(From the City of Joplin)
The City of Joplin, Missouri is seeking written proposals from qualified firms/providers to complete a National Register of Historic Places nomination application for the Murphysburg residential district. The document will be primarily based upon a previous survey completed in 2012 of the architectural and historic resources in the residential district.
The Murphysburg residential district contains 146 primary resources on approximately 40 acres. Largely developed between the 1870s through the 1920s, Murphysburg has a wide collection of architectural styles. The district is the first residential district west of several commercial districts in Downtown Joplin that are already on the National Register of Historic Places. A portion of Murphysburg is currently a Local Historic District and contains 48 properties. The original district established in 1992 contained 18 properties. An additional 29 properties were added in 2004, plus 1 more property in 2010 to bring the total to 48 properties. This project will encompass all of the current Local Historic District, plus the remaining properties in the blocks that were not voluntarily added to the District, as well as a few additional surrounding blocks that have been deemed historically significant to the neighborhood
Monday, March 31, 2014
Heavy rainfall, flooding, severe thunderstorms on tap this week
(From the National Weather Service)
KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-011945- BOURBON-CRAWFORD-CHEROKEE-BENTON-MORGAN-MILLER-MARIES-VERNON- ST. CLAIR-HICKORY-CAMDEN-PULASKI-PHELPS-BARTON-CEDAR-POLK-DALLAS- LACLEDE-TEXAS-DENT-JASPER-DADE-GREENE-WEBSTER-WRIGHT-NEWTON- LAWRENCE-CHRISTIAN-DOUGLAS-HOWELL-SHANNON-MCDONALD-BARRY-STONE- TANEY-OZARK-OREGON- 243 PM CDT MON MAR 31 2014 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE MISSOURI OZARKS AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED... LIMITED HAIL RISK. LIMITED THUNDERSTORM WIND DAMAGE RISK. LIMITED LIGHTNING RISK. LIMITED NON THUNDERSTORM WIND RISK. ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER RISK. DISCUSSION... AN AREA OF SHOWERS WITH SOME EMBEDDED ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOURI THIS AFTERNOON. THIS ACTIVITY WILL PUSH OUT OF THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON. NO SEVERE WEATHER WILL OCCUR WITH THIS ACTIVITY. STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS AND THE MISSOURI OZARKS TODAY WITH WINDS GUSTING UP TO 35 MPH OCCURRING ACROSS LOCATIONS WEST OF INTERSTATE 49 AND NORTH OF HIGHWAY 54. ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR TODAY PRIMARILY ASSOCIATED WITH THE WINDY CONDITIONS ACROSS WESTERN MISSOURI AND EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS. FIRES IN OPEN GRASSLAND AREAS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO QUICKLY GROW AND SPREAD. A COLD FRONT IS CURRENTLY PUSHING EAST ACROSS EASTERN KANSAS THIS AFTERNOON. THIS FRONT WILL PUSH INTO EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS AND WESTERN MISSOURI LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY THIS EVENING. INSTABILITY WILL INCREASE ACROSS THE AREA AHEAD OF THE FRONT. STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG THE FRONT ACROSS EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS INTO FAR WESTERN MISSOURI THEN TRACK EAST THIS EVENING. A FEW STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY THIS EVENING GENERALLY WEST OF HIGHWAY 65. WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH AND HAIL TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS WILL BE THE MAIN HAZARDS WITH THIS ACTIVITY. INSTABILITY WILL DECREASE AFTER SUNSET AND ONLY GENERAL THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED EAST OF HIGHWAY 65 LATER THIS EVENING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. A SLOW MOVING...STRONG STORM SYSTEM WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS TO THE REGION FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY. A FEW STORMS LATE TUESDAY NIGHT COULD PRODUCE HAIL TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS ACROSS PORTIONS OF EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS AND WEST CENTRAL MISSOURI. A LIMITED THREAT FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WILL THEN CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY NIGHT. HOWEVER...CONFIDENCE IN THE TIMING AND PLACEMENT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL FROM WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY REMAINS HIGHLY UNCERTAIN AT THIS TIME. MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF RAINFALL ARE ALSO LIKELY FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY NIGHT. THERE WILL BE THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAINFALL AMOUNTS AND A LIMITED POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING IN LOCATIONS WHERE MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS TRACK. AS IS THE CASE WITH THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM THREAT...CONFIDENCE REMAINS LOW AT THIS TIME REGARDING THE POTENTIAL PLACEMENT OF THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL.
Billy Long: Washington should cut red tape for manufacturers
Our nation’s manufacturing sector is key to creating jobs and growing our economy. Earlier this month I completed my annual manufacturing tour. I enjoy this annual tour because not only can I highlight the important work manufacturers and their employees are doing in our district, but I get to hear from them about what is working and what is hindering growth in their vital sector of the economy.
It should come as no surprise that over regulation is a dominant theme I hear when I visit manufacturers and other businesses in our district. These regulations are directly or indirectly the result of too much Washington regulation. Regulatory costs in America are difficult to measure because many of their effects are hidden, but it is estimated the cost is equal to over $14,000 per family, or 23 percent of a family’s average income. Often the cost of regulation is highest for small businesses that are ill-equipped to navigate the bureaucratic compliance procedures that accompany many regulations.
Charlie Davis on the state budget and his kidney stone
Last week, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a balanced and fiscally responsible budget that contains the largest education budget in the state’s history, funds Medicaid reforms, and increases appropriations for business development while limiting wasteful spending.
Neosho man injured in motorcycle accident near Tiff City
Larry Blaylock, 59, Neosho, was taken by ambulance to Freeman West with moderate injuries after a motorcycle accident half a mile north of Tiff City 5:10 p.m. Sunday.
According to the Highway Patrol report, the accident occurred when Blaylock, driving a 2002 Harley Davidson, went off the right side of the road and overturned.
According to the Highway Patrol report, the accident occurred when Blaylock, driving a 2002 Harley Davidson, went off the right side of the road and overturned.
Joplin Police Department weekend DWI arrests
The Joplin Police Department made the following DWI arrests over the weekend:
Danielle Janette Christmas, 27, Webb City
Patricia S. Lancaster, 43, Paris, Tenn.
Raoul Wright, 54, Noel
Justin Wayne Carman, 31, Redings Mill
John A. Darlington, 24, Joplin
Randy Keith Pyrtle, 51, Duquesne
Steven A. Konwinski, 39, Carl Junction, DUI (drugs)
Grant Robert Sanford, 43, Brookline
Danielle Janette Christmas, 27, Webb City
Patricia S. Lancaster, 43, Paris, Tenn.
Raoul Wright, 54, Noel
Justin Wayne Carman, 31, Redings Mill
John A. Darlington, 24, Joplin
Randy Keith Pyrtle, 51, Duquesne
Steven A. Konwinski, 39, Carl Junction, DUI (drugs)
Grant Robert Sanford, 43, Brookline
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Volunteers needed to plant Butterfly Garden at Cunningham Park
(From the City of Joplin)
Volunteers are invited to help plant the Butterfly Garden of the Overlook that will be a main element in the Landscapes of Resilience project in Cunningham Park. Gardeners will work together to plant butterfly-friendly trees, shrubs and flowers in the Cunningham Park overlook. The group will begin planting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 5 at Cunningham Park, 26th & Maiden Lane, in the northeast corner.
Volunteers are asked to bring planting tools, if possible, and everything they might need for a morning or a day afield. Some tools will be available on loan for the day.
This a partnership project of the City of Joplin, the TKF Foundation, Drury University, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, and Southwest Missouri Association of Resource, Conservation and Development Association (RC&D).
For questions, call the Joplin Parks and Recreation office at 417-624-6937, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Butterfly Garden and Overlook, a Landscapes of Resilience project, was announced during the program of the second anniversary event recognizing the community’s resilience, resolve and realization throughout the recovery work since May 22, 2011. The project is funded through the TKF Foundation which provided Joplin and New York City a portion of a $585,000 grant to each community in order to create an open space in recovery and healing. A multi-disciplinary research and design team proposed the “Landscapes of Resilience” project that will study the role of open spaces in recovery from both the Joplin 2011 tornado and Superstorm Sandy that hit New York City and surrounding area, killing 72 people and causing extensive damage in October 2012.
