Frontenac holds its annual tree lighting

FRONTENAC, Kan. — A Southeast Kansas community is coming together to kick off the holiday season.

Sunday night the city of Frontenac held its annual tree lighting on the corner of East Mckay and Crawford Street.

Students from elementary and middle school started the event by caroling on the square.

The high school band came down the street with Santa in tow in a fire truck.

“It’s been going on for a while so they know its coming and they look forward to it. The little ones get to see Santa and they get cookies and hot chocolate. It just gets everybody in the holiday mood,” said David Fornelli, Frontenac Mayor.

The Mayor says the city refurbished half the Christmas lights on East Mckay and plan to refurbish the rest next year.

Pittsburg man on probation now faces another stolen car charge

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Mo. – Authorities release more information after arresting two Pittsburg residents in a stolen car pursuit. The male suspect was on probation for stealing a vehicle.

(Previous Article: Stolen car pursuit starts in Crawford County, ends in Missouri)

The chase happened on Thursday, September 30, 2021, shortly before 1:00 p.m. A Crawford County Sheriff’s deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop on a suspected stolen vehicle. The driver took off.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, “During the pursuit, the driver nearly struck a Deputy who had exited his vehicle to deploy tire deflation devices. A short time after that, the driver in attempt to avoid another deployment of tire deflating devices, almost collided with another Deputies patrol vehicle.”

The chase went into Barton County for about an hour and ended in a bean field.

Once they stopped, authorities immediately apprehended the suspects. They took both people to the Barton County, Missouri jail. Kansas authorities will pursue criminal charges in Crawford County for the Kansas side of the pursuit. Charges authorities are requesting include aggravated assault on LEO, fleeing and attempting to elude, and numerous other traffic violations.

The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office says the driver was Justin Cochran, 29, of Pittsburg, Kansas. Other criminal court cases list his residence as Asbury, Missouri. In addition to requested charges in Thursday’s chase, Cochran had an active warrant for his arrest for a parole violation.

The female suspect had no active warrants. Prosecutors have not officially charged her at this time. She’s a 22-year-old Pittsburg resident.

Authorities say the vehicle was a stolen 2020 Nissan Altima from Joplin.

Barton County Sheriff’s Office and Frontenac Police both assisted with the pursuit.

Criminal History related to a Stolen Car

Justin Cochran has a history of charges and convictions related to car theft.

Recently, he was arrested in January 2021 for stolen property in Cherokee County, Kansas. “Deputies recovered various items including a Ford Truck, which had been reported stolen out of Barton County, Missouri, as well as a handgun and other property reported stolen out of Jasper County.  In addition to the stolen property, suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were also seized,” stated Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.

In March 2021, authorities arrested him in Vernon County, Missouri. Three months later, he pleaded guilty to stealing a motor vehicle and property theft. The courts gave him a 7 year suspended sentence and put him on 5 years supervised probation. In August, he violated his probation. Authorities got a warrant for him on August 30.

The female suspect in Thursday’s chase also has ongoing cases. One in Cherokee County, Kansas and another for tampering with a motor vehicle in Missouri.

Other Related Crimes

Police seek vehicle in Crawford County hit and run

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. – A suspect leaves the scene of a crash, now authorities are asking the public for help.

The hit and run happened on Thursday, September 9, 2021, around 10:00 p.m. on South 220th Street and East 510th Avenue in Crawford County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the suspect vehicle is a 2016 to 2018 white Chevrolet pickup, possibly 4-door. The vehicle has damage to the passenger side rear quarter panel and is missing the passenger side tail lamp.

If you have any information on the vehicle and/or the driver of a vehicle involved in a hit and run in Crawford County, call the KHP Troop H headquarters at 620-431-2100.

“The Kansas Highway Patrol is grateful to the public for their assistance to help with our cases. There have been numerous instances and vehicles which have been successfully located, thanks to help from our citizens. We thank you and truly appreciate any help you can provide,” stated the KHP in a release.

 

Resurfacing on U.S. 69 in Crawford County to start in August

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Drivers can expect delays in August on U.S. 69 and U.S. 69B in Crawford County.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will begin a resurfacing project on Monday, August 2, 2021.

Crews will mill and overlay on U.S. 69 between U.S. 400 and K-47, excluding the section within Pittsburg city limits. KDOT will also resurface U.S. 69B through the communities of Franklin and Arma.

According to KDOT, workers will start on U.S. 69B and then proceed south on U.S. 69 from the K-47 junction.

Flaggers and a pilot car will direct one-lane traffic through the work zone. Drivers can expect delays of 15 minutes or less.

Weather permitting, KDOT expects the project to be finished by early September.

KDOT awarded the construction contract of $2.3 million to Heckert Construction, Pittsburg.

