PARSONS, Kans. — That pesky “Elf on the Shelf” is getting into trouble at a much higher level in southeast Kansas.
Author Archives: aroundcarthage
Wyandotte Nation donates $100k to NEO simulation lab
MIAMI, Okla.— Today is the final day of the fall semester at NEO A&M in Miami. The nursing program is going into the winter break on a high note. That’s thanks to a recent donation from the Wyandotte Nation of $100,000.
The money will be used to update the program’s technology and equipment.
“As everyone knows, NEO’s played an important part in healthcare communities since 1974, and this is a great boost to a program that has done a lot to serve the local region and the Four State region. You know, technology is quickly changing, and, of course, we want to provide cutting-edge, real-world experiences for our students in these simulation labs, and, of course, in this environment, it’s low risk. We’re dealing with mannequins, so we’re excited about their donation and the ARPA funding that’s coming to our program to help boost this program that has played an important role in our community,” said Dr. Kyle Stafford, NEO A&M President.
The college plans to start utilizing the funds next month.
Annual Joplin tradition puts wreaths on veteran headstones
JOPLIN, Mo. — The 2nd oldest cemetery in Jasper County received an annual holiday and honorable touch. Wreaths were placed on each of the veterans’ headstones inside Peace Church Cemetery.
It’s something done every year by members of the American Legion and the Peace Church Cemetery Association. The groups also place American flags on headstones on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
“Because I think it’s extremely important to remember all veterans, and there’s about 25 or 26 veterans buried in this field that we know of. Jim Beeler, who’s the director of this cemetery, says there’s more here, but they don’t where the graves are for sure. They know they’ve been buried here, just are not sure where the graves are yet,” said Bob Harrington, Joplin American Legion Post 13.
Evergreen wreaths were used, because the evergreen is a symbol of strength.
Jasper County Judge Jerry Holcomb is retiring after decades of service
JASPER COUNTY, Mo. — A Jasper County Judge is saying goodbye, after decades of service in the legal system.
Jerry Holcomb started his career as an attorney in 1978. He was chosen as the county’s first family court commissioner in 2006 and was then elected to be a family court judge in 2018.
He says he’s been blessed, both in his career and being alongside the people with whom he’s worked over the years.
“Rainbow of emotions – at one moment humbled. Another moment sad. And also looking forward to the future, having more time to do things with family and hobbies and things like that,” said Holcomb.
Holcomb got a standing ovation at his retirement reception today.
Local attorney Luke Boyer will be sworn in as his replacement next week.
Joplin crash count up, traffic enforcement increases
JOPLIN, Mo. — While it’s always a good idea to pay attention to the road while driving – Joplin police say it’s more important than ever this month.
“Around the holidays, you’re gonna see a big increase especially to the main thoroughfares through town,” said JPD Captain Will Davis.
In fact, Joplin police have seen 130 car wrecks in just the last three weeks. December is traditionally one of the top months for crashes – and marks the ninth traffic death for the year.
“And so you know, one is too much. And so nine is is, you know, unacceptable for us. And so anything that we can do that our officers can do to go out there and help with traffic enforcement and trying to make the roadway safer,” said Davis.
Officers say crashes are most often caused by a failure to yield to traffic, following another vehicle too closely, or distracted driving. They add wrecks can happen at any spot in town, but there are certain areas that are riskier.
“The major intersections — your, your seventh and Rangeline, 32nd and Range Line, 32nd and main, 32nd and Connecticut. Those are going to be really, uh, you know, some higher crash locations. And so, you know, you’re probably going to see an uptick in in police officer presence around those areas and again, throughout town, as we try to, you know, do our traffic enforcement duties,” he said.
And if you need another reason to watch out – there will be more traffic enforcement.
“We want to make sure our roadways are safe for for all the drivers out there. So you’re gonna see an increase in traffic stops, you’re gonna see a lot of increase in traffic enforcement. And again, it’s just we want to make sure that everybody gets to where they’re going safely,” Davis added.
Carthage employees sport ugly Christmas sweaters
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Today (12/16) is “National Ugly Sweater Day,” and what better way to celebrate than putting on your tackiest Christmas sweater and wear it to work? That’s exactly what employees of 15 different Carthage businesses did today.
Employees sporting the ugly, yet festive attire, took photos and submitted them to the Carthage Chamber of Commerce. This afternoon, the Chamber took a good look at all of the photos, and this weekend, will choose one business whose employees sported the ugliest Christmas sweaters. The winners will be announced on Monday (12/19) and will receive a special prize.
“We appreciate our businesses, we appreciate our members and we like to have fun, so we want them to have a lot of fun too,” said Carthage Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Julie Reams.
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“We think it’s just a really fun, festive way we can be a part and just get involved with the community,” said Charlene Smith, Assistant Branch Manager of SMB Bank in Carthage.
All of the competing businesses submitted their ugly sweater group photos to the Carthage Chamber’s Facebook page. You can view those photo submissions, HERE.
Joplin homeowner sets up vintage Christmas light display
JOPLIN, Mo. — One Joplin resident who happens to be a big fan of the Christmas season, took a different approach when it came to decorating for the holiday.
In Dustin Molinaro’s front yard, you’ll find plenty of Christmas decorations, but they’re slightly older than what you might be use to seeing. Walking up to his home, you’ll find more than 200 “blow mold” style Christmas yard decorations.
His collection started over 20 years ago, when his grandparents handed down some of their vintage Christmas decorations. Since then, Molinaro searches garage sales, markets, eBay, and the Facebook Marketplace where he’s finds the old fashioned decorations.
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This year, Molinaro began putting up the unique Christmas figures just after Halloween, and spent the entire month of November placing them in just the right spot.
“It’s kind of just like my Christmas tradition at this point. Starting off when I was eight, getting my first ones, every time I would see them in someone’s yard it just brings a smile to my face because that’s what I grew up with, so it’s just really my family tradition,” said Dustin Molinaro.
Molinaro says his neighbors love the Christmas set-up. Because of the display, traffic near his home (located near West 15th Street and South Moffet Avenue in Joplin) increases each night as drivers slowly pass by to get a glimpse of the special Christmas collection.
Benton County Deputy killed during Wreaths Across America escort
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/FOX24) — A local law enforcement officer is dead after being hit by a truck in Bentonville during an escort to deliver materials for a Wreaths Across America event.
Detective Paul Newell, 51, was on duty during the Wreath Across America procession Saturday, December 17 when he was hit by a truck, according to Sheriff Shawn Holloway with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
The accident happened Saturday morning before 7:30 on Walton Boulevard. Bentonville Police responded to the crash to block the area off.
The Benton County Division of Public Safety posted the following information on its Facebook page Saturday morning.
“The Benton County Sheriff’s Office lost a great deputy this morning during a motorcycle escort crash. Please keep the family and the law enforcement brothers and sisters in your prayers. The [deputy’s] name has not yet been released to the public.”
Later that morning, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office released a statement, identifying Detective Newell as the person killed.
According to BCSO, Detective Newell had been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1998, starting in the detention division. During his law enforcement career, he served as a patrol deputy, patrol sergeant, training sergeant, and lieutenant. Most recently, he was a detective with the Criminal Investigation Division.
Detective Newell was one of the law enforcement officers escorting large trucks for a Wreaths Across America event.
The annual Wreaths Across America event took place Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Fayetteville National Cemetery.
According to a veteran attending the Wreaths Across America event, there were a total of three trucks scheduled to deliver wreaths to the Fayetteville National Cemetery, each from a Northwest Arkansas-based company: Walmart, Tyson and J.B. Hunt. According to the veteran, who did not want to be identified, the Walmart truck did not deliver its wreaths. KNWA/FOX24 staff on the scene in Bentonville Saturday morning saw a Walmart truck pulled over on the side of the road after the accident.
A Walmart spokesperson sent KNWA/FOX24 the following statement:
“We’re heartbroken about this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with Deputy Paul Newell’s loved ones. We value our partnerships with local law enforcement and will be cooperating with the investigation.”
A Wreath Across America spokesperson sent KNWA/FOX24 the following statement:
“Wreaths Across America is devastated to learn of this tragic accident and will keep Detective Newell’s family, colleagues and friends in our prayers.”
KNWA/FOX24 has reached out to the Bentonville Police Department for further information.
Stay with KNWA & FOX24 for developments on this story.
Kansas neighborhood continues unique light display
PITTSBURG, Kan. (KSNF/KODE) — The holiday season is always a special one for residents of at least one Southeast Kansas neighborhood.
For close to 30 years, now, residents of “Westward,” which sits off the Highway 69 bypass near Quincy Street, have continued the tradition of a “zig-zag” Christmas light display, which stretches from one house to the next, all throughout the neighborhood.
Homeowners say more than 80% of the neighborhood takes part, and have their lights put up just after Thanksgiving. The triangle shape display of lights are unique, and was actually started by just a couple of residents. The neighborhood lights now attract people from all across the Four States every year.
“Every night when I drive home and it’s dark, I just pinch myself because it’s just beyond special. I can’t even explain it, and I’m so thrilled that so many people do participate, and it wasn’t hard to get people to participate,” said Stephanie Watts, a participant in the Christmas light display.
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The Christmas light display will remain illuminated each night through January 1st, 2023.
Another Cold Day; Wintery Mix Possible Next Week
The cold continues today and tomorrow but we will see warmer temperatures for our Sunday with highs in the 40s. This will be the precursor to some wintery mix precipitation chances for our early Monday and we will see some intense cold by late next week.
Temperatures in the Four States this morning were in the upper 20s and low 30s. The west wind has stuck around and has seen some locations in excess of 10 miles per hour. This has provided wind chill values in the low 20s and upper teens this morning. Make sure the kids dress warm this morning as the head off to school with actual temperatures in the upper 20s only being made all the colder with that west wind.
There isn’t much going on in our area in terms of large scale systems besides high pressure to our south assisting in the west wind across our area. We will see high pressure continue to promote our current westerly/northwesterly wind pattern until it pivots to our south by early Sunday. This will turn our winds southerly and provide some warmer temperatures. We will also see a shortwave trough establish to our west by late Sunday and this will generate showers and wintery mix in Oklahoma that will push into our area by early Monday. The exact precipitation type during this event is still a bit uncertain as what does move in will have to overcome dry air before it can reach the ground but some snow cant be ruled out.
We are 9 days out from Christmas and according to the climate prediction center we will likely see below average temperatures and below average precipitation trends so there is a good chance for a cold but dry holiday in our area.
Today we will see a high of 38 with more sunshine and remain cold and breezy. Tonight we will see a low around 22 with a cold night and a wind chill in the teens. We will see chances for wintery precipitation next week before we cool down very substantially by late next week.