Santa poses with four-legged friends in the 4-States

PITTSBURG, Kan. – You may have already taken a photograph with the jolly red man this year, but have your four-legged friends?

The Crawford County Historical Museum is celebrating the ‘Howlidays’ with residents and their pets.

Today from 1-4 p.m., residents have the chance to snap a picture of their pooch with the north pole’s very own Santa Paws.

Officials say the Santa Paws event raises money for the SEK Animal Advocates group.

Click here to learn more or check back later for additional content.

The museum says Christmas crafts are available for little ones during photo shoots.

 

Construction begins on new dog park in Neosho

NEOSHO, Mo. – Scenic Park in Neosho is getting a new addition.

Construction has begun on a new dog park. The city paid more than $17,000 with a separate $15,000 donation for the fencing and some features.

Features range from cones to dogs can run through, a bridge for dogs, a bench for grooming, and even dog watering stations.

The Parks and Recreation Department also applied for a $25,000 grant to add more features.

The dog park has been an addition visitors have been asking for.

It will be free to the public and is expected to open on January 31st.

Better Business Bureau sees an uptick in pet scams

JOPLIN – Mo. – The Better Business Bureau says pet scams will reach 2 million dollars in North America.

The Better Business Bureau says that the number of pet scams have decreased but the cost have them have gone up.

“The average amount that a consumer is losing is an average of $850 in 2022, which is up from about $755 in 2021,” says Pamela Hernandez, Regional Director of the BBB.

One way the BBB recommends avoiding this scam is seeing the pet before the purchase, via video chat or reverse image search online.

Another safe route that the BBB suggests is adoption, and it benefits your local shelters which are often full.

To find where you can adopt a new family friend click here.

 

Dog stuck in drainage pipe rescued by Fire Dept and Public Works

BELLA VISTA, Ark. — Just after 5 a.m. Tuesday morning November 22, 2022 the Bella Vista Fire Dept were summoned to assist a dog that was trapped in a drainage culvert.

The dog’s owner could hear him barking but the dog couldn’t make his way out,” BVFD state in a release of information.

The rescue included many facets of city government. Police blocked traffic, as BV Public Works dug up the area around the drainage culvert so Fire Capt Sanders could get down to the drain where the dog was stuck.

This was a great showing of cooperation between departments and a positive way to start our day, not to mention head into the Thanksgiving holiday. Kudos to all!” — BVFD

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Joplin businesses help raise funds for a local Humane Society

JOPLIN, Mo. – Local businesses are banding together to help raise funds for the Joplin Humane Society.

Local artist Eric Haun created customized ornaments and each one costs $10.

The ‘Heart Joplin’ ornaments are available for purchase at local shops like:

  • Academy Animal Hospital
  • Blue Moon Boutique Joplin
  • Joplin Humane Society
  • The Wild Flower

“So each wooden heart ornament is a donation of 10 dollars, and all of those proceeds go directly to the shelter, that money will be used to take care of the nearly 10 thousand homeless animals that come through our doors each year.”

Click here to learn more.

Watch KOAM & Fox 14 to see the whole story or check back later for additional video content.

Sedgwick Zoo: Baby chimpanzee and mom doing amazing

WICHITA, Kan. – Zookeepers say momma and baby are doing amazing at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas.

“Just in from the keepers: Mahale and Baby are doing amazing and our boy now has a name!

Kucheza (koo-CHAY-zuh) means “play” in Swahili.”

Baby Kucheza was born on November 15th.

Mahale gave birth via emergency C-section after natural labor stopped progressing. The baby wasn’t breathing well on his own so he stayed in the hospital with the medical team until he could be reunited with his mom.

After nearly two full days, they were reunited.

News To Know: rollover crash, Pittsburg’s new fire chief

PRYOR, Okla. – Just after six on Monday night a 2018 Chevrolet Impala struck a culvert. The car then struck a sign, overturned two and a half times, and struck a fence. The driver, Jacee Blackford of Locust Grove, was ejected from the vehicle. The accident happened on Oakwood Road just south of Sycamore Lane in Pryor Oklahoma. Although equipped, OHP says Blackford’s seatbelts were not in use at the time of the crash. She was transported to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa where she was admitted with head, arm, and trunk internal injuries.

LAMAR, Mo. – Authorities have charged Lamar, Missouri business owner Denis Masters with the theft of thousands of dollars worth of payments and goods. The prosecutor has charged the 54-year-old Masters with four counts of felony stealing in separate cases. Masters owns The Rustic Barn Flea Market in Lamar.

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg announces battalion chief Taylor Cerne has been appointed to the position of fire chief. The decision came after former fire chief Dennis Reilly announced his retirement earlier this year. Cerne joined the Pittsburg fire department in march of 2005 and has held multiple positions at the department, most recently battalion chief.

You can read an earlier article about Dennis Reilly’s retirement here: Pittsburg Fire Chief to retire, Interim appointed

PARSONS, Kan. – As we brace for winter weather in the Four States, remember our furry friends are dealing with cold weather as well. Dogs, cats, and other animals can struggle during cold. Short-haired animals are particularly sensitive to the cold.

Rescued beagle mom and pups ready for adoption in SE Kansas

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. – A rescued beagle mom and some of her puppies out of Virginia pass their medical rounds and are ready for adoption.

The SEK Humane Society posted the update today on social media. It’s located in Crawford County, Kansas.

Due to the high volume of interested adopters in the beagles from the Virginia case, adopters MUST fill out an application online at our website. At 2:30Pm on Nov. 7th, adopters will be able to find them listed on our website under our adoptable animals tab. After clicking one of their pictures, that leads to their bio page, they’ll see an adoption application button on the right-hand side.” – SEK Humane Society

Where the beagles came from

The beagles are some of the thousands removed from a breeding and testing facility in Virginia. The U.S. Department of Justice took over the Envigo lab. The lab was used for testing, but also bred the dogs to supply other labs that test on animals. A lawsuit filed by the DOJ described shocking conditions for the animals.

The dogs were moved to organizations across the country. A few made their way to Kansas and Missouri. The Southeast Kansas Humane Society took in eight beagles – four adults and four puppies.

They gave those dogs names:

  • Five-year-old Robert
  • one-year-old Copper
  • A female, Nellie, is the oldest in the group at 7
  • Then Daisy and her pups — Lily, Tulip, Lavender and Rose.

Ready for adoption

In September, Nelllie passed her medical rounds and became available for adoption.

Now, Lavendar, Lily, Rose and Daisy are ready for a good home. You can now apply to adopt one of the beagles at the SEK Humane Society.

“We are pleased to share that Lavendar, Lily, Rose, and Daisy have all passed their medical rounds and even did fantastic with socialization activities! Thanks to their astounding progress, they will all be officially available for adoption on today, November 7th, starting at 2:30PM.

Due to the high volume of interested adopters in the beagles from the Virginia case, adopters MUST fill out an application online at our website. At 2:30Pm on Nov. 7th, adopters will be able to find them listed on our website under our adoptable animals tab. After clicking one of their pictures, that leads to their bio page, they’ll see an adoption application button on the right-hand side.”

Previous Articles about the Rescued Beagles

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Empire Market in Joplin celebrates Halloween Weekend

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Empire Market today hosted some spooky events ahead of Halloween.

The Trick, Treat & Shop event has fun for the whole family including:

  • Trick or Treating
  • Virtual Costume Contest (Vote on Social Media)
  • Garden Goats (with costumes)
  • Willow the bunny

Officials say The event runs until 2:00 P.M. 

Click here to learn more