This blog features observations from Randy Turner, a former teacher, newspaper reporter and editor. Send news items or comments to rturner229@hotmail.com
(From the Joplin Police Department)The Joplin Police Department is seeking public assistance with a missing person case.
On August 28, 2005, Sandra L Spoon was last seen in the 2300 block of Byers Avenue following a get together with known acquaintances. Sandra has not been seen since.
Following Spoon’s disappearance, the Joplin Police Department and other agencies have conducted numerous interviews and followed up on every lead. The investigation continues.
Today, Spoon would be described as a 78-year-old white female. If anyone has any information regarding her disappearance, please contact Detective Corporal Rusty Comer at 417-623-3131- ext. 1631. -Picture of Spoon is from 2005.
(From the Joplin Fire Department)Joplin Firefighters responded to a small fire at a Joplin nursing home on Aug. 27, evacuating and evaluating more than 100 residents.
At 10:31 a.m., the Joplin 911 Center received a call reporting an active fire alarm at the Westgate at Wildwood skilled nursing facility located at 3130 S. John Duffy Drive. Joplin Fire units immediately responded and while responding, information was received that additional alarms were activated and that a nurse pull station alarm had been activated. The first fire unit arrived in less than 3 minutes and discovered smoke in the building with staff members evacuating the structure. Fire personnel located the source of the smoke to be coming from a resident room and appeared to be electrical in nature.
Additional Joplin Fire units and METS Ambulance personnel arrived and assisted in the evacuation and evaluation of the 102 residents that were in the facility. The source of the smoke was located and extinguished. The cause of the fire was an electrical malfunction with an oxygen concentrator. There were no injuries to patients or staff. One employee was evaluated by medical personnel but declined to be transported.
The Joplin Fire Department would like to commend the staff of Westgate at Wildwood in their quick actions to ensure that all residents remained safe during this event, as well as the assistance they provided the Fire Department throughout the incident.
A new federal report shows the electric grid across much of the country is strained, requiring thousands of miles of new power lines and billions of dollars in investments.
The National Transmission Needs Study shows that approximately 4,000 miles of powerlines will need to be replaced each year for the next few decades.
The federal report notes that most of the country’s transmission infrastructure was built in the 1960s and ’70s and is now reaching the end of its useful life and that currently, “operational challenges of the electric grid are evolving in complexity and magnitude.”
Threats from severe weather, increasing demand for electricity and additional wind and solar generation coming online all compound the need for new powerlines nationwide.
“Significant transmission investment is needed to cost-effectively meet future demand through 2050,” the report states.
The federal analysis points to projections that show U.S. electricity consumption rising 16% to 25% by 2034.
Increasing electricity demand is due in large part to the rapid development of data centers needed to support artificial intelligence technologies.
During a visit to Jefferson City on Monday, Department of Energy leaders said they believe operators of forthcoming AI data centers will pay their fair share.
Katie Jereza is the assistant secretary of the federal Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity. She pointed to President Donald Trump’s voluntary ratepayer protection pledge that’s been signed by tech companies, utilities and governors.
“The whole principle is that the data centers will pay for the infrastructure upgrades for their generation, not the families,” Jereza said.
Jereza said the federal government will soon announce funding for what’s called “reconductoring.”
“Which is basically … restringing the lines,” Jereza said. “So you’ve got old conductors, and now we’re going to put in new ones that can carry more electrons through from generation to delivery.”
As technology companies build AI data centers across the state, Missouri lawmakers have passed legislation with new consumer protections in an attempt to ensure the company’s large energy needs don’t increase residents’ utility bills.
“We feel like the transmission element is something that largely gets glossed over, but it’s a huge cost that ultimately is borne by ratepayers,” said Geoff Marke, chief economist with the Missouri Office of Public Counsel, the state’s consumer advocacy department.
He said he’s concerned the cost for the vast infrastructure upgrades needed will fall to the average energy consumers.
“If the proper cost allocation is not in place there, then yes, I do think residential customers will be exposed more than they otherwise would be,” Marke said.
The national study of powerlines comes as a group of nine electric transmission utilities, including Ameren and Evergy, are asking federal energy regulators for the right of first refusal to build and operate new multi-state, large-scale powerlines. The energy companies say pausing the competitive bidding process will speed up needed grid upgrades.
But Marke said competition reigns in overspending.
“Incumbent utilities have the vast majority of the transmission investment,” Marke said. “Opening that up to requests for proposals or just competitive bidding will just force everybody to be more professional and curb those costs.”
Jezera said whether competition brings the cost of new transmission lines down depends on a variety of factors, including location.
“There are parts of the country where it has worked really well. It has gone faster and reduced the cost, and then in other areas it hasn’t worked as well,” she said.
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.
A 9 a.m. September 29 arraignment is scheduled for former Mercy athletic trainer Ryan Keith Palmer, 53, Carthage, who was bound over for trial Wednesday following a preliminary hearing in Jasper County Circuit Court.
