6/27/2008
Newton County Disaster Recovery Center to Close
Residents affected by flooding in mid-March and the severe storms and tornadoes in May have until June 27th to visit the Newton County Disaster Recovery Center located at Calvary Baptist Church in Neosho. The center will be closing on June 27th at 7:00 pm. Their hours until then will be from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday, June 21st from 8:00 am until noon. The center is located at 2650 Oak Ridge Extension in Neosho. Applicants should register with FEMA prior to visiting the DRC. Call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) or go online at www.fema.gov. You must provide your correct name and social security number, address of the damaged property and insurance information.

6/9/2008
Large Volunteer Groups Needed for Tornado Debris Clean-Up
AmeriCorps and the Newton County office of Emergency Management are seeking clubs, organizations, and church groups to aid in the clean-up efforts of the May 10th Tornado. Help is still needed with debris clean-up from fields, yards and fence-lines. They are also looking for volunteers with access to large equipment to push and pile large debris. Interested parties should contact the Newton County Office of Emergency Management at 417-451-8248.

5/28/2008
Donation Fund For Tornado Victims
For anyone wanting to donate monies to those affected by the storm , you can send your checks to People’s Bank, c/o The Tornado Victims Relief Fund, 1615 Cherokee Seneca, MO 64865. This fund is being organized by the 1st Baptist Church in Seneca. For more information call the church at 417-776-3646.

5/27/2008
SEKMA Collecting Donations for Tornado Victims
SEKMA (South East Kansas Ministerial Alliance) is collecting donations for tornado victims. Monetary donatios can be sent to SEKMA, PO Box 62, Baxter Springs, KS 66713.

5/26/2008
Volunteer Reception Center for Newton County Tornado Relief
The Volunteer Reception Center for Newton County Tornado Relief has moved to the Newton County's Office of Emergency Management located at 202 West Brook Street in Neosho. The Center's hours are from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday. If you or a group are wanting to volunteer to help with clean up and other relief needs, you are asked to register with the VRC first so they can manage safety, volunteer dispersment to areas of need, and give necessary information to all volunteers. For more information, call 417-451-8248.

5/26/2008
Red Cross Raising Funds for Storm Victims
The Greater Ozarks Chapter of the Red Cross needs to raise $350,000 to help provide disaster relief to the families that suffered devastating loss due to the tornadoes in Jasper, Newton and Barry Counties. Contributions may be designated for a specific disaster. Donations may be sent to American Red Cross, 410 S. Jackson, Joplin, MO 64801 or log onto the secure website: www.redcross-ozarks.org.

5/25/2008
Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for tornado victims
The Newton County Office of Emergency Management is encouraging those affected by the May 10th Tornadoes to utilize the services being offered at the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC). MARC is located at Calvary Baptist Church, 2650 Oakridge Extensions in Neosho. They will be open Monday - Friday from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm. MARC hosts a variety of agencies all dedicated to assisting those affected by the disaster including these agencies and services: American Red Cross: case management, immediate financial assistance and shelter information. The Newton County Health Department: Free tetanus shots The Salvation Army: Immediate financial assistance and gas vouchers Family Services: Food stamp replacement and community resource guides AmeriCorps, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief: Volunteer assistance for clean-up Community Action Partnership: housing according to income and a list of rental areas for those displaced Humane Society: Pet relocation/emergency vet services Mental Health Department: Emotional and mental counseling Disabled American Veterans: immediate financial assistance to veterans

5/25/2008
Disaster Recovery Centers Open
FEMA and the State Emergency Management Agency announced locations for Disaster Recovery Centers(DRC) in Barry, Newton and Jasper Counties. In Barry County: The Purdy Community Center 403 State Highway C purdy, MO 65734 In Newton County: Calvary Baptist Church 2650 Oak Ridge Extension Neosho, MO 64850 Beginning May 29th, these centers will be open from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm Monday through Friday and from 8:00 am until noon on Saturday. In Jasper County Bethany Presbyterian Church 1930 Virginia Ave Joplin, MO 64804 Hours for this center will be 8:00 am until 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. These centers will provide face-to-face assistance to those who suffered damage from tornadoes, severe storms or flooding. Applicants should register with FEMA prior to visiting the DRC. Call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) or go online at www.fema.gov. You must provide your correct name and social security number, address of the damaged property and insurance information.

5/20/2008 - 5/27/2008
Help for tornado Victims
Racine Christian Church has clothes, food, diapers, personal hygene items for the victims of the recent tornados.