Lake of the Ozarks Daily Digest — Friday, April 03, 2026
Ty's Take
That near-drowning of a 5-year-old in Benton County flood waters should be a wake-up call for every parent around here as we head into another round of severe weather Friday. With all the excitement around that $50,000 crappie catch at the tournament, it's easy to forget that our beautiful lake and waterways can turn deadly fast when storms roll through. The ongoing shoreline cleanup is getting volunteers, but we need just as much community energy focused on water safety education – especially with summer tourism season ramping up and more families around unfamiliar waters.
Lake Expo
Buzzer-Beater! Angler Catches $50,000 Crappie In Final Minutes Of Tourney At Lake Of The Ozarks
A tournament angler struck gold in the final minutes of competition at Lake of the Ozarks, landing a crappie worth $50,000. The dramatic catch came just before time expired in what's being called a buzzer-beater finish to the fishing tournament.
KRMS Radio
Royals Fall To Twins Thursday – Prepare For Brewers Games This Weekend
The Kansas City Royals suffered a 5-1 defeat to the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday. Relief pitcher Steven Cruz was identified as the primary culprit in the loss, with the team now preparing to face the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend.
Edwards Man Facing Felony Charges From Kansas Taken Into Custody Thursday
Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested 60-year-old Stephen T. King of Edwards on Thursday afternoon just before 3:00 p.m. King was wanted on a felony warrant issued by Johnson County, Kansas.
More Severe Weather Expected Friday Across The Region
The Lake of the Ozarks region faces another round of severe weather Friday night, according to Weatherology's Cara Foster. Weather conditions are aligning to potentially put the lake area directly in the path of dangerous storms.
Shoreline Cleanup Underway – Call For Volunteers Ongoing
Ameren Missouri is sponsoring this year's Adopt-the-Shoreline cleanup event at Lake of the Ozarks, which is now officially underway. Organizers continue seeking volunteers to help with the ongoing shoreline restoration effort.
Harrisonville School Superintendent Facing Charges From March Arrest At Margaritaville
Harrisonville School Superintendent Joseph Parkhurst faces trespassing and property damage charges in Camden County stemming from a March incident at Margaritaville in Osage Beach. Court documents detail the charges related to damage allegedly caused at the popular lakeside establishment.
Camdenton Woman Injured Following Accident With Deer
A Camdenton woman sustained injuries Thursday when the vehicle she was riding in struck a deer on eastbound Highway 54 near Monticello Road in Cole County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the deer-vehicle collision.
Missouri Ranks #22 In “Financially Literate” States Rankings
Missouri ranked 22nd in a new study measuring financial literacy across all 50 states, according to personal finance website WalletHub.com. The ranking comes as Americans carry nearly $1.4 trillion in total credit card debt heading into 2025.
5-Year-Old Nearly Drowns in Rising Flood Waters in Benton County
A 5-year-old boy from Lincoln nearly drowned Thursday morning in rising floodwaters in Benton County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the close call occurred shortly after 9:00 a.m. while the child was watching flood conditions.
Jeff Smith Named Interim Prosecutor in Miller County
26th Judicial Circuit Judge Aaron Koeppen quickly appointed Jeff Smith as interim prosecutor for Miller County following the unexpected death of Matt Howard on Sunday. Smith will serve in the role while the county transitions to permanent leadership.
Mizzou Basketball Continues Transfer Portals
University of Missouri basketball continues navigating the transfer portal period with significant roster changes underway. Five-star incoming freshman Jason Crow, who was named MVP of the McDonald's All American Game, remains a key focus as the program rebuilds.
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