City of Joplin news release explains proposed charter amendment

(From the City of Joplin)

Joplin voters to decide whether to approve proposed Home Rule Charter update

Introduction:

Joplin became a Home Rule Charter City on Feb. 9, 1954. The State of Missouri allows Home Rule cities to have a charter document, which essentially serves as the constitution for our municipal government. Home Rule Charter cities have more local control over how the municipal government operates than general law cities, which operate under the authority granted by the State. The current version of our Home Rule Charter was adopted in 2007 by a vote of Joplin residents.

On April 7, 2026, Joplin residents will either vote “yes” to accept or “no” to reject a proposed update to our Home Rule Charter, which is recommended by the Home Rule Charter Review Commission. The commission (which consisted of nine Joplin residents) reviewed certain sections of the Charter over several months in 2025 and voted to recommend the updates to the City Council. The City Council approved this Charter amendment to be placed on the April ballot. The proposed update would not impact taxation or city services.

Proposed Charter Amendment Question:

“Shall Section 2.12 of the Charter of the City of Joplin, Missouri, be amended to change the term ‘emergency’ ordinance to ‘expedited’ ordinance?”

Background:

Currently, when City Council needs to act on certain issues, the item may be considered as an “emergency” ordinance. This allows the Council to hold a single reading of the council bill, receive public input as well as Council input, and then vote on the matter at a single meeting. All other ordinances are read three times over at least two council meetings, which typically occur on the first and third Mondays of each month. As a result, urgent or routine council items can otherwise take 2-3 more weeks to receive final approval.

Emergency ordinances include many items such as:

Demolition of dangerous buildings that have been determined dangerous by the City’s Building Board of Appeals.

Routine purchase orders.

Construction contracts that may be time sensitive.

Approval of the city budget, after a prior public hearing and budget work sessions where the proposed budget is discussed and debated.

Other items that qualify under Charter Section 2.12.

While additional council meetings can sometimes be scheduled to speed up the process, coordinating those meetings can be difficult. For this reason, issues requiring timely action are typically brought forward as “emergency” ordinances, even when no life or death emergency exists.

What is the intent of the proposed charter amendment?

The intent of the proposed amendment is to make the process easier for the public to understand. The update would clarify that an ordinance does not need to involve a true emergency to be considered through this faster process, which still includes a public hearing.

Because the term “emergency” can be interpreted differently, renaming the process to “expedited” is intended to better reflect how it is actually used: for matters that require timely action, not necessarily life-threatening situations.

The Commission, as well as staff, believe that the word “expedited” better defines the ordinances brought to Council for approval in a single reading under this section.

What’s an example of a non-emergency which could warrant an expedited process?

For example, the City could experience unexpected but non-life-threatening damage to infrastructure that causes a significant wastewater leak. The City would have an interest in repairing the problem quickly. If the repair cost was not budgeted and exceeded $100,000, City Council approval would be required before work could begin.

In that case, an expedited process could allow Council to act more quickly, even though the situation would not be considered a life-and-death emergency.


View it on website

Jill Carter bill would ban keeping lists of privately owned firearms

By Erin Hynes

Columbia Missourian

Twenty states have enacted laws prohibiting the use of unique merchant category codes to distinguish firearm purchases, and Missouri could be the 21st.

State Sen. Jill Carter, a Republican from Granby, presented legislation to a Senate committee Monday that would create the “Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act.”

The bill prohibits government entities from keeping a list, record or registry of privately-owned firearms. Records may be kept during a criminal investigation and prosecution on gun ownership. It also prohibits credit card networks from using a merchant category code to distinguish firearm sales from any other sale.

“This bill draws a clear line,” Carter said at the hearing. “Lawful gun ownership must never be treated as inherently suspicious.”

Kentucky, Tennessee and Iowa passed similar laws in 2024 banning the use of unique merchant category codes for firearms.

Darren LaSorte from the National Shooting Sports Foundation spoke in favor of the bill and its ability to prevent citizens from being investigated for purchasing firearms and equipment at a gun store.

“This is stuff that if I talked about seven years ago, you’d throw me in a padded room and call me a conspiracy theorist,” LaSorte said. “It’s happening now, and what this bill does is simply prohibits it from happening in the state of Missouri.”

If passed in Missouri, the attorney general could investigate anyone suspected of violating these laws and provide a 30-day notice. If changes are not made, the attorney general can file a lawsuit against the violator. Violators can receive a civil penalty of up to $1,000.

Bill to require gifted education screening in public schools passes Missouri House

By Annelise Hanshaw

Missouri Independent

A bill requiring public schools screen all students to determine if they qualify for gifted education by the time they reach the third grade passed the Missouri House on a 142-8 vote Monday.

It bolsters a state law requiring schools to provide gifted classes when at least 3% of its students are identified as gifted.

“When the legislation passed, we did not include how screening should take place and be completed,” said the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Brenda Shields in a House debate last week.

Shields, a Republican from St. Joseph, said some schools are not reaching the 3% threshold because they are not screening students. She estimates that 20,000 students that should qualify are not offered a gifted class.

Of the state’s 554 school districts, 227 offer gifted education, the education department reported in the bill’s fiscal note. Most of the districts that offer gifted services surround high population areas.

“These students have burdens. They are very young and different from their peers,” she said. “These are the students that want to dive deeper in a classroom activity, far beyond what the teacher or the rest of the class wants to do.”

The bill leaves flexibility for schools to assess students, directing them to look to a “body of evidence” showing a student’s intelligence, creativity or other gifted attributes. Three staff members trained in gifted education would review the information.

Lawmakers showed broad approval for the bill in initial discussions, with some concern surfacing about funding the screening process.

When the state’s formula for funding public schools was passed in 2005, gifted education funding changed from being a separate line item to part of the formula’s base calculation. As a result, the amount of state aid for gifted education is disconnected from the amount of students identified as gifted.

A committee is currently drafting changes to the public school funding formula and is considering adding additional funding per student identified as gifted. But changes are unlikely to take effect until fall 2028, so districts could have a minimum of two years with a new requirement and a formula that keeps gifted education funding largely flat.

The Lindbergh School District, in the bill’s fiscal note, estimated the cost of screening at $6.50 per student.

The bill is the fourth proposal approved by the House and in the hands of the Senate.

Challenges in rural health care topic of MSSU summit

(From Missouri Southern State University)

Rural healthcare leaders will discuss the challenges and solutions facing their communities during a featured panel at the 2026 Willcoxon Innovation in Health Sciences Summit at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU).

The panel, “Challenges in Rural Healthcare: Strategies for Success,” is part of the March 27 summit in Joplin and will bring together experienced rural healthcare professionals to share insights on improving care access, delivery, and outcomes.

Panelists include Don McBride, CEO of ACCESS Family Care, who brings extensive experience in healthcare administration and policy education; Linda Davis, a registered nurse who serves on the Quapaw Nation Business Committee and has spent more than 30 years working in tribal government and tribal health care; Sean Guiheen, nurse manager for the emergency department and medical-surgical unit at Cox Barton County Hospital, with more than a decade of rural healthcare leadership experience; Renee Denton, CEO at Freeman Neosho, with 38 years in clinical and administrative healthcare leadership; and David Smith, administrator for Mercy Pittsburg and has more than 25 years of experience at critical access hospitals.

The discussion will focus on the challenges of rural healthcare and how organizations address and overcome those challenges. Attendees will learn from the panelists’ real-world experiences, informing policy, practice, and community partnerships.

The summit begins at 7:30 a.m. with registration at the Taylor Performing Arts Center and includes keynote and breakout sessions throughout the day. The event is open to healthcare professionals, students exploring health sciences careers, and community members. Participants can register online at MSSU’s Willcoxon Summit page.

