Carthage R-9 Board makes no decision on Pleasant Valley closing

 

Carthage R-9 Board of Education members want more public input before they make any decision about closing Pleasant Valley Elementary School and allowing the Beacon Autism Center to move into the building.

The move appeared to be a done deal before Tuesday night's meeting after it was announced to faculty and staff at an after-school meeting February 6 and Principal Don Cox was transferred to a position as assistant principal at the Carthage Intermediate Center effective for the 2026-2027 school year.

"We had a need to expand the autism center," Superintendent Luke Boyer told the board.

Boyer said "It wasn't like we were saying, 'We're looking at moving away from Pleasant Valley. Here's our best option," though he acknowledged, "I wouldn't necessarily say we've looked at a ton of options on how to keep Pleasant Valley open."

Board members expressed a need for more community input and will discuss the possible closing again at the March meeting.

Beth Jones named Neosho Junior High principal

 (From the Neosho R-5 School District)

The Neosho School District is excited to share an important leadership update for the 2026-2027 school year at the Neosho Junior High.

Beth Jones, NJH Principal 

We are thrilled to announce that Beth Jones, currently serving as one-of-the-three assistant principals at Neosho High School, has been promoted to principal at the Neosho Junior High. She succeeds Michael Daugherty, who has accepted a central office position in another district. We are grateful for his service to our students and staff and wish him continued success. 

Beth has help lead meaningful academic growth, including nearly a 20 percent increase in our APR. She is known for building strong relationships, championing the arts and advocating for multilingual learners and students with unique learning needs. We are excited for the leadership and heart she brings to NJH.

James Carter, NJH Assistant Principal

We are thrilled to announce that James Carter, currently serving as one-of-the-three assistant principals at Neosho High School will be transitioning to the assistant principal role at the Neosho Junior High. He succeeds Emily Abell, who will serve as the principal of South Elementary next year. 

Over the past four years, James has been a steady leader at NHS, working collaboratively with staff to strengthen systems, support teachers and help build a culture rooted in high expectations and strong relationships. He has played a key role in implementing clear procedures and consistent practices to support both student achievement and a positive school environment. We are excited for the leadership, stability and student-centered mindset he brings to NJH.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Jones and Mr. Carter as they step into these important roles supporting our junior high students and staff!

Joplin High School main kitchen, three restaurants fail health department inspections

The main kitchen at Joplin High School failed a Joplin Health Department inspection February 10, according to information posted on the department website.

The school was cited for one priority violation for having multiple potentially hazardous foods being cold held above 41 degrees.

Three food establishments also failed inspection last week- Indo-Chinese Express, 4535 Highway 43, Mac's Stop, 1302 S. Schifferdecker Avenue; and Ghetto Tacos (mobile).

Indo-Chinese Express

Indo-Chinese Express had three priority violations and five core violations.

Priority violations were recorded for the following:

-Containers of ready-to-eat potentially hazardous foods did not have 7-day expiration date.

-Cutting boards are heavily discolored.

-The dish machine was not dispensing sanitizer at detectable levels.

Core violations were recorded for the following:

-Food packages were stored uncovered in the dry storage area and walk-in cooler

-Repackaged foods available for customer purchase were not labeled properly.

-Wall surfaces were damaged.

-A light bulb was out and there were debris accumulations in the hood.

-The areas below equipment had debris accumulation

Ghetto Tacos

Ghetto Tacos had three priority violations.

-Employee drinks were stored in the undercounted cooler with customer food.

-The cheese in the toppings cooler was being cold held above 41 degrees.

-Pico de Gallo in the undercounter cooler was being cold held above 41 degrees.

Mac's Stop

Mac's Stop had three priority violations and five core violations.

Priority violations were noted for the following:

-Corn dogs were marked for a make date of February 3 (inspection was held February 11)

-Sanitizer concentration for quaternary ammonium in the 30 compartment sink was at 0 ppm

-Mice droppings were present behind the heating units.

Core violations were noted for the following:

-Soil accumulations were present on the ceiling of the microwave

-Food trays were stored on the ground

-The handsink was draining slowly

-The cooling unit and hood in the kitchen had debris accumulations.

-The grease trap below the 3-compartment sink had debris accumulation.

***

Joplin Greenhouse and the Coffee Shop, Greenstay Hotel and Suites Breakfast and Downtown Corner Market passed re-inspections.

