Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Joplin officials take legal action against Hopeful Bites organizer, citation issued


Joplin city officials took action today against McKenna Jade Pulsipher, organizer of the Hopeful Bites project that has been serving food to the needy daily in front of City Hall.

Pulsipher was charged with a building code violation for blocking access to City Hall, according to Joplin Municipal Court records.

The citation includes the following statement:

Subject set up a table with items on it, encumbering the sidewalk in front of 602 S. Main after previously being asked not to obstruct the public way at that location.

City officials have told area media that Hopeful Bites has not been following city health guidelines and have said Hopeful Bites needs to find a new location.

The initial appearance for Pulsipher is scheduled for 8 a.m. January 26 in Joplin Municipal Court.

(KSNF Screenshot)

(Note: When I originally published this post, it included a screenshot of the citation. I did not realize until I read the comments here and on the Inside Joplin Facebook page that the citation included McKenna Jade Pulsipher's home address. Thanks to those of you who pointed that out. It was not intentional and I apologize for its inclusion in the post.)


 

Neosho woman charged after allegedly attacking daughter, fracturing her skull

 


The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office today filed a first-degree domestic assault charge against a Neosho woman who allegedly assaulted her daughter and fractured her skull.

The complaint against Isabela Ann Conrad (DOB 1967) was in connection with events that occurred December 7, according to the probable cause statement.







On December 8, 2025, I took a felony domestic-assault report from Victim 1 at Mercy Hospital Joplin.

Victim 1 stated that on Saturday, December 6, 2025, while driving her mother, Isabelle Ann Conrad in her personal vehicle less than one mile from Conrad`s residence at residence at Newton County, Missouri, Conrad became enraged during an argument. Conrad grabbed Victim 1 by the hair with both hands and simultaneously seized the steering wheel in an apparent attempt to cause a motor-vehicle crash. 

Victim 1 was able to regain control and return to the residence.

Upon arrival at the residence, as Victim 1 attempted to gather belongings and leave, Conrad again grabbed Victim 1 by the hair and forcefully threw Victim 1 to the ground, causing Victim 1's head to strike the hard tile surface. 

Victim 1 briefly defended herself before disengaging, then lost consciousness for an unknown period. Victim 1 eventually slept overnight in her vehicle in the backyard due to neurological impairment and, on Sunday morning, December 7, 2025, drove to urgent care and was transferred to Mercy Hospital Joplin.

Mercy Hospital imaging confirmed that Victim 1 sustained a fractured skull and two traumatic intracranial hemorrhages (brain bleeds) directly resulting from the assault. Victim 1 continues to suffer complete loss of smell and taste, consistent with significant traumatic brain injury.

Later the same day, at approximately 1430 hours on December 8, 2025, Deputy Jordan Tomlinson and I responded to Jordan Tomlinson and I responded to and interviewed Isabella Ann Conrad in the presence of her husband. The interview was audio-recorded.








During that interview, Conrad admitted that while her daughter was driving, she grabbed the steering wheel because the daughter was "yelling and screaming" and that in that moment she thought, "Let's just die together." She further admitted that once inside the residence she pulled her daughter's hair, causing both women to fall to the kitchen floor. Conrad claimed she sustained only a minor "goose egg" and did not seek medical treatment.

Conrad's own admissions establish that she intentionally attempted to cause a motor-vehicle collision (conduct capable of causing death or serious physical injury) and thereafter committed a violent physical assault upon her daughter.

The objective medical evidence of a skull fracture and two brain bleeds corroborates that Victim 1 in fact suffered serious physical injury as a direct result of Conrad`s actions.

Joplin City Council ready to spend nearly $1.6 million for artificial turf for Joe Becker, Wendell Redden stadiums, softball fields


The first reading of an ordinance authorizing paying Mid America Sports Construction $1,589,851 to replace and install synthetic turf at Joe Becker Stadium, Wendell Redden stadium and four fields at the Gene Bassman Softball Complex is on the consent agenda for the 6 p.m. Monday Joplin City Council meeting.

The projects were approved by voters as part of Phase 3 of the 1/4 cent Parks and Stormwater Sales Tax, according to the project information provided to the council.







The cost is approximately $600,000 more than was originally approved for the project in the city budget.

The council will have to approve a budget amendment to authorize the expenditure.

Agenda posted for Joplin City Council meeting

 


JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026
5th FLOOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS
602 S. MAIN ST. JOPLIN MO 6:00 P.M.

1.

Call To Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America
2.

Roll Call

3.

Presentations

1.

Presentation Of The Chief's Cross

2.

Solid Waste Procurement Process Presentation 

3.

Chamber Of Commerce Quarterly Update 

4.

Charter Review Commission - Final Report 

4.

