Cherokee County teen booked on murder charge following shooting

(From Cherokee County Sheriff's Office)

On October 23, 2026, the Cherokee County Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call in reference to a subject, who had been shot at 4971 SE 67th, which is located in rural Cherokee County. 

When deputies arrived, they found a male subject suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was checked by Cherokee County EMS, who determined that he was deceased. The suspect was still on scene and was immediately detained by Cherokee County Deputies. 

The victim in this case has been identified as Gannon Reece, age 23 of Riverton KS. The suspect has been identified as Joshua Wilson, age 19 of Riverton KS. 

Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail for Murder in the Second Degree. Formal charges will be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office is assisting the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.

Ribbon cutting celebrates reopening of W. 20th Street in Joplin

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin, Jasper County, and the Joplin Special Road District celebrated the official reopening of West 20th Street on October 23rd with a ribbon-cutting event recognizing the hard work of numerous City teams and partners.

Work on the two-mile stretch between Schifferdecker and Central City Roads began in the spring of 2025 and included a full list of major projects. Crews converted the entire roadway from two-lane corridor with open ditches to a three-lane corridor with curb and guttering and a new storm sewer system. The roadway was vertically aligned, and a 10-foot-wide multiuse path was added on the north side of the street. Two new roundabouts - one at Country Club Drive and another at Central City Road - were added to smooth traffic flow. In total, the $14.2 million project took crews 18 months to complete, with recent weeks spent on clean-up items. 

 

“This was a really phenomenal project to see come to life,” said Joplin Public Works Director Dan Johnson. “Our teams completed some major pieces and did everything within the projected timeline, and the result has been amazing.”

Major improvements to 20th Street had long been the plan for Joplin. The project has been included in Joplin’s Long-Range Transportation Plan since 2010. Funding was first approved by voters with the renewal of the 3/8-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax in 2014, with additional funds to extend the project approved by voters through the renewal of the tax in 2024.

The original goal was to make improvements from Schifferdecker Road to Country Club Drive. With numerous major tornado recovery projects in motion, it would take the City some time to come back to 20th Street – but it was a pause that allowed the project to expand. When Joplin received post-pandemic American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds in 2021, the 20th Street budget increased. Jasper County contributed ARPA funding of its own, and additional monies came from the Joplin Special Roads District. With more funding in place, the project scope was expanded to Central City Road – a popular entry point for traffic coming from Kansas. 

Joplin worked with design partner Allgeier, Martin and Associates and contractor Emery Sapp & Sons. In the end, crews laid approximately 10,000 linear feet of new storm sewer pipe, 110 new storm sewer inlet structures, 22,000 tons of asphalt pavement, and 17,000 linear feet of new curb and guttering.

“Like so many of our public works projects over the past few years, the 20th Street widening project began with one vision and became something so much better thanks to ARPA funding,” said Joplin City Manager Nick Edwards. “The City was prepared with its list of needs and the construction boom we’ve experienced due to that preparedness has been historic. It’s incredible to see what our crews and partners have done to transform 20th Street and improve the travel experience on that side of Joplin.”

Government asks for 6-year sentence for Joplin man on firearms charge

A Joplin man should be six years in prison on weapons charges, according to a sentencing memorandum filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

In the memorandum, Assistant U. S. Attorney Cameron Beaver detailed the long criminal record of Nicholas Cutbirth, 33, who pleaded guilty June 30, 2025, to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In connection with the instant offense, in a less than two-month span, law enforcement seized four firearms from the defendant. (PSR ¶¶ 4-8.) On two separate occasions, the defendant was contacted in possession of a firearm while he also possessed controlled substances. (PSR ¶¶ 4 and 8.)

The defendant is a convicted felon, prohibited from possessing the above-noted firearms.

The defendant has three felony convictions, including one federal felony conviction out of the U.S.
District Court for the Western District of Missouri. (PSR ¶¶ 32-34.) His prior federal felony conviction, for theft of firearms from a licensed firearms dealer, involved the defendant breaking into a federal firearms licensee and stealing seven firearms. 

His two prior state felony convictions, both out of Jasper County, Missouri, Circuit Court—for first-degree burglary and receiving stolen property—involved the defendant stealing from others. (PSR ¶¶ 32-33.) 

During those two prior state convictions, the defendant was identified as the perpetrator of several
burglaries that involved the theft of laptops, gaming systems, smart phones, and firearms. (PSR ¶¶ 32-33.)

Noteworthy, the defendant was sentenced to probation on both of his state felony cases and received a low-end Guideline sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment on his prior federal felony case. (PSR ¶¶ 32-34.) 

