Nightmare on 7th Street: MoDOT offers update on 7th Street construction

(From MoDOT)

Progress Update for Route 66 Improvement Project for Week of Sept. 7

A project to make pavement, sidewalk, traffic and safety improvements along Missouri Route 66 (7th Street) in Joplin is underway. Here is an update of the work scheduled for the week of September 7.

No work is scheduled for Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Work will resume Tuesday, September 8.

Drivers are reminded that access to all businesses along Route 66 (7thStreet) will be maintained during hours of operation.

Work scheduled

Contractor installing new storm sewer on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between St. Louis Avenue and Park Avenue

Contractor is planning for additional storm sewer work on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Highland Avenue and Florida Avenue

CLOSING Ozark Avenue south of Route 66 (7th Street) beginning Tuesday, September 8 for replacement of pavement

Florida Avenue currently CLOSED on both sides of Route 66 (7thStreet) for pavement replacement, installation of new traffic signal infrastructure and to accommodate temporary traffic shift

Pavement replacement for south half of Route 66 (7th Street) between McConnel Avenue and just east of Florida Avenue planned for September 13 & 14 (work done outside of regular business hours)

City of Joplin working to replace sidewalk on south side of Route 66 (7th Street) just east of Ozark Avenue

City of Joplin crews working at the alley near the intersection of Route 66 (7th Street) and Virginia Avenue

Liberty Electric crews planning for installation of new light poles within the next couple of weeks, but no current work on Route 66 (7th Street)

Missouri American Water crews relocating water line on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between School Avenue and Michigan Avenue

Missouri American Water crews relocating and doing tie-in work on water line on north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Pennsylvania Avenue and Kentucky Avenue

Missouri American Water crews relocating and doing tie-in work on both sides of Route 66 (7th Street) between Kentucky Avenue and Grand Avenue

Missouri American Water plans road closures along Route 66 (7thStreet) at Vermont Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue and High Avenue

AT&T crews working during nighttime hours relocating utilities between Minnesota Avenue and St. Louis Avenue.

AT&T crews planning for excavation at the alley between Pearl Avenue and Wall Avenue
Lumen Fiber crews relocating utilities at Florida Avenue north of Route 66 (7th Street)

Traffic Impacts

At least one lane of Route 66 (7th Street) OPEN in both directions

Access to all business will be maintained during hours of operation

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone

No signed detours

Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

Project Details

The project will make improvements along the Route 66 (7th Street) corridor in Joplin between Jasper County Route P (Schifferdecker Avenue) and Loop 49 (Range Line Road).

As part of this project, the contractor will rebuild the pavement, bring sidewalks up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and upgrade and replace several traffic signals along the corridor.

This contract also includes a project to rehabilitate the Oak Street bridge over I-49 in Carthage. That project is likely to start in 2027.

Project Information

Prime Contractor: D&E Plumbing & Heating LLC, Nixa
Construction Cost: $61.6 million
Contract Completion Date: December 1, 2028

Carl Junction man charged with multiple child sex felonies

A Carl Junction man is being held without bond in the Jasper County Detention Center after being charged with child molestation, sodomy, sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.

Rodney Rogers (DOB 1983) was charged following an investigation by the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.

The victim of the alleged crimes was a 13-year-old girl, according to the probable cause statement.

Rogers' phone had pornographic videos of the victim, the statement said.

Joplin man killed in crash on South Main

A Joplin man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 7:32 p.m. Thursday on South Main Street south of Shoal Cliff Drive in Joplin.

A 2008 Jeep Wrangler driven by William Kirk, 73, Joplin, ran off the right side of the road and overturned.

Newton County Deputy Coroner B. Artherton pronounced Kirk dead at the scene at 7:47 p.m.

The fatality was the 89th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

 

Highway Patrol provides synopsis of new laws that went into effect August 28

(From Missouri State Highway Patrol)

Several laws related to public safety went into effect August 28, 2026. A synopsis of sections related to public safety follows. The abbreviated descriptions below are intended to make the public aware of some of the new legislation enacted by the Missouri General Assembly which is related to crime and public safety. 

For a complete description of these newly enacted laws, visit the Missouri House of Representatives or Missouri Senate websites or click on the link provided within this news release.

