Highway Patrol Arrests July 11-13

Phillip R. Neill, 36, Springfield, felony driving while intoxicated, felony no valid license

Joseph P. Sullivan, 37, Merriam Woods, possession of drug paraphernalia

Aliyah K. Hale, 19, Branson, driving while intoxicated, minor visibly intoxicated, no headlights

Kelvin M. Salas, 30, Monett, felony driving while intoxicated, driving while revoked, no insurance, no license plate lamp

Stephen D. Bennett, 39, Fair Grove, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Anthony M. Blucker, 31, Pevely, Jefferson County felony warrants for possession of a controlled substance (two counts) and unlawful use of a weapon, Jefferson County misdemeanor warrant for violation of a public park ordinance

Angel A. Pena, 38, Tacoma, Washington, driving while intoxicated, speeding, failed to maintain financial responsibility

Matthew B. Riche, 42, Gravette, Arkansas, felony warrant for fugitive out of state, driving while intoxicated, speeding, no seat belt

Kylle E. Smith, 29, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Derrick D. Price, 41, Branson, felony failure to register as a sex offender (two counts) 

Jasper County Marriage Licenses

Davis Neel West, 21, Webb City, and Chloe Fleming Seme, 21, Webb City

Logan Levi Burkey, 28, Joplin, and Madison Camyle Keeling, 27, Eminence

Tyler James Myers, 33, Joplin, and Karley Danielle Barnett, 33, Carl Junction

Daniel Donald Boettcher, 66 Appleton, Wisconsin, and Tina Ann Spierings, 56, Jasper

Devon Wayne Chorost-Bruno, 26, Purcell, Oklahoma, and Sophia Rozlyn Butler, 20, Purcell, Oklahoma

Joseph William Smith, Jr., 40, Carthage, and Sonya Ann Lawson, 39, Webb City

Robert Earl Wise, 51, Carl Junction, and Regina Denise Hammons, 54, Carl Junction

Michael William Waddell, 39, Joplin, and Camdon Lynn Wilkins, 38, Joplin

Jacob Ross Bennett, 34, Joplin, and Kanice Michelle Brown, 25, Joplin

Loegan Draye Hill, 28,  Joplin, and Leslie Jo Clark, 29, Joplin

Jeffrey Keith Zachry, 21, Springdale, Arkansas, and Cloey Marie Blank, 22, Joplin

Jakob Bailey Friend, 23, Carthage, and Crissy Martell Franklin, 25, Carthage

Danny Lewis Brown, 70, Joplin, and Mary Jane McKinley, 68, Joplin

Jordan Patrick Blount, 27, West Des Moines, Iowa, and Caydin Dawn Barnard, 23, Carl Junction

Samuel Alan Smith, 40, Webb City, and Kelsey Joann Bittick, 33, Webb City

Jonah Leighton Spieker, 20, Webb City, and Thea Claire Brown, 21, Joplin

Logan Ryan Inscore, 23, Russellville, Arkansas, and Emily Jo Bridges, 23, Russellville, Arkansas

Lance Matthew Smith, 23, Carl Junction, and Tessa Faye Berry, 22, Topeka, Kansas 

City of Joplin continues storm clean up effort

(From the City of Joplin)

As crews move through the community to conduct a sweeping tree limb and foliage cleanup effort, the City of Joplin continues to pair residents in need of assistance with storm cleanup volunteers and organizations.

It has been one month since the storm that brought severe straight-line winds through the region. Earlier this week, City and contracted crews began moving through Joplin neighborhoods to collect foliage, limbs, and tree pieces. This effort is expected to last several weeks. 

Residents have been guided to put tree limbs and foliage debris at their curbside, as City crews will not enter yards or alleys to collect this vegetation. But some Joplin residents are still in need of help when it comes to collecting foliage from their property and moving it to the curbside.

Thomas Walters manages the City of Joplin’s programs that connect residents in need with organizations and individuals interested in providing their assistance. Since June 14, he has received nearly 40 requests from property owners for assistance with storm cleanup. Walters connected many of those individuals to churches and volunteer organizations but says several remain on the list. 

Because the cleanup effort by the City and its contractor will only pass through neighborhoods once, Walters said some individuals would benefit from having volunteers with a trailer (as the foliage could need to be taken to the City’s tree limb disposal site at 1701 N. Schifferdecker).

“Some people get help from their churches or neighbors, but that isn’t the case for everyone,” Walters said. “When people don’t know who to call, they call the City. We have connected people with places that are good about repeatedly providing help, but those organizations can’t always answer every call. There is a need for more volunteers and organizations to assist.”

Applications being accepted for Joplin Citizens Police Academy

(From the Joplin Police Department)

Citizens interested in learning more about what it takes to serve as a police officer have an opportunity to learn firsthand through the Joplin Police Department’s upcoming 2026 Citizens Police Academy.

