We’ve posted a short update on the Meadows Sewer Project — what’s started, the project cost, and an important reminder about the road closure at FR 103 & FR 106.
Watch here: https://youtube.com/shorts/rVqSUPDqqiY
Beginning tomorrow, FR 103 will be closed at FR 106 while crews work on sewer connections near the Airport Lift Station. Work is expected to last about two weeks.
Please plan an alternate route before heading out tomorrow, and for the duration of the work. We appreciate your patience as this important project moves forward.
— City of Willard
Work officially kicked off this morning on the Meadows Sewer Trunk Line project, with contractor J.D. Wallace mobilizing crews to the site.
This approximately $1.7 million investment will construct and extend a new sewer trunk line in the Meadows area and connect it to the Airport Lift Station just off FR 103—a critical step in strengthening Willard’s wastewater system for current needs and future growth. This project is supported by the City’s 2026 utility rate adjustments.
Traffic Notice:
The intersection of FR 103 and FR 106 will close soon for up to two weeks while crews make initial connections to the Airport Lift Station. Contractors plan to move quickly to minimize disruption for regular travelers. You can read more about that here: https://www.cityofwillard.org/article/2667077
We appreciate your patience as we upgrade infrastructure that quietly does its job—most days unnoticed, but always essential. 💧
We’ll share updates as work progresses.
— City of Willard
The current winter weather message can be reviewed here https://www.weather.gov/sgf/winter and is suggesting heavy snow between 8 and 13 inches.
As the weather hits our area, please be careful out there. If you must travel, slow down, give yourself extra time, and keep a few warm items in your car such as blankets or a small winter kit. Getting stuck is never fun, and a little preparation can make a big difference.
Our road-clearing plan is available here: https://5il.co/366z6
Crews will begin with Tier 1 routes and remain on them until they’re reliably clear before moving on to tier 2 and then 3. We may need to make several passes, and if conditions worsen, we may return to higher-tier roads before moving on to others.
Above all, please be patient as our staff work to clear whatever this storm brings. And a reminder: some roads in Willard are maintained by MoDOT. Different teams, different schedules—but everyone out there is working hard to keep the community safe.
Stay warm, stay safe, and let’s all look out for one another.
🚧 Exciting news, Willard — a major infrastructure milestone is officially underway! 🚧
Today we held a pre-construction meeting to kick off a big upgrade to our connection from the 94-lift station (just east of Hughes Road at Hwy 160) that ties Willard into Springfield. This major sewer upgrade is officially a go, it marks an important step forward for our community’s future. The project is supported by the 2026 utility rate increases. ✅
🛠️ What’s happening — and why it matters
This project is more than routine construction. It’s a critical sewer upgrade designed to strengthen reliability, improve capacity, and help ensure our system can meet the needs of residents and businesses for years to come. During today’s meeting, contractors and key representatives gathered to align on timelines, safety, coordination, and next steps — essentially charting the course for a smooth, well-managed project from start to finish.
Infrastructure isn’t always flashy, but it’s foundational. Investing in smart upgrades like this helps protect public health, reduce risk of future issues, and gives Willard the ability to seriously consider long-term growth and improvement with greater confidence. 🌱🏘️
🙌 A sincere thank you to the contractors and all the partners who joined us today and are helping move this construction effort forward. Your collaboration makes progress possible.
Willard community, watch this space, we have more work coming this year we are excited to share with you.
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Willard PD is utilizing NEST: Neighborhood Emphasis on Safe Traffic, a new way to increase visibility and address traffic concerns in our neighborhoods.
📍 From December 21- December 27, 2025, officers will emphasize patrols in these areas:
• Strawberry Hills: The Subdivision behind Apple Market
• Willard Original: The triangle north of US 160, east of Farmer Road and southwest of Jackson.
👮♂️ Officers will log focused patrol time and be visible in these locations to encourage safer driving and respond to community concerns.
💬 Want to report a traffic issue in your neighborhood?
