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2021 In Review: Top stories in Springfield & Ozarks region
As the year comes to a close, KY3 takes a look back at several stories around Springfield and the Ozarks region that had a major impact in 2021.
In a year remembered for an active pandemic response, severe weather outbreaks, and high-profile investigations, we break down some of the top local stories from each month.
We break down the impact of one major local story from each month, while noting others of high importance from January-December 2021.
FEATURED: High-profile investigation in Dallas County
Oct. 6, 2021
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office is leading a months-long investigation into the disappearance of Cassidy Rainwater, an investigation that has taken multiple turns since September.
Investigators say Cassidy Rainwater, a 33-year old woman with ties to Dallas, Greene and Laclede counties, disappeared on July 25. She wasn’t reported missing to authorities until nearly a month later.
The case has led to multiple arrests, court proceedings and new developments in recent weeks. Two suspects, James Phelps and Timothy Norton, have been arrested and charged for the kidnapping of Rainwater.
CLICK HERE for in-depth timeline explaining the latest developments.
FEATURED: The decade shaping Joplin since May 2011 tornado
May 20, 2021
Ten years removed from tragedy, Joplin commemorates a period filled with pain, pride and progress. Saturday marks one decade since a devastating EF-5 tornado swept through Joplin.
The natural disaster shook southwest Missouri, placing the region in the worldwide spotlight. It led to 161 deaths, more than 1,300 injuries and nearly $3 billion worth of damages. To date, the May 22, 2011 tornado is considered the deadliest and costliest in United States history.
The twister ravaged through nearly one-third of Joplin city limits, reaching peak speeds in excess of 200-miles-per-hour. It covered 22 miles of ground in Jasper and Newton counties over 38 minutes.
CLICK HERE for in-depth story with KY3 archives of tornado coverage.
RELATED - The Springfield Three: What we know about the cold case 29 years later
FEATURED: Big developments in Springfield and Ozarks region
Springfield Public Schools: 1,500 students could lose bus service after transportation change
Springfield Public Schools: 1,500 students could lose bus service after transportation change
Springfield Public Schools: 1,500 students could lose bus service after transportation change
Oct. 15, 2021
Nearly 1,500 students in Missouri’s largest school district could lose a ride to school in the upcoming weeks due to a transportation change.
Springfield Public Schools has notified parents that the district is changing its transportation plans next month amid a national bus driver shortage. An announcement sent to parents Friday said the change is due to “circumstances beyond our control.”
The change is set to begin Nov. 8. Leaders have not yet confirmed how long the change could impact the district, but noted it was “temporary.”
“Effective Nov. 8, elementary and K-8 school students must live 2 miles or more from school and middle and high school students must live 2.5 miles or more from school to be eligible to ride the bus for the foreseeable future,” according to the announcement sent Friday.
Parents directly impacted were sent a separate email, in addition to the district’s general announcement Friday afternoon. The change leaves many parents scrambling for plans to get their children to school safely.
Osage Nation of Oklahoma announces plans to build casino in Lake of the Ozarks region
Springfield Public Schools: 1,500 students could lose bus service after transportation change
Springfield Public Schools: 1,500 students could lose bus service after transportation change
Oct. 29, 2021
The Osage Nation of Oklahoma announced plans Friday to build a casino and entertainment complex in the Lake of the Ozarks region.
Plans call for the development of a new entertainment district at the Lake of the Ozarks, including a new hotel complex that will feature a casino, restaurants and live entertainment, according to a news release Friday from the Osage Nation of Oklahoma.
“We have established very good relationships with several communities in Missouri and seek to have a presence back in our homeland,” said Osage Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear.
The Chief of the Osage says the $60-million project will be done in phases, though the exact location or timetable has not yet been announced.
According to Missouri constitutional law, riverboat gambling is allowed on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers for boats in artificial moats or approved sites within 1000 feet of the of Mississippi River or Missouri River.
Missouri state lawmakers near the Lake of the Ozarks say they will seek the general assembly’s support to make it happen.
COVID-19: Response remains active in Springfield & Missouri
Coming into 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic had ravaged on a local, statewide and national level for nearly 10 months. The pandemic carried plenty of uncertainty into the new year, including expectations for how soon hospitalizations could drop and when vaccines could become available.
Missouri, Arkansas and the Ozarks region responded to the pandemic with various plans for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, while offering several options for COVID-19 testing. Counties have seen case numbers significantly drop and hospitals have seen fewer virus patients as vaccines have become more available.
The first COVID-19 vaccinations in Missouri and the Ozarks region began in December 2020. The need to relay information since then to help end the pandemic has grown. Our newest one-stop guide offers breaks down Missouri and Arkansas vaccination plans, offers interactive maps of vaccine providers and explains how to get a COVID-19 test in the Ozarks.
