Chris Lebeck (Submitted photo)
Opinion: Former Springfield Planning & Zoning commissioner Chris Lebeck says transparency matters in the appointment process.
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Alison Roffers is director of counseling services for SPS. (Photo courtesy SPS)
Alison Roffers, director of counseling services for Springfield Public Schools, was named a Belonging Champion by Harmony Academy at National University. She is one of 30 chosen for the honor.
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Evangel forward Heaven Shockley shoots a three-pointer during the conference tournament championship game on Monday, March 2, 2026, in Springfield. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
Former Central forward Heaven Shockley is a big reason No. 12 Evangel is hosting a four-team pod in the opening rounds of the NAIA national women’s basketball tournament.
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James River Church in Ozark will be providing groceries Thursday, prior to spring break, at four elementary schools in Springfield and four in Joplin. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
The James River Church Serve Team is visiting four schools in Springfield and four in Joplin to provide groceries and essential supplies to families in need over spring break.
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Rik Thomas and his brother Bill perform on Sunday, Nov.17, 2024, at the Shoe Tree Listening Room in Springfield. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
The Springfield music community is mourning Rik Thomas, a singer and string musician who played in Big Smith and Little Jones. He was known for his strong voice, harmonies and joyful presence.
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Chef Roland Parny rolls large sheets of dough. (Photo by Juliana Goodwin)
At 82, chef Roland Parny still rolls dough before most people wake up. The native of France shared stories from his long career with foodie writer Juliana Goodwin, who will tell you where you can find his beloved pastries.
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Ozark is home to Buffalo Wild Wings' newest to-go oriented restaurant. (Photo by Zoe McIntyre)
Missouri's second Buffalo Wild Wings Go has opened, and it's in Ozark. The Go concept focuses on takeout and delivery, and the Ozark location includes just three tables and six chairs for guests who prefer to dine in.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/economy-grow...
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The Greene County Sheriff's Office and the jail are at 5100 W. State Highway EE, also known as West Division Street. (Photo by Shannon Cay)
A Springfield woman faces felony assault charges after she allegedly shocked a Greene County deputy with a stun gun and kicked another in the chest during an eviction.
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Lyle Foster, founder of the Springfield-Greene County African-American Heritage Trail, speaks prior to the unveiling of the Milly Sawyers trail marker in August 2025. Sawyers was one of the first enslaved persons to sue for freedom in the state of Missouri. After unsuccessfully suing twice in St. Louis, she won her freedom on her third try, in Greene County. Sawyers, as a free woman, was beaten in the street by some of Springfield’s founding fathers. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
OPINION: Columnist Clif Smart says learning Black history is part of knowing the complete history of the United States. He shares four local perspectives on the importance of Black History Month.
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Pappy's Cafe's float rolls through Park Central Square during the 2025 Springfield St. Patrick's Day Parade. (Photo by Jeff Kessinger)
Downtown construction has altered the route of the 43rd Springfield St. Patrick's Day Parade, which steps off at 2 p.m. on March 14. @jkessingersgf.bsky.social has more details.
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This building at 1001 N. National Ave. is the former home of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church. (Photo by Joe Hadsall)
To build a new parking lot, Ozarks Technical Community College will knock down the former home of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church. The building dates back to 1894, according to Queen City Preservation, a historic preservation group in Springfield.
Learn more: sgfcitizen.org/schools/spri...
Stardust Ballroom sits on Campbell Avenue, just west of a Chipotle Mexican Grill. Stardust was denied a liquor license renewal in 2026. (Photo by Ryan Collins)
The Stardust Ballroom may end up closing after the company was denied a liquor license renewal this year. Owner Mark Burgess said the denial came as a surprise and called the circumstances “asinine.”
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Athletes sport blue Adidas Tokyo track spikes in the 1964 Olympics. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)
OPINION: Columnist Steve Pokin sometimes runs on the Glendale High School track, and is puzzled and saddened when he sees abandoned running shoes. He bought his first racing spikes in 1969. They were supersonic blue and it was a big deal.
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Five local MSHSAA state basketball quarterfinal matchups to watch.
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Republic City Hall. (Photo by Zoe McIntyre)
Republic residents’ water bills are expected to triple from 2023 to 2027 under the current rate structure. City staff recommends “flattening the slope of the rate increase curve,” which would keep water rates static between 2025 and 2026.