Critical Infrastructure Crime

Damage to a Critical Infrastructure Facility (Section 569.117, RSMo.)
A person commits the offence of damage of a critical infrastructure facility (see definition) either purposely or recklessly.

Unlawful Use of UAS Over Open Air or Critical Infrastructure Facility (Section 577.800, RSMo.)
Adds critical infrastructure facilities to the list of prohibited UAS overflight under 400 feet and reduces the capacity to be an “open air facility” to 500 people.

Traffic and Boating Related Changes

Speed Limit (Section 304.010, RSMo.)
Permits the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to increase speed limits to 75 mph on all rural interstates. Before action is taken, MoDOT will perform a study and action will be taken at a later date.

School Bus Safety (Sections 302.302, 304.070, RSMo.)
License Points - Section 302.302
Five points assessed for violation of Section 304.050 RSMo.

Classification of 304.050 Convictions - Section 304.070
If a person causes serious physical injury or death, the person will be charged with a class D felony. The law now includes a new fine scheme and license suspension scheme at the Missouri Department of Revenue for repeat offenders (see Section 304.050).

Driving While Intoxicated (Section 577.010, RSMo.)
Classifies “driving with criminal negligence in a manner that causes death to another person” to a class A felony.

Bently and Mason’s Law (Section 454.1050, RSMo.)
For those convicted under Section 577.010 or 577.012, RSMo., where the criminal act causes the death of a parent, child maintenance is due until the child/children die, marry, enter active-duty military status, reach 18, unless the child enters an institution of higher education, or reach 21, unless the child is physically or mentally incapacitated.

Mason’s Law (Section 301.287, RSMo.)
Individuals may register with DOR that they or a family member have a condition that could impact their ability to cooperate with law enforcement. This will go into effect on January 1, 2027. 

Boating Safety ID Cards (Section 306.127, RSMo.)
Those born on or after January 1, 2006, will now need a Boater’s safety card for all waters of the state to operate a boating vehicle.

RJ’s Law (Section 650.535, RSMo.)
Creates an alert system for individuals with certain disabilities affecting mental cognition who go missing. Will go into effect on or before July 1, 2027.

Offenses Against the Person & Sex Crimes Changes

Harassment First/Second Degree (Section 565.090, 565.091, RSMo.)
Adds levels of severity to harassment convictions where there is a prior offense. Will go into effect on July 1, 2027.

Stalking First Degree (Section 565.225 RSMo.)
A large-scale rewrite and includes technological abuse. Will go into effect on July 1, 2027.

Stalking Second Degree (Section 565.227, RSMo.)
A large-scale rewrite and includes technological abuse. Will go into effect on July 1, 2027.

Cyberharassment (Section 565.400, RSMo.)
A person commits the offense if they purposely or knowingly engage in threatening, aggressive, or fear-inducing conduct by using digital technology. Will go into effect on July 1, 2027.

Cyberstalking (Section 565.405, RSMo.)
A person commits the offense if they purposely or knowingly engage in threatening, aggressive, or fear-inducing conduct by using digital technology to intimidate, track, follow, or cause reasonable fear, alarm, anxiety, stress, or terror to another.

Orders of Protection (Section 455.050, RSMo.)
Adds the new offense of cyberstalking as an offense qualifying for a full order of protection.

Disclosure of an Intimate Digital Depiction (Section 573.570, RSMo.)
A person commits the offense if the person discloses an intimate digital depiction with the intent, to harass, annoy, threaten, alarm, or cause substantial harm to the finances or reputation of the depicted individual. The offender may also be charged if the actual knowledge that, or reckless disregard for whether such disclosure will cause harm to the depicted individual. 

Sadistic Online Exploitation (Section 573.575, RSMo.)
A person commits the offense if they use the internet to manipulate, intimidate, hurt, scare, control, or threaten a victim to undergo suffering for sadistic or sinister purposes. Other actions that apply are as follows: coercion of a victim to perform self-harm, animal harm, harming another, sharing personal information, or suicidal actions/ideations; use nonphysical forms to extort another into providing sexually explicit content to further extort, threaten, or control the victim; or use intimate depictions to demand financial gain.

Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Section 568.045, RSMo.)
Reduces the age of a “child” to any person under the age of 18-years-old.

