JOPLIN, Mo. – Officials at Mercy Hospital today celebrated their one-hundredth watchman implant.
Mercy employees say that a watchman’s purpose is to treat Atrial Fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve problem. It can also be used as an alternative to blood thinners.
“I had the Watchman installed on June 1st. I feel great, I am very happy to have been able to have Dr. Poe. The team here is just fantastic, they work together and they know what each other is doing and I think that’s so important to have good outcomes.” Said Velma Quinn, recipient of Mercy’s 100th watchman.
Officials say the watchman is about the size of a quarter and takes roughly one hour to implant.
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COLUMBUS, Kan. – Rising gas prices have resulted in an increase in gas thefts across the region.
Though the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says they have not seen an increase in their area, officers say these crimes increase when prices remain high.
“With the increase in the price of gas right now, we haven’t seen an uptick of theft of fuel recently but we do anticipation that and I think it is something we just need to be mindful of and take precautionary steps and some of those can be relatively easy,” said Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.
To help prevent gas theft, officers say residents should get a gas cap with a lock. Residents can purchase locks.
Officers also say it’s important to park in a well-lit area.
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JOPLIN, Mo. – Joplin Parks & Rec kicked off its summer swim season, but a staff shortage has made pool operations difficult.
The city announced recently that Schifferdecker Aquatic Center will be the only pool to open to the public.
Joplin says Schifferdecker will be the only public pool regularly open to the public, however, the entire pool is not open.
“Our number one priority at the aquatic centers is the safety of our visitors and staff,” said Paul Bloomberg, Parks and Recreation Director. “We need approximately 90 lifeguards on staff to operate safely. This number may sound high, but many of the staff can only work 15 or 20 hours a week due to their sports and other extra-curricular activities.”
Because there are many features at the pool, Schifferdecker Aquatic Center needs a large staff of lifeguards to ensure the safety of swimmers.
City officials say the lazy river and the two slides located in this area will be closed until further notice due to the staffing shortage.
“It’s great to have many different activities at the pool, however, each feature requires supervision from trained lifeguards,” said Jessica Johnson, Recreation Coordinator who oversees Joplin’s aquatics program.”
Though SAC is the only pool available to the public, city workers say Cunningham Aquatic Center will be open during the summer in order to host various summer programs, such as morning and evening swim lessons, Junior Lifeguarding training, and other activities for patrons. Officials say Ewert pool is also closed until further notice.
Those interested in becoming a lifeguard can apply at the Human Resources Department at Joplin City Hall located at 602 S. Main or online at www.joplinmo.org/jobs.
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CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. – The rising cost of fuel is taking its toll on the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office’s budget.
In the last few months, rising gas prices have increased fuel spending from the CCSO by over 60 percent.
Crawford County Sherriff Danny Smith expects that number to continue rising in the near future.
“This time last year in May, our fuel bill was just a little under 11,000 for that month, so it was about 10,700. And that was at a 263 average Well, this May the average is 383, and it was a $16,000 bill. So, you know, so we’re seeing about a $6,000 from last time, you know, this time last year,” Smith explained.
Sherif Smith says conserving fuel is difficult when it comes to law enforcement. If officers turn off their patrol vehicles, they lose access to radio and other necessities needed to keep citizens safe.
For more information, catch the full story tonight on KOAM & FOX 14.
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Today is Wednesday, June 15, the 166th day of 2022. This is today in history.
Local News
In 2013, an alcohol-related crash in Joplin claimed two lives after a driver and passenger took a turn too fast and rolled off the road.
In 2015, OSHA investigators looked into a fatal explosion at the USA Recycling Center in Neosho, Mo.
In 2017, Fort Scott hosted an event that gave boys and girls an educational and fun experience of what it was like to b a soldier in the 1800s.
World News
In 1775, the Second Continental Congress voted unanimously to appoint George Washington head of the Continental Army.
In 1904, more than 1,000 people died when fire erupted aboard the steamboat General Slocum in New York’s East River.
