Nancy Hughes: Are you bankrupt?

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36 (NIV)

Have you ever prayed for someone and then realized much later that you had not been praying the way the Lord would have wanted? Probably we all have. A friend of mine shared with me how the Lord redirected her prayer quickly and clearly.

Barbara told me that she had lunch with a couple who told her they were struggling financially. They shared how there never seemed to be enough money at the end of the month for everything they felt they needed along with paying all the bills.

“My heart just broke for how hard they worked,” she told me. “Even though they both had great jobs, they were worried that they would be bankrupt within a few months if things didn’t turn around financially.”

Barbara shared that as she drove away after lunch, she began to lift the couple up to the Lord. “Father, please help them,” she prayed. “The last thing they need is to be bankrupt.” But she said that the Lord immediately spoke truth to her heart.

“Pray for them. But understand the problem is not that they are bankrupt financially; it is that they are bankrupt spiritually.” Her prayer instantly changed for the couple.

Jesus knew that the pull of the world and what it offered would be a huge temptation for His children. That is why there is one Scripture after another in the Bible that addresses that very struggle.

In Mark 8:36, Jesus asks a pointed question: “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” He is speaking to a large crowd with His disciples at His side and yet He is speaking to us, too.

The couple Barbara spoke with could fail to pay the money they owe and have to declare bankruptcy. They could also work harder, perhaps, and pay off their financial debt. But can I ask you this: what’s the point of being financially free if we're spiritually bankrupt?

Every single thing that the world offers us may appear beautiful but it is temporary. And because of sin, the more we get, the more we want. Jesus offers us eternal freedom. We can never pay the debt of being spiritually bankrupt but we don’t need to because Jesus paid that debt with His death on the cross.

When you give Jesus your heart – your everything – you are no longer spiritually bankrupt. You are eternally His. If you have financial debt, I encourage you to seek Christian financial counseling to get on the right path. But first, go before the Lord and ask Him to be Lord of your life. Get in the Word and seek His direction for everything that you do, every day. Be spiritually debt-free in Him. For eternity.

Father, I want you to be the focus of my life completely. May I look less at what the world offers and more on your face and eternal life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

Where is the majority of your focus centered every day? Spiritually or worldly?

Does your life reflect that you are seeking more of Jesus or more of stuff?

Apply

Write Mark 8:36 in your journal. Make a column titled “gain the whole world” under it and write down everything material that you consider important in your life and cannot live without.

Now, beside each one, write “yes” or “no” as you consider whether each thing on your list is worth forfeiting your soul. If you answered “yes” to anything you wrote down, seek the Lord’s face and lay that item down before Him.

Power

Mark 8:36 (NIV) “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

Matthew 6:21 (NIV) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Proverbs 23:5 (NIV) “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing, check out her blog, Encouragement from the War Room.)

Missouri Attorney General sues Census Bureau demanding only legal citizens be counted

(From Attorney General Catherine Hanaway)

To defend our fundamental right to representation in government, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed the most significant election lawsuit in a generation. This first-in-the-nation suit was filed against the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) and the Census Bureau for unconstitutionally allowing illegal aliens to commandeer the path to The White House and compromise our elections.

“The State of Missouri and its voters can no longer ignore the ongoing denial of their right to self-government and fair representation,” said Attorney General Hanaway. “United States citizens and lawful permanent residents have a right to representation, unlike illegal aliens and temporary visa holders. In America, the People, the members of the social compact, are the only legitimate source of the government’s power. We are taking a stand against those who are cheating our system.”

The DOC and the Census Bureau’s current policy of counting illegal aliens in the census tabulation is unjust, unlawful, and unconstitutional. Attorney General Hanaway is demanding a Census recount and that the Court prohibit the inclusion of illegal aliens in the Census.

Federal representation is being stolen from states who uphold immigration law, including Missouri, and transferred to sanctuary states who artificially inflate their population by harboring illegal aliens. Attorney General Hanaway will not allow open-border states like California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maryland to steal an estimated 11 congressional seats, 11 electoral votes, and billions of dollars in funding.

Prior to the 1980 Census, the Carter Administration unilaterally decided that all illegal aliens and temporary visa holders should be counted in the decennial Census and included in the apportionment of congressional representation. The framers of the Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment would have been shocked by this policy. They could never have imagined an absurd system where 15 million illegal alien trespassers would receive representation in Congress and the Electoral College.

In July of 2020, President Trump issued a memorandum requiring the Secretary of Commerce to exclude illegal aliens from the decennial apportionment base, even though illegal aliens were counted in the 2020 Census. California and New York immediately sued against the President’s action. Ultimately, the Supreme Court vacated all the injunctions, but these legal delays opened the door for the Biden Administration to reverse course and include illegal aliens in the apportionment base for federal representation.

If President Trump had succeeded in excluding illegal aliens from the 2021 apportionment, Missouri would have received an extra congressional seat and an extra vote in the Electoral College. Instead, the Biden Administration hijacked the representation of Missourians by reversing the Trump Administration’s action.

The inclusion of illegal aliens robs Missouri and its citizens of federal funding and private funding that they would otherwise receive. According to the Census Bureau, more than 350 federal programs rely on census figures to allocate funds to state and local governments. Including illegal aliens in the 2020 and 2030 Census enumerations has harmed and will harm Missourians by depriving them of their fair share of their own tax dollars.

The Attorney General’s complaint filed on January 30, 2026, requests that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri:

Declare that including illegal aliens and temporary visa holders in the 2020 Census and the 2021 Apportionment base violated Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act;

Require the Census Bureau to redo the 2020 Census and 2021 Apportionment, removing from the apportionment base all illegal aliens and temporary visa holders through the best available methods, including by re-conducting the 2020 Census enumeration if necessary;

Declare that including illegal aliens and temporary visa holders in the 2030 Census, and the 2031 Apportionment base would violate Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act; and Prohibit the Census Bureau from including illegal aliens and temporary visa holders in the 2030 Census tabulation.

