Top 10 of 2021

With 2021 almost in the books, we look back at the year that was in western Greene County
 
1. Convoy of Hope dedicates distribution center, breaks ground on global headquarters: Convoy of Hope dedicated its new distribution center in a ceremony attended by over 650 people, including Missouri Governor Mike Parson, on Wednesday, Oct. 27. The 230,000-square-foot facility tripled the organization’s storage capacity and greatly improved their ability to provide relief to areas stricken by disaster. The organization also broke ground on its new global headquarters. Hal Donaldson, founder and president of Convoy of Hope, said the buildings would make people view the Ozarks as a “Fountain of Hope.”

2. Republic buys 136 acres for colossal park: The City of Republic closed on a 136-acre property at 6140 W. Farm Road 156, located south of Brookline Cemetery. Jared Keeling, Republic Parks and Recreation director, said the city plans to put “eight (to) 12 baseball/softball fields, 12 to 16 soccer fields of varying sizes for different age groups (and) several multi-sport fields and all the support facilities, such as restrooms, concession stands, pavilions (and) shade structures, needed to support the various fields upon complete buildout.”
Other plans for the park include a three-and-a-half-mile pedestrian trail, playgrounds, green space and pavilions. The city purchased the land from the Ruth Sawyer Trust for $3.24-million.

3. Chief Chance resigns: Darrin Chance, Chief of the Ash Grove Police Department, resigned his position to take a new job as Chief of the Bowling Greene Police Department in Pike County, on the other side of the state. His last day on the job was Friday, Oct. 29.
With Chance’s departure, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office has taken over law enforcement duties in Ash Grove.
 
4. Russell Long: Willard resident Russell Long, who disappeared on March 31 and was reported as missing on April 6, was found dead on June 4. Two months later, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office announced that they had identified a “person of interest” in Long’s disappearance and death, but did not name the individual, pending charges.
Many people remembered Long as a hard-working tree feller, one of the best in the area, as well as someone who would help anyone in need.

5. Wilson’s Creek reopens with fanfare: The National Park Service celebrated the reopening of Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield’s visitor center and museum with a ceremony and ribbon cutting on Friday, May 28. The visitor’s center reopened following a $3.5-million renovation which added 1,800 square feet of space to the building, as well as new displays and exhibits.
6. Republic, Brookline voters approve sales tax: Republic voters approved Proposition S, a 3/4-cent sales tax to provide funding for the city’s police and fire departments. The tax was expected to raise $2.1 million in its first year, with the funds being used to hire more police officers and firefighters, as well as increase pay and benefits.
Likewise, Brookline voters passed Proposition 1, a $.50 tax levy for every $100 of assessed property value. Proposition 1 was passed as a way to add funding to the Brookline Fire Protection District’s budget, which was operating at a 16-percent deficit and was a third of that of fire protection districts of a similar size.
7. Willard’s Eldred in Netflix Documentary “PROCESSION”: Willard resident Joe Eldred was one of six men who appeared in a Netflix documentary entitled “PROCESSION,” which became available for viewing in 190 countries on Nov. 19. The documentary was about the journey the men took to confront the abuse they had received while children at the hands of Catholic priests in Independence, Mo.

8. Republic signs off on several growth rezones, annexations: During their meeting on May 4, the Republic City Council approved the rezoning of 40 acres of land south of the intersection of Republic Road and US Highway 60. A large residential development, which will be a $70-million gated community with a reported 480 units, will be located on the rezoned land. The city also rezoned 40.9 acres in the 1800 block of East Miller from agricultural to planned development district, and .37 acres at 201 West State Highway 174, from local commercial to general commercial, and annexed 38.7-acres of land. Commercially, Republic added an Andy’s Frozen Custard, and it was announced that restaurants Whataburger, Popeye’s and Culver’s were incoming.

9. Stenson given back-to-back life sentences for shootings: Kwaim Allen Stenson, of Springfield, was sentenced to consecutive life sentences on July 23 for shooting two people. Stenson shot George Brooks, of Springfield, and Jason Long, of Willard, while driving a car down the Frisco Trail in Willard on June 22, 2019; both people survived. Stenson was later apprehended later that evening; he was convicted of the shootings in a trial in May of this year. A suit Stenson brought against Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott for $3 million was dismissed in March.
10. 30th Pumpkin Daze, 150th anniv. a success: The Pumpkin Daze Committee teamed up with the city of Republic to combine the 30th Annual Pumpkin Daze Festival with the city’s 150th anniversary celebration, creating a mega event that was held at J.R. Martin Park. The new location allowed the Pumpkin Daze Committee to increase the number of vendors at the event, as well as bring in new forms of entertainment.