Stella woman cited for felony DWI after injury crash near Granby

A Stella woman was cited for felony driving while intoxicated following a one-vehicle accident 4 p.m. today on W Highway north of U. S. 60, two and a half miles east of Granby.

According to Highway Patrol accident and arrest reports, a 2004 Ford F-150 driven by Keisha N. McCracken, 42, Stella, crossed the center of the roadway and struck a fence.

McCracken, who was also cited for driving while revoked, no insurance and careless and imprudent driving, was treated for serious injuries at Mercy Joplin.

Latest Missouri poll finds another razor thin margin ahead of November vote on abortion

By Anna Spoerre

Missouri Independent

Just 10 days ago, Steven Rogers says he would have predicted Missourians were set to reinstate an abortion ban this November.

Then the latest polling results landed in his inbox. Now the professor of political science at Saint Louis University says he’s not so sure.

Of 900 likely Missouri voters surveyed in August by the SLU/YouGov Poll, of which Rogers is director, 44% opposed the abortion ban and 43% supported it. The remaining 13% were unsure, according to the latest survey released Thursday. The poll took place between Aug. 13 and Aug. 24 and has a margin of error of roughly 4 percentage points. 

In November, Missourians will be asked if they want to repeal a reproductive rights amendment voters approved in 2024 and reinstate an abortion ban with limited exceptions for survivors of rape and incest and medical emergencies. That proposal, placed on the ballot by the legislature, will be listed on the statewide ballot as Amendment 3, the same name as the 2024 abortion rights amendment. 

In the latest poll, the abortion ban garnered more support among men, with 46% of those surveyed in support compared with 40% of women in support. Republicans were three times more likely to vote in support of the amendment than Democrats. Only 20% of Democrats said they planned to vote in favor of the ban; 65% of Republicans expressed support.

The strongest support for the abortion ban amendment came from Missourians in southeast and northwest Missouri. Those polled in the Kansas City and St. Louis metro areas expressed the greatest opposition.

“The path is there. Let’s get it done,” Tom Estes, a leader with Her Health, Her Future, the campaign advocating for the abortion ban amendment, said of the poll results on social media. 

The August results erased a gap that had favored the amendment several months earlier.

Polling done in February, with the latest results updated after YouGov changed its weighting strategy, showed an 11 percentage point margin between the “yes” and “no” votes, with 50% of those surveyed saying they planned to support the abortion ban amendment and 39% saying they planned to oppose it. 

“Politicians made it abundantly clear that Amendment 3 was designed to overturn the will of voters and ban abortion,” Tom Bastian, a spokesman for Stop the Ban, the campaign effort to defeat the amendment, said in a statement. “As more Missourians are tuning in to the election, it’s not surprising to see a growing number of voters saying NO to Amendment 3 to stop the abortion ban and protect reproductive freedom in our state.”

The 2024 vote that overturned the state’s 2022 near-total abortion ban and created a constitutional right to the procedure up to the point of fetal viability passed with support from 51.6% of the nearly 3 million Missourians who cast a vote.

A few months before the 2024 vote, a SLU/YouGov survey found that 52% of Missourians polled planned to vote for the reproductive rights amendment; 34% planned to vote to keep a ban in place.

Rogers said he doesn’t foresee the polling results lining up as perfectly this time. But he was able to compare responses from 305 people who took the survey in both February and August. Among that sample, 17% of the people who supported the abortion ban in February flipped to opposition, and 14% flipped from oppose to support. 

While the August poll only asked for Missourians’ view on Amendment 3, the February poll asked more specific questions around both abortion and gender-affirming care for minors. The survey found that 59% of Missourians support abortion access through at least 8 weeks of pregnancy. 

The same survey also found a majority of Missourians opposed access to gender-affirming healthcare for minors, with 66% of those surveyed opposing hormone therapy or medications for minors and 72% opposing gender transition surgeries. 

This matters because November’s Amendment 3 would also place a ban on gender-affirming care for minors into the state constitution. This type of healthcare has been banned in state law since 2023. The Missouri Supreme Court upheld the ban earlier this year. 

Proponents of Amendment 3 say a more permanent ban is needed, noting that the ban on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones expires in 2027, though the ban on surgeries is permanent. Those opposed to the abortion ban amendment decry the ban on gender-affirming care as ballot candy meant to bring more people to the polls in favor of the amendment and distract from the effort to reinstate an abortion ban.

