Our in-depth section is devoted to long-form articles covering wide-ranging issues in Springfield, Mo. and surrounding areas.
‘Annie Leibovitz at Work’ plays greatest hits alongside new favorite photographs
“Annie Leibovitz at Work” is not intended to be viewed as a retrospective, but rather as a master class in “ah-ha” moments.
Cancer in the soil: Hundred years’ cleanup continues in Springfield
A chemical linked to human cancers was routinely dumped in northwest Springfield from the 1960s to the 1980s.
Downtown staple Urban Roots Farm to lie dormant after 14 years of serving Springfield
Since 2009, the four-season, naturally-grown Urban Roots Farm has established itself as a downtown staple, providing 600 pounds of produce every week for Springfield’s residents and businesses.
Missouri cannabis recall may leave Springfield producers with steep bill, dispensaries without vault space
Cannabis companies in the Springfield area are holding onto hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of products after the state regulator issued a recall.
Unlicensed Airbnb and other short-term rentals, which saturate Springfield market, face crackdown
At the beginning of the summer, the occupancy rates of short-term rentals alarmingly dipped. Property owners suggest unlicensed units in Springfield shoulder much of the blame.
Coexisting with bats, the world’s only true flying mammal
By early to mid-July, big brown bat pups learn to fly on their own. In August, as colonies scatter, bats also begin to show up on porches, patios, shutters and siding.
From college president to beekeeper: John Moore is still a beehive of activity
For John E. Moore Jr., switching from from a bustling urban campus to 55 quiet rural acres in north-central Greene County may seem a surprising turn. But he sees it as something of a homecoming.
Springfield Sen. Lincoln Hough reflects on first session as budget chair: ‘We had a really good year’
Springfield’s Republican Sen. Lincoln Hough had a successful first year as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, watching the continued infighting of his party hold up various priorities — some Republican and some bipartisan — while seeing through the largest budget in state history.
Springfield voters to decide on 3-percent sales tax on recreational marijuana Aug. 8
Recreational marijuana is back on the ballot for Springfield voters, who will decide on Aug. 8 whether the City of Springfield can impose an additional 3-percent sales tax on recreational marijuana.
Thrills, danger and dirt: one big family watches Saturday night racing
The Springfield Raceway on the city’s north side attracts hundreds of spectators most Saturday nights.
Springfield’s No. 1 crime: Theft
Theft from a vehicle is the most common form of larceny in Springfield. In 2022, there were 2,050 reports filed and only 57 of these cases were cleared.
State budget mostly good, but is mixed bag for Springfield, mayor and legislators say
Of the 201 vetoes made by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson in the state budget, there was bound to be some disappointment. But of the $51.8 billion budget, the largest in state history, lawmakers and leaders around the state found reason to celebrate the funding coming in for various projects. That disappointment and celebration was reflected…
They gave a deaf young man a home; he gave them hugs and life lessons, even in unexpected death
Drury University students designed and built a home for Mel Woods and were there when turned the doorknob for the first time in December 2018. He died by suicide in that Eden Village tiny home on June 13.
Living in Confidence: A survivor’s story turns to healing and advocacy for victims of domestic violence
First as a witness to abuse as a young girl, then as a victim in two different relationships, Kai Sutton escaped, made a new life in the Ozarks — and now is an outspoken community leader, and a model for others.
Why are Black people charged with domestic abuse at rates higher than share of the population?
A Springfield Daily Citizen analysis of domestic abuse charges in 2022 found that a disproportionate number of Greene County defendants were Black. Of 150 court cases, 22 percent of the defendants were Black — 3.5 percent of the county population is Black.
Roundtable: Ugly truths about culture, desire to keep things ‘private,’ are factors in domestic violence
The impact regional culture has on the prevalence of domestic violence and other ideas about the causes and solutions to the issue were part of a roundtable discussion convened by the Springfield Daily Citizen.
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.
Winning the war: Battlefield Mall keeps busy despite national trends
About 150 different businesses of all sorts occupy more than 1.2 million square feet of space that make up the Battlefield Mall.
The Ozarks go to Washington: How an international festival might broaden perceptions of our culturally rich region (even for ourselves!)
From the Springfield plains to the hills and hollers of the Ozark mountains, just where do the Ozarks begin and end?
Case study: What happens when a zealous abuse victim runs up against a perpetrator who knows the system?
