Missouri

Here’s how a $20 tracker cracked a massive theft operation in Missouri — plus 3 ways to protect your own valuables

Published

1 year ago

February 27, 2025

Here’s how a tracker cracked a massive theft operation in Missouri — plus 3 ways to protect your own valuables

When the St. Louis County Parks Department purchased a $56,000 TimberKing Sawmill, it likely never expected the purchase would one day lead to the discovery of a multi-county theft operation.

“We purchased this [TimberKing Sawmill] so we could better utilize urban wood waste instead of just putting it into a dump,” Jason Pratte shared with NewsNation. “We kept it under lock and key — what we believed was a secure location.”

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Unfortunately, that location proved to be a lot less secure than the department had thought. The sawmill was eventually stolen, and even though park officials had placed an AirTag on the machine, the tag was unable to track the sawmill’s location.

“It always said no location found, no location found,” said Pratte. “I was starting to give up hope.”

AirTag activation leads to big discovery

For months, parks department officials waited for the AirTag to activate and reveal the location of the stolen sawmill. And then, out of nowhere, the $20 tracker was activated, giving the parks department exact GPS coordinates to where the sawmill could be found.

As it turns out, the AirTag was not activated when the sawmill was initially stolen because no one near the mill’s new location was using Apple technology, which apparently is needed for the tag’s GPS tracking to kick in. A police investigation revealed that the thieves eventually sold the sawmill to a man in Hawk Point who owned an iPhone, and it was the man’s mobile device that activated the AirTag on the sawmill.

“He gave us the information of the gentleman who sold it to him for an unbelievable price,” said detective Andrew Lucca of the Maryland Heights Police Department.

Authorities now believe the stolen sawmill was taken to a property in Wildwood, where it was stored for months before it was sold to the man in Hawk Point. During a visit to the Wildwood property, police discovered other equipment that was also believed to be stolen, including golf carts, a John Deere Gator UTV and two Bobcat skid loaders that are worth six figures each.

“Just a $20 AirTag tracker is what led, really, to this case being solved,” said Lucca.

While police were able to find those who committed the crimes and return the stolen property to its rightful owners, this story proves how important it is to take extra steps to ensure the safety of your valuable items.

Read more: Home prices in America could fly through the roof in 2025 — here’s the big reason why and how to take full advantage (with as little as $10)

3 ways to keep your possessions secure

If the parks department had not put the AirTag on its expensive sawmill, the thieves likely wouldn’t have been caught and all of their stolen goods could still be in their possession. But the parks department was wise enough to go the extra mile to protect its expensive and valuable item, and that’s a good lesson for all of us.

Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways for individuals to follow the parks department’s lead and protect their valuable possessions:

GPS tracker: Place a GPS tracking device, like an AirTag, on valuable items so that you can track their location if they ever go missing.
Mobile alerts: Set up mobile alerts with your banking apps so you can be notified of unusual activity on your accounts. If your credit card is stolen, or if your checking account has been hacked and cash has been withdrawn, you can find out right away and get in touch with your bank.
Store valuable items in a secure location: Consider installing a safe in your home for keeping valuable items. If a safe in your home isn’t an option, you may also consider a safe deposit box at a local bank.

Fact Finders: Can tow trucks run red lights in Missouri?

Published

9 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Fact Finders: Can tow trucks run red lights in Missouri?

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A viewer named Donna asked KY3’s Fact Finders whether it is legal for tow trucks with emergency lights to run through a red light. The answer is yes, but with conditions.

Missouri law states that any wrecker or tow truck may proceed past a red stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as necessary for safe operation.

What the law requires

Three conditions must be met for a tow truck driver to proceed through a red light legally: the driver must be responding to an emergency call, must slow down or stop to confirm the intersection can be crossed safely, and must have at least one lighted lamp displaying a red light visible from 500 feet to the front of the vehicle while also sounding an audible signal such as a siren or bell.

Terry Harden of Terry’s Towing said tow truck drivers can legally be treated the same as other emergency vehicles.

“You really could be treated just like a police car, fire truck, ambulance,” Harden said.

Not every call warrants running a red light

Harden said he uses judgment when deciding whether to exercise that legal right.

“If you call me for a jump start, don’t mean I’m going to run red lights and sirens to get to your jump start,” Harden said.

Dispatchers sometimes instruct drivers to respond quickly to emergency crash scenes, Harden said.

“They want you to be there faster than fast. It says, expedite, expedite. And that’s fine. I will expedite it,” Harden said.

Have a question for Fact Finders? Visit KY3.com, go to the menu, select Fact Finders, and click Contact Fact Finders.

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.

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Missouri

Missouri Sportsbook Promos: $5,115 in MO Sports Betting Promos

Published

21 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Missouri Sportsbook Promos: ,115 in MO Sports Betting Promos

The best Missouri sportsbook promos are here for new users! Learn more about Missouri sports betting promos available today.

Missouri sportsbook promos offer new bettors up to $5,115 in bonuses now that sports betting live in the Show-Me State. Find out more about the best Missouri sports betting promos you can claim today!

Best Missouri Sportsbook Promos

These MO sports betting sign up bonuses are some of the best sportsbook promos available today, so make sure to sign up as a new user and claim your sports betting promo in Missouri!

BetMGM: $1,500 in Bonus Bets if You Lose

The BetMGM bonus code ROTOSPORTS is one of the highest-valued Missouri sportsbook promos. New users simply bet up to $1,500 as their first wager, and if that bet loses, you get your stake back in the form of bonus bets.