***

The following establishments passed inspection:

Tatsuki Ramen and Sushi, 1901 E. 32nd Street

Hungry Monkey Island Style Eats, 905 S. Main Street

Starry Eyed Girl, 512 S. Virginia Avenue

Sonic Drive-In, 1030 E. 7th Street

Sonic Drive-In, 1101 S. Range Line

Pizza Ranch, 3507 E. 20th Street

Imperial, Inc., 1831 S. Roosevelt Avenue

Chick-fil-A, 3509 S. Range Line Road

G & W Foods Cash Saver, 811 W. 7th Street

McAlister's Deli, 2330 S. Range Line Road

Wilder's Steakhouse, 1216 S. Main Street

G & W Foods Cash Saver, Dairy/Produce/Retail, 811 W. 7th Street

Chick-fil-A, 2127 S. Range Line Road

Mercy Joplin patient charged with assault, property damage

A Joplin man was charged with first-degree assault and property damage after allegedly attacking security guards with an IV pole.

An arrest warrant was issued for John Anthony McGonigle (DOB 1985) and he is to be held without bond.

From the probable cause statement filed today in Newton County Circuit Court:

On 02/09/2026 at approximately 16:18 hours, in the County of Newton, within the city limits of Joplin
John McGonigle committed the crime of property damage first degree by knowingly damaging property of Mercy Hospital with a combined value of over seven hundred and fifty dollars.

Christopher Dooley, security officer for Mercy Hospital stated the following. Mr. McGonigle became]
combative and tore an IV pump for the IV pole. The IV pump hit the floor landing in water. Mr.
McGonigle then charged at security officers in an aggressive manner while holding the IV pole, breaking one of the legs off of it. The IV Pump has an estimated value of twelve hundred dollars and the IV pole has an estimated value of sixty dollars. 

Mercy Hospital is wishing to pursue charges at this time for the damage.

The case was investigated by the Joplin Police Department.

Fired Simmons Foods employee charged with assaulting HR manager

The McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney's office charged a Noel man with second-degree assault following an incident that appears to have led to his firing, according to the probable cause statement.

An arrest warrant was issued for Abu Bashi (DOB 1997) with bond set at $1,500 cash only.

From the probable cause statement:

On Monday 02/10/2026 during a team member meeting Abu was being disrespectful and was taken to the Human Resource office. 

While in the office Abu became outraged, cussed at an HR Manager and {threw} a computer monitor striking her in the arm.

Abu was escorted outside the plant where he then {threw} a bottle of juice at {another person}.

Since Abu was fired from Simmons Foods he shows no visible signs of support and may flee to his previous home in Minnesota.

The case was investigated by the Southwest City Police Department.

Jason Smith: Tax-exempt status is a privilege not a right

(By Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

For years now, Americans have seen the devastating impacts from the creeping influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Individuals and companies connected to the CCP have stolen American business’ intellectual property, bought up American farmland, and flooded our streets with deadly fentanyl. The CCP has actively worked to sow chaos and division in the United States, but now, we are working to expose a new avenue in their campaign: our non-profit sector.

This week, I held a hearing in the Ways and Means Committee, which I chair, where witnesses confirmed what our investigation has been steadily uncovering — the United States tax-code is being weaponized against us in ways that threaten both national security and the legitimacy of the tax-exempt sector. What we have uncovered in our investigation is foreign actors — including individuals associated with or connected to the CCP — are exploiting America’s nonprofit system to influence our politics and encourage chaos and illegal activity inside our own country.

The findings should alarm every American. Billions of dollars in foreign-linked funding have moved through tax-exempt organizations in recent years, including hundreds of millions from foreign billionaires into politically-active American entities. To make matters worse, these funds are laundered through donor funds and shell organizations designed to hide the true source from regulators and the public.

Our investigation also revealed how nonprofit networks tied to individuals aligned with the CCP have funneled tens of millions of dollars into U.S.-based groups that promote illegal activity and fuel division in our society. For example, Neville Roy Singham — a former U.S. tech executive now living in Shanghai with close ties to the CCP — has directed more than $100 million through a web of nonprofits operating inside the United States. Some of these groups, such as The People’s Forum, have amplified anti-American, foreign-aligned narratives on social media, and pushed messaging that mirrors hostile government propaganda.

These efforts are not spontaneous grassroots uprisings. They are part of a coordinated system in which money, messaging, and mobilization are carefully aligned to generate division and instability. This is not some earnest movement. It’s a machine being subsidized by taxpayer dollars.

Perhaps most alarming is a loophole that allows foreign nationals to donate to certain tax-exempt organizations that can then engage in political activity without fully disclosing the origin of those funds. While federal law prohibits direct foreign donations to political campaigns, this backdoor pathway undermines that protection. When foreign money can be used to influence elections, it can be used to influence decisions that undermine our national interests and erode public trust.