Palmer is charged with four counts of sexual contact with a student and two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree for allegedly assaulting three Carthage High School students.
Palmer was working at the school as part of Mercy's contract with the Carthage R-9 School District to provide athletic trainer services.
Though the crimes were allegedly committed against three victims, Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney Theresa Kenney combined them into one case, something she said could be done if "they arise from a related pattern of behavior, involve similar methods, or rely on overlapping evidence."
A misdemeanor animal abuse charge was filed in Barton County Circuit Court today against a Golden City man who allegedly kicked a cat to death.
According to the probable cause statement, Connor Scott West (DOB 1994) came to a Golden City resident's home and when the resident opened the door he saw "his cat lying in the yard, bleeding."
West told the man he kicked the cat and then left, according to the statement.
The cat died from the injuries.
A criminal summons was issued to West today with a 9 a.m. October 20 court date set.
The case was investigated by the Barton County Sheriff's Office.
A mediation session for former Carthage golf superintendent Aaron Borland's wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the City of Carthage and current and former city officials has been scheduled for 10 a.m. October 15 in Springfield, with Stephen H. Snead as the neutral mediator.
The mediation session will gauge whether the two sides can reach an agreement to keep the case from going to trial.
Borland's action was filed July 13 in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
In addition to the city, former Parks Director Abi Almandinger, HR Director Michael Miller, City Administrator Tracy Cox, former City Administrator Greg Dagnan, former City Attorney Nate Dally and former Mayor Dan Rife are listed as defendants.
A grand jury indictment of a Joplin man on a federal weapons charge was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
Michael Douglas Fry, 57, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm when he was arrested April 23 by the Joplin Police Department.
The arrest came after a search warrant was executed by the deparment's Flex Platoon and SWAT at 205 South McCoy Avenue.
From the probable cause warrant in the Jasper County case:
While SWAT was securing the residence and securing the camper behind the residence, they contacted and detained Michael Fry standing outside of his camper.
After the area was completely secured, FLEX Detectives moved up search the residence and the camper located behind the residence. The camper is owned by Michael Fry, and it is also his listed address on his sex offender registry.
While Detectives were searching the camper, they located a small black safe. The keys to the safe were located inside the front pocket of the jeans he was wearing when contacted.
Inside the safe Detectives located multiple plastic bags containing a white crystal substance. I later tested the substance located inside the safe inside the camper. This substance tested positive for Methamphetamine (Schedule II Controlled Substance) using the TruNarc Device. The Scan was completed on 04/23/2026 at 11:30am. The Scan Number is 4911. The bag weighed 18.92 grams.
Also, inside the safe was a loaded pistol. The firearm is a Jennings Bryco 38 pistol. Silver in color. The pistol is .380 caliber. The serial number for the pistol is: 449939. The pistol was not listed as stolen when it was run through Dispatch.
Michael Fry has many felony convictions starting back in the early 90's throughout multiple states.
Michael is also currently a registered sex offender out of the State of Georgia. Michael is also currently on probation for Aggravated Assault.
A 10:15 a.m. October 15 sentencing date has been scheduled in U. S. District Court in Springfield for Mitchell Dean Gibbs, 34, Joplin, who pleaded guilty May 6 to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The allegation against Gibbs was detailed in the plea agreement.
On November 25,2025, Joplin, Missouri, Police Officers responded to the 600 block of N. Main Steet, in Joplin, Missouri, within the Western District of Missouri in response to a report of gun shots.
Upon arrival at the location, law enforcement located a 2005 multi-colored Toyota Corolla in the parking lot at 615 N. Main Street. Officers noted that the vehicle was running and attempting to leave the area. Officers believed the vehicle was involved in a shooting, activating emergency equipment and conducted a traffic stop. Law enforcement identified the driver of the vehicle as Mitchell Gibbs ("GIBBS").
Upon being stopped, GIBBS exited the vehicle and distanced himself from the driver's seat and vehicle. When asked if he had heard the gun shots, GIBBS denied hearing any gun shots.
GIBBS advised that he had three storage units, and he was there with his girlfriend and their l0-month-old child.
As officers spoke with GIBBS, other officers located several spent shell casings near the storage units where GIBBS stated he was renting, When asked if he knew anything about someone shooting, GIBBS advised that his girlfriend, Sha'ann got upset with him, and when he approached her, she started shooting at him.
At this time, officers looked into GIBBS vehicle and observed in plain view what appeared to be a handgun that was underneath the driver's seat. Officers were advised that GIBBS was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. GIBBS was placed under arrest.