Despite these opportunities, the defendant continued to engage in criminal conduct and violated his conditions of probation and parole. (PSR ¶¶ 32-34.) His federal supervision was twice revoked, and he committed the instant offense while on probation for his first-degree burglary conviction. (PSR ¶¶ 33-34 and 37.) 

The defendant has been given chances to turn from his criminal ways and lead a law-abiding life; however, at each turn he chose to return to stealing and possessing weapons, thereby creating dangerous situations for the community as a whole. Such repeated return to criminal conduct has demonstrated no prior level of deterrence.

The defendant has also established, by his conduct in this case and his criminal activity in the past, that he has no respect for the rule of law, will deliberately violate it to suit his needs, and that the community is very much in need of protection from his future crimes.

The Government is asking for a sentence of 78 months’ imprisonment, a sentence that takes into account the defendant’s entire circumstances, and is sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to promote respect for the law, provide just punishment for the offense, afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct, and protect the public from further crimes of the defendant.

Cutbirth's crime was detailed in the complaint, which was filed in 2025.

On January 7, 2025, a deputy with Newton County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) was dispatched to 7547 Dover Lane, in Newton County, within the Western District of Missouri, in reference to stolen property.

The victim stated Nicholas CUTBIRTH had stolen firearms and other items from the residence. Witness 1 (W1) stated she drove CUTBIRTH to the residence. 

According to W1, CUTBIRTH exited the vehicle and began walking through the woods. W1 stated CUTBIRTH had a rifle and a pistol in his possession. Additional deputies responded and conducted a search for CUTBIRTH. CUTBIRTH was located in an abandoned house on the victim’s property. CUTBIRTH was taken into custody.

Upon his arrest, law enforcement located a Taurus, model PT1911 pistol, bearing serial number NLN15854, in CUTBIRTH’s waistband.

Lying on the floor where CUTBIRTH had been standing, deputies located a Norinco, model SKS rifle, bearing serial number 16688. It was determined through a criminal history check that CUTBIRTH is a convicted felon as he was previously convicted in the United States District Court, Western District of Missouri, for theft from a licensed firearms dealer, a crime punishable by more than one year in prison under the laws of the United States.

Cutbirth's sentencing is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. November 5 in Springfield.

Missouri begins switchover to flat license plates

(From Missouri Department of Revenue)

The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) is starting the transition from raised letter embossed license plates to flat license plates.

For decades, embossed plates have been a familiar sight on Missouri roadways. The move to flat license plates supports greater efficiency and prepares for the state’s move from a six-digit to a seven-digit license plate number as part of the upcoming FUSION system implementation that will take place February 2027.

“The transition to flat license plates is an important step in modernizing our process,” said Trish Vincent, director of the Missouri Department of Revenue. “We are running out of six-digit configurations for plates; this move not only saves taxpayer dollars but prepares for the future.”

Currently, customers whose vehicle or trailer license plates have been lost, stolen or damaged, and who request replacements, will receive six-digit flat license plates. Except for motorcycle and certain specialty plates, distribution of seven-digit flat plates will begin with the rollout of FUSION.

For more information about Missouri license plates, vehicle registration and renewal requirements, visit dor.mo.gov.

U. S. marshals arrest sex offender on Dade County warrant

(From the Dade County Sheriff's Office)

On October 22, 2026, Robert D. Hopkins, a registered sex offender with an active Dade County felony probation violation warrant, was taken into custody in Greene County, Missouri, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force.

Earlier today, I was contacted by members of the U.S. Marshals Service, who advised they had developed information regarding Hopkins' whereabouts in Greene County.

I requested their assistance in apprehending Hopkins, and members of the Fugitive Task Force successfully located and arrested him.

Hopkins was wanted on a capias warrant issued October 15, 2026, by the Dade County Circuit Court for alleged probation violations related to a felony resisting or interfering with arrest conviction.
The warrant was issued with NO BOND.

I would like to personally thank the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force for their quick response, professionalism, and assistance in bringing this individual into custody.

As Sheriff, I believe strongly in working alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. These partnerships are especially important in rural communities where manpower and resources are limited.

Just because someone leaves Dade County does not mean they are beyond the reach of law enforcement. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to locate and apprehend individuals wanted on outstanding warrants

Agenda posted for Joplin City Council special meeting

SPECIAL JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, October 26, 2026
5:30 P.M.
602 S. Main Street, Joplin MO
5th Floor Council Chambers



AGENDA 

1.

Call To Order 

2.

Roll Call

3.

Reading Of Special Call 

4.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-528

AN ORDINANCE    adopting new step pay plans by reference the City Salary Administration Plan; establishing the annual salary of certain Classified and Unclassified positions and Part-Time/Seasonal positions for Fiscal Year 2026-2027; adopting a new step pay plan by reference Police Salary Administration Plan establishing the annual salary of certain police positions; adopting and establishing pay rates for certain Unclassified Council Employees; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.  

