Joplin School bus rear-ended by SUV in Duquesne

DUQUESNE, Mo. — Just before 7:30 a.m. Thursday reports of an SUV crashing with a Joplin School bus on E 7th alerted Jasper County E911.

Duenweg Fire, Duquesne Police and METS responded. Joplin Police and Fire were requested as mutual aid.

The crash was located just east of Katherine Ave. On scene we learn no children were injured. There were numerous on-board the bus.

The driver of the SUV was not injured and the bus driver was not injured.

Duquesne Police tell us both the SUV and bus were traveling east on 7th. The SUV struck the rear of the bus, breaking out the lower rear window on the emergency escape door.

Parents came to pick up kids on the scene. Some might seek medical care privately.

Nixon’s Towing removed the SUV from the scene.

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Joplin schools get ready to head back into the classroom

KOAM’s Chris Warner spent the morning at the Irving Elementary school where he talked to school administrators about the beginning of the new school year. First up was Jordan Adkins, the Irving elementary principal.

Director of facilities, Dave Pettit, talked to Chris after that about some of the changes the school has made in preparation for the coming year.

He wrapped up the day by talking to Joplin schools superintendent, Dr. Kerry Sachetta. And what better way to wrap the day up than with the kids showing up for their first day!

Click here if you’d like more information about the Joplin school district.

Book drive for Joplin online and alternative school

JOPLIN, Mo. (KODE) — The Alliance of Southwest Missouri is collecting books for Joplin students.

The nonprofit is partnering with Economic Security Corporation to collect books and will donate them to the Joplin School District online and alternative school.

They decided to collect books after hearing the school was looking to fill its bookcases.

“There’s multiple studies that show literacy in children is related directly to lower risk for suicide, mental health issues and substance abuse issues. Its kind of a like a long term prevention strategy,” said Caleb Hatfield with Alliance of SWMO.

The book drive runs until the end of May.

Anyone wanting to donate books can drop them off at the Alliance of Southwest Missouri on Monday through Thursday from 8:30am – 5:00pm

Joplin Board of Education voices disapproval of school funding bills to lawmakers

JOPLIN, Mo. — The Joplin Board of Education is speaking out against various house and senate bills that would redirect public school funding.

During Tuesday’s school board meeting the board voted four to three to send a letter to legislators about education bills. The school board is telling legislators they want to keep local property, sales, and income tax in Joplin.

The Joplin Public Schools Superintendent Doctor Melinda Moss says she wants public funds to be held to high accountability standards if they are being given to private entities.

Area organizations team up for Launchpad project

JOPLIN, Mo. — The Joplin City Council is unveiling its plan for projects throughout the year. One big collaboration is called Launchpad. Missouri Southern State University, the Joplin Chamber of Commerce, and Joplin Schools are part of the partnership.

Toby Teeter, President of Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “This is an opportunity where the business community works with Missouri Southern State University and the city of Joplin to build a robust city center that better supports entreprenurial ecosystem our talent pipeline.”

The Launchpad project has been in the works for three years to improve the entreprenurial ecosystem in Joplin. The program would move into the 48,000 square foot former downtown library on Fourth and Main. The project is giving high school students and MSSU students job opportunities.

“Not only are we trying to cater to our existing workforce and existing business sectors, but we are also trying to incubate 21st century business sectors like engineering biosciences and technology as well as entreprenuership.”

The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce also applied for a grant to bring code labs for adults to the community.

“We could take people that are not from an it background and in a matter of 12 months make them a full stack web developer and create more of that talent for our community.”

For launchpad MSSU would relocate their small business development center from campus to downtown. The university says the project would help students by connecting them with local internships.

Dr. Dean Van Galen, MSSU President, said, “In many cases students who do an internship go on for employment with that business so I think it will be really good for our students and develop the talent and workforce for the joplin area.”

Since Monday’s City Council meeting was a work session they are not making any decisions on the project. Launchpad is expected to cost $10 million. So far launchpad applied for a $750,000 grant in December.