Missouri and the American people will continue to be robbed of fair representation in the House of Representatives, the Electoral College, and federal funding if corrective action is not taken.

The full complaint can be read here.

Indivisible Joplin removes incorrect report of ICE agents in Joplin

A report on Indivisible Joplin's Facebook page saying ICE agents had been spotted in Joplin was incorrect and has been taken down.

Indivisible Joplin issued a correction earlier this evening, but reiterates that it has learned ICE is coming.

UPDATE on post about possible I.C.E. activity in Joplin:

We posted earlier about I.C.E. agents being spotted yesterday at Joplin Ave Coffee Co and have since been informed that the officers are actually with the Joplin Police Department, so the post has been removed.

We apologize for assuming they were I.C.E. agents. This mix up occurred because the message we got claims these individuals were wearing I.C.E. hoodies, so take that information for what you will.

Information that HAS NOT changed: We have been informed by a local business owner that they were warned they should expect I.C.E. sweeps at businesses in the Joplin area.

Missouri sports betting tops $543M in first month but deductions leave state with only $521K

By Rudi Keller

Missouri Independent

Missourians placed more than half-a-billion dollars in bets on sporting events in December but promotional offers offset the taxable profits, leaving less than $1 million to help problem gamblers and public education.

Voters narrowly approved sports betting in November 2024, with a majority of just 2,691 votes out of almost 3 million cast. The first month’s wagering far exceeded some estimates with $543 million wagered, more than 99% through online platforms.

The financial report, issued Friday by the Missouri Gaming Commission, showed the impact of provisions in the constitutional amendment allowing companies accepting bets to deduct the cost of promotional and other expenses.

The 16 licensed operators provided customers more than $125 million in free bets and other promotional benefits. As a result, most showed a negative result and deductions exceeded net revenue by $20 million.

The gaming commission received nearly $7.5 million from initial license fees paid for the 16 retail and online licenses. Two companies, DraftKings and Circa Sports, are online-only licenses, while the other 14 are either in casinos, at major sports venues or online platforms partnering with a major sports team.

The net to the state was $521,200, or less than one-one-hundredth of 1% of the total wagered.

“The license-fee total reflects the fact that a majority of the licenses issued at launch are five-year licenses,” Mike Leara, executive director of the gaming commission, said in a news release. “These figures also reflect a market in its early stages, including the impact of significant promotional deductions that are customary during initial rollout.”

The commission anticipates using 9% of the licensing fees for administration, and the remainder will be transferred to the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund. Most of that is a one-time infusion of money because the major licenses have a five-year life, Leara said in an interview with The Independent.

The result is encouraging despite the small total for tax revenue, Leara said. The structure of the constitutional amendment meant that small returns are likely during the opening months, he said.

“When we finally get through some of this early start up costs, we’ll see money,” he said.

The promotional offers will diminish and bettors will settle into patterns as the market matures, he said.

“In six months, we’re going to have a better gage of what to expect on the month to month basis, and I think that it will increase these numbers,” Leara said.

State Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel who chairs the House Budget Committee, called the revenue report “sad” and said it was what he expected from an initiative written by the online sports betting companies.

“We might as well have just made them tax free at this point,” Deaton said.

The initiative campaign was launched after lawmakers tried for several years, and failed, to write a bill authorizing sports wagering.

“In the General Assembly, we ought to look ourselves in the mirror,” he said. “It’s probably another example of something which we should have figured out and put a better framework in place.”

The tax on the net revenue of sports wagering platforms is 10%, less than half of the 21% tax on net receipts for the state’s 13 licensed casinos. During December, the casinos paid $36.2 million in taxes on net winnings of $172.4 million.

Leara said he agreed that the low tax revenue is due to lawmakers failing to pass sports wagering legislation.

“This could have been much different,” Leara said. “The tax rate could have been higher and the deductions would have likely, absolutely, been less.”

Under the Missouri Constitution, most tax revenue from gambling is dedicated to public schools and higher education. Casinos paid $363 million in taxes in the fiscal year that ended June 30 and the Missouri Lottery provided about $337 million.

The 2024 initiative campaign, organized by the state’s professional sports teams and paid for by DraftKings and FanDuel, two of the major online sports books, cost $43 million. An opposition campaign, financed by Caesars Entertainment, owners of three casinos in Missouri, spent $15 million.

During the campaign to pass sports wagering, voters were told it would be a windfall to education, allowing increased teacher pay and other benefits for public schools. 

“It doesn’t necessarily match the commercials that got this passed, does it,” said state Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Black, who was a teacher before becoming a legislator, said in an interview with The Independent he is not sure when any of the promised benefits for education will be realized.

“Sports gaming will probably provide $100 million to education total, as long as I don’t die in the next 10 years,” Black said.

Only DraftKings, however, won one of the two licenses that went to online platforms that are not linked to one of the state’s casinos or major league sports teams.

DraftKings captured nearly 40% of the market, booking $195 million in bets but showing a negative net result after paying out $163 million in winnings and giving bettors $48.5 million in promotional and other benefits. DraftKings paid no tax and had $16 million in deductions carried over into January.

Circa Sports, the other “untethered” licensee, handled only $1.4 million in wagers and showed $1.3 million in deductions. Circa Sports paid $11,739 in tax.

FanDuel won a license from the Missouri Gaming Commission by partnering with St. Louis City, a Major League Soccer team. FanDuel booked $212 million in wagers but also showed a net negative result, with $166 million paid out in winnings and $53 million in deductions for promotional benefits. The company paid no tax and carries over $7 million in deductions to January.

The $543 million handle shows that the launch of sports betting in Missouri was successful, said Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the Sports Betting Alliance.