Documents:

1. CB 2026-528 SUMMARY NEW SALARY ADMINISTRATION PLANS UPDATED.PDF
2. CB 2026-528 ORDINANCE ADOPTING NEW STEP PAY PLANS AND WAGE ADJUSTMENTS UPDATED.PDF
3. CB 2026-528 EXHIBIT A SALARY ADMINISTRATION PLAN FOR UNCLASSIFIED AND CLASSIFIED.PDF
4. CB 2026-528 EXIBIT B SALARY ADMINISTRATION PLAN FOR PART-TIME SEASONALS.PDF
5. CB 2026-528 EXHIBIT C SALARY ADMINISTRATION PLAN FOR POLICE CB UNIT.PDF
6. CB 2026-528 EXHIBIT A1 SALARY ADMINISTRATION PLAN FOR UNCLASSIFIED AND CLASSIFIED.PDF
7. CB 2026-528 EXHIBIT B1 SALARY ADMINISTRATION PLAN FOR PART-TIME SEASONALS.PDF

5.

Adjourn 

 

State auditor calls on USDA to crack down on wasteful, fraudulent spending in Missouri

(From State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick)

After years of identifying inadequate oversight that has allowed millions of dollars in wasteful and fraudulent spending in a federal food program administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is now calling on federal officials to intervene and provide guidance that will motivate the department to finally take the simple but important steps necessary to protect taxpayers.

Fitzpatrick today sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) calling on the department to perform audit resolutions to validate the audit findings issued by Fitzpatrick's office that identified insufficient controls and procedures in the administration of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). In his letter, Fitzpatrick said action from the USDA would provide critical information needed for future audits and potentially save taxpayer funds from waste or outright fraud.

"Year after year we have given the DHSS recommendations to clean up a program that has been plagued by fraud and year after year the department has ignored our calls for increased oversight. My message to federal officials is you get what you tolerate and the truth is they're getting a program that has seen millions of dollars misused because they tolerate a lack of accountability in how the program is administered," said Auditor Fitzpatrick. "If state officials won't take our message seriously then we need the federal government to send a clear, decisive message that turning a blind eye to wasteful and fraudulent misuse of taxpayer dollars won't be tolerated."

The Statewide Single Audit released by Auditor Fitzpatrick's office found the DHSS, which oversees the CACFP, does not have sufficient controls and procedures to ensure reimbursements to child and adult care facilities and sponsors are allowable and supported with sufficient documentation. Over the last 3 years the error rate has increased so that erroneous and unsupported reimbursements now represent 12% of meal reimbursements tested. The audit also found DHSS subrecipient monitoring procedures are not sufficient to ensure CACFP subrecipient compliance with program requirements. As a result, significant unallowable and unsupported reimbursements continue to be made without being prevented or detected on a timely basis, and monitoring reviews identified significant errors, noncompliance, disallowances, and overclaims.

While the DHSS adjusted subsequent claims to recoup or reimburse for overclaims and underclaims identified in the audit, unallowable costs could be significant if similar errors were made on the remaining population of CACFP meal reimbursements totaling approximately $69.9 million. The recommendation to enhance procedures related to identification and recoupment of overclaims, as required by federal regulations, and expand testing when significant errors are identified, have been in included in the audit report for the last 3 years, but the DHSS has continued to ignore the recommendations, which will likely allow significant improper payments to subrecipients to continue.

Fitzpatrick also released an audit in 2025 that identified how lacking oversight by the DHSS may have played a significant role in allowing the misuse of millions of dollars reimbursed to organizations such as New Heights and Sisters of Lavender Rose, which led to federal indictments.

Kehoe announces Operation Show Me the Money

 (From Gov. Mike Kehoe)

Today, during a press conference at the Missouri State Capitol alongside Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri Thomas C. Albus, and United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri R. Matthew Price, Governor Mike Kehoe announced Operation Show-Me the Money, an unprecedented partnership between the State of Missouri and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to aggressively identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs.

Operation Show-Me the Money will focus on state programs that distribute federal funds to entities and individuals, bringing together state and federal resources to better identify potential fraud, strengthen oversight, and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used for their intended purpose.

"Missouri is no place for fraud, and those who think they can cheat the system and steal from hardworking taxpayers are going to be held accountable," said Governor Kehoe. "From day one, my administration has made it a priority to crack down on criminals and protect taxpayer dollars. Through Operation Show-Me the Money, we're bringing the full force of state and federal law enforcement together to send a clear message: If you're stealing from Missouri taxpayers, we're coming after you."