A search of GIBBS' vehicle was conducted. A Glock 43x, 9mm firearm, bearing serial number "BSYU350," and a Smith & Wesson Model Airweight .380 caliber firearm bearing serial number *DNL5364," were discovered in GIBBS' vehicle. GIBBS was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Oflicers also located a plastic baggie on the passenger side that contained several glass pipes, several small baggies that contained a crystalline substance that was recognized as methamphetamine. The Smith & Wesson firearm was located within the plastic baggie found on the passenger side of GIBBS'vehicle.
After being taken into custody, GIBBS was searched and a single round of 9mm ammunition in his front pants pocket. Officers noted that the empty shell casings previously found near GIBBS' storage units were 9mm rounds that could be used with the Glock 43x firearm found under the driver seat of his vehicle.
When a records check was requested on the firearms, Officers were advised that the Smith & Wesson had been reported stolen.
On December 29,2025, Task Force Officer ("TFO") Joshua Hanes with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") conducted a physical exarnination of the firearms found in GIBBS' possession. TFO Hanes conducted a physical examination and test fired the weapons. The fireanns functioned as designed.
The plea agreement noted Gibbs' previous felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, several for passing bad checks and one for felony fleeing.
(From the Joplin Police Department)On August 26, 2026, around 9:50 p.m., the Joplin Emergency Communications Center began receiving 911 calls for a two-vehicle injury crash in the 3300 block of Range Line Road. The crash was reported to involve a pickup truck and a motorcycle. Joplin Police, Joplin Fire Department, M.E.T.S. Ambulance, and Newton County Ambulance responded.
When first responders arrived, they determined that the rider of the motorcycle was in critical condition and was transported to a local hospital. The Joplin Police Department’s Major Crash team responded to conduct the investigation.
During the initial investigation, it was determined that the motorcycle was northbound on Range Line Road from 36th Street. A pickup truck was attempting to make a left, southbound turn onto Range Line Road from a private drive, in the 3300 block.
As the pickup entered the roadway the two vehicles collided.
The rider and sole occupant of the motorcycle was later identified as Benjamin Hedrick, 21, of Joplin, who later succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin have been notified. The driver and passenger of the pickup truck did not report any injuries.
This incident is still an open and active investigation.
Flock Safety has poured more than $2 million into federal and state lobbying since 2025 as the fast‑growing surveillance company faces mounting scrutiny from lawmakers in both parties and privacy advocates over its ever-expanding network of license‑plate‑tracking cameras.
The company spent nearly $1.3 million between January 2025 and July 2026 on federal lobbying and at least another $1 million in statehouses across the U.S., according to OpenSecrets’ federal lobbying data and an analysis of lobbying disclosures across all 50 states. Flock has hired lobbyists in dozens of states – often former government employees passing through the political “revolving door” – including in places where weak disclosure laws mean spending totals are not publicly reported.
Flock has drawn increasing criticism over the vast, largely unregulated network of automated cameras it operates nationwide. The cameras record license plate numbers and other characteristics of all vehicles passing by, allowing thousands of law enforcement agencies in 49 states (all except Alaska) to search and share Flock’s data across jurisdictions. This enables police to track vehicles in real time and build investigative dossiers from billions of scans collected each month.
While police agencies praise the system as a tool for locating missing people and tracking suspects, privacy advocates warn the technology enables mass surveillance without a warrant. And amid a nationwide wave of protests and vandalism targeting the company’s cameras, more than 120 agencies or jurisdictions have canceled, suspended or rejected a contract – or deactivated their cameras – since January 2025, according to a tracker maintained by DeFlock, a group that opposes their use.
Many of those terminations followed concerns raised about improper data access, including instances in which officers conducted personal searches – raising a central question: What, exactly, does Flock want from this lobbying push? OpenSecrets reached out to the company for comment but did not receive a response.
Torin Monahan, a professor at the University of North Carolina and co-editor of the peer-reviewed journal Surveillance & Society, identified several likely items on Flock’s lobbying agenda. He said the company is likely focused on securing long-term contracts with municipalities and counties as well as avoiding potential restrictions that could require police to obtain a warrant before using the system or limit the cross-jurisdiction data sharing that underpins Flock’s network.
“Some of the things they’re lobbying for are things that they’re worried about,” Monahan told OpenSecrets. “I would imagine those are areas where they would like to head those restrictions off at the pass, if they could.”
He also suggested that Flock “wants to become the monopoly for this particular service” of license plate readers because the network gains power as the user count grows.
“So if you have more adoption throughout the country, then it probably will … barring any political blowback, persuade other clients that this is the right company that they should contract with for these services,” Monahan said.
Flock’s federal lobbying spending nears $1.4M
Flock is coming off its highest-spending quarter since it began lobbying the federal government in 2024. Between April 1 and June 30, 2026, the company reported $220,000 in federal lobbying spending after spending $210,000 in each of the five preceding quarters.
In total, it has spent nearly $1.4 million on federal lobbying, including $840,000 in 2025 and $430,000 so far in 2026.