“We applaud the Missouri Gaming Commission for its hard work to ensure a smooth and successful launch,” Cardetti said in a prepared statement, “and we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from Missourians who are impressed with the tools and resources available to help them monitor their play, protect their data and provide the security they feel in placing legal, regulated bets, while keeping their dollars in Missouri.”’

In a separate statement, Cardetti said the small return to the state was an expected result of the promotional deductions in the amendment.

“Like in most states, permanent, dedicated tax revenues for education will grow significantly over time after starting small in the initial months of a new sports betting program, due to investing in marketing efforts to migrate bettors out of illegal and unregulated settings toward state-licensed operators,” Cardetti said. “Missouri’s sports betting law anticipated this transition period and required millions in up front licensing fees, with nearly $7.5 million in fees already paid to the state.”

The fiscal estimates for the initiative showed revenue could be as little as nothing or as much as $28.9 million a year.

State Rep. Betsy Fogle, ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said she expected more money, even with the heavy advertising of promotions to lure customers.

“I guess it’s not super surprising to me that we haven’t seen real dollars work their way into our revenue streams yet, and I would anticipate that those would increase as those promotionals have gone away,” she said.

In Kansas, where the tax and deduction allowances are similar to Missouri, operators paid taxes that were less than 1% of $2.7 billion in bets in the past fiscal year. Lawmakers in Kansas are considering whether to change the tax structure to capture more of the revenue. A similar move is much harder in Missouri because it would require another statewide vote to change the constitution.

“Because sports wagering was adopted through a voter-approved constitutional amendment, core elements such as the tax structure and allowable deductions cannot simply be adjusted by the General Assembly,” Black said in a statement.

Gambling alone cannot pay for public schools or higher education, Deaton said

“There’s no taxation structure in which that would ever be the case, or could be, unless we just were spending significantly less,” he said.

When education will see any money from sports wagering is uncertain. The amendment included a carve-out, setting aside the first $5 million in annual tax revenue for the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund.

Fogle, who said she voted for the amendment because she wanted to place bets, said she doubted during the campaign that education would see any significant benefits.

“I thought it was disingenuous,” Fogle said, “and I recommended people not vote for it because of the promises for education.”

Missouri appeals court rejects Secretary of State’s ballot language on private school funding ban

By Annelise Hanshaw

Missouri Independent

Missouri’s Western District Court of Appeals unanimously tossed out part of Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’s ballot language on Thursday for an initiative petition that would bar state funding of private education.

The decision, written by Judge Douglas Thomson, says that Hoskins’s summary statement was “misleading” because of a bullet point that says the petition would “eliminate existing programs that provide direct aid to students with special education needs.” The petition, filed by attorney Duane Martin with public education law firm EdCounsel, expressly allows public aid to private entities to educate students with disabilities.

“The failure to account for the disability exception in bullet point two — and instead state that special education programs would be eliminated — is insufficient and unfair,” Thomson wrote.

Hoskins, presumably, was referring to the state’s voucher program, MOScholars. The program pays for school tuition for students with and without disabilities, though those who need learning accommodations receive priority and an increased scholarship amount.

The petition seeks to dramatically restrict MOScholars by barring the state from funding scholarships for nondisabled students. Martin told The Independent in August that he views state funding of private school vouchers as a threat to public education.

“We’re watching the statewide elected officials from Missouri slowly dismantle public schools, this public school system that Missourians have built,” he said.

The court revised the ballot language to say the petition would “eliminate certain expenditures that provide direct or indirect aid to students for their educational needs by prohibiting the use of public funds for educational services provided by nonpublic schools, except for services provided to disabled students.”

The decision comes a week after the Missouri Supreme Court tossed out a law passed last year that would have allowed Hoskins to rewrite ballot titles three times before a judge could remedy the language.

The Secretary of State’s Office declined to comment, saying it “does not comment on active litigation.”

Missouri Right to Education Initiative

A second pro-public-education petition is making its way through the courts, securing a win Thursday over a parent and voucher advocate who sought to intervene in the case.

The Missouri Right to Education Initiative seeks to label education a fundamental right in the State Constitution, charging the government with “maintaining adequate, thorough and uniform high quality free public schools.”

Spencer Toder, who filed the petition, told The Independent that the initiative is not aimed at changing MOScholars.

“Our intent is not to get involved in the voucher dialog,” he said in August. “It is to ensure that no matter if vouchers exist, it doesn’t come at the expense of public school students’ quality of education.”

But the ballot language from Hoskins’s office said the petition would eliminate the voucher program. Toder challenged the summary in Cole County Circuit Court, where Judge Chris Limbaugh ordered Hoskins to rewrite part of the summary twice.

In that case, Becki Uccello intervened as a mother of a disabled student who receives MOScholars funds and an advocate with the American Federation for Children, which pushes for vouchers and similar programs nationwide. She sought to defend Hoskins’s original summary statement.

The initiative, if approved by voters, would be used in court to challenge the voucher program, her attorneys wrote in an appeal of Limbaugh’s decision.

But Uccello had no right to appeal, Toder’s attorney, Heidi Vollet, argued.

The Western District Court of Appeals threw out Uccello’s arguments, saying she lacked standing to defend the Secretary of State’s ballot language.

Private parties only have a right to challenge ballot titles, not defend them, the court said in a unanimous decision written by Judge Gary Witt.

“Since Uccello’s grounds for intervention were to advocate for the same language that was proposed by the secretary initially, and which the secretary was defending on the same grounds, she has not established that she has any defense beyond the secretary, as party defendant,” wrote Witt.

Alix Cossette, an attorney with Stinson LLP who represented Uccello, told The Independent that Thursday’s decision carries ramifications for future ballot title cases.

“This is going to affect how people challenge or defend the secretary’s language,” she said. “If you want to defend what the secretary is doing, you are going to have to let the secretary just do that.”

