Carthage Preservation awarded for saving – and restoring – the city’s oldest house

The oldest house in Carthage was saved from being demolished by the Carthage Historic Preservation organization and has now received an award from the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation.

In 2015, a small group of dedicated preservationists decided to purchase the 1868 Sweet House, donated it to the Carthage Historic Preservation – with a challenge to preserve it.

CHP board member Judy Goff led the charge in turning the Sweet House into a “preservation laboratory.” She organized two hands-on workshops with a dual purpose – to restore the windows and to teach participants how it’s done.

The house was rewired, and new plumbing and HVAC was installed. Local high school tech center students installed the drywall. The home was sold to a young preservationist a week after the project was completed in March.

CHP is being recognized not only for saving and restoring the historic resource, but for educating the community and passing on an appreciation of historic preservation to the next generation.

FlyJoplin now to Chicago, Denver and Houston

United Express is now departing and arriving daily at Joplin Regional Airport.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Thursday, June 3, to celebrate the first United Express arrival under a new three-year contract.

Daily departures from Joplin are at 8 a.m. to Chicago, 11:44 a.m. to Houston, and 5:30 p.m. to Denver.

For the complete schedule and ticket information, go to FlyJoplin.com.

Cunningham pool open this weekend

Joplin’s Cunningham Aquatic Center will be open this weekend (Friday through Sunday) while a swim meet is held at Schifferdecker Aquatic Center.

Typically this summer, because of a shortage of life guards, the Schifferdecker pool is open to the public, and Cunningham is closed. Cunningham is on Maiden Lane at 24th Street.

COVID infections are increasing

The Joplin and Jasper County health departments are both reporting increases in the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19.

Joplin is reporting 71 new cases in the last seven days. Sixteen new cases were reported Tuesday. The number of cases repeated the week before was 31.

Similarly, the Jasper County Health Department is reporting 72 cases in the last seven days and 19 on Tuesday. There were 25 cases reported the week before.

There are 39 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Joplin.

Jasper County reported its 159th death this week.

Joplin’s last COVID-related death, its 131st, was reported on June 1.

The next vaccination clinic will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Joplin Public Library, 1901 E. 20th St.

The free clinic is open to all who are18-years-old and over, regardless of city or state residency. No appointment is necessary. Both first and second-dose vaccines (Moderna) can be administered. A photo identification and vaccination card are required to receive second shots.

Shots are also available at pharmacies.