Springfield Daily Citizen

Does this rock have a gravitational pull? Columnist Steve Pokin tells the story of Springfield's newest tourist attraction, a big yellow rock.

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A lawyer said the Greene County Sheriff's Office "hates" his client, a sex offender who has allegedly been in places he shouldn't be.

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Greene County prosecutors charged a Rogersville man with domestic assault in a case where the victim said he wanted to kill her.

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Between now and Christmas, Bon Bon's Candy House will sell 2,000 pounds of English toffee. Co-owner Bonnie Nolen enjoys changing the store with the seasons and stocking viral TikTok candies.

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The cast of Mosaic Arts Collective's production of "Hairspray" rehearses at the Historic Fox Theatre on Oct. 2, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Kessinger)

When Mosaic Arts Collective lost its partner in staging "Hairspray" this fall, it decided to push forward with the cult musical on its own. The community has rallied behind the production, which opens tonight at the Historic Fox Theatre.

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Antwuan Looney Sr. speaks with his attorneys following his sentencing. (Photo by Jym Wilson)

Antwuan Looney Sr., the former Springfield youth basketball coach convicted of sexually abusing five young girls from 1995 to 2012, has been sentenced to serve four life sentences plus another 67 years in prison.

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Springfield Daily Citizen sports columnist Lyndal Scranton

OPINION: Six years ago, Missouri State was one of the worst programs in the FCS. Now, Lyndal Scranton writes, the Bears are overachieving in their first year at the FBS level and fans are noticing.

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Ozark Chief of Police Justin Arnold details the need for a bigger police facility and what he hopes that will do for the community on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Ozark. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)

The Ozark Police Department's 6,000-square-foot space was intended to be temporary. That was 20 years ago. In a split vote, Ozark's Board of Aldermen decided to move forward with plans for a larger, upgraded facility.

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Nixa linebackers Reed Wilson, Max Nicoll and Weston Weldon have boosted the top-ranked Eagles. (Photo by Andy Carroll)

Nixa linebackers Reed Wilson, Max Nicoll and Weston Weldon endured baptism by fire this summer, but the trio is thriving in the fall. They each average more than 10 tackles per game for the top-ranked Eagles.

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Nicholas Madrid (Booking photo by Greene County Sheriff's Office)

The final defendant in a 2020 kidnapping and sex trafficking case has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Nicholas Roy Madrid, 41, entered an Alford plea of guilty in July.

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Panthers outfielder Nolan Whalley tries to avoid the tag at home during the Battle for Bell on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Springfield. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)

Lyndal Scranton says Missouri State looked impressive in its Battle for Bell win over Drury. The exhibition benefits the Howard Bell ALS Clinic at CoxHealth, which provides coordinated care and support to ALS patients in the region.

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Andrew Herr died Oct. 8, 2025, five days after being struck by a car. (Photo shared with family’s permission)

The pedestrian who was hit by a vehicle in northwest Springfield last Friday night has died. Andrew Herr, 44, is survived by his wife and two children. He was a beloved staffer at the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

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East Division Development, LLC is proposing to develop 510 units of varying density on 48 acres of property at 3820 E. Division St. (Photo by Jack McGee)

Springfield's Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of plans for a controversial housing development on East Division Street after the developer made several amendments. Neighbors, however, are unsatisfied with those changes.

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High Tide Theatrical stages “The Rocky Horror Show” every year because executive director Grace Billingsley says it’s a “a show where everyone is welcome, diverse stories are told and it’s a safe space for our actors and for our audience.” (Photo by High Tide Theatrical)

Grace Billingsley says High Tide Theatrical's 2025 production of "The Rocky Horror Show" is bigger and better than ever. It's also the last time she'll play Janet, a character that means so much to her.

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St. Louis attorney Eric Walter, left, speaks with fellow attorneys outside the Missouri Court of Appeals office in downtown St. Louis in October 2024 (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

FREE TO ALL READERS: Eric Walter, a St. Louis-based attorney who represents a significant percentage of the state’s cannabis licensees, wrote 22 agreements the state believes would take microbusiness licenses out of the hands of eligible applicants.

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Andrew Cully. (Photo from the U.S. Army)

Gov. Mike Kehoe has ordered flags at half-staff on Oct. 11 in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Cully. The Army says Cully, from Ozark, died on Sept. 17 in an aviation mishap during routine flight training near Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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Glendale standout golfer Page Bowman

Athlete of the Week: Glendale standout golfer Page Bowman is aiming for a rare state title three-peat. The daughter of former PGA golfer Kory Bowman is committed to Mizzou.

