Joplin man charged with statutory rape, statutory sodomy

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney charged a Joplin man with two counts of statutory rape and two counts of statutory sodomy.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Adam Lukes Sauceda (DOB 1989) who is to be held without bond.

Sauceda allegedly molested a 12-year-old girl from the time she was 7, including February 28 and March 1 of this year.

The girl lived in Carthage when the assaults allegedly began and moved to Joplin in 2023. She described how Sauceda assaulted her

From the probable cause statement:

Victim 1 disclosed that when Sauceda would have sex with her she felt pain, that there was never a
time where it didn't hurt. Victim 1 disclosed that Sauceda told her not to tell anyone, that he would get
into trouble or go to jail. 

The girl said Sauceda had used his phone to record some of the assaults, according to the probable cause statement.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Saucedo talked to Joplin Police investigators.

During this interview Sauceda admitted that he had recorded victim 1 performing oral sex on him while at the Joplin, Jasper County address.

Sauceda also acknowledged other sexual assaults, the probable cause statement said.

Pineville woman killed, 2 people injured in crash

One person was killed and two injured in a two-vehicle collision at 9:10 a.m. today on Business Route U. S. 71 in Pineville.

According to the Highway Patrol, a 2024 Ford Expedition driven by a 27-year-old Prairie Grove, Arkansas man was making a left turn when it struck a 2004 Cadillac driven by a 42-year-old Pineville man.

A passenger in the Cadillac, a 23-year-old Pineville woman, was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:29 a.m.

The Pineville man was treated for moderate injuries at Mercy Joplin.

The Prairie Grove man was treated for minor injuries at Mercy Bella Vista. 

Stella man killed in collision on 76

A Stella man was killed in a two-vehicle collision 7:10 a.m. Wednesday on MO 76 five miles north of Pineville.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2004 Ford F250 driven by a 20-year-old Stella man traveled into the lane of a 2019 Kenworth Tractor driven by a 45-year-old Berryville, Arkansas man.

McDonald County Coroner David Goens pronounced the Stella man dead at the scene at 7:57 a.m.

The fatality was the 17th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D. 

Tree management marks beginning of Grand Falls Trail and Overlook Plaza project

(From the City of Joplin)

In preparation for the Grand Falls Trail and Overlook Plaza project, City staff and a contractor are clearing select trees and brush in the project area. This work follows surveying and assessment to identify appropriate species and locations for removal. The City also partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation on native plant species identification and invasive plant management to protect the area.

This work must occur now because removal of suitable habitat trees and snags — typically those greater than three inches in diameter at breast height with exfoliating bark, cracks, crevices, or hollows — is restricted to November 15 through March 15. Conducting the work during this window avoids impacts to threatened or endangered bat species identified in the Endangered Species Act review of the project area. In cooperation with U.S. Corps of Engineers to leave organic material in the area, some downed trees will be cut into smaller pieces and remain on the forest ground. 

Designs for the Grand Falls Trail and Plaza are nearly finalized, with the project bid expected to be let this summer. Upon completion, this project will offer the community and travelers a great opportunity to experience Grand Falls, considered the largest continuously running waterfall in Missouri, and Joplin’s most visited site.

The Grand Falls Trail will offer a 1.1 mile shared path following Shoal Creek to connect with the Tin Cup Trail and other trails in the area of McIndoe Park.

The Trailhead and Plaza, located in the Grand Falls area, will consist of a falls overlook with about one thousand feet of elevated boardwalk through the area designated as wetlands near the falls. The overlook will be southeast of the falls and provide a view from below the falls. The parking lot will be on the east side of Riverside Drive, with a restroom and pavilion. The project also includes trail signage and a parking lot to accommodate travelers coming by car, truck or tour bus.

Freeman Health buying four NW Arkansas hospitals

(From Freeman Health)

Freeman Health System today announced it has entered into a purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CYH) to acquire Northwest Health in Northwest Arkansas, including its four hospitals - Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville, Northwest Medical Center – Springdale, Northwest Medical Center – Willow Creek Women’s Hospital, and Siloam Springs Regional Hospital – along with associated outpatient centers and practices. 