This project is made possible through the work of many partners, including Cornell University, U.S. Forest Service, Drury University, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Great River Associates, Till Design, Missouri Department of Conservation Joplin and Joplin Parks and Recreation.
To assist with the project, Drury students have gathered stories of courage, heroism and resilience from community members to be included as part of this new educational space and healing garden at Cunningham Park, thanks to the TKF Foundation’s Open Spaces Sacred Places initiative. The Foundation’s OSSP fosters natural settings for the public in helping them cope with stress and burdens resulting from disasters.
To assist with the project, Drury students have gathered stories of courage, heroism and resilience from community members to be included as part of this new educational space and healing garden at Cunningham Park, thanks to the TKF Foundation’s Open Spaces Sacred Places initiative. The Foundation’s OSSP fosters natural settings for the public in helping them cope with stress and burdens resulting from disasters.
Joplin Police Department DWI arrests March 27-28
The Joplin Police Department arrested the following people for driving while intoxicated:
Gary G. Iori, 22, Racine, DUI
Frank Joseph Bladl Jr. 62, Duenweg
Robert Edward Pennington, 44, Joplin
Bruce David Sorrell, 53, Kansas City
Gary G. Iori, 22, Racine, DUI
Frank Joseph Bladl Jr. 62, Duenweg
Robert Edward Pennington, 44, Joplin
Bruce David Sorrell, 53, Kansas City
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Southern Symphony Orchestra plans all-Gershwin concert
(From Southern News Service)
The Southern Symphony Orchestra will present “Gershwin Tonight!” – featuring works by acclaimed composer George Gershwin – at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, in Taylor Performing Arts Center at Missouri Southern State University.
The orchestra, comprised of students and community members, is under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Macomber.
“Technically, it’s a very challenging program,” said Macomber. “Gershwin, when he wrote for the voice and for the stage, was one composer. When he wrote purely orchestral music, he was a different composer … it’s much more adventuresome.”
Selections will include “Cuban Overture,” inspired by a two-week vacation the composer spent in Cuba in the early 1930s; “Song of the Flame,” from a play of the same title; and “The Man I Love,” a tune from one of Gershwin’s early shows that “now stands alone as a standard from the Great American Songbook,” said Macomber.
For “Concerto in F,” the orchestra will be joined by Roger Wright, a concert pianist from Los Angeles, Calif.
Wright has appeared as a soloist with the Houston Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic and the Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica, among others. He has also given solo recitals at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall and Steinway Hall in New York, the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., the Chicago Cultural Center and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s “Sunday’s Live” series.
In addition to his orchestra performance, Wright will offer a Master Class for piano students at noon Thursday, April 3, in Webster Hall’s Corley Auditorium.
Wright’s appearance with the Southern Symphony Orchestra and the Master Class are made possible by a gift from the Vivian León Fund and assistance from the Missouri Southern Foundation. Both are free and open to the public.
Activities planned in advance of MSSU Career Fair
(From Southern News Service)
With the annual Spring Career Fair right around the corner, the Career Services office at Missouri Southern State University has scheduled a variety of activities leading up to it for Missouri Southern students and alumni.
Professional development lunches will be offered at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, March 26; Monday, March 31; Tuesday, April 1; and Tuesday, April 8, in Room 309 of Billingsly Student Center. Presenters will offer information on topics such as job applications, resumes and interviews. Lunch will be offered at no charge. For more information, visitwww.mssu.edu/career/student-events.
An Etiquette Dinner will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, in the BSC Ballroom. Learn the ins and outs of dinner etiquette and have the opportunity to network in a fun and interactive setting. Cost is $5; RSVP at the Career Services office.
A Career Fair Cram is set for 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in the BSC Ballroom. Business professionals will offer stations to help you learn the skills needed to be successful – from professional dress to resume reviews and mock interviews.
More than 100 regional and national employers will be on hand for the Spring Career Fair, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Full-time, part-time and volunteer opportunities will be available.
The Biomedical Sciences Career Fair will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 10, in the BSC Ballroom. Representatives from schools offering degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, chiropractic, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, and physical and occupational therapy will be on hand. There will be break-out sessions and a chance to hear from professionals working in the field.
For more information about these events, call 625-9343 or visit www.mssu.edu/career.
KGCS to cover "Dancing with the Joplin Stars"
(From Southern News Service)
A crew of students and staff from KGCS-TV will be on hand Saturday, March 29, to cover “Dancing with the Joplin Stars.”
The annual event is a fundraiser for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce’s Cultural Affairs Committee. Teams of local dancers compete, with judging by a panel of professional and celebrity judges. The program will begin at 8 p.m. at Downstream Casino.
“This is a great opportunity for our students to gain experience in live field production,” says Judy Stiles, general manager of KGCS.
The program will be streamed live over the Internet and recorded for future broadcast on KGCS. A link to the streaming video may be found on the Joplin Globe’s website.
Airdates planned for the programe on KGCS include:
Sunday, April: 8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9: 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 13: 8 p.m.
Monday, April 14: 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16: 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9: 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 13: 8 p.m.
Monday, April 14: 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16: 7 p.m.
In addition, the Chamber will offer DVDs of the event for sale.
Westbound traffic reduced to one lane on section of 20th Friday
(From the City of Joplin)
Beginning Friday, March 28, 2014 at 8 am until 4 pm, westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane on 20th St. between Indiana Ave. and Missouri Ave. Crews will be repairing a storm drain.
Drivers are urged to use extreme caution in these areas and will need to utilize alternate routes during this period if possible.
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 the Public Works Operations Center at 624-0820, ext. 561.
Signing for Scars from the Tornado Saturday at Vintage Stock on the Mall
The book details my experiences and East Middle School students' experiences during the May 22, 2011, Joplin Tornado, and during the first year attending a warehouse school.
Some of those students will be at the signing Saturday.
Following is a breakdown of what is included in Scars from the Tornado:
Foreword- This features a story that a former East student, Joplin High School sophomore Rylee Hartwell, wrote about the school shortly after the tornado.
A Teacher's Story- Over several chapters, I write about the last day at East before the tornado hit, the tornado and my first trip back to the school, the meeting at Missouri Southern where Principal Bud Sexson outlined what the warehouse school was going to be like, our return to school, the first day and much more.
Tornado Stories- This section features the students recounting their tornado stories. Some were right in the middle of it. Others feared for their friends. It affected all of them. Students with stories in this section include Jennifer Nguyen, Nick Shellenbarger, Abi Killinger, Alexandra Stelts, Donna Tomlinson, Maggie Baker, Cami Sanders, Kaley Moser, Amber Fleming, Desirae Orlaski, Taylor Robinson, Keisha Grunden, Courtney Hunt, Victoria Stehm, Garrett Severs, and Ryan Ball.
The School Year- This section features stories from the students about our year in the warehouse, with some commenting about the school. Those contributing stories include Sarah Peterson, Megan Hickey, Amy Koch, Jennifer Nguyen, Annie Strickling, Stella Ndauwa, and Melinda Adams. Megan, Amy, and Jennifer contributed multiple stories in this section.
Parting Shots- This section includes a longer story that I wrote about the people from around the world who let us know that we were not alone in our battle. My story centers around our 86-year-old penpal from Santa Barbara who has come to mean a lot to my students both last year and this year. The section also has shorter comments from Cara Marshall, Jimmie Willerton, Audrey Kanan, Taelor Stone, Logan Whitehead, Amelia Street, and Madison Meinhardt.
Tornado Poems- Among those contributing to this section are students Mykah Campbell, Michaela West, Sean Harrison, Ashton McGehee, Karly Weber, Jacy Welch, Mackenzie Gunderson, Bridget Ingham, Jerry Bland, Joseph Fry, Beth Dulinsky, and teacher Kathy Weaver.
The book also includes a photo section.
Copies of 5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado, Spirit of Hope: The Year After the Joplin Tornado, and No Child Left Alive will also be available.
