Cherokee County Sheriff's Office takes juvenile into custody after threats to Columbus High School

(From the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office)

On March 28, 2026, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office was notified of a threat that was made towards students and staff at Columbus High School. 

Detectives with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office immediately began investigating the threats with assistance from our School Resource Deputy and officials from USD 493. 

During the investigation it was discovered that threats had been made, which resulted in a Juvenile Suspect being taken into custody for Aggravated Criminal Threat. Detectives presented charges to the Cherokee County Attorney's Office, and the Juvenile Suspect was turned over the custody of Juvenile Authorities. There is no evidence of any additional threats at this time, but in an abundance of caution there will be an increased presence of law enforcement in and around local schools. 

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at (620) 429-3992.

All subjects are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

Carthage teen injured in crash near Carterville

A Carthage man was injured in a one-vehicle accident 12:32 a.m. today on County Road 200 one mile east of Carterville.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 19-year-old Carthage man was a traveling at a high rate of speed, went off the roadway on a curve, went airborne and rolled onto another roadway.

The driver was treated for moderate injuries at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin.

 

Highway Patrol Arrests March 28-29

Charles M. Hutcherson, 19, Brighton, felony aggravated fleeing, driving while intoxicated, speeding, failed to signal, failed to yield to emergency vehicle, no headlights, no taillights, no license plate light

Matthew D. Foraker, 33, Branson, driving while intoxicated, speeding, lane violation

Edward E. Clay, 38, Little Rock, Arkansas, driving while intoxicated

Bradley J. Poroj, 19, Carthage, felony aggravated fleeing, driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving involving a crash, failed to stop at stop sign, speeding by 26 miles per hour or more over the limit

Jonathan R. Velasquez Saavedra, 24, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, no valid license, failed to yield to emergency vehicle

Edward G. Ruckman, 22, Mountain Grove, driving while intoxicated, no headlights, no taillights, no license plate light

Sebastian J. Bemis, 72, Spokane, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Korey A. Morrison, 39, Kirbyville, driving while intoxicated, no valid license, lane violation

Josiah D. Applegate, 34, Springfield, driving while intoxicated (drugs)

 

Highway Patrol Arrests March 27-28

Justin C. Weaver, 35, Asbury, Newton County felony warrant for failure to appear on non-support

John R. Giannola, 58, O'Fallon, driving while intoxicated

Melissa D. Ventresca, 50, Forsyth, driving while intoxicated, failed to signal, littering

Julie K. Davis, 55, Pierce City, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, failed to affix front license plate

Toby A. Stanley, 28, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving, no valid license, no seat belt, speeding

Moses J. Garcia, 41, Alamogordo, New Mexico, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, speeding

Carles R. Fisher, 60, Butler, driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a crash 

U. S. Bankruptcy Court Petitions

Barry County

Vernon Efton Hargus and Victoria Lynn Harris

Tammy Jo Tripp

Jasper County

Kyleigh N. Adams

James Earl Mason, Jr., and Julia Lynn Mason

Jessica Fawn Senger

Lawrence County

Donald Gene Lane

Newton County

Dana Neil Wellesley

Anthony Kirk Walker

Dennis Mark Schartz II

Stone County

Barry Lynn Smith and Misty Dawn Smith

Vernon County

Travis Scott Williams and Peggy Sue Williams 

Barton County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

Joanna Morris vs. Lawrence R. Morris

Jaquie L. Bedenbender vs. Devon R. Kindle

 

McDonald County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

John A. Page vs. Tatianna K. Page

Mark A. Schulz vs. Jackline Anyango