George Washington Carver National Monument hosts annual Junior Ranger Day

Posted on July 18, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

DIAMOND, Mo. – The George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond hosted it’s annual “Junior Ranger Day”, the first one since the pandemic began.

Due to the pandemic, there were some changes to the return of the program this year. Typically, it’s spread over three weekends, however, this year it was just a four-hour program Saturday. Kids began their day at the Visitor Center coloring special folders and creating their own National Park, while learning more about National Parks in the country and how to take care of them.

Park Guide Sarah Martin says “These youth are the next stewards for the, and the next generation to take pride in these special places, and so having the next generation become stewards of National Parks, learn about them, and in turn teach people about them, that is our goal and mission and it’s so amazing to see their eyes open and learn about these places right in their back yard.”

Officials are hopeful that next year will be a return to the normal Junior Ranger program.

Four State Hero laid to rest in Coffeyville, Kansas after being MIA for 68 years

Posted on June 26, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

COFFEYVILLE, Kan. – Tears of pain, as emotional scars from long ago are reopened. And tears of joy and relief after decades without true closure.

Bill Freemont Hobbs grew up in Pitcher, Oklahoma, Commerce, Oklahoma, Coffeyville, Kansas, and South Coffeyville, Oklahoma. In 1948, at the age of 18, he joined the Army, serving in the Heavy Mortar Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was sent to North Korea, and only two short years after enlisting the worst happened.

“While on a mission near Chosin Reservoir, he was driving a heavy mortar ammunition truck when he was bombed and the truck blew up, taking his life,” says Jeannie Harrington, Bill’s Niece.

Following the battle, Hobbs remains couldn’t be recovered. It wouldn’t be until decades later, following the summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2018, that 55 boxes containing American remains were released to the U.S. Hobbs’ remains were in the 50th. His brother Charles says after all that time, their hopes of finding him had worn thin.

“And up till 2, 3 years ago, we had given up hope,” says Charles Hobbs.

But now, he’s finally back in the four states. His Niece, Jeannie Harrington, spoke during the funeral service held under the Veteran’s Memorial Patio at Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville, Kansas.

“A good soldier of Jesus Christ must also be focused. He must not be distracted by other things as he fights this spiritual war,” says Harrington. “Billy, who we honor today, had this same focus. He loved his family and his life, but he was willing to lay his feelings aside and to serve a greater good of his country.”

After being MIA for 68 years, his family can finally get the closure they’ve been waiting so long for.

“He was there because he figured it was his duty. But I’m glad he’s home. It’s been a long time coming,” says Charles. “You know, you kind of give up ever seeing again when they come by and tell ya that they’re gone. But, we know where he’s at now. And I can decorate his grave.”

Private First-Class Bill Hobb’s is laid to rest next to his mother at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Coffeyville, Kansas.

His name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. More than 7,500 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War.

For more information, go here: https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2159417/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-hobbs-b/

https://www.koamnewsnow.com/soldier-laid-to-rest-in-reeds-after-being-mia-for-roughly-70-years/

https://www.koamnewsnow.com/four-state-heros-remains-returned-to-carthage/

https://www.koamnewsnow.com/lloyd-a-alumbaugh/

Soldier laid to rest in Reeds after being MIA for roughly 70 years

Posted on June 25, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JASPER COUNTY, Mo. – One final ride for an American hero. After roughly 70 years, Sergeant Lloyd Alumbaugh is laid to rest in American soil. The funeral on Friday, June 25th, being an emotional time for his nephew and oldest living relative Wes Alumbaugh.

“It’s been a long time coming,” says Wes. “We always had his picture hanging in the house. My dad never gave up on finding him.”

Lloyd Alumbaugh was born in Jasper and grew up in Reeds. When he was 21-years-old, he enlisted in the United States Army, and served as a member of the 7th Medical Battalion, 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War. He was last seen alive November 28, 1950, when his unit was attached by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea.

“It was an ambush actually. They were fighting a war. But they hadn’t counted on an ambush,” explains Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Boldman, a U.S. Military Chaplain who spoke during Alumbaugh’s funeral.

Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered. He was not identified among remains returned to the U.S. after the war. It wouldn’t be until decades later, following the summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in June, 2018, that his remains would be returned to U.S. soil. North Korea turned over 55 boxes, purported to contain the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War. The remains arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on Aug. 1, 2018, and Alumbaugh’s remains were finally identified. He was no longer MIA.

“I have to wonder sometimes on why it took so long. We’ve had 12, 14 presidents since Truman, and took Trump to get him back,” says Wes. “But, all that matters now is it’s finally done.”

After being escorted from Ulmer Funeral Home in Carthage to Reeds Cemetery in Reeds, Alumbaugh was given the recognition he deserves, then laid to rest between his mom and dad.

“The boy deserves to be recognized. Along with all of them who lost their life,” says Boldman.

“Skating was big back in the early 50s and stuff. Said he was one of the best skaters around. He could about out skate anybody. See, I was only a yar and a half old when he died. So I never got to know my uncle Lloyd,” says Wes. “I’ll say again, why did it take so long? But all that matters now is it’s done. I’m feeling glad that he’s not on Korean soil anymore. He’s on our soil. Finally.”

Alumbaugh’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

More information: https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000003Pr8fEAC

Previous stories: https://www.koamnewsnow.com/four-state-heros-remains-returned-to-carthage/

https://www.koamnewsnow.com/lloyd-a-alumbaugh/

Freeman doctor educates residents on COVID-19 and the lessons learned

Posted on June 22, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JOPLIN, Mo. – From how the coronavirus spreads and the symptoms that come with it, to the long term impacts and the knowledge that’s brought about the evolution of treatments.

“This past 18 months has been all about this grand experiment of trying to find out what are effective treatments, and what is a waste of time.” says Dr. Rob McNab, a physician at Freeman Health System who was the director of the hospital’s COVID unit.

Healthcare professionals like Dr. McNab have learned a lot about the virus over the last 18 months. And Tuesday, he’s passing that information on to residents who participate in Freeman Advantage, a wellness program for residents 50 and older, like Marjorie Ellis.

“I have known some (people) that have passed away, and so you know that makes you very conscientious I guess you could say about the disease,” says Ellis.

“We all recognize that this is a very infectious disease. The new Delta variant is multiple times more infectious than the original. If you’re an elderly person and, or, if you have significant health problems, you’re at the very highest risk to have a really severe infection. And that, obviously, can be life threatening,” says McNab. “So in talking to the advantage group, if any of them have vaccine hesitancy we can talk about that and address it.”

Even with slews of information being available online and otherwise, McNab says it’s still important to talk about even the basics.

“Some of it’s accurate, and some of it’s inaccurate,” says McNab. “And I think that the most important thing for me is to talk to people that are.. who I would describe as vaccine hesitant. They’re not against vaccinations, but they’re cautious. And rightly so. How can you make good decisions with poor information?”

He hopes that the accurate information he gets to the group will spread as they have conversations with friends and family. Something that’s especially important as vaccinations slow, hospitalizations increase, and the delta variant of the virus spreads in the four-states.

“That’s the best way, word of mouth, to be able to get good information out to the community. Because if you are at high risk, and you’re hesitant to get that vaccine, you’re the person that I really want to find and talk to,” says McNab.

More information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

How to stay safe in the summer heat

Posted on June 17, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JOPLIN & WEBB CITY, Mo. –As soon as you take a step outside, it’s clear that summer is here.

While the heat can lead to fun summer activities such as time at the pool, too much exposure can be risky, even dangerous.

“You can start feeling symptoms within an hour, in the greater than ninety-degree heat, with the high humidity, you can start feeling symptoms of light-headedness, and dizzy and things like that inside of an hour,” said Dr. Douglas Mcdonald, an emergency room doctor at Freeman Hospital.

Among all the illnesses that can come from the heat, avoiding dehydration is key.

“We can see heat-related injuries such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke, again from people not staying hydrated, temperatures greater than ninety degrees, and humidity levels being at what they are at ninety degrees, your much more likely to dehydrate really quickly because you’re sweating a lot, not realizing how much fluid you are losing,” Mcdonald said.