Joplin Police Department DWI arrests March 26-27
The Joplin Police Department arrested the following people for driving while intoxicated:
Kevin Todd Cure, 50, Joplin
Bevin Nicole Boyer, 31, Joplin
Andrea Margaret Hall, 23, Joplin
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
KXMS to celebrate Shakespeare's words in April
(From Southern News Service)
April has been celebrated as National Poetry Month in the United States for the past 15 years. It is also the month in which 88.7 KXMS has celebrated the birthday of Williams Shakespeare in words and music since 1990.
Beginning April 1, KXMS will combine both with a new series, “William’s Words,” produced and hosted by Jesse Walls.
William Shakespeare had a huge vocabulary. This may have been due, in part, to the diverse themes and characters in his 37 plays. Up to about 10 percent of the Bard’s impressive vocabulary were words coined by Shakespeare himself – words such as “cold-blooded,” “hobnob” and “Olympian.”
Producer/host Jesse Walls will feature two of William’s words per segment, illustrating their usage in the context of the actual lines from the plays. “William’s Words” will appear regularly throughout April as a part of “Southern Serenade,” at 5 p.m. each weeknight, as well as other spots in the KXMS schedule.
“William’s Words” was an idea suggested by Olive Sullivan, one of the poets featured on “Southern Poetry,” produced by 88.KXMS last fall. KXMS will rebroadcast the hourlong program, produced by Ethan Stump, during the month of April. “Southern Poetry” features original poems by Sullivan, Joy Dworkin, and Bill Kumbier.
April has been celebrated as National Poetry Month in the United States for the past 15 years. It is also the month in which 88.7 KXMS has celebrated the birthday of Williams Shakespeare in words and music since 1990.
Beginning April 1, KXMS will combine both with a new series, “William’s Words,” produced and hosted by Jesse Walls.
William Shakespeare had a huge vocabulary. This may have been due, in part, to the diverse themes and characters in his 37 plays. Up to about 10 percent of the Bard’s impressive vocabulary were words coined by Shakespeare himself – words such as “cold-blooded,” “hobnob” and “Olympian.”
Producer/host Jesse Walls will feature two of William’s words per segment, illustrating their usage in the context of the actual lines from the plays. “William’s Words” will appear regularly throughout April as a part of “Southern Serenade,” at 5 p.m. each weeknight, as well as other spots in the KXMS schedule.
“William’s Words” was an idea suggested by Olive Sullivan, one of the poets featured on “Southern Poetry,” produced by 88.KXMS last fall. KXMS will rebroadcast the hourlong program, produced by Ethan Stump, during the month of April. “Southern Poetry” features original poems by Sullivan, Joy Dworkin, and Bill Kumbier.
Update provided on block grant program, including Joplin Commons project
(From the City of Joplin)
The City of Joplin is one step closer to hiring a consultant firm to help manage the $113 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Assistance (CDBG-DR), a federal funding program awarded to Joplin in 2013. City staff is in final review of the applicants responding to a Request for Qualification (RFQ) for this service, and plans are to have a firm selected in April 2014 to assist the City of Joplin in coordination of funding. As part of a federal program, CDBG-DR funding has specific regulations and multiple processes that must be followed to adhere to the grant requirements, and the selected firm will work closely with City staff to ensure compliance.
In conjunction, City officials are reviewing proposed infrastructure projects such as storm and sanitary sewer repairs, as well as streets and sidewalks, in preparation of soliciting bids and contracts for work.
Due diligence and planning continues on other potential projects and amenities such as the Joplin Commons, a proposed multi-use facility that would offer a variety of sports and recreational programs to area residents. According to City of Joplin staff, one challenge in using federal CDBG-DR funding is the main recipients of a program or service must primarily fall into the category of low and moderate income (LMI) residents, which equates to 80% of Joplin’s median income. In other words, at least 51% of Joplin residents that utilize the facility must be LMI residents.
“Upon further City review of CDBG-DR guidelines, staff raised concerns that having all programs and activities under one roof would make the Commons project ineligible for federal funding through CDBG,” said Interim City Manager Sam Anselm. “To avoid putting the City at future financial risk, we are working on other ideas that would meet the same objectives as the Commons as it was originally proposed, but in a way that doesn’t put us in a position where we have to pay back the funds used to construct the facility.”
City staff is putting together a list of options for consideration and will present additional findings and information to the City Council in an upcoming council work session to discuss these and other potential projects. In addition, in the coming weeks the City of Joplin will host public participation forums to gather further input on projects to share with the consultant firm as they begin work.
Joplin Innovation Campus moves forward with new agreement
(From Gov. Jay Nixon)
A groundbreaking program to put Missouri students on a fast-track to jobs in high-demand fields, without taking on debt, took a big step forward in Joplin today, Gov. Jay Nixon announced. The Governor joined representatives of theJoplin Innovation Campus, including Missouri Southern State University, Crowder College, Joplin Schools and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, for the signing of a historic agreement to give students the opportunity to earn an associate degree while in high school.
“Since we launched the Innovation Campus initiative in 2012, it has become a national model for giving students the opportunity to earn more skills, in less time and at a lower cost,” Gov. Nixon said. “By reducing the time and cost needed to earn a degree, the Joplin Innovation Campus is putting students on a fast-track to success in fast-growing fields. This agreement to further strengthen an already robust partnership between Joplin higher education institutions, high schools and businesses will yield significant benefits for students and our economy for many years to come.”
In 2012, Gov. Nixon launched the Innovation Campus initiative and announced $9 million in Innovation Campus grants, including $1 million for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, to establish partnerships between local high schools, community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and area businesses. The goal of the Innovation Campus program is to train students for career opportunities in high-demand fields while cutting the time it takes to earn a college degree and reducing student debt.
The associate degree option for students is the next step in an ongoing collaboration between the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, MSSU, Crowder College, and JHS/FTC. Through the program, the JACC, MSSU, and Crowder College partner with JHS/FTC to offer dual credit courses to students and to help qualifying students pay for these courses through grants. Dual credit courses enable students to earn college credit hours while in high school.
“A skilled and educated workforce is essential to the success of Joplin businesses and the growth of our economy,” saidJoplin Area Chamber of Commerce President Rob O’Brien. “That is why we have been proud to partner with MSSU, Crowder College and Joplin Schools to offer students high-impact internships to prepare them to hit the ground running when they enter the workforce. Gov. Nixon’s Innovation Campus initiative is a big win for employers, for students and our economy.”
The associate degree agreements with MSSU and Crowder College will increase the number of dual credit courses offered at JHS/FTC beginning with the 2014/2015 school year. Dual credit courses will be offered in each of the five Career Paths -- Human Services, Business and Information Technology, Arts and Communication, Health Services, and Technical Sciences – giving students in each Career Path the opportunity to earn college credit.
Dozens of JHS/FTC students are already earning college credit hours through grants from the Innovation Campus program, which was implemented at JHS/FTC in the fall of 2013. During the fall semester, 29 students qualified for the program and enrolled in a total of 188 dual credit hours through MSSU.
“This program has already made an impact on students in our school,” said Dr. Kerry Sachetta, JHS principal. “The grants are giving students who have the capability to succeed at college-level work but who may have never considered taking a dual credit course due to the cost the option and inspiring them to view a college degree as achievable. The collaboration between the institutions involved has been outstanding and is helping the program and our students have early successes.”
“Being able to take dual credit in high school has made me more excited to further my education after I graduate,” saidMaricela Santillan, JHS junior. “Also, it allows me to take my basic classes now, so I can start classes that pertain to my field of study once I start college.”
Originally developed at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, similar Innovation Campus programs are underway in St. Joseph, Springfield, St. Louis, Jefferson City, St. Charles, Cape Girardeau and Rolla. Gov. Nixon’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal included an additional $1 million to continue supporting Innovation Campus programs throughout the state.
Senate Bill 381, signed into law last year by Gov. Nixon, officially defined in state statute an Innovation Campus as an educational partnership comprised of one or more Missouri public community colleges or Linn State Technical College; one or more Missouri public or private four-year institutions of higher education; one or more Missouri high schools or K-12 education districts; and at least one Missouri-based business.
A groundbreaking program to put Missouri students on a fast-track to jobs in high-demand fields, without taking on debt, took a big step forward in Joplin today, Gov. Jay Nixon announced. The Governor joined representatives of theJoplin Innovation Campus, including Missouri Southern State University, Crowder College, Joplin Schools and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, for the signing of a historic agreement to give students the opportunity to earn an associate degree while in high school.