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The historic Landers Theatre on Walnut Street is home to Springfield Little Theatre. (Photo by Sony Hocklander)
Joanie Garner-DiPrizio directs and choreographs a cast of more than 40 in Springfield Little Theatre's "Sweeney Todd," which opens March 13. She wants audiences to be "haunted, thrilled, and deeply moved" by the journey into Sweeney's world.
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Students at Ozarks Tech take a break March 20 at the college's Information Commons on the Springfield campus. (Photo by Joe Hadsall)
Ozarks Tech students will face a tuition increase for credit hours and student fees next year, pending approval from the Board of Trustees. Tuition increases would range from $4 to $7 per credit hour.
Learn more: sgfcitizen.org/schools/spri...
Rep. Dirk Deaton, R-Seneca, speaks on the House floor in May 2025. (Photo by Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)
FREE TO ALL READERS: The chairman of Missouri's House Budget Committee wants to overhaul state support for community colleges and universities by reallocating funding based on the number of full-time students on each campus.
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The Willard Schools administrative office on Feb. 5, 2026. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
The Willard Board of Education has approved an agreement with Evangel University that allows the district’s teachers to pursue a master’s degree while they work for the district. Willard will cover the tuition costs.
Learn more: sgfcitizen.org/schools/k12-...
The official FIFA World Cup 26 Kansas City Host City Poster was designed by a Missouri State alum. Jadie Anett's work is plastered on official merchandise and ads to promote one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
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Derek Lee, council member representing General Seat D, attends the Springfield City Council meeting held on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
Less than two months after approving changes to regulations governing access to public rights-of-way, including driveways, the Springfield City Council is considering suspending those changes and referring them to committee for further review.
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There's a vacant lot along Farm Road 163, which is what National Avenue becomes as you head south from Springfield. Public records indicate it's a cemetery. A reader has questions for The Answer Man. (Photo by Steve Pokin)
Records indicate that this vacant lot on Farm Road 163, south of Plainview Road, is a cemetery. Is it really, and who owns it? Here's what Answer Man Steve Pokin learned.
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The eighth president of the institution, Dr. John H. Keiser served 12 years from 1993-2005. Keiser, the first president who had presidential experience, is shown here in front of Carrington Hall, the administration building. (Photo courtesy of Missouri State University)
OPINION: Paul Kincaid says President John Keiser’s impact is still felt on the Missouri State University campus almost 21 years after he retired.
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Lights illuminated on the top of a police vehicle (Photo: Pixabay.com)
The pedestrian who was struck while crossing Sunshine Street in west Springfield on March 7 has died from his injuries. Benson Mahan, of Battlefield, was 39.
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The Missouri State Capitol on Jan. 29, 2026. (Photo by Jack McGee)
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Christina Ryder and Marnie Watson, of Bois D’Arc, say a bill that would create a sub-minimum wage for workers under 18 subverts Missourians’ vote.
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Christian County Sheriff’s deputy Michael Adams and his wife Ashley were killed June 30 in an off-duty traffic crash. (Photo used with permission of Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole)
A judge has denied a change of venue request for Garrett Cleaver, who is charged in the fatal 2025 crash that killed Michael E. Adams, an off-duty Christian County deputy, and his wife, Ashley.
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Mary Beth O'Reilly was recognized with the Springfieldian award in 2012 from the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. (Photo provided by Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce)
NEW: Funeral services for Mary Beth O'Reilly, philanthropist and founder of the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, are set for March 28 in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BCFO.
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Krista and Kevin Dahl's daughter Charlee did not develop kidneys in utero and lived for 30 minutes. The Dahls are thankful their doctor allowed them to have this time with their baby rather than taking the baby away to perform aggressive resuscitation when the baby's condition was not survivable. (Photo by On Angels' Wings founder Michelle Cramer)
Critics of Missouri's Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act have raised concerns about how it could affect families who choose to induce early labor following a fatal fetal diagnosis and the providers caring for them.
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Keynote speakers Michelle Hataway, director, and Jeff Pinkerton, director of economic research for the Missouri Dept. of Economic Development, address the annual meeting of the Springfield Business Development Corporation on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The SBDC is the economic development arm of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Morrow says the Springfield Business Development Corp. secured six projects in 2025, resulting in more than 400 jobs and $96 million in new investments in the Springfield region.
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