KANSAS — The Kansas Bar Association is hosting its Call-A-Lawyer night on Thursday, July 8.

Anyone needing legal advice is encouraged to call 1-800-928-3111 between 6 P.M. and 7:45 P.M.

Callers may speak to volunteer lawyers who are donating their time to answer questions and provide legal advice and information.

They will be able to answer questions about probate, family law, landlord-tenant issues and other matters involving property — as well as employment issues including wrongful termination and work place conflicts.

PITTSBURG, Kan. — While you make your way to downtown Pittsburg, you might notice some new additions.

Four new murals are slated to be painted throughout the city, with the first one nearing completion.

Located on the side of the Copy Products Incorporated building, the mural features a downtown Pittsburg, Kansas sign.

All four murals are designed to be interactive, so observers will have the chance to put themselves in front of the art and take pictures.

Jenna Spencer, Mural Artist, says, “There will be a dandelion, so you can pose infront of it like you’re blowing it, a bunch of balloons you can act like you’re holding, and then a tree with a swing. Some interactive, fun murals to get people out of their cars, into shops, just having a good time downtown.”

Before these four interactive murals, spencer had created seven other murals across the city.

She hopes to complete all four new murals by the end of the summer.

PITTSBURG, Kan. — A Southeast Kansas community returned for a longstanding tradition.

The Pittsburg 4th of July celebration made it’s return over the weekend.

Lincoln Park was lined with local vendors, food and entertainment.

Events in Lincoln Park kicked off last night with the Firecracker 5-K Run.

Sunday morning, the park was bustling thanks to events like the fishing derby, baby contest, and the Rolling Nostalgia Car Show.

Kim Vogel, Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Director, says, “We have done this every year, for as far back as i can remember and it’s a slow start getting back this year after last year being off with Covid, slow start with vendors but we hope to pick it back up in the upcoming years.”

Sunday morning the Southeast Kansas Humane Society, held a community pet parade through the park.

The parade was to help promote their $20 pet adoption special for the month of July.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County residents started their Fourth of July early, for a good cause.

Sunday morning was the eighth annual 4th of July 5K Fun Run.

Runner’s lined up at Columbus City Park, before taking off across the city.

Children also had a chance to get in on the fun with their own mile run around the park, monitored by Cherokee County Sheriff, David Groves.

The race had originally started as a way to bring people into Columbus for the holiday weekend, while it’s proceeds would help local organizations.

Denise Helwig, Race Coordinator, says, “The chamber had the games in the afternoon and they had the fireworks at night, and if we could just kick off the day, get people out here, get them involved, and then they might stick around for the later activities.”

Proceeds raised from the run went towards the Cherokee County 4-H Program.

MIAMI, Okla. — The Miami Police Department is receiving federal funding to upgrade its equipment.

The police department is purchasing an iPad for each police officer.

The department applied for a $36,000 Coronavirus grant through the District Attorneys Council for the upgrades.

Right now the department has one computer per car — but the upgrades will help them be more efficient.

Thomas Anderson, Miami Police Chief, says, “They have a good communications tool they have a camera with them and our reports system is such that they can do all their reports from the iPad anywhere they’re going and save them time. If we have a situation at the police department they don’t have to bring people in they can do it remotely.”

He says the iPads will ping each police officer’s location, which will make it easier for them to get backup while patrolling.

JOPLIN, Mo. — An organization that gives children a safe place to stay is in need of donations.

Children’s Haven provides temporary housing for kids whose families are experiencing stress.

The organization says this past year has been tough financially and they rely on donations to make ends meet.

They are asking for juice boxes, individually wrapped snacks, and cleaning supplies.

Stephanie Theis, Children’s Haven Executive Director, says, “We couldn’t survive without the support of our community. We are an organization built for our communities to support community kids and families and that is all done based on really local supporters helping us to meet those daily needs.”

If anyone would like to donate you can call 417-78-Child or drop off items at their Joplin location on South Picher Avenue.

DIAMOND, Mo. — The George Washington Carver Monument is giving kids an inside look at what it takes to become a Park Ranger.

The monument is hosting its Summer Junior Ranger Camp on July 17 from 9:30 A.M. until 1 P.M.

The free program will teach kids about George Washington Carver’s life and give them an inside look at what Park Rangers do.

Valerie Baldwin, Park Guide, says, “If you are kind of interested in working in this type of field there are so many different opportunities and different ways and we kind of talk about that and give them an opportunity to learn behind the scenes activities of what its like to be a park ranger.”

She says kids should dress for the weather and bring water and hats with them.

To reserve a spot call 417-325-4151

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Careless and illegal firework use has contributed to five confirmed home fires and more than a dozen other fire responses, according to the Kansas City Fire Department.

“It has been an extremely busy night for crews overnight,” KCFD told FOX4.

Out of 23 total responses, five residential fires were confirmed to be caused by fireworks. Fifteen small trash fires are believed to also be caused by fireworks, likely discarded while still hot.

Lighting off fireworks in Kansas City, outside of professional shows, is illegal.

Last year, officials recorded a big increase in injuries and fires caused by fireworks as more people turned to personal, at-home displays.

FORT SCOTT, Kan. — The Fort Scott Community gathered to celebrate the completion of a decade long project.

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, held a donation ceremony Saturday morning for the Lunette Blair, building.

The structure was one of three fortifications which surrounded Fort Scott during the Civil War.

Several organizations who had owned the building and land were present for the dedication, along with Kansas representatives who helped with legislation.

Betty Boyko, Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent, says, “We’ve had a lot of different turnover as far as our congressional representatives so the fact that we are finally able to get them all together as they changed is what made this happen.”

Rep. Jake LaTurner, (R) – Kansas, says, “I remember being in fourth grade driving on the school bus from Galena up to Fort Scott to see this, it’s critical for our young people to remember especially that we remember what makes this nation so special.”

Sen. Jerry Moran, (R) – Kansas, says, “There’s a community that understands the importance of teaching history, understands the importance of civic lesson and patriotism with this fort.”

The national historic site was presented with copies of the senate and house bills which made the building donation possible.

They will now renovate the building and promote it.

FRONTENAC, Kan. — Children in Frontenac were able to bring back a tradition Saturday.

Saturday morning kicked off the third annual Frontenac Kids – Independence Day Parade.

Children from across the community gathered together and rode their bikes in front of area nursing homes.

This included both the Medica-Lodges in Frontenac and Oakview Estates.

The tradition was started back in 2018 as a way to bring the holiday weekend celebration to the community and cheer up nursing home residents.

Molly & Ryan Bloom, Frontenac Kids – Independence Day Parade, says, “We thought ‘let’s try to get our own little community involved,’ so we started this parade, threw the idea around with some of my close girlfriends who also have kids our age and they said ‘yeah let’s do it.'”

David Fornelli, Frontenac Mayor, says, “Everybody’s got grandmas and grandpas so this is like their way of putting a smile on the older generation’s face, they don’t get to see kids everyday, especially in the last year.”

The parade ended back at the Medica-Lodges, where parade-goers enjoyed a photo booth, popsicles and temporary tattoos.