The Big 3: disturbance at the Ottawa county jail and Garth Brooks to play at Big Cedar Lodge

BIG STORY #3: MIAMI, Ok. – Reports of a disturbance inside the Ottawa County Jail on the evening of August 22nd had numerous police agencies descend on the jail to assist the Sheriff’s office. Authorities said three pods were involved in the disturbance, which began as inmates grew upset over an interruption of phone service. The interruption occurred due to technical difficulties. If you’d like to read more about the disturbance in the Ottawa county jail, click here.

BIG STORY #2: Baxter Springs, Ks. – Around 12:40 on the afternoon of August 19th, a former Baxter Springs graduate and United States Air Force Pilot is expected to do a low flyover of Baxter Springs in a C-17 military transport aircraft. The C-17, flying at about 1,600 feet, made two sweeps across Baxter Springs from south to the north. Click here to find out more about why the pilot made the passes at about 1,600 feet above Baxter Springs, Ks.

BIG STORY #1: TANEY COUNTY, Mo. – Tickets to see Garth Brooks at a newly expanded outdoor arena at Big Cedar Lodge go on sale August 26th at 10 a.m. The breathtaking, nature-based outdoor venue is a pet project of noted conservationist Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge, and is a natural amphitheater that overlooks Table Rock Lake and the Boston Mountains of Arkansas. If you’d like more information about this story or how to purchase tickets, click here.

BONUS STORY: JOPLIN, Mo. –  In the early morning hours of Friday, August 20th,  reports of a female stabbed at Ewert Park alerted authorities. Sgt Andy Blair states in a media release, later Friday just before 9:30 a.m., “Officers located the suspect near the area of 7th Street and School Avenue where he was taken into custody without incident.” To read more about this story, including the nature of the charges, click here.

Here’s more Big 3 segments with Shannon Becker and Tawnya Bach:

Saddle up for the 2022 Cowtown Rodeo

Jozie Jameson and Joey Williams from the Baxter Springs Saddle Club rode into the KOAM studio to sit down with Bella Line and talk about the annual Cowtown Rodeo. Here’s the information you need to know about the event:

  • August 5th and 6th
  • East edge of Baxter Springs
  • south side of Highway 166
  • Baxter Springs, Kansas

 

A local club is helping the family of a fallen firefighter

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — The Baxter Springs Disc Golf Club is helping the family of a fallen firefighter.

Saturday morning the club held the “Frisbee’s and Firefighter’s Fundraiser for Lieutenant Malachi Brown” at Kiwanis Park.

“Being that he gave the ultimate sacrifice for our community we want to try to do what we can to help his family and take care of them,” said Charles Rector, Baxter Springs Disc Golf Club President.

More than 60 people came out Saturday morning to play in a doubles disc golf tournament to support Lieutenant Malachi Brown’s family.

“I’m a teacher here at Baxter and I have one of his kids in my class. Just seeing him and then being from Baxter and kind of knowing the families. I just wanted to do something for them,” said Rector.

Lieutenant Brown was critically injured fighting a fire on October 15, 2021.

He was in a medically induced coma and passed away from his injuries on November 10th.

“Being a small community we were pretty devastated. When it first happened we had prayer chains everything. We all took off trying to show support there. Once he passed the whole community was pretty saddened and hurt,” said Rector.

Today’s tournament raised more than $2,600 for Malachi’s family.

“I’m hoping that the money raised today can help them in any way they need it. I know that the times right now with everything going on in their lives any little bit can help,” said Rector.

“It’s pretty important to us. Really just knowing there are people out there supporting Lieutenant Brown and his family during these rough times means a whole lot to them,” said John Hunt, Baxter Springs Fire Dept. Engineer.

Kansas community comes together to help injured Firefighter

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan — The community is coming together to show its support for a Baxter Springs Firefighter who was injured on duty.

Saturday afternoon the Fire Department held a benefit for Lieutenant Malachi Brown and his family.

“It has been incredible. Kind of overwhelming at times, but small town everybody wants to help. There is about 15 fire department’s here today. It’s been really amazing to see,” said Tina Creech, Malachi’s sister-in-law.

Saturday the Baxter Springs Fire Auxiliary held a chicken and noodle dinner fundraiser at Baxter Springs High School for Lieutenant Malachi Brown.

Lieutenant Brown was critically injured fighting a fire on October 15 and is in a medically-induced coma at a Springfield hospital.

“All of the proceeds from the donation go directly to Jessie and Malachi. It’s used for things for their children at home. Travel back and forth and income, bills. Malachi and Jessie both had great jobs, and so that’s kind of on hold right now to get him better. Medical bills, just whatever medical expenses rise up that they need help with right now,” said Creech.

