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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OK Escapee Caught Near Baxter Springs
Baxter Springs Police and Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputies caught an escapee from Oklahoma Monday. They learned 47-year-old Lloyd Wilson was hiding out at a Baxter Springs home and were watching it. When Wilson left, the Police followed. The chase stopped on Chipmunk Drive east of town, when Wilson fled on foot..and he was caught. Wilson had escaped from the Oklahoma state prison April 17thand was considered armed and dangerous.
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Crowder President Retiring
Crowder College will have a new president next year. Dr. Alan Marble is retiring as of June 30th, after 27 years with Crowder. Marble tells News Talk KZRG this wasn't a sudden decision on his part.
"I've been talking to the board about a change for quite a while. (I) really got serious about it last fall when some other business opportunities and career opportunities started to become available."
During Marble's six years as president, Crowder has added several branch campuses to join its home in Neosho, and enrollment has nearly doubled over the last six years.
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Teen Hospitalized After Chase
Her car rolled over when she was trying to get away from the Police. 15-year-old Emily Ann Hicks of Irving, Texas was going south on Kansas Highway 7, about three miles south of Fort Scott, being pursued by a Bourbon County Sheriff's Deputy around 11:30 Sunday morning. Her car failed to make a curve, went into the ditch, hit a metal sign and flipped end over end. Hicks was taken to Mercy Hospital Fort Scott for treatment of her injuries.
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Crisis Texting Hotline Available to Counsel Those Affected by May 2011Tornado
Are you okay? The Ozark Center, a behavioral health division of Freeman Health, is offering free, confidential 24-hour a day couseling through texting and online messsaging to everyone who lives in southwest Missouri. The Ozark Center originally offered SchoolMessenger's Talk About It program to Joplin students, but the program has expanded the program to help all members of the community since the May 2011 tornado. Ozark Center Coordinator of Crisis Services Debbie Fitzgerald explains.
"As our gift to the Joplin Commuity, as we approach the 2nd anniversary of the disaster, we're actually rolling it out to the general public. So now anyone can reach us using their smart phone or computer."
Register for help at ozarkcenter.com. From there, you can text "HELP"to 85130.
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Joplin Tornado Volunteers: 176,889
Wednesday is the two-year anniversary of a deadly EF-5 tornado that swept through Joplin and Duquesne, destroying thousands of buildings and killing 161. That brought volunteers from all over the world to help with the rebuilding efforts, and now the City of Joplin has a more solid number of just how much of an impact they had: 176,869 volunteers put in over 1.15-million hours of time.
This
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Storm Damage in Carthage
The Carthage area got some storm damage overnight. Jasper County Emergency Management Director Keith Stammer tells News Talk KZRG it wasn't too severe.
"Mainly some damage east of Joplin, around 118 road and Chestnut. There were some power outages, shingles blown off, and some out houses blown down."
Stammer says the damage was most likely caused by straight-line
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Tornado Confirmed in Golden City
A tornado touched down in Barton County early this morning. Emergency Management Director Tom Ryan tells News Talk KZRG it was spotted near Golden City shortly after midnight.
"It was really hard to see because of it being night, and a lack of lightning at the time. Afterwards, we toured the area and found numerous farm buildings damaged, trees uprooted, and some homes suffering
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Grand Lake Boating Deaths Update
The Oklahoma medical examiner's office has ruled the deaths of two people in a Grand Lake boating crash to be an accident. 21-year-old Rachel Swetnam of Grove died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck; while 21-year-old William Varner the third of Texarkana, Arkansas died from blunt force trauma to the head. The two were riding on a boat Tuesday that crashed into a houseboat that was docked at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Investigators say they belive speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.
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KS Budget Talks Screech To Halt
Negotiations on the Kansas budget for the next two fiscal years have come to an abrupt halt after senators demanded a final offer from the House that could lead to ending the 2013 session.
The talks were scheduled to begin Friday morning, following three rounds of negotiations Thursday which saw legislators make steady progress.
Senate Ways and Means Chairman Ty Masterson asked his House counterpart to move the process further along, seeking a final offer on higher education and a state employee salary cap that would pass the GOP-dominated House.
But House Appropriations Committee Chairman Marc Rhoades said the request couldn't be accommodated and canceled Friday's meetings.
Rhoades says he hopes to meet with House leaders and resume talks with the Senate on Monday.
