JPD announces 54th Citizens Police Academy class for Fall

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Joplin Police Department announces the upcoming Fall session of the Citizens Police Academy.

The academy is a 14 week program geared toward people who want to learn more about the JPD. It will be free of charge and will provide a behind-the-scenes program taught by experienced police officers, who share their unique perspective on law enforcement.

The classes will be held every Thursday evening starting August 5th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The CPA will conclude on November 4th with a closing ceremony and dinner. The classes will be held at various locations throughout the City. The class size will be limited to approximately 25 participants.

Topics covered will include: crime scene investigations, narcotics investigations, child abuse investigations, vehicle stops, SWAT operations and equipment, use of force tactics, building clearing, DWI enforcement, an introduction to the K9 unit and much more.

Interested persons are encouraged to contact Officer Lacey Baxter at lbaxter@joplinmo.org or at (417) 623-3131, ext 1632. An application can be submitted or printed from JPD’s website, www.joplinpolice.org, under the Events tab. An application can also be obtained at the front desk of the Joplin Police Department at 303 E. 3rd Street, in Joplin

Early morning fire engulfs Carterville home

CARTERVILLE, Mo. – Fire crews respond to the scene of a fire in Carterville, Missouri early Monday morning.

The fire broke out at 310 S. Elm Street. Neighbors say they saw the flames go up around 5:45 a.m. The fire caused extensive damage to the building’s roof.

There’s no word yet on whether anyone was inside at the time or if there were any injuries.

Thousands apply for Missouri bear hunting permit

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri’s first-ever bear hunt is drawing plenty of interest.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that 6,335 people applied for one of the 400 permits the Missouri Department of Conservation will issue for a harvest of 40 bears. Winners of a random drawing of eligible applicants will be determined by July 1. The black bear hunting will be allowed Oct. 18-27. It was approved earlier this year by the Missouri Conservation Commission.

The bear population in Missouri has been growing. Officials now estimate there are 600 to 1,000 black bears in the state. Hunters can apply for permits at mdc-web.s3licensing.com

Fire devastates Whitehead Farm Supply in La Russell

LA RUSSELL, Mo. – A large fire left extensive damage at Whitehead Farm Supply in La Russell, Missouri Friday morning.

Firefighters received the call around 4:00 a.m. Avilla, Jasper, Carthage and Golden City Fire Departments responded to the scene. Crews had it under control before 6:00 a.m.

The fire leveled a building, however officials say no one was hurt. There’s no word yet on what caused the fire.

Joplin opens COVID vaccine clinics in multiple loactions

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Joplin Health Department is setting up COVID-19 vaccine clinics at various locations across the community. The clinics will offer both first and second dose Moderna vaccines.

These clinics are open to all who are 18-years-old and over, regardless of city or state residency. No appointment is necessary. Citizens should bring a photo identification, and if they are seeking a second dose, they also need to bring their vaccination card. There is no cost associated with these vaccines.

 

Date                            Time                           Location                                 Type of Vaccine                     

Friday, June 4            9 AM – 1 PM            Senior Center                        Moderna vaccine   

                                                                        2616 S. Picher Avenue

         

Wed, June 9               9 – 11:30 AM             Joplin Health Dept.              Moderna vaccine             

                                    1:30 – 4 PM               321 East 4th Street

 

Sat, June 12               11 AM – 3 PM           Joplin Public Library           Moderna vaccine  

                                                                        1901 East 20th Street

Volunteers help cleanup Joplin DMV after flooding

JOPLIN, Mo. – Last week’s severe storms flooded the Joplin DMV. The waters left a mess of building.

But now an improvement is on its way thanks to volunteers. Joplin High School football players stopped by the DMV Tuesday to help.

“We have been here all day long, some of the folks were here all weekend long,” said volunteer Kristi Seibert. “We have had to literally move everything out. We have had to get rid of things that had been ruined”

Officials say the DMV will remain closed for a few more days as clean-up continues.

Kansas City board considers legal action on police funding

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The state-controlled board that oversees Kansas City’s police department has voted to initiate legal action over city leaders’ decision to change how some of the department’s budget gets spent.

Minutes posted on the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners website said board members voted Monday in a closed meeting to authorize a potential lawsuit to enforce their authority over the police department. The vote was in response to two ordinances passed last week by the city council that would reallocate about $42 million of the department’s budget for social services to help address root causes of the city’s violent crime.

Opponents charge the change is a roundabout way to “defund” the police department.

Guns and Hoses Basketball Charity Game to pit cops against firefighters

JOPLIN, Mo. – John Boyd of Bright Futures Joplin talked with Michael Hayslip about the upcoming Guns and Hoses Basketball Game. It pits the Joplin Police Department against the Joplin Fire Department in a game that raises money for Bright Futures Joplin.

“Our goal is to raise as much money as we can with this one big bash, in order to be ready to help kids succeed during the 2021-22 school year, which is right around the corner,” said Bright Futures Joplin Coordinator Sarah Coyne. “Knowing that sponsors and friends are going to come out and have a great time is fantastic, and it helps us get our budget in line so we know what we’re up against for the coming year.”

The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at the Joplin High School Gym, 2104 Indiana. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are free for kids and students, and $5 for adults.

MoDOT kicks-off Work Zone Awareness Week

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) begins Work Zone Awareness Week Monday.

MoDOT employee Frank Shadwell recalls a time he was driving a truck-mounted attenuator (TMA) for a moving work zone when, in an instant, a vehicle sped into the back of his truck. Dozens of MoDOT employees share similar experiences. The department saw 33% more TMA crashes in 2020 than 2019, most often caused by speeding and distractions.

Shadwell and other work zone crash survivors share their stories at a virtual news briefing to promote awareness for work zone safety during National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 26-30. Gov. Mike Parson also joined the discussion to stress the important role all Missourians play in making work zones a safer place to drive and work.

Bomb squad clears the scene at Lamar Casey’s

 

LAMAR, Mo. – Lamar police clear the scene after a reported bomb in a vehicle at Casey’s General Store.

Friday morning, the Police Department says a man went into Casey’s General Store and said he had a bomb in his car. Authorities saw wiring running from the hood of the car to the interior of the car. Police Chief Joe Moore says the man claimed that someone put the bomb in his car. They called in the Springfield bomb unit, which used a robot to inspect the car.

Police shut down 12th Street from Gulf Street to Lexington Street and asked residents to avoid the area.

The bomb squad found no bomb and have cleared the scene. Police are opening the area back up.

They detained the man. Police will speak with attorneys about any possible charges.

KOAM will have more details as they become available.