The use of Ranked Choice Voting in the US dates back to over 100 years ago when it was first used in Aspen, Colorado, and Burlington, Vermont. Later, in the 1940’s the system would spread to Cambridge, Massachusetts where they would use it to elect city council people.

According to City Attorney Peter Edwards the land will be available to acquire after it goes through Joplin’s surplus property protocol.

Once Gorillas Rising is complete it’s likely that the Kelece College of Business at Pittsburg State will be demolished.

Any number of options are available for the city council to act on regarding Memorial Hall, however at least two would require a vote from Joplin residents that could take place next Spring.

1201. S Byers, the land that Vita Nova Village wants to construct its tiny housing community was up for sale in April at a Jasper County Sheriff’s auction, however, no one bought it and therefore the city of Joplin took ownership of it.

According to the National Homeless Coalition each individual who is homeless costs a community 35,000 per year. These costs are primarily associated with police involvement, incarceration, emergency room, and hospital visits. Housing twenty individuals can save our community over $700,000 annually.

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization for Union Army, Union Navy, and Marine veterans of the American Civil War. Established in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it had "posts" across the North and West. It disbanded in 1956 upon the death of its last member, Albert Woolson.

According to SFS Architects the city has three options regarding Memorial Hall. Stabilize and mothball the structure for $8.7 million. Rehabilitate and make the building suitable for the public for a price of at least 28 million dollars. Or pay $4.8 million to demolish the 100-year-old hall and make plans for the site's future use.

Last summer, Dr. Blair Schneider, a principal forensic investigator with the Kansas Geological Survey and a KU adjunct professor, led a contingent of KU archeology and anthropology students to SEK for a two-week field school to conduct a preliminary geophysical study.