Miami’s Annual Sweet Street

MIAMI, Ok – Sweet Street is an annual event in downtown Miami to give children a safe environment to trick or treat.

This hour-and-a-half-long event is packed full of fun with local businesses and churches set up with games and of course candy.

Chamber of Commerce president Cindy Morris says it takes about two months to put this event together.

There was live music, food, inflatables, and a dance party.

Express Personal brought Clydale horses for people to pet and take pictures with.

For information about future events in Miami, you can click here.

Neosho teen killed in motorcycle crash south of town

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — About 3 p.m. Monday, October 31, 2022 reports of a motorcycle crash on State Route AA, over I-49 alerted Newton County Central Dispatch.

Neosho Fire Dept, Newton County Deputies, Newton County Ambulance responded. Missouri State Highway Patrol and MoDOT Emergency Response were notified.  State Route AA was closed to all traffic east and west over I-49 immediately as debris was scattered along the overpass. 

On scene we learn a passenger car and motorcycle were involved. Cpl G.H. Hendrix tells us the male motorcycle operator was killed in the crash.

Darla Casteel, 70, of Bella Vista, Ark. was driving a 2015 Toyota Camry westbound on State Route AA.  She was not injured in the crash.

Driving a 2022 Kawasaki Z650 motorcycle was Dylan Cole, 19, of Neosho, Mo. He was wearing a helmet.

Crash occurred as [Toyota] made a left turn in front of [Kawasaki]. [Kawasaki] struck [Toyota] and overturned ejecting the driver.

Cpl G.H. Hendrix

Troopers on scene summoned Newton County Coroner Dale Owens. Chappell Funeral Home transported the body to the Newton County Coroner’s office.

Troop D MCIU (Major Crash Investigation Unit) was summoned for investigation to the scene, arriving just before 5:30 p.m.

Ron’s Towing removed the crashed motorcycle. The passenger vehicle was driven from the scene.

The scene was released to all traffic about 6:30 p.m.

This is a breaking news story, stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to cover live and local news where you live. Scroll below to sign up for our JLNews email list so you don’t miss an article.

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Pitt State’s Dubem Okonkwo named MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week

PITTSBURG, Ks. – Pitt State linebacker Dubem Okonkwo is named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week. Okonkwo filled the stat sheet against UCO on Saturday. He tallied 5 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. The redshirt sophomore now has 8.5 sacks this season which is 2nd most in the conference.

Local students enjoy school parade ahead of Halloween night

FRONTENAC, Kan. – In celebration of Halloween, Frank Layden Elementary School in Frontenac hosted a Halloween-themed parade.

1st-5th graders and staff celebrated Halloween by dressing in costume and taking part in the parade.

“This year is definitely different from other years because other years it’s usually just with your own classroom and your own room. Said Nora, a student in the elementary. “There’s a lot of different fun games this year and sort of just like little classroom games.”

Students say the parade gives them  an opportunity to interact with peers.

Watch KOAM and Fox 14 Evening News to see the full story.

Click here to learn more.

Man turns himself in after Pittsburg hit-and-run injures woman

PITTSBURG, Kan. – A Cherokee, Kansas resident turns himself in to Pittsburg police following Friday’s hit-and-run involving a pedestrian.

On October 28, 2022, Pittsburg police officers, Fire personnel and EMS responded to the 1400 block of East 14th Street. Someone reported a vehicle hitting a person.

Authorities say information led to a pewter-colored SUV as a suspect vehicle. It was going west on 14th Street when it hit 43-year-old Melanie L. Ishimura, of Pittsburg. The vehicle fled the scene without stopping to render aid, according to Police.

EMS took Ishimura to Ascension Via Christi for injuries. Emergency personnel later transferred her to a Missouri hospital. Pittsburg Police today sent an update, stating she was still listed in serious condition. She is expected to recover.

The Pittsburg Police Department posted to social media about the incident, sharing an image of the suspect vehicle captured on an area security camera. Police say the public provided various tips and leads.

