Miami Public Library hosts Kids’ Fitness Frenzy Dayz

MIAMI, Okla. — This summer heat may be a huge cause for sweating, but so is exercise.

Miami Public Library took to Rotary Park for a free exercise event for kids.

The Kids’ Fitness Frenzy Days event was for kids ages 8-12.

Activities included an obstacle course, water balloons, hula hoops, and maybe the best part, a healthy snack demonstration.

Area teachers competed for the title of Teacher of The Year

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Some area teachers put their skills to the test for the title of Teacher of The Year.

The Southwest Center For Educational Excellence hosted the Southwest Missouri Regional Teacher of The Year Competition.

A dozen local educators took part in the competition which involved interviews about how they teach.

Fatal car crash in Diamond knocks out power to 1,000+

DIAMOND, Mo. — Shortly before 5 p.m. reports of a single vehicle crash just south of Cherry Road on US-59 inside the Diamond city limits alerted Newton County Central Dispatch.

Diamond Fire, Diamond Police Dept, Newton County EMS, Newton County Sheriff’s Deputies responded. Missouri State Highway Patrol were notified.

On scene we learn from Tpr Randy Morris it was a single vehicle crash, with a single male driver who died at the scene.

Louie Taylor, 55, of Miller, Mo. was driving a 2022 KIA Seltos. Next of kin have been notified.

Crash occurred as [KIA] traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a utility pole, became airborne and struck a storage building.” — Tpr Randy Morris

Taylor was pronounced on scene by Newton County Deputy Coroner Jerry Deems. Next of kin have been notified.

Diamond Fire stabilized the vehicle and removed the drivers side of the vehicle using their battery powered Hurst equipment.

Power was out until around 10 p.m. in the area. At one time more than a 1,000 were without power.

Reidiger Towing removed the vehicle and debris from the crash scene.

Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more.

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Former Parsons coach Krull tabbed to lead Fort Scott boys basketball program

FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Former Parsons head coach Mike Krull has been named the boys basketball head coach at Fort Scott High School.

Krull has 28 years of coaching experience between Parsons, Frankfort, Louisburg and Yates Center.

He served as the head coach of both the boys and girls programs at Parsons at different times from 2002-2019.

After a couple years away from the game, he’s ready to jump back in at Fort Scott.

“People would ask me all the time if I missed it, and I would tell them if I missed it I would have never gotten out of it,” Krull says, “I talked to coach DeLaTorre when that job opened and the fire (to coach) sort of came back, and it came back even stronger over the summer. I never thought on May 20th that I would be sitting here talking about being the head basketball coach at Fort Scott High School, but I’m sort of anxious and really eager to get going.”

Krull has had a chance to be around his new players a few times already.

“It’s sort of a feeling out process. I told them when I first met them after coach DeLaTorre introduced me to them that we want to base everything we do off of trust and honesty. I was trying out for them and they’re basically still trying out for me,” Krull says, “I’m going to be changing some things I do just because of the kids I’m going to have. I’m anxious to get to work on it. I’m really excited for this job and excited to get going and to be a Tiger.”

Family donates Cuddle Cot to Joplin’s Mercy Hospital

JOPLIN, Mo. — A family made a heartwarming donation to Mercy Hospital.

The family donated a Cuddle Cot in remembrance of a situation they went through.

A Cuddle Cot is a bed that’s refrigerated in a way that can preserve the body of a baby who is stillborn.

The cot provides a chance for the families to say goodbye and take photos.

Area railroad company celebrates work on new upgrades

CHERRYVALE, Kan. — The South Kansas and Oklahoma, or SKOL, Railroad celebrated the beginning of an upgrade project in southeast Kansas.

U.S. Senator from Kansas Jerry Moran spoke at the ribbon-cutting in Cherryvale.

The upgrade will allow for bigger and faster trains to be used on the railway.

It is being paid for with a $27 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and will help railroad companies in the Four-State area.

Local election official reacts to new Missouri voting law

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Missouri Governor Mike Parson has signed the controversial house bill 1878, also known as the election integrity bill.

This bill requires voters to have a government-issued photo ID in order to vote.

Some activists worry this will undermine elections and prevent Missourians from having their voices heard.

But the Jasper County Clerk supports the new law.

Oklahoma gets 1st West Nile Virus case and death of 2022

OKLAHOMA – The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports its first humane case and death due to the West Nile Virus in 2022. The patient was a Central Oklahoma resident and was in the hospital before passing away.

“WNV spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. In Oklahoma, WNV is primarily spread by the Culex mosquito, which feeds on infected birds and then spreads the virus when biting humans, horses, and some other mammals,” states the OSDH.

“This type of mosquito increases in abundance during mid to late summer when temperatures are high, and the weather pattern is dry.”

“We expect the number of human cases to increase as the temperatures rise throughout the summer,” said Jolianne Stone, the State Epidemiologist. “Typically, summertime is the beginning of the WNV season in Oklahoma, so with more people participating in outdoor activities there are increased opportunities for encountering infected mosquitoes.”

OSDH officials are reminding the public to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

Tips to avoid mosquito bites and prevent WNV

The Oklahoma State Department of Health released the following to help residents avoid mosquito bites and prevent the West Nile Virus.

  • Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin and clothing when going outdoors, particularly between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are more likely to bite. Insect repellent with permethrin should be used on clothing only.
  • Repair or install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of the home.
  • Prevent items such as buckets, cans, pool covers, flowerpots, children’s toys and tires from holding water to prevent providing mosquitoes a place to breed.
  • Empty pet’s outdoor water bowl and refill daily.
  • Scrub and refill bird baths every three days.
  • Clean leaves and debris from rain gutters regularly to ensure they are not clogged.

Symptoms and Recovery

The OSDH states the vast majority of people with WNV will likely never experience symptoms after infection. Symptoms are often mild and may include sudden fever, headache, dizziness or muscle weakness.

“Recovery typically occurs within one to three weeks.

People older than 50 years, diabetics, or those experiencing uncontrolled hypertension are at a greater risk of developing severe neurologic disease from WNV infection. When the disease affects the nervous system, it can cause confusion or disorientation, loss of consciousness, paralysis, neck stiffness or coma.

Long lasting complications of WNV disease can include difficulty concentrating, migraines, headaches, extreme muscle weakness and tremors, and paralysis of a limb. There is no vaccine or treatment drug for this illness. The best defense is taking steps to avoid mosquito bites.”

You can find more information about current and historical reported cases at OSDH West Nile Virus and view the OSDH WNV Fact Sheet.

Oklahoma man loses his life in jet ski crash on Lake Eufaula

PITTSBURG COUNTY, Okla. – A man loses his life in a jet ski crash on Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma.

The incident happened on June 29, 2022, around 9:28 pm. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Phillip A. Williams, 27, of McAlester, died at the scene.

Authorities say Williams was traveling on the jet ski heading south from Area 51 Marina. That’s when he hit the west shoreline at a high rate of speed.

That area is about three miles east of Canadian, Oklahoma in Pittsburg County.

The OHP states in a crash report the cause happened due to limited visibility and speed.

Williams did have a personal flotation device with him. Authorities are still investigating the crash.