“Since we launched the Innovation Campus initiative in 2012, it has become a national model for giving students the opportunity to earn more skills, in less time and at a lower cost,” Gov. Nixon said. “By reducing the time and cost needed to earn a degree, the Joplin Innovation Campus is putting students on a fast-track to success in fast-growing fields. This agreement to further strengthen an already robust partnership between Joplin higher education institutions, high schools and businesses will yield significant benefits for students and our economy for many years to come.”
In 2012, Gov. Nixon launched the Innovation Campus initiative and announced $9 million in Innovation Campus grants, including $1 million for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, to establish partnerships between local high schools, community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and area businesses. The goal of the Innovation Campus program is to train students for career opportunities in high-demand fields while cutting the time it takes to earn a college degree and reducing student debt.
The associate degree option for students is the next step in an ongoing collaboration between the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, MSSU, Crowder College, and JHS/FTC. Through the program, the JACC, MSSU, and Crowder College partner with JHS/FTC to offer dual credit courses to students and to help qualifying students pay for these courses through grants. Dual credit courses enable students to earn college credit hours while in high school.
“A skilled and educated workforce is essential to the success of Joplin businesses and the growth of our economy,” saidJoplin Area Chamber of Commerce President Rob O’Brien. “That is why we have been proud to partner with MSSU, Crowder College and Joplin Schools to offer students high-impact internships to prepare them to hit the ground running when they enter the workforce. Gov. Nixon’s Innovation Campus initiative is a big win for employers, for students and our economy.”
The associate degree agreements with MSSU and Crowder College will increase the number of dual credit courses offered at JHS/FTC beginning with the 2014/2015 school year. Dual credit courses will be offered in each of the five Career Paths -- Human Services, Business and Information Technology, Arts and Communication, Health Services, and Technical Sciences – giving students in each Career Path the opportunity to earn college credit.
Dozens of JHS/FTC students are already earning college credit hours through grants from the Innovation Campus program, which was implemented at JHS/FTC in the fall of 2013. During the fall semester, 29 students qualified for the program and enrolled in a total of 188 dual credit hours through MSSU.
“This program has already made an impact on students in our school,” said Dr. Kerry Sachetta, JHS principal. “The grants are giving students who have the capability to succeed at college-level work but who may have never considered taking a dual credit course due to the cost the option and inspiring them to view a college degree as achievable. The collaboration between the institutions involved has been outstanding and is helping the program and our students have early successes.”
“Being able to take dual credit in high school has made me more excited to further my education after I graduate,” saidMaricela Santillan, JHS junior. “Also, it allows me to take my basic classes now, so I can start classes that pertain to my field of study once I start college.”
Originally developed at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, similar Innovation Campus programs are underway in St. Joseph, Springfield, St. Louis, Jefferson City, St. Charles, Cape Girardeau and Rolla. Gov. Nixon’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal included an additional $1 million to continue supporting Innovation Campus programs throughout the state.
Senate Bill 381, signed into law last year by Gov. Nixon, officially defined in state statute an Innovation Campus as an educational partnership comprised of one or more Missouri public community colleges or Linn State Technical College; one or more Missouri public or private four-year institutions of higher education; one or more Missouri high schools or K-12 education districts; and at least one Missouri-based business.
(Video from Jet 14)
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Joplin Police Department DWI arrests March 24-26
The Joplin Police Department arrested the following people for driving while intoxicated:
Lance Shane Packard, 26, Joplin
Michael E. Francis, 47, Joplin
Karissa Nicole Ryan, 22, Joplin
Asenath C. Feely, 25, Uniontown, Kan.
Jacob M. Burch, 26, Joplin
Justin Earl Scheck, 28, Farmington
Lance Shane Packard, 26, Joplin
Michael E. Francis, 47, Joplin
Karissa Nicole Ryan, 22, Joplin
Asenath C. Feely, 25, Uniontown, Kan.
Jacob M. Burch, 26, Joplin
Justin Earl Scheck, 28, Farmington
Lane closures set at three locations for a week beginning Thursday
(From the City of Joplin)
Beginning Thursday, March 27, 2014 at 8 am until the following Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 8 pm, there will be various lane closures at the intersections of:
Maiden Ln. and 7th St.
20th St. and Indiana Ave
20th St. and Connecticut Ave.
20th St. and Indiana Ave
20th St. and Connecticut Ave.
Crews will be working on the City’s Overlay Project. 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 the Engineering Department at 624-0820, ext. 530.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
America's Got Talent's Nick Pike to perform at Missouri Southern
(From Southern News Service)
The Campus Activities Board is comprised of volunteer students who work throughout the school year with the Student Activities Office. CAB not only makes recommendations for what events to host on campus, but also helps to facilitate and advertise those events.
The Missouri Southern State University Student Activities Office will present British comedy juggler Nick Pike at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, in Corley Auditorium on the Missouri Southern campus.
Pike, who reached the quarter-finals on Season 5 of “America’s Got Talent,” performed live to over 15 million viewers during his time on the show. Hailing from Great Britain, he has been featured as the headline act on Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean cruises and Carnival Cruise Line.
“After seeing Nick Pike’s short skit at the National Association for Campus Activities conference, we knew we had to bring him to Missouri Southern,” said Campus Activities Board President Brittany Lampe. “Personally, I can’t wait to see his full show.”
The event is sponsored by CAB, which will give away free “I Saw Nick Pike Live at MSSU” T-shirts to the first 100 MSSU students who present a valid student ID at the event.
The performance is free and open to the public. The performance will last approximately one hour.
The Campus Activities Board is comprised of volunteer students who work throughout the school year with the Student Activities Office. CAB not only makes recommendations for what events to host on campus, but also helps to facilitate and advertise those events.
Accommodations related to a disability should be made to Landon Adams in the Student Activities Office at 417-625-9669 at least 72 hours prior to the events. Any additional questions regarding this event should also be directed to Student Activities.
Public meeting set to discuss construction plans for 171-43 roundabout
(From MODOT)
Airport Drive - There will be a public discussion at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 31 to layout construction plans for a two-lane roundabout to be built at Route 171/Route 43 in Airport Drive.
The meeting will be held at the Public Safety Training Facility in the General Aviation Terminal of Joplin Regional Airport, 5501 N. Dennis Weaver Drive.
MoDOT representatives will discuss construction plans for the intersection at Stone's Corner.
Clark, Winegardner, Patrick named to Regional Media Hall of Fame
(From Southern News Service)
degree in drama and speech before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He later received his master’s in communication with an emphasis in broadcasting. He took a broadcasting position at Missouri Southern in 1984 and founded MSTV that same year. In 1985, he worked on the proposal and license application for KXMS-FM. With the help of a handful of students, he put KXMS on the air in 1986. He retired from the university in 2008.
Winegardner graduated from the University of Kansas in 1970 and obtained a job as a news anchor for WREN radio in Topeka, Kan., that same year. He worked for stations in Kansas and Texas before joining KBTN Radio in Neosho as general manager in 1974. He served as president and general manager from 1984 to 2000. He worked as manager of Petracom of Joplin from 2000-03, and as director of sales and marketing for Crowder Industries before becoming vice president and the director of sales and marketing for Community Bank and Trust in 2004. He retired in 2012.
The Regional Media Hall of Fame at Missouri Southern State University will honor three media professionals during the annual awards dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in Billingsly Student Center’s Connor Ballroom.
Presented by the Department of Communication, the Hall of Fame awards honor media professionals who have made an impact regionally throughout their careers.
The 2014 recipients are Robert Clark, Nikki Patrick and David Winegardner.
Clark received his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and graduated with a
A native of Pittsburg, Kan., Patrick joined the staff of The Pittsburg Morning Sun in January of 1967. She worked part time, handling obituaries, rewrites and proofreading while attending Pittsburg State University. She went full time at the newspaper after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1968. She went on to earn her master’s the following year. She became the Morning Sun’s family living editor in 1978, and has served as the paper’s arts and entertainment correspondent, covering productions at every level.