🎁 Bonus Code:	ROTOSPORTS
💰 Sign Up Offer:	Get up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bet If You Lose Your First Bet
📊 Terms & Conditions:	New Users Only
⏳ Time Limits:	Bonus Bets Expire After 7 Days

DraftKings: Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Wins

The DraftKings promo code is one of the top Missouri sportsbook bonuses we have available. Just for signing up and betting $5, you’ll receive $200 in bonus bets if your first bet wins! I couldn’t think of a better way to start betting with DraftKings.

🎁 Promo Code:	BET NOW
💰 Sign Up Offer:	Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Wins
📊 Terms & Conditions:	New Users Only
⏳ Time Limits:	Bonus Bets Expire After 7 Days

bet365: Bet $10, Get $365 In Bonus Bets

The bet365 bonus code Missouri bettors can claim is one of the best bang-for-your-buck offers. You can fetch $365 in bonus bets instantly just by placing a first bet of $10! And you don’t have to win your first bet to claim that MO sportsbook bonus, just place the bet and the bonus bets are yours.

🎁 Bonus Code:	BET NOW
💰 Sign Up Offer:	Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets
📊 Terms & Conditions:	Must Claim Within 30 Days of Registering Your Account, Odds of -500 or Greater
⏳ Time Limits:	Bonus Bets Expire After 7 Days

Caesars Sportsbook: $250 Bet Match

The bonus from the Caesars Sportsbook promo code ROTO250BM is simple – just place a first bet of up to $250 and Caesars will match that bet with a bonus credit of equal value. This is one of the more unique MO sports betting bonuses, so make sure to grab it before it changes!

🎁 Promo Code:	ROTO250BM
💰 Sign Up Offer:	$250 Bet Match
📊 Terms & Conditions:	New Users Only, First Bet Only
⏳ Time Limits:	Bonus Bets Expire After 30 Days

FanDuel: Bet $5, Get $100 In Bonus Bets

The FanDuel promo code has a great return on investment that rewards new users with a substantial payout just for betting $5. This is one of the best Missouri sportsbook promos available, so head over and claim the welcome bonus!

🎁 Promo Code:	BET NOW
💰 Sign Up Offer:	Bet $5, Get $200 In Bonus Bets
📊 Terms & Conditions:	New Users Only
⏳ Time Limits:	Bonus Bets Expire After 7 Days

Fanatics Sportsbook: 10x$100 Bet Match in FanCash

The Missouri sports betting promo from Fanatics Sportsbook is the best-valued welcome offer available today. Opt in and bet up to $100 each day to receive that a bet match in FanCash once that wager settles. This is one of the best MO betting promos as you can opt in to claim the sign up bonus for your first 10 days of betting!

🎁 Promo Code:	BET NOW
💰 Sign Up Offer:	10x$100 Bet Match in FanCash
📊 Terms & Conditions:	Must Opt In Every Day, Minimum Odds of -200
⏳ Time Limits:	FanCash Expires 365 Days After Issuance

TheScore Bet: Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets

TheScore Bet is a newcomer to the US, but it brings with it a great Missouri sportsbook sign up bonus! Bet $10 and Get $100 in Bonus Bets instantly with the welcome offer associated with the TheScore Bet promo code. A classic bet-and-get offer, you don’t have to worry about winning your first bet here. Just bet $10 and the $100 bonus is yours!

🎁 Promo Code:	BET NOW
💰 Sign Up Offer:	Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets
📊 Terms & Conditions:	New Users Only, Former ESPN BET Users Not Eligible
⏳ Time Limits:	Bonus Bets Expire After 7 Days

How to Claim Missouri Sports Betting Promos

Claiming Missouri sports betting promos is straightforward and similar across all sportsbooks. Here’s the step-by-step process:

Click one of the BET NOW links on this article.
Create an account by providing your name, email, date of birth, last 4 digits of SSN, and verify your identity.
Make a deposit.
Enter the promo code if necessary.
Place a qualifying first bet.
Receive your bonus!

Most Common Sign-Up Bonuses in Missouri

There are a plethora of sportsbook promos in Missouri, here are the most common types and expected offers:

Bonus Type	How It Works	Max Value
Bet & Get (Guaranteed bonus)	Place a small first bet ($5–$10) → Get bonus bets no matter what.	$200–$400
No Sweat First Bet (Insurance)	First bet loses → Get refund in bonus bets (up to cap). Wins = keep cash.	$1,000–$1,500
Daily Match/No Sweat (Multi-Day)	Match or insure a bet each day for 5–15 days.	$1,000–$3,000
Deposit Match	Deposit X → Get bonus % match (rare at launch due to high playthrough).	$500–$1,000
Profit/Odds Boosts	Enhanced payouts on select bets.	Varies

Tips to Maximize Your MO Sportsbook Promos

While claiming a MO sportsbook promo is simple, getting the maximum value out of that bonus can make the biggest difference. Here’s what I suggest in order to maximize your MO sports betting bonuses:

Sign up for multiple sportsbooks
Shop lines & stack promos
For multi-day offers (like Fanatics), bet the maximum qualifying amount every single day.

Use bonus bets strategically
Read the fine print
Bet responsibly

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 3, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 5-8-9

Midday Wild: 8

Evening: 8-8-2

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 0-3-5-7

Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 0-9-9-5

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 3 drawing

Early Bird: 13

Morning: 15

Matinee: 09

Prime Time: 14

Night Owl: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 3 drawing

04-07-09-17-21

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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