The 14-week program, which has been offered by the City for more than 20 years, begins this year on July 30. It will be held each Thursday evening from 6-9 p.m. at the Joplin Police Department, located at 303 E. 3rd.

This hands-on, interactive program gives civilians a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of working in law enforcement. 

Participants are exposed to topics and scenarios ranging from crime scene investigations, narcotics investigations, vehicle stops, SWAT operations and equipment, use of force concepts, building clearing, DWI enforcement, an introduction to the K9 unit, and more. The class location varies depending on each week’s topic.

The Citizens Policy Academy will finish with a closing ceremony and dinner on Oct. 29.

The academy is limited to 25 participants. Applicants must be 21 years or older and must pass a background check. 

Participation in the Citizens Police Academy is free. To apply for this year’s class, go to https://www.joplinmo.org/484/Citizen-Police-Academy. Paper applications can also be picked up at the front desk of the Joplin Police Department. The deadline to apply is July 29.

For more information, contact Officer Lacey Baxter at lbaxter@joplinmo.org or 417-623-3131 ext. 1632.

MoDOT schedules public meetings on 171/249, Joplin West Corridor Study

(From MoDOT)

Route 171/249 & Joplin West Corridor Study Public Meetings July 21 & 23

Those interested in a planning study for the Missouri Routes 171/249 corridor and the Joplin West Corridor are invited to attend one of two public meetings on Tuesday, July 21 or Thursday, July 23, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The meetings will be held at these times and locations:5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, Carthage Water & Electric Plant Community Room, 627 W. Centennial Avenue, Carthage Mo., 64836
5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Thursday, July 23, Joplin Public Library Community Room, 1901 E. 20th Street, Joplin Mo., 64804

The meetings are open-house style with no formal presentations. People interested in the study may come and go at any time during the advertised time frame for the meetings.

Beginning July 14, a virtual (online) public meeting also can be accessed to learn about the study, ask questions and leave comments at this website: http://www.modot.org/projects/route-171-249-joplin-west-corridor-study.

The content and displays will be identical for both the in-person and virtual (online) public meetings, so those interested in the study need only attend one of the meetings available and should choose the version and location most convenient for them.

Comments on this study may be mailed in, e-mailed or submitted online through the project website until Thursday, August 13.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate how these two corridors can support the long-term transportation needs and economic development potential of the area. At this time, no funding has been identified or allocated for upgrades or construction along either of these two corridors.

Limits of the Study

Existing Missouri Routes 171/249 corridor in Jasper County from the I-44/I-49 interchange in Joplin to the I-49/Route 171/Route 96/Route 571 interchange in Carthage

New Joplin West Corridor in Newton and Jasper counties from I-44 near the Missouri/Oklahoma state line to near the Route 171/Route 96/Route YY intersection north of Carl Junction

The study focuses on these areas:

Safety conditions
Roadway operations
Projected traffic
Local and regional connectivity
Economic impact

For those unable to access the online meeting, contact MoDOT’s Southwest District Office at 417.895.7600, and accommodation will be made to share the information.

Newton County Marriage Licenses

Taylor Nicole Dugan, 29, Joplin, and Jonathan Shaune Nicholson, Falkirk

Jimmie Joe Boyd, 46, Fairview, and Cinthia Lizeth Arellano Casillas, 41, Fairview

Keaton Alexander Hembree, 23, Neosho, and Morgan Rianna Reece, 23, Neosho

Albert Joseph Schultz, 44, Sherwood, Arkansas, and Christa Lee Newman, 42, Stark City

Ethan Gage McLaughlin, 23, Wyandotte, Oklahoma, and Jasmine Alece King, 23, Seneca

Kaden John Glover, 23, Joplin, and Allie Payton Danner, 21, Joplin

Jessica Corinne Dalton, 35, Neosho, and Joshua Lee Carr, 44, Neosho

Derek Allen Cichy, 36, Neosho, and Kristina Gayle Acosta, 33, Neosho

Lauren Oswalt Baber, 41, Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Tacuma Sekou Williams, 52, Bentonville, Arkansas

 

Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests

07/09/2026 1320 JUSTIN GENE SCOTT

302 S Pearl Ave

JOPLIN, MO 64804

WM 50

JUSTICE CENTER 0.00

1 CONTEMPT OF COURT

07/09/2026 1405 MAX O`NEAL DIOPULOS

PANGELINAN

1414 E 5th St

JOPLIN, MO 64804

WM 24

208 W COLER ST 0.00

1 NPD TRESPASS 215.370

2 JOPLIN PD DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED- ALCOHOL

3 JOPLIN PD DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT

4 JOPLIN PD DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT

07/09/2026 1830 SAGE WESLEY NORTHERN

18347 Aspen Rd

NEWTON COUNTY, MO 64840

WM 24

8483 HIGHWAY 59/HIGHWAY MM 0.00

1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT - 3RD DEGREE

2 BARRY CO..FTA OPERATE MOTOR VEHICLE WITHOUT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY