Local News
Informational meeting planned for Aug. 13 at Prairie State Park
JOPLIN, Mo. —
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has scheduled an informational meeting on Friday, Aug. 13, at Prairie State Park near Liberal in Barton County.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the visitors center and is open to the public.
Recent accomplishments at the park and future plans will be highlighted at the meeting, according to Brian Miller, natural resource steward at the park.
Accomplishments include a contract to fence two miles of the Tzi-Sho Grazing Area for the park’s herd of 130 bison, he said.
“This is the first stage,” Miller said, adding that another two miles of fence still need to be built.
Miller also noted that the State Park Youth Corps has completed a number of summer projects, including painting, landscaping, and tree planting near the picnic and camping area, as well as removal of exotic species within the park.
As for upcoming events, Miller said: “The big thing that is coming up is our Prairie Jubilee event. That is Sept. 25. That’s our premier celebration of the tallgrass prairie.”
That event draws about 1,000 visitors to the park, and this year, said Miller, the Prairie Jubilee will highlight the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War in Missouri.
Visitors also are invited to comment during the meeting on the park’s services and operations. Afterward, at 8 p.m., there will be an atlatl (spear-thrower) demonstration where visitors will learn about the ancient art of atlatl making and its use on the prairie.
People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the park directly at 417-843-6711 or by calling the department toll-free at 800-334-6946
Park numbers
Prairie State Park near Liberal has 4,000 acres of native tallgrass prairie and attracts about 55,000 visitors each year, said Brian Miller, natural resource steward.
- Local News
-
-
Mother Road Marathon events draw nearly 1,000 runners
Nearly 1,000 runners from 34 states, Puerto Rico and Canada have registered for Mother Road Marathon events to be held Oct. 10 on Route 66, organizers said Thursday. “This event is really the talk of the running world,” said Dean Reinke, president of Reinke Sports Group of Winter Park, Fla. He was hired to help the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Joplin Sports Authority put on the event.
-
Downing of trees sparks reconsideration in Lamar
At times, as many as a dozen residents trailed behind on Thursday when Barton County officials and an urban forester examined trees on the county courthouse lawn in Lamar. Jon Skinner, with the Missouri Department of Conservation, was called in for advice after county officials had some trees cut down, raising the hackles of a number of residents.
-
Artist recycles library’s roof
When workers removed copper roofing from the Pittsburg Public Library during renovations, someone had it saved. On Thursday, it was installed at the library again, but in a much different form: as art.
-
Defendant takes stand in retrial
Jurors may decide today whether they believe Kevin Scott or four women who say he turned their teenage slumber party 13 years ago into a nightmare by sexually assaulting them for hours on end.
-
Mike Pound: Diamond squad brings cheer to students in need
It was raining Wednesday afternoon, so the girls took their cheer practice indoors. The girls, mostly in the fifth and sixth grades at Diamond, were doing what a lot of girls their age do. They were giggling, laughing and talking to one another while they waited for practice to begin.
-
Graduate of NEO named national commander of American Legion
A retired U.S. Army and Marine Corps veteran with ties to Miami, Okla., has been elected national commander of The American Legion.
-
Newton County completes phase one of jail upgrade
The Newton County Commission has accepted a proposal identifying the costs to add a 48-bed expansion to the county jail. But the commission is still taking no action on moving forward with construction amid the economic recession.
-
KDOT focusing on 2 options for passenger rail
The Kansas Department of Transportation has narrowed the options for expanding passenger rail service in the state.
-
Severe weather possible tonight
An approaching cold front late this afternoon could produce strong to severe storms in Southeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri, according to the National Weather Service.
-
Mother Road Marathon attracts hundreds from many states
Runners from 34 states as well as Puerto Rico and Canada have registered for the Mother Road Marathon events to be held Oct. 10 on Route 66 from Commerce, Okla., to Joplin, organizers said.
- More Local News Headlines
-