The transaction, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions, is expected to be finalized in the second quarter this year, pending customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

“This is a meaningful moment for Freeman and the communities we serve,” said President and CEO of Freeman Health System Matthew Fry. “While this marks our first expansion into Arkansas, it is a natural extension of our longstanding regional presence. Northwest Health has a long history of caring for its communities, and we are honored to continue that legacy while bringing forward Freeman’s commitment to compassionate, community-focused care.”

Freeman Health System is a not-for-profit health system offering more than 80 specialties across more than 30 points of care. As the region’s largest local healthcare provider, Freeman is committed to delivering care in ways that prioritize long-term community well-being. 

Welcoming Northwest Health aligns with Freeman Health System’s Freeman Forward strategic plan to expand access, support caregivers, and invest in clinical excellence throughout the Four-State region.

There will be no disruption to patient care during the transition, and both organizations are working closely together to ensure a smooth, thoughtful process for employees, providers, and patients.

More information will be shared closer to the completion of the transaction. Updates will be shared
online at www.freemanhealth.com/northwesthealth.

Northpark Mall owner buys Nebraska mall, sells open-air center

(From CBL Properties)

CBL Properties (NYSE:CBL) today announced two significant transactions that advance the company’s strategic focus on accretively growing its mall portfolio and increasing cash flow through capital recycling. (Note: CBL Properties owns Northpark Mall in Joplin.)

CBL has completed the acquisition of Gateway Mall, a market-dominant enclosed shopping center located in Lincoln, Nebraska, for a purchase price of $43.5 million from Washington Prime Group (WPG). The acquisition of Gateway Mall was financed through a $21.0 million non‑recourse, five‑year loan provided by Symetra Life Insurance Company. The loan carries a fixed interest rate of 6.46%.

In a separate transaction, CBL has entered into a firm contract for the sale of an open‑air center at an approximately 8% capitalization rate. The transaction is expected to generate net proceeds after debt repayment of $25 million, with an anticipated close in April.

“Gateway Mall is a high‑performing, well‑located asset in a dynamic and growing market,” said Stephen D. Lebovitz, CEO of CBL Properties. “This acquisition was accomplished at attractive pricing and aligns with our strategy to pursue high-yield enclosed mall opportunities where our operating expertise and capital discipline can drive long‑term value. In addition, the pending sale of another open-air center at an attractive cap rate demonstrates our ongoing progress in recycling capital from stabilized assets into new investments that are accretive to our cash flow yield and support our long‑term growth. We look forward to enhancing the customer experience and strengthening the property’s position as a dominant retail destination for Lincoln and the broader region. Gateway Mall is a natural addition to our portfolio and complements our purchase last year of four market dominant malls, also from WPG.”

About Gateway Mall

Gateway Mall is the dominant enclosed regional shopping center located in Lincoln, Nebraska, serving a trade area of more than 1.3 million residents. The property encompasses approximately 843,000 square feet and features strong small‑shop occupancy of more than 95%. As the only enclosed mall in the region, Gateway Mall benefits from its prime location just three miles from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and its proximity to major governmental, educational, healthcare, and technology employers.

The center is anchored by a diverse lineup of national retailers, including Dillard’s, JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Round 1, H&M, ULTA, Ross Dress for Less, Sierra, Tesla, and Total Wine & More as well as more than 215,000-square-feet of shops and restaurants. With a longstanding position as Lincoln’s primary enclosed retail destination, Gateway Mall plays a critical role in the region’s shopping, dining, and entertainment landscape.

Police say Joplin man is prime suspect in bar district fatal shooting

(From the Joplin Police Department)

The Joplin Police Department is actively trying to locate Andre Emmanuel Swindell 40, of Joplin in connection with the homicide that occurred on February 28th, 2026, in the 500 block of Joplin Avenue. 

Through an extensive and ongoing investigation, the Joplin Police Department has identified Swindell as the primary suspect involved in the shooting death of Anthony Campbell.

Swindell is described as a black male approximately six-foot three inches in height, weighing one hundred and ninety pounds. He also was known to have long, dreadlock- style brown hair. 

At this time, it is unknown what vehicle he may be in or what he is wearing. Swindell should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with any information regarding Swindell’s whereabouts is to contact your local law enforcement agency or dial 911.

If anyone has any information about this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Joplin Police Department. Contact options include calling Sergeant Jason Stump at 417-623-3131 ext. 1620, submitting information to TIP411.com, or by using the “Joplin PD” app from your app store.

