News To Know: pursuit becomes standoff, reward for escapees

JOPLIN, Mo. – About 9:30 p.m. reports of a police pursuing a silver pickup truck traveling south on Schifferdecker. The pickup was spiked and stopped near Coyote and Concord Lane, south of 32nd and Schifferdecker. Joplin Police requested assistance in a Felony Car Stop. Witnesses who live in the Arbor Hills Neighborhood tell us they heard a gunshot as Joplin Police closed down the road to all traffic and began a contain and call-out for the driver of the pickup. Joplin Police have not confirmed any weapons were fired. Click here to read more.

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. – A child dies after a house fire in Independence, Kansas. The fire happened on Wednesday afternoon. Cherryvale firefighters, along with crews from Independence Rural Fire, Sycamore Rural Fire and the City of Independence Fire and EMS, were dealing with a fully engulfed fire. An 8-year-old was still inside. To read more about this story, click here.

MOUND VALLEY, Kan. – Authorities say the deaths of two southeast Kansas residents are now considered homicides. On October 3, the Labette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call. Someone found two bodies at around 8:30 a.m. while trying to check on their friends. When officers got there, they found the decomposing bodies of both a male and a female. The Kansas Bureau of Investigations released their identities. The victims have been identified as Leanda R. Pound, 43, of Mound Valley, and Jason M. Bakken, 39, of Mound Valley.

OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. – Authorities offer $2,500 rewards for information leading to the capture of two escapees. Police consider Daniel Zajicek and Tyler Tavis armed and dangerous. They are 2 of 4 inmates who escaped Tuesday while in a dorm-style pod.

  • If you’re interested in reading more about this story, click here.
  • Click here to read a previous article about this story.

 

News To Know: another inmate captured, logjam removed

MIAMI, Okla. — Tuesday afternoon about 2:45 p.m., October 4, 2022, four inmates escaped from the Ottawa County Jail at Miami, Oklahoma. Just before midnight, Tuesday night, October 4, Tyler Tavis was checked back into the Ottawa County Jail. Numerous media outlets reported he was in custody. However OCSO say it was a clerical error and they are working to correct it. On Wednesday morning, October 5, OCSO confirm that Buck Martindale was located at a residence near Devil’s Promenade. “Martindale was found in his mothers house hiding below an AC unit. His mother was not home but a female was arrested for harboring a fugitive.” — OCSO. If you’re interested in reading more about this story – including the full timeline of events – click here.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Kan. – The Montgomery County Road & Bridge Department says crews successfully removed a log jam that was impeding the flow of the Little Caney River. Jim Wright, the Montgomery County’s public works director, says the log jam, combined with severe drought has put pressure on the Caney water system. Click here to read more about this story.

SOUTHWEST MISSOURI– Southwest Missouri is experiencing an epidemic deficiency in childcare. Staffing is one of the biggest challenges facing daycares in the region. Most of the local daycares are at full capacity and without proper staffing, and the waiting list goes back for months. The Alliance of Southwest Missouri will host a panel with professionals discussing childcare within Southwest Missouri on October 20th.

WEBB CITY, Mo.– Webb City shows its city-wide Cardinals pride…and it is red. The city kicked off “Paint The Town” red with a parade on Wednesday night, then everyone gathered at the middle school for a bonfire. There were also food trucks, bounce houses, and axe throwing. This allows not only football, cheer, and band students to get together but the whole community.

News To Know: escaped inmates, fatal crash in Neosho

OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. – Officers say the Ottawa County Jail’s sally port door was open in order to give contractors access to the facility, however, four inmates used this opportunity to escape after the OCSO says they pushed their way past jailers leading to the open sally exit. Officers say the three inmates are still unaccounted for. This is a developing story and if you would like to read more, click here.

OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. – Authorities in Ottawa County arrest one person following a shooting on Tuesday afternoon. Officers responded to county roads 680 and 475 to assist Ottawa County deputies. Authorities say the suspect is an 84-year-old man. Two victims were injured; one victim, his son, was shot twice. The other victim was his wife who was shot in the arm. Both are in the hospital and in stable condition. Click here to read more about this story.

