Monthly Archives: January 2022

Freeman Health System welcomes its first baby of 2022

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JOPLIN, Mo. — Freeman Health System is welcoming its first baby of 2022.

Sarah and Gregory Draper welcomed their first daughter Thyri Draper at 10:39 Saturday morning.

She weighs seven pounds and 19 and a half inches long.

To celebrate the occasion Freeman health system gave thyri’s parents a gift basket filled with baby clothes and toys.

“We were so set on scarlet for the longest time. So if she was born with red hair like mine it would be Scarlett, but if she wasn’t it would be Thyri, and she’s got dark hair. I’m not sure what to look forward to except for playing hair and makeup and dress up honestly,” said Sarah Draper, Mom.

“I’m excited. That’s what I wanted. It’s kind of like where I wanted to end.” said Gregory Draper, Dad.

Thryi and her parents are planning on going home Sunday.

Two warming centers are open in Joplin

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JOPLIN, Mo. — Temperatures will drop into the teens tonight and for people living on the streets, it could be dangerous.

Two Joplin shelters are opening warming centers hoping to help those in need.

“If they’re out there and they are in the cold they can freeze to death and we don’t want that to happen. So its important to keep them up and going and as warm as possible.” said Dianna Gurley, Souls Harbor Executive Director.

This weekend souls harbor and watered gardens will have its doors open for anyone needing to come in from the cold.

“We want to keep people warm and safe. folks that are on the street it becomes at some point even if they have chosen to be on the street in some manner of speaking it becomes almost impossible to stay warm through the night when it gets so cold,” said Doug Gamble, Outreach Center Director for Watered Gardens.
Watered Gardens opens its front lobby for the homeless to stay when temperatures drop below 20 degrees.
“We always have breakfast available that anybody can come in and get breakfast in the day. Blankets are always available. Those are available whether the warming center is open or not. People can come and get a blanket if they need one,” said Gamble.

Souls Harbor opens its warming center at 817 South Main at seven every evening the weather dips below 32 degrees.

“We see people who werent doing well physically or whatever the issue may be. We’ve seen people who have froze to death in 32 degree weather.” said Gurley.

Gurley says when it gets colder they can see up to 30 people needing temporary shelter.
“We are always hoping the best for everyone in our community. So sometimes there are people who just have not been able to get into a shelter or for various reasons they haven’t overcome their life issues to get into a shelter. So its really important for them to know that the community is still supporting them,” said Gurley.

This weekend the Salvation Army of Jasper and Newton Counties” will not have its warming center open because its staff is on vacation.

Staying cold but drying out for Sunday – Nick

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Good early Sunday morning, everyone. Hopefully, everyone had a good New Year’s Eve and an okay New Year’s Day to kick off 2022. Mother Nature certainly knew how to kick off the year based on how our weather has changed within a matter of 24 hours. You can see how mild temperatures were for the end of 2021 as highs topped out in the middle 60s across the region. As our first Arctic cold front of the season rolled on in, you can see how we went from midnight highs in the upper 50s to the 20s for our Saturday afternoon.

That Arctic cold front in question is well to our southeast now. Ahead of it in the warm sector, strong to severe t-storms were impacting parts of the Tennessee Valley and Deep South during our Saturday evening and night. Fortunately, we only had to deal with the wintry weather with this system as high pressure behind the front has certainly brought winter back into the region. Fortunately, this will help clear the skies up as we head into our Sunday afternoon.

Upstairs at the jet stream level, we definitely find ourselves back on the colder side of the jet. Not only that, the upper-level low working across the Central Plains is the backside of this storm system that will pass on through this morning.

With that in mind, this upper-level low still has enough moisture to keep some snow flurries around. Given that, how some roads in our northwestern counties are slick, and how some roads that started out wet have turned a bit slick with the dropping temperatures, it’s not a surprise to still see winter weather advisories for parts of the area in place until we hit 6 o’clock this morning.

The upper-level low will keep skies mostly cloudy to get our Sunday morning started. Not only that, it will keep some scattered snow flurries or a few quick & light snow showers in the forecasts to start the day out. While some of us could still see some snow this morning, everyone will be cold. Lows will range from the single digits across much of southeast Kansas to about 10 for the rest of the area.

While temperatures will be downright cold, the northerly wind isn’t helping thing out. In fact, a good portion of the area are under wind chill advisories until 11 o’clock this morning.

