Joplin spring cleaning event scheduled

(From the City of Joplin)

Have you heard? We’ve got visitors coming, time to clean up!

Everyone in the community is invited to help Joplin make a great first impression. How do we do this?

Come join us in a group spring-cleaning effort as we gather to pick up trash and keep our city clean, welcoming, and ready to host visitors celebrating the World Cup and the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 this year.

The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Joplin are partnering and asking area businesses, non-profits, faith communities, and more to gather groups to help with this cleaning and beautification effort on May 1. We’ll meet at City Hall at 9:30 a.m. Groups will be dispersed to various locations to begin cleanup at 10 a.m. Groups will work until noon.

In addition to the group efforts, the City encourages everyone to clean up and beautify their own properties in the coming weeks to help our community look its best for the anticipated increase of tourists and visitors stopping through the Joplin area over the summer.

Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094FA4A92BA3FA7-63461006-joplin#/

Volunteers are encouraged to invite their coworkers, employees, friends, or family members to join this community-wide effort to enhance the places we live, work, and gather.

If unable to participate at a designated location, we encourage you to organize your own clean-up near your home, workplace, or favorite spot. Even 10 to 5 minutes can make a visible difference.

For questions or more information, please contact the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce at 417-624-4150.

Pavement sealing work planned for Route M in Dade County

(From MoDOT)

TRAFFIC ALERT: Pavement Sealing Work Planned on Route M in Dade Co. April 23

When: 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday, April 23

Where: Route M from U.S. Route 160 in Everton south to Dade County Route WW

What: MoDOT crews sealing these routes with a mixture of rock and oil

Traffic Impacts

Both lanes of Route M CLOSED in sections where crews are working

Drivers will encounter flaggers and pilot cars directing them through the work zone. Drivers should wait for the pilot vehicle before proceeding through the work zone or before entering the work zone from a side road.

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone

No signed detours, drivers urged to find alternate routes

Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

A seal coat is not an alternative to an asphalt overlay, but is planned for this road as an economical way to maintain and preserve the roadway. The treatments keep a road from deteriorating and will extend its life.

Newton County Sheriff: New twist added to jury duty scam

(From the Newton County Sheriff's Office)

Scammers are still pretending to be the police, calling to say you’ve missed jury duty and need to pay. 

But in a new twist, some scammers are now telling you to visit a website to enter your personal information — all so they can steal it and your money.

More information here: https://consumer.ftc.gov/.../scammers-are-using-fake...

Neosho Police Department Weekly Report

 

Pittsburg woman charged with child endangerment, juvenile arrested on felony charges

(From the Pittsburg Police Department)

On Wednesday morning, April 15, 2026, at approximately 08:40 AM, law enforcement officers with the Pittsburg Police Department served a search warrant at a residence located in the 600 block of N Chestnut Street, in Pittsburg. The search warrant stemmed from an investigation into the possession of weapons and controlled substances. The police department’s Special Response Team was utilized to make initial entry into the residence.

During the execution of the search warrant, multiple adults were detained as well as several juveniles, one of which was a currently entered as a runaway. The runaway juvenile was currently in state's custody and was turned over to TFI Family Services.

At the conclusion of the search of the residence one adult and one juvenile was placed under arrest. 38-year-old Nikki K. Davis, of Pittsburg was placed under arrest for Felony aggravated endangering of a child and two counts of felony contributing to a child’s misconduct. A 17-year-old juvenile was taken into custody for felony criminal use of weapons and felony criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Ms. Davis was transported to the jail located at the Crawford County Sheriff’s office for booking. Juvenile Intake responded and processed the juvenile suspect. The juvenile suspect was transported to the Southeast KS Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Girard.

Ms. Davis and the juvenile are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other crimes, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700, or at our automated tip line, (620) 231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests

04/14/2026 0041 ERIN MICHELLE EDMISTEN

635 Park St

NEOSHO, MO 64850

WF 23

4249 GREENWOOD DR/ALPACA RD 5,000.00

1 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - FELONY

04/14/2026 0404 KIMBERLY LEANNE

HICKMAN

10951 Moose Dr

NEWTON COUNTY, MO 64850

WF 39

I 44 RAMP/HIGHWAY 43 164.00

1 NPD- FAIL TO REGISTER MOTOR VEHICLE 390.090

2 JASPER CO- FAIL TO REGISTER MOTOR VEHICLE 390.090

3 NPD FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 390.080

04/14/2026 0404 MAKAYLA JADE BOWLES

1635 W Katella St

SPRINGFIELD, MO 65807

WF 24

I 44 RAMP/HIGHWAY 43 100.00

1 JASPER CO-SHOPLIFTING 215.1200

04/14/2026 1000 SHERRY S VANKIRK

2509 Sumac Road

GROVE, OK 74344

WF 65

1300 SW14 20,000.00

1 STEALING - ALL OTHER PROPERTY UNDER 570.030.5 (3)

2 FORGERY

04/14/2026 1540 TAYLOR DEAN ANDERSON

707 100th Lane

LAMAR, MO 67694

WM 48

4020 4020 E. HUNTER ST 500.00

1 NEWTON CO FTA - `DWI

04/14/2026 1258 MITCHELLE DIANA

ETHRIDGE

11100 Iris Rd

NEOSHO, MO 64850

WF 42

GATEWAY DR/HOLLY RD 193.50

1 SPD FTA - SPD NO INSURANCE/ FINANCIAL RESP. 390.140

2 NPD FTA - NO INSURANCE/ FINANCIAL RESP.

3 NPD FTA - FAIL TO REGISTER MOTOR VEHICLE

04/14/2026 26000703

2233 NACODA RYAN DUNCAN

WM 31

19999 KODIAK RD/HIGHWAY AA 0.00

557 Olympia Rd

GOODMAN, MO 64843

1 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - FELONY 

Highway Patrol Arrests April 13-15

Eric A. Cheek, 25, Rogersville, Rogersville Police Department warrants for failure to appear on driving while suspended, speeding and expired license plates

Jesse Garcia, 45, Hammond, Indiana, driving while intoxicated, failed to register motor vehicle, no insurance

Michael S. Ashely, 29, Nixa, driving while intoxicated, failed to register motor vehicle, failed to title

Mitchelle D. Ethridge, 42, Neosho, two Neosho Police Department misdemeanor warrants for failure to appear on traffic offenses, Seneca Police Department misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on traffic offense

Tamara O. Deal-Gerber, 54, Springfield, Newton County felony warrant for failure to appear on passing a bad check, Newton County misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on passing a bad check

Jordan L. McCartney, 38, Kimberling City, driving while intoxicated

Qingyuan Yu, 57, Rancho Cucamonga, California, no license

Phillip J. Doner, 21, Buffalo, Greene County warrant for failure to appear on careless and imprudent driving, no seat belt

Megan D. Hansen, 37, Blue Eye, driving while intoxicated, speeding, careless and imprudent driving