Lake of the Ozarks Archives

Winter storm expected to impact Chiefs parade and much of Missouri (AUDIO)

February 4, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) says most of Missouri is currently under a winter weather advisory, and will see two waves of winter weather by Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill says the heaviest snowfall will be between the I-44 corridor and the Highway 36 corridor in north Missouri (February 4, 2020 map courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter page)

NWS Kansas City meteorologist Jimmy Barham says most of the snow will be between the I-44 corridor up to the Highway 36 corridor in northern Missouri.

“The more significant snowstorm looks like it’s going to push in as we get into the morning hours tomorrow, especially down towards Springfield,” Barham says. “We’re going to see snow totals even by the afternoon up into the one to three inch range.”

He says winter storm watches and winter storm warnings will likely be issued.

Western Missouri’s Kansas City, Warrensburg and Sedalia are currently receiving snow now, after seeing freezing drizzle earlier.

The second wave will have the heaviest impact on mid-Missouri’s Columbia, Jefferson City and Lake of the Ozarks, which could receive up to six inches of snow.

Mr. Barham tells Missourinet the snow will likely impact Chiefs fans at Wednesday’s Super Bowl parade and rally in downtown Kansas City.

“Going into the parade might not be too bad, but coming out of the parade you’re probably going to have hazardous travel conditions,” says Barham. “Especially if you’re going east past Sedalia into the Columbia towards St. Louis area.”

Wednesday morning’s parade begins at 11:30, and the victory rally is set for 1:30 p.m. at Union Station. The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is expecting “hundreds of thousands” of fans to attend.

Barham emphasizes that Wednesday’s second wave, which is coming from Oklahoma, will be stronger.

The latest NWS models also show a heavy band near I-70 on Wednesday, between Kingdom City and Montgomery County. That area could see up to eight inches of snow.

Southwest Missouri’s Springfield, Joplin and Nevada should see four to six inches of snow, by early Thursday. Northeast Missouri’s Hannibal and Bowling Green could also see up to six inches.

Far southeast Missouri is the only area that’s not expected to see snow.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Jimmy Barham, which was recorded on February 4, 2020:

Snow-related crashes close westbound I-70 near mid-Missouri’s Rocheport (AUDIO)

January 20, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) says the highest snow totals from Monday’s winter storm extend from the Kansas City suburb of Lee’s Summit to Sedalia.

The National Weather Service is urging motorists to slow down in the snow (January 20, 2020 map courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter page)

NWS Pleasant Hill meteorologist Sarah Adkins says while snow is ending north of the Missouri River, it’s still snowing in many locations across western, west-central and mid-Missouri.

“We’re seeing the Kansas City area over to Warrensburg and Sedalia into Columbia, Jefferson City and again down into the Lake of the Ozarks and over west in Clinton,” Adkins says.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol also says highways in Jackson, Clay and Platte counties in the Kansas City metro have been slick, because of snow. Blowing snow has also been causing visibility issues.

Meantime, the Highway Patrol says about a dozen vehicles are involved in several snow-related crashes on westbound I-70 near mid-Missouri’s Rocheport. Several tractor trailers are involved, and westbound I-70 is closed there.

The I-70 Rocheport bridge is heavily-traveled. U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, has said more than 12 million vehicles cross the bridge annually, including three million trucks.

Rocheport is just west of Columbia.

As for Adkins, she’s urging motorists to slow down and to give themselves extra time.

“It is accumulating on the roadways and that is going to make them slick,” says Adkins. “So while we don’t anticipate multiple inches of snow, still take it easy. It’s going to be slick.”

Some areas have received an inch of snowfall. Missouri state troopers are urging you to stay focused on the road.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Sarah Adkins, which was recorded on January 20, 2020:

Missouri voters could decide if they want riverboat gambling along Osage River

January 9, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri voters could weigh in at the ballot box about whether to have a riverboat casino along the Osage River. State Representative Rocky Miller, R- Lake Ozark, is proposing a change to the Constitution that would allow people to place their bets along the Osage River. Current law allows riverboat gambling along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.

