Grand Lake airport receives funding for state-of-the-art equipment

GROVE, Okla. — Grove Regional Airport is updating its obsolete weather systems with an updated system, said Lisa Jewett, airport manager on Thursday.

The Automated Weather Observation Station is 25 years old and would not give ceiling and wind readings when a pilot used “Instrument Flight Rules” for landing, Jewett said.  

“That reading is critical for larger jets and medical helicopters,” Jewett said.

Jewett said the $230,000 grant from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration will allow them to replace the vintage system with a state-of-the-art system.

The new system should be in place by August or September, she said.  The City of Grove will pay a matching five percent of the grant, Jewett said.

“Typically, a system lasts between 10 to 12 years,” Jewett said.  “Our system continued to work well for years.”

The Grand Lake airport sees between 12 to 15 airplanes a day during the summer months, she said.  

2,000 head of cattle die in Kansas heat

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — At least 2,000 head of cattle died during the heat in southwest Kansas last weekend.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirms the loss and the cause of death.

“The combination of high temperatures, humidity and not a lot of wind made it difficult for the cows to stay cool,” Matt Lara, KDHE communications director, said.

The KSN Storm Track 3 Weather team said the high temperature was 102 degrees in and around Garden City and Dodge City on Saturday and Sunday. The mornings were humid, and the wind speed ranged from 7.2 to 11.8 mph.

Lara said that the KDHE became involved when facility owners contacted the agency to assist with the disposal of the carcasses.

He said cattle deaths from heat are normal, but this many is higher than usual.

A.J. Tarpoff, a beef veterinarian with Kansas State University Research and Extension, said cattle will often acclimate to hot temperatures, but factors like humidity, diet, and even the color of their hide, can drastically change their ability to handle the heat.

“Each animal within a group or pen is not affected the same way,” he said. “Animals with higher body condition scores, or with darker hides, or finisher steers and heifers that are getting ready to go to harvest are at higher risk of heat stress.”

Tarpoff said ranchers and feedlot operators can do things to help cattle survive the heat.

“This all has to do with heat load,” he said. “The internal temperature of cattle will peak two hours after the hottest point of the day. So our strategy for keeping cows cool needs to be built around knowing that.”

He said cattle also produce heat about four to six hours after eating.

“So if we feed animals within the wrong period of time, we can actually increase their heat load because the heat of digestion and the heat from the environment are building on top of each other,” Tarpoff said. “We want to keep that from happening.”

Best management practices to reduce heat stress:

  • Handling. Receive, ship or move cattle only during the coolest parts of the day, preferably before 10 a.m.
  • Feeding. Modify feeding times. Feed 70% of the animals’ ration as late in the evening as possible, which puts the peak heat of digestion overnight when temperatures are likely cooler. Decrease feeding during the day.
  • Managing heat.
    • Split cattle between pens or reduce stocking density.
    • Maximize airflow by removing obstructions around facilities, including weeds.
    • If feasible, install shade structures to reduce the temperature on the pen’s floor. Due to solar radiation, a dirt floor can get up to 140 degrees.
    • If you cannot provide shade, put dry bedding over the dirt. Straw can reduce the heat of the pen floor by about 25 degrees.
    • Install sprinklers to wet cattle down at night or early morning so as not to increase humidity.
  • Providing water. Tarpoff said that cattle will drink about double the amount of water when the temperature goes from 70 to 90 degrees. He said cattle should get about five times as much water as the dry food they eat.

“Cool, clean and readily-available water is critical during heat stress events,” Tarpoff said. “We may have to increase the water tank capacity within a pen to meet these needs with portable water troughs. Producers need to be prepared for that.”

Tarpoff said he follows two sources for help in making a decision when to put a heat stress management plan into full effect.

  • The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) maintains a seven-day forecast tool for the United States, taking into account temperature, humidity and solar radiation.
  • The Kansas Mesonet at Kansas State University is a network of observation towers across the state that updates climate information every hour.

Tarpoff said heat stress accounts for about $370 million in losses yearly for the beef cattle industry.

For more information or assistance, contact your local extension agent.

KBI: Missing mother and daughter found murdered

SPEARVILLE, Kan. (KSNW) – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Ford County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the murders of a mother and daughter from Spearville.

On Wednesday, June 15, at approximately 1:20 p.m., the Ford County Sheriff’s Office received a call from 203 W. Avenue B in Spearville. When they got to the home, sheriff’s deputies and officers from the Spearville Police Department spoke to a man who reported that his girlfriend and daughter were missing.

Michael A. Peterson (Courtesy Ford County Sheriff’s Office)

While they were inside the house, the KBI said law enforcement officers noticed evidence that a crime had occurred in the home. The man, identified as Michael A. Peterson, 31, of Spearville, was detained for questioning.

