Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests

02/24/2026 1040 DWAYNE LEVAIR

CRAWFORD

1401 E 33rd Street, 8

JOPLIN, OK 68404

BM 26

2998 E 32ND ST/S RANGE LINE RD 0.00

1 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - 1ST OFFENSE

02/24/2026 1354 ANDREW BARRY PAIGE

15223 Grand Summit, 105

GRANDVIEW, MO 64030

BM 35

27745 W. 159TH ST 5,000.00

1 FORGERY

2 IDENTITY THEFT OR ATTEMPT

02/24/2026 1423 ANITA ROSE THOMAS

210 Lohman Ave, 104

MIAMI, OK 74350

WF 35

208 W COLER ST 500.00

1 VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION ADULT-1ST OFFENSE

02/24/2026 2306 DARNELL BENJAMIN DARRA

417 S Cliffside Dr Apt 3

NOEL, MO 64854

AM 28

208 W COLER ST 250.00

1 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - 2ND OR 3RD OFFENSE

2 `EXCEEDED POSTED SPEED LIMIT (11-15 MPH)

02/24/2026 2306 JOHNNY JOSH

JOHNSON-EVERETT

7230 Region Lane

KNOXVILLE, TN 37914

WM 22

208 W COLER ST 0.00

2 TAMPERING WITH MOTOR VEHICLE - 1ST DEGREE

1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT - 3RD DEGREE

1

3 DWI - PRIOR

Highway Patrol Arrests February 23-25

 Joseph L. Larson, 35, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended, speeding

Isaiah P. Speer, 24, Fordland, driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving, no insurance leaving the scene of a crash

Christopher D. Smith, 35, LaRussell, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of the roadway

William M. Armstrong, 35, Grove, Oklahoma, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, no valid license

Jose F. Martinez Barroso, 28, Rogers, Arkansas, driving while intoxicated, no headlights, failed to drive on right half of roadway, failed to signal

Elvis M. Alonzo Perez, 24, San Marcos, Guatemala, speeding, no valid license

Work begins next week on improvements to Zora Street between Duquesne Road and 249

(From the City of Joplin)

On Tuesday, March 3, work will begin on improvements to Zora Street between Duquesne Road/Hall Street and MO Highway 249. During the first phase of this project, Zora Street between Duquesne Road and MO-249 will be fully closed to through traffic.

MO-249 truck traffic accessing the Joplin/Webb City Industrial Park will be detoured via Newman Road to Duquesne Road/Hall Street, or via Hwy 171 to Madison Street. Traffic not accessing the industrial park will be detoured via Newman Road and continue to Range Line Road. 

Local access to homes and businesses along Zora Street will be maintained throughout this project.

Closures and traffic patterns will change as the project progresses. Please watch for future updates. The project is anticipated to be completed this fall.

The City appreciates the public’s patience and understanding as this intersection is made safer and more efficient for traffic flow in this area. This $2.8 million project is funded by the Capital Improvement Sales Tax, which was approved by voters in 2014. The contractor is Emery Sapp and Sons, Inc.

For more information, contact Rob Beachner, Capital Improvement Project Manager, 417-624-0820, ext. 1543.

Joplin Health Department to hold parent-teen driving workshop

 (From the Joplin Health Department)

The Joplin Health Department invites parents and teens to attend a free Parent-Teen Missouri Graduated Driver License (GDL) Presentation from 1:30 to 3 p.m Saturday, February 28 at the Joplin Public Library, 1901 East 20th Street.

This interactive program is designed for parents and teens ages 15–18 who are just starting the driving journey. The presentation will cover:

An overview of Missouri’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) program
Tips for navigating the learning-to-drive stage
Tools for building safe driving habits and confidence on the road

“Learning to drive is a major milestone for teens — and it can be a stressful one for parents,” said Suzan Morang, Joplin Health Department. “This session helps families understand the GDL process, set clear expectations, and keep everyone safe.”

