Tag Archives: oklahoma

Convicted kidnapper killed in his prison cell

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LANSING, Kans. — A man convicted of aggravated kidnapping in Neosho County in 2005 is dead after investigators say he was attacked and strangled in his prison cell.

Gary Raburn, KDOC

Guards found Gary Raburn, 62, unresponsive in his cell at Lansing Correctional Facility, Friday night after his 25-year-old cellmate summoned them. Officials say they attempted life-saving measures, but Raburn died. Prison officials said it appeared Raburn was attacked and strangled.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is charged with investigating suspicious deaths within the Kansas prison system. Investigators with the KBI say they have a suspect but are awaiting autopsy results before filing charges.

Raburn was released from prison in 2013 after serving eight years for an aggravated kidnapping charge. Prosecutors originally charged Raburn in June 2004 with rape, aggravated kidnapping, and assault on a law enforcement officer. He was convicted and sentenced in October 2005.

Raburn was sent back to prison several times and absconded from authorities in 2019. You can read his criminal history by searching the Kansas Department of Corrections website, here.

Free community meals for Thanksgiving 2021

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Organizations and non-profits announce plans for free Thanksgiving community meals. KOAM will be adding to this list ahead of Nov. 25, 2021. If you have an event you would like added, email sstrader@koamtv.com.

Joplin, Mo. First United Methodist Church – Nov. 25

  • Joplin First United Methodist Church is offering a drive and walk-thru Thanksgiving meal for free on November 25 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
    • Joplin First UMC North Parking Lot – 501 W. 4th St. in Joplin, MO
    • FREE EVENT – All Are Welcome!
    • Serve Sign-Up & Pie Donations
      • We will need volunteers to help purchase store bought pies, prepare food for packing, package food, help direct our guests, distribute meals, and deliver meals.
    • Support with eGive at joplinfirstumc.org/give

The Salvation Army Joplin – Holiday Meals – call 624-4528 for more info

  • The Salvation Army of Jasper and Newton Counties is not doing an in-house meal this year, but they are delivering. The deadline is Nov. 20 at 5:00 pm.
    • Thanksgiving deadline is Nov. 20th @ 5pm
    • Christmas deadline is Dec. 20th @ 5pm
    • Call our office today to sign up: 417-624-4528!!

Cherokee, Kan. United Methodist Church

  • Cherokee will have a community dine-in or take-out Thanksgiving Dinner at the Cherokee Methodist Church at 309 W Magnolia in Cherokee, KS. They serve from 11:00 to 1:00 pm

United Methodist Church – Neodesha, KS

  • Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, the United Methodist Church (802 Indiana Street) will offer a Thanksgiving meal by drive-through, takeout, or delivery.
  • To reserve a meal, call 620-325-2787

 

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Food pantries in the 4-state area

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Many families face food insecurity, and the pandemic hasn’t helped. As a result, many of our local food pantries served more households. Below is a list of pantries you can donate to or reach out to for help.

Southeast Kansas Food Pantries

Allen CountyKansas

Covenant of Faith Christian Church
407 N Chestnut, Iola, KS 66749
620-365-7405

St. Peters Lutheran Church
910 Amos St, Humboldt, KS 66748
620-473-2343

Bourbon County

The Beacon
525 E 6th, Ft. Scott, KS 66701
620-223-6869

Cherokee County

Trinity Worship Center
225 E 16th, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
620-856-4200

Columbus Christian Center
1001 E Merle Evans Dr, Columbus, KS 66725
620-429-1924

Crawford County

Wesley House
411 E 12th, Pittsburg, KS 66762
620-232-3760

Loaves & Fishes
112 W 7th, Pittsburg, KS 66762
620-231-3630

Labette County

Mound Valley United Methodist
415 Walnut/846 18000 Rd. Mound Valley, KS
620-328-4251

Labette County Emergency Assistance
301 N. 30th. Parsons, KS 67357
620-421-0700

Parsons Foursquare Church
98 East Main St. Parsons, KS 67357
620-421-6986

Chetopa Ministerial Alliances
912 Maple Chetopa, KS 67336
620-236-7501

Center Bethel Church Food Pantry
18000 & Queens Rd.
Parsons, KS 67357
620-421-2333

Parsons Nazarene Church
300 Main St. Parsons, KS 67357
620-421-3800

Oswego Assembly Of God
1323 Fourth St.Oswego, KS 67356
620-795-2307

Wilson County

Neodesha Services Center
909 W. Oak Box 441 Neodesha, KS 66757
620-325-2702

Sincere Praise
1116 North 7th Neodesha, KS
620-325-2749

Fredonia Food Bank
517 N. 7th Fredonia, KS 66736
620-378-2764

Woodson County

First Christian Church Of Toronto
Jackson & East 8th St. Toronto, KS 66777
620-637-0149