It is clear the status quo is unacceptable. Tax-exempt status is a privilege, not a right. It exists to support legitimate charitable and educational work that strengthens our communities, not to serve as cover for foreign propaganda, election interference, or activities that undermine our national interest.

This issue should not be partisan, and I am committed to restoring accountability to our nation’s tax-exempt sector. Protecting the integrity of our tax-exempt system is not about politics — it is about defending the sovereignty of the United States against actors like the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring that our tax code works for the American people, not for hostile foreign interests.

Joplin man pleads guilty to 2024 shooting at Discount Liquor Store on Main

(From the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)

The Jasper County Prosecutor announces that on February 17, 2026, defendant Trent Cobb entered his plea of guilty to the charge of Assault in the First Degree, a class A felony.

On April 1, 2024, the defendant shot a man outside the Discount Liquor Store located at 1817 S. Main Street in Joplin. The victim was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital where he was treated for
injuries resulting from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The shooting was investigated by the Joplin Police Department. Based on witness testimony and video of the shooting, they determined the identity of the shooter. A warrant was issued for his arrest on April 2,
2024, but the defendant was not arrested until December of 2024, when he was located out of state by U.S. Marshals.

The plea agreement caps the sentence at 15 years in the Department of Corrections, and includes a dismissal of Count II: Armed Criminal Action. Sentencing is scheduled for April 14, 2026.

Closure of Pleasant Valley Elementary topic for Tuesday Carthage R-9 Board meeting

It's not likely to satisfy those who want Pleasant Valley Elementary School to remain open, but Carthage R-9 School District officials, in a frequently asked questions portion of the presentation they are scheduled to make to the Board of Education Tuesday night, say they can always use the property as a school again if they see the need.

Though they never say who asked these frequently asked questions or how frequently they were asked, the section of the presentation also says that if the board approves the plan to close Pleasant Valley at the end of the current school year, the following things will happen.

-Pleasant Valley will continue to be owned and maintained by the Carthage R-9 School District.

-No faculty or staff members will lose their jobs.

-The projected 68 students who are in the Pleasant Valley area will attend school at Steadley Elementary.

-Class sizes is an argument for the change since Pleasant Valley has only one classroom for each grade. At times, the presentation says, Pleasant Valley might have more students in a classroom than other schools in the district. At other times, it may have less.

The district's plan is to use Pleasant Valley as the site of the Beacon Autism Center. Space is needed for Beacon, the presentation notes, especially with the closure of the state school in Joplin. Since Pleasant Valley is already a school facility, "changes would require minimal cost."

The school is small, but big enough for Beacon program growth, the presentation says.

One speaker, Jason McVey, who has children attending Pleasant Valley is on the agenda to address the board.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Carthage Technical Center, 1100 E. Airport Drive.

Carl Junction Police Department mourns loss of officer

(From the Carl Junction Police Department)

It is with profound sadness that we report the tragic passing of one of our Officers. 

Officer John “Todd” Gaines appeared to suffer a medical emergency at his home shortly after his shift ended early Monday morning.

Please keep his wife, 2 daughters, family, and our Police Department family in your thoughts and prayers.

All charges against former Carthage Parks director dismissed

 

The Missouri Attorney General's office, which was handling the prosecution of former Carthage Parks and Recreation director Mark Peterson on stealing and money laundering charges, will dismiss all charges Tuesday in Jasper County Circuit Court.

The dismissal was announced this afternoon in a news release issued by Peterson's attorneys at the Glades Law Firm.

The Glades Law Firm is proud to announce a significant victory for client rights, announcing that all criminal charges against Mark Peterson will be dismissed on Tuesday, February 17 when courts reopen after the President's Day holiday in Jasper County.

The dismissal, filed by the Missouri Attorney's offie, was achieved after legal counsel obtained bank records for the City of Carthage on January 26 of this year.

The case involved charges for three counts of stealing and two counts of money laundering, originally filed by the Jasper County Prosecutor's Office, where the prosecution relied heavily on a forensic audit requested by the City of Carthage.

The Glades Law Firm was able to find irrefutable evidence of 35 deposits Mark Peterson made into the City of Carthage's bank account that were not reported to the forensic auditor, which allowed the defense team to identify these inconsistencies that were overlooked by the Carthage Police Department.

"This case highlights the dangerous circumstances when data may be manipulated to arrive at the conclusion desired," said Brian Glades at The Glades Law Firm.

"My team here at the office along with Mark's never-ending quest to prove his innocence allowed us to sift through terabytes of data to find the precise 'needle in the haystack' that demonstrated our client's innocence."

This victory emphasizes the importance of evolving legal strategies to incorporate new technologies to protect client rights.