In a footnote, Witt clarifies that individuals can intervene on ballot title cases when they oppose the secretary’s proposed language, writing: “The rule cannot be that if a petitioner friendly to the secretary’s summary files a specious challenge, a citizen with legitimate complaints as to the fairness and sufficiency of the proposed ballot summary cannot intervene to raise those legitimate challenges.”

Make ICE unwelcome rallies this weekend in Joplin, Carthage

With the continuing controversy over methods being used by ICE in its efforts to deport non-citizens, "Make ICE Unwelcome" rallies have been scheduled for the next two weekend in Jasper County.

The events are sponsored by SWMO NICE WATCH.

Rallies are scheduled for 12 noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, January 31, and Saturday, February 7, in Central Park in Carthage and 3 p.m. until dark Sunday, February 1, and Sunday, February 8, at 7th and Range Line in Joplin.

Joplin man indicted on 3 counts of sexual exploitation of a children, child pornography charge

A Joplin man is being held without bond in the Greene County Detention Center in Springfield after being indicted by a federal grand jury on three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

Spencer Logan Hunt, 32, was charged following an investigation that began with CyberTip Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to a detention motion filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

The tips were sent by Reddit, Inc, after Hunt, using the name "Daddyloveslittles92" discussed molesting children in a chat.

The motion included examples of some of the things Hunt allegedly said during these conversations including saying, he would like to have teens "caged up in my house" where he would rape them "all day long. He said leave them just enough food and water so they wouldn't die and he would invited his friends over to share.

Hunt also said if he could get away with raping kids in the basement he'd "already be doing it."

The statements also included Hunt using graphic descriptions of what he would do to some children.

On April 9, 2025, TFO Rawlins conducted a post-Miranda interview. HUNT identified himself as “Daddyloveslittles92,” and confirmed sending the messages about minors to other users. A search of HUNT’s Apple iPhone 12 Pro revealed videos and images of child pornography, including images depicting three known minors as identified in Counts 1-3 of the indictment.

Hunt's arraignment and detention hearing are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 4 in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

Court document: Guns trafficked by Carthage man, girlfriend linked to murder suspect, fentanyl trafficking, gang war

Guns trafficked by a Carthage man and his girlfriend made their way into the hands of murder and fentanyl trafficking suspects and gang wars, according to a detention motion filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Trenton David Fickle, 23, was indicted Thursday on four counts of illegally transporting firearms, three counts of making false statements to licensed gun dealers when buying guns and a single count of making a false statement to a licensed gun dealer while attempting to buy a gun.

While the indictment provided few details of the allegations against Fickle other than the dates on which the crimes were allegedly committed, the detention motion details connections between guns traced to Fickle and crimes committed in several states.

From the motion:

In April 2025, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) began an
investigation into Trenton FICKLE (“FICKLE”) and his girlfriend, M.K., for possible firearm
trafficking after being alerted to several suspicious firearm traces and multiple sales report. Those
firearms traces included the following:

• A Glock pistol was purchased by FICKLE on December 23, 2024. 49 days after purchase, the firearm was recovered during a law enforcement contact with Trey Giles and Trejuane Washington. Giles was affiliated with the All Family No Friends (“AFNF”) gang. 

Giles later became an ATF defendant in a federal firearm investigation and was charged in federal court with possession of illegal firearms. See United States v. Trey Giles, 25-03023-01-CR-S-SRB.

• An FNH pistol was purchased by FICKLE on February 13, 2025. 52 days after purchase, the firearm was recovered in El Paso, Texas, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE”) in relation to a weapons offense.

• M.K. purchased a DPMS rifle on July 9, 2023. On April 4, 2024, the firearm was traced by the Madison, Wisconsin, Police Department (“MPD”). MPD traced the firearm after finding a photograph of the firearm on a cellular phone associated with a murder suspect.

M.K. purchased a Glock pistol on May 12, 2023. 160 days after purchase, the firearm was recovered by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. The firearm was recovered in connection with the arrest of a known fentanyl trafficker.

The ATF began monitoring Armlist.com and Facebook for firearms listed for sale by FICKLE and
found posts by FICKLE listing firearms for sale. Using the information from those listings, ATF
made arrangements to buy firearms from FICKLE.

On May 21, 2025, an ATF undercover employee (“UC”) met FICKLE at the Wal-Mart, located in
Carthage, Missouri, to purchase firearms from FICKLE. When FICKLE arrived at Wal-Mart,
FICKLE exited his vehicle and presented a black pistol case to the UC. The case contained a Glock,
Model 47 (frame/receiver), aftermarket Glock style slide, 9mm pistol, bearing serial number
BZXL489 equipped with a high-capacity magazine, and a Taurus, G3, 9mm pistol, bearing serial
number AGM632747. FICKLE proceeded to sell/transfer the firearm to the UC. 

During the encounter, the UC smelled an odor consistent with marijuana about FICKLE’s person.
FICKLE indicated that he was active in Facebook groups where he was involved in the trading of
firearms. He stated that when he has a “higher end” firearm, he typically lists it on Armslist.com.

The UC agreed to purchase the two pistols from FICKLE. As they began counting money, the UC
told FICKLE that they did not want their name associated with the purchase or documented, and
FICKLE advised it would not be. 

The UC presented themselves as a convicted felon and advised that they had been previously arrested for tampering with a motor vehicle and domestic assault.

The UC advised that they had pled guilty to a tampering charge saying, “My attorney talked me
into pleading to a felony tampering . . . I can’t go to a store and buy a gun.” FICKLE responded,
“Works for me . . . sounds good.” 

After the exchange of money, the UC took control of the pistols.

On June 10, 2025, the UC again met with FICKLE, this time at the Flying J Truck Stop in Joplin,
Missouri. The UC purchased the following firearms from FICKLE for a total of $1,300: (1) a Spike’s Tactical, ST15, multi-caliber rifle, bearing serial number VK011256; and (2) a Walther, PDT F-Series, 9mm caliber pistol, bearing serial number 15185GA.