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MO Election Change - Lt. Governor
Missouri lawmakers have given final approval to a bill clarifying the way a vacancy is filled in the office of lieutenant governor.
Current law lets the governor appoint a replacement for a secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, auditor or a U.S. senator who leaves office. But there's been uncertainty on how to replace a lieutenant governor if he or she steps down.
Thelegislation would put the office on the ballot at the next general election. Until then, the departing lieutenant governor's top aide would perform the office's ministerial duties.
The lieutenant governor's duties as Senate president would be handled by the Senate president pro tem, who is a state senator.
The House and Senate both passed the bill Friday.
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Joplin Schools Alumni Association
There's a new way for graduates of Joplin high schools to stay together. The Joplin Schools Alumni Association has been formed, with the graduating class of 2013 being the first official members. Superintendent Doctor CJ Huff tells News Talk KZRG the value of the alumni association.
"It's really important, I think, for students who graduate from Joplin High School to leave here still feeling a connection to the schools that gave them that foundation, so they can do great and wonderful things."
There's more information on the Joplin Schools Alumni Association Facebook page.
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Stormy Weather Coming Sunday
The weekend is supposed to start out nice, but could end up stormy. KZRG Chief Meteorologist John Wetherbee says a storm system will move into the Plains Sunday and it will bring a chance of thunderstorms Sunday evening through Tuesday night.
"This system's not going to move very quickly. But strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Sunday night through Monday night. Highest potential expected to be during the day on Monday."
John says hail, lightning and isolated tornados are possible. Remember, you can get severe weather text alerts sent directly to your phone. Sign up at News Talk KZRG dot com.
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Rohr On Joplin 2 Years After The Tornado
Joplin's recovery is ahead of schedule. Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr was happy to report to News Talk KZRG just how far Joplin has come since the May 2011 tornado.
"We're doing very well. Approximately 84% of the 7500 homes impacted have either been repaired, rebuilt, or have plans pulled to do so."
Rohr says 90% of Joplin's businesses that were impacted are already back up and running, or have plans to do so in the very near future. The second year anniversary of the May 2011 tornado is next Wednesday.
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Davis On EBT Bill
Missouri State Representative, Charlie Davis, shared with the KZRG Morning News Watch this morning that he was happy to see the House approve the bill that limits what you can buy with EBT cards.
"I want to help people that need help. But I don't want them to be able to take that cash and go buy booze or gamble it away, because that's not what that money is designedfor."
The bill now complies with the federal restrictions on purchases with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families EBT cards. The bill is just awaiting Governor Nixon's signature.
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2 Arrested For Drugs In Pittsburg
Five pounds of pot, two rifles, a handgun and drug paraphernalia. That's what Pittsburg Police found Thursday when they executed a search warrant at 204 West Kansas. The two men who live there, 22-year-old Theodore Thompson and 23-year-old Nicholas Pugh, were arrested. Thompson's charged with having marijuana with intent to distributte and criminal possession of a firearm. Pugh's charged with having pot and drug paraphernalia.
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MO Congressman Long On Obamacare Vote
The US House yesterday voted to repeal President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act. Missouri Congressman Billy Long was among those in favor of repeal. Long told the KZRG Morning Newswatch why he wants to erase Obamacare.
"The public is on our side. Only 35% of the people like Obamacare. 53% want full appeal, so we're on the right side of this issue."
Whileit's unlikely the repeal will get through the Democrat-led Senate, Long says it's important to get across what the American public wants.
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OK & KS Unemployment Drops
Oklahoma's unemployment rate is now below 5%. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission says the state's unemployment felll one-tenth of a percent to 4.9% last month. That's well below the national unemployment rate of 7.5%.
The Kansas unemployment rate dipped to 5.5% last month. The report says the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged lower from 5.6% in March. The rate for April 2012 was 6.1%. The number of people applying for jobless benefits also fell.
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MSSU Budget Approved
Missouri Southern State University's Board of Governors has approved its budget for 2014. At Thursday's regular meeting, the Governors approved a budget that will spend 76-point-4 million dollars, three million more than last year. The budget includes a two percent across the board pay increase for employees. Tuition will also go up two percent starting in the fall.
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MO Legislative Session Ends
Missouri's 2013 legislative session has come to an end.
The House and Senate each wrapped up their work Friday shortly after 6 p.m. a few minutes after the mandatory adjournment time set by the Missouri Constitution.