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Missouri State's Carrington Hall stands on a summer day. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)

Employees of Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College won’t see serious changes to their health insurance benefits next year, but @JoeHadsall reports costs will increase.

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Tom Van De Berg, chief forensic investigator with the Greene County Medical Examiner's Office, testifies about autopsy results during day two of a quadruple homicide trial in this Daily Citizen file photo. (Photo by Jym Wilson)

In his 28 years with the Greene County Medical Examiner’s Office, Tom Van De Berg worked several high-profile homicides, including Hailey Owens and Dee Dee Blanchard. He told columnist Steve Pokin, "They're all terrible cases. You just get used to it."

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Mid-West Family Springfield, which owns Q92.9, is located at 2453 E. Elm St. (Photo by Ryan Collins)

If you're looking for Q102, you'll want to turn your dial to the left. Mid-West Family Broadcasting has moved the rock music station to 92.9 in a move it says will make the station’s reach about 10 times bigger.

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Owner Katie Kring stands in front of Pickwick and Cherry's menus. (Photo by Elise Dust)

If you want to order a holiday gift basket from Pickwick and Cherry or get tickets to one of owner Katie Kring's popular seasonal cooking classes, you'd better act fast. Kring says those classes always sell out.

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Ronnell Johnson hauls in a touchdown pass from Deuce Bailey against Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (Photo by MSU athletics)

With true freshman Deuce Bailey behind center, Missouri State found a way to hold off Middle Tennessee 22-20 last night and earn its first-ever Conference USA win. Our Ryan Collingwood was there and says the Bears' defense played a big role in the victory.

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One of several plastic glasses ready for folks to drink beers outside of Mother's Brewing Company. (Photo by Shannon Cay)

Vote417, a civic group in Springfield, is hosting a banned book pop-up giveaway event on Oct. 11 at Mother’s Brewing Company. The event is free to attend.

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Suzanne Shaw, vice president for marketing and communications, will retire from her post on March 1. (Provided by MSU)

Suzanne Shaw, Missouri State University's vice president for marketing and communications, will step away from the position on March 1. She held the role for more than 10 years.

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Multiple Torch Electronics video lottery terminals occupy a dedicated gaming area at Rapid Roberts in Springfield on Jan. 21, 2025. (Photo by Shannon Cay)

FREE TO ALL READERS: A federal jury has ruled that Torch Electronics, the most visible operator of video lottery terminals in Missouri, edged out a competitor offering arcade games with unfair business practices.

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The Christian County Health Department stands at East Brick Street and North Fourth Avenue in Ozark. (Photo by Shannon Cay)

The Christian County Health Department has confirmed a case of tuberculosis in the Ozark School District. The sick student is a high schooler. In an email sent to parents, the district said, “At this time, there is no broad risk to students or staff.”

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Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame inductees Gary Ward, left, and Jimmy Wright speak during the Oct. 7 induction ceremony at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center. (Provided by Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame)

Not all Hall of Famers score touchdowns or swish 3-pointers. Last night, the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame inducted the "Batman and Robin" of the scorer's table, Jimmy Wright and Gary Ward. The duo has worked an estimated 6,000 events together.

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Members of Springfield’s Rachel Donelson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution — from left, Sally McAlear, Jill Creson and Pat Haas – look over plans for Sunday’s dedication ceremony of a special marker at the grave of a Revolutionary War veteran near Willard. (Photo by Mike O’Brien)

Springfield's Daughters of the American Revolution will unveil a bronze marker at the burial site of James Barham this Sunday, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery east of Willard. Barham was Missouri's longest-living Revolutionary War veteran.

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Fresh Karma has asked for 3.33 acres next to Buc-ee's off of Interstate-44 to be rezoned for a comprehensive marijuana dispensary. (Photo by Ryan Collins)

Buc-ee's is pot-entially getting a new neighbor. Kansas City area-based Fresh Karma is laying plans for a comprehensive cannabis dispensary located near the massive travel plaza, but it first needs a zoning change.

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Bears quarterback Jacob Clark throws a pass across the field on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Springfield. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)

It's a Missouri State football game day...on a Wednesday? The Bears visit Middle Tennessee in Conference USA play with an uncertain quarterback situation. Get ready for the 6:30 p.m. kickoff with coverage from our Ryan Collingwood.

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