Rep. Rocky Miller (R-Lake Ozark)

Miller says he’s had this idea on his mind for quite some time.

“When the first riverboat gambling came out in the 90s, I thought ‘Well gosh, why isn’t the Osage River part of the Missouri and Mississippi riverboat gaming license?’ I have no idea why it wasn’t, but I thought we really should be,” he says.

Miller has his eye on the Lake of the Ozarks in mid Missouri.

“I’ve never thought that Lake of the Ozarks is really really a family-friendly destination. There are things that families can do and I love having them there,” he says. “There are great things you can do there – there’s water parks, there’s skee ball. But honestly, compared to Branson, we’ve always been an adult entertainment area.”

Miller says the Netflix show Ozark did not inspire his decision to file the bill, but he says the measure has been referred to as “The Ozark bill”. During the latest season of the hit show, a riverboat casino set sail along the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri.

Miller tells Missourinet he does not want to expand gambling.

“I think that right now, we just need to right the wrong. I truly would like to see a casino in Lake of the Ozarks, but I think the problems that we have, if we open those flood gates up, we’d have every casino fighting and I think we would end up getting nothing done. This is just a pragmatic, sort of level-headed way of doing it. Let’s add the Osage River. In the future, if a license becomes available, then we’re there to make a pitch for it,” says Miller.

The State Gaming Commission has already licensed 13 casinos – the maximum allowed in Missouri. If passed by the Legislature and people, the measure would let a potential riverboat casino pursue a license along the Osage, if one becomes available.

Miller says he’s “doing battle” against initiative petitions he’s heard might come along to expand gambling.

“This is so that we could kind of head that off at the pass and actually have input,” he says. “Only some rich guy that does the initiative petition and gets the signatures has input into how that’s read. I don’t. You don’t,” he says. “Through the process that we’re going through with my bill, you’re going to have public hearings. You’re going to have input. There’s probably going to be some changes to it.”

As for the economic impact of gambling on the Lake of the Ozarks?

“Cape Girardeau had a benefit of $55 million additional taxes and 726 new jobs,” Miller says. “I don’t know what the magnitude greater Lake of the Ozarks would be but you’ve got to think it would be a much greater magnitude.”

Century Casino operates boats in Cape Girardeau and nearby Caruthersville.

The legislation is HJR 87.

(AUDIO) Missourinet 5 p.m. Newscast for 1-8-2020

January 8, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri legislator wants riverboat gambling along Lake of the Ozarks

January 7, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Rep. Rocky Miller (R-Lake Ozark)

State Representative Rocky Miller wants to allow riverboat gambling along the Lake of the Ozarks in mid Missouri. The Republican from Lake Ozark is proposing to let Missouri voters decide whether to change the Constitution to include the Osage River on the short list of waterways where casinos are allowed.

Current law allows riverboat gambling on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers only and the licensing of 13 casinos. The State Gaming Commission, which decides about casino licensing, has already licensed 13 Missouri casinos. Even if the Legislature and voters pass the measure, HJR 87, a riverboat casino along the Lake of the Ozarks might not set sail for a while.

Miller prefiled the bill on Friday. Opening day of the next legislative session is Wednesday.

Lightning, hail and a few tornadoes possible across Missouri this evening (AUDIO)

August 26, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says severe thunderstorms are likely Monday evening across a large section of Missouri, stretching from Columbia to Jefferson City to the Lake of the Ozarks to Springfield.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says severe storms could impact Columbia, Jefferson City and Springfield tonight (map courtesy of NWS St. Louis Twitter page)

NWS meteorologist Jared Maples tells Missourinet the time frame will be from about 5 to midnight.

“Will extend from about Columbia and Jefferson City and just increase to the southwest of there, and a lot of that is probably going to come from this complex that is ongoing right now,” Maples says.

He says lightning, large hail and wind gusts up to 65 miles-per-hour are expected, adding that a few tornadoes are also possible.