The session included the passage of an income tax cut for individuals and businesses that is projected to eventually reduce state revenues by $700 million. Other measures passed by the Republican-led Legislature include a $25 billion budget and a funding fix for an insolvent state program for disabled workers.
Republican lawmakers also approved numerous pro-gun measures this year, as well as restrictions on labor unions.
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon now will have several weeks to decide whether to sign or veto the bills.
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OK Abortion Bill Signed
Abortion providers in Oklahoma will be required to report dozens of new details about each procedure under a bill signed into law by Republican Governor Mary Fallin. The bill adds several new questions to the Individual Abortion Form that abortion providers are required to fill out and submit to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. It's one of 20 bills signed into law by Fallin today.
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MO Concealed Weapons Permit Bill
Missouri lawmakers want county sheriffs rather than the state Revenue Department to print concealed weapons permits.
The Senate passed legislation 24-5 on Thursday handing the task to sheriffs. The measure now heads to Governor Jay Nixon.
Missouri's sheriffs already make sure that applicants meet all the criteria for carrying a concealed firearm. But the Revenue Department is responsible for printing concealed-carry endorsements on people's drivers' or non-drivers' ID card.
Republican lawmakers pushed for the legislation after learning the Revenue Department compiled a list of Missouri gun permit holders to share with a federal agent in the Social Security Administration.
The legislation would also require school personnel to undergo training on responding to an active shooter in school buildings.
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Drunk Driving In MO
The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that the U.S lower the legal Blood Alcohol Limit from .08 to .05; toughening the drunk driving law. Missouri State Highway Patrol Seargent Mike Watson didn't comment if they're in favor of the recommendation, but he did give The KZRG Morning News Watch some statistics when it comes to alcohol related fatalities on the roadway.
"When you look at just alcohol-related fatalities, that covers about 25 percent of all of our fatalities on Missouri roads."
Watson then went on to say that when you combine drugs with alcohol, the percentage of all traffic fatalities rises from 25% to 33% in Missouri.
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Empire's Name Used In Phone Scam
Criminals keep finding ideas to separate you from your money. Their latest idea is to pretend to be from a utility company, say you have an overdue bill and that you have to buy a prepaid debit card to pay that bill. When they get your credit card number, they get your money. Julie Maus of Empire District Electric tells News Talk KZRG that's not the way her company does things.
"These are not employees of Empire District or any utility, as far as we are aware. So we wanted to put the word out there and let our customers know so they could avoid being victims of this type of scam."
Maus says if you get a call like this, hang up and call your local police.
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AG Sues CA Company For Tornado Ripoffs
Missouri's Attorney General is suing a California construction company for not providing services that Joplin tornado victims had paid for. The lawsuit alleges that Clark Baxter of Dana Point and his business, Sustainable Design, had received tens of thousands of dollars for construction materials needed to rebuild their homes. But Baxter didn't come through with the materials and stopped working on the homes.
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Joplin Surprise Delivered
As News Talk KZRG told you, Joplin Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean made a surprise visit to the State Capitol Thursday to give proclamations thanking Senators John Lamping and Kurt Schaefer for their help getting a bill passed that gives $15 million to Joplin for rebuilding curbs and gutters damaged in the storm. Lamping talks about the bill.
"We're lucky it's one of those years we've got the money. Really quite frankly, Senator Schaefer and Jeannie, his staff on the budget, they found a very creative way that made sense and came to be."
Lamping says now there's a precedent to help another Missouri city in the same way if a disaster were to strike.
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Gas Prices Soaring
Your eyes aren't deceiving you. The price of gas has skyrocketed the last few weeks, rising to $3.84 in the Joplin area. Mike Right of Missouri Triple-A tells News Talk KZRG the Memorial Day weekend isn't the reason for the higher prices, but something that happens this time of year is: refineries switching to summer grades of gasoline.
"Some of those refining operations are not up to speed, so to speak. So we've got some supply issues. And when there is a lack of supply and a continuing demand, the price of the available product goes up."
Oklahomans are also feeling the pinch at the pump. Gas prices have risen 20 cents a gallon over the last week in the Sooner State.
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Joplin House Fire
A cigarette butt can cause plenty of damage. Just before ten last night, fire crews were called to 519 South Connor. They found smoke coming from the roof vents or attic eaves of the one story home. Thermal imaging also showed a kitchen wall was hot. It turns out someone dropped a cigarette butt into the void between the house and back porch and that caused the fire. No one was injured.
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