Charmelle O'Dell

1 day ago | ky3.com | Charmelle O'Dell

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3)—As summer approaches, pools are getting ready to open, and while finding lifeguards is still tough for some, others say it hasn’t been as hard as it used to be. For many park and recreation centers in the Ozarks, one of the biggest challenges each year before the summer season is finding enough lifeguards. At Nixa’s X Center, it’s usually tough to fill every spot in time for the opening day of the public pool season. But this year, things are different.

2 days ago | ky3.com | Charmelle O'Dell

JEROME, Mo. (KY3) - A Doolittle Fire Protection District building in Jerome is getting a much-needed upgrade to reopen as a fire station. Until now, the building was used for storage, but that will soon change after a community member rebuilds it to give firefighters a fully functional station once again. “That saves a lot of money right there, and with a small department, every penny counts,” said Firefighter Rick Barnes.

4 days ago | ky3.com | Charmelle O'Dell

BULL SHOALS, Ark. (KY3) - The Bull Shoals community is coming together to honor Susanne Due. Authorities say her estranged husband killed her on Monday. He was later found dead in neighboring Baxter County. “I have mixed emotions about it because that was my mom, and I’m going to miss her,” said daughter Taylor Due. For years, Due worked side by side with her mother. They built a close bond as they served their community together at Connie’s Cafe.

1 week ago | ky3.com | Charmelle O'Dell

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3)—The community honored the life of a young athlete who passed away too soon. On Saturday, 21-year-old Todric McGee, a Missouri State football player, died from what police are calling an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. “He wasn’t depressed, there’s no mental issues or anything like that that would make this happen, it’s just a tragic accident, and I just want people to know that you know he’s a good kid,” said McGee’s mother, Stephanie Pope.

1 week ago | ky3.com | Charmelle O'Dell

STONE COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) — Crews are closely watching rising floodwaters, and concerns are growing that the threat could last several more days. Amy Higgins has lived in Galena for more than 40 years, and by now, she knows that when heavy rain hits, flooding and road closures aren’t just possible, they’re expected. For her, it’s all part of life in the Ozarks. ”You take an alternate route, but sometimes the water is over them as well,” said Higgins.