Monthly Archives: August 2022

Neosho's newest bridge opened with ribbon cutting

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The previous measurements of the bridge reported in this article were inaccurate. This article has been updated to reflect the corrected measurements of the Coler Street bridge.

NEOSHO, Mo. — A nice crowd was on hand Tuesday morning in Neosho, to watch a vehicle drive over a bridge. But before it happened, a big ribbon was cut. It’s for the new Coler Street bridge in Morse Park. It’s close to 150-feet long and 42-feet wide.

The old one wasn’t as large and was built in 1965.

MODOT foot the bill for 80% of the $1.6 million project. The city kicked in $100,000, with the rest coming from the County’s Bridge Fund.

From the start of the design process to Tuesday’s opening — the project was about 3-years in the making — but the actual construction timeline was much shorter — starting about 5-months ago.

MSSU students play bingo for prizes

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JOPLIN, Mo. — Just what any college student needs — free groceries. That need became a reality Tuesday at Missouri Southern. The university’s Campus Activities Board hosted a “Grocery Bingo” event inside the Lion’s Den. Free groceries and other prizes were up for grabs.

It’s just one of many events CAB puts on the first few weeks of each semester and one of about 50 it puts on throughout the entire semester.

Wednesday night, a mentalist is coming to campus to entertain students.

Countdown is on for Dover Hill Elementary's completion

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JOPLIN, Mo. — The countdown is on for Joplin’s newest school to launch classes. The debut of Dover Hill Elementary School is getting closer… much closer.

“We’re somewhere in the low 80% of completion,” said Dave Pettit, Joplin Schools Facilities Director.

But that still leaves 20% to go. Construction crews are working inside, where HVAC is up and running and flooring installation is underway.

“We’re already seeing specialty wall coverings go in, painting is going on. And we’re now even beginning in the process of scheduling when furniture is going to arrive. So things are going very smoothly very well. We anticipate no issue with meeting our completion date,” he added.

15 classrooms are getting cabinetry and fixtures. There are specialized collaborative areas to open up space among all classes of the same age. Also an upgraded media center.

“There will be lots of things that will take place in that as well as classes but the typical books on the on the shelf are still going to be a part of that as well,” said Pettit.

Construction is focusing on the interior of the school – but there is still plenty going on outside.

“Probably the biggest thing is the metal panel that will go on the exterior a lot of the brick is just beginning to finish up and we’ll be finished in the next few days. And then the metal panels will go on they will accent that brick and the color and tie everything together,” he added.

The revised move-in schedule is on track for later this year.

We’re looking at possible November kind of being a appointment we can start getting in and getting some furniture set up and we’re looking at making the move in December.”
Meaning students will start class there in January,” said Matt Harding, Joplin Schools Assistant Superintent.

New Pittsburg FD gear provides life-saving cyanide antidote kits

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PITTSBURG, Kans. — When someone dies from smoke inhalation, it’s due to a fatal build-up of cyanide poisoning. But three new kits that have been delivered to the Pittsburg Fire Department are designed to prevent that fatal build-up from happening.

Fire Chief Dennis Reilly says some area hospitals have “Cyanokits” but says it can be too late to reverse the damage if they can’t be administered quickly enough. Reilly says bringing the kits with them to each fire and administering them on-site gives victims a better chance of survival.

“Provide that treatment at the point of injury as opposed to waiting to transport people to the hospitals so we can start doing these interventions quicker which we believe will enhance survivability for smoke inhalation victims,” said Reilly.

Reilly says the doses aren’t cheap, at $1,200 a piece, but says it’s worth it if they save lives.

MSSU President serves campus ice-cream in annual tradition

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JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern’s leader took time Tuesday to serve his students an ice-cold treat. It was the annual President’s Ice-Cream Social on Southern’s campus. President Dr. Dean Van Galen and his staff handed out ice cream to the students as they made their way to and from classes.

Dr. Van Galen says this is the perfect way to show his appreciation.

“It’s inspiring to be out here interacting with students. They are the reason we exist and we have a really vibrant student-centered campus that I’m really proud of,” he said.

Dr. Van Galen says he’s met students from Joplin, Carthage, Arkansas, Texas, and even as far away as Taiwan.

SE Kans. businesses show pride with Paint the Town Red

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PITTSBURG, Kans. — Business owners in a southeast Kansas community show their hometown pride through paint. It’s part of the 17th Annual Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Paint the Town Red event. A total of 27 Pittsburg area businesses have decorated their stores in some type of manner.

Tori Colvin with the Chamber says judging of the entries takes place Wednesday morning, with the winner being announced on the KSN news at noon.

