Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Citizens have options for ice storm-damaged tree limb disposal

(From City of Joplin)

Due to the recent ice storm damage, residents have several options to remove any damaged tree limbs from their property.

1. Citizens are welcome to bring their tree limbs, branches, and live Christmas trees to the City’s tree limb processing site at 1702 North Schifferdecker Avenue. This site is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Saturday, January 4. It will be closed on New Year’s Day. The drop-off site is located six tenths of a mile north of Belle Center Road on the west side of Schifferdecker Avenue. This free drop off service is for Joplin residents only. Professional contractors will not be allowed to dump.

Public hearing on proposed Joe Becker Stadium renovations set for Monday

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin is considering renovations to Joe Becker Stadium and the City Council has placed a Public Hearing to hear from citizens on this project for its January 6 Council Meeting. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. and is held in the Council Chambers on the fifth floor of City Hall, 602 South Main. The public should use the west entrance to the building.

In the past few months, the City Council has heard discussions regarding WLD Suarez Baseball, L.L.C., the general managers of the El Paso Diablos, having an interest in moving the team to Joplin. The development proposal of $9.3 million includes $4 million for stadium renovations and $5 million investment by the Suarez Group for commercial growth and improvements within the stadium’s surrounding areas including an entry plaza and parking areas. The plaza could include development of various family venues, including restaurants offering pre- and post-game dining options and activities.

The City’s upgrades of Joe Becker Stadium would include new seating, new lights for night play and new restrooms. Joplin Parks and Recreation Director Chris Cotten has also noted that renovations to concession area and the press box would be necessary.

At its December 16, 2013 meeting, the Joplin City Council passed a Memorandum of Understanding indicating continued work with the management group to bring the professional ball team to Joplin.

Cotten has been seeking new “tenants” for the historic stadium for several years now. The Suarez Group has been looking for a new city where their team could play ball since a major league team announced moving its minor league affiliate to the El Paso, Texas area. The Diablos had been filling the seats but with this announcement, and the City of El Paso’s agreement to build a new stadium for the Triple A team, the Diablos attendance began to dwindle. The Suarez Group began its search for another home of the Diablos, an American Association of Independent Professional Baseball team. Other area teams in this group include the Kansas City T-Bones and Wichita Wingnuts which played an exhibition game at Becker in May 2013.

Joplin City Council is interested in hearing from the public on this project prior to establishing a performance agreement and lease of the stadium with the team owners.

Built in 1913, Joe Becker Stadium played host to such greats as Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, Joe Garagiola, and Ken Boyer. The stadium was Mickey Mantle’s home ballpark during his second year of professional baseball when in 1950 he played for the Joplin Miners. Since then, the historic stadium has endured two fires, one in 1936 and one in 1971.

Today the Stadium has a seating capacity of 2,000, and serves as the ball field for area teams at various levels, including semi-pro, amateur, collegiate and high school.

Joplin City Council meeting rescheduled

(From the City of Joplin)

The Joplin City Council’s regularly third Monday meeting in January (January 20) will be held on Tuesday, January 21. This date change is in recognition of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The rescheduled meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held in the Council Chambers on 5th floor of City Hall, 602 South Main. Please note that Joplin City Hall and all City operations are open on Monday, January 20, 2014.

KGCS-TV, Missouri Southern State University’s television station, will broadcast the meeting live on January 21, and will offer a re-broadcast at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22.

In addition, the City Council meeting originally scheduled for Monday, February 17 will be moved to Tuesday, February 18 in recognition of President’s Day. City Hall and other City services, including the Sunshine Lamp Trolley and MAPS system, will be closed on President’s Day, Feb. 17. Services of the Police and Fire department will continue to be available 24/7.

KGCS-TV will broadcast the meeting live on February 18, and will offer a re-broadcast at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. February 19.

KGCS-TV programming may be seen over the air on digital channel 22 and on regional cable systems including Cable One, Mediacom and Suddenlink

For more information, contact Lynn Onstot, Public Information Officer at 624-0820, ext. 204.

Grace Church of Joplin's Sunday service-

Calvary Baptist sermon- The Gifts of the Magi

The Gift 12 29 from Calvary Baptist Joplin on Vimeo.

Joplin sales tax revenue decreases

From KODE

Video- Truck drivers help Joplin woman with her fight against cancer

A Fox 14/KOAM report on truck drivers helping Wendy Morton, who works at the Iron Skillet at the Joplin Petro, with her fight against lung cancer. KOAM TV 7

Video- Area emergency rooms prepare for New Year's Eve binge drinkers

A report from KOAM/Fox 14's Liz Holliday KOAM TV 7

Monday, December 30, 2013

Flue cause of fire at 1916 S. Harlem

(From Joplin Fire Department)

The Joplin Fire Department responded to a reported Structure Fire at 1916 S Harlem at 7:57 PM Monday evening, December 23, 2013. Fire crews arrived on the scene at 8:02 PM to find light smoke coming from the chimney of the house.

Crews extinguished the active fire in the fireplace and then used dry chemical to extinguish the fire in the chimney. A fan was used to vent the smoke from the house. There was no fire damage to house, with light smoke and chemical residue throughout. The flue cap was destroyed.