The event is free and open to the public. Parents are encouraged to bring their teens along to participate.

Registration is strongly encouraged. Sign up online at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EA5A92CA3FDC16-61393717-keeping#/

If you have questions, contact Suzan Morang at the Joplin Health Department at 417-623-6122, ext. 1286.

Willcoxon Innovation in Health Sciences Summit topic of next Newsmakers

(From KGCS)

Medical marvels have emerged throughout history and modern technology is helping shape the future of healthcare. Wearable technology and the “Evolution of Care Through Innovation” will be topics of speakers at this year’s Willcoxon Innovation in Health Sciences Summit. The summit is the focus of the next Newsmakers program.

The event features expert presentations, interactive breakout sessions, and a keynote address by Dr. Mary Joy Garcia-Dia, Program Director of Nursing Informatics at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Summit coordinator Melinda Brown details the summit presentations which will also feature a panel of local medical professionals discussing rural health care. Dr. Crystal Lemmons will present about the new Blunt Health Sciences Innovation Center and student Mai Dorgham, a Willcoxon scholar, explains her research which will be presented at the event. 

Newsmakers is airing nightly at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. beginning March 1 on KGCS-TV and will air at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7 on KOAM-TV. It is also posted on the station’s YouTube channel: KGCS – Missouri Southern State University.

KGCS-TV programming can be seen on channel 21 and is also available on regional cable television systems such as Sparklight, Mediacom and Optimum Internet. The station operates as a service of the Department of Communication at Missouri Southern State University.

Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests

02/23/2026 26000350

0220 MATTHEW JAMES RAIMER

WM 40

6512 I44 EASTBOUND 1,500.00

75 Twin Creek Trl

BUFFALO, MO 65622

1 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - FELONY

02/23/2026 0858 CHRISTOPHER TODD DRUM

13847 Hackett Dr

NEWTON COUNTY, MO 64850

WM 28

13847 HACKETT DR 250.00

1 `OWNER OPERATE MV WITHOUT MAINTAINING FIN. RESPONS.-1ST OFF

02/23/2026 1100 ADAN REVELES

709 W Scott

MONETT, MO 65708

WM 29

123 E MAIN ST 0.00

1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT - 1ST DEGREE

02/23/2026 1645 JOSEPH MICHAEL LOUI

FULCHER-HEFNER

220 W High St

AURORA, MO 65605

WM 27

208 W COLER ST 500.00

1 C&I - INVOLVING ACCIDENT 

Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests

02/20/2026 1001 TAYLOR JAMES DANNER

13567 Elm Road

CARTHAGE, MO 64836

WM 29

405 E. 5TH ST 7,500.00

1 STATUTORY SODOMY - 2ND DEGREE

02/20/2026 26000333

0949 JENNIE M BOYD

WF 44

3927 APRICOT DR/BRIAROAKS LN 0.00 05/07/2026

307 E Oak St

EVERTON, MO 65646

1 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - FELONY

02/20/2026 1359 NATHAN ALLEN DOBBS

306 S Jefferson St

NEOSHO, MO 64850

WM 40

303 E. 3RD ST 1,000.00

1 FTA-FORGERY

02/20/2026 1230 STEPHANIE RENAE

ANDERSON

9391 Falcon Rd

NEOSHO, MO 64850

WF 44

208 WESTN COLER ST 250.00

1 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - 1ST OFFENSE

02/20/2026 26000336

1138 CHRISTOPHER A MCWHIRT

WM 40

4800 S RANGE LINE RD 3,500.00

3112 Sw Wentworth Ave

BENTONVILLE, AR 72713

1 UNLAWFUL USE OF WEAPON - SUBSECTION 4 - EXHIBITING

2 ARMED CRIMINAL ACTION

02/20/2026 26000339

2009 MISTY MARIE COOPER

WF 31

17033 BEECH RD 1,500.00

17033 Beech Rd

DIAMOND, MO 64840

1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT - 4TH DEGREE - 1ST OR 2ND OFFENSE