On July 23, 2025, the ATF obtained a federal search warrant to obtain the content associated with
Trenton FICKLE’s Facebook. On August 3, 2025, Facebook returned the warrant with the data
requested.

A review of the contents revealed communication, via Facebook Messenger, between FICKLE and others in which FICKLE was arranging the sale of firearms and firearm parts including
machinegun conversion devices (“MCD”) and suppressors, and narcotics, that occurred between
January 2023 and November 2023. 

Specifically, he communicated with at least eight individuals regarding the sales of MCDs. In one conversation that occurred on July 20, 2023, FICKLE appeared to be willing to sell a firearm to an individual despite that individual describing himself as a “5 time felon[.]”

Between February 12, 2024, and September 2, 2025, FICKLE himself purchased at least 22
firearms from an FFL, on 20 separate occasions.

On September 10, 2025, the ATF executed a federal search warrant on FICKLE’s residence. At
9:30 a.m., prior to the execution of the search warrant, Carthage, Missouri, Police Department
(“CPD”) contacted FICKLE during a traffic stop in the parking lot of Liberty Tree Guns, 530 West
Fir Road, Carthage, Missouri. 

FICKLE had a Glock pistol on his person, and a Griffin Armament, pistol and ammunition was located in FICKLE’s vehicle.

FICKLE was interviewed by an ATF agent. FICKLE was asked about his marijuana use and FICKLE stated he had smoked marijuana “early this morning.” He stated that smoking marijuana
in the morning was a normal routine, and he had smoked marijuana his “whole life.” He stated that
there was probably a half ounce of marijuana in his house.

FICKLE was asked about his relationship with Landon Laurence. Laurence pled guilty to possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance and possession or transfer of
a machinegun in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, in Case No.
24-05004-01-CR-SW. 

FICKLE indicated that he and Laurence were friends, and stated, “I obviously knew what he did.” FICKLE added that Laurence ordered a bunch of “Glock switches” (machinegun conversion devices “MCDs”) and FICKLE, “helped him get a hold of people.”

FICKLE stated that he thought Laurence sold more than ten MCDs, and FICKLE was personally involved in “five or six” sales. FICKLE believes these sales occurred over a year around 2023.

FICKLE also admitted that he assisted Laurence in selling “Percs,” and provided the pills to customers if Laurence was not available. When asked if he carried a firearm during those transactions, FICKLE said that he always carried guns and likely had firearms with him during the drug transactions.

When asked about firearm sales, FICKLE claimed that he did not “go out of [his] way” to sell firearms after he purchased them and added that he had a “genuine love” for guns. He denied any straw purchasing firearms but admitted that he would have M.K. purchase firearms for him before he turned 21 years old, specifically noting that he had M.K. purchase AR receivers for him.

FICKLE claimed he “middle manned” some firearm transactions but only for private sales.

When asked about providing guns to prohibited people, he claimed he did not sell guns to people who were prohibited and that he tried to deal with legal people, but he could not think of any specific prohibited person he sold to.

FICKLE acknowledged that he knew marijuana was illegal under federal law. When discussing the ATF Form 4473 warning that a person who was an unlawful user of or addicted to marijuana could not possess a firearm, FICKLE claimed that he thought it only applied to those who were addicted to marijuana and that he did not “stay high all the time.”

FICKLE said that he dealt mostly in cash during the firearm and fentanyl sales, but that he also used M.K.’s CashApp for some of the transactions.

When ATF searched FICKLE’s home they found multiple firearms, firearm magazines, ammunition, a silencer, and over 100 grams of marijuana.

In December 2025, an ATF SA reviewed financial records from Block Incorporated which detailed the CashApp transactions for M.K. for the time period between January 3, 2023, and January 29, 2025. The SA found transactions in the CashApp account that were consistent with the conversations FICKLE was having via Facebook regarding narcotics and firearm transactions.

Specifically, on January 9, 2025, M.K.’s CashApp received a payment of $850 from E.I. There were corresponding Facebook messages that began on December 19, 2024, through January 9, 2025. The messages began with E.I. asking about the price of an “AK.” 

Later, E.I. sent a message that said, “Make me something bro . . . Or some 1911 . . . Guns w suppressors.” FICKLE later responded he is no longer involved with suppressors but E.I. continue to press for FICKLE to find one. 

On December 22, 2024, E.I. sent a message that said, “Full size…And try as hard as you can find a suppressor bro…I got you.” FICKLE responded, “I’ll see what’s up bro. Ill ask some ppl but no promises on1 those and idek what the price ill be if I do fin 1 but Ill lyk whats up. Ik I can fs find a fullsize ak tho.” 

On January 7, 2025, FICKLE sent E.I. images of two AR-style rifles and a pistol. One of the rifles was identified as a Matrix Aerospace, MS556-SC, multi-caliber rifle.

The pistol was identified as a Springfield Armory, XD-40, .40 caliber pistol. E.I. said he was interested in those firearms.

The continued messages demonstrated that E.I. and FICKLE met at the Northpark Mall in Joplin, Missouri. Some of the messages appeared to be sent real time and coincided with E.I. sending Knight’s Cashapp account $850. 

When E.I. let FICKLE know he had arrived at the parking lot, E.I. sent an image from inside the vehicle depicting the parking lot. The image also depicted a document in the vehicle’s visor showing part of an address was consistent with E.I.’s known address. A criminal history check of E.I. showed that he was a convicted felon.

The SA reviewed Form 4473s from Liberty Tree Guns, a FFL, which reflected that between February 14, 2024 and October 28, 2024, FICKLE purchased six firearms from that FFL.

The SA reviewed Form 4473s from Rayzor’s Edge Tactical, a FFL. Those records reflected that between March 2024, and December 2024, FICKLE purchased six firearms from that FFL.