Crews remained on scene until 8:47 PM. 

Home ownership information is unavailable at this time. 

No injuries were reported to either fire personnel or others in the area. 6 Joplin Fire units and 18 Joplin Fire personnel responded. JPD and METS stood by if needed.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Video- Joplin jail inmate rushed to hospital with stab wound

A KOAM report KOAM TV 7

City of Joplin offers options for disposing of Christmas trees

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin will have several collection points for discarded, live Christmas trees running through January 31st. Bring your tree, completely stripped of all decorations, and place it near the “Christmas Tree” drop-off sign posted at one of the following locations: Humphreys Park on Utica Street in the Royal Heights area; the parking lot on the southwest corner in McIndoe Park at Glendale Road and Jackson Avenue; and the Public Works Center at 1301 West 2nd Street.
Discarded Christmas trees are also accepted at City’s tree limb processing site at 1702 North Schifferdecker Avenue from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The site will continue to be open daily except for New Year’s Day, and Sundays until January 4. The drop-off site is located six tenths of a mile north of Belle Center Road on the west side of Schifferdecker Avenue.
The City of Joplin Recycling Center and Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility accepts many discarded holiday items including, gift wrapping paper (no ribbons please) boxes, bottles, cans, greeting cards, cooking oil, and clean packing materials such as peanuts and bubble wrap. The Center is located at 1310 West A Street and is open on Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Center will be closed January 1. For additional information, call the Recycling Coordinator at (417) 624-0820, ext. 501 or visit www.joplinmo.org.
The City of Joplin residential trash pickup schedule changes due to the Christmas Day and New Years Day holiday. Trash is not picked up on these holidays. Customers who usually have trash picked up on Wednesdays will have their trash picked up on Thursday, December 26 and January 2. For the remainder of the week, the residential trash collection will move forward one day with Friday’s customers having a Saturday pick-up.
Snow, ice and extreme cold can also delay residential trash pickup. Call Republic Services at 800-431-1507 when there is a question as to whether residential trash service will be delayed.
The Republic Services Transfer Station on Old Route 66 in Galena, Kansas (that accepts Joplin residents’ bulky items) will be closed on December 25th and January 1st.

Monday, December 23, 2013

City offers ice-storm damaged tree limb disposal

(From the City of Joplin)

Due to the recent ice storm damage, residents are welcome to bring their tree limbs, branches, and live Christmas trees to the City’s tree limb processing site at 1702 North Schifferdecker Avenue starting December 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The site will continue to be open daily except for Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Sundays until January 4. The drop-off site is located six tenths of a mile north of Belle Center Road on the west side of Schifferdecker Avenue. This free drop off service is for Joplin residents only. Professional contractors will not be allowed to dump.
The City of Joplin Street Department will also start picking up large ice-storm damaged tree limbs in residential areas starting January 6 (street crews will not be picking up piles of small branches). To aid in an efficient clean-up of the city, residents are asked to cut the limbs to a maximum of eight (8) feet and place them at the curb. City staff cannot enter private property to get the limbs. The City reminds residents to please keep tree debris piles separate from any leaf piles.
Joplin residents should also note that the City’s residential trash service through Republic Services allows yard waste removal on their regular trash pick-up day. Limbs must be cut to a maximum of four (4) feet and bundled. Bundles shall be no heavier than 50 pounds. The diameter of each tree limb shall be no larger than four (4) inches.
Normally, Joplin residents and landlords on the City’s residential trash service may be bring yard waste, for a fee, to the Republic Services Transfer Station on Old Route 66, in Galena, Kansas. However due to the volume of damage from this storm, residents are asked to bring tree limbs to the City’s drop-off location.
The City’s leaf pick up program has been suspended until further notice.
For more information, call Mary Anne Phillips, City of Joplin Recycling Coordinator at 417-624-0820 Ext. 501, or Lynden Lawson, Assistant Public Works Director of Operations at 417-624-0820 Ext. 560, or the Public Works Center at 417-624-0820 Ext. 564.

Video- Joplin firefighters move into new stations

KSN report by Jennifer Penate

Friday, December 20, 2013

Jasper County Drug Task Force search leads to two arrests

(From the Joplin Police Department)

The Jasper County Drug Task Force along with Webb City SWAT served a search warrant on 12/17/2013 at 1104 West Crow apartment #5 in Webb City. The warrant resulted in the arrest of David Browning for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (meth).
The Jasper County Drug Task Force also served another warrant at 820 West 5th street in Joplin on 12/17/2013. The warrant led to the arrest of Sterling Brown (pictured) for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within 2000 feet of a school.
Charges are pending on both suspects through the Jasper County Prosecutors Office.

Lebanon man sentenced to one year in prison for tornado fraud

A federal judge today sentenced Shane Ellis, 37, Lebanon, to one year and one day in prison for a disaster fraud charge connected with the May 22, 2011, Joplin Tornado.

Ellis claimed he lived in a home at 2115 Virginia that was hit by the tornado when, in fact, that was not his residence.

According to court records, after his prison sentence, Ellis will be on supervised probation for five years and will have to make restitution in the amount of $30,200.

