Joplin R-8 Board Committee to hear update on elementary security camera installation, use

The Joplin R-8 Board of Education's Safety and Security Committee will hear an update on the installation and use of of elementary security cameras when it meets 4 p.m. Thursday in the Memorial Education Building.

Other agenda items include a summary of findings from a recent safety audit, the COPS grant and capital outlay items for the 2020-2021 school year.

Parson says data supports his COVID-19 recovery plan

(From Gov. Mike Parson)

As Missouri prepares to reopen economic and social activity on May 4, Governor Parson today highlighted data supporting the state’s “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan.

The “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan rests on four essential pillars designed to give Missouri a benchmark for moving forward:

-Expand testing capacity and volume in the state

-Expand reserves of PPE by opening public and private supply chains 

-Continue to monitor and, if necessary, expand hospital and health care system capacity

-Improve ability to predict potential outbreaks using Missouri's public health data

“Because Missouri took aggressive actions to combat COVID-19 from the start, we are in a good place with each of these pillars and confident that we are ready to move forward into the recovery process,” Governor Parson said.

The state uses multiple Missouri specific sources to monitor these pillars and inform its decisions. One of the most important pieces of information the state tracks is the number of hospitalized COVID-19 cases and people under investigation.

This is an important measure of how much strain COVID-19 is placing on the state’s health care system. Governor Parson emphasized that Missouri’s health care system is not currently overwhelmed.

According to the state’s data, Missouri reached peak hospitalization on April 7 at 1,242 cases. With the exception of the St. Louis region, the total number of hospitalizations had decreased significantly in every region across the state by April 25: 

 
The Kansas City region went from 411 hospitalizations to 243 (41 percent reduction)
The Central Region went from 40 hospitalizations to 25 (38 percent reduction)
The Northwest Region went from 17 hospitalizations to 10 (41 percent reduction)
The Northeast Region went from 6 hospitalization to 2 (67 percent reduction)
The Southwest Region went from 73 hospitalizations to 27 (63 percent reduction)
The Southeast Region went from 56 to 31 (45 percent reduction)
St. Louis region went from 639 to 692 (8 percent increase)

Additionally, as of yesterday, Missouri has over 1,100 ventilators available across the state according to data from the Missouri Hospital Association. This does not include the ventilators in the state's strategic stockpile.

“These are just some examples of the data we track and monitor every day to make our decisions,” Governor Parson said.

“The overall trends in the data show that Missouri’s health care system is under control,” Governor Parson continued. “Our hospitals are not overwhelmed, and things are improving, which is why we have made the decision to move forward and begin reopening Missouri on May 4.”

Also during today’s briefing, Governor Parson was joined by Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Dan Mehan, Associated Industries of Missouri President Ray McCarty, and Missouri Restaurant Association President Greg Hunsucker to talk more about the reopening of Missouri businesses.

Yesterday, Governor Parson announced all businesses can reopen on May 4 as long as social distancing guidelines are followed. Some businesses will be required to take additional precautions to protect their employees and the public, such as occupancy limits at retail locations.

To view the full economic reopening order, additional guidance, and frequently asked questions, please click here. For more information on the “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan, visit showmestrong.mo.gov.

Arkansas State Parks to begin reopening some facilities beginning May 1

(From Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson)

Arkansas State Parks will begin a limited reopening of some facilities for Arkansas residents starting May 1, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today.

“Closing our parks, campgrounds, and visitor centers has been one of the toughest restrictions during this pandemic, but it was necessary,” Governor Hutchinson said. “I am elated that we can give Arkansans the opportunity to get out of their homes to enjoy our natural resources again.”

Rental of camp sites, cabins, lodges, and RVs will be limited to Arkansas residents.

Beginning May 1, Arkansas residents with self-contained RVs will be allowed to stay overnight in campgrounds. Bath houses will remain closed. Check in and check out will be automated.

On May 15, State Parks will open visitor information centers, museums and exhibits, gift shops, golf pro shops, marinas, and equipment rental. Staff will limit the number of visitors allowed into the visitor centers and shops, and will enforce social distancing.

On May 15, State Parks also will reopen to Arkansas residents cabins, lodges, and RV rental. Rentals will be limited to Friday through Monday to allow for deep cleaning between visitors.

“Arkansans love their parks, and we want to invite Arkansans back,” said Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst. “This proposal was reviewed and approved by Secretary of Health Nate Smith before going to the Governor for final approval. These precautions will allow Arkansans to enjoy camping while maintaining guidelines for social distancing.”

Some high-use trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Devil’s Den State Park, and Petit Jean State Park will remain closed.

Springfield-Greene County Health Department offering no-cost COVID-19 testing for essential workers

(From the Springfield-Greene County Health Department)

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department will offer no-cost COVID-19 testing for essential workers who are not exhibiting symptoms to further study the spread of the disease in our community.

The Health Department has dedicated 200 test kits to test essential workers who live or work in Greene County. This opportunity is for employees who have been working outside of their homes during the stay-at-home orders, such as grocery store employees, restaurant workers, or gas station clerks.

Those who are interested in asymptomatic testing for essential workers can sign up by calling (417) 874-1209. That line will be answered Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A separate physician referral will not be required.

Testing of asymptomatic individuals will allow our community to better understand COVID-19 in our area. However, it should be noted that this is just a snapshot in time. Testing indicates whether a person has COVID-19 at the time of testing only.



It should also be noted that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) identified six new symptoms that may be associated with COVID-19. Aside from cough, fever and shortness of breath, additional symptoms include:
chills,
repeated shaking with chills,
muscle pain,
headache,
sore throat,
and new loss of taste or smell.

Joplin City Council to approve reopening plan during special meeting Wednesday

JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE 
APRIL 29, 2020, 6 P.M. 

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, will hold a special meeting beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at Joplin City Hall, 5th Floor Council Chambers, 602 S. Main St. and via teleconferencing; for the purpose of discussing the City of Joplin Plan for Response and Recovery.

Citizens can view the meeting online with the usual live stream: http://www.joplinmo.org/182/Video-Multimedia or watch the live broadcast on KGCSTV on broadcast channel 21 or on regional cable television systems, including Sparklight in Joplin.

If anyone desires to address City Council or speak, you may submit your comments online or attend the meeting in person (social distance is required: 6 ft.).

Please contact the City Clerk’s office if you have questions 417-624-0820 ext. 220

AGENDA 

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation







3. Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America

4. Reading of the Special Call

5. Roll Call

6. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2020-606 - AN ORDINANCE adopting the City of Joplin Plan for Response and Recovery during the duration of the Mayor’s Emergency Government Proclamation of State of Emergency in City of Joplin, State of Missouri dated March 18, 2020, or any extension thereof; authorizing the Mayor to execute the appropriate phase and step of the City of Joplin Plan for Response and Recovery, consistent with the components and elements contained therein, in order to protect the public health; establishing a penalty for violating the prohibition; and containing an emergency clause.

7. Any other business

Paul Richardson: The best words ever

Ingenious combinations of words have made up every memorable quote that endures. A few singular words become iconic, but they are rare and associated with a symbol or event.

Like other items, songs, books, occasions and places; a combination of words will jump to the front. 

Our current state of affairs has highlighted one for me that was always leading the pack, but now has taken on a new depth in its meaning.

During our sophomore year in high school, my old friend Randy Turner and I were working on the school newspaper staff. This was in a day when the paper was created on memo graph film punched out on typewriters. A very time-consuming process. 

My memory of these days was resurrected recently by a Facebook post from Randy with a photo of the newspaper as it appeared following Don Bogle promoting us during our junior year and the move to offset print and photos! 

On the many evenings when we returned to the high school to work producing the paper in our sophomore year, we were permitted to play “our” music during this time. Someone either an upper classmate or one of the teachers involved had a fine collection of Moody Blues’ albums. These were the early works and included “On The Threshold Of A Dream”.

On at least two different occasions I discussed my opinions regarding a specific song from the aforementioned album with Steve Kenny. 

While we have differing opinions about this song, one must realize that the impact a song has is dependent upon a lot of different things. It certainly must have the appeal based on the style of music and we can all agree that certain songs just grab hold of you. 

The Moody Blues were always a known group of poets by nature. Join their poetry in with some good blues riffs, coupled with a good tempo and beat, well, you got my attention. Join all of that with the frequent repetition of not only that song but the entire album and that played in my head for years.

