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.