He has to surrender himself to go to prison by 12 noon Jan. 27.

Fire stations come in under budget and ahead of schedule

(From the City of Joplin)

After working out of temporary facilities for two and a half years, the Joplin Firefighters of Stations #2 and #4 will be pleased to be in permanent facilities by Christmas this year. And Joplin Fire Chief Mitch Randles is thrilled to have reached this point ahead of schedule and under budget.
On Monday, December 23, firefighters will be moving into Station #4 at 3402 Hearnes Boulevard. Last week, firefighters of Station #2 moved into their new facility at 2825 West Junge Boulevard (northeast corner of 13th & Schifferdecker). Both Fire Stations, #2 previously located at 2216 South Maiden Lane and Station #4 at 2010 East 15th Street, suffered catastrophic damage in the tornado.
“Relocating these stations affords fire staff the opportunity to provide better coverage, and close in on meeting the four-minute response time goals for the entire city,” said Randles. The Joplin Fire Department currently provides emergency services to the community’s 45 square miles from the six fire stations.
Randles noted that moving before the holidays is beneficial, but he is really pleased that overall, the two stations came in approximately $10,000 under budget. “Many worked hard on these projects, including my crews, and I appreciate everyone’s diligence to get the job done. They were both budget and time conscious during this process. Like many of our citizens, we’ve all been through a lot since 2011, so it will be gratifying to have these projects completed.”
Station #2 was budgeted for $1.63 million in construction costs and was completed for $1.618 million, saving $12,000; and Station #4 had a construction budget of $1.56 million and finished at $1.565. Rebuilding of the stations was funded by insurance proceeds, FEMA and SEMA, as well as City funds. RE Smith was the contractor for both stations which were originally scheduled for completion in early 2014.
Fire Station #2 has a similar design as Station #6 located at Central City and 32nd Street. With 7,200 square feet, it has two double depth drive-thru bays. It accommodates five firefighters and offers an exercise room and a decontamination room, in addition to normal living areas and a safe room.
Fire Station #4 is a two-story design, with a more historic style of red brick and arched windows. Randles said it is similar to a former fire station located at 19th and Wall Avenue. With two levels, the living quarters are on the upper level with a fire pole installed for quick access to the first floor that houses the fire gear and apparatus. The Department received the original brass firefighter’s pole from the former Station #2 on Wall Avenue earlier this year when the Lions Club, the building’s current tenant, donated it back to the Department. The 6,500 square foot building also has a staircase and elevator. It has two fire truck bays, sleeping quarters for five firefighters and a safe room.
The Fire Department will host a public open house for each station early in 2014. Announcements will be made in the news media as details are finalized.

Missouri Southern announces Superior Service Awards

(From Southern News Service)

Four Missouri Southern State University employees were honored with the Superior Service Award during the annual Employee Appreciation Brunch on Friday, Dec. 20.
These non-faculty staff members were singled out for the exceptional service they provide and the outstanding contribution they make as university employees.
 NON-EXEMPT (HOURLY) EMPLOYEES:

 Amber Lewis, Webb City

Counselor in the Financial Aid Department
Joined MSSU on Jan. 8, 2007


Arleen Thomas, Joplin
Custodian
Joined MSSU on Sept. 11, 2007
 EXEMPT (SALARIED) EMPLOYEES:
 Stephanie Hopkins, Baxter Springs, Kan.
Director of the Student Success Center
Joined MSSU on Aug. 16, 1995
 Alicia Hughes, Diamond
Bursar
Joined MSSU on Jan. 19, 2004
 “The program started in 1997 to showcase the great work of staff employees and we’ve continued it every year,” said Debbie Dutch Kelley, director of human resources and chair of the Superior Service Award nomination committee. “We also acknowledge individuals whose service to the university has reached milestones in five-year increments.”
 Nominations for the awards come from employees, faculty, students and even alumni and board members, she said. The nominations are then reviewed by a committee made up of winners from the previous two years and a representative of the Staff Senate.
 Each of the four employees honored received a plaque and a check for $750. The awards are funded by the Missouri Southern Foundation.
 “The Foundation is very generous and supportive of our program,” said Dutch Kelley.
 The 2013 Years of Service honorees were:
 Forty years: Barbara Spencer.
 Twenty-five years: Catherine Arnall, Jerry Hodgson and Becky Wiley.
 Twenty years: David Barrow, Cheryl Dobson, Lisa Robinson, Linda Steele, Olive Talley and Rob Yust.
 Fifteen years: Rita Boyer, Carolyn Carter, Melanie Epperson, Dale Fletcher, Greg Killingsworth, Don Ross, Stephen E. Smith, Al Stadler and Harvetta Way Freeman.
 Ten years: Denice Brown, Michael Davies, Josh Doak, Linda Garza, Ellen Gibson, Darin Moore and Julie Wengert.
 Five years: Angela Bennett, Heather Bullock, Ross Collins, Jennifer Head, David Hoosier, Randy Hopper, Aaron Lewis, Sandra Lovett, Frank Martinez, Juan Moreno, Cindy Myers, Matthew Myers, Scott Snell, James Strother and Nikki Tappana.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Video- Joplin Schools construction update

From Jet 14

Video- Update on Joplin School District saferooms

From Jet 14

Video- West Central Elementary Christmas program

From Jet 14

Missouri Southern to close for winter break

(From Southern News Service)

The campus of Missouri Southern State University will be closed for the winter break beginning Monday, Dec. 23. The campus is scheduled to reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2.
 The George S. Beimdiek Recreation Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23; noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22; and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23. It will be closed on Dec. 24-25.
 Recreation center hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 26-27; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 28; noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 29; and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 30-31. It will be closed on New Year’s Day.