On February 28th, 2026, the Jasper Prosecutor's Office issued warrants for Swindell, including the charges of First-Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.Police Department

Earlier news release

Joplin Police are asking for tips as the investigation into a fatal shooting continues, the shooting occurred on 2/28/2026 in the 500 block of Joplin Avenue. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Joplin Police Department. Any information is extremely valuable, no matter how insignificant it is believed to be.

Tips and information can be directed to Sergeant Jason Stump at 417-623-3131 ext. 1620 or TIP411.com, or by using the “Joplin PD” app from your app store.

As the investigation has continued, investigators with the Joplin Police Department have relentlessly followed up on numerous leads regarding the homicide investigation.

Joplin Police Investigators have identified the victim as Anthony Campbell, 27, of Joplin.

An autopsy has been scheduled for today, 3/2/2026 in Springfield, Missouri.

The Joplin Police Department believes that this incident was isolated and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

This investigation is active and ongoing. As additional information becomes available, it will be released.

Original news release

On 02/28/26 at 01:48 am, Joplin Emergency Communications Center received a call of gun shots in the 500 block of Joplin Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male subject with apparent fatal gunshot wounds. The suspect fled the scene before officers' arrival.

Detectives with the Joplin Police Department have initiated a homicide investigation.

The victim's name is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

Updated information will be released as the investigation continues.

If anyone has information related to this incident, please contact Sergeant Jason Stump at 417-623-3131 ext. 1620.

Pleasant Valley principal placed on administrative lead after domestic violence arrest

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education has reportedly placed Pleasant Valley Elementary principal Donald Cox on administrative leave after Webb City Police arrested Cox February 27 on a domestic assault charge.

Cox, 49, posted a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Webb City Municipal Court 1:30 p.m. April 1.

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education placed Brittany Thompson, can ELA instructional facilitator who is scheduled to be an assistant principal at Columbian Elementary next year, and Bobbie Murrell, an instructional coach who is scheduled to be an assistant principal at Steadley Elementary School next year, in charge of Pleasant Valley on an interim basis.

The board recently announced that Cox is transferring to Carthage Intermediate Center to serve as an assistant principal for the 2026-27 school year while continuing to serve as the district's safety reporting coordinator and Title 1 coordinator.

Republicans push forward with proposal to replace Missouri income tax with sales tax

By Rudi Keller

Missouri Independent

The proposal to eliminate the state income tax is moving to the Missouri House floor following a party-line committee vote Wednesday.

The 7-3 vote on Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe’s top priority followed a heated discussion where Democrats on the House Commerce Committee accused Republicans of steering the state into a fiscally dangerous future.

“You don’t turn an economy around on a dime,” said state Rep. Steve Butz, a St. Louis Democrat. “If there is a mistake made, either by the public or by this legislature — and surely we have enough examples of the legislature making plenty of mistakes — we’re not going to be able to react quickly enough to offset that.”

Republicans, in response, said Missouri is losing out to states like Tennessee and Florida that have no income tax. Eliminating the tax would put each taxpayer in charge of whether they want to spend their money on taxable goods and services or use it elsewhere, they said.

“We can see what’s happened to other states,” said state Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican from Branson. “It’s affected them in a very positive manner. People are staying. The states are being built and rebuilt. Industries are coming in, and we want to have a piece of that pie.”

As originally filed, the proposed constitutional amendment would ask voters to give lawmakers broad authority to set up a new expanded sales tax system and use the revenue to reduce and then eliminate the state income tax. The committee passed a revised version Wednesday morning that sets revenue growth goals for reducing the top income rate, which is currently 4.7%.

For each additional $20 million in revenue over the base year of fiscal year 2025, the top rate would be cut by 0.01 percentage points, with a cap of a 1.6 percentage point reduction in the top rate in any given year.

To achieve the maximum reduction in a single year, revenue would have to grow by $3.2 billion from the expanded sales tax base.

The tax would be eliminated when those reductions combine to lower the top rate to 1.4%.

Missouri’s personal income tax is almost flat, with the top rate applying to taxable incomes greater than $9,436. There are significant exemptions from the tax, including all Social Security payments, a share of retirement income and capital gains, which are the profits from the sale of property or other assets.

The income tax generated about 65% of the state’s annual general revenue receipts in fiscal year 2025, which were $13.4 billion in the year that ended June 30.

