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Jan. 27, 2022

A federal grand jury has indicted seven southwest Missouri residents for roles in a conspiracy to transport thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines.

The following residents from Springfield and Rogersville face charges:

• Evan Marshall, 24, Rogersville
• Camren Davis, 24, Rogersville
• Cody Ryder, 30, Springfield
• Leslie Ice, 22, Springfield
• Danielle Ice, 33, Springfield
• Eric Klattenbach, 37, Springfield
• Enx Khoshaba, 29, Springfield

The federal indictment charges all seven for participating in a conspiracy to transport stolen catalytic converters across state lines from Dec. 12, 2019 to Oct. 15, 2021.

Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams says the city noticed an alarming rise of catalytic converter thefts over the last two years when much of this criminal activity was suspected.

From 2016 to 2018, the Springfield Police Department had an average of nine catalytic converter thefts per year. In 2020, there were 408 reported catalytic converter thefts. In 2021, there were 1,045 reported catalytic converter thefts, including 111 in July.

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Feb. 5, 2022

The City of Springfield will receive a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a job training program intended to help the city revitalize Brownfields.

Brownfield sites are properties that could be tough to redevelop due to the potential of hazardous or contaminated substances. The city has worked with the EPA for several years to revamp such sites.

The EPA announced the grant via a news release Wednesday. Springfield is one of 19 cities or organizations chosen to receive the federal aid.

The Brownfields job training grants allow nonprofits, local governments and other organizations to recruit and train residents impacted by the presence of brownfield sites. 

The EPA says many individuals who complete the job training program are from historically-underserved neighborhoods and might reside in areas affected by environmental issues.

“It really benefits properties that help support our community, our community’s vision, and our community plans,” said Springfield senior planner Olivia Hough. “Also properties we feel have the most environmental need, where their redevelopment is compromised because there are environmental unknowns.”

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March 13, 2022

Missourians seeking relief from rising gas prices can apply for a refund later this year through the Missouri Department of Revenue.  

Back in October, Missouri’s statewide fuel tax increased from 17 cents per gallon to 19.5 cents per gallon. Around that time, the Missouri DOR announced Missourians might be eligible for refunds of the 2.5-cent tax increase per gallon from gas purchases after Oct. 1, 2021.  

According to Missouri DOR, people who buy gas for vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds and who use their vehicles for highway use can submit a claim for a refund. However, you cannot apply for a refund until July 1, 2022 at earliest.  

In the meantime, drivers hoping to take advantage of this opportunity are encouraged to save their gas receipts, though printouts of gas purchases may suffice in some cases. 

According to Missouri DOR, “A claim must be filed by the customer who purchased the fuel, and records of each purchase must be maintained by the customer and available for inspection by the department for three years.”

Refund claims can be submitted from July 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2022 on purchases made after Oct. 1, 2021, the date Missouri most recently increased its gas tax.

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