Lauren Barnas
KOLR10 KOZL
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Past articles by Lauren:
Animal tranquilizer kills another inmate in Licking
LICKING, Mo. – New findings show an animal tranquilizer has killed a second inmate at South Central Correctional Center in Licking. Alan Lancaster was 13 years into a 20-year sentence at the state men’s prison when he died on Jan. 28. It’s the same facility where KOLR10 Investigates uncovered a dozen men died in 2022, […] → Read More
Charges filed against Highlandville police force
HIGHLANDVILLE, Mo. – Months of turmoil within the Highlandville Police Department have turned to criminal charges for two men connected to the force. Former Police Chief Warren Hagar and suspended Officer Tracy West each face a misdemeanor charge for Purposely Violate Other Provisions Of Chapter 590 (Regarding Peace Officers). Court documents show Hagar’s charge stems […] → Read More
Inspection finds rotting repairs at disputed rental property ‘unsafe’
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Attempts to improve safety at a Springfield townhouse labeled with a dangerous building warning have so far been unsuccessful. A city inspection marks construction workers’ attempt to fix months of rotting and mold both incomplete and unsafe at a rental property managed by Oakridge Properties. KOLR 10 Investigates is following continued issues […] → Read More
Landlord denies breach of contract over rotting and mold dispute
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Oakridge Properties tenants challenge mold and leaky roof repairs underway at the townhome they rent at Deeswood Village. Renters Kevin Aderholt and Madison Allen say they’ve been fighting for garage repairs for months. After six months in their lease, construction began in February without the proper permitting, causing further concerns for the […] → Read More
Highlandville mayor dissolves entire police force amid investigation
HIGHLANDVILLE, Mo. — The mayor of Highlandville has put every remaining police officer on administrative leave after one of two paid officers resigned in January. → Read More
Springfield dog euthanized after groom; family calls for accountability
KOLR 10 Investigates is looking into an oversight void in Missouri's grooming industry after the dog had to be put down seven days after an accident at a Springfield grooming salon. → Read More
Buffalo police chief on leave during personnel investigation
BUFFALO, Mo. – The Buffalo police chief is on paid administrative leave during an internal personnel investigation. Chief Chris Twitchell was put on leave at the last board meeting on Jan. 9. No other officers are involved in the investigation and Buffalo’s mayor was unavailable for comment. The Buffalo city attorney is handling the investigation […] → Read More
New school for troubled boys to open on Agape grounds
STOCKTON, Mo. – As the controversial Agape Boarding School closes its doors permanently today, other doors will soon open on the same property, also aiming to reform troubled boys through Christian schooling. According to documents from the Missouri Secretary of State, a nonprofit called Stone of Help was filed on Sept. 15, 2022. At that […] → Read More
Half of Highlandville police force resigns amid turmoil
Police Sgt. Norman Clark handed in his resignation at the Highlandville city council meeting Tuesday night, leaving just one remaining full-time officer on the force once his resignation takes effect in two weeks. → Read More
Intentional fire possible at Highlandville police chief’s home
HIGHLANDVILLE, Mo. – The Missouri state fire marshal cannot rule out the possibility that an intentional fire destroyed the Highlandville police chief’s home last month. HPD Chief Warren Hagar’s home in Nixa burned just hours after KOLR10 Investigates aired an interview with Hagar. He alleged wrongdoing within the police department. Documents we obtained from the […] → Read More
Highlandville officer under investigation resumes police duties
HIGHLANDVILLE, Mo. – The Highlandville police officer placed on administrative leave accused of improperly handling a domestic assault call is back out patrolling despite open county and state investigations into the allegations that he broke protocol. Highlandville Mayor Clint Ellingsworth confirms to KOLR10 Investigates that Officer Tracy West was reinstated last week after the city’s […] → Read More
Highlandville police chief’s home burns in overnight fire
Four agencies are battling a house fire in Nixa early Friday morning, led by the Ozark Fire Protection District with assistance from Nixa, Logan-Rogersville and Battlefield. → Read More
Highlandville officer on leave accused of falsifying information
HIGHLANDVILLE, Mo. – In a city short of a thousand residents, two paid police officers are assigned to keep the peace. As of today, just one remains. The other, Officer Tracy West, is on paid administrative leave for accusations that he falsified information and tampered with evidence. In a KOLR 10 Investigates exclusive interview, the […] → Read More
Inmate at Licking prison dies: 12th of the year
LICKING, Mo. — This morning, an inmate at the South Central Correctional Center died, making him the 12th prisoner to die in the center this year. At 6:14 a.m. on Dec. 2, Waymond Williams was pronounced dead. Williams was a 60-year-old from Jackson County who was serving a seven-year sentence for second-degree domestic assault. He […] → Read More
Boarding school leader removed from Missouri abuse registry
COLE COUNTY, Mo. – The long-time leader of Agape Boarding School in Stockton had his name taken off Missouri’s child abuse registry following a judge’s temporary orders. KOLR 10 Investigates obtained court documents from Cole County showing Bryan Clemensen sued the state over its decision to add his name to Missouri’s Child Abuse and Neglect […] → Read More
Controversial Cedar County prosecutor has unexpected competition on November ballot
CEDAR COUNTY, Mo. – The race for prosecuting attorney in one Missouri region is catching interest beyond the borders of Cedar County. The incumbent prosecutor of eight years, Ty Gaither, has come under fire for how he handled Agape Boarding School abusers. Now he’s up for re-election, and an unexpected write-in opponent is taking his […] → Read More
New video shows Springfield officer use deadly force
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Newly released video KOLR10 Investigates obtained shows body camera and surveillance footage from a deadly officer-involved shooting in September. Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson ruled Cpl. Thomas Jordan’s use of deadly force was justified in self-defense. Footage shows Jordan approaching a white truck in the Bass Pro Catalog Outlet parking lot on […] → Read More
‘Every day I cry and I cry,’ Missouri man’s desperate search for late wife’s wedding rings
KOLR10 Investigates is looking into what happens to patients’ valuables including jewelry in the midst of a medical emergency as we work to help an Ozarks man find his late wife’s rings. → Read More
UPDATE: Mercy responds to huge fee increase KOLR10 Investigates revealed
Mercy Hospital is responding to its 345% facility and anesthesia fee increase for some elective surgeries after KOLR10 Investigates revealed the dramatic price hike in August. → Read More
Liberty Utilities denies billing error as families face shut-off notices
As Liberty Utilities customers cut back on electric and water usage, they say their bills have only multiplied under the utility monopoly. → Read More