Winegardner graduated from the University of Kansas in 1970 and obtained a job as a news anchor for WREN radio in Topeka, Kan., that same year. He worked for stations in Kansas and Texas before joining KBTN Radio in Neosho as general manager in 1974. He served as president and general manager from 1984 to 2000. He worked as manager of Petracom of Joplin from 2000-03, and as director of sales and marketing for Crowder Industries before becoming vice president and the director of sales and marketing for Community Bank and Trust in 2004. He retired in 2012.
The Regional Media Hall of Fame was created in 2006. Honorees receive a crystal trophy and are featured in a display located in the lobby of the broadcast facilities at Missouri Southern.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Joplin Police Department weekend DWI arrests
The Joplin Police Department arrested the following people over the weekend for driving while intoxicated:
Abby L. Skaggs, 42, Miami, Okla. DUI (drugs)
Michael E. Mathes, 45, Columbus, Kan.
Heather E. Roy, 47, Joplin
Kaden Cole Schrader, 19, Seneca
Dylan Cook, 34, Joplin
Jacob Burch, 26, Carthage
Abby L. Skaggs, 42, Miami, Okla. DUI (drugs)
Michael E. Mathes, 45, Columbus, Kan.
Heather E. Roy, 47, Joplin
Kaden Cole Schrader, 19, Seneca
Dylan Cook, 34, Joplin
Jacob Burch, 26, Carthage
JPD investigates armed robbery at Family Pharmacy
(From the Joplin Police Department)
On March 22nd, around 11:06am, Joplin Police were dispatched to an armed robbery that had just occurred at 3202 S Indiana, Family Pharmacy. Upon arriving on scene, witnesses stated that a white male possibly in his 20’s, approximately five feet ten inches, one hundred and fifty pounds, wearing a black sweat shirt, dark pants and a ski mask, entered the store. The suspect displayed a knife and demanded prescription medications. The suspect fled on foot west from the location.
There were no injuries reported.
As more information becomes available it will be released.
As more information becomes available it will be released.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Agenda posted for Tuesday's Board of Education meeting
The agenda has been posted for the 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, meeting of the Joplin R-8 Board of Education. The board will discuss the early childhood education program during its 5:30 p.m. work session and will also have a closed session.
A. Call to Order
1. Roll Call
B. Pledge of Allegiance
C. District Showcase - McKinley Elementary School
D. Approval of agenda - Action
E. Reports
1. Board President's Report
a. Student/Staff Recognition
2. Superintendent's Reports
a. MSSU/Crowder Associate's Degree Agreement
b. FTC Construction Video - Student Built House
c. Immersion in Cultural Education (I.C.E.) Presentation
d. Construction Updates
F. Public Comments Regarding Agenda Items *
G. Consent Agenda - Action
1. Approve Minutes - February 25, and March 11, 2014 - Action
2. Employment - Action
3. Retirement - Action
4. Resignation - Action
5. Columbia Safe Room Contstruction Items - Action
a. Bid Package #00.02 Testing and Inspections
b. Combo Bid Package #03.01 Concrete and 31.01 Earthwork
c. Bid Package #03.02 Precast Concrete
6. Junge Stadium Safe Room Construction Item - Action
a. Change Order #2 - Bid Package #21.01 Fire Suppression
7. West Central Safe Room Construction Items - Action
a. Bid package #00.02 Testing and Inspections
b. Combo Bid Package #03.01 Concrete and #31.01 Earthwork
c. Bid Package #03.02 Precast Concrete
8. JHS/FTC Construction Items - Action
a. Change Management #104 - Bid Package #30 Concrete Footings and Piers
b. Change Management #108 - Bid Package #32 Additional Site Utilities
9. JHS Projectors and Installation - Action
10. JHS Visual Equipment - Action
11. JHS Network Infrastructure - Action
12. Project Lead the Way Enhancement Grant Equipment - Action
13. Construction Technology/Natural Resources Technology Enhancement Grant - Action
14. Construction Technology Enhancement Grant Diesel Technology Program - Action
15. Purchase of Kitchen Equipment for the Culinary Arts Program - Action
16. Board of Education Resolution to Support the Expansion of Joplin Schools' Early Childhood Program - Action
17. Fuel for District Vehicles - Info
18. Financial Statements - Info.
19. Health Insurance and Dental Care Insurance Reports - Info.
H. Regular Agenda
1. Accounts Payable - Action
I. Discussion Items
1. March Enrollment 2014
J. Closed Session - RSMO.610.021 (1) Legal, (2) Real Estate, (3) Personnel and (12) Identifiable personnel records.
K. Adjournment
A. Call to Order
1. Roll Call
B. Pledge of Allegiance
C. District Showcase - McKinley Elementary School
D. Approval of agenda - Action
E. Reports
1. Board President's Report
a. Student/Staff Recognition
2. Superintendent's Reports
a. MSSU/Crowder Associate's Degree Agreement
b. FTC Construction Video - Student Built House
c. Immersion in Cultural Education (I.C.E.) Presentation
d. Construction Updates
F. Public Comments Regarding Agenda Items *
G. Consent Agenda - Action
1. Approve Minutes - February 25, and March 11, 2014 - Action
2. Employment - Action
3. Retirement - Action
4. Resignation - Action
5. Columbia Safe Room Contstruction Items - Action
a. Bid Package #00.02 Testing and Inspections
b. Combo Bid Package #03.01 Concrete and 31.01 Earthwork
c. Bid Package #03.02 Precast Concrete
6. Junge Stadium Safe Room Construction Item - Action
a. Change Order #2 - Bid Package #21.01 Fire Suppression
7. West Central Safe Room Construction Items - Action
a. Bid package #00.02 Testing and Inspections
b. Combo Bid Package #03.01 Concrete and #31.01 Earthwork
c. Bid Package #03.02 Precast Concrete
8. JHS/FTC Construction Items - Action
a. Change Management #104 - Bid Package #30 Concrete Footings and Piers
b. Change Management #108 - Bid Package #32 Additional Site Utilities
9. JHS Projectors and Installation - Action
10. JHS Visual Equipment - Action
11. JHS Network Infrastructure - Action
12. Project Lead the Way Enhancement Grant Equipment - Action
13. Construction Technology/Natural Resources Technology Enhancement Grant - Action
14. Construction Technology Enhancement Grant Diesel Technology Program - Action
15. Purchase of Kitchen Equipment for the Culinary Arts Program - Action
16. Board of Education Resolution to Support the Expansion of Joplin Schools' Early Childhood Program - Action
17. Fuel for District Vehicles - Info
18. Financial Statements - Info.
19. Health Insurance and Dental Care Insurance Reports - Info.
H. Regular Agenda
1. Accounts Payable - Action
I. Discussion Items
1. March Enrollment 2014
J. Closed Session - RSMO.610.021 (1) Legal, (2) Real Estate, (3) Personnel and (12) Identifiable personnel records.
K. Adjournment
Friday, March 21, 2014
April 11 catered dinner to raise money for JHS Project Graduation
(From Joplin High School Project Graduation)
Help support Joplin High School class of 2014 Project Graduation as they leave the nest with a sensational drug and alcohol free send off on graduation night. Parents and volunteers are raising money for this annual tradition with a new partner in Chicken Annie’s.
On Friday, April 11, the public is invited to dine in or carryout a complete meal catered by the famous Chicken Annie’s of Pittsburg. The meal will be served from 4: 30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Joplin High School Northpark Mall Campus and will consist of a three-piece chicken dinner, German potato salad, cole slaw and bread for $10.
Attendees must make reservations and payment with the attached order form before April 8, 2014
For more details, contact April Renken 417-437-5839 or e-mail arenken3@hotmail.com.
Help support Joplin High School class of 2014 Project Graduation as they leave the nest with a sensational drug and alcohol free send off on graduation night. Parents and volunteers are raising money for this annual tradition with a new partner in Chicken Annie’s.
On Friday, April 11, the public is invited to dine in or carryout a complete meal catered by the famous Chicken Annie’s of Pittsburg. The meal will be served from 4: 30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Joplin High School Northpark Mall Campus and will consist of a three-piece chicken dinner, German potato salad, cole slaw and bread for $10.
Attendees must make reservations and payment with the attached order form before April 8, 2014
For more details, contact April Renken 417-437-5839 or e-mail arenken3@hotmail.com.