In 1991, Mount Pinatubo in the northern Philippines exploded in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing about 800 people.
Entertainment
In 1938, Johnny Vander Meer pitched his second consecutive no-hitter, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-0 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers in the first night game at Ebbets Field, four days after leaving the Boston Bees hitless by a score of 3-0.
In 1960, the Billy Wilder movie “The Apartment,” starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, premiered in New York.
In 1996, Ella Fitzgerald, the “first lady of song,” died in Beverly Hills, California, at age 79.
Politics
In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an act making the National Guard part of the U.S. Army in the event of war or national emergency.
In 2012, President Barack Obama eased enforcement of immigration laws as he announced a new policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.
In 2020, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled that a landmark civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment.
Birthdays
R&B singer Ruby Nash Garnett (Ruby and the Romantics) is 88. Funk musician Leo Nocentelli (The Meters) is 76. Actor Simon Callow is 73. Singer Russell Hitchcock (Air Supply) is 73. Rock singer Steve Walsh is 71. Chinese President Xi Jinping (shee jihn-peeng) is 69. Actor-comedian Jim Belushi is 68. Country singer Terri Gibbs is 68. Actor Julie Hagerty is 67. Actor Polly Draper is 67. Rock musician Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) is 65. Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs is 64. Actor Eileen Davidson is 63. Actor Helen Hunt is 59. Rock musician Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche) is 59. Actor Courteney Cox is 58. Country musician Tony Ardoin is 58. Country musician Michael Britt (Lonestar) is 56. Actor-rapper Ice Cube is 53. Actor Leah Remini is 52. Actor Jake Busey is 51. Actor Neil Patrick Harris is 49. Actor Greg Vaughan is 49. Actor Elizabeth Reaser is 47. Rock singer Dryden Mitchell (Alien Ant Farm) is 46. Former child actor Christopher Castile is 42. Rock musician Billy Martin (Good Charlotte) is 41. Actor Jordi Vilasuso is 41. Rock musician Wayne Sermon (Imagine Dragons) is 38. Actor Denzel Whitaker is 32. Olympic gold medal gymnast Madison Kocian is 25. Actor Sterling Jerins is 18.
DIAMOND, Mo. — A small town police officer saves the day when a fire erupts just outside the back door of a Café.
Gordon Skogsberg, Fire Chief of the Diamond Area Fire Protection District, said 9-1-1 dispatch sent fire crews and police officers to a possible structure fire around 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon (6/14).
Cooking oil from an outdoor fryer behind “WH Farm Café,” located at South Main and Highway V (West Market Street), was the culprit of the fire.
SLIDESHOW: View Photos From The Scene Of The Outdoor Fire
Despite the closest fire station just blocks away, it was a Diamond Police Officer who arrived on scene first, and saved the restaurant from catching fire.
Fire Chief, Skogsberg said the officer used a fire extinguisher from the patrol vehicle to put out the fire.
Damage from the flames was limited to an outdoor awning, which covered the Cafe’s outdoor frying area.
The location of WH Farm Café, at South Main and Highway V (West Market Street) – Courtesy: Google Maps
A fire extinguisher wasn’t the only saving grace for WH Farm Café.
Southerly winds, although strong, kept the flames from reaching the Café roof.
“If the wind was blowing from the north, it could have been way worse, the building could have caught on fire then.”
Gordon Skogsberg – Fire Chief, Diamond Area Fire Protection District
Clouds and winds will increase through Wednesday, keeping temperatures near 90° this afternoon–the coolest day this week. Heat index values will likely still warm into the upper 90s as southerly winds gust up to 30 MPH.
Later this evening and tonight, a cold front will pass to our north, providing a small chance for showers and storms from areas stretching from Wichita to Kansas City. This could clip parts of Southeast Kansas and areas near Nevada in Missouri, but most–if not all–of us should remain dry with additional cloud cover tonight as we cool into the middle 70s.
