Latest news with #CarlJunction
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Carl Junction Fire Protection District faces rising costs and calls, decreasing volunteers
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The Carl Junction Fire Protection District is feeling the fallout of the national volunteer firefighter shortage while at the same time facing higher call volumes and rising equipment costs. The district's coverage area is about 74 square miles, from the Joplin city limits, north to Asbury, and the state line to Missouri Highway 43. 'To put it into context, we are busier than the single busiest fire station in Joplin,' said fire Chief Joe Perkins. 'We outrun Joplin Fire Station No. 3 by about 30 or 40 calls.' Volunteers comprise 65% of firefighters in the United States, according to data from the National Volunteer Fire Council. Small and midsize communities rely heavily on volunteer firefighters. When Perkins first joined the department in 1998, there were more than 60 volunteers on the roster and no paid personnel. In 2005, he was one of the first three full-time firefighters hired in Carl Junction. He became captain, assistant chief, then fire chief in 2015. Today, the Carl Junction Fire Protection District has 18 volunteer firefighters. Last year, it had 24 volunteers. The district currently has 12 full-time firefighters on staff and operates four fire stations. 'It got to a point where we had to augment because we don't have the same amount of volunteers,' said Perkins. 'Now, each shift has three people and we augment that with a PRN (as-needed) guy who works 10 to 12 hours during the day.' An increase in annual calls has also been affecting the district's equipment and the amount of coverage limited staff can provide. In 2018, the district responded to a total of 275 calls. In 2019, there were a total of 1,725 calls. Perkins said their calls now average about 2,500 annually. Rising equipment costs due to inflation and supply shortages from the COVID-19 pandemic have also caused budget constraints for the district. Perkins said they've had to get more creative with equipment and have even remounted tankers to save money. 'We have two trucks where we remounted current tankers and basically put the same tank and pump on a new chassis,' said Perkins. 'This saved us roughly about $190,000 for those vehicles individually, nearly $400,000 total.' The Carl Junction Fire Protection District's budget is fueled by a tax levy and operates independently from the city. With these ongoing challenges, Perkins said they may have to explore other ways to generate additional revenue for the district, such as placing a bond issue on the April 2026 ballot. 'Fire protection districts in Missouri are funded primarily through property taxes,' said Perkins. 'We're not growing the same way that some of these bigger cities have been. We have to adapt.'
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Briarbrook Invitational tees off in Carl Junction
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The 2025 Briarbrook Invitational teed off Friday on a wet course. This year's three-day invitational includes 124 golfers (97 regular, 27 seniors) and a slew of young golfers contending for the title. Advertisement Among those young golfers is defending champion Austin Hafner, who graduated from William Penn last year and served as assistant golf coach at Carl Junction High School this past season. "There's a little added pressure," Hafner said of this year's competition, after winning the title. "It's for the back-to-back, but I'm just going to play my game and see where it takes me." Among those Hafner will have to fend off is one of his Carl Junction golfers — Jack Spencer, who was the winner of last year's Ozark Amateur and finished fifth in Class 4 in Missouri this season as a senior. Hafner shot a 207 over 54 holes to win last year's tournament. He was three strokes ahead of runner-up Taylor Landsford (210). Spencer finished tied for third (211) with 2021 champ Jordan Burks, who also is in the field this year. Advertisement Spencer, who helped Carl Junction finish third in Class 4 for the second straight season, said there is a difference between high school golf and summer tournaments. "Obviously, the team aspect is a lot different," Spencer said. "You're more focused on yourself in these summer tournaments. The Briarbrook Invitational is a fun event, where you are riding in golf carts with your buddies. It's just a lot more relaxed for me." Also gunning for a title this year is Harry Satterlee, of Joplin, who just finished his freshman year playing for NCAA Division I University of Cincinnati. "College golf is a lot different," Satterlee said. "It's longer yardage, and the courses are a lot tougher. It's all about