MSSU recreation center holiday hours posted

(From Southern News Service)

 The George S. Beimdiek Recreation Center will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23; and closed on Dec. 24-25.
 Recreation center hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 26-27; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 28; noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 29; and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 30-31. It will be closed on New Year’s Day.

Joplin utility bills to have a different look

(From City of Joplin)

Utility bills covering residential trash and wastewater services will soon have a new look and also now include a return envelope for citizens to utilize when making their payments. Initially, the billing statements did not include this envelope as a cost-savings measure.
During this transition, customers should be aware that the monthly statement will look different for a couple of weeks. When the inventory of the initial statements is depleted near the end of December, the City will utilize the new statement format, but for a short time, the mailings will NOT have an imprinted City logo due to a delay in production. The new statements with a logo imprint and the return envelope are expected to arrive in mid-January. In the interim, citizens should watch for this unmarked statement in the mail during the first few weeks of January.
Making this switch to include envelopes in the statements had been discussed earlier this year, although City officials wanted to utilize all existing statements before ordering new bills with a return envelope.
“When the City originally took over the billing service of these utilities late last year, we wanted to keep the costs to the customers as low as possible,” said Finance Director Leslie Haase. “With this in mind, the City decided to order a basic statement type of bill to use, and this format did not include a return envelope for our customers. We’ve heard from many of our residents about their desire to have an envelope included, so when we reordered the statements, we changed the format accordingly.”
The new statements are marked “Utility Bill” on the front with the City’s logo remaining on the backside of the envelope. The bill is still a flat type bill to keep postage rates as low as possible. The return envelope is attached to the bottom of the statement. This type of return envelope must be torn off and folded accordingly to mail the payment to the City.
In addition to mailing their payments, citizens can also use the City’s drop-off payment box on the west side of Joplin City Hall, 602 South Main. The Finance Department also accepts payments on the third floor of City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For questions about wastewater and trash billing, please call 417-627-2955.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Video- New way of teaching planned at Joplin High School in 2014

A KSN report

Video- Calvary Baptist production of "The Gift"

The Gift 12 15 from Calvary Baptist Joplin on Vimeo.

Video- History of Jasper County schools featured in new book

A report from KSN's Melanie Huonker

Video- Complete Stapleton Elementary Christmas Concert

From Jet 14

Investigation results: No criminal activity in Joplin Public Works Department

(From the City of Joplin)

On December 17, 2013, the Joplin Police Department closed their investigation into the Building and Code Enforcement divisions of the Public Works Department. The investigation was ordered in July by the City Manager to determine whether there was any criminal wrongdoing surrounding approximately $150,000 in uncollected or undeposited fees within these divisions, dating back to 1999. The investigation concludes that there is no evidence to suggest any criminal activity took place in the public works department. According to the report, there is no evidence of theft or missing money, and it reaffirms the initial findings from the City of uncollected and undeposited fees are accurate.
The concerns regarding the Building and Code Enforcement divisions were brought to light after an analysis was conducted by the City’s software provider to determine whether the City was utilizing the system to its fullest capacity. During this analysis, “open fees” reports were run that revealed approximately $110,000 in open code enforcement fees, and $43,000 in uncollected building permit fees. In June, staff from human resources and the City Manager’s office, assisted by the finance department, began interviewing supervisory personnel in public works regarding the uncollected fees and noted several inefficiencies in the processes used to record and handle payments/collections. Process and personnel changes within the department took place as a result of these interviews, which also led to the eventual reorganization of the public works department. In July, $11,968 in additional unprocessed payments dating from 2006 to 2011, for building and sign permits, storm water fees and zoning applications, were discovered in the office of the former division supervisor.
Currently, the City has implemented several changes to ensure that permit applications and fees are billed and collected in a proper and timely manner. Monies collected in PW are now being turned over to the Finance Department on a daily basis, and the Finance Department is conducting an internal audit on the processes of all departments city-wide that deal with or handle monetary transactions to ensure that proper procedures are in place. The City is advertising for a chief building official to oversee the day-to-day operation of the Building division, and the Neighborhood Improvement division (previously Code Enforcement) is now under the supervision of the Assistant City Manager.
Looking forward, long-term improvements and/or changes to policies and procedures that improve the City’s delivery of service to the public will be reviewed and implemented accordingly, to assure residents that proper procedures are in place to safeguard taxpayer resources. These processes will be monitored on an ongoing basis into the future.

Video- Irving Elementary construction, from beginning to now

Proceeds from new tornado book go to Joplin Schools

How Joplin school officials responded to the May 22, 2011, Joplin Tornado is the focus of a new book, Hindsight: Lessons Learned from the Joplin Tornado by Zac Rantz, public information director for the Nixa School District.

