern Plains south to the Gulf Coast, with the most significant flood potential in parts of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above-average temperatures across the country this spring.

Kevin Low, a hydrologist with the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center, says this spring NOAA is anticipating minor to moderate flooding along the Missouri River from Nebraska City to the mouth of the river in St. Louis.

Forecasters expect above-average precipitation from the Northern Plains, southward through the lower Mississippi Valley.

Warmer-than-average temperatures are most likely from coast to coast this Spring.

St. Louis has first coronavirus related death – a woman in her 30s

By

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson (Photo courtesy of Jill Enders)

St. Louis City is seeing its first coronavirus-related death. St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and Dr. Fredrick Echols, director of the St. Louis Health Department, made that announcement during an afternoon news conference on Monday at City Hall. The victim is a woman in her thirties, who was just diagnosed on Sunday.

“This should be a wake up call for all us, particularly anyone who may question whether or not this is a real thing, anyone who questions the gravity of this issue. We know that COVID-19 is very, very serious and it can be deadly,” she says.

Echols says this case was not travel related and is still being investigated. The victim’s name hasn’t been released. He would not say if the woman had underlying health issues.

This brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in St. Louis to 20.

By Missourinet contributor Jill Enders

Missouri’s April 7 municipal elections postponed until June 2

By

From press release

In response to COVID-19, Governor Parson today signed Executive Order 20-03 ordering all Missouri municipal elections previously scheduled for April 7, 2020, to be postponed to June 2, 2020.

Ballots already printed for the April 7 election may be used at the postponed date of June 2. Voters who have attained the age of 18 by April 7 will be allowed to cast a ballot.

“Given the growing concern surrounding COVID-19 and the large number of people elections attract, postponing Missouri’s municipal elections is a necessary step to help combat the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of Missouri voters,” Governor Parson said. “Postponing an election is not easy, but we are all in this together. We are thankful to Secretary Ashcroft and our 116 election authorities for their leadership, cooperation, and commitment to doing what is best for their communities during this time.”

During a state of emergency, the Governor is authorized to “waive or suspend the operation of any statutory requirement or administrative rule prescribing procedures for conducting state business, where strict compliance with such requirements and rules would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action by the department of health and senior services to respond to a declared emergency or increased health threat to the population.”

The Executive Order requires local election authorities to publish notice of the June 2 election as required in Section 115.127.2, RSMo. In addition, the Executive Order states:

  • The closing date to register to vote in this election remains March 11.
  • The deadline for filing as a write-in candidate for office remains March 27 at 5 p.m.
  • The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot (Section 115.279, RSMo) shall be May 20.
  • A public test of voting equipment shall be completed no later than June 1.
  • In-person absentee ballots may be cast until 5 p.m. on June 1.
  • The deadline by which absentee ballots must be received by the election authority (Section 115.293.1, RSMo) shall be 7 p.m. on June 2.
  • Military and overseas voters must request a ballot from an election authority by 5 p.m. on May 29, and the deadline for local election authorities to make ballots available to such voters is April 18.
    Military and overseas ballots must be received by the election authority by June 5.
  • Local election authorities are also directed to post information on their website, use social media if available, issue press release, conduct public appearances, and directly contact stakeholders such as candidates.

Springfield officer among five dead in shooting at gas station

By

Springfield police chief Paul Williams has confirmed one officer has died and another hurt and three others are dead in a shooting that happened late Sunday night at a Kum & Go store. The suspect was also found dead inside the store.

Springfield officer among five dead in shooting at gas station

During a news conference at Springfield Police Headquarters this morning in southwest Missouri, Williams says several reports started coming in after 11:00 p.m. of shots fired at various locations in the city. The shooter went to the convenience store and shot four people inside, killing three and injuring a fourth.

When officers responded to the scene, both were shot by the suspect. One officer, Christopher Walsh, died at a local hospital. The other, Josiah Overton, is being treated for non life threatening injuries.

Walsh had been with the department for more than three years and was an Army veteran. He is the first Springfield police officer to be shot and killed in the line of duty since the Young Brothers Massacre just outside of Brookline on January 2nd, 1932.

Police shut down area traffic for much of the overnight hours to investigate the shooting.

By Don Louzader of Missourinet affiliate KSGF in Springfield