JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri lawmakers are criticizing Capitol Police for not being transparent enough during emergency situations. 

A bipartisan panel of lawmakers told the chief of the Missouri Capitol Police Thursday they are concerned about their safety inside the statehouse. This comes after threats were made, but the General Assembly said it was not informed.

Now, members are calling for changes to the way the building is secured. 

“These concerns stem from numerous occasions of threats, including bomb threats being made against the state Capitol building, without leadership in either body being notified,” Senate President Cindy O’Laughlin said during the committee hearing.

In one of their first hearings of the year, leaders of both chambers said they are troubled about the gap in information. Lawmakers said they want an immediate update on threats. 

When asked if she feels safe in the Capitol, O’Laughlin said yes.

“We just want to let people know the things that do concern us, and we want to think that we’re well versed in what is expected for us and people who visit the Capitol,” she said. 

Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, chairs the Joint Committee on Capitol Security. 

“Some people in the General Assembly and the staff have raised concerns and issues with that that have potentially hampered the capabilities of members and staff that would like to be efficiently and effectively able to perform and be a part of the solution and of the security apparatus of this building,” Brattin said. 

In a letter signed by O’Laughlin and House Speaker Jon Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, to Chief Zim Schwartze, they questioned why there’s only one entrance for visitors after the state paid for more than one metal detector. 

“Members of the General Assembly and staff alike have been stopped from entering the building through certain entrances, while some members of the public are not even screened before entering the building,” O’Laughlin said. 

The meeting comes on the heels of Monday’s governor inauguration. Schwartze said a security plan has been in the works for months. 

“It is a very comprehensive plan, and we’ve been meeting regularly, as well as a lot of phone calls and a lot of emails, and a lot of information has been shared,” Schwartze said. 

Under current rules, people who have a concealed carry permit are allowed to enter the Capitol with a firearm but cannot be in any legislative meeting rooms or in the House or Senate chambers. 

The committee plans to meet again in the coming weeks. 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – While ice-melting salt is a standard solution for managing icy surfaces during winter, it can pose significant risks to plants and the environment if not used responsibly.

The Missouri Department of Conservation experts emphasize balancing personal safety with environmental care.

“It can have impacts on your plants, and since we all like our trees and plants, you don’t want to do anything to hurt them,” said Francis Skalicky, “at the same time, you don’t want to do anything that’ll make you slip and fall on the ice.”

The damage caused by ice-melting salt often goes unnoticed until the next growing season. Symptoms of contamination may include discoloration, reduced foliage, or stunted growth. To minimize such effects, experts advise using salt sparingly.

“A little bit of ice melt or rock salt goes a long way,” Skalicky added, “if you put a lot of it down, you’re causing environmental damage and also hurting your budget. The more you use, the less you’ll have for the next ice episode.”

For those seeking environmentally friendly options, some stores offer eco-friendly ice-melting salt.

Additionally, sand or kitty litter can provide traction on icy surfaces without harming nearby plants. These options, however, do not melt ice but can still enhance safety.

Selecting the correct type of ice-melting product for specific surfaces is also crucial.

Superintendent Jeff Dodson of North Wood Public Schools in Dent County says it’s not pretty.

“We used a particular ice melt that was supposed to be OK for concrete,” Dodson said, “it didn’t create issues across the entire pad, but where water pooled, the thin top layer of concrete popped off. Aesthetically, it’s not as nice as it was when the project was completed.”

If you notice signs of salt damage in your plants, applying gypsum to the soil may help mitigate the effects. For more information on gypsum applications and other solutions, click here.

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

Copyright 2025 KY3. All rights reserved.

Between January 6, 2025, and January 8, 2025, the Missouri State Highway Patrol made a total of eight arrests across north Missouri. The charges ranged from driving while intoxicated to felony parole violations. 

It is important to note that, while all the individuals listed below have been reported as arrested, they may not have been physically transported to jail. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a summons, which includes a court date. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol issues a summons with a court date, it is considered an arrest, even if the individual is not physically taken to jail.

Paul C. Schuetz, 53, of Savannah, Missouri
On January 6, 2025, at 7:05 PM, Paul C. Schuetz was arrested in Andrew County. Schuetz was charged with failing to drive on the right half of the roadway and driving while intoxicated (alcohol). He was held at the Andrew County Law Enforcement Center on a 12-hour hold.

Roberto Lopez-Vargas, 31, of Des Moines, Iowa
Roberto Lopez-Vargas was arrested in Clinton County on January 8, 2025, at 5:37 PM. He faced charges of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, a felony, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, a misdemeanor. Lopez-Vargas was held at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office on a 24-hour hold.

Derrick A. Woodruff, 41, of Kahoka, Missouri
On January 6, 2025, at 12:50 PM, Derrick A. Woodruff was arrested in Scotland County. His charges included driving while intoxicated (first offense), failure to maintain the right half of the roadway, and driving without insurance. Woodruff was held at the Clark County Jail on a 12-hour hold.

John W. Snell, 38, of Knox City, Missouri
John W. Snell was arrested in Lewis County on January 7, 2025, at 1:16 AM. He was taken into custody on a Shelby County warrant for a moving traffic violation. Snell was held at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and was bondable.

Peggy A. Stepuszek, 67, of Lockport, Illinois
On January 7, 2025, at 11:50 AM, Peggy A. Stepuszek was arrested in Macon County. She was charged with driving while intoxicated (alcohol) and speeding. Stepuszek was held at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and later released.

Dillion S. Levings, 38, of Paris, Missouri
At 2:11 PM on January 7, 2025, Dillion S. Levings was arrested in Randolph County. He faced charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license, and failure to register a motor vehicle. Levings was held at the Randolph County Jail and was bondable.

Anthony R. Miller, 39, of Arbela, Missouri
On January 7, 2025, at 4:40 PM, Anthony R. Miller was arrested in Clark County. Miller faced charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Clark County facility.

Jeffrey L. Kimbal, 45, of Brookfield, Missouri
Jeffrey L. Kimbal was arrested on January 7, 2025, at 6:44 PM in Linn County. Kimbal faced a felony charge for a parole violation warrant. He was held at the Linn County Jail without bond.

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