Latest news with #SouthwestCenter
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Southwest Center marks 26th annual ‘Celebration of Schools' event
WEBB CITY, Mo. — The accomplishments of area educators and supporters are celebrated at a special ceremony. The Southwest Center for Educational Excellence hosted its 26th annual Celebration of Schools at Cardinal Dome in Webb City. The event welcomed more than 475 school officials and professional community partners. Teachers from 23 Southwest Missouri school districts were recognized for their commitment to education. A total of 234 awards were given. Among those, 88 teachers received special recognition, including Teacher of the Year. For this school year, that award went to Sheila Littlefield, an instructional coach at Cassville Intermediate School. 'I think it means a lot to know that you have that value and appreciation from your peers and to know that they see what we do on a daily basis and know that we're making an impact for all the students in our building,' said Littlefield. 'I think every teacher deserves this, and so I wish we could do it for every teacher in all of our districts. I think it means a lot just to show them that they are special,' said Southwest Center Executive Director, Melissa Massey. The Southwest Center for Educational Excellence is comprised of 41 different Southwest Missouri school districts. Instructors say this celebration is a 'thank you' to all those dedicated to education. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Texarkana mother turns tragedy into purpose
TEXARKANA, TX. (KTAL/KMSS) – In 2020, Sacoyle Baker's world shattered in an instant. Her partner, the father of her young son, was killed in a single-vehicle crash. Overnight, she became a single parent, and her worst fear became her new reality. 'Going overnight from having a very involved man there every single day with his son to now having to live out the only fear that I've ever had in life, which was being a single parent, was tough… wondering, our son was one at the time, wondering when do I tell him? When will he start asking questions?' she explained. As the years passed, the questions got harder, and so did the milestones. 'I think about when he goes to school. They're going to create crafts for Father's Day and my son wasn't going to have a dad to give it to.' But in the middle of the grief, she felt a calling to help others going through the same thing In October 2024, Parenting Through Loss was born. A support group for parents navigating grief, built from Sacoyle's own heartbreak and healing. At the first meeting, she wasn't sure anyone would come. 'I remember repeating to my family and my friends who came to help me set up: If one person shows up and walks through the door, I have served my purpose. And three people walked through the door. Then four,' she said through laughs. Mother gets fresh start through homeownership partnership One mother told her she'd needed this sixteen years ago. Sixteen years of silent grief until she found Parenting Through Loss. 'To know that someone that has been walking this road ten years longer than I have and still trusts me and continues to show up month after month. That just does something to my heart,' says Baker. Sacoyle Baker has now partnered with the Southwest Center and a local daycare offering emergency services. Parenting Through Loss is changing lives one meeting, one story, one hug at a time. For Sacoyle, this journey isn't just about surviving, it's about becoming. 'I laid on my floor many a day crying, asking how am I going to do this? But I sit here five years later… and I fought so hard to be this woman. And just from myself to myself, it's like, we're doing it. We are doing it,' she says Free Health, Wealth & Community Fair at the Beverly Community Center And though her partner can't be here to see it all, she knows exactly what he would say. 'I know for a fact he would say verbatim: I'm proud of you, babe. That's what he'd say. I'm proud of you, babe.' If you or someone you know is navigating the pain of losing a partner while raising children, Parenting Through Loss meets monthly at the Southwest Center in Texarkana. For more information, visit Parenting Through Loss or email them at parentingthroughloss@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