“That’s what everybody should keep their eyes and ears open for and have several sources for warning information for that type of threat,” says Maples.

The NWS in Kansas City has issued several severe thunderstorm warnings for western Missouri today, and the NWS Springfield office has also issued several severe thunderstorm warnings.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with NWS St. Louis meteorologist Jared Maples, which was recorded on August 26, 2019:

Missouri state troopers to conduct DWI enforcement during Fourth of July holiday (AUDIO)

July 3, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says all available troopers will be patrolling roadways during the long Fourth of July weekend, enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper patrols the Lake of the Ozarks (2019 photo courtesy of Patrol Lt. Collin Stosberg)

Patrol Lieutenant Collin Stosberg is urging you to exercise care on the road.

“Drive the speed limit, be courteous, follow traffic laws and never drink and drive,” Stosberg says.

Missouri state troopers say the Fourth of July holiday weekend is historically one of the deadliest ones on the road because of alcohol. Lieutenant Stosberg says four people died and another 220 suffered injuries in Missouri traffic crashes during the 2018 holiday.

“If everyone wore their seat belt, (if) no one would drink and drive, if motorcyclists wear their helmet and people would obey those traffic laws, we would have zero fatalities,” says Stosberg.

The Highway Patrol says an Independence Day DWI enforcement operation will take place during the entire holiday weekend. Troopers are enforcing all Missouri statutes, including driving while intoxicated and underage drinking.

The 2019 holiday counting period begins Wednesday evening at 6 and goes through 11:59 Sunday night.

Meantime, the Patrol says the Fourth holiday weekend is also one of the busiest boating holidays of the year. Lieutenant Stosberg is urging boaters to be alert for other boats and for swimmers.

“If you’re out (on the water) at night, that seems to be the deadliest crashes,” Stosberg says. “Make sure your navigation lights are on.”

Stosberg also notes evening fireworks displays attract additional night boaters.

Just last weekend, two boats collided at night at the Lake of the Ozarks, killing 39-year-old Jason Russell of mid-Missouri’s Eugene.

Lake traffic is expected to be heavy this weekend. Missourinet Versailles affiliate KTKS (FM 95.1) reports more than 250,000 are expected to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Missouri State Highway Patrol Lieutenant Collin Stosberg, which was recorded on July 2, 2019:

Throttleman involved in the Lake of the Ozarks boat crashed has died (VIDEO)

August 27, 2014 By Bill Pollock

photo/screen shot YouTube

Forty-four-year-old Michael Fiori died Tuesday evening at University Hospital in Columbia. Fiori was the throttleman of the 46-foot SC Outerlimits boat that flipped as high as 50 feet in the air before landing on his side of the canopy before coming to rest right side up. The boat was running more than 150 mph this past Saturday at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.

Frank Sciacca, general counsel for Fiore’s company, Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats, said in a statement that Fiori died from complications from surgery after the accident. Sciacca says Fiori was married with three young children.

**VIDEO WARNING–STRONG LANGUAGE CONTAINED IN THE AUDIO THAT MAY BE OFFENSIVE TO SOME

One boat sets a new speed record, while another goes soaring in the air at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout (VIDEO)

August 26, 2014 By Bill Pollock

A boat racing on Lake of the Ozarks flips over during early runs on Saturday.

Driven by Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor A-Thani, of Qatar, and British racer Steve Curtis as the throttle man, a turbine powered 50′ Mystic catamaran called Al Adaa ‘am 96 Spirit of Qatar, hit the 244 mph mark to claim the Top Gun title at the 26th annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. That speed topped the record that was set in 2013.

On Saturday, dramatic video taken by Beverly Kalwei, shows a new 46-foot SC Outerlimits boat flipping and soaring through the air while running more than 150 mph. After launching an estimated 50 feet in the air, the boat, driven by Joel Begin and throttlman Mike Fiore, landed on the throttleman’s side of the canopy and came to rest right side up.