The book is described in this way on its Barnes and Noble page:

On May 22, 2011, Joplin, Missouri, was changed forever by an EF5 tornado. The Joplin school district was hit hard by this event, but through the chaos, many lessons for schools can be learned. Looking back at the days, weeks, and months after the tornado, as well as other crisis events, this book asks questions and gives answers to help schools better prepare for a crisis.
A portion of the proceeds from this book will go to Joplin Schools to help with their recovery.


Those wishing to purchase the book can do so at the advertisement on the upper right hand side of this page.

Nixa school official's new book focuses on lessons schools learned from the Joplin Tornado

This video from KOLR in Springfield featurss an interview with Nixa school official Zac Rantz,about his new book, Hindight; Lessons Learned from the Joplin Tornado.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Video- Ozark Center receives $84,000+ grant

Video- Joplin Christmas Parade

From KODE

Joplin Schools seeking volunteers to help move into new schools

A report from KOAM's Lisa Olliges KOAM TV 7

"Southern Poetry" to feature works by Missouri Southern writers

(From Southern News Service)

Poetry penned and read by Missouri Southern State University professors will be featured in a special program at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, on 88.7 KXMS.

Produced by Ethan Stump, “Southern Poetry” will feature the work and voices of professors Olive L. Sullivan, Joy Dworkin and William Kumbier. The hour-long special comes on the heels of the six-part presentation of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol – In Prose – Being a Ghost Story of Christmas,” read in a new Naxos audiobook release by British actor Anton Lesser.

KXMS has been known since 1986 for its attention to literature and its connections to music. Shakespeare has been especially highlighted on a regular basis since 1990.

Video- Soaring Heights Elementary Christmas Program

A Jet 14 video

Monday, December 16, 2013

Video- Morning fire cause substantial damage to Joplin home

A report from KODE's Priscilla Mace

Video- New East Middle School revealed during ceremony

A report from KSN's Rae Patterson

Video- Joplin man sentenced for trying to blow up his own restaurant

A KODE report

Joplin City Council approves first step toward bringing minor league baseball to Joplin

The Joplin City Council a few moments ago approved 7-1 the first step in the process of bringing mionr league baseball to Joplin.

Councilman Morris Glaze cast the lone dissenting vote. Councilman William Scearce was absent.

City Attorney Brian Head told the council the memorandum of understanding would be followed by a performance agreement and a lease for Joe Becker Stadium.

The El Paso Diablos were left without a home when a major league organization brought a Triple A minor league team to El Paso.

Councilman Mike Woolston asked for a one-month delay for a public hearing, but was told that the process needed to start as soon as possible. Woolston asked if it would be possible to go ahead with the agreement and still seek public input.

City Manager Mark Rohr noted that the Diablos owners had met with several groups a couple of weeks ago when the proposal was first brought before the City Council. Rohr said there would "Be plenty more opportunity for public input as we go along with the process."






MSSU professor writes book on the geography of beer

(From Southern News Service)

People tend to be particular about the beer that they drink, says Dr. Charles Yeager.
 “I remember my grandpa … Hamms, Old Milwaukee … those were his beers. It was like a football team. You did not say something about Old Milwaukee being ‘Old Milyuckee,’” he says. “The beer you drink is part of who you are and your culture group.”
 The geographic nature of beers is a subject that has long fascinated Yeager, an assistant professor of geography at Missouri Southern.
 As a grad student at Indiana State University, he and his advisor researched regional food systems in Ohio. As they did field work, he says he spent down time hanging out and enjoying a beer with his advisor, who Yeager says is “an appreciator of fine beer, as I always have been.”
 During their talks about beer, they talked collaborating on a paper about the relationship between beer and geography, but it was a project that remained on the backburner.
 “We were at a conference and a friend of a friend came up and said, ‘I just got the go-ahead to publish a book about the geography of beer,’” says Yeager. We told him that we had been talking about writing a paper, so we were among the first people to get in on writing a chapter for the book.”
 Currently available as an ebook, “The Geography of Beer: Regions, Environments and Societies” is set to be released in hardcover in March.
 Yeager, along with Jay Gatrell from Indiana State University and David Nemeth from the University of Toledo, penned one of the chapters – “Sweetwater, Mountain Springs, and Great Lakes: A hydro-geography of beer brands.”
 “We had been dealing with food systems and how they change over time in a region,” says Yeager. “Beer really fit with that. After all, beer is liquid bread. The production is historically similar to how food was produced.
 “It’s a water-based production activity. We looked at how beer production was tied to water resources and how the effects of globalization changed that to get an idea of the importance of water as a natural resource in beer production today.”
 Yeager, who is wrapping up his first semester of teaching at Missouri Southern, says they began work on the project about a year ago.
 “Luckily, it didn’t require any field research,” he says. “We took our knowledge of food production and applied the model to the beer industry. We did research on how the beer industry had developed in the U.S. and took that industrial and economic model and tied it into the physical environment of all these regional levels.
 “There was a lot of reading as well as the cartography part of it. The GIS (geographic information system) part of it is what I did.”
 Yeager says his research for the project helped him to make sense of how breweries have developed throughout the years.
 “Historically, the brewing region in the U.S. really mirrors the Rust Belt,” he says. “We started looking at beers that had significant distribution in the 1950s and ‘60s. They all tended to be near plentiful sources of natural water … the Great Lakes, the Ohio or Mississippi rivers. At that point, it would have been unheard of for a brewery to use municipal water.
 “As time went along, we saw globalization … large companies coming together. By the time we got to the ‘70s and ‘80s, the trend toward natural water being important had gone away. The most important thing for Bud Light is meeting production demand.
 “One thing we see now, though, is that globalization consolidates things but opens up local spaces. That’s why we’ve seen an explosion of really high-end craft beers. For those types of breweries, water quality is important and part of their marketing and iconography.”
 Given his past research into food systems, Yeager says studying geography as it relates to beer was a natural fit. Plus, as opposed to researching access to food, beer made for a fun topic.
 “For some people, (studies of food systems) is not interesting, and to others it’s depressing,” he says. “They don’t want to hear about people in America not having access to vegetables. This is lighthearted and part of American culture. One great thing about geography is you can do fun stuff like this and it applies because there is a spatial component to it.”