Early Childhood Education Needs in Crawford County

(PITTSBURG, Kan.) Access to early childhood education continues to be a struggle nationwide. Many parents often find themselves on a waiting list, because there simply aren’t enough spaces. Right now, only 65 percent of children in Crawford County are able to get an early childhood education. This means for every space in the county, there are eleven to twenty waiting for a spot. A couple of women are hoping to change that. Kari Cronister and Kristina Cullison are starting the conversation, to help bring those needed spaces to Crawford County.

“A lof of people joke ‘Before you’re even pregnant you need to get on a waiting list'”, says Crawford County resident Karlea Abel. “We were just thrilled when our turn finally came, it almost felt like winning the lottery a little bit.”

For many like Karlea, finding those high quality early childhood education options has been a journey.

“Getting into a licensed daycare center was incredibly difficult, we were on a waitlist for 17 months,” Abel says.

This isn’t a new issue, this spans not only Crawford County, not only Kansas, but the entire country.

“In a lot of rural areas, especially in Southeast Kansas, it’s just not available, there’s just not enough spots,” Abel says.

“in home childcare went down 17% from 2017 to 2019, childcare centers did go up 5% in the entire state, but that does not meet the deficit and the need, it’s really an issue of supply and demand,” Cronister and Cullison says.

What is there to do then? On Friday morning, Kari and Kristina started the conversation. Together with community leaders they’re working to expand early childhood education in the county, and the ball is already rolling. The Family Resource Center will be expanding its campus soon and Kari and Kristina are working to help create more options for those who work untraditional hours.

“You’re working in the restaurant industry, the manufacturing industry, health care and you have a job where you’re required to work different hours and you don’t get off by six, we don’t have anything available for you really,” they say. “In the entire state of Kansas, only 2.9% of child care centers are opened non-traditional hours.

To help those children have the skills they need to lead the next generation into the future.

“Our little people are going to be our workforce in many years, giving them high quality experiences so they can grow up and achieve those goals,” they say.

Kari and Kristina will be establishing their own childhood care center in the coming year. They hope for it to be up and running with at least twelve new spaces by January 2022.

Identity released in Crawford County house fire death investigation

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. – Authorities release the identity of a woman found dead in a Crawford County house fire.

Authorities positively identified the victim as Sara Etzold, 39, of Mulberry, Kansas. A coroner is conducting an autopsy to determine official cause of death and the investigation is ongoing.

On April 4, 2021, around 3:41 a.m., the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call about a house fire.

Deputies, EMS and Fire responded to the fire at 143 South 250th Street.

While putting out the fire, they found a deceased adult victim in the home.

State Fire Marshal investigators are looking into the cause of the fire.

(Previous article: Crawford County Sheriff conducting death investigation after fire)

Southeast Kansas county updates as state enters COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 5

KANSAS – On Monday, March 29, 2021, Kansas entered the state’s final Phase 5 of the COVID-19 vaccine plan. Now, all Kansas 16 and older can get the vaccine.

Only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for 16- and 17-year-olds, while the vaccines from Moderna and J&J are approved for those 18 and older. So, some counties may not be able to schedule anyone under 18 at this time.

Below is a look at updates and plans laid out by southeast Kansas counties. (Learn more about vaccines in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma here)

Allen County

  • According to the SEK Multi-County Health Department, there are no clinics currently scheduled for the week of March 29
  • Call the SEK Multi-County Health Department at 620-365-2191 for an appointment or to get on the waiting list.



Bourbon County

  • According to the SEK Multi-County Health Department, a COVID-19 vaccine clinic is scheduled for April 6th, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Bourbon County Health Department.
    • Health Department Office is located at 524 South Lowman Street in Fort Scott
  • Residents eligible include those 18 and older. They will require appointments.
    • Call 620-223-4464 to make an appointment



Cherokee County

  • According to Public Information Officer David Groves, the county will continue to move forward with vaccine distribution in the same manner as they have. They will continue to do drive-thru clinics that require appointments
  • They will not be vaccinating residents who are under 18 because they only have the Moderna vaccine, which does not have approval for use in people under 18.
  • Residents can call 620-429-3087 to make an appointment.

Crawford County

  • Crawford County has several clinics scheduled for this week
    • March 31, 2021: Crawford County Fairgrounds Drive thru clinic, Noon to 6:00 pm. No appointment needed.  First come first served.
    • March 31, 2021: Lincoln Center, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. For those who have made appointments already, your vaccine is reserved.  We will also take drop-ins.
    • April 1, 2021: Crawford County Health Department, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. This clinic will be for those wanting the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. First come, first served.
  • For faster service at any of the upcoming clinics, download the vaccine consent form from the Crawford County website and have it completed before you arrive – https://www.crawfordcountykansas.org/coronavirus.html

Labette County

  • The Labette County Health Department makes announcements of open slots for COVID-19 vaccine appointments on social media (Facebook).

