Wife of man who killed 2 Christian County deputies faces federal gun and drug charges
Stone County deputies executed a search warrant on Richard and Yvonne Bird’s home a week before the two law enforcement officers were killed.
university heights
‘Hurdles’ ahead for University Heights properties, even after appeals court sides with developer
After a three-year legal battle, University Heights residents lost their appeal against developer Be Kind & Merciful. Springfield-based Valiant Group still pursuing the purchase for a residential development.
courts
Mom of drunk driver sues Club Rodeo, deceased passenger in 2025 crash
The mother of a 19-year-old driver who died in a 2025 crash filed a wrongful death suit against Club Rodeo, alleging that the club served alcohol to her son, who was under the legal drinking age.
MSU hires new VP a week after Southern Connecticut State said he was starting a job there
The university announced on Wednesday that Mark Danes has been hired as its new vice president for marketing and communications. A week ago, Southern Connecticut…
Ozarks Tech announces pathways for students to enter Mizzou’s Springfield medical school
Ozarks Tech on Wednesday outlined the pathways it offers for students to have a chance at acceptance into the University of Missouri’s School of Medicine in Springfield. The two schools reached an agreement on the pathways earlier this year.
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latest news & Sports
NEWS
Greene County Commission asks Environmental Advisory Board to study data centers
The Greene County Commission approved a letter July 7 asking the city-county board to study the environmental impact of data centers.
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SPORTS
Bill Voorhis settling into new head coaching role at Kickapoo after successful run at Fair Grove
Bill Voorhis, the new head football coach at Kickapoo High, is settling into his new position and looking to instill a newfound sense of confidence and competition among his players, while leaning on the returning assistant coaches.
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BUSINESS
East Coast sandwich chain, Capriotti’s, coming to Springfield
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is opening its first location in Springfield, Missouri in the former Pita Pit space, with a construction crew contracted and ready to begin work once permits are approved.
More than just words: Table Rock Community Bank shows culture in action
Table Rock Community Bank is committed to creating a culture of customer service that is intentional, human-centered, and focused on making customers feel valued and respected.
West Central landlords must register properties for rental inspection program by July 31
Landlords in Springfield’s West Central neighborhood have until July 31 to register their single-family and duplex rental properties or face fines of $500 to $2,500 as part of the city’s 18-month rental inspection pilot program.
Ozarks Lunkers owner’s Big Dog Deli closes after 1 year due to rising costs
Big Dog Deli in northwest Springfield has closed its doors after a one-year run due to rising food and labor costs, said owner Mark Burgess. Burgess owns the shopping center that housed Big Dog and is looking for a new tenant to fill the space.
SCHOOLS & CHILDREN
Read our special series SPS: District of Choice?
MSU earns accreditation from Higher Learning Commission
A 110-year record of continual accreditation for Missouri State University will continue for another 10 years. The university announced that it has been fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Two topics, faith and food, added to Community Focus Report
Managed by the Ozarks Public Health Institute at Missouri State University, the 2026 edition of the Community Focus Report is set for an October release. It will mark the first report since the institute took over.
GOVERNMENT
Springfield/Greene co.
SRC partnership Genie Recon to increase workforce by 50% with Springfield expansion
Genie Recon, an SRC Holdings Corp. partnership company, is expanding its Springfield facility and increasing its workforce by 50%, with plans to employ 90 people by the end of 2026.
christian county
Former Clever police chief sentenced to probation in domestic assault case
Former Clever Police Chief Michael Evans pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault and paid a fine of $141.50 for the incident. He had spent over 20 years in law enforcement.
elections
State budget earmark for Springfield convention center avoids veto, remains restricted
Unlike a line-item veto, which denies funding to a particular item, an expenditure restriction allows the governor to temporarily or permanently withhold funding.
public safety
Police write 9 tickets (8 to pedestrians) for crosswalk violations on North Glenstone
The Springfield Police Department conducted extra crosswalk enforcement at the HAWK signal on North Glenstone Avenue in response to six pedestrian deaths this year, resulting in nine citations and 22 pedestrians safely crossing the street.
Steve Pokin — Columnist
Join us as Steve Pokin interviews Judith Martínez-García on July 30
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: Group wants to plant world’s tallest flagpole in southwest Missouri to unite a divided nation
Nathanael Toms is leading a group to build a 700-foot-tall flagpole in southwest Missouri. It would be the tallest in the world.
Pokin Around: The religious and musical journeys of R.C. ‘Happy’ Hopper — 368 songs and 386 weddings
R.C. “Happy” Hopper, 81, has had a long and varied career as a musician, pastor, and wedding officiant, and has used his guitar to spread his message of love and acceptance.
Answer Man: Is Springfield Bass Pro, the flagship, the company’s largest store?
It’s definitely a two-horse race between the Pyramid in Memphis and the “Granddaddy” in Springfield.
Join us as Steve Pokin interviews Judith Martínez-García on July 30
Missouri State University Associate Professor Judith Martínez-García is the next guest in the Pokin Around: Live series.
SPRINGFIELD CULTURE
Backyard Naturalist: GLADE program promotes a lifelong love of learning and the outdoors
The Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems (GLADE) is a hands-on, weeklong summer science camp that teaches budding young naturalists about the importance of conservation and provides them with opportunities to develop leadership skills.
Midtown Victorian Drill Team gears up for Springfield’s 4th of July Parade
The Midtown Victorian Drill Team, a group of costumed marchers, will be performing in the annual Old-Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Celebration in Springfield’s Midtown neighborhood, which is the largest and oldest nationally registered historic district in the city.
OTHER SPRINGFIELD NEWS
Health/environment
sports
VOICES
Clif Smart: USA has much to celebrate after 250 years
I love our country, while recognizing it is and never has been perfect. I have prospered here as have our children and grandchildren, and I think there are things about our history that set us apart from other nations.
Opinion: Why America’s 250th should be celebrated on your block
Philadelphia is hosting 250 block parties to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, encouraging neighbors to gather and build relationships, trust and a sense of belonging.
Letter: What the Southern Baptist Convention’s debate on women in leadership means for Springfield churches
The Southern Baptist Convention communicates a troubling message in its ongoing debate about whether women should be allowed to lead ministries or teach adults, writes University Heights Baptist Church lead pastor Nolan Porter.
Brian Fogle: CFO steps up to help those impacted by hail storm
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks donated funds to groups like the Drew Lewis Foundation and Eden Village to make repairs following April’s historic hail storm.
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.
