Hearing set in former R-8 School Board member's DWI case

A 10 a.m. pre-trial conference is scheduled in Newton County Circuit Court Wednesday for former Joplin R-8 Board of Education member Phillip Willcoxon, who faces charges of driving while intoxicated and speeding.

Willcoxon is represented by Neosho attorney Charles Rhoades.

The Missouri Highway Patrol arrested Willcoxon, 47, CEO of the Ozark Center in Joplin and former CEO of Freeman Neosho Hospital, at 9:50 p.m. Friday, February 14 on Coyote Road.

The citation indicated that Willcoxon exceeded the blood alcohol content, though it does not say by how much.

Willcoxon served two three-year terms on the Board of Education, first being elected in April 2008. He did not choose to seek a third term and left the board in April.