Turner Hearing Concludes After 12 Hours
Randy Turner's fate rests with the Joplin School Board. There was a 12 hour hearing Thursday on whether Turner, a middle school teacher, should be fired for immoral conduct. The School District says links to a book Turner wrote called "No Child Left Alive" were made available on Facebook. Turner spoke to News Talk KZRG after the hearing.
"I appreciate the fact that I was given a hearing and I'll just look forward to hearing what the Board of Education has to say."
Turner says he hopes at least four of the seven Board members see things his way. No word when the Board will make its decision.
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Hartzler Supports Keystone Pipeline
The Keystone XL Pipeline project has been approved by the US House and now goes to the Senate. Missouri 4th District Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler voted for the pipeline and tells News Talk KZRG the public also supports it.
"They understand it's going to create 20,000 jobs. They understand it's going to transport 830,000 barrels of oil per day, which is half of what we currently import from the Middle East."
Hartzler says she hopes the Senate and President Obama will also approve the pipeline and not "cater to the whims of environmental extremists."
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KS Legislature Goes To OT
They're going to overtime. The Kansas Legislature wasn't able to wrap up business today, the 90th day of the session. House Majority Leader Jene Vickrey suggests legislators might be meeting next week. Majority Republicans can't agree on how much new sales tax revenue to raise to prevent budget shortfalls while enacting income tax cuts. The Kansas Constitution specifies 90-day sessions, but also grants lawmakers the power to meet longer.
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Cunningham Park Pool Vandalized
Someone drained the swimming pool Tuesday night. Not just any pool, the pool at Cunningham Park. Joplin Police say vandals broke a lock to the pool and opened the drain valve, letting over 200,000 gallons of water to be drained. Landscaping rocks around the reflecting pond were also thrown into the pool. About $4000 damage was done. Everything was fixed before Wednesday's tornado remembrance ceremony.
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Joplin Student Rally in Support of Suspended Teacher
"Let Turner teach!" was the chant heard along 32nd Street infront of the Joplin School District Administration Building Thursday morning as students and parents waved signs in support of suspended teacher, Randy Turner. Joplin High School Senior, Laela Zaidai (Lay-la ZAY-dee) organized the rally, telling News Talk KZRG they want to send a message to the administration.
"We
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Joplin Two Years After The Tornado
Joplin and Duquesne paused yesterday to remember the 161 people who died in a tornado two years ago. Hundreds of people at Cunningham Park heard from Governor Jay Nixon, Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Jane Cage, who led the Citizens Advisory Recovery Team, also talked about Joplin's spirit and resilience.
"I've seen men and women bend but not break becneath a load of responsiblitites heaped on them by May 22nd. I've seen tired faces around the meeting table as we've pushed and planned. But I've also seen a community that dared to dream by writing their visions on sticky notes in a crowded gymnasium."
Cage was presented with the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience for her work with CART.
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Napolitano Visits Joplin
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano took part in Wednesday's tornado remembrance in Joplin. She praised the city and its people for the rebuilding they've done in the two years after a devastating EF-5 tornado.
"It is truly remarkable to come back and see how far Joplin has come. Not just getting back on your feet, but rebuilding stronger and more resilient than ever before."
Napolitano also presented the first annual Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience to Jane Cage and the citizens of Joplin. You can see photos on News Talk KZRG's Facebook page.
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Joplin Gets $20 Million EDA Grant
There was good news Wednesday about Joplin's rebuilding from the 2011 tornado. It was announced that Joplin would receive a $20 million grant from the Economic Development Administration. That grant will be used to build a library and movie theater complex at 20th and Connecticut. Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr tells News Talk KZRG it was something city officials worked on for quite a while.
"We kept after it and were very persistent and we're happy to get to the point where it's actually announced. We'll put it to good use."
Rohr also announced that a healing garden would be built in Cunningham Park and funds are being raised to put a statute in the park honoring tornado volunteers.
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Grand Lake Boat Crash Update
The driver in a boat crash that killed two people last week had consumed beer, tequila and an anti-depressant before the crash. A preliminary report from the Grand River Dam Authority Police says 22-year-old John DeSelms of Tulsa had drunk ten beers and a shot of tequila on May 14th. Rachel Swetnam of Grove and William Varner III of Texarkana, Arkansas were killed in the crash. No word yet if DeSelms will be charged.
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OK Tornado Victims Identified
The Oklahoma medical examiner's office says it has positively identified all 24 victims of Monday's tornado that ripped across the Oklahoma City area.
The office announced Wednesday that 10 of those killed were children, including two infants.
Among the dead are 4-month-old Case Futrell and 7-month-old Sydnee Vargyas. Both babies died from head injuries.
The eight other children ranged in age from 4 years old to 9 years old. Of those, six were suffocated. The other two died from massive injuries. Seven of the children were pulled from the rubble of the Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore.
