WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Biden led a national moment of silence to remember more than half a million Americans killed by COVID-19. On Monday, the U.S. became the first country to surpass that grim milestone. The worldwide coronavirus death toll is now approaching 2.5 million.

AVILLA, Mo. – The Jasper County and Newton County Sheriff Offices are working together on a homicide investigation. Authorities have identified two of the victims found in Avilla, Missouri. They were 34-year-old Mason McClure and 34 Nicole Hodges. Investigators say both victims had multiple gunshot wounds. The third victim, 25-year-old Brylee Obanion, was found in a ditch along State Line Road and Angus drive in Newton County.

JOPLIN, Mo. – A trial date has been set for a Joplin man charged with multiple child sex crimes. Daniel Franklin heads to court March 9th, with four days set aside for trial. His charges include multiple counts of statutory sodomy, statutory rape, and unlawful use of a weapon.

NEOSHO, Mo. – Newton County Health Department administrator Larry Bergner says the department is getting 975 doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine this week. Bergner says the department will be partnering with Prater’s Pharmacy in Seneca and Mitchell’s Pharmacy in Neosho to provide greater access to the vaccine in the county. The health department is having an appointment only clinic on Thursday in Neosho and the pharmacies are setting clinics at their locations.

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