The song in debate is “Lovely To See You” and will certainly be an anthem for me following this current period of isolation. I had already selected this song to be a part of repertoire for my last send off. Yes, I have selected the music which will play at that occasion! The good wife thinks it is morbid, but I think it is a good idea to have all these things taken care of and besides, the music will really represent me and what my life has experienced.

I’m going to close up this article with some of the words from this poetic work; “Wonderful day, passing my way, knock on my door, even the score with your eyes, Lovely to see you again my friend, walk along with me to the next bend……”

Search out and enjoy this song online and let me know your opinion the day you knock on my door. I will be saying, “Lovely to see you again, my friend.”

(Paul Richardson's column, The Horse I Rode On In, is published weekly in the Neosho Daily News, Seneca News-Dispatch, Aurora Advertiser and on the Turner Report.)

Watch live- Arkansas Governor's COVID-19 update at 1:30 p.m.

Ten COVID-19 deaths recorded in Oklahoma

(From the Oklahoma State Department of Health)

As of this advisory, there are 3,410 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.

There are 10 additional deaths; none of them occurred in the past 24 hours and the others died between April 22-April 26.

-Four in Tulsa County, a male in the 65 and older age group, a female in the 65 and older age group, a male in the 50-64 age group, and a female in the 50-64 age group.

-Three in Washington County, two females in the 65 and older age group and a male in the 65 and older age group.

-One in Caddo County, a female in the 65 and older age group.

-One in Cleveland County, a male in the 65 and older age group.

-One in Delaware County, a female in the 65 and older age group.

There are 207 total deaths in the state.

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing is now available at the Oklahoma Health Center in coordination with the University of Oklahoma. If you are experiencing symptoms, call 405-271-7774 to make an appointment. More information can be found here.

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing is now available at the Chickasaw Nation Tishomingo Health Clinic. The site is open to the public. The hours are Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you are experiencing symptoms, please call (580) 371-2361.

A list of COVID-19 testing sites in the state can be found here.

For more information, visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov.

Parson administration refusing to cooperate with auditor on oversight of CARES Act funds

(From State Auditor Nicole Galloway)

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today said her effort to examine the state's spending of federal funding provided through the CARES Act is ongoing, even as the Governor's office refuses to provide details on plans for state departments.

Auditor Galloway recently requested basic information of state departments related to their plans and actions for spending COVID-19 relief funds. Instead of a response from the departments, the Auditor's Office received a letter from the Governor's Office. The letter failed to provide clear answers about the administration's plans for distributing federal funds.

"These questions are the same as the ones taxpayers, small businesses and local governments are grappling with during this unprecedented time. As the state's independent watchdog, I will continue to pursue answers on their behalf," Auditor Galloway said. "Our state is set to receive the largest amount of federal relief funds ever. Transparency and oversight are necessary to maintain the public's trust."

The information requested will help determine whether the state's accounting systems are functioning properly and whether any mismanagement or misappropriation has occurred. Auditor Galloway said cooperation from state departments in providing this basic information is the most efficient way to ensure transparency.

Under Article IV, Section 13 of the Missouri Constitution, the State Auditor has a duty to ensure the accuracy of the state's accounting of its spending. Per Section 29.130, RSMo, the office "shall have free access to all offices of this state for the inspection of such books, accounts and papers."

Two weeks ago, Auditor Galloway announced her oversight initiative to ensure federal funds are being spent effectively and to identify any potential vulnerabilities for waste, fraud or abuse. Additionally, an online resource for Missourians to understand how state government is spending the federal funding is in development.

The full response to the Governor can be found here.

Fourteen COVID-19 deaths reported in Missouri over 24-hour period, confirmed cases top 7,000

Fourteen COVID-19 deaths have been added to Missouri's total, according to statistics released this afternoon by the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Ten of the 14 deaths were in St. Louis County, with the other four in St. Louis.

The state has recorded 288 coronavirus deaths, with St. Louis County reporting 137 deaths, St. Louis 54, St. Charles County 27, Kansas City 15, Jackson County nine and Greene County seven.







Area counties reported no new COVID-19 cases. To this point, Jasper County has had 16, Newton County 10, Joplin seven, McDonald County four and Barton County none.

St. Louis County tops the state with 2,897 cases followed by St. Louis with 1027, St. Charles County 543 and Kansas City 500.

The state statistics show 70,932 people have been tested.