While the company has not reported lobbying on specific bills, its 2026 filings show activity focused on both chambers of Congress and the White House, including the Office of Administration. Its lobbyists have been working on broad issue areas including homeland security, law enforcement, crime and criminal justice – an agenda that aligns with the company’s efforts to expand its camera network.
Several of Flock’s competitors also are active on K Street, though those legacy firms operate far larger product portfolios.
Axon Enterprise, a weapons and tech company formerly known as Taser, has spent nearly $5.3 million on federal lobbying since 2024 on a range of issues topped by homeland security, law enforcement, crime and criminal justice. Motorola Solutions – the parent of surveillance vendor Vigilant Solutions – has spent about $5 million in the same time frame, with its most frequently cited issues including the federal budget and appropriations, telecommunications, defense and intelligence. But the lobbying activity by those companies is not broken out by subsidiary or product line, making it unclear how much of their spending is tied specifically to automated license plate reader systems.
Much of Flock’s lobbying work has been handled by veterans of the revolving door – former public servants now advocating on its behalf. Five of the seven lobbyists hired by Flock this year fall into that category.
Among them: Bryan Lanza of Mercury Public Affairs, who served as communications director for President Donald Trump’s first transition team; Jennifer Lawkin Lukawski of BGR Group, the first executive director of the Republican Study Committee in the House of Representatives; and BGR Group President Erskine Wells, a former deputy chief of staff for Sen. Roger Wicker (R‑Miss.). Flock lobbying in statehouses with mixed disclosure requirements
An OpenSecrets review of all 50 state lobbying disclosure databases showed Flock with active lobbyists in 34 states in 2025 and/or 2026. Those filings documented at least $1 million in state-level lobbying during that span – but that figure almost certainly understates the company’s true spending because many states do not require lobbyists or their clients to report compensation.
In 18 of those states, Flock’s lobbyists were active but no spending totals were available. State disclosure laws vary widely, from detailed quarterly reports to systems that exclude retainer fees entirely, and those gaps in reporting requirements create blind spots in understanding the company’s full financial footprint.
In Arizona, for example, Flock retained Molera Alvarez – a prominent Phoenix lobbying firm co-founded by a former state superintendent of schools and staffed with several former state and municipal government employees – to represent its interests in 2025. Yet the state’s lobbying database shows no reportable expenditures. Arizona law excludes lobbyist compensation and retainer fees from disclosure. The secretary of state’s summary of principal expenditures from the previous year also lists $0.
Similarly, in Alabama, the company hired former Secretary of State Beth Chapman in 2025 to lobby state officials. But Flock’s quarterly disclosure forms list $0 in reportable spending, consistent with state ethics rules that do not require companies to disclose private retainer fees.
Flock’s largest known expenditure came in California, where since January 2025 it spent $30,000 in each quarter for a total of $180,000. The company focused its efforts on bills adding guardrails around vendor contracts for license plate reader systems – including measures requiring data that fails to produce a hit to be purged within 30 days, mandating audits, requiring case numbers for queries and blocking cross-agency sharing without authorization.
Of those six bills, only one passed both chambers. That bill would have established data protection requirements for license-plate-reader systems, but Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed it in September 2025. The others died in committee or stalled in the appropriations process.
“I view the lobbying money … in the same category of trying to influence in advance what the particular outcomes might be,” Monahan said.
Flock also spent $169,000 since January 2025 on lobbying in Massachusetts on issues related to police, fire and law enforcement organizations, and $102,000 in Wisconsin lobbying on state Senate and Assembly bills to establish grants for law enforcement agencies to purchase license-plate-reader systems. In Tennessee, where lobbying disclosures include ranges instead of specific spending amounts, Flock paid its lobbying team between $25,000 and $50,000 in both 2025 and 2026 while recording less than $10,000 in expenses in both years.
“It seems like a drop in the bucket compared to the size of their contracts,” Monahan said.
In a sign of its expanding lobbying footprint, Flock registered a lobbyist in Wyoming on June 29.
Minimal spending on campaigns by Flock leaders
Compared to Flock’s lobbying spending, the political activity by its leadership is scant.
Corporations are prohibited from donating directly to candidates or political action committees. Flock Safety does not operate a political action committee for its employees to contribute to, and there is no record of any independent expenditure committee – or, a super PAC – funded by the company or its executives. Nor is there any record of the company or its leaders donating to Trump’s inaugural fund, a legal loophole that allows corporations to give unlimited sums.
OpenSecrets data shows CEO Garrett Langley donated $1,000 in 2024 to Health Jobs Justice, the leadership PAC for Sen. Jon Ossoff (D‑Ga.). Beyond that single contribution, there is no visible federal political giving from Flock’s top executives.
Beyond lobbying: The data question
But Flock’s ambitions extend beyond shaping policy. Monahan said the company is diversifying its portfolio beyond license-plate readers and adding drones, gunfire location systems and citywide “safety dashboards” that aggregate public data.