CLICK HERE for KY3's COVID-19 Resources Guide.
The Race To End COVID-19: Vaccines and Local Response
'It cannot be ignored': Health leaders address rising COVID-19 hospitalizations in Greene County
'It cannot be ignored': Health leaders address rising COVID-19 hospitalizations in Greene County
'It cannot be ignored': Health leaders address rising COVID-19 hospitalizations in Greene County
July 10, 2021
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department has reported more than 1,500 new COVID-19 cases since the start of July, noting that cases and hospitalizations from the virus have not slowed down recently.
Health leaders reported 194 new COVID-19 cases Saturday, increasing the county’s total to 1,548 cases since July 1. According to the health department, Greene County reported a 73% increase in new cases over the past week.
“This surge is not slowing down and it cannot be ignored,” said the health department in a tweet Saturday.
As of Saturday, Greene County reports a seven-day rolling average of 191 new cases. Health leaders reported 276 new cases Friday, a daily total the health department says it hasn’t seen since January 2021.
More than 200 COVID-19 patients are being treated in Greene County hospitals this weekend. Mercy Springfield and CoxHealth, two of the larger health systems in southwest Missouri, are treating a combined 232 COVID-19 patients as of Saturday.
Mercy Springfield to require all current, future workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19
'It cannot be ignored': Health leaders address rising COVID-19 hospitalizations in Greene County
'It cannot be ignored': Health leaders address rising COVID-19 hospitalizations in Greene County
July 7, 2021
Mercy Springfield will be requiring all current and future workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Mercy Springfield announced a Sept. 30, 2021 deadline for vaccinating all employees. Those who refuse to get vaccinated could possibly face termination. Physicians, staff, vendors and volunteers through Mercy Springfield will all be required to get vaccinated.
“We are leading by example. We are blazing a trail,” says Brent Hubbard, president and COO of Mercy Hospital Springfield on the decision to require all staff to be vaccinated.
“Mandating the vaccine is the right thing to do,” says Dr. Robin Trotman, who stresses the importance of protecting the community.
The decision comes as Mercy Springfield is treating 122 COVID-19 patients, according to Mercy CAO Erik Frederick. Around 97% of those patients are not vaccinated, according to Hubbard. The hospital has also reported three new COVID-19 deaths over the past 24 hours.
Springfield’s mega COVID-19 vaccine event sets state’s record in second day
TIMELINE: Missouri’s pandemic response one year since the state’s first COVID-19 case
Springfield’s mega COVID-19 vaccine event sets state’s record in second day
April 9, 2021
More than 4,000 people were vaccinated Friday in the second day of Springfield’s mass vaccination event.
The event sets a record for the most one-dose COVID-19 vaccines administered in one day. Health leaders administered 4,385 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Friday at the Hammons Student Center at Missouri State University.
The record comes on the same day that Missouri opened up vaccine eligibility to all adults. It broke the single-day record of 3,999 vaccines administered earlier this year in St. Charles County.
More than 6,100 people were fully vaccinated over two days, which falls short of the county’s initial goal of 10,000. The final vaccinations ended around 5 p.m. Friday.
Folks began filing in early Friday, doubling Thursday’s total vaccinations by 11 a.m.
ON YOUR SIDE: Which cities still require masks in southwest Missouri?
TIMELINE: Missouri’s pandemic response one year since the state’s first COVID-19 case
Springfield’s mega COVID-19 vaccine event sets state’s record in second day
March 21, 2021
To mask or unmask? That’s a key question many communities in southwest Missouri could address in the upcoming weeks.
Missouri has not required face masks statewide since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last March. However, many cities and counties issued mask mandates in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
In recent weeks, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have declined in Missouri, while vaccinations are on the rise. If these trends continue, some communities could be one step closer to lifting mask mandates.
The CDC expects to update the guidance to allow more activities as infections decline and vaccinations increase nationwide.
Until then, here’s a look at which communities in southwest Missouri still require face coverings, in addition to potential dates for when such orders could expire:
TIMELINE: Missouri’s pandemic response one year since the state’s first COVID-19 case
TIMELINE: Missouri’s pandemic response one year since the state’s first COVID-19 case
TIMELINE: Missouri’s pandemic response one year since the state’s first COVID-19 case
March 7, 2021
Sunday marks a significant moment for Missouri during the pandemic: one year since health leaders confirmed the state’s first reported case of COVID-19.
Nearly half of a million COVID-19 cases have been reported in Missouri over the past year, while more than 8,000 Missourians have died from the virus. As the pandemic has progressed, here’s a closer look at some key dates in Missouri’s response.
