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Published August 14, 2007 12:58 am - The high temperatures last week probably didn’t kill 84-year-old Estel “Punch” Harris, but Newton County Coroner Mark Bridges said they hastened his death. Area man's death linked to weather By Melissa Dunson
mdunson@joplinglobe.com The high temperatures last week probably didn’t kill 84-year-old Estel “Punch” Harris, but Newton County Coroner Mark Bridges said they hastened his death. Harris, a rural Neosho farmer, was found dead Friday in his yard, about 100 yards from a door to his house. Bridges said Harris used his walker to get to his tractor and drove it into a field, where it broke down. Harris tried to walk back to the house but died on his way. Bridges said it was about 100 degrees that afternoon. “He might have had a heart attack. He might have had a stroke,” Bridges said. “We’re not sure, but the heat was probably a secondary thing. It hastened his death.” Harris’ death was the first heat-related death in Newton County this summer. County coroners in Jasper, Lawrence, Barton and McDonald counties all reported no heat-related deaths as of Monday. “We’ve been pretty fortunate this year so far,” said B.J. Goodwin, McDonald County coroner. Coroners from Vernon and Barry counties did not return phone calls to the Globe. The coroner in Cherokee County, Kan., declined to comment. The heat wave isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Dave Gaede, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service station at Springfield, said the Joplin area will experience highs above 100 at least through Wednesday. Temperatures should fall into the mid-90s by the weekend, he said. Gaede said there is a 20 percent to 30 percent chance of rain Saturday through Monday. With an extended forecast of high temperatures, several area agencies have opened their doors to serve as cooling stations for those who need to get out of the heat. Joplin n The American Red Cross, 410 S. Jackson Ave., will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Wednesday. Janice Travis, emergency services manager, said the agency will reassess the heat situation Wednesday and decide whether to keep the cooling station open the rest of the week. Water and snacks are provided. n The Salvation Army, 402 E. Seventh St., opens its gymnasium doors at 8:30 a.m. and closes them at 4 p.m. weekdays for anyone who wants to get out of the heat. A free lunch is served at 1:30 p.m. Water is provided throughout the day. n Souls Harbor, 817 S. Main St., has its air-conditioned lounge area open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Administrator Joan Lewis said men, women and children are welcome. There also is an outdoor canopy area. 
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