Just before 4 p.m., the Ford County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene to investigate.

KBI agents and deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office began an extensive search for 31-year-old Kayla Vasquez and 4-year-old Aalilyah Vasquez. They were later assisted by the Edwards County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 4:15 a.m. Thursday, authorities found Kayla’s body in rural Ford County. Then at around 5:40 a.m., the Aalilyah’s body was discovered in Kinsley. Autopsies will be conducted.

At approximately 7:35 a.m. Thursday, Peterson was arrested on suspicion of capital murder connected to the deaths of Kayla and Aalilyah Vasquez.

More in LOCAL CRIME…

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME or the Ford County Sheriff’s Office at 620-227-4501.

Body found in Fort Scott park

FORT SCOTT, Kans. — Fort Scott investigators are determining the cause of death for an individual found Thursday.

The body, discovered shortly before 11 AM, was found in the northern area of Gunn Park and near the Marmaton River, according to a Facebook post by FSPD.

The cause of death is unknown at this time as authorities work to learn more.

This is a developing story and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Body recovered by Missouri State Highway Patrol Dive Team at Grand Falls identified as Carterville, Mo. resident

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Missouri State Dive Team recover the body of a Carterville, Missouri man after he drowned in Shoal Creek at Grand Falls.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol state Standley Luke, 35, tried to go over Grand Falls with a “pool toy.”

[Luke] attempted to go over Grand Falls with a pool toy, struck a rock, and drowned.” – Sgt W. Burr of Troop D Water Patrol

He was not wearing a life jacket.

Next of kin have been notified.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol Dive Team conduct an average of 36 dive operations a year to recover drowning victims, boating crash victims, or to recover criminal evidence in felony cases. Dive team members are certified for dive operations in all of Missouri waterways.

Joplin Fire Deputy Chief Andy Nimmo told us Wednesday evening divers in the water made the difference in recovering the body.

Divers traveled to gather in Joplin Wednesday.  There are 11 highly-trained divers assigned to troops throughout the state. They are capable of doing deep dives, swift water recovery and ice dives.

The Dive Team is on call 365 days a year and 24 hours a day.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol Dive Team has been designated as the official homeland security dive team for the state of Missouri by the State Emergency Management Agency. The Dive Team is a state resource available to any local jurisdiction for dives related to criminal matters or victim recovery.” – MSHP DIVE TEAM

This is a breaking news story, stay with KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more. Scroll below to sign up for our JLNews1st email alerts so you don’t miss an article.

FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS, SEE NEWS WHILE YOU SURF…

 

View this profile on Instagram

 

Joplin News First (@joplinnewsfirst) • Instagram photos and videos

 

Driver flees the scene of a fatal Barry County crash

BARRY COUNTY, Mo. – The driver of a suspected stolen vehicle flees the scene of a crash that claimed the life of an Aurora, Missouri man.

The crash happened in Barry County on Farm Road 1180, about 3.5 miles west of Jenkins, Missouri. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, a Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck failed to yield and hit a Kawasaki ZX10R motorcycle.

The driver of the motorcycle, 38-year-old Patrick E. Anderson of Aurora, Missouri, died at the scene.

The crash report shows both vehicles were towed from the scene, but the pickup driver had fled.

According to Trooper Sam Carpenter, the driver of the truck fled the scene on a bicycle. Authorities are not sure where the bicycle came from. Then, an unknown person stopped in a car and picked the driver up from the scene.

The Highway Patrol suspects the pickup truck was stolen out of Monett. Trooper Carpenter states the registered owner of the vehicle was not the driver.

Authorities are still investigating and looking for a suspect.

Lawrence Co. Deputy goes “above and beyond” for 9-year-old caller

MILLER, Mo. — An inspirational story from our friends in Lawrence County, Missouri:

There is still good in this world even when there seems to be so much bad. A shout out to Deputy Devost and T.O. Mareth for doing an amazing job, the managers at Walmart for their generosity and all the Deputies involved. We live in a great place!” — Sheriff Brad DeLay

06/08/2022, Monett/Lawrence County 911 received a surprising call. A young man (9 years old) went outside that morning to ride his bike. Much to his dismay, his bike was not there. It appeared as though someone had stolen it overnight. So what does a young man do when a crime has been committed? He calls 911.

The call came in to 911 Telecommunications Officer Sarah Mareth who treated this call like any other emergency. The young man was obviously upset that his bike had been stolen but T.O. Mareth’s calm, professional voice and actions assured the young caller that an officer was on the way and things would be alright. She walked him through the process and got all the necessary information from him, taking his every word as serious as you would expect.