NEOSHO, Mo. — Just before 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, reports of a crash at HH and US-60 alerted Newton County Central Communications. Neosho Fire Station 2, Newton County Ambulance, and Newton County Deputies responded. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was also notified. Authorities say an eastbound tractor-trailer t-boned a pickup truck entering the intersection from northbound HH. The driver of the 2003 Dodge 1500, Everett Harrison, 77, of Granby, died at the scene. Click here to read more about this story.

PITTSBURG, Kan. — With low-paid child care employees and waiting lists for the centers that are open, lack of child care has been a growing problem for years. Victory Life church in Pittsburg wants to help. They are starting the process of opening the Son Shine child care center. The center will have a total of 42 spots available. With the addition of adding around 20 new jobs openings when the center is completed.

Miami Okla, Police arrest convicted Child Molester, who was ID’d talking to kids at a Kansas park


MIAMI, Okla.
— Thursday September 8, 2022, Miami Police Officers assisted by BIA (Bureau Indian Affairs) and Ottawa County Sheriff’s office arrested a man wanted on a probation revocation warrant.

Kirk William Owen has been a topic of KOAM News Now stories lately as the Crawford County Kansas Sheriff’s office released an image of Owen’s car and description of an encounter with children at a Cherokee, Kansas public park in August of 2022.

| RELATED >> Stranger with candy talking to kids at Kansas park in his underwear. Police look to question Kirk William Owen

Miami Okla. Police detail information regarding Owen, stating he was arrested Thursday for a motion to revoke warrant from Beaver County, Okla. Owens was on probation with a 20 year sentence for lewd molestation of a child.

“Owen raised the attention of investigators due to a current case of enticing a minor. Owen had an extensive criminal history spanning 20 years, during our local investigation Detectives were able to relay violations of the terms of his probation to Beaver County resulting in the issuance of the revocation warrant.” — MIAMI OKLA. POLICE

Additionally we learn search warrant was served on Owens Grove, Okla. residence. Police say, “further criminal charges are anticipated upon the completion of the investigation.”

| RELATED >> Finding Kirk William Owen was our biggest story of the week a month ago

This is a breaking news story. Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more. Scroll below and sign up for our JLNews email list so you don’t miss an article.

 

Disturbance at the Ottawa County Jail in Miami, Okla.

MIAMI, Okla. — Reports of a disturbance inside the Ottawa County Jail on Monday evening had numerous police agencies descend on the jail, assisting the Sheriff’s office.

KOAM News producers talked to an official at the jail, who stated three pods were involved in a disturbance which began as inmates were upset about an interruption of phone service, which occurred due to technical difficulties.

On scene crime scene tape blocked A SE & 1st SE near a rear entrance sally port to the jail.

| MORE ON OTTAWA COUNTY JAIL >> Ottawa County reveals improvements toward its correctional facility

We observed GRDA, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Commerce Police, NEO Police, US Marshals, Quapaw Marshals, Fairland Police and others supporting the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Just last month KOAM’s Keri Worthen sat down at talked to Sheriff David Dean about conditions and safety at the jail. Read more here.

By 10 p.m. supporting police agencies were being dismissed.

No official report of injuries, however we observed at least one person being transported non-emergency from the scene by Integris Ambulance.

This is a breaking new story, stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now updated information will post here as it becomes available. Scroll below and sign up for JLNews email list so you don’t miss an article.

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The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is searching for an escaped inmate

MIAMI, Okla. — The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an inmate who escaped the county jail.

The Sheriff’s Office is looking for “Charles Craig Chance” who also goes by Chuck.

Authorities say chance escaped from the Ottawa County jail at 1a.m. Saturday morning.

He was last seen in North Miami wearing gray sweat pants and a blue hoodie.

Chance was being held on several charges including possession of stolen property, and unauthorized use of a credit/debit card.

If you have any information on his whereabouts call the Sheriff’s office at 918-542-2806.