EDNA, Kan. – Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at the mattress factory in Edna, Kansas.
It happened around 9:30 am, July 29th.
Authorities say the mattress factory is a complete loss.
Its nearby retail facility did not appear to be damaged.
No one was hurt.
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WEBB CITY, Mo. – A Webb City, Missouri dog trainer shares some tips on keeping your pup calm this 4th of July. It’s called “counterconditioning.” It’s a way to prepare your furry friend for the loud scary noises on Independence Day. You condition your dog for the noise, by paying a lower volume of noise and rewarding them.
Here are some tips for counterconditioning your pet.
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GROVE, Okla. –Oklahoma residents are getting back to work.
And an extra incentive from the state is trying to help out.
Oklahoma is offering residents a one-time cash incentive of $1,200 to rejoin the workforce. Any Oklahoma resident working at least 32 hours a week is eligible for the stipend. The first 20,000 people who return to work for six weeks continuously, will receive the stipend.
Grove’s area chamber of commerce says this incentive would help the area, and that the town which relies heavily on tourism could use more workers coming out of the pandemic.
“Back in April we held a job fair here and we had over thirty employers there looking to hire, we only had fifty-something people show up looking for jobs. And I know several of those that attended got jobs right there on the spot. that shows you how much of a need there is for a workforce not only here in Grove, but all of Northeastern Oklahoma,” said Grove area chamber of commerce president, Donnie Crain.
Local businesses see the need as well.
Barb Barnes, a local store owner said the lack of a workforce is putting a strain on local restaurants.
“It’s time for folks to go back to work, that has put the most stress on the restaurants and other places of business, they’ve had to put signs on their door closed due to no staff. which is sad for the business owner and everyone in the community,” Barnes said.
It’s affecting tourism too, with many hotels understaffed.
“I know with a lot of our hotels and our resorts, they’re doing a lot more situations where you have multiple nights required as part of a minimum stay because they’re difficulties with housekeeping and such, and so same thing not only with our service industries but also with our aerospace companies and different industries,” Crain said.
With the low volume of workers, local businesses will need to find new ways to operate until they can grow their staff.
“Just important every day every weekend, and it’s sad that folks have struggled with less employees,” said Barnes.
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The following is a release from the Jasper County Health Department
JASPER COUNTY, Mo. – The Jasper County Health Department is saddened to report the one hundred sixtieth death of a Jasper County resident due to COVID-19. The resident is a female in her 60’s. Our condolences go out to the family members.
Everyone is urged to take preventive actions to prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses. These actions include:
• Avoid social gatherings of more than ten (10) people.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Wear a mask if social distancing cannot be attained.
Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your health care provider for medical advice before showing up.
Please note that reports of COVID-19 deaths may be delayed slightly so that death certificate verification can be conducted for accurate reporting.
For more information, visit the DHSS website at www.health.mo.gov/coronavirus or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. A statewide COVID-19 hotline also operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 877-435-8411.
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WATTS, Okla. – Kayakers, surfers and tubers will have a new place to play and relax in 2023.
The Grand River Dam Authority and the City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas are collaborating on a new whitewater adventure park. They’re calling it WOKA. It will be located near the Oklahoma and Arkansas state line.
WOKA will be based in Watts, Oklahoma at the old spillway of Lake Frances on the Upper Illinois River. It will have a 1,200 foot long, 100 foot wide channel for visitors to explore. Crews will also be constructing eight drop-features.
“The whitewater park’s name, WOKA, is formed from a combination of the words: water, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The 30-acre park falls within the Oklahoma border and inside the reservation boundaries of the Cherokee Nation,” according to its website.
Officials expect to open the park in 2023.
“WOKA will be a best-in-class whitewater park that will attract more than 85,000 visitors each year to the region,” said GRDA CEO and President Daniel Sullivan. “The WOKA Whitewater Park will bring an economic stimulus to a rural region and will become another significant tourism asset for both Oklahoma and Arkansas.”
The GRDA has been working with an engineering firm since 2018 to design the park’s land and water features.
Crews started the first phase of development in the fall of 2020. They’ve since blasted more than 100,000 tons of bedrock and are repurposing more than 32,000 tons.
(Video courtesy of Dykon Blasting Corporation)
George Alan Martin, born January 7, 1980, departed this life unexpectedly on June 25, 2021. He enjoyed playing ball with his children. He grew up on creek in Lanagan. He had a great sense of humor. He could make anyone laugh. George didn’t fear death, so don’t be sad. He was a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ.
George is preceded in death by his grandma and grandpa Martin and his grandpa Luellen.
He is survived by his parents, Alan and Helen Martin; his grandmother Marlene Leuellen; his four children Elijah, Dillan, Brooke, and Seth Martin; two brothers, Joseph and Michael Martin; his partner, Ashley Hoyer; and a host of many friends and family.
He will be missed by many. Gone, but never forgotten. May he rest in peace.
Services will be held July 1, 2021, at the Anderson New Mac Community room from 6:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m.
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Joesph A Meuser, Jr., 95, passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Medicalodges in Butler, MO. Joseph was born June 9, 1926 in Philadelphia, PA to Joseph A. and Marie Meuser, Sr.
Burial with Military Honors will be held at Greenmount Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.
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Carolyn Sue Phelps, age 76, of Monett, passed away Friday, June 25, 2021 at Mercy of Springfield.
Carolyn was born February 6, 1945 in Clay, Indiana to the late union of Charles and Velma (Miller) Kent.
Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Parker Mortuary.
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John Scott Elliott, 62, of Carl Junction, Missouri passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021 after a hard-fought battle with COVID.
John was born July 20, 1958 in Wichita, Kansas to the late Dr. Raymond and Mildred Lois (Lane) Elliott. He was raised in the Wichita area, graduating from Wichita Southeast High School in 1976.
John married Janet M. Lane on January 27, 1979 in Pittsburg, Kansas. Together they had three beloved daughters, Ashley, Caitlin and Megan. John and Janet shared 42 precious years together before his passing.
John has always worked in the auto industry, holding several positions in sales, management, finance and most recently as the General Manager of Skyway Buick GMC. John spent 28 years at Roper Auto Group and also worked for Max Motors Nevada and Frank Fletcher Toyota. John took great pride in his work and was very dedicated to his customers, considering each of them family.
John had a smile that could light up the room and he never met a stranger. He loved to sing in the car, sledding, cooking breakfasts for his family, working in the yard and just being plain silly. John was sure to show the girls what unconditional love was and he lived life to the fullest. He cherished the time spent and memories created with his wife, daughters, family, and friends. To know John was to love him, and he will be greatly missed by all.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Elliott.
John is lovingly survived by his wife, Janet; daughters, Ashley Elliott and Michael Cline, Caitlin Elliott and Megan Elliott; brother, Donald Elliott; sister, Betty Elliott; six grandpups; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; together with many extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Parker Mortuary with Pastor Rick Flinn officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The American Cancer Society, in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary.
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