Drive 4 UR School Program test drive set to raise funds for JHS Project Graduation
(From Joplin High School Project Graduation)
Help support Joplin High School class of 2014 Project Graduation with a free test drive from Ford Motor Company. The Drive 4 UR School Program was developed as a fun, engaging way to help local high schools raise money to support extracurricular activities. Joplin High School Project Graduation 2014 volunteers have partnered with Frank Fletcher Ford to conduct a test-drive fundraising event. For every valid test drive completed, Ford Motor company will donate $20 to JHS Project Graduation, up to $6,000.
Your time is worth cash to the class of 2014! Stop by the JHS Mall Campus on Sunday, March 30th
to sample a Ford and bring a generous donation to the Project Graduation efforts.
For details: www.facebook.com/drive4URschool and follow the progress of JHS Project Graduation 2014 www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=507132876039697
For details, contact Lori Layne 417-540-0243.
Project graduation is a volunteer project to offer the senior class a drug-free and alcohol-free party after graduation ceremonies.
Like JHS Project Graduation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=507132876039697
Thursday, March 20, 2014
JFD responds to grass fire at 2510 E. Rosedale Place
(From the Joplin Fire Department)
The Joplin Fire Department responded to a reported Grass Fire at 2510 E Rosedale PL, at 1:26 PM, Thursday, 20 March, 2014. Fire crews arrived on the scene at 1:32 PM to find a grass fire in the back yard, which fire was spreading fast and threatening a wood shed, having already ignited two areas of the exterior of the house. Crews extinguished the fire on the exterior of the house, then the grass fire and then checked the shed where they found some smoke. The fire was declared under control at 1:38 PM. Crews remained on scene until 2:40 PM.
No injuries were reported to either fire personnel or others in the area. Two Joplin Fire units and four Joplin Fire personnel responded as well as JPD.
Investigation found that the fire started from a cardboard box full of ashes from the fire place, as well as cigarettes. Due to winds and low humidity the box ignited and the fire spread to the surrounding grass.
The home owner is Scott Eastman.
The Joplin Fire Department responded to a reported Grass Fire at 2510 E Rosedale PL, at 1:26 PM, Thursday, 20 March, 2014. Fire crews arrived on the scene at 1:32 PM to find a grass fire in the back yard, which fire was spreading fast and threatening a wood shed, having already ignited two areas of the exterior of the house. Crews extinguished the fire on the exterior of the house, then the grass fire and then checked the shed where they found some smoke. The fire was declared under control at 1:38 PM. Crews remained on scene until 2:40 PM.
No injuries were reported to either fire personnel or others in the area. Two Joplin Fire units and four Joplin Fire personnel responded as well as JPD.
Investigation found that the fire started from a cardboard box full of ashes from the fire place, as well as cigarettes. Due to winds and low humidity the box ignited and the fire spread to the surrounding grass.
The home owner is Scott Eastman.
Thomas Jefferson offering Camp Invention program
In partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School is pleased to offer the nationally-acclaimed Camp Invention program to children entering grades one through six. It’s an exciting, weeklong summer adventure in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) that’s all about big ideas. Children will worktogether to seek innovative solutions to real-world problems and sharpen critical 21st century learning skills as they rotate through four modules that reinvent summer fun.
This unforgettable week of the MORPHED!™ program at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School is scheduled for the week of July 14th, from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
In the Super Go module, students design a small, motor-powered vehicle that zooms! Girls and boys will collect energy coins along the way for building ramps, bridges and tunnels for the Super Go Road Rally.
Participants will receive personalized challenges from National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees that will ignite a spirit of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship during the Design Studio: Morphed module.
Throughout the Amplified module, children invent bionic gadgets while journeying to acquire superhuman senses. Time will be spent encountering illusions and discovering if they are a supertaster.
Finally, Camp Invention’s flagship module, I Can Invent: Pinbug, allows participants to use tools to upcycle electronics and build an epic, insect-themed pinball machine!
Register early to get the deepest discounts! Every registration includes a complimentary Camp Invention t-shirt. Availability is limited, so visit www.campinvention.org or call (800) 968- 4332 to reserve your child’s spot today.
Thomas Jefferson eighth grader to compete in Missouri National Geographic Bee
Congratulations to 8th Grader Lewis Weller (with Academic Dean Steven McCollum in photo) on his selection to compete in the Missouri National Geographic Bee.
After winning TJ’s Geography Bee in December, Lewis took a qualifying written test. The National Geographic Society selected the top 100 scorers in the state and they were entered in the Missouri contest scheduled for April 4 in Moberly, Mo.
If Lewis wins the state bee, he will receive cash and prizes, and will represent Missouri in the National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C., May 19-22. The national winner will receive a $50,000 college scholarship and other prizes.
Joplin Homebuyers Assistance Program reaches $1 million level
(From the City of Joplin)
The City of Joplin’s Joplin Homebuyers Assistance Program (J-HAP) program officially reached the $1 million level of financial assistance for local homebuyers this past week, offering support to individuals and families who wish to purchase a home in the recovery area. Launched August 10, 2013 by the City to help support single-family housing recovery following the May 2011 disaster, J-HAP has received a high level of interest from public, with 105 J-HAP Applications approved and 38 J-HAP Closings completed to date.
The public is invited to stop in to the J-HAP Program office to learn more about the program and meet the J-HAP team. It will be open tonight during the City of Joplin’s Third Thursday Event on March 20, 2014. Located at 531 S. Main Street, is directly on the primary Third Thursday route. If not able to stop by this evening, the office is open Monday through Friday and would welcome interested visitors. For further details please call 417-850-2249.
The City of Joplin would also like to announce the transition of our J-HAP partner administrator. As of February 17, 2014, Nan McKay & Associates (NMA) assumed the J-HAP administrative duties previously performed by Economic Security Corporation of the Southwest Area (ESC). NMA has been a national provider of professional services and program management to the affordable housing industry since 1980. NMA has provided homeownership program consulting and training to dozens of public housing authorities across the country. In addition, NMA administers the second-largest homeownership program in the nation, working with 377 families, on behalf of a large agency in the Midwest. NMA possesses extensive experience in: promoting program enrollment, holding program briefings for applicants and community stakeholders, performing housing inspections, determining program eligibility, and monitoring program compliance. CEO John McKay states, "We are honored to work with the City of Joplin on the J-HAP program. NMA has long been a proponent of HUD-assisted homeownership programs. We look forward to helping the deserving families of Joplin find affordable homes in support of the continued recovery."
The Joplin Homebuyers Assistance Program (J-HAP) has been implemented to assist eligible homebuyers with down-payment and/or closing costs. Funding assistance for this program is being provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, through a Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) award, which was received as a result of the May 22, 2011 tornado.
J-HAP is not limited to first-time homebuyers or to those affected by the tornado, although there are certain federal requirements that must be met to be eligible for the use of this J-HAP funded forgivable loan. Joplin residents and others interested in moving to Joplin can learn more about the J-HAP qualifications and guidelines by logging onto the City’s CDBG-DR website under the J-HAP information link at www.joplinmo.org/cdbg-dr. Individuals who have additional questions or who are interested in applying for the J-HAP should call the J-HAP Program Office at 417-850-2249 to schedule an appointment. A J-HAP Application Packet may obtained by submitting a request to the J-HAP Program Office by e-mail at jhap@nanmckay.com or in person at 531 S. Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) are available within the J-HAP information link at www.joplinmo.org/cdbg-dr. We encourage all potential applicants, agents, lenders, and builders to please refer to the FAQs, or contact the J-HAP Program Office with any questions, or concerns at 417-850-2249.
City to close northern extension on Swede Road
(From the City of Joplin)
The City of Joplin will close the northern extension on Swede Road on April 4, 2014. This temporary road was originally built to provide access for residents living in the temporary housing units provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the disaster of May 2011.
The road will be restored to its pre-2011 access. Electronic signs will be posted at the extension entrances of Swede Lane located south of the former FEMA park area and also at the northern entrance at the Missouri Highway 171 intersection. Jersey barriers will be put in place to restrict access. Citizens are asked to prepare now for alternate routes.
“With the relocation of the former tenants’ location, it is no longer necessary to keep this road as a through street,” said Lynden Lawson, Assistant Director of Public Works for Operations. “This area is being redeveloped, including the construction of the permanent Public Safety Training Center.”