The SA reviewed Form 4473 from Joplin Centerfire, a FFL. Those records reflected that between March 2024 and May 2025, FICKLE purchased eleven firearms from that FFL. Specifically, on May 30, 2025, FICKLE purchased a Spike’s Tactical, ST15, multi-caliber receiver, bearing serial number VK011256. This firearm was completed and sold to the UC eleven days later on June 10, 2025.

In each of the Form 4473s FICKLE was asked in Question 21.a., “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of all of the firearm(s) listed on this form and any continuation sheet(s) (ATF Form 5300.9A)? Warning: You are not the actual transferee/buyer if you are acquiring any of the firearm(s) on behalf of another person. If you are not the actual transferee/buyer, the licensee cannot transfer any of the firearm(s) to you.” 

FICKLE answered, “No.” 

Question 21.f asked, “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance? Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.” FICKLE answered, “No.”

Right above where FICKLE signed his name and provided the certification date, Form 4473 read, “I certify that my answers in Section B are true, correct, and complete. I have read and understand the Notices, Instructions, and Definitions on ATF Form 4473. I understand that answering “yes” to question 21.a. if I am not the actual transferee/buyer is a crime punishable as a felony under Federal law, and may also violate State and/or local law. 

I understand that a person who answers “yes” to any of the questions 21.b. through 21.l. as well as 21.n. is prohibited from receiving, possessing, or purchasing a firearm. I understand that a person who answers “yes” to question 21.m.1. is prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm, unless the person answers “yes” to question 21.m.2. and provides the documentation required in 26.d. I also understand that making any false oral or written statement, or exhibiting any false or misrepresented identification with respect to this transaction, is a crime punishable as a felony under Federal law, and may also violate State and/or local law. I further understand that the repetitive purchase of firearms for the purpose of resale to predominantly earn a profit without a Federal firearms license is a violation of Federal law.”

Former Neosho businessman to remain behind bars during probation revocation proceedings

Former Neosho businessman Blake Altman, 42, will remain behind bars during his probation revocation proceedings.

The revocation process began after Altman was charged with promotion of child sexual abuse material in Montgomery County, Texas. 

Altman has a been on supervised probation after being released from a federal prison in 2021 after serving four years for possession of child pornography.

During the revocation hearing this morning in U. S. District Court in Springfield, Judge David P. Rush granted Altman's oral motion to have a court-appointed lawyer.

After the government made its motion to have Altman detained, Altman did not object and Rush ordered Altman held without bond.

Human Bean, Subway at Road Ranger fail Joplin Health Department inspections

The Human Bean, 2608 S. Main Street, and Subway at Road Ranger, 2101 S. Prigmor Avenue, failed Joplin Health Department inspections, according to information posted on the department website.

The Human Bean received a priority violation for having granita mix being cold held above 41 degrees and core violations for having wiping cloths lying on the counter between uses and for having a cup without a handle being used as a scoop in the sugar bin.

Subway received a priority violation for having cut tomatoes in the prep line being cold held above 41 degrees,

The following establishments passed their inspections:

Joplin Schools Warehouse, 1420 E. Broadway Street

Watered Gardens, 531 S. Kentucky Avenue

Longhorn Steakhouse, 1930 S. Range Line Road

Buffalo Wild Wings, 1525 S. Range Line Road

Red Lobster, 3131 S. Range Line Road

Big Apple Travel Centers, 2110 S. Prigmor Avenue

Old Chicago Pizza- Taproom, 3320 S. Range Line Road

Taco Bell, 2601 S. Main Street

Hackett Hot Wings, 520 S. Main Street

Pancho's Mexican Food, 2830 E. 7th Street (follow up inspection)

Waffle House, 3506 S. Range Line Road (follow up inspection)

 

Galena Police Department mourning former chief

(From the Galena Police Department)

The Galena Police Department would like to share that a Celebration of Life for former Chief Larry Delmont will be held this Saturday, January 31st at 2:00 p.m. at the Galena Senior Citizen Center, located at 720 Wall Street.

Chief Delmont dedicated years of service to the City of Galena and left a lasting impact on the department and the community he served. 

His leadership, commitment, and care for this town will not be forgotten.

We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. Galena lost a true servant, and we honor his memory and legacy.

Amanda Eggleston named Webb City High School principal

(From the Webb City R-7 School District)

We are thrilled to announce that Mrs. Amanda Eggleston has been appointed as the Principal of Webb City High School for the 2026-27 school year!

Mrs. Eggleston has proudly served the Webb City School District since 2003 in a variety of instructional and leadership roles. Her career includes fourteen years as a Webb City High School Business Teacher, four years as the District’s Public Relations Director, six years as Assistant Principal at Webb City High School, and the past three years as Principal of Webster Primary Center.

Mrs. Eggleston earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Missouri Southern State University, a Master’s Degree from William Woods University, and an Education Specialist Degree from Arkansas State University.

With nine years of administrative leadership experience, Mrs. Eggleston is deeply committed to student achievement, staff development, and fostering a school culture that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive. She believes in continued school improvement built on strong relationships, clear communication, and collaborative leadership. 

As she steps into the role of high school principal, Mrs. Eggleston looks forward to building upon the school’s many strengths while continuing to move the high school forward.

She is excited to partner with students, staff, families, and the community to celebrate the successes and opportunities that lie ahead at Webb City High School.

Mrs. Eggleston has been married to her husband, Brandon, for 24 years. They have three children: Allie, Brody, and Kennedy.

Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Mrs. Eggleston!

Branson entertainers charged with sexual exploitation of children

A grand jury indictment charging Branson entertainers Garry and Janine Carson with sexual exploitation of children was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

According to the indictment, the Carsons, whose Escape Reality magic show entertains at the Hughes Brothers Theater in Branson, coerced a minor, referred to as "Jane Doe" to "engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of providing a visual depiction of such conduct."

The crime allegedly took place in Taney County.