Taken together, it’s a sign that “the law enforcement space is getting pretty crowded” and that mounting scrutiny may be pushing the company to expand, Monahan said.
But that expansion raises questions that go beyond lobbying dollars, because Monahan said the data Flock collects isn’t used just for law enforcement purposes. It also trains the company’s proprietary AI models.
“What we don’t know, as the public, is where all those data are going. How might compromising data be included in these models? What controls might we have about the applications that these AI systems are being put toward?” he said.
Those are questions, Monahan said, that Flock’s lobbying disclosures don’t answer – and that neither regulators nor the municipalities signing contracts with the company have yet to seriously ask.
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for threatening to kill a prominent member of the California District Attorney’s office and bomb area schools.
David William Platek, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Megan Blair Benton, to two years in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release. Platek previously pleaded guilty to threatening interstate communication.
In 2019, the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, Calif. District Attorney’s Office charged Platek with identity theft. Eventually, those charges were dismissed. After the dismissal, Platek moved to Springfield, Mo., and blamed a member of the SLO District Attorney’s Office for his prosecution, his “self-exile” to Missouri, and his inability to find employment.
Platek sent his friend, who was living in another state, in excess of 125 pages of text messages. In the text messages, Platek threatened to blow up schools in SLO County, as well as threatened to kill a prominent member of the SLO District Attorney’s Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(From Leggett & Platt)Somnigroup International Inc. (NYSE: SGI, "Company" or "Somnigroup") today announced that Tyson Hagale has been appointed as President of Leggett & Platt, effective immediately. Mr. Hagale will report to Karl Glassman, Chief Executive Officer of Leggett & Platt. Mr. Hagale will have oversight responsibility for all of Leggett & Platt.
"I am delighted that Tyson has been elevated to this new role at the company," stated Mr. Glassman. "Over the course of his 25-year career at Leggett & Platt, Tyson has attained broad experience across multiple facets of our business, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, and operational leadership.
"During the last five years while serving as President of our Bedding Products segment, he played an instrumental role in executing a major restructuring to improve profitability in the face of industry headwinds. Tyson is well-suited to help me lead Leggett & Platt as we embark on this exciting new chapter as part of the Somnigroup family."
"Naming Tyson as President of Leggett & Platt is reflective of Somnigroup's deep respect for the legacy Leggett & Platt management team in general and Tyson's accomplishments specifically," commented Scott Thompson, Chairman and CEO of Somnigroup. "The Somnigroup team and I have worked with Tyson for many years. He is well-respected in the bedding industry and, importantly, understands the Leggett & Platt business beyond bedding. His commitment to the core values that have guided Leggett & Platt for over 100 years will ensure the continued success of the company under his enhanced leadership role."
Mr. Hagale will be based out of Leggett & Platt's office in Carthage, Missouri.
(From the Neosho R-5 School District)Following the inaugural Neosho Athletics Hall of Fame class, we are proud to welcome the Class of 2026. This year’s inductees represent generations of Neosho and Goodman athletics and are being recognized for their extraordinary accomplishments, leadership, dedication, and lasting impact.
1964 Goodman Pirates Basketball Team
The 1964 Goodman Pirates captured the Missouri Class S State Basketball Championship, finishing an incredible 24–2 season under head coach Charles Goade. Their championship season stands as one of the most significant accomplishments in Goodman basketball history. The team, coach, manager, and cheerleaders are being honored as members of the Class of 2026.
Bill Hulsey
A 1959 Neosho graduate, Hulsey earned All-Conference, All-District, and All-State honors and helped lead the 1957 and 1958 Wildcats to seasons of 9-0-1 and 10-0. He later dedicated 54 years to Moark and served his community as a volunteer police officer.
Tammy Townsend Holder
A 1985 graduate, Holder was an exceptional distance runner, earning seven All-State honors in track and three in cross country. She won back-to-back Class 4 state cross country championships in 1983 and 1984 while helping lead Neosho to team state championships both years. She later built a distinguished career in agricultural education, research, and food security.
Doug Gillispie
A 1995 graduate, Gillispie was one of Neosho’s most accomplished three-sport athletes. He helped lead the Wildcats to an 11-1 football season, conference and district championships, and the school’s first playoff victory. He continued his career at Pittsburg State University as its only three-sport letterwinner and later played professional basketball in Spain.
Ron Quintana
A 1995 graduate, Quintana excelled in football and baseball before becoming a standout collegiate baseball player. He later served as a strength coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a high school coach in Colorado, he has led his program to two state championships and more than 225 career victories.
Nate Rodriguez
A 2013 graduate, Rodriguez established himself as one of Neosho’s most accomplished wrestlers, winning three state championships. He went on to become an NCAA Division II National Champion and three-time All-American at Maryville University before earning his medical degree and beginning his career in medicine.