Use our new online form at https://www.cityofwillard.org/forms/report-a-traffic-concern — your input helps shape where we NEST next.
#WillardPD #NESTpat...
We are aware of rumors circulating that the Parks Department is being closed. This is not accurate.
Like many cities, we are reviewing every department’s budget to identify areas where we can operate more efficiently and responsibly. This review is part of a citywide effort to ensure long-term financial stability.
At no point has the Board directed that any department be closed.
Highway 160 & Highway AB Underpass Project
The City of Willard invites all residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to join us for an open public engineering meeting regarding the proposed Underpass Project at Highway 160 and Highway AB.
This meeting will provide an overview of the project’s purpose, design concepts, safety improvements, traffic impacts, and anticipated timeline. Community participation is highly encouraged—your questions, feedback, and input are vital to shaping the final plan.
The Meeting will be held on Thursday December 11 at 5:00 PM at
224 West Jackson Street, City Hall
Why Attend?
• Learn how the underpass will improve safety and traffic flow
• View preliminary engineering designs
• Ask questions directly to project engineers and city officials
• Share concerns, ideas, and suggestions
• Be part of the decision-making process for a major community infrastructure investment
This is an open meeting, and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend and participate.
For more information, please contact Mike Ruesch at 417-472-5310 or planning@cityofwillard.org
Willard PD is utilizing NEST: Neighborhood Emphasis on Safe Traffic, a new way to increase visibility and address traffic concerns in our neighborhoods.
📍 From November 23- November 29, 2025, officers will emphasize patrols in these areas:
• Southview Hills
• Biggs
• Silverleaf
👮♂️ Officers will log focused patrol time and be visible in these locations to encourage safer driving and respond to community concerns.
💬 Want to report a traffic issue in your neighborhood?
Use our new online form at https://www.cityofwillard.org/forms/report-a-traffic-concern — your input helps shape where we NEST next.
#WillardPD #NESTpatrol #TrafficSafety #NeighborhoodFocus #DriveSafeWillard
From identifying what types of businesses and activities Willard wants to attract 🍽️🏞️ to exploring how we strengthen our local economy and support existing businesses 💼
They’ll be meeting again in early December 📅, and updates, agendas, and minutes will be posted as their work continues. Meeting are open to the public and we encourage you to attend and share your thoughts.
Want to see what they’re working on, or follow along as recommendations take shape?
Visit the updated task force page here: https://www.cityofwillard.org/page/economic-development-task-force
More to come as this group helps chart Willard’s next chapter. 🚀
The 2026 draft budget includes funding to clean, repair and repaint the interior of the tower featured in the video 🛠️, and we’re finalizing a plan to bring all of our towers back to standard as quickly as possible.
It’s not flashy, but it’s essential infrastructure for Willard’s future 🚀. Take a minute to see what we’re tackling and why it matters.
🎥 Watch the video: https://youtu.be/MFYTqF1q9vQ
🚧 Jackson Street Sidewalk Update 🚶♀️🚶♂️
Our contractor hit the ground running, and the final phase of the Jackson Street sidewalk project is already taking shape.
I recorded a quick Manager’s Minute about it, you can take a look here🎥 https://youtube.com/shorts/wJAWYoXNK8M
You can see my earlier update on the work along Jackson St. here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AKelIlxKdZM
2026 ELECTION
Candidate Filing
A Municipal Election shall be held on April 7, 2026, to elect three (3) alders. Qualified candidate filing will commence on December 9, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. in the City Clerk’s Office at 224 West Jackson St., and will conclude on December 30, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Candidate filing will be available from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from December 9th through December 30th, 2025, excepting the Christmas holiday.
Each applicant will be required to declare his/her intent to become a candidate in person and in writing, to the City Clerk, and, assuming all other legal requirements are met, his/her name will then be placed on the ballot. Candidates must comply with all prevailing laws concerning eligibility and campaign financing.
Offices to be voted on are: one (1) alder, Ward I, for a 2-year term; one (1) alder, Ward II, for a 2-year term; and one (1) alder, Ward III, for a 2-year term.