When comparing the latest polling results with those from August 2024, Rogers said they found both Democrats and Republicans are less-supportive of the reproductive rights amendment this go-around. That was also the case for non-white voters.

He suspects that Republicans’ decision to attach a ban on gender-affirming care for minors to the proposed abortion ban accounts for some of that shift. 

But the increase in opposition to the proposed abortion ban between the February poll and August poll came from several groups, including young, elderly and male Missourians, he said. 

In general, he said the latest poll results points to increasing discontent with those in power. 

Trump, Kehoe post first negative approval ratings in new Missouri poll

The August SLU/YouGov poll also found both President Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Kehoe’s approval ratings among Missourians took a hit since February.

In that span of several months between surveys, voters shot down a few major Republican policy proposals, including an attempt to make it more difficult to amend the constitution using citizen-led initiative petition process, which is how the reproductive rights amendment currently in place was passed.

“A general theme of the (August) poll is that people are upset,” Rogers said, noting that most of the Republican establishment didn’t fare well in the latest survey, nor in the primary. “If that carries over into November, then this Amendment 3 may fail.” 

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.

Detention hearing set for former 161st District Rep candidate, new high-powered lawyers hired

A detention hearing for former 161st District House of Representatives candidate Thomas Ross, who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance will be held 1 p.m. Monday in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

The hearing, which was originally scheduled for September 9, was pushed back when Ross, who had been represented by a public defender at his own request, hired the high-powered Springfield firm of Wampler and Passanise to defend him.

Three attorneys from that firm, Joseph S. Passanise, James R. Hayes and Thomas D. Carver are representing Ross, according to court documents.

The probable cause affidavit claims Ross asked his campaign manager to plant cocaine on his primary opponent Louise Secker. Ross defeated Secker by 32 votes in August, but quit the race after charges were filed against him.

The Jasper County Republican Central Committee selected Secker as his replacement.

Probable cause: Thomas Ross asked campaign manager to plant cocaine on Louise Secker 

Quality Inn Breakfast fails Joplin Health Department inspection

Quality Inn Breakfast, 3325 S. Arizona Avenue, failed its Joplin Health Department inspection Wednesday, according to information posted on the department website.

The restaurant received three priority violations and one core violation.

The priority violations were for the following reasons:

-Employee food was stored with and above customer food.

-Yogurt, cream cheese and eggs in a cooler were being cold held above 41 degrees.

-Yogurt and cream cheese spread in a mini-refrigerator were being cold held above 41 degrees.

The core violation was for using the handwashing sink to store dish brushes.

Establishments that passed their inspections this week were:

Ghetto Taco (mobile)

Don Juan's Tacos and More

It's Greek to Me, 101 N. Range Line Road (re-inspection)

Maverick, 5002 S. Main (re-inspection)

Franklin Tech; Culinary Arts Kitchen, 2220 S. Indiana Avenue

Kelsey Norman Elementary School, 1323 E. 28th Street

Chick-fil-A, 101 N. Range Line Road

Logan's Roadhouse, 208 N. Range Line Road

Nice Guys, 101 N. Range Line Road (re-inspection)

Le Nail Bar, 925 S. Range Line Road

Bricktown Brewery, 3030 S. Range Line Road

Speedy Burritos, 1710 S. Maiden Lane

Cecil Floyd Elementary School, 2201 W. 24th Street

Eastmorland Elementary School, 1131 S. Highview Avenue

Arkansas officials seeking information from public on accident that killed MSSU professor

Arkansas officials are asking for the public help in tracing how the accident happened that killed Missouri Southern State University professor Dr. Alla Barry on Beaver Lake September 4.

The following message was posted on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Facebook page:

Law enforcement is seeking the public’s help with information about a fatal accident on Beaver Lake around 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, when a swimmer was struck by a boat in the vicinity of War Eagle Marina. 

Anyone with information about the accident is encouraged to contact AGFC Game Warden Levi Bingham at 501-607-6770. 

Authorities are interested in speaking with anyone who was in the area around the time of the accident, anyone who witnessed the accident and anyone who assisted at the scene before emergency personnel arrived. 

Information may also be sent to Levi.Bingham@agfc.ar.gov.