Gift Card Fraud (Section 570.137, RSMo.)
A person commits the offense of gift card fraud if they knowingly alter or tamper with a gift card or its packaging or devise a scheme to obtain a gift card or gift card redemption information for a card holder, issuer, or seller by means of deceit.

Thomas Ross drops out of 161st District State Representative race

(From the Jasper County Republican Central Committee

The Jasper County Republican Central Committee (JCRCC) announces that Thomas Ross has made the decision to withdraw his name from the November general election ballot for Missouri House District 161. 

Ross has signed a court order requesting the withdrawal of his name from the November ballot. This will now go to a court hearing to process. 

The JCRCC respects Mr. Ross’s decision and believes it is in the best interest of his family and the constituents of House District 161. 

“We appreciate Thomas making the difficult decision to step away from the campaign and focus on his family and the circumstances he is currently facing,” said Lynn Ragsdale, JCRCC Chair. 

“Our thoughts remain with his family, and we respect his decision.” 

The Jasper County Republican Central Committee will now focus on the process of selecting a Republican nominee to appear on the November general election ballot for House District 161. 

The committee remains committed to providing voters with a strong Republican candidate who will represent the district with integrity, dedication, and a commitment to the people of Missouri.

Additional information regarding the selection of a replacement Republican nominee will be released as the process moves forward.

Cherokee County man charged with four felonies involving child less than 14

A Cherokee County man is being held on a $100,000 bond after being charged with four felonies involving a minor.

Following an investigation by the Galena Police Department, Jasper Nathaniel Lee Robinson (DOB 2005) was charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child less than 14, lewd and lascivious behavior- exposing sex organs to another, furnishing alcohol to a minor for illicit purposes and aggravated endangering a child.

The crimes allegedly took place August 15, according to the complaint.

 

Lawrence County Sheriff's Office searching for church burglar

(From the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office)

Lawrence County Sheriff's Office needs your help identifying a burglary suspect.

Suspect broke into a church in the rural part of Everton, Mo. 

If you recognize the suspect or have any information about this burglary contact Det. Sgt. Wheeler 417 466 2131 ext. 142 or you can message our tip line on our website, you can remain anonymous.

More photos available at this link.

Missouri voters will decide limits on lawmakers rewriting ballot measures

By Rudi Keller

Missouri Independent

An effort to restrict the legislature’s ability to rewrite laws and constitutional amendments approved by voters through the initiative process will be on the Nov. 3 ballot, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

In a unanimous decision overturning Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green, the court ruled Secretary of State Denny Hoskins improperly declared the proposed Amendment 6 insufficient. The judges also rejected the constitutional objections Hoskins relied on to keep it off the ballot.

Hoskins on Aug. 4 issued a “certificate of insufficiency” and based it on constitutional violations identified in an opinion letter from Attorney General Catherine Hanaway. Attaching that letter and adopting its findings as his own by reference was not the way it should have been done, Judge Ginger Gooch wrote for the court.

“Because his certificate fails to identify any reason the petition is insufficient under the

Missouri Constitution, it does not comply with (Missouri statutes) and preserves nothing for this

court’s review,” Gooch wrote. “Even if the secretary had preserved his claims, nearly all assert constitutional violations that may or will occur if the petition is approved. These hypothetical claims are not ripe for review. The two pre-election claims-violation of the single-article and single-subject requirements…lack merit.”

A political action committee called Respect MO Voters circulated petitions and obtained more than 350,000 signatures to put Amendment 6 on the ballot. It comes on the heels of voter rejection in the primary of Amendment 4, which would have made it more difficult to amend the Missouri Constitution by initiative petition.

Immediately after the ruling, Respect MO Voters announced it would immediately begin its advertising campaign to pass it.

“For more than 118 years, Missourians have had the power to put issues directly before the voters,” said Eric Bronner, co-founder of Veterans for All Voters, a supporter of Amendment 6, in a news release. “Amendment 6 is about protecting that right and making sure that when Missourians vote for something, politicians can’t simply undo their decision after the election.”

Amendment 6, if passed, would put heavy restrictions on the ability of lawmakers to alter state laws and constitutional amendments proposed by initiative and approved by voters. Any changes would have to receive 80% support in the General Assembly and be ratified in a statewide vote.