The medical examiner's office says most of the adults died from multiple blunt-force injuries.
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Brownback: Finish Up Already
Governor Sam Brownback is telling Kansas legislators that it's time for them to resolve their differences on tax issues and finish their work for the year.
The Republican Governor issued his statement Wednesday after negotiations between the House and Senate on adjusting the state sales tax hit a new snag.
The legislative negotiators were unable to agree on canceling all or part of a sales tax decline scheduled for July. They planned to meet again Thursday.
Brownback wants to keep the sales tax at 6.3 percent to raise revenue so that Kansas can follow the massive income-tax cuts approved last year with more income tax reductions.
The governor said the Republican-controlled Legislature is positioning the state for economic growth.
But he added, ``It is time to wrap up the session.''
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SMB Halfway To Volunteer Goal
Southwest Missouri Bank is making progress on its goal to have employees volunteer 2500 hours by September. SMB Vice President of Marketing Peggy Fuller gives News Talk KZRG an update.
"This morning, in fact, we have hit 1,466 hours. Those are hours that SMB employees have given back to the community so far this year."
SMB wants its employees to volunteer 2500 hours to mark the company's 25th anniversary in Joplin. Fuller says if you have a community project that needs volunteers, call SMB at 623-5959.
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Joplin Schools Superintendent Explains FEMA Shelter Policy
There are tornado shelters set up at several Joplin School District locations right now by FEMA... but as some found out earlier this week, they're not available for public use. Joplin Schools Superintendent Dr. CJ Huff tells News Talk KZRG why.
"We have to keep those available during the day. Those FEMA-rated shelters for the schools were placed there with the capacity of the student
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Catholic Charities Hosting Donation Drop-Off at 15th Street Walmart
Yet another organization is collecting donations for Moore, Oklahoma. Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri is collecting plastic storage bins, cleaning supplies, work gloves, tools, shovels and rakes at the 15th Street Walmart in Joplin. Case Manager, Linda Robinson told News Talk KZRG that it's their chance to give back.
"We're sending some support to Moore because help was so freely given to us and it's our chance to give back."
Catholic Charities will be there until the truck is full and expect to leave by the weekend.
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Via Christi Cutting Hundreds of Jobs
Wichita-based Via Christi Health says tough finances are forcing it to eliminate 350 to 400 jobs at its facilities throughout Kansas.
The nonprofit health system announced the decision Tuesday, saying it will involve layoffs and the elimination of some vacant positions. The cuts amount to about 4% of Via Christi's total employment. No word yet on how much Via Christi Hospital in
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Jane Tax Annexation Struck Down
Voters said "yes," but a judge is saying "no." McDonald County Judge Tim Perigo is shooting down a voter-approved annexation in Jane that would've extended the town's one-cent sales tax to the Arkansas border, encompassing a Wal-Mart and several other businesses along I-49. The judge says the measure, approved by voters in February, doesn't meet criteria set by
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Napolitano To Visit Joplin Wednesday
When Joplin marks the second anniversary of its devastating tornado Wedneday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will be there. She'll present the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience to Jane Cage, chair of the Citizens Advisory Recovery Team, and the citizens of Joplin. Cage tells News Talk KZRG what Secretary Napolitano's presence means.
"What I think it means to Joplin and to me is that she recognizes the value of the work that everyone has done here."
The presentation will be at 4:40pm Wednesday at Cunningham Park. News Talk KZRG will be there and have full coverage for you afterwards.
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Former IRS Agent Sentenced
A former IRS agent from Pittsburg won't be going to prison after admitting she was paid for meetings with taxpayers that never occurred. The U.S. Attorney's office says Becky L. Book was sentenced on Tuesday to two years of probation and ordered to pay restitution of about $26,450. Book pleaded guilty in February to receiving more than $26,000 in salary and mileage payments that she didn't earn.
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New Creation Helping Moore
More donations are on their way from Joplin to Moore, Oklahoma. Pastor Cliff Mansley of New Creation Church tells News Talk KZRG what they've collected.
"About 2/3 of a trailer and we've got everything from generators to tools that people can work with and food and water and the kind of things that we needed in the wake of the Joplin tornado."
Mansley says they'll be making other trips to Moore with supplies. You can drop off donations at New Creation Church at 1831 South Connor in Joplin.
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Crowder Appoints Interim President
Crowder College has appointed a new interim president. Doctor Kent Farnsworth will be the school's president for the 2013-14 school year. He'll succeed Dr. Alan Marble, who is retiring at the end of June. Farnsworth has had the job before, for 19 years before taking a job in St. Louis in 2004. He retired from that position in 2010 and moved back to Newton County. Farnsworth will begin his new job July 1st.
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Child Pornography Guilty Plea
A Joplin man has pleaded guilty to getting and sending child pornography over the internet. 41-year-old Rodney Russell of Joplin was charged last October in US Federal Court. Russell will serve at least five years in federal prison without parole up to 20 years, plus a fine up to $250,000.
