Legos connect the past with the future of Joplin

Lisa Nelson had a conversation with her son one day. She asked him, “If you could build a local landmark, what would you build?” Her son said, “I don’t really know of any.” This came as a revelation to Nelson — who teaches local history? — so her and her son began to brainstorm. The idea they came up with was Iconic Joplin: a combination of Legos, engineering, STEM practice and a fun way for 12 to 16-year-old middle schoolers to learn about historic Joplin architecture. By reaching back into Joplin’s past, the project aims to encourage kids headed to high school to pursue a career in math, science, or engineering. And what better — or more fun — way to connect the past with the future than with Legos? KOAM’s Janna Hautala sat down with Lisa Nelson to build more on this story.

The Big 3: traffic stop shots fired, haunted attractions

BIG STORY #3: The former Miami Ford building, 521 North Main, is being demolished to make way for a new dealership. The building was erected by Charles Burtrum, “Home of Fine Automobiles” in 1948 and built in an Art Deco Style. Burtrum’s family also owned dealerships in the region.  According to family history in his early years, he and his brother, Joe, owned and operated the Burtrum Brothers Motor Company in Granby, Mo. He later owned the Chevrolet dealership in Paris, Texas. He owned and operated the Burtrum Lincoln-Mercury and the Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Dodge GMC dealerships. Burtrum passed away in April of 2005 at the age of 91 in Arizona. Click here for more information about this story.

BIG STORY #2: Monday evening, October 10, 2022 just before 8:45 p.m. reports of an SUV crash with a go-cart just west of the Belle Center Curve near Shade Tree Lane alerted Jasper County E-911. On the scene we learn a homemade go cart being driven by Dominic McKinley, 18, of Joplin, was struck by an SUV on West Belle Center.  He was rushed Priority One to an area hospital suffering moderate injuries. To read more about this story, click here.

BIG STORY #1: About 9:30 p.m. Thursday, October 6, 2022 reports of police pursuing a silver pickup truck traveling south on Schifferdecker with shots fired from the pickup. Joplin Police say the incident began near 2623 W 7th St in Joplin. Officers responded to the area, where a possible DWI driver was located. JPD attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The driver failed to yield to officers and fled southbound on Schifferdecker Ave. As the driver continued south, tire deflation spikes were successfully deployed. If you are interested in reading more about this story, click here.

BONUS STORY: If you’re looking for some Halloween light displays, look no further than our website. We’ve provided a list of  Halloween light displays for you and your family to enjoy…just click here and there’s information on how to add locations if we’ve missed any. Have some spooky fun!