Fiore and Begin survived the crash, and were taken to University Hospital in Columbia, Mo. Begin is reported to be doing better, while Fiore was airlifted to the tauma center and is in serious but stable condition.

**VIDEO WARNING–STRONG LANGUAGE CONTAINED IN THE AUDIO THAT MAY BE OFFENSIVE TO SOME

Seven killed on Missouri roads over Labor Day weekend, no drownings or boating fatalities

September 3, 2013 By Jessica Machetta

The Highway Patrol reports seven people were killed on Missouri roads over the Labor Day weekend. That’s even with last year, when seven people died in car accidents over the holiday. Two of the highway fatalities were motorcyclists.

Troopers investigated 248 crashes … 112 people suffered injuries, that number is down from last year. The Patrol reports arresting 119 people for drunk driving, which is also down from 147 last year. In 2012, troopers investigated 201 crashes, which included 144 injuries and four of the seven fatalities.

Good news on the waterways though were no boating fatalities or drownings have been reported. The Water Patrol did investigate nine boating crashes, injuring seven, and arrested 14 people for boating while intoxicated. During the 2012 Labor Day weekend, officers investigated three boating crashes, which included one injury and no fatalities. One person drowned and seven people were arrested for boating while intoxicated during last year’s Labor Day weekend.

The 2013 counting period ran from 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 30, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, Sept. 2.

Of the five traffic crash fatalities troopers investigated, three occurred in the Troop D, Springfield area, and one each occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring area, and the Troop F, Jefferson City.

There were no fatalities on Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, during the counting period.

Three fatalities occurred on Saturday, Aug. 31. Justin M. Rohe, 25, of St. Charles died when he failed to stop at a red signal and struck the rear passenger side of a vehicle making a left turn. Rohe was ejected from the motorcycle he was driving. The crash occurred at the intersection of Mid Rivers Mall Drive and Ohmes Road in St. Charles County. St. Charles County emergency medical services pronounced Rohe dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured in the crash.

Dalton W. Coe, 15, of Seneca died when the vehicle in which he was a passenger crossed the centerline and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle then left the roadway, overturned, and struck a tree. Newton County Deputy Coroner Brian Artherton pronounced Coe dead at the scene. The driver and another passenger sustained moderate injuries. All three of the vehicle’s occupants were wearing seat belts. The crash occurred on Gum Road south of Joplin, in Newton County.

The St. Louis Police Department is investigating the remaining fatality on Aug. 31 — no further details are available.

One person died on Sunday, Sept. 1. Brandan A. Evans, 18, of Bronaugh died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the left side of the roadway, overturned several times, and came to rest on its tires. Evans was not wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected from the vehicle. Dr. Tiffany Batiste, Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, pronounced Evans dead at the hospital. The crash occurred on Missouri Route BB, one mile south of Nevada, Vernon County. The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.

Three fatalities occurred on the Labor Day holiday, Monday, Sept. 2. Beth W. Adamson, 50, of Wichita, Kan., died when the driver of the vehicle in which she was a passenger failed to stop at a stop sign. The Adamson vehicle was then struck broadside. Dr. Buchele, Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, pronounced Adamson dead at the hospital. Both the driver and Adamson were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash; the driver sustained minor injuries. The driver of the other vehicle sustained serious injuries; he was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred 10 miles north of Joplin on Missouri Highway 43 in Jasper County.

Melissa K. Crossland, 45, of Richland died when the driver of the vehicle in which she was a passenger failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle then traveled off the right side of the road, struck a tree, and overturned. Neither the driver nor Crossland were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Camden County Medical Examiner Jaimie Wheat pronounced Crossland dead at the scene. The driver sustained serious injuries. The crash occurred in Camden County on Missouri Route A east of Seven Springs Road.

The Ste. Genevieve Police Department is investigating the remaining fatality for Monday, Sept. 2. No further details are available.

The patrol says the fatality statistics reported today could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatal traffic/boating crashes after the numbers were released, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than traffic/boating incident.