“We have our division one, division two, division three and with the Community Favorite Award, that is sponsored by Evergy, you can go online to our website and you can vote for your favorite business out of the entire decorating competition. And Security First Title was our winner last year,” said Tori Colvin, Special Events, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s theme is “Rock and Roll In the Jungle.”

In addition to pride, there’s a lot more on the line for the winner, including sky box tickets for the winning entry.

BREAKING: Fire crews battle fully engulphed tire shop

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Highway 43 Tire Shop Fire_Photo 2

JOPLIN, Mo. — The Joplin Fire Department is called out to a tire shop and warehouse next to Pilot Truck Stop, after several 911 calls report thick smoke coming from the warehouse roof.

Just before 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening (8/30), crews from several fire stations around Joplin responded to “Ozarko Tire,” located along Highway 43.

Once crews arrived, the building (which is used as a tire shop and warehouse for storing tires) was fully engulfed in flames and began spreading to a connected building.

As of 10:30 p.m. fire crews were still on the scene of the fire.

It is unknown what started the blaze, or if anyone was inside when the fire broke out.

| Cause of Ft. Scott Church Fire Remains Unknown >

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office had Highway 43 blocked off in front of Pilot Truck Stop, so that fire hoses could be stretched to the fire.

Crews from Redings Mill, Carl Junction and Duneweg also responded to help relieve Joplin Firefighters.

This is a developing story and we’ll continue to update you with the latest updates as they become available.

Cause of Ft. Scott church fire remains unknown

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FORT SCOTT, Kans. — An overnight fire destroyed a historic Four State church. Fire broke out after 9:00 Monday night at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Fort Scott. When crews got to the scene they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the southeast corner of the structure.

“We came to pray. Pray for our church and community and God’s will,” said Angie Soetaert, Church Parishioner

It took hours for crews from several different departments including Fort Scott, Nevada and Arma to extinguish the blaze, but if anything, Angie Soetaert says it’s strengthened the resolve of parishioners.

“Well it’s a shock and it’s a surprise and you know, and nobody expects this, but when you believe in God you have faith that there’s a purpose and there’s a reason for this and this community is strong. Everybody here is going to do whatever is necessary to make sure that our church is rebuilt stronger spiritually and physically,” she added.

“It’s very sad because it’s an incredibly beautiful church, it predates the Civil War. And it’s just one of the prettiest places that you could ever imagine, and to lose it is an unbelievably sad thing, but this is a vibrant and faithful church community,” said Matt Ida, Church Parishioner

The cause of the incident is under investigation by the Kansas State Fire Marshall along with local fire investigators.

Ida says the decision has already been made to hold masses at the school gymnasium near the church. He says school was not held Tuesday but is expected to start up again on Wednesday.

One firefighter sustained a minor injury but was treated and released from an area hospital.

Lawrence Co. breaks ground on new 911 Safety Center

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LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. — After 3 years of collaborative planning, a brand-new 9-1-1 center is coming to Lawrence County. Officials with the Lawrence County Emergency Services Board held a ground-breaking ceremony Tuesday evening to celebrate the next generation of services.

“The diversity of our Board’s been extremely helpful, as you saw we have a fire chief, we have a police chief, we have citizens that have been involved in the 9-1-1 effort for 29 years. We have a tremendous group,” said Mike Palmer, Chair, Lawrence County 911.

The state-of-the-art facility will include a 300-foot communications tower.

“With the technology that we have with GIS and the way that we can locate people now, because it’s not just knowing what telephone you called us on, but we can actually follow your car along a roadway and know where you’re traveling and see that so that we can get services to you,” said Bonnie Whitt-Schulte, Executive Director, Lawrence County 911.

The new dispatch center will also be “FEMA-rated,” with space for bedrooms and bathrooms in the case of an emergency.

“Probably the most important part is the fact that it’s designed to withstand storm events, so that even in an emergency or a catastrophic event near here or next to the building, the building will still be up and running,” said Tim Guillot, Architect, Esterly Schneider & Associates.

Officials say it will allow for better coverage and signal to rural parts of the county.

“We all take 9-1-1 for granted. We dial and we expect somebody to answer, but you know, what’s going to be built here is the technology behind that and the response to that call will save somebody’s life,” said G.R. Stovall, President, Dewitt Associates.

The building and its tower are expected to be finished by October of next year.

Gorillas prepare for Thursday’s season opener against Central Missouri

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PITTSBURG, Kan. – (WATCH) Linebacker PJ Sarwinski, receiver Elijah Harris and head coach Brian Wright talk about Pitt State’s season opener against Central Missouri.

The Gorillas host the Mules at 7 PM Thursday night.

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