Finalization Of Consent Agenda

5.

Reports And Communications

1.

News From The Public Information Office 

6.

Citizen Requests And Petitions

1.

Public Hearing Procedures 

2.

Amanda Bearden Requested To Speak On Homelessness 

3.

Diane Reid-Adams Requested To Speak On The City Charter 

4.

Tom Robertson Requested To Speak About The Charter Review

5.

Andrew Requested To Speak About Ordinance Nos. 2025-035(Camping) & 2025-164 (Transient Drop Off) 

6.

Teresa McCoy Requested To Speak About Hopeful Bites 

7.

Nicole Bearden Requested To Speak On Homelessness

8.

Sabrina Cole Requested To Speak On Camping Ordinances 

7.

Public Hearings

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-250

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-119, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, by removing from District M-2 (Heavy Industrial) and include in District R-2 (Two-Family Residential) property as described below and generally known as 1531 S Iowa Ave, Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-251

AN ORDINANCE approving the voluntary annexation by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, of property generally described as 4549 S Hwy 43, Newton County, Missouri.

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-252

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-119, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, by removing from District R-1 (Single-Family Residential) and include in District C-3 (Commercial) property as described below and generally known as 4549 S Hwy 43, Joplin, Newton County, Missouri.

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-253

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-119, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, by removing from District M-2 (Heavy Industrial) and include in District C-3 (Commercial) property as described below and generally known as approximately 67 Acres SE of E 20th St and S Geneva Ave, Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

Minutes Of The December 15, 2025, City Council Meeting 

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-153

AN ORDINANCE - approving the issuance of a Purchase Order to Southern Bus & Mobility, Inc., in the amount of Two Hundred Twenty-Four Thousand Thirty-Four and 00/100 Dollars ($224,034.00) for the purchase of a two (2) light duty cutaway vehicles, 2026 Ford E450 Diamond Coach with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) compliant lifts; and, setting a date when this ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:
  1. CB2025-153.PDF
3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-156

AN ORDINANCE approving Amendment 1 to Work Authorization OLS-WIL-02 with Olsson in the not to exceed amount of Six Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand and 00/100 dollars ($647,000.00) for professional engineering services for the Willow Branch Improvements project and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 as adopted by Ordinance 2025-143 on October 20, 2025; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:
  1. CB2025-156.PDF
4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-554

AN ORDINANCE repealing Section 30-121, License Classifications and Fees, of Article III, Licenses, Division 2, Schedule of Fees, of Chapter 30, Businesses, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Joplin and enacting in lieu thereof a new Section 30-121, License Classifications and Fees, of Article III, Licenses, Division 2, Schedule of Fees, of Chapter 30, Businesses, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Joplin to implement certain classification changes; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:
  1. CB2025-554.PDF
5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-555

AN ORDINANCE amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 as adopted by Ordinance 2025-143 on October 20, 2025, to adjust appropriations; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.           

Documents:
  1. CB22025-555.PDF
6.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-624

AN ORDINANCE approving a Purchase Order to be issued to Turn-Key Mobile, Inc., to cover the purchase of replacement mobile data computers for the Police Department and Animal Control Officers as budgeted in the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 as adopted by Ordinance 2025-538 on October 20, 2025; and setting an effective date.

Documents:
  1. CB2025-624.PDF
7.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-625

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Mid-America Sports Construction for the purpose of removing and installing synthetic turf at Joe Becker and Wendell Redden Baseball Stadiums and installing synthetic turf on four fields at the Gene Bassman Softball Complex for the not to exceed price of One Million Five Hundred Eighty-Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-One Dollars ($1,589,851.00); authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and, amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 as adopted by Ordinance 2025-143 on October 20, 2025.

Documents:
  1. CB2025-625.PDF
8.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-627

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with OMNIA Partners Cooperative for the purchase of a Groundsmaster 4000-D Rough Mower through Professional Turf Products, L.P. for the not to exceed price of One Hundred Five Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Nine Dollars and Twenty-Seven Cents ($105,749.27) and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin.

Documents:
  1. CB2025-627.PDF
9.

Resolutions

1.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-001

A RESOLUTION authorizing the submission of a Missouri Department of Economic Development grant amendment as required to reallocate $1,000,000 from ARPA Demolition to the ARPA Down Payment Assistance/Home Repairs budget.  

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-001

AN ORDINANCE approving the 2026 Labor Agreement by and between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and the Joplin Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 59, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City; and, containing an emergency clause.

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-287

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-119, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, by removing from District C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) and include in District R-1 (Single-Family Residential) property as described below and generally known as the Northeast Corner of W 20th Street and South Empire Avenue, Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-002

AN ORDINANCE amending throughout Chapter 30 – BUSINESS, Article III. Licenses, Division 6. Hotel, Motel, and Tourist Courts to include short-term rentals under the hotel/motel tax paid by transient guests; and establishing a time for this ordinance to become effective.

