Sleeping driver injured in accident at Joplin city limits

A sleeping driver was injured in an accident 8:10 a.m. today on MO 43 at the south Joplin city limits.

According to the Highway Patrol report, Rebecca Conway, 47, Fort Scott, Kansas, driving a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, fell asleep, ran off the right side of the road, struck a ditch, went airborne, and struck another ditch.

She was treated for minor injuries at Freeman West Hospital.

Highway Patrol DWI Arrests, June 13-14

The Missouri Highway Patrol arrested the following people for driving while intoxicated:

Ronald R. Harris, 35, Springfield
John M. Gates, 35, Wheatland
Wilver A. Rodriguez, 22, Hollister
Jimmy A. Swint, 22, Billings

Three Neosho residents injured after near head-on collision

Three Neosho residents were injured in a two-vehicle accident 9:02 p.m. Friday on Kodiak Road, one mile south of Neosho.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1999 Toyota driven by Chelsey D. Irvin, 29, Neosho, collided nearly head-on with a 2003 Dodge Caravan driven by Donald D. Bakanas at the top of a hill.

Irvin received serious injuries and a passenger in the Bakanas vehicle, Kenneth C. Frost, 44, Neosho, received moderate injuries. Both were taken to Freeman West Hospital, Joplin.

Bakanas received minor injuries, but did not go to the hospital.

Jasper teen injured in two-vehicle accident near Alba

A Jasper teen was injured in a two-vehicle accident 1:05 p.m. today at County Road 210 and Redbud, five miles north of Alba.

According to the Highway Patrol report, the accident occurred when a 2014 Dodge 1500 driven by Jake T. Bullard, 21, Afton, Oklahoma, failed to stop at a stop sign and hit a 2006 Mercedes Benz Sprinter driven by Matthew Dumm, 43, Jasper, causing it to overturn.

Injured was a passenger in the Dumm vehicle, Kori J. Harper, 17, Jasper. She was treated at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, for moderate injuries.

JFD responds to fire at 328 N. Joplin

(From the Joplin Fire Department)

The Joplin Fire Department responded to a reported Structure Fire at 328 N. Joplin at 10:42 pm Thursday, June 12, 2014. Fire crews arrived on the scene at 10:45 pm to find a single story residential structure with fire showing from the front of the structure. Personnel were able to quickly contain the fire to the front half of the structure.

The fire was declared under control at 11:16pm and out at 12:21am. Crews remained on scene until 1:13 am. 

Occupant and ownership information is unavailable at this time.
 
No injuries were reported to either fire personnel or others in the area. Seven Joplin Fire units and 17 Joplin Fire personnel responded. 

The cause of the fire was still under investigation at the time of this writing. 

Wood chip giveaways set for next week

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin will resume its free wood chip giveaways on June 20 and 21 and various Fridays and Saturdays until the chips are gone, the City will load wood chips from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., weather permitting. Bring a truck or trailer to the wood chip site, and City employees will use heavy equipment to load the wood chips for you. THIS FREE EVENT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF RESIDENCY.

The wood chip site is located 6/10 (six tenths) of a mile north of the intersection of Belle Center Road on North Schifferdecker Avenue, commonly known as Snow Ball Hill between Zora and Belle Center. Look for the sign and turn onto the driveway on the west side of Schifferdecker Avenue.

The chips are derived from many different trees that came down in the December 2013 ice storm. They are then mixed together during the grinding process.

Mike McDaniel, City Arborist reminds residents, “When applied around trees, the mulch should not touch the trunk of the tree. It should resemble a flattened doughnut and be no more than three to four inches deep.” To receive additional information or a printed flyer, contact the Parks Department at 417-624-6937.

Wood chips are effective in controlling soil erosion and insulating plant roots against extreme temperatures. Mulching reduces evaporation thus the need to water, which helps conserve water resources. Placing wood chips around plants and trees also controls weeds thus reduces the need for herbicides, which helps prevent water pollution. Mulch also protects the trunk and surface roots from mowers and string trimmers.

Self-serve wood chips are available at the Joplin Recycling Center, 1310 West A Street. The center is open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The City will offer wood chips in bulk quantities again on July 18 & 19, if supply has not been depleted. Please watch for future announcements. For more information, call the Joplin Recycling Coordinator at 417-624-0820 Ext. 501.

MODOT provides update on 171/143 roundabout construction

(From MODOT)

Route 43/Route 171 Roundabout Construction

Update for Week of June 16, 2014

Work scheduled: Finish laying base rock for future pavement Finish building curbs and gutters Grade and pave entrances and street approaches in various locations  Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule.  Traffic Impacts: Nigthttime lane closings at times between 7 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. At least one lane of traffic open in each directions at all times Project Background: Build two-lane roundabout at Route 171/Route 43 intersection in Airport Drive Widen Route 171 to five-lanes (two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane) between Route 43 to just east of Fir Road Prime Contractor: APAC, Springfield Completion Date: August 28, 2014 Construction Cost: $2.6 million