Diamond Elementary students placed under soft lockdown

Diamond R-4 school officials placed the elementary school under a "soft lockdown" today, according to a message sent by Principal Sara Jackson to parents.

"Though our students were never in any danger, this afternoon our building was momentarily placed in a soft lockdown while law enforcement conducted an investigation in the nearby area.

"I want to stress that our students were safe and never in any danger. The soft lockdown was simply a precautionary measure suggested by our Student Resource Officer.

"Teacher and learning continued, uninterrupted- both during the soft lockdown and after it was lifted.

Please know we take these situations very seriously, as the safety of our students is always our absolute top priority."

 

Blood drive scheduled at Jasper High School

 

Junior high teacher/coach receives Carthage Tiger Excellence Award

(From Carthage R-9 School District)

Let's celebrate our exceptional Carthage Tiger Excellence Award Winners!  Over the next few days, we'll shine a spotlight on these inspiring teachers who are shaping the future of our community. 

We are excited to announce the recipient of the 2024 Carthage Tiger Excellence Award for the 7th-8th grade category! 

This exceptional individual is a phenomenal teacher and coach who consistently goes above and beyond, influencing students' lives both in the classroom and through multiple sports programs.

 

Coach Kirk Jones is not only an outstanding educator but also an encouragement to everyone around him, dedicated to helping all students and staff achieve their best.  

As a Carthage alumnus, Kirk returned to his alma mater to give back to the next generation of Tigers.

 
Congratulations to Mr. Kirk Jones on this well-deserved recognition!

Pittsburg Police: Driver swerved to miss animal and crashed into building

(From the Pittsburg Police Department)

On Thursday, April 18, 2024 at approximately 1248 hours, Pittsburg Police Department and Pittsburg Fire Department were dispatched to 2700 N Joplin St for a vehicle vs building accident.

 
Driver of V1 stated he swerved to miss an animal in the roadway. V1 traveled through an empty lot and struck a building at 2702 N Joplin St. The building was unoccupied. 

Driver of V1 had a head injury, and elected to seek medical attention at a later time.

Oronogo Police Department warns of scams

(From the Oronogo Police Department)

Be aware of scams that are going on in the area. Most of these invoice phone calls, text messages or emails and social media. Some tips to avoid losing money to these scams:

1. The Jasper County Sheriff's Office or any other law enforcement agency will not call you and tell you that you have a warrant and demand money over the phone.

2. If you receive notice that you owe money and they want you to go to Walmart or another store and send money through gift cards or money exchange, it is a scam.

 
3. When making purchases through listings such as marketplace, do not pay a deposit for them to hold the item for you.

 
4. If the price on an item that you’re looking at purchasing looks too good to be true, most likely it is a scam.

 
If you receive a call or other communication from someone and you do not know who they are, stop communicating with them. A legitimate company will use professional means to make contact with you.

Neosho woman killed, two people seriously injured in head-on collision

A Neosho woman was killed and two people injured in a two-vehicle collision 5:50 p.m. Wednesday on MO 175 five miles north of Neosho.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2018 Nissan Kicks driven by Airine Gallen, 50, Neosho, crossed the center of the roadway and struck a 2000 Lincoln Town Car driven by Joshua Niswonger, 22, Neosho head on.

Newton County Deputy Coroner Jerry Deems pronounced Gallen dead at the scene at 5:56 p.m.

Niswonger and a passenger in his vehicle, Lakin House, 23, Neosho, were treated for serious injuries at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin.

The fatality was the 24th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Joplin Recycling Center offering free tire dropoff

(From the City of Joplin)

There will be a FREE Tire Drop-Off Event on Saturday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Joplin Recycling Center, 1310 West A Street. Automotive passenger tires, with or without rims, will be accepted. 

There is a ten-tire per vehicle limit and multiple visits are not allowed. Semi, tractor, ATV and racing tires will not be accepted. 

Residents of Joplin and counties of Jasper, Newton, McDonald, Barton and Vernon Counties are welcome to participate in this tire drop-off opportunity.

The City of Joplin manages this event, with it being partially funded by Region M Waste Management District and Missouri Department of Natural Resources this community service. To conserve landfill space and keep hazardous materials from landfills, whole tires were banned from Kansas and Missouri landfills in the 1990s.

“Our tire drop-off program provides area residents a free way to get rid of their old tires and helps to keep our neighborhoods and natural areas litter-free,” said Scott Patterson, Recycling Coordinator. “Removing tires can be difficult and expensive because landfills do not accept them. Unfortunately, people may resort to dropping them off along roadways or wooded areas or may leave them in the yard where they collect rainwater and breed mosquitos.”

The collected tires will be hauled to a recycling facility where they can be made into playground cover, garden hoses, trash cans, rug and floor mats, loading dock bumpers, parking lot wheel stops, road paving aggregate, running- and biking-friendly trail pavement, rubber bands, and much more! All metal rims will also be recycled.

 

Throughout the year, the Joplin Recycling Center accepts cardboard, paper, plastic #1 and #2 bottles with necks, glass, metal, cooking oil, egg cartons, hazardous waste, and batteries at no charge. Electronic waste is also accepted at no charge, with the exception of a $10 recycling fee for TV and computer screens. This event and the Center are open to everyone in the Region M Waste Management District which includes McDonald, Newton, Jasper, Barton, and Vernon Counties. The Joplin Recycling Center is funded in part by Region M Waste Management District.

For more information or to volunteer at this event, contact Patterson at 417-624-0820 ext. 1501, or visit the City’s website at www.joplinmo.org/recycling.