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-101

AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement with G&G Construction Company Inc. in the amount of Seven Hundred Twenty-Nine Thousand and 00/100 DOLLARS ($729,000.00) for the Turkey Creek WWTP Trickling Filter Drive Renovation and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-102

AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement with Pediatrics Plus Therapy Services, to provide sanitary sewer service to a portion of the property on 4445 E 7th St. in Jasper County, Missouri, authorizing the City Manager, or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and setting a date when this ordinance shall become effective.

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-103

AN ORDINANCE approving the issuance of a Purchase Order to Henderson Products, Inc., in the amount of Five Hundred Three Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety-Nine and 38/100 Dollars ($503,799.38) for the purchase of two (2) 2027 Freightliner 108SD+ Single Axle Dump Trucks with Henderson Comprehensive Snow Removal Package; amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 as adopted by Ordinance 2025-143 on October 20, 2025; and, setting a date when this ordinance shall become effective.

6.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-104

AN ORDINANCE approving the issuance of a Purchase Order to Henderson Products, Inc., in the amount of Two Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand Six Hundred Fifty-Eight and 12/100 Dollars ($234,658.12) for the purchase of one (1) 2027 Freightliner 108SD+ Tandem Axle Dump Truck with Henderson Anti-Ice Package; amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 as adopted by Ordinance 2025-143 on October 20, 2025; and, setting a date when this ordinance shall become effective.

7.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-400

AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and the Homeless Coalition that pertains to 2025 CDBG public service grant funds; authorizing the City Manager to execute same on behalf of the City; 

8.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-601

AN ORDINANCE approving a Contract by and between the City of Joplin and Upanup Studios Inc. to provide comprehensive website design, development and technology implementation services for the City of Joplin; authorizing the City Manager to execute said Contract by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and establishing a time for this ordinance to become effective.

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

1.

Confirm Boards And Commissions Appointments 



Trial date set for former Aurora teacher charged with sexual contact with a student

A September 28 trial date has been scheduled in Lawrence County Circuit Court for a former Aurora High School shop teacher and assistant football coach who is charged with sexual contact with a student.

A pre-trial hearing is set for July 14.

Kyle Doss, 33, Monett, allegedly began a friendship with a girl in his shop class, began exchanging messages, including sexually explicit photos and videos with her through social media applications and met with her after school in his classroom and shop area, according to the probable cause statement.







From the probable cause statement:

On 01/30/2025, I received information from the administrators of the Aurora R-8 School District regarding a teacher having a past inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.

The administration received a report from the victim's mother which prompted the investigation. The teacher was identified as 32-year-old Kyle Doss.

The victim was a student in his industrial arts class from 2021-2024. Doss met with administrators that morning and was placed on administrative leave. During his conversation with school administrators, Doss admitted he had made a mistake.

I interviewed CV on the afternoon 01/30/2025. CV stated she was a sophomore when she first start taking Doss' classes. She and Doss developed a friendly relationship, which eventually became romantic in 2024 during her senior year.

CV explained she and Doss began communicating outside of school, first messaging on Tik Tok, then by phone, then by other social media applications, including Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. CV stated once she turned 18 during the second semester of her senior year, she and Doss began exchanging sexually explicit photos and videos of one another.







CV explained she began staying after school to visit Doss in his classroom/shop. They would go to a back storage room where they would kiss. CV explained on one occasion, she allowed Doss to put his hands under her shirt and feel both of her breasts over her bra. She stated Doss frequently groped her buttocks and he would press his erect penis into her vaginal area as they embraced one another. CV explained she and Doss planned to have sexual intercourse after she graduated but it never actually happened.

During the interview, CV showed me several messages she exchanged with Doss on Tik Tok. These specific messages began on 04/11/2024. They discussed their romantic fantasies with one another. Doss asked about CV's sexual history. Doss fantasized about taking CV to the back storage room. Doss provided his phone number and asked CV to save his number under a girl's name. They began communicating through text message.

CV explained she and Doss exchanged most of their nude photographs through Snapchat, but she did show me a text message where Doss sent her a shirtless photo..

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Purdy woman charged with felony DWI after hitting, killing Monett pedestrian


A Purdy woman pleaded not guilty during her arraignment today in Barry County Circuit Court on a charge of felony driving while intoxicated-death of another.

Amberel McDermott, 42, was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs 6:19 p.m. Monday on Farm Road 1090 two miles north of Purdy when she struck and killed a pedestrian, an 84-year-old Monett woman.