Three Joplin businesses fail alcohol compliance checks

(From the Joplin Police Department)

To reduce underage access to alcohol, the Joplin Police Department conducted Youth Alcohol Compliance Checks at various establishments throughout the City of Joplin on February 7, 2026. 

Compliance checks are aimed at ensuring adherence to state and local laws regarding the legal sale of alcohol to minors.

Of the 40 locations checked, 3 locations were found to be non-compliant and sold alcohol to minors. The list of compliant and non-compliant stores is below.

In addition to compliance checks, the Joplin Police Department is partnering with local establishments and owners to ensure that each employee responsible for selling alcohol receives proper training. 

The Department is encouraging businesses to learn more through Free Responsible Retailer Training, a class for local retailers hosted by the Community Partnership of the Ozarks.

If your business would like up-to-date information on Missouri alcohol sales laws, how to identify minors and intoxicated persons, state compliance checks, and more, contact Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO) at (417) 888-2020 or email kpoor@cpozarks.org.

Non-Compliant

Dave’s Mini Mart 801 S Maiden Ln

Casey’s General Store 4800 S. Range Line Rd

Phillips 66 3308 E. 32nd St

Compliant

1. Downtown Corner Mart 419 W 9th St

2. Spirit 66 Food Mart 703 W 7th St

3. Cash Saver 811 W 7th St

4. Zip Trip 1102 W 7th

5. Casey’s General Store 201 S Maiden ln

6. White Oak 2307 W 7th St

7. Mac’s Stop 1302 S Schifferdecker

8. White Oak 1930 S Schifferdecker

9. 417 Liquor and Cigar 2202 S Maiden Ln

10. The Corner 2300 S Maiden lnPolice Department

11. Main St drive thru Liquor 1620 S Main St

12. Discount Smokes and Liquor 1817 S Main St

13. The Corner 2002 S Main St

14. Walgreens 2001 S Main St

15. Alps 2602 S Main St

16. Casey’s General Store 2501 S Main St

17. U-Gas 2702 S Main St

18. Walgreens 3222 S Main St

19. CVS Pharmacy 112 E 32nd St

20. Phillips 66 4302 S Main St

21. Maverick 5002 S Main St

22. Red Apple Mart 901 N Florida Ave

23. Casey’s General Store 2604 N Range Line Rd

24. Lion Stop 3525 E Newman Rd

25. White Oak Station 1631 E. 4th St

26. Discount Smokes and Liquor 1804 E. 7th St

27. Joplin Mini Mart 1210 E 15th St

28. Jugz 1605 E. 20th St

29. Casey’s General Store 1904 E 20th St

30. Phillips 66 2115 S Connecticut Ave

31. Zipz 1902 E. 32nd St

32. Discount Smokes and Liquor 2703 E. 32nd St

33. Maverick 3434 S Range Line Rd

34. Eagle Stop 3504 S. Range Line Rd

35. White Oak Station 1503 S. Range Line Rd

36. Conoco 1201 S. Range Line Rd

37. Casey’s General Store 2808 W 7th St (Entered store but no attempt)

Lamar man, Eagle Rock woman charged with meth possession with intent to distribute

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

Two southwest Missouri residents were charged federally for possession with intent to distribute over 40 pounds of methamphetamine.

Michael Wilson, 49, of Lamar, Mo., and Amber Beck, 34, of Eagle Rock, Mo., were charged by federal criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. Wilson and Beck had their first appearances in court today, following their arrests on Feb. 9, 2026.

According to court documents, on Feb. 7, 2026, following a traffic stop on I-44 in Jasper County, Mo., an officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) discovered Wilson and Beck were in possession of approximately 44 pounds of suspected methamphetamine.

An affidavit filed with the complaint alleges that Wilson and Beck have regularly been making trips to the Pheonix, Ariz., area to purchase methamphetamine for distribution.

The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Lucas. It was investigated by the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, Missouri State Highway Patrol, the DEA, and the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office.