Event Details
September 4, 2026
5:00 p.m. — Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Freeman Health System Performing Arts Center 511 S. Neosho Blvd., Neosho, MO
Following the ceremony, our inductees and their guests will gather for the Hall of Fame dinner.
Football Halftime
The 2026 Neosho Hall of Fame Class will receive special recognition during halftime of the Wildcats’ home football game.
Be sure to join us as we celebrate the Class of 2026 and honor the champions who continue to shape the tradition, excellence, and legacy of Neosho athletics!
(From Barton County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Smalley)On August 24, 2026, the Ozark Drug Enforcement Team, Lamar Police Department and the Barton County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a Lamar residence. The investigation resulted in the seizure of a quantity of suspected methamphetamine, paraphernalia used in the distribution of methamphetamine, and written records of drug transactions. Donovan Jacob Wood and Ashley Danielle Sherron were arrested at the scene.
On August 25, 2026, the Barton County Prosecutor's Office filed charges against both individuals. Donovan Jacob Wood was charged with Count 1, class A felony of delivery of a controlled substance in a protected location, government assistance housing; Count 2, class A felony of delivery of a controlled substance in a protected location, within 2000 feet of a public secondary school; Count 3, class D felony of endangering the welfare of a child for committing the offense of delivery of a controlled substance at Juvenile #1’s residence; and Count 4, class D felony of endangering the welfare of a child for committing the offense of delivery of a controlled substance at Juvenile #2’s residence. Wood is being held in the Barton County Jail on a no bond warrant.
Ashley Danielle Sherron was charged with Count 1, class A felony of delivery of a controlled substance in a protected location, government assistance housing; Count 2, class A felony of delivery of a controlled substance in a protected location, within 2000 feet of a public secondary school; Count 3, class D felony of endangering the welfare of a child for committing the offense of delivery of a controlled substance at Juvenile #1’s residence; and Count 4, class D felony of endangering the welfare of a child for committing the offense of delivery of a controlled substance at Juvenile #2’s residence.
Sherron is being held in the Vernon County jail on a no bond warrant.
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)A Nevada, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court yesterday for a fraud scheme and filing false income tax returns.
Justin Marquardt, 55, was sentenced by United States District Judge Greg Kays, to 48 months in federal prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for a fraud scheme in which he embezzled approximately $1.5 million from his employer and for failing to disclose the embezzled funds as income on his federal income tax returns. Marquardt was also ordered to pay full restitution to the victims of his crimes. This successful prosecution is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
Marquardt previously admitted that he stole approximately $1.5 million from his employer’s bank accounts and used those funds for his personal benefit. Marquardt held the title of executive director at his employer’s company and by virtue of his position, had access to all company finances and financial accounts from 1994 to 2023.
As part of his scheme, Marquardt, without authorization, transferred funds from his employer’s bank accounts to his personal accounts and wrote himself unauthorized checks from business bank accounts. Marquardt spent most of the money on personal expenses, including travel and gambling both online and at casinos.
To hide his embezzlement, Marquardt omitted these unauthorized transactions from the business’s QuickBooks ledger he provided to an accountant and tax preparer. Marquardt recorded false and fraudulent payments as business expenses in the QuickBooks records to conceal his embezzlement. Marquardt embezzled at least $1,387,926.39 and has been ordered to pay this amount as restitution to his former employer.
For tax years 2017 – 2020 and 2023, Marquardt filed United States federal income tax returns on Forms 1040 in which he willfully failed to report his embezzled income. As a result of his false tax returns, he has been ordered to pay restitution of $322,596 to the Internal Revenue Service and Missouri Department of Revenue.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.
(From Watered Gardens Ministries)Watered Gardens Ministries will host a groundbreaking event for Freedom Village, a permanent supportive tiny home community, on September 4, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The groundbreaking will take place across the road from 889 E. 12th St. The event will include remarks from Watered Gardens Executive Director James Whitford and Watered Gardens Board President Talon Maningas.
Freedom Village is phase one of the two-phase Take Courage Capital Campaign. Through Take Courage, Watered Gardens is addressing needs that the organization has identified through years of working closely with people experiencing poverty in the Joplin community.
There is a growing demographic of people who are truly disabled and chronically homeless. Many of these individuals are unable to work and can’t afford rent, leaving them with options like bouncing between shelters and the streets or waiting for government housing.
Freedom Village is designed to provide a permanent, supportive and dignified housing option for these individuals. The first phase of the community will include 24 tiny homes and a community center, with an anticipated opening in spring 2027. Once completed, the community will eventually include 55 tiny homes.
“I was just talking with a guy this morning, his name is Jim. He is 68 years old, and he's been on the streets for quite a while, but he was explaining to me where he’s been sleeping; behind this building… what excites me the most is the thought of Jim having a dignified place to live.”