One local mom who took her kids to the splash pad in Webb city to cool down has seen the negative effects of the heat on her own kids.

“This summer, one of my children…it had just started turning warm, he wore a tank top and it was like one of the first days it got warm…he was outside for way too long. and he ended up actually getting scars on his shoulder from his sunburn, his sunburn lasted for about a week and a half and it was terrible.”

Doctor McDonald, says sunburns can cause more pain than just discomfort.

“Sunburns can cause you elevated body temperature which can give you fever-like symptoms, they can actually progress to the second degree, where the skin is blistering”

While it’s great to enjoy the sun now that it’s more prevalent, it’s important to do so in moderation.

London based manufacturing company coming to Neodesha, Kansas

Posted on June 17, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

NEODESHA, Kan. – With a population of roughly two thousand, the close nit community of Neodesha is just one of many that make up the American Heartland. In many cases though, a small town means slow growth.

“It kind of seamed like things had paused,” explains Jeri Hammerschmidt, Community Development Director for the City of Neodesha.

But in the last couple of years, the city’s momentum has been growing.

“We’ve had several wonderful things happen,” says Hammerschmidt.

One of those was back in 2019, with the announcement of the Neodesha Promise Scholarship. The city is also working to address housing shortages — adding three new homes recently, with plans for several more. A new police department is being built, and a new city park is in development.

But Hammerschmidt explains their latest news is among the most exciting.

“I don’t know that at this point we’ll even know the full impact this will have on us,”says Hammerschmidt.

Sicut Enterprises, a London based manufacturer of recycled plastic composite railroad ties, is set to bring their North American manufacturing hub to Neodesha.

“It’s a huge win for Neodesha,” says Hammerschmidt. “It’s putting us on the map.”

Over the next five years as the company expands their operations in Neodesha, there will be 135 jobs brought to the city. The company is already working to renovate the old Neodesha Plastics facility at 1000 Reece Avenue — and hope to be operational this fall. But, there were some fears that the project may not happen. A big piece of the puzzle was the companies need for a rail spur to connect the existing South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad to the back of the building for shipping and receiving.

“We thought we had hit a wall with the rail spur. And not knowing much about that, we assumed the price was, you know, maybe a million dollars or more,” explains Hammerschmidt.

That’s where the Kansas Department of Transportation came in. The city applied for a grant through KDOT’s Economic Development Program. A 343-thousand dollar grant was awarded, contingent on Sicut committing to Neodesha.

“We felt that it was a good project to fund. Especially with the promise of, you know, hopefully 135 jobs in the next five years,” explains Michelle Needham, Economic Development Programs Manager at KDOT.

Watco, which operates the SKOL railroad, will construct the rail spur later this year.

Knowing the company is now fully committed to Neodesha makes Hammerschmidt even more excited about the future of the small town.

“It’s very encouraging the things that we have going on and that we to offer,” says Hammerschmidt. “It’s a great time to be in Neodesha.”

You can find a press release from the Kansas Department of Labor here: https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/District-Four/Sicutrelease.pdf

Joplin’s Robertson Apartments to be transformed into business class hotel

Posted on June 16, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Robertson Apartments, a more than century old building at 410 S Wall in downtown Joplin will be getting a major facelift.

First built in 1917, the apartment complex was a very popular state of the art building — so state of the art that the popularity remained for several decades.

“Back when it first opened they always had a very lengthy waiting list because people wanted to live there. Due to the amenities and how modern it was at the time and it’s location,” explains Jill Sullivan, Executive Director of the Joplin Post Art Library.

The Robertson had tenants up into the early 2000’s, until the maintenance was let go — and it became uninhabitable. Now some 20 years later, windows are broken and boarded up, bricks are missing from pillars, and weeds are overtaking.

“It’s been a big investment so far. And it’s gonna be an even more significant investment, yes,” says David Papen, managing member with Experience Management, LLC out of Neosho.