Malachi and Jessica’s three kids are being taken care of by family in Baxter Springs.

“They’re handling it a lot better than expected. Just because they do have support. They know that there is always going to be somebody they are still going to their activities. They’re still keeping life as normal as possible.”

Fire departments across the four states have been holding fundraisers to show their support for Lieutenant Brown and his family.

“The brotherhood of the fire service is very strong and we are so appreciative of it. We’ve had a huge response from numerous departments across the four states. The city of Joplin, Webb City, Redings Mill, Quapaw Tribe, Quapaw City, the list goes on and on. They’ve all shown support holding fundraisers of their own and sending trucks even here today from as far as Wyandotte Oklahoma. To just be here in support of Malachi and the department. We are very grateful,” said Lieutenant Karsten Creech, Baxter Springs Fire Auxiliary.

Recent donation gives Baxter Springs project another boost

BAXTER SPRINGS (KSNF) – A project in Baxter Springs is being revitalized thanks to a citywide tradition.

The Baxter Springs Historical Society has begun the next phase of its Route 66 Park project.

The three-year old project has received a $2,000 donation from the recent “Cowtown Days Smoke Off.”

It’s prompted organizers to restart fundraising, which is something that stalled due to the pandemic.

Officials are now adjusting their plans to compensate for increased costs of labor and building supplies.

“We’re probably going to have to break up the park project down into phases to get it built the way we want it built to absorb some of these extra costs and hopefully get some more fundraising,” says Mary Billington, Baxter Springs Historical Museum Director.

The goal for the project is $200,000. So far, they have $140,000 raised.

The historical society hopes to begin the next phase of construction later this year. It includes parking and dirt work.

$500 reward offered for Lowell Cemetery vandals

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Mo. – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office offers a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest of gravestone vandals.

Officials discovered these damaged headstones Tuesday at the Lowell Cemetery located right outside of Baxter Springs, Kansas.

They ask anyone with information to contact the cherokee county sheriffs office at 620-848-3000, 620-429-3992 or text “tip cherokee” 888777

Baxter Springs duo caught in mid-afternoon burglary attempt

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. – Cherokee County Deputies catch two people in the middle of a burglary.

Monday afternoon, Deputies responded to suspicious activity at a vacant home north of Galena. The first deputy arrived and apprehended a suspect who was allegedly trying to cut the catalytic convertor from a vehicle.

The deputy started detaining another suspect still inside their car when a third suspect emerged from inside the home and ran into a wooded area.

The Sheriff’s Office deployed a K9 in the area. They say they know the identity of the third suspect, but say he has not bee found yet.

One of the suspects, 33-year-old, Lacey Powell, had outstanding warrants for her arrest.

Baxter Springs man gives back to his community

BAXTER SPRINGS, Ks. — A Baxter Springs man is taking a creative approach to help his community.

Over the next month, Insurance Agent Todd Webb plans to donate his earnings on new policies to local charities. At first, it will start at 50%, but if he manages to set up 10 or more new policies – he plans to increase the donation to 100%. Webb wanted to use this as an opportunity to help charities who might have been affected by the pandemic.

Todd Webb, Insurance Agent, said, “The last year has been difficult for a lot of these groups, so I just wanted to bring attention to those and also do something that can means on giving to them as well and maybe draw attention to them from the greater community that there’s still a need for these organizations.”

Proceeds will go towards Dream Big Little One, The Foster Closet Cooperative, and local food pantries.

Matt Mims out as head coach after one year at Baxter Springs

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — Change is coming once again at Baxter Springs High School as Matt Mims will be leaving after one year as head football coach for the Lions.

The Lions were winless in Mims’ lone season at the helm of the program and now assistant coach William Burr will lead the Lions into the 2021-2022 season. Burr spent much of his coaching days at Webb City High School and joined Baxter Springs back in 2016.

Baxter Springs athletic director Kenneth Boeckman released the following statement:

We appreciate the passion and energy Coach Mims has brought to the football program at Baxter Springs High School. Recently, Coach Mims has informed the district of his plans to return to his home state of Alabama as a next step in his career. We thank him for his dedication to Lions Football and wish him best the of luck! Moving forward, we’ve named assistant, Russell Burr, the next head football coach. Reflected in this quick and decisive action is our mission to create a smooth transition, in the best interest of our student-athletes and the program. Coach Burr brings a wealth of experience that will be reflected in his leadership, accountability, and integrity.

Kenneth Boeckman – Baxter Springs AD