Changes in Joplin trash service begin October 1

 

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin and Republic Services are reminding residents inside Joplin city limits about important changes to solid waste services, which will take effect this year. The City of Joplin has renewed its contract with Republic Services for curbside solid wasteservices for all Joplin residents. The new contract goes into effect Oct. 1, 2026.

“It’s really important that customers pay attention to these changes,” says Chad Weller, Assistant Director of the City of Joplin Public Works Department. “Everyone who takes trash to the curb is impacted by these changes and will need to consider changes to their account and adjust their routines. Failure to make appropriate adjustments to your account, or failure to follow new rules for proper disposal of yard waste, could result in extra charges on your trash bill.”

What’s Included in Base Service:

The new base monthly rate for solid waste (trash) pickup is $17.42/month, which includes:One (1) trash cart, which is picked up every week
Bulky item pickup (4 times per year, contact Republic Services to schedule)
Yard Waste (cost included, but you must contact Republic Services to sign up)

Multiple Trash Carts:

Beginning October 1, Republic Services will only take trash that fits inside your cart and will not collect any extra bags or trash items left outside of your single trash cart.

If you regularly have more trash than you can fit in a single cart, you should consider adding a second trash cart which costs an additional $5.50/month, or consider enrolling in the optional curbside recycling service. Curbside recycling costs an additional $5.26/month and includes one (1) recycling cart.



Extra Trash Carts You Don’t Need (And Don’t Want to Be Billed For):

Residents who have multiple trash carts should contact Republic Services to have any extra or unneeded carts removed. Starting with the November bill, customers will bebilled for each extra trash cart on their property. To avoid additional cart charges, Joplin trash customers must submit a removal request to Republic Services by October 1 to remove any extra or unneeded trash carts.

To request any changes to your Republic Services account, complete the form on the bottom of this web page: https://www.republicservices.com/municipality/joplin-mo

If you have difficulty with the online form, call Republic Services at: 800-431-1507.

Yard Waste Pickup Option:

Yard waste (such as grass clippings, weeds, leaves, and/or small tree limbs or brush) can no longer be accepted in your trash carts when mixed in with solid waste.

Missouri Senate Bill 530 prohibits the disposal of yard waste in landfills. Please do not place yard waste in your trash cart. This change is required to minimize the amountof biodegradable materials taken to landfills, which should only be receiving non-recyclable and non-biodegradable waste.

Residents wishing to have their yard waste (such as grass clippings, weeds, leaves, and/or small tree limbs or brush) collected curbside must first contact Republic Services to add their address to the pickup schedule. This service will begin in October for customers who are signed up.

Customers opting into this service must buy their own biodegradable bags (such as kraft paper) in which they can place grass clippings or leaves, and bundle tree limbsusing biodegradable wrapping (such as compostable twine). Customers are limited to 10 bags/bundles per pickup. Compostable/biodegradable bags are available for purchase from multiple local hardware stores.

Residents not wanting to use paper bags may purchase an additional 96-gallon yard waste cart for an additional $5.50 per month. These are distinguishable from trash carts by a large sticker.

Yard waste pickup will be every other week, similar to the curbside recycling program. You will be notified of your yard waste collection day at the time you sign up withRepublic Services. Please note, this may be a different day of the week than your trash and recycling services.

Again, to request any changes to your Republic Services account (including signing up for the Yard Waste Pickup Option), complete the form on the bottom of this web page: https://www.republicservices.com/municipality/joplin-mo or call Republic Services at 800-431-1507.

Bulky Item Pickup Process Is Changing:

Starting Oct. 1, residents must call Republic Services to schedule the pickup of bulky items such as mattresses and other items that do not fit in a trash receptacle. Residents are limited to four cubic yards of bulky items per pickup, and each home is limited to four pickups per year.

Curbside Recycling Option:

Curbside Recycling continues to be available as an optional add-on. Residents can sign up with Republic Services to have a recycling cart delivered to their home which willbe picked up biweekly. The new monthly rate for recycling pickup is $5.26/month. An extra recycle cart costs $5.50/month. Visit JoplinRecycles.com to learn more.

How to Request Changes to Your Republic Services Account:

To request any changes to your solid waste services, either call Republic Services customer service at 800-431-1507 (Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or visit this page of the Republic Services website: https://www.republicservices.com/municipality/joplin-mo and scroll to the bottom of the page in order to complete the online customer service form.

Why Is The Cost of Solid Waste Services Going Up?