Watered Gardens is a nonprofit organization that works to alleviate poverty, both physical and spiritual. Across Joplin, Watered Gardens has four main locations where it serves people.
Most people’s first point of contact, the Outreach Center, offers shelter beds, meals, showers, and a food pantry. The Worth Shop provides people the opportunity to partner for their resources, which offers them a deeper sense of purpose.
The Washington Family Hope Center provides women and their children a place to stay while they find stability. Then, the Forge Program is a long-term residential program for men who have been walking troubled paths and desire a new way forward.
(From Gov. Mike Kehoe)Today, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 26-17, establishing the Missouri Child Welfare Task Force to further strengthen coordination across Missouri's child welfare system by developing recommendations for a set of unified standards for child welfare safety.
"Protecting Missouri's most vulnerable children is one of our highest responsibilities, and the people doing this work deserve clear, consistent standards across every agency, courtroom, and community," said Governor Kehoe. "Director Bax and Director Smith are leading difficult, necessary work to strengthen the Children's Division. This order builds on their progress by bringing the entire child welfare system together around one shared definition of safety and one expectation of accountability."
Given the importance and complexity of Missouri’s child welfare system, the Task Force brings together representatives from the Department of Social Services (DSS) Children’s Division (CD), courts and juvenile offices, law enforcement, the General Assembly, private providers, attorneys, advocates, and child welfare experts—each with a critical role in protecting children.
Building on the transformative policy work already developed by DSS-CD, the order directs the Task Force to establish a common framework grounded in objective assessments of safety threats, child vulnerability, and parental or caretaker protective capacity. A shared understanding of child safety will strengthen coordination and promote more consistent decision-making across jurisdictions.
"The decisions made throughout the child welfare system are life-altering, and the standard guiding them should not depend on a child's county, circuit, or provider," said Jess Bax, DSS Director. "Director Smith and her team are doing the hard work of strengthening practices and improving consistency despite longstanding workforce challenges. This task force gives Missouri a path to turn that work into a sustainable, systemwide standard so every partner works from the same understanding of safety."
The Child Welfare Safety Task Force is charged with:
Developing a foundational safety definition and standards with clear criteria for determining when a child is safe or unsafe;
Reviewing laws, regulations, CD policies, and court rules to identify gaps and recommend alignment;
Recommending protocols to integrate the policy into daily child welfare practice;
Developing cross-disciplinary training for caseworkers, supervisors, attorneys, juvenile officers, judges, law enforcement, and other partners; and
Establishing common quality assurance measures and metrics to monitor statewide consistency.
The Task Force will submit recommendations, including definitions and protocols, to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri by November 15, 2026, in advance of the convening of the 104th Missouri General Assembly. The Task Force will dissolve on December 31, 2026.
Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.
Additional Information
This work is associated with a MoDOT project to make improvements along the Route 66 (7th Street) corridor in Joplin between Jasper County Route P (Schifferdecker Avenue) and Loop 49 (Range Line Road).
As part of this project, the contractor will rebuild the pavement, bring sidewalks up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and upgrade and replace several traffic signals along the corridor.
This contract also includes a project to rehabilitate the Oak Street bridge over I-49 in Carthage. That project is likely to start in 2027.
The Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney's office charged a Pierce City woman with five felonies following an August 10 traffic stop.
The initial court appearance for Jamie Leigh Earp (DOB 1985) on three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and single counts of possession of a controlled substance and aggravated fleeing is scheduled for 9 a.m. October 1.
Earp is also charged with a misdemeanor, possession of drug paraphernalia.
On August 10, 2026, at approximately 21:19 hours while on patrol in the area of Commercial St and Lawrence 2230, a black Chevy Silverado traveled into my west bound lane traveling east almost causing a head on collision with my patrol car.
I activated my emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and refused to stop. A pursuit ensued with speeds reaching up wards of 80 - 90 miles an hour, failing to stop at multiple stop signs along the way as well as failing to maintain its lane. The vehicle finally came to a stop at Wallaby and Gum Road in Newton County. The driver later identified as Jamie Earp, began to run east into a field with 3 juveniles.
I ordered Jamie to stop and placed her in custody. Two juveniles came back to the car and later a third juvenile came back and admitted to being in the car. Earp advised that she was revoked and that there was a “dirty pipe” in the center console.
After retrieving the pipe, I discovered a pill bottle with a baggie I discovered a pill bottle with a baggie located in the vehicle with the pipe where Earp said it would be.
After checking the pill bottle, I located a baggie containing a crystal substance. Through my training and experience I associate the substance with methamphetamine. The substance was later field tested and gave a positive indication for methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the Pierce City Police Department.
Former Shoal Creek Drive Village treasurer Katrina Gourley (DOB 1982) will not be doing any time after pleading guilty to embezzling today in Newton County Circuit Court.