From the probable cause statement:

As I arrived on scene, Troop O Communications informed me the pedestrian (L.P.) was fatally injured.I made contact with the driver, who identified herself as Amberel L. Macdermant.I asked Macdermant if she had been drinking or under the influence of any drugs, she stated no but she had smoked marijuana earlier in the day.

I asked Macdermant if she was willing to submit to field sobriety tests, which she did and did poorly on.

At approximately 1936 hours, I arrested Amberel L Macdermant for driving while intoxicated- drugs- death of another.








Macdermant was read Miranda Warning and Missouri Implied Consent, and agreed to a chemical test of her blood.

Macdermant's blood was seized as evidence and transported to Troop D Crime Lab for analysis. Trooper T. Royster was contacted and performed a (D.R.E) Drug Recognition Expert Evaluation with Macdermant's consent.

(Note: The post originally said it was a Monett man who was killed. It was a Monett woman. I apologize for the error.)

House Budget Chair: Auditor is right about the danger of deficit spending


(From Rep. Dirk Deaton)

Missouri House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, R-Seneca, today released the following statement in response to a report issued by State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick examining the condition of the state’s General Revenue Fund.

“Today, the State Auditor, Scott Fitzpatrick, released a report on the condition of the state’s General Revenue Fund. His analysis confirms what I have said both in private and public comments over the past year about the long-term condition of the state budget. 








"Specifically, the concern about a structural deficit created when ongoing General Revenue spending exceeds wha the state collects within a given fiscal year.

"For those who closely follow Missouri’s budget, including the House Budget Committee, nothing in the Auditor’s report is surprising. Our Budget Committee made decisions in the current budget with this reality firmly in mind.

"Unlike the federal government, Missouri cannot rely on deficit spending. Our Constitution requires the state budget to balance. While it is true that the budget will ultimately have to adjust once existing surpluses are exhausted, waiting until that point would be neither prudent nor responsible. 








"Doing so could result in unpredictable and potentially severe mid-year cuts that disrupt essential services.

"As the Auditor’s report suggests, the more responsible course is to begin addressing these challenges now through thoughtful and increasingly deliberate actions, rather than delaying until there are no alternatives left. I am confident that, working with Governor Kehoe and my colleagues in the House and Senate, we will continue to chart a responsible path toward long-term fiscal sustainability for Missouri.”

Former McDonald County High School janitor who placed cameras in girls locker room sentenced


Judge Charles Spencer Genisio sentenced former McDonald County High School janitor Rodger Copeland to four years in prison on two counts of invasion of privacy and six years in prison on 20 counts of endangering the welfare of a child during a December 23 hearing in Newton County Circuit Court. The sentences will run concurrently. The case was moved to Newton County on a change of venue.

Copeland was initially charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child pornography and invasion of privacy, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charges under a plea agreement with the McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney's office.







In the plea agreement, Copeland acknowledged his crimes.

At the beginning of the 2024 school year, I placed a camera in the girls locker room. Two instances of partial nudity were recorded and 20 girls under age 17 years of age were identifiable on the recording. I understand that finding out you were recorded without your knowledge could affect your mental health.

According to the probable cause statement, Copeland immediately acknowledged to investigators from the McDonald County Sheriff's Office that he was responsible for the camera.Copeland then stated he wanted to experiment, and wanted to look at the girl's bodies, and faces, because they were pretty. Copeland stated he did it because it had to do a lot with him being lonely.

 

Leggett & Platt gives hefty bonuses to top officials


Four Leggett & Platt officials received hefty Christmas retention bonuses this week, according to a filing today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Each of the four received a bonus that was more than their salary.







On December 27, 2025, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company approved retention agreements for a limited group of key management personnel, including the below named executive officers. 

The retention agreements were approved to ensure continuity in leadership and ongoing success of the Company. The dollar amounts to be paid to each named executive officer and the multiple of those payments compared to the named executive officers’ base salaries are found in the following table. Karl G. Glassman, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, did not receive a retention agreement.

Benjamin M. Burns, EVP & CFO $ 618,000 103% (
the percentage of the salary) 

J. Tyson Hagale, EVP, President – Bedding Products $ 618,000 103%

R. Samuel Smith, Jr., EVP, President – Specialized Products and Furniture, Flooring & Textile Products $ 540,750 103%

Jennifer J. Davis, EVP & General Counsel $ 630,875 128.8%








The retention agreements contain the following terms and conditions:

The retention payments will be paid in 2025, but are subject to continued employment through December 23, 2026;

The retention payments are subject to a 100% clawback if the executive voluntarily terminates employment (other than for death, Disability or Good Reason) or the Company terminates employment (for Cause) on or before May 29, 2026, and a 50% clawback after May 29, 2026 but terminating on or before December 23, 2026 on the same terms; and

The clawback provisions will terminate upon a Change in Control of the Company.