Southwest Missouri Food Pantries

Barton County

LAMAR GOOD SAMARITAN
1301 Parry Street
Lamar, MO 64759
Ph: (417) 682-5396
Days/Hrs Opp: M-F; 9am-5pm

Jasper County

RIVER STREET FOOD PANTRY
210 N. River Street
Carthage, MO 64836
Ph: (417) 359-8800
Days/Hrs Opp: Every Wednesday Meal starts at 3:30, pantry distribution at 4:30

SOUL’S HARBOR
817 S. Main
Joplin, MO 64801
417-623-7927
Hours: 9:00AM – 2:00PM    Monday-Friday

HELPING HANDS MINISTRIES
1304 E. Pennel
Carl Junction, MO 64834
Ph: (417) 649-2202
Days/Hrs Opp: Mondays from 1 to 5 PM And Wednesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.

CROSSLINES – CARTHAGE
600 E. 6th St.
Carthage, MO 64836
Ph: (417) 358-1577
Days/Hrs Opp: M-F; 8am-12pm

CROSSLINES – JOPLIN
131 S. High St.
Joplin, MO 64802
Ph: (417) 782-8384
Days/Hrs Opp: M-F; 10am-2pm

SALVATION ARMY – JOPLIN SOUP KITCHEN
320 E. 8th St.
Joplin, MO 64801
Ph: (417) 624-4528
Days/Hrs Opp: 7 days; 24 hrs

INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER
2639 E. 34th St.
Joplin, MO 64804
Ph: (417) 659-8086
Days/Hrs Opp: Mon.; 8-5

SALVATION ARMY – CARTHAGE PANTRY
125 E. Fairview
Carthage, MO 64836
Ph: (417) 358-2262
Days/Hrs Opp: M-F; 8:30-2

SALVATION ARMY – CARTHAGE SOUP KITCHEN
125 E. Fairview
Carthage, MO 64836
Ph: (417) 358-2262
Days/Hrs Opp: M-F; 8:30-2

ST. PETER’S OUTREACH HOUSE
812 South Pearl
Joplin, MO 64801
(417) 206-2588
Days/Hrs Opp: 10-12

McDonald County

CROSSLINES – MCDONALD COUNTY
925 N. Hwy 71
Anderson, MO 64831
Ph: (417) 845-1800
Days/Hrs Opp: M-W 9am-1pm; TH 12pm-4pm

Newton County

HELP CENTER
214 E. Main
Neosho, MO 64850-1811
Ph: (417) 451-0884
Days/Hrs Opp: T-TH; 9am – 3pm

SENECA FOOD PANTRY
1316 Cherokee Ave.
Seneca, MO 64865
417-776-4650
Days/Hrs Opp: M-W 9-2

Vernon County

NEVADA COMMUNITY OUTREACH
229 N. Cedar
Nevada, MO 64772
Ph: (417) 667-4339
Days/Hrs Opp: M – F; 9-4 – lunch 12-1

VERNON COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
301 N. Main
Nevada, MO 64772
417-667-5847
Days/Hrs Opp: M-F 9-3

Northeast Oklahoma Food Pantries

Ottawa County

Abounding Faith Ministries Inc.
410 “M” Street NW, Miami, OK 74354
918-542-6243
Emergency Food Pantry

Conner Street Senior Citizens
548 N. Main, P.O. Box 172, Fairland, OK 74343
918-676-3012
Senior Citizen Center

First Baptist Quapaw
P.O. Box 76, Quapaw, OK 74363
Emergency Food Pantry

First United Methodist/Fairland
P.O. Box 422, Quapaw, OK 74363
918-676-3628
Backpack for Kids Program

Grand Lake Mental Health Center
114 W. Delaware, Nowata, OK 74048
918-273-1841, ext 2206
Disabled Day Treatment Center

Miami Tribal Nutrition Center
P.O. Box 1326, Miami, OK 74354
918-542-1445
Senior Citizen Center

NE OK Council on Alcoholism
P.O. Box 1271, Miami, OK 74355
Rehab Center

Northwest Baptist Church
1030 H Street NW, Miami, OK 74354
918-533-2675
Emergency Food Pantry

Peoria Baptist Church
3601 S. 690 Rd.
Quapaw, OK 74363
918.373.5508
Distributes the 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month, 9am-11am.

ROCMND Group Home
P.O. Box 912, Vinita, OK 74301
Group Home

Salvation Army/Miami
1205 Skyline Dr., Miami, OK 74354
918-542-4024
Emergency Food Pantry

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More than 150,000 more Oklahomans now qualified for Medicaid

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – State health officials say more than 150,000 Oklahomans have qualified for Medicaid under an expansion of the program approved by voters.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority reported Monday that 154,316 Oklahomans have qualified for benefits. Of those, nearly 91,000 live in urban areas and about 63,000 in rural Oklahoma. About half are between 19 and 34 years old. OHCA officials say they suspect many more Oklahomans are eligible for benefits but still need to apply.