The proposal, if passed by the General Assembly, would go on the ballot in August or November. It would give lawmakers three years to expand the sales tax to “all goods and services” and eliminate exemptions to raise enough revenue to replace the income tax without having to seek another statewide vote.

The current state sales tax is 3% for general revenue, plus 1.225% earmarked for public schools, conservation, state parks and soil conservation. Local option sales taxes add to the 4.225% total, and there are more than 50 locations in the state where the total sales tax is 11% or higher.

Matching the current revenue from the individual income tax without expanding the transactions that are taxed would require raising the state sales tax to nearly 13%.

The proposal would allow sales tax on motor fuel for the first time. It would also exempt revenue from sales tax on fuel from a constitutional provision dedicating all taxes on gasoline and diesel to highway needs.

Missourians will reject the plan, Democrats said during committee debate.

“They’re already worried about the current budget and the cost of living,” state Rep. Pattie Mansur, a Kansas City Democrat. “They’re concerned about essential programs that are being cut now. The building has been full of people the last couple of weeks worrying about this. No one is asking for the elimination of state income tax.”

Republicans responded by saying the proposal will test what voters want and make the legislature conform to that.

“This really does nothing but go to the voters and say, ‘Do you want to change the system and try a new approach’,” said House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Republican from Lee’s Summit who is sponsoring the proposal.

And there are plenty of people, he said, asking to eliminate the income tax.

“A lot of times they ask with their feet,” Patterson said. “They move, they go to different places. They might not ask, but they’ve told us what their answers are.”

El Vallarta Restaurant, It's Greek To Me fail Joplin Health Department inspections

 El Vallarta Restaurant, 2330 S. Range Line Road, and It's Greek To Me, 101 N. Range Line Road, failed Joplin Health Department inspections, according to information posted on the department website.

El Vallarta Restaurant

El Vallarta Restaurant recorded four priority violations and 10 core violations.

The priority violations were for the following:

-Salsa and food were being cold held above 41 degrees.

-Food items in the walk-in cooler were missing date markings or were improperly marked.

-The sanitizer concentration for chlorine in the dish machine was less than 10 ppm

-A bottle of Fabuloso and a can of WD-40 were stored on a food preparation surface in the kitchen.

Core violations were noted for the following:

-Soiled and used wiping cloths were in contact with food equipment in the kitchen.

-Boxes and food containers were stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler.

-Food containers were stored uncovered.

-No sanitizer test kit was provided.

-The cutting board on the prep table cooler in the kitchen was excessively worn.

-The walk-in freezer door was in disrepair.

-The fire suppression system components above the grill have a grease accumulation.

-Coving is missing in several parts of the kitchen.

-An accumulation of liquid was on the floor of the walk-in cooler.

-Employee medicine was improperly stored in the kitchen.

It's Greek To Me

It's Greek To Me had four priority violations and eight core violations.

Priority violations were for the following reasons:

-Falafel is stored in non-food grade shopping bags.

-Ready to eat potentially hazardous foods in the walk-in cooler did not have discard dates.

-Cut tomatoes, hummus and ranch were being cold held above 41 degrees.

-Sanitizer concentration for the chlorine in the sanitizer bucket was at 0 ppm.

Core violations were for the following reasons:

-A scoop handled was stored in direct contact with ice

-A container of shredded lettuce was stored uncovered.

-Sanitzer test kits were not being used.

-The floor of the walk-in cooler had debris accumulations.

-The front cold holding table had heavy debris and frost accumulations.

-Chest freezers had frost accumulations.

-Kitchen ceiling tiles and light fixtures were damaged.

-Employee clothes were hanging on soda boxes in the kitchen.

***

The following establishments passed their inspections.

Cecil Floyd Elementary School, 2201 W. 24th Street

Ozark Christian College- Main Kitchen, 1111 N. Main Street

Bloom, 218 S. Main Street

Wiseguys, 612 S. Main Street

Braum's 2410 S. Range Line Road (re-inspection)

Mythos, 1306 S. Range Line Road

Ghetto Tacos (Mobile) (re-inspection)

Tropicana Bar and Grill, 2402 S. Main Street

Turnaround Ranch, 1949 S. Snowberry Lane

Soul's Harbor Kitchen, 915 S. Main Street (re-inspection)

CiCi's Pizza, 1602 S. Range Line Road

Joplin Cafe, 2330 W. 20th Street