After an open bid process and thorough review of three competitive bids submitted by qualified solid waste disposal companies, Republic Services was found to be the lowest and best bidder. City Council considered making recycling mandatory for all residents but opted to keep it as an optional add-on to minimize the rate increase.

Other Solid Waste Services Provided by the City of Joplin:

Additional information about solid waste services available to Joplin residents can be viewed at: https://www.joplinmo.org/293/Recycling-Solid-Waste-Management. Residents with larger or more frequent tree limb drop-off needs can still use the free Tree Limb Dropoffsite at 1701 N. Schifferdecker on designated weekends. Learn more: https://www.joplinmo.org/1238/Residential-Limb-and-Brush-Drop-off-ProgramThose needing to dispose of more grass clippings or leaves can use the City’s free Compost Facility located at the Turkey Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant at 3457 West Eddy Lane. Learn more: https://www.joplinmo.org/1237/Residential-Leaf-Drop-Off-Program
Those wishing to recycle at no cost may haul recyclables and household hazardous waste to our FREE Recycling Center at 1310 W. A Street. Drop-off of mostitems at these facilities is free of charge. There is a $10 fee for TVs or computer monitors dropped off at the Recycling Center. This fee can be paid by check or money order, or it can be paid in advance at the finance department on the third floor of City Hall, 602 S. Main St. Learn more: joplinrecycles.com
Discount at GFL Transfer Station: Joplin residents can dispose of bulky items and tree limbs at the GFL Joplin Transfer Station for a reduced cost, thanks to a subsidy provided by the City. Residents may drop off up to 2,000 pounds of bulky items, brush, and tree limbs at a discounted rate. To be eligible for subsidized pricing, please bring a copy of your sewer bill and your driver's license to verify that you are a resident of Joplin.

Location: GFL Transfer Station - 3700 W 7th St, Joplin, MO 64801
Hours:
Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Republic Services Transfer Station:

Joplin residential trash customers may also haul bulky items (no yard waste) to the Republic Services transfer station. Fees apply.

Location: Republic Services Transfer Station - 1715 E. Front Street, Galena, KS (Old Route 66)
Hours:Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (closed for lunch 11:30 a.m. - Noon)

Please call ahead (620-783-5841) to inquire about acceptable and unacceptable items, holiday schedules, and rules.

Rabies case reported in Joplin

(From the Joplin Health Department)

The Joplin Health Department has confirmed a positive case of rabies in a skunk within the Joplin city limits. This is Joplin’s first positive rabies test result in 2026.

While the exposure risk to the public is low, there is exposure risk for pets if not properly vaccinated. The Health Department is reminding community members of rabies prevention methods.

Details of the case:The skunk was tested for rabies after it made contact with a dog from a local residence.
Rabies was confirmed through laboratory testing from a specimen submitted to the State Public Health Labon 9/8/26.

Rabies is a fatal disease, but it is preventable. Here’s what you should know:

The rabies virus can spread to people and pets through the bites or scratches of infected animals. An infected animal will not always exhibit obvious symptoms.

The best way to prevent the spread of rabies is to keep your distance from wildlife. Pet owners can lower their risk by keeping their pets up to date on rabies vaccines and keeping their pets away from wild animals.

Rabies is found naturally in some Missouri wildlife – primarily bats and skunks. However, other mammals can test positive for rabies including domestic species such as dogs, cats, horses, and cattle. Do not approach animals who appear to be injured, sick, or dead. This is especially true if you see animals during the day who are usually active at night (skunks, raccoons, etc.).

Rabies does not spread through contaminated materials such as clothing, bedding, or simply petting a dog.
The time from exposure to infection in people or animals can range from weeks to more than 1 year.

Mike Landis sells WMBH in Joplin, KHST in Lamar

 Mike Landis is out of the radio business.

The Inside Radio website reports Landis, owner of the Land Go Radio Group sold WMBH 1560 AM and the 101.3 FM simulcast and 101.7: The Vault, KHST in Lamar for $225,000 to One Media.

One Media, which operated out of Pittsburg, Kansas, owns KRZD(AM), Springfield;  KBZI(FM), Mooreland, Oklahoma; KWKN(FM), Wakeeney, Kansas: and KSHQ(FM), Deerfield, Missouri.

