Missouri vaccine outreach aims to be non-confrontational

Posted on July 19, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – With the delta variant causing a surge of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in southwestern Missouri, health officials have taken to going door-to-door in an effort to encourage vaccinations.

(Previous story: Missouri governor says door-to-door vaccine push would not be effective)

The Kansas City Star recently followed along as health officials knocked on doors in Springfield, handing out brochures. The newspaper reports that the effort was non-confrontational and the officials always took “no” for an answer, despite concerns raised by Gov. Mike Parson and other Republican leaders that the outreach would be heavy-handed.

Southwestern Missouri has seen an alarming rise in illnesses caused by COVID-19 in recent weeks.

Great initiative by @MissouriChamber! Vaccination continues to be the best method of COVID-19 prevention, and we encourage anyone age 12 and up to be vaccinated to help protect themselves and those around them. #CovidStopsHere https://t.co/r6ueNes4V9

— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) July 19, 2021

3-year-old boy drowns in southwestern Missouri lake

Posted on July 19, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

NIXA, Mo. – Authorities say a 3-year-old boy has drowned in Table Rock Lake in southwestern Missouri.

Springfield television station KOLR reports the drowning happened Sunday night. Authorities say the boy was left unattended and without a life vest around 9 p.m. at the Mill Creek Park swim area at the lake and was found floating in the water later in the night. The child was flown to a Branson hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The drowning was the 12th handled this year by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, which covers an 18-county area in the state’s southwestern corner.

Monett man dies in lawn mower accident at Jolly Mill Park

Posted on July 16, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. – A Monett, Missouri man dies in a lawn mower accident Thursday evening.

It happened at Jolly Mill Park 3 miles south of Pierce City around 5:45 p.m. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol 72-year-old Raymond Haddock lost control of the lawn mower and overturned into a creek

Haddock was pronounced dead at the scene

News to Know (07/16/2021)

Posted on July 16, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

Albany, NY- New York, Governor, Andrew Cuomo is expected to be questioned on Saturday in connection with the probe into allegations of sexual harassments and misconduct against him. That’s according to a source familiar with the New York attorney general’s investigation into the Governor. Cuomo also faces an impeachment inquiry in the state assembly.

Airport Drive, Mo- Jasper County authorities are searching for two suspects in connection with a shooting in Airport Drive.
the Sheriff’s Department says witnesses reported hearing gunshots in the parking lot of Harps Grocery Store around 1:35 p.m. Thursday. Investigators say they found evidence in the parking lot of a possible shooting including evidence of quote “possible injuries”. Authorities say they’ve located the victims, a 22-year-old Webb City, woman and a 33-year-old man from California. The Jasper County Sheriff’s office released a description of the possible suspects. Police say the driver was a black man, driving a dark red Kia SUV, his passenger, another suspect, is a black man with four braids in his hair and neck tattoos.

Monett, Mo- a Monett Missouri man is dead following a Zero Turn lawn mower crash Thursday evening. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol 72-year-old Raymond Haddock lost control of the lawn mower and overturned into a creek. Haddock was pronounced dead at the scene.

Joplin, Mo- An uptick in Missouri Covid-19 cases has led to a bigger push to get vaccinated. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services labels several Southwest Missouri areas as Covid-19 hotspots, including Joplin and Jasper and Newton Counties. The Jordan Valley Community Health Center held a vaccination clinic in Joplin to help reach those still hesitant about getting their shot. They say by doing outreach with their mobile vaccine unit, they hope to see more of Missouri’s population vaccinated.

News to Know (07/15/2021)

Posted on July 15, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

Western, U.S- Thousands of Firefighters are battling dozens of wildfires across large parts of the Western U.S. More than a million acres of land have burned in about a dozen states. That as U.S. Fire officials report a shortage of jet fuel that could ground some planes used to drop retardant on fires.

Joplin, Mo- Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise in the 4-state area, and it’s a major cause for concern for Joplin’s Freeman Coronavirus Team. Freeman Cardiologist Robert Stauffer is trying to convince the unvaccinated public to get their shots and addressed the media, saying vaccines are the only way for the 4-state area to truly overcome the Pandemic. Joplin’s Mayor tells us that city government is listening to the local medical community, and is not currently discussing bringing back Covid-19 restrictions. He and other members of city leadership believe focusing on getting the community vaccinated is the best way to beat the virus.

Jefferson City, Mo- Missouri Governor Mike Parson has signed bills that would increase police accountability, limit the use of officer chokeholds and, critics say, shield police while ramping up penalties for protesters. One measure puts limits on investigations of officers and provides protection against civil claims unless the officer is criminally convicted. The other bans police use of chokeholds.

Joplin, Mo- The City of Joplin is performing a structural analysis on a parking structure on East 6th Street, between Main and Virginia Avenue. The analysis comes after pieces of the structure’s ramp fell off when a forklift drove over it. That section of the street is closed off while the work is completed. Crews are currently using a non-destructive method of testing, x-raying the underlying structural steel. Renovations are expected to take place in the winter.

Report: Affordable housing is out of reach in Missouri for low-wage workers

Posted on July 14, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A new national report finds affordable house in the state of Missouri is out of reach for low income workers. In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent in Missouri, full-time workers need to earn $16.66 per hour.

The report, Out of Reach, was jointly released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), a research and advocacy organization dedicated solely to achieving affordable and decent homes for people with the lowest incomes, and Empower Missouri.

This year’s report comes amidst the pandemic which created an economic crisis that pushed millions of low-wage workers out of work. Prior to the pandemic, more than 7.6 million extremely low-income renters were already spending more than half of their limited incomes on housing costs, sacrificing other necessities to do so. After a year of job losses, furloughs, and limited hours, many of these households will be even worse off.

