Area rises up to help in deraillment

In September of this year the area saw the derailment of an Amtrak train near Joplin that killed three and injured dozens of others. Though the story of the derailment itself was one of tragic loss and injury, the response to the accident and outpouring of support from the local communities was a story of hope.

Saturday, Sept. 25, around 4 p.m. an Empire Builder train derailed just outside of Joplin killing Marjorie and Donald Varnadoe of Georgia, 72 and 74 respectively, and Zach Schneider of Illinois, 28.

The westbound train, carrying 141 people including 16 Amtrak employees, consisted of two...