City of Joplin accepting online utility payments

(From the City of Joplin)

City officials are pleased to announce an online payment option for residents’ wastewater and trash billing. This new service was recently added to the City of Joplin’s website, and can be found under the “How Do I……?” tab in top left corner of site at www.joplinmo.org and click on pop-up tab “Pay Sewer and Trash Bill”. To directly link, residents can go to www.joplinmo.org/payments. The site instructs the payee on how to complete the process of entering their billing information as well as their personal data needed to process their payment.
“In today’s fast-paced world, we recognized the need for an online payment option to be available to our citizens,” said Finance Director Leslie Haase. “We knew when we took over the billing service that this would be a preference for many of our residents making payments. We are listening to our customers and want to provide them a more convenient choice to pay their bill.”
Haase emphasizes that the website is a secured site and the individual data will not be shared. “This option provides not only convenience, but also security to those who choose to utilize it,” she said.
The payment software program offers residents several options on their types of payments, including one-time payment or automatic monthly payments.
“We encourage anyone who is comfortable with this type of service to begin utilizing this option. It will help them avoid lines, mailing payments or driving to City Hall to drop off their payment. It is a convenience that we are excited to begin in order to help our Joplin citizens.”
In addition to online payments, the City has installed a drop-off payment box on the west side of Joplin City Hall, 602 South Main. The Finance Department also accepts payments on the third floor of City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For questions about wastewater and trash billing, please call 417-627-2955

Meadow Ave, 23rd to 24th St. to be closed until 7 p.m. Friday

(From City of Joplin)

Beginning Monday, December 16, 2013 from 12:00 noon until Friday, December 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., Meadow Ave. from 23rd St. to 24th St. will be closed. Crews will be working on sewer repairs. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution in these areas and will need to utilize alternate routes during this period if possible.
If you have any questions, please call Tom Tracy at 624-0820, ext. 530.

20th Street to be closed today from Pearl to Byers

(From the City of Joplin)
Effective today at 10:00 a.m., 20th St. will be closed from Pearl Ave. to Byers Ave. Crews will be repairing the street related to the waterline break that occurred Friday, December 13, 2013. City crews are working with Missouri American Water to minimize any inconvenience. 20th Street is expected to reopen this Friday, December 20, 2013 at 5:00 p.m., weather permitting. Detour routes will be available. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution in these areas and will need to utilize alternate routes during this period.
If you have any questions, please call the Tim Johnson at 624-0820, ext. 530.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Video- Freeman Auxiliary delivers gifts to Ronald McDonald House

A report from KSN's Brad Douglas

Teachers begin moving into new Irving Elementary

A report by KSN's Rae Patterson

VIdeo- Joplin Salvation Army working hard to meet goal

A KSN report

Video: Prospective MSSU graduates offer their perspectives

Water service restored after line break on 20th Street

(From the City of Joplin)

Earlier today a press release was sent to the media relative to a water line break on 20th Street located in the area of Pearl Ave. This is an update to that press release as to the current situation.
Missouri American Water Company has repaired the water line and restored water service to those who were impacted. As of this afternoon, Missouri American Water Company and the City of Joplin’s Public Works Department have been working together to open the street to traffic, however the street will be reduced to two lanes in the vicinity of the repair located between Pearl and Byers. Drivers should exhibit care when approaching this area and traffic control devices are being placed to assist drivers as they travel through this area. Drivers are encouraged to use an alternative route until the street is fully repaired.
In the coming weeks, the City and Missouri American Water Company will be working together to make the necessary final repairs to the street in this location.