Joplin man charged with assault after stabbing at Watered Gardens

A bond review hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. February 18 for a homeless Joplin man who was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action following a stabbing Friday at Watered Gardens, 531 S. Kentucky Avenue.

Bryan K. Gutierrez (DOB 1970) pleaded not guilty today during a video arraignment in Jasper County Circuit Court. 

From the probable cause statement:

While on routine patrol I was flagged down at 531 S. Kentucky Avenue, Joplin, Jasper County MO by Steven Martin who appeared to be bleeding from the chest after I observed him and Bryan Gutierrez verbally arguing.

Martin was walking toward Gutierrez before waving me in his direction. Gutierrez began walking away from the scene and continued to do so until he reached the east side of the parking lot. He eventually complied with officers after multiple commands.

Two knives were located in Gutierrez' right hand while he was detained. The knives had black sheaths. One of the knives, which had a green handle and was approximately two inches wide, had streaked blood on it consistent with an attempt to remove the blood. After Gutierrez was read his Miranda rights, he stated he and Martin had been in an altercation, but denied stabbing him.

I spoke to {two witnesses} both who arrived just as I did. They both observed Gutierrez backing away form Martin with a knife in his hand.

I spoke with Martin who stated he was standing outside Watered Gardens when Gutierrez walked up to him with two knives, both of which were slightly curved and had black sheaths. Gutierrez then stabbed with without saying anything.

According to the probable cause statement, the stabbing was captured on video footage collected from Watered Gardens.

Goodman teen bound over for trial for involuntary manslaughter

Colby Wayne Wright, 18, Goodman, waived his preliminary hearing today in McDonald County Circuit Court and was bound over for trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter, careless and imprudent driving involving an accident, minor visibly intoxicated and driving while revoked.

Wright's trial court arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 1 before Judge John LePage.

Wright was charged in connection with an August 8 accident in which a person who was riding on top of the GMC Yukon he was driving, fell off the top of the vehicle and later died from his injuries.

The allegations against Wright are detailed in the probable cause statement:

From the probable cause statement:

On August 08, 2025, at 0743 hours, Troop D Communications informed me of a motor vehicle crash on Allison Road at Peach Orchard Road. At 0756 hours, I arrived on scene and observed Freeman Ambulance staff treating a male subject I identified as {name redacted}

I also observed a white GMC Yukon parked facing south near the intersection.

McDonald County Deputy C. Kelly, badge 15, informed me that the occupants were at a pool party the night prior. Deputy Kelly also informed me a male and female had climbed onto the roof of the vehicle and it had hit a bump ejecting them.

I contacted the four other occupants of the vehicle. I identified the driver as Colby W. Wright of Goodman, Missouri. I also contacted {name redacted} who appeared to have minor injuries. Wright stated that (name redacted} wanted to ride on top of the vehicle and that when Wright came around the corner {names redacted} were thrown from the vehicle.

A computer check of Wright's license revealed he had an active 1 year point revocations for 12 points in 12 months, effective March 25, 2025, case number SN001269047. He also had an active in state failure to appear action, case number FA24005517 that was eligible for reinstatement May 23, 2024, but had not been reinstated yet.

Due to the severity of the injuries sustained by {name redacted} I requested Wright submit to a
preliminary breath test and he agreed.

I asked Wright if there would be a measurable amount of alcohol and he nodded yes.I asked Wright the last time he had consumed any alcohol, and he stated a few hours ago. Wright then stated, "lt wasn't the reason for anything; I'm just letting you know ahead of time."

Jason Smith: Democrats are holding Department of Homeland Security hostage over politics

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

Last October, Washington Democrats started what would go on to become the longest shutdown in American history — all because their radical, far-Left base demanded an extension of temporary, COVID-era subsidies for insurance companies that Washington Democrats voted to let expire at the end of last year. 

After inflicting pain on millions of Americans impacted with delayed government services, flight disruptions, or missed paychecks, those same Washington Democrats eventually came to the realization that shutting down the government to achieve policy changes is a bad strategy. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman said, “The kinds of chaos and holding our government hostage is unacceptable.”