With temperatures this cold and a north wind at 10-20 mph (gusts near 25 at times), that will make temperatures feel as cold as -10 to 0 across the area. Whether you’re under the wind chill advisory or not, it will be cold and biting to start the day out.

While the day starts mostly cloudy and with some snow flurries, the departing wave will lead to partly to mostly sunny skies as we get into the afternoon. While it will be nice to see the returning sunshine, it will still be a cold afternoon with highs in the lower to middle 20s. On the other hand, we’ll pull the wind back to about 5 to 10 mph as it stays out of the north.

While skies will stay mostly clear tonight, it will mean another cold night ahead of us. However, a south breeze will return and only allow temperatures to drop back into the middle to upper teens for Monday morning. For our first Monday of 2022, mostly sunny skies and a south wind will push us back into the upper 30s to lower 40s across the region.

With the jet just to our north and partly sunny skies in place for Tuesday, we’ll see highs push back near normal as temperatures will top out in the middle 40s across the region.

Another change will be on the way for Wednesday and Thursday, though. The jet stream will shift back to our south and allow 30s to return for afternoon highs on Wednesday. That change in the jet will also allow for another front to work in and bring some snow chances back into play for Thursday. With those snow chances and mostly cloudy skies, we’ll only see temperatures top out in the middle 20s across the area.

Heading toward the weekend, we’ll head back into the 30s for Friday and 40s on Saturday. The weekend will start dry before another wave tries to bring some rain chances back our way for Saturday. Doug has you covered with his long range forecast down below.

Have a great Sunday!

Nick

Jan. 9th-15th: Chilly for the first half of the week. Rain and snow chances Monday and Wednesday. Cold and dry for the rest of the week.

Jan. 16th-22nd: Mainly chilly for this week. Slight rain chances on Monday and Friday.

Jan. 23rd-30th:  Rain chances on Monday and Tuesday. This could mix with a little snow on Tuesday.  Then a chilly week with warmer temperatures by the weekend with rain chances.

Freeman welcomes first baby of 2022

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JOPLIN, Mo.–At seven pounds and measuring at nineteen and a half inches, Thyri draper is the first 2022 baby at Freeman Health System.

She was born at 10:39 am Saturday morning to Webb City parents, Sarah and Greg Draper.

Her parents tell us they chose the name Thyri for its uniqueness.

“I just thought it was unique. I liked it because we were pretty set on Scarlett, and then my husband brought up theory and I was just, I’ve always been one for unique names. So that’s why I liked it the most,” Sarah Draper said.

 

 

 

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Proposed Joplin community shelter shut down by city

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JOPLIN, Mo.–Throughout the week, we’ve told you about “Lincoln heights.” A proposed shelter in Joplin to give hope to those experiencing homelessness. As of last night, it’s been shut down.

The Joplin area was under a winter weather advisory Saturday night, with temperatures dropping as low as twelve degrees.

For those experiencing homelessness, it can be life or death.

“Certainly there’s a large concern because we have more people living on the streets in Joplin than we have available beds in our available shelters. so there will most definitely be people outside sleeping in the single-digit temperatures right here in our city. that’s heartbreaking,” said Joshua Shackles, a community volunteer.

To help more experiencing homelessness seek shelter, a temporary warming station was set up by the old botany shop in Joplin.

But on Friday night around 8:30 pm, Shackles said members of the Joplin Police Department had arrived due to numerous complaints, and the area was shut down.

“So our hope was to secure an empty building that did not have electrical or heat as a last-ditch effort to try to keep people alive during the cold snap. um, apparently that is against some city regulations and we have been told to cease that activity for now.”

We reached out to Joplin mayor Ryan Stanley to see why the city decided to make this move.

“Well, when you’re dealing with any time where you’re going to house people, you’ve got to get a facility that is, you know, compliant with our ordinances,” said Joplin Mayor Ryan Stanley.

The mayor tells us the temporary shelter was not in compliance with city ordinances like other area shelters are.

“The facility does not have plumbing, which is required. And then also it’s not zoned for the approval to house people. and so we would need them to come before the city with going through the zoning process, but also going through the inspection process to make sure that we are putting together safe solutions”, Stanley said.

Now that the area is shut down, community organizers say they worry about capacity at Joplin’s existing shelters, and what will happen to the rest of the homeless population.

“The biggest important thing is that having shelter is one of the most important things that a person can face in their entire life, and the lack of shelter can be devastating for a long time,” said Shackles.

