Worker Killed At Joplin Work Site
A Missouri-American Water Company employee was killed yesterday in an accident at a worksite at 25th and Moffet in Joplin. Spokeswoman Christie Barnhart tells News Talk KZRG the company is saddened by the loss of 41-year-old Robert Clark.
"We're a very close-knit group down here. Robert was not only an amazing employee but an amazing friend, and he will be missed very much by all
|
Tornado Claim Insurance Deadlines Approach For Many
If your home was damaged by last May's Joplin tornado and you haven't filed an insurance claim yet, you'd better do it soon. Travis Ford with the Missouri Department of Insurance tells News Talk KZRG why.
"In many cases, homeowners have 12 month deadlines to get paperwork in for their claims. If they miss that deadline, they may not get full reimbursement."
If
|
JACS Prepping Tornado Memorial Concert
The Joplin Area Catholic Schools are holding a memorial concert this Saturday to remember last year's deadly EF-5 tornado. Renee Motazedi of the JACS tells News Talk KZRG it'll feature some extraordinary musicians.
"We're featuring Catholic artists Steve Angrisano and Tony Melendez. Tony was born without arms, and he plays the guitar with his feet. Steve was a youth
|
Update on FEMA Housing in Joplin
It's almost been a full year since an EF-5 tornado blew through Joplin and Duquesne, destroying over 7,000 homes and killing 161. Barb Sturner of FEMA tells News Talk KZRG there's still work to be done, but things are looking up.
"We still have residents living in the temporary sites on the north end of town. Close to 300 still living in those sites."
She adds that
|
KS Tax Cuts
Kansas House and Senate negotiators have agreed on a new tax-cut plan that backs off aggressive reductions approved by lawmakers last week.
But the lead Senate negotiator, Wichita Republican Les Donovan, says he's not sure the new proposal can pass his chamber.
The plan drafted Wednesday keeps the main features of the earlier version, by lowering individual income tax rates and eliminating income taxes for 191,000 businesses.
But those changes would be phased in over six years, to reduce the effect on state revenue and prevent an expected shortfall by mid-2018.
Legislative researchers have said implementing the changes all at once would create a shortfall of nearly $2.5 billion by July 2018.
|
ASPCA Spay-Neuter Clinic In Joplin
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be holding a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Joplin. Tianna Fisher of the Joplin Humane Society has details.
"On June 1st, 2nd & 3rd, the ASPCA will be back in Joplin offering a low-cost spay-neuter clinic and a vaccination clinic, as well, to low-income residents of Joplin,"
You'll have to make a reservation for your dog or cat by calling 1-877-772-9692.
|
PSU Asks For Tuition Hike
It might cost more to attend Pittsburg State University next fall. PSU is asking to raise in-state undergraduate tuition by 127 dollars, a rise of just over six percent. The Kansas Board of Regents will vote on the tuition plan at their June meeting.
|
MO Senator Taken To Hospital
A Missouri state senator was being examined at a Jefferson City hospital after becoming light-headed during a debate on education issues.
Republican Sen. Jane Cunningham of Chesterfield was driven to St. Mary's Health Center by her chief of staff Wednesday afternoon. The aide says Cunningham was undergoing tests in the emergency room Wednesday evening.
Sen. Rob Schaaf, who is a familyphysician from St. Joseph, says Cunningham complained of being light-headed but did not appear to have more serious symptoms.
Cunningham appeared to be conscious as she left the Capitol in a wheelchair.
|
2 Arrested In Webb City For Meth Lab
Two men are facing drug charges after a meth lab was found in a Webb City apartment Tuesday. Sharon Rhine of the Jasper County Sheriff's Office tells News Talk KZRG Deputies were tipped off to the lab at Kenneth Bell's apartment.
"Deputies found five baggies of methamphetamine in Bell's jeans pocket, which field tested positive. And a bag containing five small plastic bottles which contained a clear bi-layer liquid in each bottle, indicative of a shake and bake lab."
Deputies also found pseudoephedrine, several needles and syringes. Bell, 30, was arrested for creating and possessing a controlled substance. 41-year-old Warren White of Webb City was arrested for creating a controlled substance. White was at Bell's apartment at the time of the search.
|
Contractor Accused Of Tornado Related Fraud
Missouri's attorney general has charged a Lebanon, Missouri-based company with defrauding Joplin homeowners after last May's tornado. Jeffrey Wolfson and Diane Schoeller own Insurexx, which offered home repair and insurance adjusting. Attorney General Chris Koster claims Insurexx took insurance checks from homeowners and didn't make any repairs, as well as falsely claiming they'd reimburse payments homeowners made to subcontractors.
|
Going To Jail For Bouncing Checks & Tornado Fraud
A Springfield man who lied about being a Joplin tornado victim will spend nearly six years in federal prison for bouncing checks. 31-year-old Justin Compton admitted to bank fraud last December. He bounced more than $160,000 worth of checks in five southwest Missouri counties. Compton got businesses to accept his checks by claiming he was a US Army sergeant and a victim of last May'sJoplin tornado.
Compton was sentenced to 5 years and 11 months in federal prison without parole. This will be served consecutively to a two year sentence for violating terms of his supervised release for two prior fraud convictions. Compton will also have to pay $46,665 in restitution.
|
KS Budget Talks Start Again
Negotiators from the Kansas House and Senate are back at work on a new state budget. Talks resumed today after the conferees made little progress Tuesday. They're trying to resolve differences between the two chambers on the $14 billion spending plan for the budget year that starts July 1st.
|