After a decade of Republican resistance, Oklahoma voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment last year to expand eligibility for benefits.

Tulsa Zoo shares video of mom and new tiger cub

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TULSA, Okla. – A female Malayan tiger cub is doing well after being born at the Tulsa Zoo earlier this month. The announcement comes on International Tiger Day.

The cub was born on July 11, 2021, to mother, Ava, and father, Tahan, through Tulsa Zoo’s ongoing participation in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Malayan Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP). This program works to ensure a sustainable population of these animals in our care. Malayan Tigers are native to the Malay Peninsula and are the national animal of Malaysia, but there are fewer than 250 in the wild due to threats such as habitat loss and poaching.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ava’s cub as the newest member of the Tulsa Zoo,” said Zoological Curator of Mammals Jordan Piha. “Our keepers and veterinary staff are monitoring both Ava and her cub around the clock. We’re happy to report both animals are doing well.”

Ava has been very attentive to the female cub and has shown signs of healthy bonding and maternal instincts. Both she and the cub will stay in an off-exhibit area until Tulsa Zoo staff are confident the cub can navigate the exhibits safely.

The birth of Ava’s cub is the sixth Malayan tiger cub to be born at the Tulsa Zoo.

Watch the video shared to Twitter.

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Fatal crash in Delaware County, name not yet released

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DELAWARE COUNTY, Okla. – Troopers investigate a single-vehicle crash in Delaware County, Oklahoma.

It happened this morning, July 29, 2021, around 7:00 a.m. southwest of Jay at 488 Road near 484 Road.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a Chevy Malibu was “traveling at a high rate of speed,” went off the right side of the road, and hit a tree.

The driver died at the scene. Authorities are not releasing their name until they notify the next of kin.

Authorities are still investigating the crash. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

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Pryor man killed in wreck between motorcycle and semi

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MAYES COUNTY, Okla. – A Pryor, Oklahoma man dies in motorcycle accident Thursday afternoon.

According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the in happened around 2:52 p.m. on OK-69A at Stretch Film Way in Mayes County, Oklahoma. Police say 30-year-old Ethan Foster died from massive injuries sustained in a wreck with a semi.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation

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News to Know (07/09/2021)

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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.

 

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News to Know (06/30/2021)

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Surfside, FL- In Surfside, Florida, rescue efforts continue six days after the collapse of a 12-story beachfront condo. The official death toll rose by 1 yesterday, with 149 people still unaccounted for.

Pea Ridge, AR- Officials have charged a second suspect in connection with the death of a Pea Ridge, Arkansas, Police Officer. 22-year-old, Shawna Cash, is charged with a number of crimes including capital murder, criminal mischief and aggravated assault. The other suspect 18-year-old Elijah Andazola is also charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Officer Kevin Apple. Authorities say the two ran over Apple, with a car.

Edna, KS- Authorities are investigating the cause of a mattress factory fire in Edna, Kansas. It happened around 9:30 Tuesday morning. Authorities say the factory is a complete loss. The nearby retail facility did not appear to be damaged. No one was hurt in the fire.

Grove, OK- Oklahoma, is taking action aimed at getting people back to work. Starting this week, the sooner state is offering a one-time incentive for Oklahomans returning to work following the end of State Unemployment Benefits. Anyone returning to work at least 32-hours a week is eligible to apply for a 12 hundred dollar payment. For an area that relies heavily on tourism like Grove, Oklahoma, getting more people to work is crucial. The Area Chamber says some Grove, businesses have only a fraction of the employees they need, and hope this incentive will help fix that

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NEO A&M to keep tuition flat another year

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MIAMI, Okla. – Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) will not be raising tuition for the second year in a row.

“It has been a tough year for everyone involved in education, and we felt it was in the best interest of students and their families to hold tuition flat as we rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Kyle Stafford, NEO President. “We appreciate our legislators for their work to increase state appropriations for higher education, which helped make this possible.”

State appropriations were increased by just over 4.5% for fiscal year 2022, this translates to an increase of around $300,000 for NEO. However, many institutions have announced tuition increases due to enrollment downturns during 2020-21. NEO Administrators did approve a 3.1% increase for some food service options.

“We are committed to quality, affordable, and face-to-face courses,” added Stafford. “We are excited to resume normal operations and a full schedule of activities.”

NEO’s fall semester begins on August 23 and enrollment is available now. Over 85% of NEO students receive some form of financial assistance and federal financial aid limits have been increased for the 2021-22 school year.