In addition to performing in Branson, Garry Carson, 57, and Janine Carson, 39, have also regularly performed in Las Vegas and have appeared in the Masters of Illusions TV series.

The Carsons also perform a magic and comedy show at the Cabaret in Branson.

Grand jury indicts Carthage man on eight gun charges

 

A grand jury indictment of a Carthage man was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Trenton David Fickle, 23, was charged with four counts of illegally transporting firearms, three counts of making false statements to licensed gun dealers when buying guns and a single count of making a false statement to a licensed gun dealer while attempting to buy a gun.

The crimes allegedly took place between 2023 and 2025, according to the indictment. The licensed gun dealers Fickle allegedly lied to were Liberty Tree Guns, Rayzor's Edge Tactical and Joplin Centerfire.

Fickle was arraigned this morning at U. S. District Court in Springfield and pleaded not guilty.

A detention hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. February 3 in Springfield.

Probation revocation hearing scheduled for former Neosho businessman

The initial probation revocation appearance for former Neosho businessman Blake Altman, 42, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

The hearing was scheduled after Altman was arrested January 13 by the Newton County Sheriff's Office on a Montgomery County, Texas warrant for promotion of child sexual abuse material.

The charges against Altman were almost identical to the possession of child pornography charge that led to a grand jury indictment in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in 2015. 

Altman was sentenced to six years in prison on November 29, 2017, to be followed by 10 years under supervised release.

Altman was released from prison in 2021.

Previous post- Former Neosho businessman awaiting extradition on Texas child pornography charge

Agenda posted for Joplin City Council meeting

 REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 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.

Financial Update 

Documents:

1. SALES TAX REPORT JANUARY 2026.PDF
2. USE TAX REPORT JANUARY 2026.PDF
3. MARIJUANA SALES TAX REPORT JANUARY 2026.PDF
4. QUARTERLY SALES TAX REPORT 1ST QUARTER FY 2026.PDF
5. GENERAL FUND FINANCIALS DECEMBER 2025.PDF

2.

Popular Annual Financial Report 

Documents:

1. 2024-PAFR_GUIDE-TO-CITY-FINANCES.PDF

3.

AoPP Transit Study Final Presentation 

Documents:

1. JOPLIN REGIONAL TRANSIT STUDY - CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 2026 - FINAL.PDF

4.

Recycling Education And Outreach Program Marketing Presentation 

Documents:

1. 2026 JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATION 012626.PDF

5.

CVB Review Of Memorial Hall Proposal

Documents:

1. JANUARY 2026 CVB MINUTES.PDF

4.

Finalization Of Consent Agenda

5.

Reports And Communications

1.

News From The Public Information Office 

6.

Citizen Requests And Petitions

1.

Amanda Bearden – Homelessness

2.

Maurice Filson – Council Pay 

3.

Zack Green – Health Concerns

4.

Colvin Paige – Transparency

5.

Chianne Xiong – Annexation And Rezoning Wildwood

6.

Chris Hammer – Data Center

7.

Public Hearings

1.

Public Hearing Procedures 

Documents:

1. PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES.PDF

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-258

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 M-2 PD (Heavy Industrial, Planned Development Overlay) property as described below and generally known as property located at the NW corner of the intersection of Industrial Park Rd and E Kennedy Ln, Joplin, Jasper and Newton County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. 258SUMMARY.PDF
2. 258REPORT.PDF
3. 258MINUTES.PDF
4. 258APP.PDF
5. 258MAP.PDF
6. CB2026-258.PDF

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

Minutes Of The January 5, 2026, Joplin City Council Meeting 

Documents:

1. JANUARY 5, 2026 MINUTES.PDF

2.

Minutes Of The January 20, 2026, Joplin City Council Special Called Meeting 

Documents:

1. JANUARY 20, 2026 SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION.PDF

3.

Minutes Of The January 20, 2026, Joplin City Council Meeting 

Documents:

1. JANUARY 20, 2026 MINUTES.PDF

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-100

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Sprouls Construction Incorporated in the amount of Eighty thousand two hundred and 00/100 dollars ($80,200.00) for 24 Trolley Shelter Metal projects 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 the Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2026-100.PDF

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-106

AN ORDINANCE Authorizing the approval of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Grant Agreement for Air Service Promotion and Marketing at the Joplin Regional Airport, authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin and setting an effective date.

Documents:

1. CB2026-106.PDF

6.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-107

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the acceptance of an agreement by and between the City of Joplin and Crawford, Murphy and Tilley for an Aviation Project Consultant Agreement for a new Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Application at the Joplin Regional Airport in the not to exceed amount of Forty-Nine Thousand One Hundred Fifty-Five and 78/100 Dollars ($49,155.78); authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute this agreement 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 an effective date.

Documents:

1. CB2026-107.PDF

7.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-500

AN ORDINANCE approving the Real Estate Contract by and between the City of Joplin, Missouri, a Municipal Corporation, and Land Scout, LLC., for the sale of one parcel located at 1304 Kentucky Avenue, totaling approximately 6,000 square feet of land; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2026-500.PDF

8.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-501

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. CB2026-501.PDF

9.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-600

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin, Missouri, to enter into a Ground Lease Agreement with Liberty Enterprise Group, LLC, a Missouri Corporation, for the purpose of hosting the 2026 World Street Painting Festival during the Route 66 Centennial; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin.

Documents:

1. CB2026-600.PDF

10.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-602

AN ORDINANCE approving the issuance of a Purchase Order to Blue Valley Public Safety, Inc. to cover the purchase of three tornado sirens manufactured by Federal Warning Systems as approved in the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 as adopted by Ordinance 2025-151 on October 20, 2025; authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, and setting an effective date.

Documents:

1. CB2026-602.PDF

9.

