The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO - N.E. Okla. & S.E. Kan.

Budget cuts, enrollment declines take toll at some Kansas schools
The latest round of Kansas budget cuts will hit hard in the school districts of Pittsburg, Columbus and Riverton. Statewide, cuts to school districts now total nearly $83 million, based on what the districts budgeted, according to figures provided by the Kansas Department of Education.
PSU planning forums to discuss latest round of Kansas budget cuts
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg State University President Steve Scott will convene two forums next week on campus to discuss the latest budget cuts for higher education. Gov. Mark Parkinson this week announced $259 million worth of statewide cuts aimed at trying to balance the budget in light of declining revenues. Those cuts included at least $2 million for higher education.
Pittsburg officials: Loan paves way for renovation of landmark
PITTSBURG, Kan. — After three years of planning and discussion, Pittsburg will see work by a real estate developer who is planning to create downtown housing for 75 to 100 people in the vacant Hotel Besse.
Funeral for soldier killed in Afghanistan scheduled in Galena
Services for John Cleaver, a former area soldier who was killed last week in Afghanistan, will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the Galena (Kan.) High School auditorium. The Rev. Jill Cameron Michel will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2:30 p.m. Sunday until service time in the auditorium. After the service and military honors, the body will be cremated under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
Kansas resident arrested on charges of sexual misconduct
An Independence, Kan., man is facing Jasper County charges of sexual misconduct.
State rejects application for Cherokee County casino
GALENA, Kan. — The Kansas Lottery has rejected an application for a state-owned casino in Cherokee County, but a principal in the effort says the group might shoot the dice again. Ozark Trail Gaming was notified by letter that its application was being rejected because it didn’t meet the state’s minimum requirements.
Cherokee County landfill closure set for May or June
COLUMBUS, Kan. — The Republic Services landfill north of Columbus will close in May or June of 2010, a company representative told a group of local officials Tuesday.
Pittsburg City Commission to consider joining regional initiative
PITTSBURG, Kan. — The expression “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” often is used when explaining a theory of psychology.
City leaders from Joplin, Mo., and Pittsburg believe that adage also is true when it comes to economic development, to the extent that they are implementing a five-year regional economic growth initiative called the Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative.
Houses used as set in making of horror film burn to ground
PICHER, Okla. — The vacant houses used recently in the making of a hard-core horror film in Picher burned to the ground Sunday night, authorities said Monday. Two of the three houses that burned were featured in “Bad Girls Burn in Hell,” which was filmed in Picher earlier this month by deathfactoryinc.com.
Lawyers apparently plan appeal in lawsuit in Tar Creek buyout w/ judge’s decision
PICHER, Okla. — A lawsuit filed by more than 100 residents of the Picher-Cardin area against the panel that was in charge of the Tar Creek buyout apparently is headed for appeal after a recent rejection in Ottawa County District Court.
Meeting set to discuss Cherokee County landfill closure
COLUMBUS, Kan. — A meeting is set for today at the Cherokee County Health Department for discussion of plans to close a landfill in the county.
The meeting — scheduled for 1 p.m. at the health department, 110 E. Walnut St. — was organized by the Cherokee County Local Environmental Protection Program and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
Andra Bryan Stefanoni: Trees to take traditional place
PITTSBURG, Kan. — In the 26 years that the Mount Carmel Foundation has displayed “Remember Me Trees” at Meadowbrook Mall, the ornaments decorating those trees have honored thousands of people. Each one of them has a story.
The stories include grandsons remembering grandfathers no longer living, mothers honoring sons and daughters serving in the armed forces, and clubs memorializing members who have passed away.
Family mourns death of soldier
The first story about John Cleaver that pops into his mother’s mind is one from his high school years, when he was a competitor on a Scholars Bowl team.
‘Journey Stories’ set pace at exhibit in Miami Public Library
MIAMI, Okla. — Patrons of the Miami Public Library can journey through history today.
The library, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Humanities Council, is featuring “Journey Stories,” a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit that explores the mobile nature of Americans — why they move, how they move and what that says about them. The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 30.
Fire damages home in Miami
St. John's new owner seeks views fom public
The Sisters of Mercy Health System, the new owner of St. John’s Regional Medical Center, asked for views Thursday night about the future of local health care, and it got them — pages and pages of them.
More than 125 people from Joplin and across the region were asked to describe what health care in Joplin needs to look like. They were seated at 18 tables at the Joplin Holiday Inn, where they shared their opinions and observations.
Kansas resident injured in accident
Two men face charges in sting in opium case
Woman who embezzled from Frontenac church sentenced to probation
FRONTENAC, Kan. — The former business manager of the Catholic church in Frontenac, who pleaded guilty in connection with the embezzlement of $74,000, was sentenced Wednesday to three years of probation.
Kansas regents outline budget issues facing higher education
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Leaders from business, industry, education and government gathered Tuesday night at Pittsburg State University to hear a presentation by the Kansas Board of Regents on the economic impact that higher education institutions have and the budget issues those institutions face.
Jay man killed while assisting accident victims
PSU promotes Pittsburg High School tech program as statewide mode
PITTSBURG, Kan. — The director of technology education at Pittsburg State University on Monday made a pitch for a statewide technology education program based on the one at Pittsburg High School.
Michael Neden, PSU associate professor, made the presentation to a group of officials invited from the Kansas Department of Education.
Andra Bryan Stefanoni: Pittsburg Middle School earns honors
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Seven years ago, when the Pittsburg School District received its first “standard of excellence” designation in connection with state assessments, there was a huge celebration.
Years later, such awards come more regularly, and no one thinks to have a big party with cake and punch.
Except this year.
Test results from last spring show that Pittsburg Community Middle School earned five standards of excellence: one for every grade level in reading, a buildingwide writing award, and a buildingwide composite standard of excellence.
Mother, daughter to be depicted on Rose Parade float; organs were donated after fatal car crash
Floral portraits of Teresa and Taylor Kemp will be among those on the Donate Life float “New Life Rises” in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day.
Teresa Kemp, 41, and her daughter, Taylor, 13, both of Pittsburg, Kan., died of injuries they suffered in a July 16 car crash when a vehicle that was being pursued by a Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy struck Teresa Kemp’s vehicle. Taylor Kemp died at the scene, and Teresa Kemp died the following week in a hospital.
Pitt State scientists studying black holes
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Capturing the energy of black holes to power our world sounds too futuristic to be true, but less than a century ago, nuclear energy and moon shots were far-fetched, too. Capturing that energy might not happen for generations, but Alexander Konopelko, a German physicist and assistant professor at Pittsburg State University for the past year, is laying the groundwork now.
Dog show set for Miami
MIAMI, Okla. — The pitter-patter of pampered paws will echo through the Miami Civic Center this winter.
The Northeast Oklahoma Pet Professionals’ 5th Annual Pet Expo is coming to Miami Feb. 5 and 6.
“We are very excited about this event,” said Ray Vanover, a member of the club and an organizer of the show. “We are hoping that this is the beginning of a long tradition in Miami.”
It is an American Canine Association-sanctioned event, and Vanover said the opportunity to earn points toward a breed champion status will bring participants from a large region.
National Park Service recognizes Route 66 center in Baxter Springs w/ Route 66 preservation info
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — The Baxter Springs Route 66 Visitors’ Center was recognized Friday by the National Park Service as a place that matters.
Kaisa Barthuli, acting program manager with the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, made the presentation outside the restored 1930 gas station.
Kansas teenager reports being robbed near falls
Authorities probe death; identity being withheld

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