For more information, contact Lawson at 417-624-0820, ext. 560.
Red flag warning issued for Joplin area today
(From the National Weather Service)
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPRINGFIELD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR SIGNIFICANT FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING.
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPRINGFIELD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR SIGNIFICANT FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING.
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Veterans Enterprise Forum 2014 set for March 27
(From Southern News Service)
The Missouri Southern State University Small Business & Technology Development Center and the Center for Entrepreneurship will sponsor Veterans Enterprise Forum 2014 on Thursday, March 27, in Cornell Auditorium in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at MSSU.
The purpose of the forum is to provide American veterans with information about educational, business, financial and governmental programs and services that are available. It will feature a series of brief presentations from speakers about veterans programs, networking opportunities and lunch.
Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. and the program will conclude at 3:30 p.m. A complete schedule is included below.
The event is sponsored by the MSSU Small Business and Technology Development Center, Liberty Bank and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. It is free for veterans and military personnel.
To register, call 417-625-3128 or visit www.mssutraining.com.
The Missouri Southern State University Small Business & Technology Development Center and the Center for Entrepreneurship will sponsor Veterans Enterprise Forum 2014 on Thursday, March 27, in Cornell Auditorium in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at MSSU.
The purpose of the forum is to provide American veterans with information about educational, business, financial and governmental programs and services that are available. It will feature a series of brief presentations from speakers about veterans programs, networking opportunities and lunch.
Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. and the program will conclude at 3:30 p.m. A complete schedule is included below.
The event is sponsored by the MSSU Small Business and Technology Development Center, Liberty Bank and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. It is free for veterans and military personnel.
To register, call 417-625-3128 or visit www.mssutraining.com.
Road closures planned for Third Thursday
(From the City of Joplin)
Thursday, March 20, 2014, Main St. will be closed for the 3rd Thursday of the month celebration. Main St. from 4th St. to 7th St. will be closed from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm. 5th St. and 6th St. will be closed from Joplin Ave. to Virginia Ave. 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 Engineering Department at 624-0820, ext. 530.
Thursday, March 20, 2014, Main St. will be closed for the 3rd Thursday of the month celebration. Main St. from 4th St. to 7th St. will be closed from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm. 5th St. and 6th St. will be closed from Joplin Ave. to Virginia Ave. 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 Engineering Department at 624-0820, ext. 530.
Students receive awards at German Armed Forces event
(From Southern News Service)
Three officer candidates from the Show-Me Gold program at Missouri Southern State University received awards during the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge event held March 8-9 at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Sophomore Joshua Turner and freshman Brandon Walker, both criminal justice majors, were awarded gold medals during the event. Daniel Hudson, a freshman drafting and design major, received a silver medal.
The German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency is a decoration of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is one of the foreign awards approved for wear on the uniform by the U.S. Army.
The proficiency competition is overseen by a German sergeant major. It begins with a basic fit test, which includes an 11- by 10-meter sprint, a 1,000-meter sprint and a chin-up event.
“How well you do in those events determines if you’re going to participate in the rest of the events for gold, silver or bronze,” said Capt. Amanda Self, who coordinates the Missouri National Guard leadership program at Missouri Southern.
Candidates then have to swim 100 meters in uniform, complete first aid and chemical mask tests and a 9 mm pistol qualification. Participants also compete in a ruck march event, carrying a ruck sack that weighs at least 33 pounds.
“It was fun,” said Turner. “It brought back the feel of a track meet. A lot of preparation went into getting ourselves ready for the event. The swimming event was one of the tougher events we had to prepare for. I’m not a regular swimmer, so getting in the pool and getting my technique down was (a lot of work).”
Five students from Missouri Southern competed in the event, and Self said that officer candidates will be competing in another German Armed Forces proficiency event in April.
“I’m really proud of them,” she said. “I’m glad we have the opportunity to show the university that we have such stellar candidates in this program. They’re definitely taking it by storm.”
The Show-Me Gold program gives participants the opportunity for professional development and to become commissioned officers in the Missouri Army National Guard. It consists of classroom instruction, leadership laboratories and physical conditioning. Students are enrolled in academic programs at Missouri Southern, but also take military science courses offered through the National Guard.
Film series to continue with "End of August at the Hotel Ozone"
(From Southern News Service)
The 52nd annual International Film Festival will continue with “The End of August at the Hotel Ozone” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in Cornell Auditorium.
Directed by Jan Schmidt, the 1967 Czechoslovakian film follows a group of women who revert to primitive barbarity in order to survive after a nuclear war. Newsday called the film “a gripping, frightening horror story of the ultimate brutalization of humanity after most of the world has blown itself up.”
Presented by the Missouri Southern Film Society and the Institute of International Studies, admission is free and open to the public.
The series will continue on April 8 with the 1956 Polish film “Shadow.
Portion of Industrial Road to be closed for two weeks
(From the City of Joplin)
Effective today from 8:00 am until Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 5:00 pm, Industrial Rd. will be closed from Enterprise Ave. to Kennedy Ln. Crews will be working on road 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 the Engineering Department at 624-0820, ext. 530.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
KODE to air "Leaders of the Future" program on Joplin City Council race
(From KODE)
KODE-TV will air a special program featuring responses from Joplin City Council candidates in the April 8th election. On Monday, March 24th at 6:30pm, the program “Leaders of the Future” will be hosted by KODE’s Gretchen Bolander. This will be a 30 minute question and answer session of those running for the zone one, zone four, and three general council seats.
The questions asked of the candidates will be submitted by viewers of KODE-TV, each candidate will be given the same questions and all be allotted equal time to answer the questions posed by Mrs. Bolander.
The full candidate interviews will be available for viewing on fourstateshompage.com immediately following the broadcast.
KODE-TV 12 is the ABC affiliate for Joplin/Pittsburg.
KODE-TV will air a special program featuring responses from Joplin City Council candidates in the April 8th election. On Monday, March 24th at 6:30pm, the program “Leaders of the Future” will be hosted by KODE’s Gretchen Bolander. This will be a 30 minute question and answer session of those running for the zone one, zone four, and three general council seats.
The questions asked of the candidates will be submitted by viewers of KODE-TV, each candidate will be given the same questions and all be allotted equal time to answer the questions posed by Mrs. Bolander.
The full candidate interviews will be available for viewing on fourstateshompage.com immediately following the broadcast.
KODE-TV 12 is the ABC affiliate for Joplin/Pittsburg.
Meet the Joplin City Council Candidates to air on KSN
(From KSN)
KSNF-TV will air a special program featuring responses from Joplin City Council candidates in the April 8th election. On Tuesday , March 25th at 6:30pm, the program “Meet the Candidates” will be hosted by KSN’s Philip Mitchell. This will be a 30 minute question and answer session of those running for the zone one, zone four, and three general council seats.
The questions asked of the candidates will be submitted by viewers of KSNF-TV, each candidate will be given the same questions and all be allotted equal time to answer the questions.
The full candidate interviews will be available for viewing on fourstateshompage.com immediately following the broadcast.
KSNF-TV 16 is the NBC affiliate for Joplin/Pittsburg.
KSNF-TV will air a special program featuring responses from Joplin City Council candidates in the April 8th election. On Tuesday , March 25th at 6:30pm, the program “Meet the Candidates” will be hosted by KSN’s Philip Mitchell. This will be a 30 minute question and answer session of those running for the zone one, zone four, and three general council seats.
The questions asked of the candidates will be submitted by viewers of KSNF-TV, each candidate will be given the same questions and all be allotted equal time to answer the questions.
The full candidate interviews will be available for viewing on fourstateshompage.com immediately following the broadcast.
KSNF-TV 16 is the NBC affiliate for Joplin/Pittsburg.
Nearly $1 million given to local groups through Joplin Tornado First Response Fund
(From the City of Joplin)
It was just three days after the May 22, 2011 disaster that the Joplin Tornado First Response Fund was established for donors who were seeking a way to help the community after the devastating EF-5 tornado. Now, just short of three years, nearly one million dollars have been received and given to numerous community groups who work to provide for the safety, security and recovery of the residents of Joplin and Duquesne.