Clouds will decrease through Thursday, and we’re going to see a lot of sunshine as temperatures warm even higher through the end of the week. Some temperatures could even near the 100° mark into next week. Heat index values will return to the 100s tomorrow and stick with us for a while.
FAIRLAND, Okla. – The former Fairland police chief was cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with an investigation after a town trustee accused him of falsifying time sheets, according to an Oklahoma Attorney General investigator.
“We have filed no indictment – no indictment clears (Aaron) Richardson,” said Steven Johnson, investigator.
The investigation was launched after Brent Davis, a Fairland Board of Trustee member, made public comments about former Police Chief Aaron Richardson saying he was under investigation and would be indicted by the state’s Attorney General’s office on grounds he falsified time sheets.
Johnson declined to comment on the details of the investigation other than to say, “there is no indictment” and “he (Richardson) is cleared.”
Aaron Richardson
Brent Davis
Town trustees and former Fairland police officers publicly said Davis’ vendetta centers around the outcome to a domestic situation investigated by Richardson that didn’t favor Davis. For months Davis complained during town meetings and privately sought to have Richardson removed from office.
Davis did not respond to email requests seeking comment on the Attorney General’s office decision.
Richardson said he hopes the community can heal from the division and strife.
“I encourage the community to support the men and women law enforcement officers that protect the community, school, and businesses,” Richardson said.
“I am thankful for the hard work that the Attorney General put into this matter,” Richardson said.
“Although I have been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, I am keeping all my options that are available to me by law open,” Richardson said.
Under the advice of legal counsel, Richardson declined to make any further statement on this matter at this time.
“I know this (investigation) has caused him (Richardson) a lot of undue stress, his reputation, and a job,” said John Finnell, former mayor.
There’s no amount of money that can repair the damages, he said.
“He has my support if he chooses to file a lawsuit,” Finnell said. “Maybe then, people will open their eyes and get more involved with town meetings and elections.”
In a 13-minute audio recording, obtained by KODE/KSN, between Davis and Finnell, dated June 30, 2020, Davis is heard saying derogatory comments about Richardson –
Mark 5:08:
Finnell: You still go after chief.
Davis: And I am gonna go after him because he is crooked.
Finnell: No, he’s not. There has been nothing proven.
Davis: He lied.
Finnell: There is no proof – still – you still have not been able to wrangle up any proof.
Davis: Because he won’t let me do a background check.
Finnell: You saw the background check and you said you were okay with that. Did you not? When we presented….When the town attorney…
Davis: He told me what I needed to know.
Finnell: The town attorney provided you with a background check that was done by Tony Wisely (former Fairland Police Chief) and he wasn’t even employed with Jasper County at the time.
Davis: Okay.
Finnell: You were all …I’ll make this all go away is what you said if you can provide a background check and we provided you with a federal background check.
Davis: That Tony Wisley filled out.
Davis: That Tony Wisley did.
Finnell: You can’t just forge a federal background check
Davis: I understand how it works. But you can hide stuff and when I asked to see what was in there and he told me no – I know what’s (unintelligible)
Finnell: He has the right to say no to certain things.
Richardson, a 26-year career law enforcement officer, passed a federal background check and has been awarded many professional citations. He resigned in August citing “a hostile work “environment” and “slanderous allegations.”
“We knew from the beginning this was personal vendetta and he (Davis) never gave the police chief a moment’s peace,” said Lisa Jewett, the former police commissioner.
Davis’ actions resulted in division among the community and the town’s businesses, she said.
Jewett called for Davis’ resignation “for the good of the community” and he should pay for the town’s attorney fees associated with the “fraudulent investigation.”
“Because of his (Davis) personal vendetta we lost a good police chief and the entire police department,” Jewett said.
When Richardson resigned, eight officers under his leadership resigned, but some officers subsequently returned to the police force.
Mayor Nick Bowers and town attorney Eric Wade did not respond to email requests seeking a comment.