In a system where victims fail to cooperate with prosecution up to 80 percent of the time, Malea Klusmeyer was unusual for her zealous involvement and her support of the criminal charges. Her abuser was an unusual defendant. Not only was he a lawyer, but he worked for a firm with deep ties to Greene…
Halloween murder-suicide is case study in how system is unable to keep domestic violence victims safe
Melvin Parrow was on house arrest due to felony domestic assault charges. He was given an ankle monitor and under court order to stay away from his wife, Torie Parrow. Instead, he showed up at her home, shot and killed her before killing himself. Her 8-year-old son was waiting in the car outside, hoping to…
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.
Trans residents weigh decision to stay or leave Springfield in wake of efforts to limit care access
The question of whether or not it’s time to leave Missouri is weighed more often by more people at support group meetings for Springfield trans and questioning residents.
City Utilities loans economic development executive to Chamber amid staff departures
In an effort to help fill a gap amid a recent string of departures at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, City Utilities is loaning the chamber its own chief economic development officer.
Hold the onions: Springfield expands compost efforts as food waste piles up in landfill
Springfield residents don’t have many options right now to avoid sending food waste to the landfill.
Survey of homeless shows few transients, many are long-term residents
People who experience homelessness have an average life expectancy of around 50 years of age, almost 20 years lower than people who are housed.
Domestic violence calls pose uncertainty and danger for officers and victims
Springfield Daily Citizen reporters Steve Pokin and Jackie Rehwald rode with separate Springfield police officers on Easter — Sunday, April 9 — to observe officers Jeff Hook and Landon Hugo respond to emergency calls of domestic violence.
Deadly force: Strangulation is among most dangerous and lethal forms of domestic violence
Strangulation is one of the most abusive and lethal ways to demonstrate power and control in domestic violence situations. It is also among the most common. In local cases from 2022 reviewed by the Springfield Daily Citizen, about one-third of defendants were accused of strangling the victim.
Springfield No. 1 in state for rate of reported domestic violence: Is that a good thing?
Data gathered by the Springfield Daily Citizen confirm the persistent belief by some that the city is the state’s hotbed of domestic violence — while others say the numbers don’t necessarily prove domestic violence is more common here than in other major cities in Missouri.
Volunteers are back in schools, Springfield wants more of them
To become a reading buddy through the Council of Churches of the Ozarks Math and Reading Buddy Program, you must commit to volunteering for half an hour per week over the course of a school year.
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.
ARPA grant in hand, nonprofit to build $2.4 million firing range for Greene County deputies
Greene County deputies will be able to conduct firearm training from a $2.4 million shooting range in Strafford paid for by the nonprofit Sheriff Arnott’s Distinguished Posse.
Amid University Heights drama, commercial vacancies plague a stretch of East Sunshine
Amid the ongoing dispute between developers and neighbors in the University Heights neighborhood, a busy stretch of Sunshine Street between National and Glenstone faces challenges, including abundant commercial vacancies.
National Audio Company’s building recently hit the market. What’s that mean for the company, and for cassettes?
National Audio Company has put its two Downtown Springfield buildings up for sale. But the owner says that doesn’t mean the company is going away.
Concerned about housing affordability and quality in Springfield? City candidates share views and ideas
The campaign season affords candidates the chance to sound off on issues ranging from homelessness, housing rentals, type of housing, nuisance properties, vacancies, and what exactly the city government’s role is in the overall housing picture.
Springfield school candidates split along bright lines of culture wars and educator vs. business values
Four candidates for two seats on the Springfield school board are split along bright lines. The outcome of the April 4 election could flip priorities for the state’s largest school district.
Springfield’s largest homeless camp cleared; city gives campers 3 days to vacate
Officers with the Springfield Police Department cleared a large long-time homeless encampment in northeast Springfield this week, giving residents three days to collect belongings and seek services or alternate housing.
‘Welcome to the jungle’: The case for more space at Springfield’s oldest schools
What does Proposition S actually mean for Springfield Public Schools? At Reed Academy, it means lunch wouldn’t have to be a rushed, noisy affair spilling out of its small cafeteria into the gym
Care about Springfield’s growth and development? Find out which City Council candidates you align with
The personnel who make up the Springfield City Council will change in April, just as Springfield is likely to grow, develop and change over the next four years. Candidates sat for one-on-one interviews with the Springfield Daily Citizen to discuss development, growth and Springfield’s future.
Mayoral candidates conflict over how to treat Springfield’s growth and development
Challenger Melanie Bach is campaigning on a neighborhoods-first focus, while incumbent Ken McClure advocates for regulation and rethinking development within the confines of the Forward SGF 20-year comprehensive plan.
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.