Tag Archives: winter weather

News To Know: pizza delivery robbery, frozen water pipes

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JOPLIN, Mo. — Law officers search for a domestic assault suspect at a home on the 18-block of Joplin’s west 21st street for several hours on Tuesday. As authorities continue their search they have now released his identity. They say 32-year-old Christopher L. Smith of Joplin assaulted a woman by punching her in the head multiple times and choking her. Smith has an active warrant for second-degree domestic assault.

SOUTHWEST MISSOURI — Authorities charge a Tennessee man in the traffic death of a Southwest Missouri man. The July crash claimed the life of 67-year-old Dell Clark of Neck City. Nashville police say Jeremy King of Troy, Tennessee was driving 89 miles per hour and passing cars when he clipped another car and lost control. He then hit two other cars, including Clark’s. Police say King is still hospitalized. There were no signs of alcohol or drug impairment. King is charged with vehicular homicide by recklessness among other counts.

JOPLIN, Mo. —Authorities charge Austin Bryant with the armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver in Joplin. Investigators say the victim delivered a pizza to a home on west 20th street when a man pointed a gun at him and demanded the pizza, his phone, and all of his money. SWAT was called in to make the arrest. Bryant is charged with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.

WINTER — Frozen water pipes can be an unexpected frustration during cold weather, and as the temperature continues to drop, it becomes even more important to make sure your pipes are well insulated. An official with Missouri American water says warm pipes are a necessity to get through the cold winter.

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Towing companies busy during extreme weather

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JOPLIN, Mo. — One of the most helpless feelings on a day like today is not being able to start your vehicle. Then if you do – driving – then getting stuck.

While some businesses don’t ever bother to open in weather like this, others are actually busier than usual. Towing is a good example.

Bill Cottrill, Owner, Cottrill’s Towing, said, “We’re 24 hours, 24 hours a day, my drivers were up all last night and we’ll be up all night tonight.”

Cottrill spent most of the day going from one call to another. But you might be surprised to learn that he hadn’t had a single call from a motorist stuck in the snow.

“Everything we’ve picked up today is nothing but diesel, this car right here, she broke a wheel and hit a curb, and so we delivered her over here just now.”

In fact, one of his vehicles, also a diesel wouldn’t start either. He does have one thing going for him now that he didn’t have when he first started, a hands free device. And he says a sense of humor goes a long way when you’re way behind on sleep.

“Everything that I need to have my hands on like the steering wheel and writing notes and what have you, but I can also work and talk at the same time, you know, I know people find that hard to believe but I can do it, I can work and talk at the same time, I can’t chew gum, work and talk at the same time.”

And it’s been a baptism by fire for Clay Rose, who’s new to the business.

Clay Rose, Driver, Cottrill’s Towing, said, “It is, it’s satisfying but it hurts, it’s nice to see people getting to go where they need to go and being safe about it.”

Warming centers in Joplin will work differently in the pandemic

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JOPLIN, Mo. — At Joplin’s Salvation Army, they’re trying to limit the number of people inside the warming station at any given time. That means people are allowed inside in shifts. Soul’s Harbor tells us they’re allowing people to warm up in their chapel at 817 Main St.