Howell's It Going, August 9, 2024
Hello and welcome to Howell’s It Going. This is your weekly update on what’s happening in your community. I’m Amanda Mendez, and this is your news.
Willow Springs drivers – take notice! New drop-off and pick-up procedures around the campus of Willow Springs R-IV School District mean some roads will now be one-way and others will be gated during school hours.
“All vehicles for pick-up and drop-off should now line up from Campbell to Third Street, instead of Campbell to Main Street,” announced the district on August 1. “This adjustment is designed to prevent traffic congestion that has previously overwhelmed the pick-up line, blocked Casey's parking lot, and shut down parts of Main Street. Redirecting traffic to Third Street will help alleviate congestion on Main Street and around Casey's. Previously, the drop-off location was on High Street without utilizing the parking lot.”
The new one-way streets are:
*Campbell Street from Fourth to High Street
*High Street from Campbell to Garfield
The 2024-2025 school year for the Willow Springs School District begins on August 19.
A Mountain View man has been arrested after holding children at gunpoint at the Liberty High School football field. Utah Wane Conner, age 37, of Mountain View, has been charged with class E felony unlawful use of a weapon – subsection 5 – while intoxicated – loaded weapon, and class D felony endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk – first degree – first offense – no sexual conduct. He is being held on a $50,000 cash or corporate surety bond.
The victims said they were playing on the football field when Connor announced himself as a police officer. He told them he had a gun and to lay down. They said he pointed the firearm at one of their heads and told them to lay down or he was going to shoot and, “If they kept mouthing, I'll kill you.” The children said they were afraid for their lives.
The suspect, who lives nearby on Washington Street, allegedly told police he heard yelling and screaming and went to investigate. He denied pointing the gun at the kids when asked by police. The probable cause statement says Conner smelled of intoxicants and told police he had a few shots.
The two responding officers took Conner into custody and were able to remove the firearm from the suspect's back pocket, removing the loaded magazine and clearing a round from the chamber.
Travelers along US Highway 63 near Cabool have likely noticed that familiar sight has been different this year. The Sterling Hollow Dam, more commonly recognized as a pond that appears roughly in the shape of the United States, is near the weigh station on the highway outside Willow Springs. It was drained shortly before the start of 2024. Howell County News spoke with District Ranger Cody Lunsford with the Forest Service to find out why.
“The Sterling Hollow Dam is noted as a high hazard dam,” said Lunsford. “We had noticed that that the dam spillway had eroded, so, we began the mitigation process.”
He addressed some local rumors about the pond, saying that, “No. It wasn't drained to search for a dead body. There really wasn't anything interesting found in the bottom of the dam.”
The Sterling Hollow Dam was drained in December 2023 after the pond was electroshocked, and the fish were removed. Lunsford said the mitigation process should be completed this fall and refilled with water and restocked with fish, noting the water level will be lower than it was previously. Once the project is complete, visitors will be able to visit the pond again.
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The American Red Cross is urging donors to give blood or platelets now to reinforce the blood supply as much as possible before the summer winds down. Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are especially needed to help keep hospital shelves stocked through August.
Donors remain critically needed to support the Red Cross delivery of vital blood products, which are in demand around-the-clock as hospitals work to save lives this summer.
The next blood drive for Willow Springs will be on Monday, August 12 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Willow Springs United Methodist Church, 311 North Harris Street, Willow Springs. Presenting donors will receive a Red Cross t-shirt while supplies last and also, In thanks, those who come to give Aug. 1-31, 2024, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details.
The West Plains Country Club will host a 4 Lady Scramble on Friday, August 16 at 10:00 a.m. The entry fee is $300.00 per team or $75.00 per person. Carts are $50.00 each. The entry fee will include range balls and a box lunch.
This year the annual tournament will feature a raffle fundraiser for Tyler Morgan. Morgan is a detention officer at the West Plains Police Department and was recently named Civilian Employee of the Year at the WPPD. His wife, Cheyenne, suffered several seizures recently which led to the discovery of a large brain tumor. She has already undergone multiple surgeries.
To sign up call 417-257-2726. The country club is located at 1402 Country Club Drive in West Plains, MO.
Two riders used the Willow Springs Senior Center’s new shuttle service on its opening day, said Director Wilma Sheets. The new service began on August 1.
Riders 60 or more years of age may call to schedule a ride on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Rides are available for a suggested donation of $2.00. The shuttle is handicapped accessible. It seats eight riders and two wheelchairs.
This program is just a start, Sheets said. If it goes well and has a warm response, the hope is to extend hours, days of service, and the area of service. Right now, the shuttle is only available within the city limits of Willow Springs.
The shuttle will take riders anywhere they wish to go in town, Sheets said. The shuttle service has been funded by a grant she wrote. The $50,000 award comes from the Department of Health and Senior Services.
The senior center invites the community to a celebration of their new transportation program on August 21. The music starts at 3:00 p.m. Hotdogs and hamburgers will be served at 4:30 p.m., and The Baker Family will be playing music at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $12.00.
To schedule a ride, or for questions about the shuttle service, call 417-469-3892 or 417-469-5210.
This is Amanda and this has been Howell's It Going.