Springfield man sentenced to 22 years in prison for meth trafficking, firearms

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

A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court yesterday for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Roy Dewayne Reed, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Megan Blair Benton, to 262 months in federal prison without parole, followed by four years’ supervised release.

On Sept. 10, 2025, an officer with the Springfield Police Department (SPD) conducted a traffic stop on a silver Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Reed at a gas station on East Division Street. As an officer attempted to contact Reed, he reversed his vehicle toward the officer and fled into midday traffic at a high rate of speed, driving in the median, and taking Interstate 44 briefly. Officers pursued Reed but ultimately abandoned the pursuit in the interest of public safety.

Less than an hour later, officers with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office located Reed’s truck at a residence on East Division. Officers located two loaded handguns and six plastic baggies of methamphetamine with a combined weight of approximately 111.84 grams inside two crossbody bags located in the back of the truck. Surveillance footage from the residence showed Reed throwing both bags, one at a time, into the back of the truck.

Reed is a career offender, with eleven previous felony convictions, including multiple assaults, manufacture and distribution of drugs, unlawful possession of firearms, resisting arrest, and motor vehicle theft. At the time that he committed the federal offenses, he was on probation for delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, and tampering with a motor vehicle.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greene County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office, and the Springfield, Missouri Police Department.

Kehoe appoints Carl Junction woman, eight others to boards, commissions

(From Gov. Mike Kehoe)

Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced nine gubernatorial appointments to various boards and commissions.

Erica Missavage, of Carl Junction, was appointed to the Missouri Statewide Independent Living Council.

Ms. Missavage is the vice president of Firefly, formerly Preferred Family Healthcare. She is a member of the Zero Suicide Academy and the national and Missouri chapters of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). Missavage holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Missouri Southern State University.

Eric Bruder, of St. Joseph, was appointed to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors.

Mr. Bruder serves as the senior vice president and chief financial officer for Herzog Enterprises, Inc. He previously served on the Missouri Western State University Foundation Board of Directors, the Missouri Western State University Craig School of Business Advisory Board, and the St. Joseph School District Board of Education. Bruder holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology from Missouri Western State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Rockhurst University.

Michkeal Cross, of St. Louis, was appointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.

Mr. Cross is an assistant teacher at Atlas Public Schools–Union Station. He mentors at Saturday Boys Academy, is a former board member of St. Louis Arc, and serves as an emcee and committee member for Disability Rights Legislative Day. Cross is currently completing his associate degree in general transfer studies at St. Louis Community College.

Jennifer Friedrich, of Perryville, was reappointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.

Ms. Friedrich is a current member of the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy from Southeast Missouri State University.

Gerard Grimaldi, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Mental Health Commission.

Mr. Grimaldi was the chief health policy officer for the University Health hospital (formerly Truman Medical Center) before retiring in 2025. He previously served on the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce board, the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee, and was chairman of the Jackson County Mental Health Levy Board of Trustees. Grimaldi holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Elise Moore, of Wildwood, was appointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.

Ms. Moore's career spans 17 years in advertising and technology, during which she has designed digital experiences for brands in agriculture, finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and mobility. She is a senior product designer at Enterprise Mobility, where she promotes accessible design across applications and web products. Moore holds a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Webster University.

Kristen O’Brien, of Boonville, was appointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.

Ms. O'Brien is active in her community and volunteers extensively with organizations, including the Cooper County Board of Sheltered Services, the DESE Blind Task Force, the Boonville Parks and Recreation Accessibility Committee, Happy Hearts Foster Pantry, Boonville Special Olympics–Young Athletes, and the Boonville Adaptive Playground Project with the SuperFinn Autism Foundation. O'Brien holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Quincy University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science from Mid-America College of Funeral Services.

Christian Powers, of Pacific, was appointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.

Mr. Powers is an administrative receptionist for Prometric Testing. He is a member of the Eureka Masonic Lodge and a former member of the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council. Powers holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Maine at Machias, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Southern Maine, and a Master of Legal Studies degree from Webster University.

Anthony Taylor, D.M., of Raytown, was reappointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.

Mr. Taylor is an IT manager for Practical Project Solutions, LLC. He serves on the boards of directors for Hulme Resources, Inc., and the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society. Taylor holds a bachelor's degree in management and computer information systems, a Master of Business Administration from MidAmerica Nazarene University, and a Doctor of Management from the University of Phoenix.