March 7, 2020
Gov. Mike Parson and Missouri health officials announce the state’s first positive COVID-19 case, reported to be a woman in her 20′s from St. Louis County.
March 11, 2020
The Missouri DHSS activates a statewide public hotline to offer information on COVID-19. On the same day, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic as a result of the virus.
Digital Extras: Sports Features
Springfield Cardinals: The Nolan Gorman era begins
Nixa native Courtney Frerichs qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
Nixa native Courtney Frerichs qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
May 4, 2021
Nolan Gorman had to wait a little longer than most prospects to get back into game action after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 Minor League Baseball season.
“Late August in 2019 was my last real game,” recalled Gorman, who was playing for Low-A affiliate Palm Beach Cardinals at the time. “At the end of August, our season got cut short by a series or two because of a hurricane down in Florida... It’s definitely a long time, something that us minor leaguers aren’t used to at all.”
Gorman, regarded as one the top prospects in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system, took spotlight in the Springfield Cardinals home opener Tuesday.
It was his first game in exactly 614 days, but he wasted no time making an impact.
Four batters into the game, Gorman robbed a hit with a diving play near the third base line. The play prevented what could have been the game-opening run for Wichita Wind Surge, leading to a force out at third base.
Nixa native Courtney Frerichs qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
Nixa native Courtney Frerichs qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
Nixa native Courtney Frerichs qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
June 24, 2021
Nixa native Courtney Frerichs earns another shot in the Summer Olympics, finishing as the runner-up in the Women’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase final Thursday at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Frerichs, a 2011 graduate of Nixa High School, placed second at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:11.79.
With the finish, she qualifies for the Summer Olympics for the second time in five years.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me through this journey,” said Frerichs via Twitter. “It truly takes a village and I wouldn’t be here without you! So unbelievably excited to be headed to my second Olympic Games!!”
Frerichs led the steeplechase race during the fifth and sixth laps before eventual champion Emma Coburn took control. The top three finishers are now qualified for the Summer Olympics.
Catching up with former Cardinals OF Matt Holliday
Nixa native Courtney Frerichs qualifies for Tokyo Olympics
Catching up with former Cardinals OF Matt Holliday
March 2, 2021
Longtime St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday paid a visit to Springfield on Tuesday. He is an assistant coach for Oklahoma State’s baseball team, who made a road trip to take on Missouri State.
Holliday, a seven-time All Star and 2011 World Series champion, played for four MLB teams over 14 seasons. He finished major league career with more than 2,000 hits and 300 home runs.
In a one-on-one interview with KY3's Joey Schneider, Holliday shares more on his coaching role with Oklahoma State, reflects on the 10-year anniversary of the St. Louis Cardinals’ last World Series championship and explains his friendship with new Cardinals’ third baseman Nolan Arenado.
CLICK HERE for one-on-one interview.
ADDITIONAL SPORTS STORIES
Nolan Gorman heating up in Springfield, slugs historic three home runs
FEATURED: Sports Previews
St. Louis Cardinals: Breaking down the schedule, roster and projections for the 2021 season
April 1, 2021
Believe it or not, we’re coming up on the tenth season that separates the St. Louis Cardinals from their last World Series championship in 2011.
A lot has changed for one of the most-storied franchises in baseball since their last title. Only a select handful of players from the 2011 have yet to retire from Major League Baseball. Team legends Stan Musial, Lou Brock and Bob Gibson have all passed away. And the Cardinals just navigated through an unusual pandemic-altered campaign last year.
One constant that hasn’t changed much: The expectation of a Red October. The Cardinals have either clinched postseason or avoided elimination until the final week of regular season each year in the past decade. One of those outcomes could very well be the case again in 2021.
Thursday marks Opening Day for the St. Louis Cardinals, who begin a second pandemic-altered season on the road against the Cincinnati Reds.
Here’s a closer look at the upcoming schedule, roster and projections for the St. Louis Cardinals.
RELATED: St. Louis Cardinals: A one-stop guide to the National League Wild Card Game
St. Louis Blues: Breaking down the schedule, roster and projections for the 2020-21 season
January 12, 2021
The St. Louis Blues held the title of defending Stanley Cup champions longer than most of their successors in the 21st century; a year-plus stretch dating back to June 12, 2019.
But a Stanley Cup repeat wasn’t meant to be last year. With the NHL season paused for nearly five months amid the pandemic, the Blues returned to play in a bubble, only to be eliminated in the first round of an adjusted playoff format in mid-August.
Fast forward nearly another five months, the St. Louis Blues hit the ice for an abbreviated 2020-21 season. The new campaign officially begins Wednesday when the Blues take on the Colorado Avalanche.
