Southwest Missouri lawmakers introduced a bill in the House this week that could block a power company from building a 340,000-volt transmission line through two Missouri counties. It likely won’t get any further than committee, one lawmaker said, but it made a statement and “began an important discussion.”

Significant weaknesses in accounting procedures and other areas were identified in a recently-completed state audit of the Jasper County Circuit Clerk’s office.

More than 400 pounds of pre-cooked chicken fajita meat at the Seneca School District was disposed of Wednesday, under the observation of the Newton County Health Department.

Carl Gold, who grew up in Joplin, knows the value of a good coach. “I had the privilege of playing for coach Dewey Combs,” said Gold, a 1976 graduate of Parkwood High School in Joplin and a fullback in Combs’ wishbone offense. “I had a lot of fun playing football,” he said. “Our team was successful. We had a lot of standouts on that team who made me look good.” Under the watchful eye of Combs, the team won the state championship that school year.

A Baxter Springs school crossing guard was arrested Thursday at his home by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation on charges of indecent liberties with a child, criminal sodomy and criminal threat. Stanley W. Pickering, 79, who apparently has served multiple times as an appointed member of the Baxter Springs City Council, was being held Thursday at the county jail in Columbus, according to a news release from town police.

When members of the Joplin High School Constitution Team found out earlier this week that they wouldn’t advance to the We the People national championship from the state contest, they were devastated. Despite efforts of their coach, history and government teacher Will Keczkemethy, to cheer them up, they spent the bus ride home in near silence.

Last summer, Patty Richard received some terrible news. “Someone that I loved very much was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said. “That’s when I learned about dense breasts.”

Crowder College has been awarded a $489,450 grant to provide intervention services to children in Newton and McDonald counties who have autism, developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges. The grant was awarded by the Missouri Foundation for Health.

Steeped in the musical tradition of the Emerald Isle, Dearbhail Finnegan and her husband, Robin Slater, have traveled the world performing for the likes of concertgoers and presidents with their traditional Irish sound. But for six weeks each winter, the Irish natives travel to the United States to take part in a traveling education program known as Cultural Kaleidoscope.

International students participating in Crowder College’s paramedic program were introduced Thursday to residents and members of the college staff during an open house. Most of the students are from Ireland, with one student each from Argentina and the Philippines. The students last semester participated in online courses before traveling to Neosho this semester. Soon, they will begin training in area hospitals and ambulance services.