This afternoon, a man turned himself in.

Pittsburg police say a 46-year-old Cherokee, Kansas man showed up at the police department with his attorney and turned himself in.

Authorities arrested him for failure to stop at an accident resulting in great bodily injury. They took him to the Crawford County Jail. Police are requesting no bond until he appears before the Court.

According to online court records, the prosecutor’s office has not filed formal charges as of 4:42 pm, October 31, 2022.

Pittsburg hosts Halloween Graveyard Get Down

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg Public Library today hosted a Graveyard Get Down event to get the community into the Halloween spirit.

Officials say the event featured:

  • Trick or Treating
  • Music
  • Games
  • Face Painting

The free event runs from 3-5 P.M. today and some lucky attendees had the opportunity to win prizes.

Watch KOAM & Fox 14 Evening news to see the whole story or check back later for additional content.

Click here to learn more.

NICU Newborns show their Halloween spirit at area hospitals

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Mercy Hospital and Freeman Health System’s Neonatal Intensive Care Units today celebrated some of their newborn’s 1st Halloween day in style.

The local hospitals dressed some of their newest patients as:

  • Cappuccinos
  • Cows
  • Milkshakes
  • Ninja Turtles
  • Fruits & Veggies
  • & More!

Though the hospitals have not held the event in the last few years, they say they are excited it is back up and running.

Click to learn more about Freeman or Mercy.

12-year-old ran over by hayride still critical; Friends raise money for family expenses

GROVE, Okla. — Oklahoma Highway Patrol released details over the weekend regarding a young girl ran over after falling off a hayride near Grove.

Now friends of the family of Vinalee Follmuth are raising money as the she remains critical at St. Francis in Tulsa, Okla.

Vinalee is an energetic, fun, loving, kind little girl. She loves life and loves her family. She was on a hay ride. She ended up falling head-first under the trailer and getting run over. She sustained significant injuries and is currently in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator.” — GO FUND ME

Organizers say the money raised will help support the family as they travel back and forth from Grove to Tulsa.

| RELATED OHP REPORT >>12-yr-old critically injured after falling off hayride and ran over near Grove, Okla.

“We are raising the money for gas, medical, lodging, and food expenses. Please, anything helps,” Reanna Marie Schaapveld states on the Go Fund Me.

As of 2:30 p.m. on October 31, 2022 they are at $1,000 of a $10,000 goal. Click here to visit the GFM.

Click here to read about the incident where Vinalee was injured.

This is a developing story. Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more.

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Kansas voters warned of text with election misinformation

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. – Voters report a text going around giving misinformation about where they should vote in Kansas.

The Secretary of State sent out a warning today. The text messages appear to come from Voting Futures, an out-of-state organization. Kansas officials say they often direct the voter to an incorrect polling location within their county.

“Voters should be on high alert for these messages,” said Secretary Schwab. “The Secretary of State’s office does not use third parties to contact voters or share election information on our behalf. State and local election officials are the trusted sources for election information, and I encourage voters to contact our office or their county election office for assistance.”.

(You can find state and local government election resources at KOAMNewsNow.com/elections)

A KOAM employee who lives in Kansas shared the text message they received via text message. It reads,

“Hi [NAME], this is Mari w/ Voting Futures. We want to make sure you have what you need to go vote. Our database has your address as [ADDRESS] and public records suggest you many not have voted yet (this data could be wrong, or old). If we got your address right, it looks like your vote location should be 302 E Cleveland Ave Pittsburg KS 66762 USA (pictured). Stop 2end”

The address the text gave the Pittsburg resident to vote is for the Overman Student Center at Pittsburg State University. While that may be a voting location for some, it is not where this resident votes.

The Kansas Secretary of State encourages voters to confirm their polling place and preview their ballot before heading to the polls. Kansas election information can be found on the Secretary of State’s election website, VoteKansas.gov. Kansas voters may also contact the Elections Division at 785-296-4561 if they have questions or require additional information.