Where is Globe coverage of Goody's closing?

For a newspaper that prides itself on having a weekly "Watching Range Line" column, the Joplin Globe appears to have not been watching carefully this week. So far, I have seen no mention of Goody's Chapter 11 bankruptcy or its decision to close 69 stores, including the stores on Range Line in Joplin, and in Pittsburg, Kan.

Now I am strictly referring to the Globe website, since I have been attending a technology seminar every morning this week at Joplin High School and have not had the opportunity to see the print edition. Perhaps the AP story on the bankruptcy ran in the print edition, or a company news release run verbatim except for the addition of those misleading words "From Staff Reports."

Perhaps Wally Kennedy will be watching that area of Range Line next Tuesday.

While the Globe has been shortchanging this story, other newspapers have been far more diligent. The Pittsburg Morning Sun's Kevin Flaherty posted a story Monday afternoon. The Jefferson City News Tribune also posted an article that day and followed it up with an enterprise piece written by Kris Hilgedeck today:

On a morning when the air was cool and the sunlight warm, a stream of casual shoppers trickled into the store Tuesday morning.

Many of the visitors were state workers on their breaks from the Department of Social Services, whose building is across the street.

State employee Julia Cooley walked over to return a purchase.

Cooley likes shopping at Goody's because it appeals to her love of bargain-hunting. She usually purchases items off the clearance racks.

Sometimes the workers walk for exercise at the shopping center.

“When we walk, we just pop in,” she added. “It's just convenient.”

Cooley was personally disappointed the store was closing.

She tends to rely on the store to find gifts for friends, family, colleagues, neighbors and children.

“You can get something for a baby shower,” she explained.

But she conceded some of the merchandise in the store was priced “pretty high.”

At a time when the word "recession" is being tossed around on a daily basis, area readers should expect the newspaper of record to the problems facing businesses and consumers.
Of course, I could being hasty with my criticism. Perhaps Wally Kennedy will be watching that area of Range Line next Tuesday.