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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