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KS Tax Negotiations
Negotiators from the Kansas House and Senate are moving closer to a deal on canceling all or part of a scheduled drop in the state sales tax.
Three negotiators resumed their talks on tax issues Tuesday and plan to continue Wednesday.
The sales tax is the key issue. It's scheduled by law to decline in July from the current 6.3 percent to 5.7 percent.
But the Senate has approved Republican Governor Sam Brownback's plan to keep the tax unchanged. The House favored allowing the tax to decline as planned, but the chamber's Republican leaders later proposed resetting it at 6 percent.
Senate negotiators Tuesday proposed a sales tax of 6.25 percent.
Many GOP legislators want to cut personal income taxes, but lawmakers must stabilize the budget.
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Rebuild Joplin and Farmers Insurance Help a Local Family Return Home
One lucky Joplin family is returning home. Albert and Debbie's home was destroyed in the May 2011 tornado and thanks to Rebuild Joplin and Farmers Insurance's "Caring for Communities" program, their home was completely rebuit on the same foudation where it once stood. Rebuild Joplin Director Jerrod Hogan tells News Talk KZRG the criteria needed to be eligable for a new home from Rebuild Joplin.
"Rebuild Joplin has two really simple criteria. Number one you have to have been impacted by the storm and number two you have to prove a true financial need standing in your way of getting back in your home. There's no lottery system. If you have a true need and you need to get back home after the storm, Rebuild Joplin and our partnerships are going to help you get back home."
Hogan says they have rebuilt 70 homes so far, and approximately 350 homes are still left to be rebuit.
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Joplin Church Accepting Donations for Moore, OK
Churches throughout the Joplin area are taking steps to help those affected by the deadly tornado that hit Moore, OK this week. Pastor Charlie Burnett of Harmony Heights Baptist Church tells News Talk KZRG what his church is doing.
"We have two covered trailers that we'll make available if anyone would like to donate cleaning supplies, paper towels, and whatever else is needed
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Joplin Church Teams with Zimmer Radio for Moore, OK Aid
A Joplin church is teaming with the Zimmer Radio Group to send aid to Moore, OK. Pastor Josh Marsh of Ignite Church tells News Talk KZRG it's in response to the outpouring Joplin got two years ago.
"Our hearts were just broken for that community. We know all too well what it's like to feel that tragedy, and we knew we needed to do something. We received so much help after the
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Two Plead Guilty to Copper Theft after Tornado
Two people accused of stealing copper wire from utility poles right after the May 2011 tornado in Joplin have pled guilty. 45-year-old Timothy Silveria of Joplin and 32-year-old Nycoa (NY-CO-UH) Kracht of Laurel, Indiana will be sentenced on July 22nd, and face up to 7 years in prison. Their truck was stopped in Joplin three days after the tornado, after police found it loaded down with more than
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NWS: Two Tornadoes Confirmed for Jasper, Dade Counties
The National Weather Service has confirmed two small tornadoes in southwest Missouri early Monday. The touchdowns occurred shortly after midnight in Jasper and Dade Counties. Only minor damage was reported. The agency says a tornado touched down briefly around 12:05 a.m. about two miles east of Carthage, pulling down trees and power lines and destroying some outbuildings. In Dade County, a small
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Stormy Monday Night
The Pittsburg area was hard hit by Monday night's severe weather. Power was knocked out to hundreds of homes in Pittsburg, and there were some outages in Frontenac, too. We've also had a report of trees uprooted in Schlanger Park. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, we've had reports of trees down and power lines down north of Wyandotte.
Newton County Emergency Management Director Gary Roark tells News Talk KZRG the storms did do some damage there. "We've got a few trees down, a lot of limbs down apparently throughout different parts of the county. I did get a report of a barn down that may have been destroyed down south and east of Seneca a little bit."
About 1300 people in the Seneca area lost power Monday night because of trees knocking down power lines.
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Helping A Fellow Firefighter
Firefighters in Stella have done a great deal to help one of their own. Terry Stracener's home was destroyed in a fire on May 12th. Captain Levi Clymer of the Stella Rural Fire Department tells News Talk KZRG the home couldn't be saved, but some things important to the Straceners were saved.
"We were able to find his Navy color brass, he's retired Navy. We were also able to find wife's wedding ring and a couple of small things that were important to him."
Clymer says they've also collected personal items for the Straceners and plan to have a fundraiser in the near future. There's more information on the Stella Rural Fire Department's Facebook page.
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Joplin Sending Help To Moore
A team from the Joplin police and fire departments has been sent to Moore, Oklahoma to help them respond to the deadly tornado there. Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr released a statement saying "we remember the assistance we received following the tornado two years ago, and we want to help others as they helped us."
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