Operation Show-Me the Money is a collaborative effort between the Kehoe Administration, the Missouri Attorney General's Office, and the DOJ, expanding existing partnerships for cross-departmental data sharing to help identify suspicious activity and pursue prosecution.

The initiative will bring together dedicated staff from the Missouri Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the DOJ to strengthen coordination and investigative efforts.

“Missouri will not be a safe haven for anyone who steals from taxpayers or exploits public programs," said Attorney General Hanaway. "We have won many major victories against consumer, contractor, and Medicaid fraud, but our work is not finished. We thank Governor Mike Kehoe and U.S. Attorneys, Tom and Matt, for their leadership as we work together to root out fraud and protect taxpayer dollars across our state.”

The operation will utilize a three-pronged approach, first drawing on referrals from existing state agency investigations and tips from frontline program staff. Second, investigators will conduct targeted reviews of individual benefit programs—beginning with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—to identify suspicious activity and vulnerabilities.

The third component will use data across multiple state agencies and programs to detect patterns of potential fraud that might otherwise go unnoticed. By examining information across systems, investigators can identify emerging trends and determine where further inquiry is warranted.

“This operation will provide better access to data and information on these benefit programs and better communication between our agencies, helping us ensure that tax dollars won’t be siphoned away from these valuable programs by fraudsters,” said Thomas C. Albus, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. “I look forward to working with our state and federal partners on this valuable new initiative.”

“By combining federal investigative and prosecutorial resources with the state’s knowledge and oversight of its benefit programs, we can detect fraud sooner, build stronger cases, and hold offenders accountable,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “Hardworking Missouri taxpayers deserve better, and we are committed to protecting the integrity of these programs, following the money, and using every available federal law enforcement tool to bring those who commit fraud to justice.”

In addition to pursuing fraud, the operation will help identify weaknesses in existing programs and opportunities to strengthen oversight. Findings may inform future administrative changes, program improvements, or legislative solutions to better safeguard taxpayer dollars and prevent fraud before it occurs.

Operation Show-Me the Money builds on ongoing state and federal efforts to crack down on fraud and protect taxpayer dollars. Governor Kehoe recently joined Vice President JD Vance in signing the Pledge to Protect Americans from Fraud, reinforcing Missouri's commitment to holding fraudsters accountable.

For more information on federal efforts to combat fraud, visit justice.gov/fraud.

The press conference was livestreamed on Governor Kehoe’s Facebook, X, and YouTube pages. Photos will be available on Governor Kehoe's Flickr page.

First Joplin signing for When Jesse James Came to Pineville Saturday at Always Buying Books

The first Joplin signing for my book When Jesse James Came to Pineville is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Always Buying Books, 5357 N. Main Street.

The signing is part of owner Bob Wolfe's two-day birthday sale that begins Friday, October 23 and includes the following specials:

-New books 10 percent off

-Classics 25 to 50 percent off

Children and Young Adult books- 50 percent off

Book Tok New- 10 percent off

Book Tok Used 25 percent off

Christian and Christian Fiction 50 percent off

Puzzles 25 percent off

Modern Fiction 25 percent off

An under-the-tent sale is scheduled 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday with t-shirts by Redeemed and Radiant..

In addition to When Jesse James Came to Pineville, copies of my earlier books will be available during the Saturday signing, including Justice for Rowan Ford, Sharing Memories With My Friends, Running Circles Around the Globe: 20 Years of the Turner Report, The Buck Starts Here: Harry S. Truman and the City of Lamar and the 10th anniversary edition of 5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado.

Public meeting scheduled for last part of Joplin Main Street streetscaping

(From the City of Joplin)

The Main Street streetscaping project that will transform 8th through 15th Streets is set to begin soon, and a final public meeting to review the project is scheduled for next week.

The public meeting about the project will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The meeting will be held on the 5th floor Study Room of Joplin’s City Hall, 602 S. Main Street.

The meeting will include City engineering staff and consultants as well as representatives from Sprouls Construction, the construction contractor for the project.

The streetscaping plan – the third and final phase of improving Main Street all the way from 1st to 32nd Streets – includes elements like new street surfaces, sidewalks with decorative concrete, lighting improvements, benches and trees, and its own unique Midtown motif. The portion of the project north of the railroad tracks at 10th Street will match the current Downtown motif, and the motif south of the railroad tracks to 15th Street will have the Midtown style.

The $5 million project is set to begin this fall and will take approximately nine months to complete. The work is being funded through Community Project Funding (CPF) grant funds administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

For more information on the public meeting or the streetscaping project, contact Rob Beachner at 417-624-0820 ext. 1543.