The city does have a temporary shelter and plans to open it up if temperatures are to drop below zero degrees.

“Our justice center there, right where the police department is at third and Kentucky, would be the warming center that we would open up. it wouldn’t house people, but it basically would give people the ability to come in and get warm, and we will automatically open that up if we get temperatures below zero degrees and kind of a sustained scenario, which we’re not quite to yet. but I do know that the city is being proactive with our response and following our cold weather plan and policies,” Mayor Stanley said.

But until then, the homeless population may have to look for other shelters to stay warm, which those working directly with the homeless say are full.

Today, community members gathered at Ewert Park in Joplin to distribute items like food and blankets to those experiencing homelessness.

These items were originally going to be used for the warming shelter.

Mayor Stanley also said he would be willing to discuss plans for the homeless population with organizers of the warming center.

COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Six local players selected to play in 2022 Kansas Shrine Bowl

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PITTSBURG, Ks. – The rosters for the Kansas Shrine Bowl were released on Saturday. Six local players have been selected to play in the game and will represent the East team in this year’s game in Pittsburg.

Galena’s Brett Sarwinski has been selected to play as a defensive back. He’s the third Sarwinski brother to represent Galena and play in the Shrine Bowl.

“I was very excited,” Sarwinski says. “I have two older brothers that got to play in it and when I found out I got to play in it, that was awesome. I get to carry on the tradition for the Sarwinski family. It’s going to be awesome.”

Sarwinski’s  looking forward to the game being played at Carnie Smith Stadium.

“PJ and Nick both play at Pitt State. I go up there every chance I get to watch them play. Playing on that field is going to be awesome. I’ll have support from my community. I know they’ll be behind my back. It’s going to be a fun time.”

Brett was initially selected to the team, whereas his brothers were both late add-ons.

“Finding out that I was initially selected is something I can joke around with them about forever now,” Sarwinski says with a smile.

From Frontenac, Cruz Blair will play as a lineman in the game.

Blair is a three-time all-state player and helped lead the Raiders to a state runner-up finish this past season.

“I found out when Coach Smith and some of my other coaches told me congratulations,” Blair says. “It’s always been a goal. I’ve always wanted to play in the Shrine Bowl. I’m glad I get to.  I wish there were other guys out there with me from the team, but I’m happy to be there.”

Joining Sarwinski and Blair on the roster is lineman Kody Schalk from Columbus.

Schalk is an all-state player and is committed to Pitt State.

Linebacker Brecken Troike from Girard will also play defense for the East team. He had over 100 tackles this season and was an all-state selection.

Kolten Lacrone will represent Chanute in the game. Lacrone is a first-team all-state player as a defensive lineman.

Lastly, Independence’s Davis Merrick will be the East team’s kicker.

The Shrine Bowl will take place on Saturday, July 23rd in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Local artist creating mural to honor military

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GRANBY, Mo. — An outdoor mural in Granby will soon pay tribute to members of our nation’s armed forces.

Work on the mural started Thursday on the city’s community building.

It’s being completed by local artist Sandra Pemberton, who has worked on other patriotic mural projects within the last year.

Granby city leaders found out about her work and contacted her with the idea of this project. Pemberton agreed to do the project and came together with city leaders to create a design.

She says this mural is a great way to say ‘thank you’ to those that have served in our military.

“I think it’s important right now for people to remember that we do have something to be proud of with our country and kind of bring people together, hopefully,” said Pemberton, who has been concentrating on her passion of artwork since she was 15 years old.

KODE/KSN news photographer, Ethan Tripoli, asked Pemberton: “How do you feel — being asked to do this? What was that like for you on a personal level?”

Pemberton replied, “It’s amazing. I love what I do. I don’t want to do anything else. So, being able to be apart of it — both just to help give that ‘thank you’ and to make a statement — but to also do what I love to do for a living is pretty amazing.”

Pemberton hopes to have the mural completed by March — pending cooperation with good weather conditions.

Winter weather tips

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JOPLIN, Mo. — The City of Joplin is asking families to prepare for possible winter weather.

The city says if you’re traveling this weekend you should pack an emergency kit to keep inside their car.

It should contain enough food and water to last each person three days, a battery powered radio, flashlight, prescription medication and a first aid kit.

If you plan on spending time outside dress in layers and wear a scarf, hat and gloves.

When outside in cold weather make sure your clothes are warm and dry and limit the amount of time you spend outdoors.

If your heater is not working do not use a generator or propane inside your home because it could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.