Radisson Hotel Group Americas just signed the building into their Radisson Individuals line of hotels. The company plans to have the building renovated into a business class hotel with 55 rooms and suits, a fitness center, and a 12 hundred square foot meeting space. There will also be technological advantages for professionals on the go, like the ability to hold Zoom meetings already set up in the rooms.

Lori Haun, Executive Director of the Downtown Joplin Alliance, thinks bringing a hotel to downtown is a great idea.

“That’s something we’ve been missing here is to be able to do everything, visitors to do everything in downtown. I think it’s definitely an important piece particularly with like the Cornell Complex coming in and some of the other things that are happening and moving in downtown,” says Haun.

Like Haun says, there’s a lot of momentum in downtown right now. That’s good news for the community — but can make it difficult to find a place to park at times.

“We have a plan in place,” says Papen. We’re not ready to release it, but we’re working with some other adjacent property owners… for some shared parking.. and looking at some other alternatives as well.”

Radisson hopes to have guests coming into the hotel very soon, with an anticipated completion date of Fall 2021.

“I think it’s doable. We built a Hampton Inn in six months one time,” says Papen. “But, we’re not gonna compromise quality or code to get it done. We hope to be able to open it… but if we aren’t then we’ll keep pushing forward.”

You can read the full June 16th press release below:

Minneapolis, MN — June 16, 2021 — Radisson Hotel Group Americas today announced the signing of The Robertson, a member of Radisson Individuals. The hotel holds incredible history for the city and with its anticipated opening in the fall of 2021, it will be the first hotel to open its doors in downtown Joplin in more than 50 years. The hotel was originally built in 1917 by Riley Robertson as an apartment complex. The restored building will bring a breath of fresh air into downtown Joplin while offering a glimpse of the city in the roaring 20s.

“We launched Radisson Individuals in the Americas earlier this year to bring unique, one-of-a- kind hotels into our exceptional portfolio and The Robertson is truly the perfect fit,” said Phil Hugh, chief development officer, Radisson Hotel Group Americas. “This will mark the second hotel for the brand in the Americas and we are thrilled for guests to embrace the nostalgia of an iconic time in our history as this building comes back to life.”

The Robertson, a member of Radisson Individuals will have 55 guest rooms and suites, a fitness center, and 1,200 square feet of meeting space. Guests will feel the 1920s theme throughout the hotel as they enjoy the onsite speakeasy or the cigar bar. Additionally, the hotel is situated in the perfect location within walking distance of downtown Joplin shopping and entertainment.

“It has been a once in a lifetime experience restoring the legacy of Riley Robertson, as he is an incredible figure in Joplin’s rich history making a big impact on this great city and beyond,” said David Papen, managing member, Experience Management, LLC. “The building was truly ahead of its time with minimalist elements including beds that roll away to become desks, along with featuring state-of-the-art fireproof construction and even using solar tubes and central vacuums long before this was introduced to mainstream construction. We are very excited for the day we can open our doors and share this piece of history with our guests as we take them back in time to the 1920s with all the modern conveniences of the 2020s.”

Child care services struggle to fill positions as worker shortage continues

Posted on June 15, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

JOPLIN, Mo. – “Now enrolling.” That’s what can be seen in big letters on the side of The Learning Tree Pre-school and Childcare in Joplin. It’s also something that owner Terra Smith wishes she could do right now — but she can’t. And it’s not because they’re at max capacity.

“I’ve turned people away because we just don’t have the staff to accommodate more kids right now,” explains Smith.

Smith explains that she’s tried for months to replace three positions that were vacated during the pandemic. Even after posting job openings everywhere that she can think of, she’s still not had any luck.

“This has never happened before. Normally I have so many applications that it’s hard to choose who to hire. Now I can’t get anybody in the door,” says Smith.

To stay within state regulations, she’s had to greatly reduce the number of kids they care for — which also cuts into revenue when they already run on slim margins.

“We can have 72 kids here. Right now we have 24,” says Smith. “We’ve been making it, but you know we’re struggling. We need kids.”

Just a few minutes away at Wee Tots Day Care Center, the situation isn’t quite as bad.