But next week, history is at risk of repeating itself, as Democrat leaders in Washington appear intent to shut down the entire Department of Homeland Security over disagreements they have with the Trump administration on immigration policy. Yes, you read that right — Washington Democrats are barreling our nation toward yet another shutdown over an entirely different issue. Their leadership prioritizes catering to their far-Left activists over the needs of everyday Americans. This isn’t about a lack of time or a lack of options. It’s about Democrats choosing partisan brinkmanship over public safety because they disagree with enforcing America’s immigration laws.

Funding the Department of Homeland Security is not optional. It is one of the most basic responsibilities of government. DHS doesn’t just handle immigration enforcement — it includes many components of government that impact the lives of everyday Americans. TSA keeps our airports running. The Coast Guard protects our waterways. FEMA responds when disaster strikes, like the winter storm that just covered most of our nation. Withholding DHS funding doesn’t hurt Washington — it hurts families trying to travel, communities recovering from storms, and Americans who rely on these agencies to function every day.

The DHS funding we passed in the House would keep these pivotal government functions operating, and I will continue fighting to ensure that our frontline personnel have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively for the American people. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who has become the target of far-Left anger over her work to implement President Trump’s tough border security, has delivered our nation a secure border. It would be unconscionable to tie her hands because a few radical Left activists prefer an open border and benefits for illegal immigrants.

Make no mistake: Democrats are holding DHS hostage over politics, and everyday Americans will be the ones to pay the price. I’m going to fight to ensure President Trump’s agenda, which has delivered the most secure border in American history, can continue intact. Americans expect their leaders put politics aside when it matters most and protect public safety. I will continue working to ensure DHS remains funded, our communities remain protected, and to avoid another Democrat shutdown that hurts families who have done nothing wrong.

Bill seeks to lower minimum wage for minors in Missouri

By Sawyer Bess

Columbia Missourian

A bill that would lower the minimum wage for minors was pitched by its sponsor last week as a way to help small businesses and young workers.

The legislation would create a separate minimum wage for those under age 18 who are employed in Missouri. The new minimum wage rate for minors would be $12.30 per hour, down from the state rate of $15 per hour.








The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Joe Nicola, a Republican from Grain Valley, is aiming to protect both small businesses and teen workers, as he has seen a decrease of teen employment in his district.

“Labor is often the single largest expense when wages rise too quickly,” Nicola said. “Owners are forced to make hard choices, reduce hours, raise prices, automate jobs like installing kiosks instead of having teens employed or stop hiring inexperienced workers altogether.”

Missouri’s minimum wage has nearly doubled in the past decade, increasing from $7.65 in 2016 to $15 in 2026.

Nicola said the bill takes into account that entry-level jobs are “fundamentally different” from adult employment and that Missouri’s wage laws should remain fair.

“These are entry level positions that require training, supervision, patience from employers,” Nicola said.

David Overfelt, president of the Missouri Retailers Association, and Dan Shaul, the executive state director for the Missouri Grocers Association and president of Midwest Retail and Grocery Alliance spoke in support of the bill.

Those opposed said age discrimination should not be legislated in Missouri and that some families rely on teenagers’ wages.

A member of the public testified that, when he was a youth worker, his family depended on his paycheck after the death of his father. He found it insulting to say that lower wages would be in his best interest.

Jake Hummel, president of Missouri AFL-CIO, said the bill would be creating a two-tiered system. The lower wage would also make it harder for teens to afford the costs of living given they already face higher car insurance prices.

Hummel said that Missouri’s relatively high minimum wage attracts out-of-state employees.

“I’m kind of excited to hear that the citizens of Kansas are coming over for employment in the state of Missouri to pay taxes here in the state,” Hummel said. “And last I checked, we were trying to attract workers to Missouri, not do the opposite.”

Nicola rebutted by saying that the out-of-state minors would be working jobs that Missouri minors could instead have.