Local News
April Jones and her mother Gail Robinson killed in Barry County crash
A fatal two-vehicle crash in Barry County, Missouri, claimed the lives of two women and left two others seriously injured Friday afternoon.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the collision occurred on April 10, 2026, at approximately 12:45 p.m. along Highway 37, about half a mile south of Purdy.
Preliminary findings indicate that a 2009 GMC Envoy traveling northbound lost control after hydroplaning, causing the vehicle to cross into the southbound lane.
The Envoy was then struck on the passenger side by a southbound 2005 Honda CR-V.
The driver of the GMC Envoy, 65-year-old Gail Desrosiers Robinson of Shell Knob, Missouri, and a passenger, 41-year-old April Jones of Exeter, Missouri, sustained fatal injuries.
Both women were pronounced deceased at the scene at approximately 1:40 p.m. by Barry County Coroner Gary Swearingen.
Authorities confirmed that both victims were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Honda CR-V, a 46-year-old woman from Noblesville, Indiana, along with a 40-year-old female passenger from Columbia, Missouri, suffered serious injuries.
Both were also wearing seat belts and were transported to Cox South Hospital in Springfield for treatment.
Officials reported that both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were declared total losses.
The vehicles were later removed from the scene by a towing service.
The crash remains under investigation as authorities work to determine all contributing factors.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at UrbanaโChampaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. โ A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coronerโs Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coronerโs Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguezโs death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguezโs death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.