Latest news with #GoldenLionAward
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourism is up in Joplin, how does it impact the local economy?
JOPLIN, Mo. — Business is booming when it comes to tourism in the Joplin area. 'This is our first stop, so we're really looking forward to seeing some of the street painting,' said Sararae Womack, St. Louis Tourist. Just one of the many points of interest tied to Route 66 that Sararae Womack is visiting during her stop in Joplin. 'We passed a few of the beautiful murals on our way in here. We're looking forward to exploring everything Joplin has to offer,' said Womack. Sararae is just one of many, many travelers highlighted in a new report detailing the impact of tourism on the Joplin metro area. There are big numbers, including more than 1.1 million visitors to the metro region in the 12 months leading up to March. It cites 27 hundred jobs connected to tourism spending. 'Jobs that support tourism, from the hotels to the restaurants to the attractions, and that generated another $408 million that were impacted across the board, of salaries, supplies, all kinds of activities,' said Patrick Tuttle, Joplin CVB Dir. Joplin's CVB director points to a five-year comparison, which includes a couple of devastating COVID years. Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce searching for new president Joplin named one of the best places to live in Missouri, according to report Joplin firefighters tackle 11th-floor fire alarm at Messenger Towers Missouri prepares for sports betting rollout 2024-2025 Golden Lion Award winners honored at MSSU 'We took quite a dive during the COVID years, and a lot of communities are getting back this year, being the fifth year after we got back on our feet two years ago. So we recovered pretty quickly,' said Tuttle. He says there are a variety of reasons tourists come to the area, but adds the Mother Road is one of the biggest factors, and specifically how travelers are choosing to enjoy that blast from the past. 'Pre-COVID. I would say the international traveler would see all of Missouri Route 66 in probably two days. And you and I would probably do it one day. Now we're seeing three to five days. People are slowing down. They're taking their time,' said Tuttle. A state-by-state breakdown shows that the biggest number of travelers comes from other parts of Missouri and Kansas… while there are also significant totals from Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Including Charlie Weddle, who's in town for a few days. He's been here before and says he'll be back again. 'It's a really great town. I love it here,' said Charlie Weddle, Wichita Traveler. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Joplin firefighters tackle 11th-floor fire alarm at Messenger Towers
JOPLIN, Mo. — A brief emergency inside Joplin's Messenger Towers was the result of a kitchen fire, the city said Wednesday. It happened just after 7:30 a.m. at the 14-story apartment building off 2nd and Main Street. Firefighters immediately made their way to the 11th floor amid dense, smoky conditions. Joplin named one of the best places to live in Missouri, according to report Joplin firefighters tackle 11th-floor fire alarm at Messenger Towers Missouri prepares for sports betting rollout 2024-2025 Golden Lion Award winners honored at MSSU Learn about snakes in Missouri waters at this free event The large response seen from the ground was from a second alarm raised for additional help in the resident evacuation. METS and several other EMS personnel units were also on-scene to help evaluate residents, and fortunately, all were able to safely evacuate. The scene was cleared two hours after it was first called in. According to the Joplin Fire Marshal, the fire from the 11th-floor apartment was accidental. The American Red Cross is working to assist residents possibly displaced. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2024-2025 Golden Lion Award winners honored at MSSU
JOPLIN, Mo. — This year's Golden Lion Award winners are honored at a special ceremony. The annual awards banquet took place Tuesday night (6/10) inside Missouri Southern State University's Ron Richard Athletic Center. It was emceed by KODE's Gretchen Bolander and recognized the eight finalists from this past academic year, whose stories we've brought you since September. Each one was nominated and chosen for their commitment to community service and academic achievement. Each one also received a $1,000 dollar scholarship to MSSU. During the banquet, one of the eight finalists received an additional $5,000 scholarship. This year's overall winner was Camden Steadman from Seneca. 'I was shocked. I was very happy, though. It was like a really good, happy shock because during my first interview, I actually said, 'like' a lot of times and I thought, 'I botched that interview or I hope that doesn't mess me up,' and I'm glad that it didn't mess it up. And then getting this scholarship is huge, I mean, $5,000 is a lot of money. That will cover an entire semester at the very least,' said Steadman. 'The Golden Lion Award is an amazing recognition of students who provided a truly unique service in their high school. We're so happy to have those students coming to the Missouri Southern campus. Over the years, I've seen them come here succeed, continue to serve, and make a difference,' said MSSU President, Dr. Dean Van Galen. The Golden Lion Award is sponsored by our parent company, Nexstar Broadcasting and H.E. Williams. To date, more than 30 MSSU graduates began their collegiate careers as Golden Lion Award finalists. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Slow-burning fire saves parts of Jane Chinn residence
WEBB CITY, Mo. — Leaders in Webb City are wading through the details of a historic house fire this weekend. Golden Lion Award: Emma Hudson Volunteers restore homes for foster families in southwest Missouri Sting with alleged predator leads to arrest of Webb City school employee Southwest Center marks 26th annual 'Celebration of Schools' event Webb City's Gibson Berendt shines in national free throw contest The 'Jane Chinn Residence' caught fire around 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Crews from Webb City, Joplin and Oronogo responded, putting out the fire, but not before it caused extensive property near 3rd and Pennsylvania sustained the worst impact around the second story bedroom where the fire started. Fire officials say the age of the building actually helped, since it was built from hardwoods which slowed the progression of the fire. 'The burning wasn't quite as rapid. So, it gives us just a few extra minutes to get there. But that extra few minutes makes a big difference in saving the structure or it unfortunately being totally destroyed,' said Chris Burrow, WCFD Battalion Chief. The home is more than 130 years old and served as the residence of Jane Chinn, who was instrumental in founding the former Jane Chinn Hospital in Webb City. It's still unclear whether the structure can be repaired or is a total loss. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Golden Lion Award: Emma Hudson
WEBB CITY, Mo. — The end of the school year is just days away. With it comes our final Golden Lion Award winner of the year. 'I'm a senior at Webb City High School,' said Emma Hudson, WCHS senior. Emma Hudson's time on campus isn't just class time and homework. 'I've been in FBLA for four years, and I've done DECA for three years. So those are business clubs that we have here at the high school. I was involved with FTA for three years. And then I help with Special Olympics,' said Hudson. Like track meets at Webb City High School. Emma is a unified buddy, meaning she's committed to helping students with disabilities. 'We have unified classes, where we have our PE class. They do their activities and everything, and us buddies trying to help motivate them. We work with them just make sure that they're having fun. And then whenever we have Special Olympics, where they're cheering them on,' said Hudson. Emma has also spent extra time with the Future Business Leaders of America, including hosting Webb City's first Business Bash. 'We were able to bring in some community members and have kids from Neosho come and learn about business. It's really helped our school as well kind of introduce kids to business and some new career pathways that they hadn't really realized,' said Hudson. She also helps with younger students as part of the cadet teaching program. Webb City teacher Amanda Eckols says that's just one reason Emma is a great example of a Golden Lion. 'She's very much a leader by doing rather than a leader by saying. She doesn't have the loudest voice. Uh, she doesn't stand up and tell everybody else what to do. She jumps in and has that servant leadership. That is a good role model for others,' said Amanda Eckols, WCHS teacher. MSSU hosts 84th Commencement Ceremony Golden Lion Award: Emma Hudson MSSU unveils new 3D printing center for health sciences Senior year is just about over for Emma, but she's already looking ahead to the next step. 'I'm going to MSSU in the fall. I'm going to be getting a major in elementary education with a certificate in birth to kindergarten,' said Hudson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
