ANDERSON, Mo. — An Anderson Police Officer is recovering from his injuries after a suspect fired his shotgun at his vehicle during a pursuit Sunday night.

Around 10:39 PM Sunday, March 7th, an officer with the Anderson Police Department attempted to stop a maroon Jeep for failing to stop at stop sign at Route F and Hwy 59.

The Jeep fled south bound on Hwy 59, leading the officer on a pursuit through several city streets until finally stopping at the intersection of Anderson Street and West State Highway 76.

Here, a passenger left the vehicle and aimed a 12 gauge shotgun at the patrol car’s windshield, firing once, and prompting the officer to return fire.

The passenger returned to the Jeep after this, with the vehicle continuing 100 yards according to the police report, until one passenger fled on foot down an alley between West State Highway 76 and 4th Street with the vehicle leaving the scene on 4th street.

Multiple law enforcement agencies arrived at the scene later to discover the passenger discarded the shotgun in the alley and the vehicle was abandoned near West State Highway 76 and Roark Street.

Both the driver and the passenger are said to have fled that location on foot with a possible sighting of one of the individuals near the laundry mat in Anderson.

The unamed officer sustained minor injuries from the shooting and was transported to a local hospital.

This investigation is ongoing and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — Newton County authorities are warning of a potential scheme involving a fraudulent municipal vehicle.

Following reports to Newton County Detectives on Tuesday, authorities are investigating several incidences of a white four door sedan approaching residences and demanding they enter the car.

The sedan is said to have a black and yellow badge logo with the phrase “Newton County Judicial” written on the front doors.

Police believe the vehicle is being driven by a white male and white female.

Law enforcement asks if you see this vehicle or related suspicious activity, to report it at (417) 451-8333 with the location and/or license plate number. Do not make contact with them.

JOPLIN, Mo. — With the weather getting warmer and sunnier, the trails will be getting more hikers and it’s important to be safe while enjoying nature.

Get yourself familiar with the area you are going to hike whether it’s local or out of town, it’s important to get a map and make a plan with what trails you want to go to.

Give the park office a call before your hike, visit the official national park service site, or stop by the office before you leave the trailhead.

Always make sure you have a back pack filled with plenty of water, a flashlight, bug spray, and a first aid kit.

Lauren Copple, Wildcat Naturals Program Coordinator, says, “We have just seen a boom in our parking lots being full, we are seeing people out on the trail and it’s great we maintain them cause we want you to use them we want you to come out and love wildcat as much as we do.”

She says to also stay on the trail, have proper hiking shoes and gear, and be aware of wild critters and animals around the area.

NEOSHO, Mo. — With Spring Break upon us, Neosho YMCA has fun things planned for kids to do.

Kids in Kindergarten- age 12 can join the YMCA for a day, or for the whole week.

From March 8-12 from 7:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. Kids will get to swim, play gym games, do arts and crafts, do science experiments and more.

Parents are advised to send a sack lunch, and the YMCA will provide a snack.

Spaces are limited, so register at the Y soon.

If you would like to register and know the different events they will be having that week you can find the link here .

JOPLIN, Mo. — The Missouri Treasurer is showing his support for a school funding bill that is making its way through the state legislature.

One bill that recently passed the house would give a portion of the educational budget to a scholarship program.

Parents could apply and the money that would typically go to their current school district would go towards sending them to a different school.

The Missouri State Treasurer, Scott Fitzpatrick, says diverting public school funding to different public or private school is beneficial because it gives students options.

Scott Fitzpatrick, Missouri State Treasurer, says, “Public schools are well funded in Missouri they’ll continue to be well funded even if this program being implemented if it were to pass the senate. It just gives students who’s education experience is not working for them another option another opportunity to change that environment and to that end its something we should really do.”

He says the funding will be capped at $50,000,000, which is less than 10% of the education budget.

Meanwhile The Joplin Board of Education is against any measures that would redirect public school funding to private schools.

On February 24 the school board decided to send a letter to legislators about the education bills that are under consideration.

The school board told legislators they want to keep local property, sales and income tax in Joplin.

MISSOURI — Spring Break is just around the corner but The Better Business Bureau is warning the public to look into travel insurance before booking your dream vacation.

The BBB says before getting travel insurance, read the fine print and see if it covers anything coronavirus related.

If your trip is already booked, do your research and check if there are any restrictions at the destination or if anything has closed since you booked.

Stephanie Garland, BBB Regional Director, says, “Some parts of our country there may be heavy restrictions. In other parts of the country there may not be any restrictions if you are going to a small rural area. So make sure you are aware of what’s happening. If you are going to go on a long trip you’re probably going to need multiple different masks that you can easily clean if they’re cloth.”

She says no matter your destination make sure to pack a pandemic bag with masks, hand sanitizer and baby wipes to stay safe when traveling.

JOPLIN, Mo. — The Joplin Parks and Recreation Department is accepting applications for its Kids Garage Sale.

This is the second year they will be hosting the garage sale outside as a Coronavirus precaution.

Kids between the ages of five and 12 can run their own booth selling toys, games, sports equipment, and clothing.

Jessica Johnson, Recreation Coordinator, says, “It teaches them about money counting and things like that and reselling. Pretty much anything that it would take to run a business.”

It costs $10/per booth and The Joplin Athletic Complex is accepting applications until Wednesday, April 7.

The garage sale will be held Saturday, April 10 at The Schifferdecker Aquatic Center parking lot from 9 A. M until Noon.

To signup go here .

MALDEN, Mo. (WTVO) — A pastor from Missouri is in professional counseling after many people say he gave a sexist sermon.

A viral video shows Pastor Stewart-Allen Clark preaching on the importance of wives pleasing their husbands and ‘not letting themselves go.’

“Now look, I’m not saying that every woman can be the epic trophy wife of all time like Melania Trump,” he said. “Most women can’t be trophy wives…but maybe a participation trophy. All I can say is not everybody looks like that, Amen? But you don’t need to look like a butch either!”

“Men want their wives to look good at home and in public, can I get an Amen?”

“God made men to be drawn to beautiful women. We are made this way. We can’t help ourselves.”

Pastor Clark “thanked God” for makeup and suggested women should seek advice from their husbands on what looks good.

“It’s important that he thinks you’re hot! It’s important because he’s going to look, and you want him looking at you.”

He also joked he doesn’t counsel married couples anymore because they lack ‘weight control.’

Clark ended the sermon by saying: “Scientists have discovered, by the way, a food that diminishes the woman’s sex drive. It’s called the ‘wedding cake.’”

According to the church’s website, “Pastor Stewart-Allen Clark has taken a leave of absence and is seeking professional counseling.”

The General Baptist Council of Associations also condemned his message in a public statement.