Currently, there are no restrictions on lawmakers altering or repealing laws passed by initiative. That happened in 2025, when Republicans forced through a bill that repealed paid sick leave for Missouri workers and inflation adjustments to the minimum wage.

A majority of lawmakers in both chambers can propose changes in constitutional amendments but those changes must also pass statewide. 

That happened in 2020, when voters approved changes to the terms of a legislative redistricting proposal passed by initiative in 2018. Amendment 3 on the Nov. 3 ballot seeks to overturn the abortion rights measure approved in 2024.

The proposal would apply not only to measures approved in the future but also to laws and constitutional amendments previously enacted through the initiative process. 

For example, lawmakers left the $15 per hour minimum wage approved in 2024 in place when they passed the bill repealing sick leave. If Amendment 6 is ultimately approved by voters, any attempt in the General Assembly to change that minimum wage would require an 80% vote from lawmakers and statewide voter approval.

To achieve that majority, a bill would have to have broad bipartisan support. Republicans won 111 of 163 seats in the Missouri House in 2024 and hold 24 of 34 seats in the state Senate. An 80% majority would require 131 votes in the Missouri House and 28 in the state Senate.

Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

South Greenfield man arrested for burglary, harassment, stalking

(From Dade County Sheriff Ryan Robison)

On September 1, 2026, Deputy Miller arrested Harley Alan Carter, of South Greenfield, Missouri, in Lockwood, Missouri.

Carter was arrested in connection with the following charges:

• Burglary – 2nd Degree — Class D Felony
• Harassment – 1st Degree — Class E Felony
• Stalking – 1st Degree, 1st Offense — Class E Felony
• Violation of an Order of Protection for an Adult — Class A Misdemeanor

On September 2, 2026, a Dade County court issued a no-bond warrant related to these charges.

Carter is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Former Joplin police officer charged with 4 counts of misusing official information

Former Joplin Police Department officer Kenneth Andersen is free after posting a $20,000 surety bond after being charged with four misdemeanor counts of misuse of official information by a public servant.

According to the probable cause statement, Anderson was using the city's Flock cameras to run checks on the license plates of two of his girlfriends and the current boyfriend of one of the two women.

The statement doesn't indicate if the women were former or current girlfriends of Andersen.

Andersen's arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. September 30 in Jasper County Circuit Court before Judge Nicole Marie Carlton.

The allegations against Andersen are detailed in the probable cause statement.

Through the investigation it was discovered that on or around December of 2025, the Joplin Police Department learned that Joplin Police Officer Kenneth Andersen had been conducting a large number of Flock Safety computer checks on three vehicle license plates. The total number of checks conducted by Kenneth Andersen led the Joplin Police Department to believe these checks were being conducted for a non-law enforcement purpose. 

In addition, the department believed Mr. Andersen may have also been conducting law enforcement sensitive computer checks for a non-law enforcement purpose. 

On January 6, 2026, the police department contacted the Highway Patrol to investigate the actions of Kenneth Andersen. The Highway Patrol’s investigation determined Mr. Andersen conducted 22 law enforcement sensitive computer checks, which weren’t for a law enforcement purpose. These checks were conducted on Brittnay Faulks, Ashtyn Gregg, Travis Collins, and vehicles associated to them. 

Ms. Faulks and Ms. Gregg were determined to be girlfriends of Mr. Andersen. Mr. Collins was
determined to be the current boyfriend of Ms. Gregg. These checks were conducted by Mr. Andersen using his department issued laptop computer, using M.U.L.E.S./N.C.I.C. law enforcement sensitive programs. 

These computer checks were conducted from November 3, 2024, through December 28, 2025. However, it appears only four of these illegal computer checks/violations are still within the statute of limitations.

On October 24, 2025, at 1801 hours, Mr. Andersen conducted a computer check of Kansas driver's license number K03001075 (Travis Collins).

On October 24, 2025, at 1803 hours, Mr. Andersen conducted a computer check of Travis Collins.

On December 28, 2025, at 0503 hours, Mr. Andersen conducted a computer check of Kansas driver's license number K03001075. The time of this computer check appears to be outside of the normal working hours for Mr. Andersen.

On December 13, 2025, at 2323 hours, Mr. Andersen conducted a law enforcement computer search of EE4252. This registration is associated to Ms. Faulks.