02/20/2026 26000340

2139 MICHAEL GENE WRIGHT Jr

WM 34

1499 WASHINGTON AVE/ST

0.00

1916 W 14th St

LOUISE ST

JOPLIN, MO 64801

02/20/2026 26000340

2139 MICHAEL GENE WRIGHT Jr

WM 34

1499 WASHINGTON AVE/ST

0.00

1916 W 14th St

LOUISE ST

JOPLIN, MO 64801

1 `DWI

02/21/2026 26000341

0030 RYAN EMILIO PAXTOR

WM 25

13500 JASMINE DR/KINGFISHER

0.00

624 Walnut Dr

DR

NEOSHO, MO 64850

1 `DWI

02/21/2026 26000342

0453 KERRY JO THURSTON

WF 62

4249 GREENWOOD DR/ALPACA RD 1,500.00

502 S Redbud Ave

STRAFFORD, MO 65757

1

1 POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

02/21/2026 1601 RICKY DUANE BALLENGER

1451 Pineville Rd, B4A11

NEOSHO, MO 64850

WM 31

6299 GATEWAY DR/HUNTER LN 531.50

1 FTA-ASSAULT - DOMESTIC NON INJURY 215.060

02/21/2026 2600346

1934 AUSTIN HENRY WATERS

WM 33

6485 GATEWAY DR 1,000.00

2016 Hampshire Ter, 50

JOPLIN, MO 64804

1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT - 4TH DEGREE - 1ST OR 2ND OFFENSE

2 TRESPASSING 1ST DEGREE

02/21/2026 26000346

1934 MADISON PAIGE NICHOL WATERS

WF 30

6485 GATEWAY DR 0.00

2016 Hampshire Ter Apt 50

JOPLIN, MO 64804

1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT - 4TH DEGREE - 1ST OR 2ND OFFENSE

1

2 TRESPASSING 1ST DEGREE

02/22/2026 0111 NIKKAYLA RACHELL

WILLIAMS

415 N High St

NEOSHO, MO 64850

WF 32

4817 MAPLE DR 2,000.00

1 MCDONALD CO-OBSTRUCT POLICE

02/22/2026 26000347

0106 5753 I 44 EB 0.00

TURKI MOHAMMED M ALUTAIBI

UM 29

209 Hardy Street

DUENWEG, MO 64841

1 `DWI

02/22/2026 26000348

0704 RICHARD EDWARD BEILHARZ

WM 68

15245 EUREKA LN 0.00

15245 Eureka Lane

NEOSHO, MO 64850

1 ASSAULT- 4TH DEGREE - PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (1), (5)

2 ASSAULT- 4TH DEGREE - PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (6)

3 ASSAULT- 4TH DEGREE - PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (6)

4 DAMAGE TO JAIL/JAIL PROPERTY

02/22/2026 1000 DARIK WAYNE WHITEHILL

10164 Olathe Ln

NEWTON COUNTY, MO 64844

WM 33

10164 OLATHE LN 500.00

1 JPD FTA STEALING

02/22/2026 1930 WYATT SHAWN GARRISON

7358 Gateway Dr

NEWTON COUNTY, MO 64850

WM 28

7352 GATEWAY DR 192.00

1 `EXCEEDED POSTED SPEED LIMIT (16-19 MPH)

02/22/2026 1936 WYATT SHAWN GARRISON

7358 Gateway Dr

NEWTON COUNTY, MO 64850

WM 28

7358 GATEWAY DR 0.00

1 OUTSIDE COUNTY WARRANT

02/22/2026 26000349

1612 SHELBY RENEE WELTER

WF 30

13600- 40 QUINCE RD 0.00

13600 Quince Rd, 7

NEWTON COUNTY, MO 64850

1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT - 4TH DEGREE - 1ST OR 2ND OFFENSE