JOPLIN, Mo. — Wednesday afternoon, the aquatic center hosted a Free Swim.
The event ran from 1 PM to 5 PM and was courtesy of Joplin Parks and Rec, Howie and Bubba from Good Morning Four States, as well as the good folks from The Big Show on 96.9 KKOW.
Alexis Clemons and Jake Kaufman from our sister-station KSN also showed up to mingle and consume some tasty treats.
This event also served as a lifeguard recruitment opportunity.
And how ’bout this? Close to 500 people showed up to enjoy the fun.
May’s Apple of Today’s Eye winner: Mrs. Mia McFerron at Cecil Floyd Elementary School in Joplin!
Nominate a deserving teacher and KSN will surprise them with a cake at school!
KANSAS – Giving Tuesday turned out to be a record-breaking year for the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.
Community members gave more than $176,000 to local charities under the community foundation’s umbrella.
The CF-SEK and two community donors also put up a total of $47,000 in matching funds. That brings the grand total of 2021 Match Day to more than $223,000.
This is the sixth year the CF-SEK has participated in Giving Tuesday. Since then the organization has received close to a million dollars in contributions.
For a list of the organizations that benefited, visit this link: Match Day 2021 [Update: Ended] – Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas
RIVERTON, Kan. — When Bronson Schaake left the head coaching position at Riverton High School to become the new head boys basketball coach at Joplin High School, it left an opening with the Rams.
It was announced last week that Riverton named Brandon Pate as its new head boys basketball coach, but it’s a place where Pate has a sense of familiarity.
“Who knew?” Pate said. “But I’m excited. It is kind of like going back home, it’s where I started. I got an opportunity to start my coaching career there. So to be able to come back all these years later, it’s special no doubt about it.”
Pate served as an assistant coach at Riverton for five years from 2012-2017 and was a part of two conference championships in back-to-back seasons in 2014 and 2015. He was also a part of two state tournament appearances with the Rams in those some years.
The new Riverton head coach attended Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ, in 1996 where he led a nationally ranked team to a 30-5 record, a conference title, Region 1 title and a national tournament appearance in Hutchinson, Kan. From there, Pate played at Northland Pioneer College in Holbrook, AZ, in 1998 before finishing his collegiate career at Pittsburg State University under then-head coach Gene Iba in 1999-00.
One of his biggest performances as a Gorilla came against Missouri Southern State head men’s basketball Jeff Boschee during his playing days with the University of Kansas Jayhawks. Pate dropped 29 points against the fourth-ranked Jayhawks on his way to becoming first team all-conference his senior year.
“I’m all about getting in the gym with my guys and playing some ball,” Pate said. “So now that this is past us, I’m just ready to get in the gym.”
In this edition of Around Town with Deja Brown we’re at Hideout Harley Davidson in Joplin. Need to blow off some steam? Is learning to ride a motorcycle part of your bucket list? Visit the Hideout, start learning, and take it to the open road.
You can visit their website’s page for new riders or their Facebook page for more information.
In this edition of Around Town with Deja Brown we’re at Escape Joplin. If puzzles and problem solving sound fun to you, check them out and their premier escape room!
You can visit their website or their Facebook page for more information.
ST. LOUIS (Feb. 15, 2021) — With natural gas supplies impacted across the Midwest, Spire is
implementing an emergency curtailment plan in their service areas across Southwest Missouri. Spire is asking customers to reduce usage immediately.
To prevent system outages due to frigid weather conditions, Spire is asking customers to turn thermostats as low as they can comfortably tolerate and to minimize the use of any other natural gas appliances over the next 48 hours.
“We don’t want to alarm people, but we don’t want to surprise them,” said Scott Carter, Spire Missouri president. “Our operations teams are closely monitoring the situation and we are working around the clock to keep customers safe.”
In addition, Spire is asking commercial and industrial customers to reduce their gas usage at facilities to minimum levels necessary to protect buildings and inventory. This request does not apply to hospitals, nursing homes, essential food processors, and other human needs applications.
“Working together as a community, we can do our best to keep gas pressure levels up and keep homes warm for everyone,” said Carter.
For more information on ways you can do your part and help conserve energy during these extreme conditions, go to SpireEnergy.com/ColdWeather.
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
FOUR STATE AREA — Last week, Local News Today enjoyed some of the best fish tacos in the Four States when Flounders paid a visit for Food Truck Friday. Monday we go Back For Seconds to learn about the series of events that led to the food truck’s owners new – and successful venture.
Brian Bowman, Co-Owner, Flounder’s Fish & Chips, said, “Everything about this truck just feels like it should have happened.”
Sometimes it’s takes an unfortunate event, to guide you into that next chapter of your life.
Brian Bowman, Co-Owner, Flounder’s Fish & Chips: “A few years ago, I had kidney failure and I’d done construction work all my life and I told her, I said, we got to do something when I get a new kidney, that’s not as hard.”
Brian Bowman is no stranger to hard work, but his battle with kidney failure pushed him to construct a new career and a new reality for him, his wife kim, and their family.
‘And I’d throw ideas at her and say this is what we want to do how about this, no, no, I said food truck, she’s like no. So my little brain said she hesitated, so I can get her.”
Although hesitant, they had endured a lot, so she was up for the challenge.
Kim Bowman, Co-Owner, Flounder’s Fish & Chips, said, “It’s humbling, I’m still shocked at the response we’re getting. To me it doesn’t feel like it’s been a lot of work coming up with the recipes…”
“Because I’ve done it all,” said Brian.
And now 16 months in, Flounder’s Fish & Chips is thriving.
“16 months, so not real long. It’s been a worldwhind, a roller coaster, just amazing,” said Kim
From fresh shrimp tacos, to their fried fish sandwich, and beer battered fries that can’t be beat. There’s one menu item that always keeps people come back for seconds.
“It’s amazing like the kraut balls, if we run out somewhere, the next time we’re there, they’ll be waiting when we get there and say I want to large orders,” said Brian.
“It’s really funny to watch people’s reaction when they first try one, we’ve heard all kinds of crazy responses so we decided to put the top 10 on the back of our shirts,” said Kim.
And although it’s still new–the pair says–seeing how much has changed over the last few months makes them grateful.
“Everybody’s support, the power of God, to get me back on my feet where I’m at. I mean it’s amazing what they can do in the medical field. But it’s also amazing what God can do in your life and how he can guide you,” said Brian.