Judge Charles Spencer Genisio sentenced Gourley to seven years in prison, then suspended the sentence and placed her on supervised probation for five years.
Gourley will be required to make $41,524.54 in restitution paying $450 a month.
The allegations against Gourley were spelled out in the probable cause statement:
The victim in this case is Shoal Creek Drive Village. Reporting Party 1 (RPl) is a board member of the Village.
RPl advised he was contacted by Involved Other 1 (IOl), who is a former board member. RPl advised he was told the bank accounts for the Village have some irregular activity. RPl advised the Village uses Southwest Missouri Bank. RPl advised that he responded to the bank and retrieved bank records for the past several months.
Rpl turned over the records, which consisted of several pages. The records show several transactions made by Katrina Gourley, who is the Village Treasurer.
Some examples are on 08/08/2022, Ms. Gourley transferred money to CashApp four different times for a total of $4500.00, on 08/15/20202 four times for a total of $3100.00, on 09/01/2022 four times for a total of $500.00, on 09/02/2022 six times for a total of $1200.00, on 09/06/2022 ten times for a total of $3500.00, and many more.
RPl had what he advised were minutes from a board meeting that never occurred. He advised he received the minutes from the Principal at Stapleton Elementary School. He advised the minutes were made up and used by Ms. Gourley when she presented a check to Stapleton School.
RPl also had with him a check that was written to Stapleton Elementary School. The check had been cashed. The number on the check is 1787 for $4,798.00. RPl advised the check was signed by Offender 2 (OF2) and Involved Other 2 (102). 102 advised he signed the check at the request of Katrina Gourley. 102 advised the check was not filled out when he signed it, and that Mrs. Gourley told him it was for office supplies.
The Principal advised Ms. Gourley is the head of the PTO. The Principal advised he received the check from Ms. Gourley along with a copy of the minutes from the Village Board meeting. The Principal advised Ms. Gourley brought the check to the school. The check was payment for a fundraiser that Ms. Gourley was in charge of.
After reviewing the records that I was given from Shoal Creek Drive Village, I was able to add the amount of money that was sent from the Village Bank account to "Katrina OW" using CashApp. The dates are from 08/02/2022-09/19/2022 for a total of approximately $27,075.
After talking with IOl, I learned that a check was written to OF2 in the amount of $417.31. Check number 1728, date 06/30/2022. The check has a signature that looked like IOl signed it, however IOl advised she did not sign that check.
(From MoDOT)Progress Update for Route 66 Improvement Project for Week of Aug. 24
A project to make pavement, sidewalk, traffic and safety improvements along Missouri Route 66 (7th Street) in Joplin is underway. Here is an update of the work scheduled for the week of August 24.
Drivers are reminded that access to all businesses along Route 66 (7thStreet) will be maintained during hours of operation.
Work scheduled
Contractor installing new sidewalk, curb and entrances on south side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Florida Avenue and Ozark Avenue
Contractor removing pavement on south side of Route 66 (7thStreet) between McConnell Avenue and Florida Avenue
Access to Florida Avenue from Route 66 (7th Street) CLOSED for pavement replacement and installation of traffic signal poles
Access to Brownwell Avenue south of Route 66 (7th Street) CLOSED for pavement replacement Excavation and placing new stormwater structures between Florida Avenue and Ozark Avenue
Ozark Avenue CLOSED south of Route 66 (7th Street) while City of Joplin crews work on sanitary sewer
Work by City of Joplin crews to move High Avenue following completion of work on Ozark Avenue Missouri American Water anticipating closures at Park Avenue, St. Charles Avenue and St. Louis Avenue
Missouri American Water crews working between Michigan Avenue and St. Louis Avenue
AT&T crews working during nighttime hours between Minnesota Avenue and St. Louis Avenue
AT&T crews planning for excavation of alley way between Pearl Avenue and Wall Avenue
Bluebird Fiber crews splicing new line between Murphy Boulevard and St. Louis Avenue
Lumen Fiber crews working on fiber at Florida Avenue north of Route 66 (7th Street)
Sparklight Internet crews confirming ownership of overhead line at Florida Avenue south of Route 66 (7th Street)
Traffic Impacts
At least one lane of Route 66 (7th Street) OPEN in both directions
Access to all business will be maintained during hours of operation
Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone
Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.
Project Details
The project will make improvements along the Route 66 (7th Street) corridor in Joplin between Jasper County Route P (Schifferdecker Avenue) and Loop 49 (Range Line Road).
As part of this project, the contractor will rebuild the pavement, bring sidewalks up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and upgrade and replace several traffic signals along the corridor.
This contract also includes a project to rehabilitate the Oak Street bridge over I-49 in Carthage. That project is likely to start in 2027.
Project Information
Prime Contractor: D&E Plumbing & Heating LLC, Nixa Construction Cost: $61.6 million Contract Completion Date: December 1, 2028