*Special Note: Please make sure your voter registration has been updated with your current address. Ward Maps are available at the City Clerk’s office and on the City’s website.
Questions regarding polling locations, voter registration, and for official ballot results can be directed to the County Clerk.
Buckle Up Phone Down: A Safety Challenge That Can Make a Difference
The City of Willard is challenging our residents to buckle up and put their phones down when they drive.
The Missouri Department of Transportation’s "Buckle Up Phone Down" campaign is tackling the two most impactful actions a driver can take to prevent or survive crashes and the City of Willard is joining them in the fight.
First, drivers can put their phones down when they slide behind the wheel. Distracted driving is a major cause of crashes, not only in Missouri, but in the entire United States. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that cellphones were involved in nearly 2,247 crashes in 2022 alone.
Next, people can buckle up each and every time they get in a vehicle. Of the 707 drivers and passengers killed on Missouri roadways in 2022, a tragic 60% were unrestrained.
Statistics show that these two policy changes could have an impact on both incidents and highway fatalities.
The Buckle Up Phone Down Challenge is trying to change these numbers. Videos, social media posts and a dedicated website will feature citizens and employees of participating businesses and agencies giving the “thumbs up/thumbs down” sign to show their support of the effort.
The website is located at www.modot.org/BuckleUpPhoneDown
Together, we can make a difference and save lives.
Willard PD continues to utilize NEST: Neighborhood Emphasis on Safe Traffic to increase visibility and address traffic concerns in our neighborhoods.
📍 From October 19th through October 25th, 2025, officers will emphasize patrols in these areas:
• Gauge Crossing
• Cardinal Hills
• Longview
* Oak Ridge
👮♂️ Officers will log focused patrol time and be visible in these locations to encourage safer driving and respond to community concerns.
ATTENTION MOTORISTS!
Due to the Homecoming Parade on Friday the 3rd, please expect road closures between 9:45 am and 10:45 am on:
Miller-- between Kime (AKA: O Highway) and Jackson,
Jackson-- between Miller and Main,
Kime (AKA O)-- between Jackson and Willard East,
Mill --Closed completely,
Beam --Closed completely
We expect traffic to flow freely by 10:45 a.m.
WILLARD POLICE FEATURED IN A TRUE-CRIME SERIES
In mid-November 2020, Willard police responded to a shocking double homicide of a young couple found shot on their porch on the corner of Main St. and Mill St. Our own amazing police force, with the assistance of the Highway Patrol, were able to crack the case in about 3 weeks.
A true crime series, Interrogation Raw, will air on Thursday, Oct 2nd at 9/8c. The episode focuses on the artful interrogations that brought such quick closure. We are so proud of the featured efforts of our police interrogators, Major Shannon Shipley and Sergeant Steve Purdy.
See the episode description, read quotes from our officers, and watch news footage from the event here:
https://www.cityofwillard.org/article/2456702
Last Chance!
The City of Willard is accepting volunteer applications for appointment to the recently re-established Economic Development Task Force. This advisory group will play a key role in shaping the City’s approach to business attraction, retention, infrastructure readiness, and economic policy.
We are seeking to fill FOUR volunteer positions:
Two (2) residents of the City of Willard, and
Two (2) individuals who either:
-Own, manage, or work for a business located in Willard, or
-Own real property within city limits
The Task Force will meet at least quarterly and will assist with the development, promotion, and implementation of strategies in order to encourage economic development within the City. Members will serve a two-year term and contribute to annual reporting and strategic recommendations submitted to the Board of Alders.
This is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Willard’s economic growth and development. If you’re passionate about the future of our city and ready to contribute your time and ideas, we encourage you to apply.
To apply, please complete an application here https://5il.co/3mxgg or submit your interest to clerk@cityofwillard.org.
Applications will be accepted through tomorrow, September 30th, 2025. Appointments will be made by the Mayor with the approval of the Board of Aldermen soon after.