Resolutions

1.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-002

A RESOLUTION establishing a Police and Fire Sales Tax Citizens Committee to assist with the April 7, 2026 election relating to the replacement of the current “Prop B” ½ cent general sales tax with a ½-cent public safety sales tax, which results in no increase to the current sales tax rate, to be named “Proposition Police and Fire.”

Documents:

1. RESOLUTION POLICE AND FIRE SALES TAX CITIZEN COMMITTEE 2026.PDF

2.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-003 

A RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Mark Matlock for his lifelong commitment to outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and community service, and for his role in creating a premier park legacy by naming the trailhead at Grand Falls the “Dr. Mark Matlock Trailhead.”

Documents:

1. RESOLUTION DR. MARK MATLOCK TRAILHEAD.PDF
2. RESOLUTION NO. 2026-003 TRAILHEAD HONORING DR. MARK MATLOCK.PDF
3. DR. MARK MATLOCK TRAILHEAD SIGN.PDF

3.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-004

A RESOLUTION to provide “Free Ride Day!” on the Transit system at no cost to citizens, in recognition of the anniversary of the Sunshine Lamp Trolley relaunch in February of 2025.  

Documents:

1. RESOLUTION 2026-004 TROLLEY ANNIVERSAY - SUMMARY.PDF
2. RESOLUTION 2026-004 TROLLEY ANNIVERSARY - RESOLUTION.PDF

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-108

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into a real estate purchase agreement for the Grand Falls Visitor Parking area with Stephen M. Matlock and Alex E. Matlock for approximately one acre of land; 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.

Documents:

1. CB2026-108 GRAND FALLS PARKING LOT WITH MATLOCK - SUMMARY (1).PDF
2. CB2025-108 GRAND FALLS PARKING LOT WITH MATLOCK - ORDINANCE (1).PDF
3. CB2026-108 GRAND FALLS PARKING LOT WITH MATLOCK - PURCHASE AGREEMENT (1).PDF
4. CB2026-108 ROW_02204049_120225-SIGNED DD - EXHIBIT A W MAP.PDF

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-109

AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement with Trojan Technologies in the amount of Five Hundred Thirty Six Thousand One Hundred Sixty Four and 92/100 DOLLARS ($536,164.92) for the Rehabilitation of Turkey Creek WWTP Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection System 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.

Documents:

1. CB2026-109 - TURKEY CRK WWTP ULTRAVIOLET REHAB SUMMARY (1).PDF
2. CB2026-109 - TURKEY CRK WWTP ULTRAVIOLET REHAB ORDINANCE (1).PDF
3. CB2026-109 - TURKEY CRK WWTP ULTRAVIOLET REHAB QUOTE (1).PDF
4. CB2026-109 - TURKEY CRK WWTP ULTRAVIOLET REHAB LOCATION MAP (1).PDF

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-110

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Jeff Asbell Excavating & Trucking, Inc. for the 7^th Street Sanitary Sewer Relocation Project in the amount of Two Million Seven Hundred Thirty Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety Five and 92/100 DOLLARS ($2,738,795.92) 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.

Documents:

1. CB2026-110 - 7TH ST SANI SEWER RELO SUMMARY.PDF
2. CB2026-110 - 7TH ST SANI SEWER RELO ORDINANCE.PDF
3. CB2026-110 - 7TH ST SANITARY SEWER RELO (ASBELL) AGREEMENT.PDF
4. CB2026-110 - 7TH ST SANI SEWER RELO BID SUMMARY.PDF
5. CB2026-110 - 7TH ST SANI SEWER RELO EXHIBIT MAP.PDF

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-111

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into a construction agreement with ATS Contractors LLC., for the On Call Infrastructure and Utility Cuts 2026 project; 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.

Documents:

1. CB2026-111 - 2026 ON CALL INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITY CUTS SUMMARY.PDF
2. CB2026- 111 - 2026 ON CALL INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITY CUTS ORDINANCE.PDF
3. CB2026-111 - 2026 ON CALL INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITY CUTS CONTRACT.PDF
4. CB2026-111 - 2026 ON CALL INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITY CUTS BID TABS.PDF

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-254

AN ORDINANCE establishing grades and accepting the Final Plat of the Cottages at Emerald Glades 1^st Addition located at 642 E Fountain Rd, in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. 254SUMMARY.PDF
2. 254REPORT.PDF
3. 254MINUTES.PDF
4. 254APP.PDF
5. TAXFORM1.PDF
6. TAXFORM2.PDF
7. 254MAP.PDF
8. 254PLAT.PDF
9. CB2025-254.PDF

6.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-255

AN ORDINANCE establishing grades and accepting the Final Plat of the Cottages at Emerald Glades 2^nd Addition located at 642 E Fountain Rd, in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. 255SUMMARY.PDF
2. 255REPORT.PDF
3. 255MINUTES.PDF
4. 255APP.PDF
5. TAXFORM1.PDF
6. TAXFORM2.PDF
7. 255MAP.PDF
8. 255PLAT.PDF
9. 255CONNECTION.PDF
10. CB2025-255.PDF

7.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-603

AN ORDINANCE   Authorizing the City of Joplin to issue a purchase order to Tek84 in the amount of One Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($181,500.00) for the purchase of a Full Body Scanning System; authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin and setting an effective date.

Documents:

1. COUNCIL BILL 2026-603 FULL BODY SCANNING SYSTEM PURCHASE.PDF
2. SUMMARY ITEM 2026-603 FULL BODY SCANNING SYSTEM PURCHASE.PDF
3. BID PACKAGE TEK84.PDF
4. BID TABULATION DOCUMENT 2026-RFP-09.PDF

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-017 

AN ORDINANCE approving a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement (MOU) by and between the City of Joplin, Missouri, a Municipal Corporation, and Friends of Joplin Memorial Hall, a not-for-profit corporation, for the purpose of renovating Memorial Hall. 

Documents:

1. 2025-017.PDF

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business