During a Press Conference today, Phil Stinnett, Chairman of the Tornado First Response Board, provided a full report of the allocations totaling $995,951.82, which includes $23,811.38 worth of interest on the $972,140.44 amount of donations.
“First, let me say thank you,” he said. “Nearly one million dollars came into our community from hundreds of people. The compassion and support of so many people are reflected in the grants that were given with their donations. Twenty-seven agencies were able to use these funds to provide assistance to thousands who were affected by the disaster.”
On May 25, 2011, the City of Joplin announced the establishment of the Joplin Tornado First Response Fund, in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri (CFSWMO), for donors interested in supporting redevelopment mid- and long term community redevelopment efforts. The Fund’s Board of Trustees offered three grant cycles, and awarded grants to charitable organizations & governmental entities for the use of funds to provide:
1. Relief to tornado survivors
2. Rebuilding & restoring infrastructure
3. Enhancing disaster preparedness through improved warning and safety measures.
According to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO), the parent of the CFSWMO, the Tornado First Response Fund received 991 gifts, ranging from $1 to $119,000 that came from around the world. Donations to this fund have slowed, grant allocations continue to provide assistance, with 41 grants given to 27 various agencies for a diverse spectrum of new and replacement needs including home construction and repairs, housing, furnishings and appliances, emergency weather radios, wheelchairs, storm shelters, playground equipment, children’s services addressing behavioral and emotional disorders from trauma of tornado, and staffing of growing services needed by survivors of May 22, 2011. (Please see full report at joplinmo.org/TornadoFirstResponseFundReport.)
By utilizing three grant cycles, Stinnett was pleased with the timing of the fund allocations. “Although some may have thought this was dragged out a little long, we intentionally did it in this manner. Disaster management officials had indicated that after the first wave of support coming into our community, some of those resources would leave, and we would still have needs that aren’t being met. As this occurred, the recovery efforts continued because this fund was a resource, allowing the agencies to address the unmet needs of the community.”
In recognizing his fellow Board members, Stinnett, who served on the Council from1998 - 2010 and as Mayor from 2004 - 2006, thanked them for their commitment and dedication in their work these past three years. During each grant cycle, members reviewed applications, and interviewed some of the applicants before making decisions about which agencies to fund.
“We saw numerous individuals who are devoted to helping those who were hurting, and provided for their well-being - mentally, physically and spiritually. In looking through the various needs that have been filled through these grants, I am honored to have been a part of this. It has been truly rewarding to work on this Board.”
The Tornado First Response Fund is one of 21 funds being managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its Joplin-based affiliate, the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri. Many organizations, employers and individuals established various funds for donors that addressed either a general area or a segment of the recovery. Louise Knauer, CFO Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing, noted that some funds remain open and continue to make disbursements. Anyone interested in more information or donating to the recovery efforts of Joplin and Duquesne can visit www.cfozarks.org/donate or www.joplinrecoveryfund.org .
Results provided for Joplin Police Department DWI checkpoint
(From the Joplin Police Department)
On Saturday March 15th, 2014 the Joplin Police Department along with members of the Southwest Missouri DWI Taskforce and the support of MADD hosted a DWI checkpoint on North Main near Ozark Christian College.
The goals of the checkpoint were to:
1. Detect and apprehend impaired drivers
2. Raise Awareness to the dangers of Driving while intoxicated or impaired.
3. Encourage people to plan events and alternate transportation accordingly.
1. Detect and apprehend impaired drivers
2. Raise Awareness to the dangers of Driving while intoxicated or impaired.
3. Encourage people to plan events and alternate transportation accordingly.
The check point was in service from 9:45 pm to 1:30 am. Sunday morning
706 drivers were contacted
16 field sobriety test were conducted on subjects
16 field sobriety test were conducted on subjects
10 Total arrest were made including
6-DWIs
29-total tickets
40-warnings
1-marijuana
6-DWIs
29-total tickets
40-warnings
1-marijuana
This checkpoint was funded through a grant provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division.
National magazine spotlights Joplin's 21st Century schools
Tne new Joplin schools, particularly Joplin High School, are featured in the latest edition of Emergency Management magazine:
Joplin officials took the opportunity to incorporate 21st-century learning environments into the new schools. District leaders engaged high school staff, students, administrators and parents to brainstorm new ideas. A team of administrators toured tech-savvy schools around the country, as well as innovative companies like Apple in Cupertino, Calif., to examine cutting-edge work environments.
“We didn’t take the traditional approach to school construction,” (Superintendent C. J.) Huff said. “We are creating schools that have a very open environment and collaborative spaces.”
The new schools have moveable walls that allow educators to create flexible spaces where students can collaborate in large and small groups. In addition, small group “think tank” areas are located in all the new buildings.
Technology also plays a key role. Franklin Technology Center will be incorporated into the new Joplin High School, and thanks to a $1 million donation from the United Arab Emirates Embassy, all 2,200 Joplin high school students now have a dual-platform laptop computer. All new buildings are also wired for current and future technology opportunities.
From a curriculum perspective, Huff said they have developed a new Career Pathway framework for course delivery.
“In essence we will be creating interdisciplinary teams that are in the process of delivering rigorous, project-based instruction in the students’ areas of interest,” he said. “We have five broad career pathways kids can choose from.”
Care was also taken to ensure the new school buildings would be efficient. While they won’t be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rated due to the high cost of certification, the buildings were built with sustainability in mind, with everything from the materials used, to rain water collection for irrigation, to natural daylighting, and motion on/off switches in the classrooms. In addition, the new Joplin High School has a conduit in place to incorporate solar power once it becomes cost effective.
“We didn’t take the traditional approach to school construction,” (Superintendent C. J.) Huff said. “We are creating schools that have a very open environment and collaborative spaces.”
The new schools have moveable walls that allow educators to create flexible spaces where students can collaborate in large and small groups. In addition, small group “think tank” areas are located in all the new buildings.
Technology also plays a key role. Franklin Technology Center will be incorporated into the new Joplin High School, and thanks to a $1 million donation from the United Arab Emirates Embassy, all 2,200 Joplin high school students now have a dual-platform laptop computer. All new buildings are also wired for current and future technology opportunities.
From a curriculum perspective, Huff said they have developed a new Career Pathway framework for course delivery.
“In essence we will be creating interdisciplinary teams that are in the process of delivering rigorous, project-based instruction in the students’ areas of interest,” he said. “We have five broad career pathways kids can choose from.”
Care was also taken to ensure the new school buildings would be efficient. While they won’t be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rated due to the high cost of certification, the buildings were built with sustainability in mind, with everything from the materials used, to rain water collection for irrigation, to natural daylighting, and motion on/off switches in the classrooms. In addition, the new Joplin High School has a conduit in place to incorporate solar power once it becomes cost effective.
Trevor Project to offer suicide prevention watch
(From Southern News Service)
The MSSU Equality Alliance and Ozark Center will host the second annual Trevor Project workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, in the Billingsly Student Center Ballroom at Missouri Southern State University.
The Trevor Project was founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award-winning short film “Trevor.” The national organization offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youths ages 13 to 24.
“They’re geared toward suicide prevention in the LGBTQ population,” said Dr. AmyKay Cole, faculty representative for the MSSU Equality Alliance. “This part of the country has a great need for suicide prevention in that population. It may not be that we have more people in crisis, but that there are fewer avenues for people to get help.”
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death in young people ages 15 to 24. Young people in the LGBTQ community are four times more likely to attempt suicide compared to their straight peers.
Beth Schroeder, a regional coordinator for the Trevor Project, will give those attending the presentation a basic understanding of the LGBTQ population, what their needs are and how to approach someone who might be struggling with desperation or thoughts of suicide.
“She will talk about what to say, what not to say, how to tell if they need more help and where to refer them should that be a need,” said Cole.
In addition to operating a 24/7 national suicide prevention hotline and online resources, the Trevor Project also offers workshops and training for youth, adults and educators.
The presentation at Missouri Southern is made possible through a grant from the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
“We’re trying to represent the LGBTQ community and show support in any way we can to our members,” said Kristen Stacy, president of the MSSU Equality Alliance. “But this is a presentation for everybody, not just LGBTQ people. Anybody can help stop a suicide.”
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