Plenty of changes surround the Blues in a second consecutive season altered by the pandemic. Some will impact the circumstances of how the season moves along, while others pertain more to the team’s identity.
Here’s a closer look at the upcoming schedule, roster and projections as the St. Louis Blues begin their bid for a second Stanley Cup in three years.
Chiefs Super Bowl Coverage: Digital Game Plan
The Springfield, Mo. community is a big hub for Kansas City Chiefs fans, making it critical to keep viewers engaged around Super Bowl LV.
For the second straight year, KY3 News updated a live blog throughout the game to keep fans informed of storylines, scores and major developments. We also provided updates with score and end-of-quarter graphics.
Unlike 2020, KY3 did not have a crew on-site due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, several news reporters provided local and hyperlocal coverage ahead of the Chiefs repeat bid.
Chiefs Super Bowl Coverage: Pregame Features
20 Questions (Trivia): Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes?
Head-to-head history: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Head-to-head history: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
February 5, 2021
Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. Two of the National Football League’s top household names go head-to-head for Super Bowl LV.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers clash for Super Bowl LV on Sunday, Feb. 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay.
Brady will start his tenth Super Bowl over 21 years. He is the winningest player in Super Bowl history, capturing six titles with the New England Patriots. Sunday will mark his first Super Bowl bid with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mahomes lifted the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title in half of a century last February, his only prior trip to the big game. He could become the first quarterback to win back-to-back Super Bowl Championships since Brady in 2004.
The stakes are high for Brady and Mahomes. But how well do you know both quarterbacks? Test your knowledge with 20 questions of trivia on our interactive quiz.
Head-to-head history: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Head-to-head history: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Head-to-head history: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
February 6, 2021
We’re only one day away from Super Bowl LV, a highly-anticipated matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Chiefs have a chance to secure their Super Bowl titles in back-to-back years, while the Buccaneers will compete for their first championship since 2003.
Sunday marks the 14th time in NFL history that two teams who met in the regular season are competing for the Super Bowl. The coincidence comes for the first time in nearly two decades.
In the previous 13 times this has happened, the team that won the regular season tilt has only won the Super Bowl six times. What this means for the Chiefs, who defeated the Buccaneers by a score of 27-24 in Week 13, remains to be determined.
The head-to-head history of both teams suggests Super Bowl LV could be a grind to the end. Tampa Bay leads the all-time series between the two opponents by just one game.
Here’s a closer look into the all-time series, including a stat or storyline from each game
Timeline: How the Kansas City Chiefs got to Super Bowl LV
Head-to-head history: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Timeline: How the Kansas City Chiefs got to Super Bowl LV
February 7, 2021
Fifty years separates the Kansas City Chiefs from their latest Super Bowl title to their previous one. By the end of Sunday, that could change to just a difference of one year.
Kickoff for Super Bowl LV is less than 12 hours away as the Chiefs take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs will have a chance at their third Super Bowl title.
This comes after finishing the regular season with a 14-2 record, clinching a fifth straight AFC West division title and winning two playoff games at home to reach the Super Bowl.
Kansas City could become the first repeat champions since 2004. Here’s a brief timeline of their season with a historic feat on the line:
WEEK 1 (September 10, 2020)
Chiefs 34, Texans 20
In a playoff rematch from the previous season, Chiefs open the new season with a home opener victory. Four players reached the end zone, including running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in his NFL debut.
April 2021 Municipal Election: Digital Game Plan
Election Night coverage required weeks of preparation, despite most local and statewide races being called just a few hours after polls closed.
To help viewers keep track of key races and voting developments in Missouri, Arkansas and the Ozarks region, KY3 News utilized an election results page. When races and ballot issues were called by local election authorities, we updated results and also provided a live blog and linked to stories with more details and in-depth coverage.
Ahead of the elections, the KY3 Digital team pre-planned several web stories for key local races in the case of any result. The April election featured come clear winners, in addition to some upsets and races decided by a difference of one vote.
Election Stories/Previews
RESULTS: April 2021 Municipal Election
April 2021 Election Preview: Candidates for the mayoral races in Springfield and Branson
Voters select three new candidates for Springfield School Board
Voters approve two ballot measures to extend Branson tourist taxes
Greene Co. recount: Walnut Grove tax levy fails, other races impacted
Digital News Reporting: Local Stories and Guides
January-July 2021
Amazon adding new delivery stations in Springfield, Joplin
American Lung Association report gives Missouri an 'F' grade for tobacco prevention, cessation
Bass Pro Shops donates 40 new kayaks as Lake Springfield kicks off boat rental season
BigShots Golf looking to fill 100+ positions in Springfield, hiring event set for late-March
Happy 417 Day! How the Springfield community is celebrating
Missouri leaders launch new app to help retailers verify IDs