playing for your school and not letting the other guys down." Advertisement Satterlee offered advice for Spencer, who will be playing at UMKC next year. "He's going to do well," Satterlee said. "He just has to keep doing what he has been doing — grinding and focusing on the little things." Also in this year's field is Tug Baker, of Carthage, who took the title at the 2020 Briarbrook Invitational. This year's senior division includes last year's Briarbrook Invitational seniors champ Steve Hoenshell and inaugural Senior Ozark Amateur champ Dave Pawlus, who also tied for runner-up with Bill Curry in the senior division at Briarbrook last year. Advertisement The tournament, which began 56 years ago, has been played each year but one, in 2019, after the course suffered extensive tornado damage. The invitational features a variety of other events, including a nine-hole par-3 tournament played Thursday (See related story). Stroke play continues Saturday with the final round Sunday.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Carl Junction City Council discuss ethics complaint against mayor
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — An ethics complaint against the mayor of Carl Junction was front and center during Tuesday night's city council meeting (5/20). The complaint was recently filed against CJ Mayor Mike Moss by council member James Shanks. Moss is accused of repeatedly referring to female city employees as 'Steve's harem' — referring to City Administrator, Steve Lawver. City Attorney, Mike Talley said Tuesday night, the city has received four more complaints against Moss from city employees, and that the best course of action would be to have a due process hearing. Talley has also spoken to Nate Dally with Lauber Municipal Law about taking on the role of outside counsel for the city. Dally, of course, resigned last year as city attorney in Carthage during its turmoil. A decision from Lauber could come this week. A former city employee addressed the council during tonight's public comments portion of the meeting. 'As a citizen of Carl Junction for 17 years, as well as a former employee of the city and a woman, I can only hope that you guys do not take these comments or the disrespect towards these women and the employees of our city lightly. In doing so, I can only hope that you see that this is not just a one-time thing, but a continuous issue, and that you take the next step in the right direction for the sake of our community,' said Former CJ City Employee, Brandy Castlebury. Moss, who continues to decline to comment, has hired William Fleischaker as his attorney. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
A look at the Southwest Missouri high school football, athletic indoor facilities
Southwest Missouri has seen a boom in indoor athletics facilities over the last decade, and more are scheduled to open over the next few years. The Joplin area got a head start, but the Springfield area is catching up. Strafford opened its 50-yard indoor football field in 2022, which was followed by Ozark's in 2024. Nixa and Logan-Rogersville will open theirs this summer, while Republic will break ground on its $22 million facility in the coming months. Advertisement Administrators believe more will be built across the state over the next decade. Springfield Public Schools plans to build one in the next few years for its five high schools. Here's a look at the indoor facilities across the region. Vote now: Who in Southwest Missouri has the best high school football stadium? Carl Junction Opened: 2016 Cost: Part of a $13.5 million project Carl Junction built a storm shelter that doubles as a multi-purpose indoor practice facility with artificial turf and batting cages. Carthage Opened: 2019 Cost: $2.2 million The Tiger Activity Center (TAC) opened in Fall 2019 with a 40-yard indoor football field, plus a 10-yard endzone. About $1.5 million came from the Kent D. & Mary L. Steadley Memorial Trust, with $500,000 coming from the McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital Trust. Another $300,000 was raised by local patrons. Cassville Opened: Unclear Cost: Unclear Advertisement Messages to Cassville regarding its indoor facility went unreturned. The Wildcats have had one on campus since at least 2009. Logan-Rogersville Opening: 2025 Cost: Part of a $32 million bond Voters approved a no-tax-increase bond in April 2022, which provided the Rogersville school district $32 million to construct and renovate classrooms at its schools, build and renovate libraries, construct a storm shelter, improve athletic facilities, and develop its indoor athletics facility. The indoor facility includes a 50-yard football field, a new weight room, coaches' offices, batting cages, locker rooms, a sky bridge connecting it to the