Across the country, a renter needs to earn $24.90 per hour to afford a modest two-bedroom rental home without spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs, or $20.40 per hour to afford a one-bedroom home.

While the Housing Wage varies by state and metropolitan area, officials say low-wage workers everywhere struggle to afford their housing.

“Missourians are hard working and dedicated. During the global pandemic, our lowest wage workers have taken the brunt of the economic toll. This report demonstrates that these same families already were at a disadvantage by being unable to secure affordable housing after working a full time job. Our neighbors deserve better,” Empower Missouri’s Policy and Advocacy Director Sarah Owsley said.

News to Know (07/14/2021)

Posted on July 14, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

Washington, D.C.- President Biden is vowing to do whatever he can to protect voting rights. The president denounced the Republican-led efforts to enact restrictive state election laws as being “un-American” and an assault on democracy.

Pittsburg, Ks- Crawford County Health and Ascension Via Christi Hospital Officials held a press conference at Pitt State. Officials say the county is seeing its fourth major spike in Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began. The vast majority of those new cases, along with every recent death, are people who have not been vaccinated. Health officials reiterated that the vaccines are safe and recommended. Just under 50% of the counties population has received at least one dose of a vaccine.

Carthage, Mo- Area school officials consider how they’ll respond to CDC guidance for students return to school this fall. Last week’s guidance from the CDC falls in line with their previous advice on masking for vaccinated adults. It says that fully vaccinated students do not need to wear masks in classrooms. The Jasper County Health Department says how Covid cases and vaccination rates look closer to the school year, will dictate how schools operate. The Health Department says the best way to reduce spread is by getting vaccinated.

Joplin, Mo- A number of Joplin area businesses say they’re committed to creating a “more diverse, welcoming and inclusive community”. The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and its equity, diversity and inclusion work group formally announced the launch of their Joplin Leadership Pledge. Dozens of companies and groups have already signed the pledge. The EDI group says the goal is ensure that companies and individuals create cultures that welcome and support everyone.

Nevada woman charged for trafficking drugs through mail

Posted on July 9, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

NEVADA, Mo. – Police seize a mailed package containing meth and arrest a Nevada, Missouri woman.

The Nevada Police Department has been working with the United States Postal Service Investigations and the Department of Homeland Security in a months-long investigation. They suspected someone in the community was trafficking drugs through the mail.

Officers got a search warrant based on information that a delivery of drugs was being made to a home in the 600 block of N. Elm Street on July 8, 2021.

That afternoon, law enforcement executed the search warrant. The Nevada Police Department, Vernon and Bates County Sheriff’s Offices were all involved.

During the search, a Bates County K-9 made a positive alert on the package in question.

Nevada Police seized the contents of the package. There was about 115 grams of suspected methamphetamine. According to the NPD, it has an estimated street value of about $2,000. Officers will send the evidence to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab for testing.

They arrested Dawn M. Hopper, 43 of Nevada. The Vernon County Prosecutor’s Office filed a charge of Trafficking Drugs 2nd Degree (Class B Felony) against Hopper. The Vernon County Jail is holding her on a $100,000 cash only bond.

Authorities continue their joint investigation.

They encourage residents to contact police if you have any information that would be helpful to combat crime. To report criminal activities call 911, contact the Nevada Police Department at (417) 448-5100 or use the Nevada Police Department’s Tip Hotline (417) 667-8477. The NPD says any and all information can be kept confidential if requested.

News to Know (07/09/2021)

Posted on July 9, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

Springfield, Mo – Pfizer says it’s now ramping up efforts to roll out a Covid-19 booster shot to help increase immunity. They are also working on a newer version of its vaccine to target the fast-spreading Delta Variant. That comes as the CDC Director says more than 9 million Americans now live in parts of the country where Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths are spiking significantly among people who have not been vaccinated.

Jefferson, Mo – Missouri Governor Parson works to tamp down rising concerns as Missouri becomes the nation’s leader in Covid-19 caseload. Data from Johns Hopkins University show that Missouri’s case load is 15 and a half new cases per 100-thousand people daily. Those numbers are fueled, in part by the fast spreading Delta Variant. The variant was first recorded in Branson, Missouri, and now has been found in nearly every part of the state. That’s sparking warnings from health officials that what’s happening in our region, could happen in other parts of the country.

Oklahoma City, Ok – A U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, Jim Inhofe’s office is requesting 4 million dollars in Federal Funds to help combat illegal Oklahoma marijuana growing operations. Inhofe’s Chief of Staff says the Republican Senator has requested a direct appropriation through the U.S. Justice Department. He says the money would allow the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics to establish a unit to combat “transnational and national drug organizations”. Sheriffs and other Law Enforcement groups say illegal marijuana growers are setting up in rural parts of Oklahoma and funneling cannabis into the illegal drug trade.

McDonald County, Mo – The McDonald County Sheriff’s office, Wednesday arrested a kidnapping suspect. Authorities say 28-year-old Edmundo Cordero of Noel, Missouri was wanted on charges of kidnapping, domestic assault, and first degree burglary. When Officers tried to arrest him he ran but was caught. He is being held at the McDonald County Jail.

Missouri conservation agents bust illegal paddlefish operation

Posted on July 7, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

MORGAN COUNTY, Mo. – Missouri Department of Conservation investigators find an illegal paddlefish operation.

According to MDC, agents conducted 13 hours of surveillance before apprehending three out-of-state individuals. The suspects had five whole paddlefish and about 75 pounds of paddlefisheggs, or roe.

It happened in Morgan County (central Missouri) near the Lake of the Ozarks.

People seek roe for wildlife trafficking and illegal caviar markets, according to the MDC.

Officials are seeking charges in the case.

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Local News, History, and Info from around Carthage, Missouri

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