Shortly thereafter, Deputy Devost who is assigned to the Miller area arrived on scene to take the report. After a diligent search, the bicycle was located. Unfortunately it had sustained some damage while it was gone.

So, the story should end there right? Bike recovered, call complete, but it doesn’t. Deputy Devost went above and beyond on this call and he decided to make a difference. He took it upon himself to find a brand new bike for our young caller. He was able to locate a brand new exact replacement at the Mt. Vernon Walmart.

When he went to Walmart to purchase the bike, two of their managers stepped up and their kindness went beyond their job descriptions. Deputy Devost left Walmart with a bike and lock paid in full.

Sheriff DeLay, Deputy Devost and several other Deputies then had the privilege of delivering this brand new bike and lock to the unsuspecting young man. He was surprised to say the least.

After receiving this new gift, the young man decided to pay it forward by donating his old bike to be repaired and given to another child in need.

Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue bringing you stories where you live. Scroll below to sign up for our JLNews1st email list so you don’t miss an article.

FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS, SEE NEWS WHILE YOU SURF…

 

View this profile on Instagram

 

Joplin News First (@joplinnewsfirst) • Instagram photos and videos

Keeping elders safe from scammers: everything you need to know

Jefferson City, Mo. — In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is reminding Missourians to be on the lookout for elder financial abuse.

“Each year fraudsters financially exploit Missouri senior citizens,” Ashcroft said. “We need the public’s support and partnership to bring much-needed attention to this serious matter.”

While financial abuse can happen at any time, perpetrators often strike during times in a senior’s life when they may be more vulnerable, such as during a health crisis or after the death of a loved one, officials say.

Scammers often gather personal details from obituaries and social media posts and use this information to target their victims. Some even will exploit trust within seniors’ social and support groups to become more involved in their lives.

What to Watch For

The Secretary of State’s Securities Division gives these five examples of exploitation warning signs:

• A new, overly protective friend or caregiver or the unexplained surrender of financial control.
• Fear or a sudden change in feelings.
• A lack of knowledge about financial status or the reluctance to discuss financial matters.
• Sudden or unexplained changes in spending habits, a will, trust, or beneficiary designations.
• Unexplained checks made out to cash, unexplained loans, or unexplained disappearance of assets (cash, valuables, securities, etc.). Watch for suspicious signatures on the senior’s checks or other documents.

How You Can Help

• Contact: Be sure to communicate with older family members regularly. Contact is key.
• Inform: Let older family members know that fraudsters and scammers are always finding new ways to exploit and deceive. Help older adults become aware of the red flags of fraud, which remain consistent regardless of the fraud or scam.
• Act: Contact the Securities Division by calling the Investor Protection Hotline at (800) 721-7996 or visit www.missouriprotectsinvestors.com.

Missouri Water Patrol recover body on Shoal Creek

JOPLIN, Mo. — Joplin Fire Deputy Chief Andy Nimmo updates information regarding the recovery on Shoal Creek at Grand Falls.

“The Missouri State Water Patrol recovered a body at 6:20 p.m. on Shoal Creek,” Deptuy Chief Nimmo states. More information will be formally released by the State Water Patrol.

The recovery phase involved divers getting in the water late Wednesday afternoon and it was a short time later the body was located.

It was a little over 24 hours ago that an adult male went over the Grand Falls and never resurfaced.

Joplin Fire at Grand Falls Command was terminated at 7:18 p.m. as firefighters began clearing the area.

This breaking news story will be updated here on Joplin News First at KOAM News Now.

FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS, SEE NEWS WHILE YOU SURF…

 

View this profile on Instagram

 

Joplin News First (@joplinnewsfirst) • Instagram photos and videos

Trailer explodes in fireworks stopping I-44 traffic at Halltown, Mo.

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. — Just after 5:15 p.m. reports from tipsters alerted us to stopped traffic on I-44 west near the 58 MM.

Missouri State Highway Patrol reports a pickup hauling an enclosed trailer hauling fireworks caught fire on the right shoulder.

Witnesses on scene tell us the trailer became fully engulfed in fire and exploding fireworks. Fire covered the west shoulder and embankment and fire in the median continued for a time as fire arrived.

The roadway was completely blocked for nearly an hour as traffic was diverted off at 61 MM west (Hood’s) that would circle back around to Halltown at 58 MM.

No reported injuries as the pickup hauling the trailer unhooked and pulled forward. 

One lane of traffic began flowing after 6 p.m.

Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now on Joplin News First as we continue to learn more.

 FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS, SEE NEWS WHILE YOU SURF…

 

View this profile on Instagram

 

Joplin News First (@joplinnewsfirst) • Instagram photos and videos