Agenda posted for Tuesday's Joplin R-8 Board of Education meeting


Meeting Agenda

A. Call to Order

1. Roll Call

B. Pledge of Allegiance

C. District Showcase - Kelsey Norman Elementary

D. Approval of agenda - Action

E. Reports

1. Superintendent's Reports

a. Standards of Excellence - JHS Program of Study Update

b. Policy Review

c. Construction Updates

d. Audit Report 2012-13

2. Board President Report

F. Public Comments Regarding Agenda Items *

G. Consent Agenda

1. Approve Minutes - November 26, 2013 - Action

2. Employment - Action

3. Resignations - Actions

4. EMS and Soaring Heights Learning Lab - Action

5. Policy Updates - Second and Final Reading - Action

a. IC - Academic Calendar/Year/Day

b. IGAD - Occupational Education

c. IKE - Promotion, Acceleration and Retention of Students

6. Out-of-State Overnight Field Trips - Action

7. Replace Copiers - Central Copy Center - Action

8. Proposal to Declare and Authorize Sale of Surplus Property - Action

9. Financial Statements - Info.

10. Health Insurance and Dental Care Insurance Reports - Info.

H. Regular Agenda

1. Accounts Payable - Action

I. Discussion Items

J. Closed Session - RSMO.610.021 (1) Legal, (3) Personnel and (13) Identifiable personnel records.

K. Adjournment

*Public Comments - This is the proper time for questions and comments from the public regarding agenda items. Please make sure a request form is emailed or faxed to the Board Secretary no later than 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes.


Meeting Agenda- Work Session- 4:30 p.m.

A. Call to Order

B. Annual Program Evaluation - At Risk Programs

C. Audit Report 2012-13

D. Closed Session - RSMO.610.021 (1) Legal, (2) Real Estate, (3) Personnel and (13) Identifiable personnel records.

Video: Newsmakers interviews Mark Rohr, David Wallace on Joplin rebuliding

Arkansas man indicted for Joplin Subway robbery, three other robberies

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

 Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Bella Vista, Ark., man who was previously indicted for robbing Alliant Bank in Blackwater, Mo., has been indicted by a federal grand jury for three additional robberies.

Timothy Patrick Hoyt, 43, of Bella Vista, was charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013. This superseding indictment replaces the original indictment, returned on Nov. 7, 2013, that charged Hoyt with stealing $5,123 from Alliant Bank on June 26, 2013.

The superseding indictment alleges that Hoyt robbed the Subway restaurant at 330 N. Massey Blvd., Nixa, Mo., on July 12, 2013; the Subway restaurant at 1820 W. 32nd St., Joplin, Mo., on July 14, 2013; and the Sally Beauty Supply Store at 2007-C W. Foxwood Dr., Raymore, Mo., on Aug. 6, 2013.

Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by FBI, the Cooper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Altoona, Iowa, Police Department, the Nixa, Mo., Police Department, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department and the Raymore, Mo., Police Department.

Hearing for masturbating mailman delayed until Jan. 9

The hearing in the sexual abuse case against the alleged masturbating mailman, originally scheduled for Thursday, was postponed until 9:05 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 in Jasper County Associate Circuit Court. 

Shane Miller, 32, Galena, Kan., pleaded not guilty Nov. 13 to a misdemeanor charge of sexual abuse in the second degree. Miller, who is free on $1,000 bond, is represented by Joplin attorney Phil Glades.

According to the probable cause statement, which can be seen in the accompanying photo, Miller, who was working for the U. S. Postal Service at the time, delivered the mail to a Joplin business and then performed a sexual act in front of the business' employees.

Missouri Southern plans Martin Luther King celebration

(From Southern News Service)

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
 The quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is at the heart of the annual MLK Day of Service – a call for people to work together to solve problems.
 It will also serve as a central theme for the annual celebration of Martin Luther King at Missouri Southern State University. Set for the week of Jan. 20, 2014, it will include several special events and provide ways for the campus and community to be of service to others.
 The celebration will begin with the annual MLK Breakfast at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in Connor Ballroom at Billingsly Student Center.
 “In the past, our guests (brought in for the event) have spoken at the breakfast,” said Faustina Abrahams, MSSU first year advising coordinator and a member of the university’s Diversity Committee, which sponsors the event. “This year, we wanted to focus on a local speaker who has a volunteer background.”
 Jerrod Hogan, founder of Rebuild Joplin – which was formed in the wake of the May 22, 2011, tornado – will be the speaker.
 Those attending the breakfast will have the opportunity to contribute to a community art project. Guests will trace their hands on construction paper, which will then be added to a collage created by Josie Mai, assistant professor of art, and students. At the conclusion of the breakfast, “Healing Hands Community Collage” will be unveiled.
 Cost for the MLK Breakfast is $5 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the MSSU Ticket Office or online atwww.mssu.edu/mlk.
 Sponsorship opportunities for tables at the breakfast are available. There will be six tickets per table, with a table tent on each sponsored table. Company names will be listed in the printed program and mentioned during the event. Call for more information.
 A volunteer fair is planned for 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21.
 Area volunteer and nonprofit organizations will set up tables in Billingsly Student Center with information about getting involved. Students and the community are invited to sign up and give their time to an organization of their choice.
 On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the Campus Activities Board will present two performances by MLK authority and impersonator Greenfair “Brother” Moses III.
 “Let Freedom Ring” will be presented at 1 p.m. in Corley Auditorium. Brother Moses will deliver one of the most powerful speeches of all time. It was a speech that King labored over as he wondered whether or not to use the phrase “I have a dream.”
 Brother Moses will also present King’s sermon known as “A Knock at Midnight” at 7 p.m. in Corley Auditorium.
 “We’d really like to see area churches attend the Wednesday evening program,” said Abrahams. “The MSSU Chamber Singers are going to open it, and we want it to feel like what it could have been like to be there for (the actual sermon).”
 Both programs are free and open to the public. 