high school and several other additions. A full turfed football practice field will reside right outside the building. Marshfield Opened: 2025 Cost: Part of a $10 million bond issue Advertisement Marshfield recently opened a multi-purpose building that was part of a 2023 bond issue with no tax increase. The issue also included constructing a storm shelter and expanding the agriculture department shop. The storm shelter was built with the idea of also using it as a multi-purpose building, which includes space for athletic practices. Neosho Opened: 2021 Cost: Part of a $22 million bond issue Neosho opened the La-Z-Boy End Zone Facility in 2021. It features a 40-yard football field plus a 10-yard endzone, batting cages, locker rooms, a weight room and coaches' offices. The facility was approved by Neosho's "Next Step Ballot Measure" in June 2020 and received an additional $400,000 from La-Z-Boy Midwest. The $22 million bond issue also included the creation of a performing arts center among other projects. Opening: 2025 Cost: $18 million Advertisement Nixa is in the final stages of completing its indoor facility after a $47 million bond issue with no tax increase was approved in April 2023. The building cost $18 million, and the school is also looking to update its technology, renovate classrooms, and build storm shelters. Dubbed "The Apex," the indoor facility will feature a full-sized football field and additional space for soccer. It will also house the football locker rooms, community spaces, film rooms, golf simulators, and more. The facility also includes concession stands that will be used when Nixa hopes to build baseball and softball facilities on campus in the near future. Inside the new Ozark High School activities center on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. Opened: August 2024 Cost: Part of a $19 million bond issue Advertisement Voters approved a no-tax-increase bond issue in April 2022, allowing Ozark to open its indoor athletics facility. The bond issue also allowed the district to build storm shelters at Ozark Middle School and Tiger Pay, an early childhood center. Republic Scheduled opening: August 2026 Cost: $22 million Republic will soon break ground on its indoor athletics facility after a no-tax-increase bond issue was approved last month. The building, which will cost around $22 million, will be located behind the high school. The Tigers will have a full indoor football field that includes drop-down batting cages. It will be part of a brick building that also houses classrooms, a band room, a weight room and coaching offices. There will also be a room dedicated to JROTC. Strafford Opened: 2022 Cost: Part of a $7.5 million bond issue Advertisement Strafford's "HPER Building" (for health, physical education, and recreation) was voted on as part of a $7.5 million bond issue passed in 2019. The building features a 50-yard football field and a 10-yard endzone. It also includes additional classrooms, batting cages and other features for other sports. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield area indoor high school football, athletic facilities
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top 5 Plays of the Week — Week 35
JOPLIN, MO — After a week of high school & collegiate sports, we showed off our Top 5 Plays of the Week from around the Four States area. Play #5: Carl Junction's Deacon Endicott (6.0 IP, 7 K's, & 1 hit allowed vs West Plains) — Carl Junction's Deacon Endicott was just one inning away from going the distance. Through six innings pitched, Endicott allowed just one hit and struck out seven against West Plains. Advertisement Play #4: Mt. Vernon's Braden Dodson (catches runner on stolen base attempt) — Mt. Vernon's Braden Dodson threw out a runner trying to advance to second base last week. With great pop time, Dodson showed off his versatility, catching the Neosho runner. Play #3: Pitt State's Alex Rodgers (makes a phenomenal catch robbing a home run) — Pitt State centerfielder Alex Rodgers took away a home run in the Gorillas game against Washburn last week. Rodgers leaped high above the wall to make the catch, as Pitt took two of three in the series with the Ichabods. Play #2: Columbus's Kash Smith (hits two grand slams in one game) — Columbus's Kash Smith completed a rare feat against Galena last week. In a record breaking day, the freshman hit two grand slams against the Bulldogs. Advertisement Play #1: MSSU's Abby DeSanto (hits home run in final career at bat) — With her season cut short due to a medical condition, MSSU's Abby DeSanto hit a home run in her final at bat for the Lions. The senior came in the game as a pinch hitter for starter Emily Perry, hitting a solo shot to remember for a lifetime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE |
