Carthage Fire Department releases 2024 statistics

(From the Carthage Police Department)

The Carthage Fire Department responded to a total of 2003 calls in 2024.

Structure fires - 40
Vehicle fires - 17
Natural cover fires - 90
Motor vehicle accidents - 175

Medical calls - 1172
Hazardous material - 57
Automatic/Mutual aid - 20
Miscellaneous - 432

666 of these calls were responded to in the District and 1337 of them were responded to in the City.

Elks Lodge community projects topic of Newsmakers program

(From KGCS)

Christmas was brighter for more than 200 families in 2024 thanks to the Joplin Elks Lodge. The fraternal organization got its start in Joplin in 1899 as the Joplin Elks Lodge 3501 Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks. Its 125-year history is the subject of the upcoming Newsmakers program.

Ted Easley, a former exalted rule and a current board member, discusses the Elks legacy in Joplin and how the organization is structured. Easley explains the groups philanthropy mission of addressing poverty while also supporting youth through ball team sponsorships and scholarships. Member Nancy Bettasso, who chaired the recent Christmas Food and Toy Basket drive, discusses how the Elks serve hundreds of children and families each year as well as veterans.

Newsmakers is airing nightly at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. the week of January 5 on KGCS-TV and will air at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, January 11 on KOAM-TV. It is also posted on the station’s YouTube channel: KGCS - Missouri Southern State University.

KGCS programming can be seen on channel 21 and is also available on regional cable television systems such as Sparklight, Mediacom and Optimum Internet in Carthage. The station operates as a service of the Department of Communication at Missouri Southern State University.

Missouri Southern volleyball coach resigns

(From Missouri Southern Athletics)

The Missouri Southern Athletic Department has announced the resignation of Head Coach Kalie Carlile. Joshua Moore has been named Interim Head Coach, effective immediately.

"I cannot express enough gratitude for the last seven seasons at the helm of MSSU volleyball. Every challenge and every blessing has provided so much growth to the program and myself," Kalie Carlile states. "To all my administration, thank you for giving me the opportunity to lead this program. And to the MSSU volleyball community, thank you for all your help. I cannot wait to transition from Head Coach to super fan. I look forward to the continued progress of this program!"

Carlile, who began her coaching career at MSSU in 2017, leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, player development, and several key milestones for the program.

During her time as head coach, Carlile guided the Lions to multiple MIAA Tournament appearances (2019, 2021, 2022), including a strong 2023 campaign, during which the team finished with a 16-15 overall record and an 8-12 mark in conference play. That season saw three players named All-MIAA, three players named to the CSC Volleyball Academic All-District Team, and five players earned spots on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.

In 2021, Carlile's squad made the MIAA Tournament after finishing second in the MIAA South Division with a 5-3 record in conference play. The team also earned the AVCA Team Academic Award for the second consecutive year.

Under Carlile's leadership, the program consistently excelled in the classroom, earning multiple AVCA Team Academic Awards. The Lions also produced several MIAA Scholar-Athletes. In 2018, the team posted the highest GPA among women's sports at MSSU, with an impressive 3.61 team GPA.

"We want to thank Coach Carlile for her service to Missouri Southern and our volleyball program over the past seven seasons," said Athletic Director Rob Mallory. "We wish her and her family the best as she moves into the next stage of her professional career."

Moore has been acting head coach since October and has been with the program for the past three seasons. He brings valuable experience and leadership to the team as the Lions transition to a new chapter.

Missouri Southern will immediately begin a nationwide search for its next head volleyball coach. The Lions' athletic department expresses its gratitude for Carlile's contributions to the volleyball program and wishes her well in her future endeavors.

Highway Patrol Arrests December 31-January 2

Mario I. Florian Alva, 27, Purdy, Neosho Police Department warrant for failure to appear on driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended, lane violation, no seat belt

Leonard Rivers, Jr., 34, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, four Springfield Police Department warrants, display plates of another, no valid license

Sean M. Tuley, 43, Spanaway, Washington, driving while intoxicated, failure to yield to emergency vehicle

Kelly D. Long, 55, Springfield, felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding

Maudilia E. De Leon Rivera, 43, Carthage, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway resulting in a crash, driving while revoked, leaving the scene of a crash

Marshall D. Bentz, 23, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Shelby A. Dunphy-Day, 20, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, minor visibly intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, no seat belt

Christina M. Jaime, 45, Cape Fair, driving while intoxicated

Sarah L. Reynolds, 35, Cassville, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Diego N. Martinez, 22, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway

James E. Lane, Jr., 67, Joplin, felony driving while intoxicated- persistent offender, careless and imprudent driving

Arturo Sanchez-Sanchez, 41, Southwest City, driving while intoxicated (drugs), driving while suspended, careless and imprudent driving 

Highway Patrol reports no fatalities, 21 injuries over New Year's holiday period

(From Missouri State Highway Patrol)

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the New Year’s holiday:

Zero people died and 21 were injured in 44 traffic crashes during the 2025 New Year’s holiday counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, January 1, 2025. There were 0 boating crashes and 0 drownings over the 2025 New Year’s holiday counting period.

2025 New Year’s Holiday Traffic Statistics

Troopers investigated the following:

Traffic Crashes — 44
Traffic Crash Injuries — 21
Traffic Crash Fatalities — 0
DWI — 50

The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release is sent to the media.

Riella Miles first New Year's baby at Mercy Joplin

(From Mercy)

Riella Miles, born 1:58 p.m. January 1 was the first baby born at Mercy Joplin in 2025.

Duenweg couple's baby is first of new year at Freeman

(From Freeman Health)

The first baby of the new year, Aurora Cooper, arrived at 5:08 am on January 1, 2025, at Freeman Hospital West.

Aurora weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces and measured 20 inches in length. Her parents, Hannah Ruark and Hayden Cooper of Duenweg, are excited at the arrival of their tiny bundle of joy.

“We are very happy,” Hannah said, “but very, very tired.” This is the couple’s first child.

Following tradition, the first baby of the new year received a special baby gift bag courtesy of Freeman Health System. Aurora will go home with a stuffed toy owl and bear as well as lots of books and Fisher-Price infant learning toys.

Delivering 1,700 babies each year, Freeman Health System has provided maternity care to Joplin and surrounding communities for more than 96 years. As one of the busiest maternity centers in Missouri, Freeman Maternity Center features board-certified obstetricians, highly skilled physician and midwife teams, home-like birthing suites, private mom and baby rooms as well as a state-of-the-art infant security system.