Video- Alliance of Southwest Missouri expands into new Joplin home

A report from KOAM's Liz Holliday KOAM TV 7

Video- Joplin's Downtown expands south of 7th Street

A report from KOAM's Liz Holliday KOAM TV 7

Ryan's Restaurant closes

A report from KOAM's Jordan Aubey KOAM TV 7

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Bond set for men charged in Northpark Mall armed robbery

A $25,000 bond has been set for one of the three men arrested following an armed robbery in a Northpark Mall parking lot Wednesday evening.

Jasper County Circuit Court online records show a higher bond was set for Trevor Seigrist, 19, Joplin.

Bond was set at $15,000 for Brock Buffington, 17, Joplin, and Zachary Jones, 17, Joplin.

All three men were charged with robbery in the first degree and armed criminal action.

The Joplin Police Department issued the following news release today:

On December 11, 2013 at approximately 7:50PM the Joplin Police Department received a call of an armed robbery that had just occurred on the parking lot of Northpark Mall. The victim stated that as she was getting out of her vehicle, a male approached her from behind and demanded her purse. The male then displayed a handgun and the victim gave her purse to the suspect.
The suspect then got into a blue pick-up truck and left the area. The vehicle description and suspect description was given out to surrounding agencies. The vehicle was later located at 7th and Oronogo in Webb City by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office where it was occupied by three males.
The three males were taken into custody and transported to the Joplin City Jail. The three males were identified as follows:
Brock A. Buffington a 17 year old male with an address of 207 Miller Joplin, MO was arrested for 1st Degree Robbery.
Zachary T. Jones a 17 year old male with an address of rural Joplin was arrested for 1st Degree Robbery.
Trevor M. Seigrist a 19 year old male with an address of rural Joplin was arrested for 1st Degree Robbery.
Charges have been forwarded to the Jasper County Prosecutor’s office for review of formal charges. We are continuing with this investigation.

"Newsmakers" program to focus on Joplin redevelopment

(From Southern News Service)

The “Newsmakers” program airing the week of Dec. 15 focuses on Joplin redevelopment a little more than two and a half years after the May 2011 tornado. 
The program features an update on progress made so far and plans looking ahead to 2014. Guests will be Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr and David Wallace, from Wallace Bajjali Development Partners.
 The program is scheduled to air the following times on KGCS next week:
Sunday, Dec. 15 – 6 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 16 – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 17 – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 18 – 5:30 p.m
Thursday, Dec. 19 – 5:30 p.m.
 The program will also air at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, on KOAM-TV.
 A link will also be posted on the KGCS website for viewing through YouTube (www.mssu.edu/kgcs).
 “Newsmakers” is produced by KGCS-TV, a service of the Department of Communication at Missouri Southern State University. Programming may be seen over the air on digital channel 22 and on regional cable television systems including Cable One, Mediacom and Suddenlink.

House at 2202 S. Adele a total loss after morning fire

(From the Joplin Fire Department)

The Joplin Fire Department responded to a reported Structure Fire at 2202 S Adele Ave at 5:05 AM Thursday, December 12, 2013. Fire crews arrived on the scene at 5:11 AM to find fire coming from a one-story single family dwelling, mainly from the front porch and front living area. The house suffered extensive fire, smoke and water damage. It appeared to be a total loss. 

The fire was declared under control at 5:27 AM and out at 5:38 AM. Crews remained on scene until 7:42 AM. 


Home ownership information is unavailable at this time. 


No injuries were reported to either fire personnel or others in the area. Six Joplin Fire units and 17 Joplin Fire personnel responded. JPD blocked Main Street during fire operations and METS stood by if needed. The Red Cross was called to assist with any needs of the occupants.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation at the time of this writing. 

Three arrested after armed robbery at Northpark Mall

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On December 11, 2013 at approximately 7:50PM the Joplin Police Department received a call of an armed robbery that had just occurred on the parking lot of Northpark Mall. The victim stated that as she was getting out of her vehicle, a male approached her from behind and demanded her purse. The male then displayed a handgun and the victim gave her purse to the suspect.
The suspect then got into a blue pick-up truck and left the area. The vehicle description and suspect description was given out to surrounding agencies. The vehicle was later located at 7th and Oronogo in Webb City by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office where it was occupied by three males.
The three males were taken into custody and transported to the Joplin City Jail. The three males were identified as follows:
Brock A. Buffington a 17 year old male with an address of 207 Miller Joplin, MO was arrested for 1st Degree Robbery.
Zachary T. Jones a 17 year old male with an address of rural Joplin was arrested for 1st Degree Robbery.
Trevor M. Seigrist a 19 year old male with an address of rural Joplin was arrested for 1st Degree Robbery.
Charges have been forwarded to the Jasper County Prosecutor’s office for review of formal charges. We are continuing with this investigation.