“I finally got someone hired, so she’ll be starting here shortly,” explains Marye Lallemand, owner of Wee Tots Day Care Center.

But the process to find even one person was much more difficult than she would have liked.

“We’d have several applicants, they called and set up an appointment… in one week we had four no shows,” says Lallemand.

She says that the main way they’ve made it is because of the dedication of the staff they do have. They’ve been pulling overtime and more weight any time someone has to be out sick or can’t make it.

“I owe a lot to them. And I appreciate them every day,” says Lallemand.

“It is a struggle and it’s hard, but we keep going cause this is what we want to do and this is what we love to do,” says Smith.

In Kansas, the non-profit Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas is working hard to help parents caught in the middle.

The agency is the parent resource center for the entire state, meaning they work to help parents find childcare options that will work for them, when they’re having a hard time on their own.

“We have a customized database of licensed childcare programs across the state. We put in all that information the parents provides to us, and generate a customized referral list so that they can make an informed decision,” says Reva Wywandis, Executive Director of Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas.

You can learn more about Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas at https://east.ks.childcareaware.org/

Pittsburg firefighters take part in a special rescue

Posted on June 13, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg firefighters got called out on a special rescue today.

Captain Taylor Cerne, along with firefighters Chris Barrows and Dakota Burton,were able to help rescue a kitten from a storm drain. For Burton, this was just his third full shift on duty. The kitten will be taken to the SEK Humane Society tomorrow morning since no one claimed ownership at the time of the rescue.

Fire school helps firefighters continue education

Posted on June 4, 2021 by KOAM TV 7

PARSONS, Kan. – Parsons native Seth Jones has been a firefighter at the Parsons Fire Department for about a year now. He joined after serving in the military, and says so far the training hasn’t stopped.

“You kinda get consumed with all the work, but I mean it’s all worth it,” says Jones. “It’s awesome. It becomes a lifestyle. I say it’s the best job in the world.”

That very much includes right now as he joins firefighters from 30 departments across Kansas for Labette Community College’s fire school.

“The purpose why this started was just to offer training to all different types of fireman,” explains Ross Harper, Director of Workforce at Labette Community College.

The school offers more than 20 different classes like putting out grass fires, getting through a bolted door, extracting victims from car crashes and how to run an engine at a call with a small crew.

“You learn techniques or skills or anything that you can do to still perform primary tasks like stretching a hose line or doing a primary search, forcing a door and those type of things with a very small crew,” explains Trey Nelms, an instructor at the school and District Chief for the Nashville, Tennessee Fire Department.

Now, the class doesn’t remove or circumvent the certifications that firefighters need to work at a fire house. Instead, it focuses on more specialized skills that can be useful to anyone, especially volunteer firefighters.

“A lot of those volunteers don’t have the financial backing to be able to send their firefighters to a two week long firefighter training,” explains Kenney Ward, Chief for the Parsons Fire Department. “This gives them some live training that they would never be able to get if we didn’t do this.”

It’s the 34th year for the fire school, and this year is pretty special. It’s the first time it’s been able to happen since 2019 — because of the pandemic.

“It’s a lot of work. It’s months of preparation and planning and finally getting to see it through and see it in action, that’s awesome,” says Harper. “So it’s very exciting for Labette Community College to work with these departments to offer this training.”

“It’s wonderful to see people’s smiles again. To actually be able to interact and be able to do these things,” says Ward.

As a young firefighter, Jones appreciates the opportunity to learn more so he can help save more lives — and be as effective at his job as he can be.

“Ultimately we’re responsible for a lot of these guy’s lives. When something like this happens we wanna jump all over it.”

The fire school ends on June 5th.

This is also the first year that the school has been held since a new scholarship to help pay for firefighting was started.

“One of our advisory committee members, Chief Jay Head, who has been a part of the fire school for 15 to 20 years passed away last summer of lung cancer. So Labette Community College stated an endowment fund on behalf of him,” says Ward. “So I encourage each and every person to go to Labette Community College… we’ve got to get five thousand dollars in that endowment for it to start helping young firefighters who can’t afford the training, or departments that don’t have the budget, be able to get them to a good quality training.”

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