Top 10 of 2020

A look back at the highest highs and the lowest lows of an unforgettable, unpredictable, tumultuous year
 2020 was certainly an historic time. The following were Greene County’s Top 10 stories for the year.
 
1. COVID-19 strikes Greene County
The Greene County Health Department reported the first case of COVID-19 in the county on March 12. By year’s end, there were 20,912 reported positive cases of the virus in the county, including 297 deaths. The pandemic disrupted every-day life in the county as officials struggled to contain and slow the spread of the virus. The Ash Grove, Republic and Willard school districts discontinued seated instruction, but continued to have class virtually, and also continued to provide breakfast and lunches to students. At the state level, Gov. Mike Parson issued a stay-at-home order which put restrictions on certain individual activities and created guidelines for which businesses were allowed to stay open and how they could function. The pandemic also interrupted certain events; for example, Ash Grove canceled their Sparks in the Park festival, while Republic postponed Have-A-Blast from July until September.

 2. Amazon comes to Republic
Amazon announced they would build a fulfillment center in Republic. Construction has already begun on the facility, which is expected to bring hundreds of new jobs to the area. Amazon also plans to invest $4.4 million in the upgrading of MM Highway in anticipation of the high level of traffic the new fulfillment center will bring to the area.

3. New skatepark comes to Ash Grove
Skateboard enthusiasts got a new hang-out spot when a skatepark was built in the Ash Grove Park in June. The skatepark, which was championed by Mayor Les Gardner, cost about $14,000 to build.

4. Work begins on Highway 60/174 intersection
Journagan Construction, of Springfield, was chosen to begin construction on improvements, specifically adding new lanes, to the U.S. Highway 60/Highway 174 intersection, starting in June of 2020. The $2 million project is being done to ease congestion at the intersection during peak traffic hours. The new lanes opened on Thursday, Dec. 17, however, construction on the intersection is expected to last through May of this year.

5. Willard murder
A Willard couple, Alexander Chute and Brianna Sproul, were found murdered in their home on Saturday, Nov. 14; a four-year-old girl was found in the bathroom, unharmed. Four people are charged in the murder of the couple: Chute’s ex-wife Theresa Elizabeth Cox, Duncan “Mixxi” James Bogle, Matthew Dewayne Plumb and his biological son Therin Rhyle Plumb. Matthew Plumb and Cox are currently being held at the Greene County Jail, while Bogle is being held on a fugitive warrant in San Francisco, pending his extradition back to Greene County. Therin Plumb was arrested, but released on $15,000 bond; he is currently under house arrest.
6. Ash Grove First Baptist to move to new location
The First Baptist Church of Ash Grove announced they would be building a larger building as a result of a sharp growth in their membership. The church skyrocketed from about 95 members to 295 members over five years. Plans were to build a building with a 500-seat sanctuary, plus other facilities, including classrooms, a commercial kitchen and a gymnasium on property purchased on the east edge of town. No time line has been set for the new building’s construction.
7. Republic Chamber of Commerce goes virtual
Director Tonya Hammons resigns: The Republic Chamber of Commerce announced in November that they would close their physical office and maintain a virtual office. Chamber Vice-President Britny Fulks cited the “new normal” created by the pandemic as the reason for the chamber closing the doors to the physical office. The following month, Chamber Director Tonya Hammons resigned. Former board member David Burton later revealed that Hammons had not been paid for about nine months and that notices for dues had not been mailed out to chamber members for months prior to Hammons’ departure.
8. Convoy of Hope moves to Republic
The city of Republic announced near the beginning of September that the Convoy of Hope was building a 230,000 square-foot facility in Republic on Carnahan Street, near James River Freeway and MM Highway. In a press release, Convoy of Hope said the new building would “house food items and products needed for relief operations.” Public Information Officer Mike Landis said the building would also “serve as the organization’s international transportation hub.”
9. Republic opens new animal shelter
The City of Republic opened its new animal shelter on Saturday, Sept. 19. The 4,150-foot facility featured indoor/outdoor kennels for dogs, an adoption center, and rooms where families could spend time playing with prospective pets.
10. Highway 160 from Willard to Springfield goes four lanes
After decades of discussion, the two-lane Highway 160 between Willard and Springfield was widened to four lanes in a major construction project. Also, as part of the revamped roadway, multiple roundabouts were added during the $18.6 million upgrade.