Neosho County

  • According to the Neosho County Health Department, the hospital still requires appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The Health Department has started doing some walk-in clinics which they announce on Facebook.
  • The Health Department is only vaccinating those 18 and older.

Wilson County

  • To sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine in Wilson County, contact the following (all vaccine sites are by appointment only)
    • Wilson County Health Department: 620-378-4455
    • Porter Drug Store: 620-325-2671
    • Fredonia Regional Hospital: 620-378-2121
    • Wilson Medical Center – http://www.wilsonmedical.org

Woodson County

  • According to the SEK Multi-County Health Department, there are no clinics currently scheduled for the week of March 29
  • Call 620-625-2484 for an appointment or to get on the waiting list.



Girard man killed in crash after running a stop sign

GIRARD, Kan. – A Girard, Kansas man is dead after a crash on K-7 and 630th Ave. in Crawford County, Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says Gregory Puffinbarger was going west on 630th, failed to yield and hit a crossing semi. Puffinbarger died at the scene.

The driver of the semi was not hurt.

Find COVID-19 vaccines near you

The Vaccine Finder below can help you locate a specific COVID-19 vaccine at several locations in your area. Select the vaccines you’re interested in, enter your zip code and mile amount. Then, hit enter to see the list.

Most locations have a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines and require appointments. Check with your local health department first to confirm you can get the vaccine.

Other useful links:

Local COVID-19 vaccine updates and clinics week of March 15

PITTSBURG, Kan. / JOPLIN, Mo. – Medical centers, pharmacies and county health departments continue offering COVID-19 vaccinations. Check out some local clinics for the week of March 15, 2021 below as well as updates from health officials. If you know of a vaccination clinic in the 4-State area, email sstrader@koamtv.com with a link to the social media post or website where information can be found.

You can also find vaccine locators and more for Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma at KoamNewsNow.com/vaccine.

Nevada, Mo.

  • Nevada Regional Medical Center
    • NRMC recently announced that appointments are still available for the COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Tuesday, March 16. It’s at the Nevada Community Center located at 200 N. Ash Street in Nevada.
    • Recently, the State of Missouri announced that beginning March 15, Missourians in Phase 1B – Tier 3 will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes those who keep the essential functions of society running, including K-12 educators and school employees; child care providers; grocery store employees; and energy, food, agriculture, and other critical infrastructure workers, among others. You can find information about who is eligible at https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/priority.
    • Only Missouri residents who fall under the state’s priority phases 1A and 1B -Tiers 1-3 are eligible to participate in COVID-19 vaccination in Missouri for individuals unless qualified through a Missouri employer.
    • There are two vaccine options being offered at the clinic on March 16, Moderna from 8 A.M. to 1 P.M. and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine from 1 to 6:30 P.M. Moderna is a two-dose vaccine, requiring a second dose in four weeks. Janssen is a one-dose vaccine.
    • You must register, but appointments are still available. To schedule an appointment online, please visit nrmchealth.com/covid19-vaccine. If you require assistance scheduling, please call NRMC at (417) 667-3355.

McDonald County, Mo.

  • County COVID-19 vaccination clinic
    • Friday March 19 @ The Corcoran Ball Park – 1pm-3pm

Bourbon County, Kan.

  • County COVID-19 vaccination clinic
    • Tuesday March 16 at Former First Source Building, 4500 Campbell Drive, Ft Scott
      • 9am-12pm 65 and Older
      • 12-5pm; all person eligible in Phase 2

Crawford County, Kan.

  • Vaccination update from the Crawford County Health Department
    • Crawford County is still focusing on vaccinating people 65 and older against COVID-19 however, the Crawford County Health Department and Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas are expanding to the remaining categories within Phase 2 of the Kansas Vaccination Prioritization Plan.
    • These persons within Phase 2 includes, high-contact critical workers and congregate settings. Any individual from Phase 1 that still needs a vaccine may also call.

Joplin, Mo.

  • The Joplin Health Department posts that they are vaccinating Missouri residents 16 and older who have a chronic illness such as asthma, diabetes, COPD, heart disease, kidney disease, weakened immune system and intellectual/developmental disorder.
  • Missouri activated Tier 3 today, March 15, 2021. Read more about Tier 3 at KOAMNewsNow.com/vaccine.

Cherokee County, Kan.

  • The Cherokee County Health Department recently posted about COVID-19 vaccination openings. You can call 620-429-3087 to make an appointment.

Labette County, Kan.

  • The Labette County Health Department still has Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccinations available at the following locations.
    • Labette County Health Department
    • Labette Health clinics in Parsons, Altamont, Chetopa and Oswego
    • Bowen Pharmacy in Parsons
    • Riggs Pharmacy in Chetopa
    • Community Health Center of SEK in Parsons