Expect lane reductions, delays on I-44 at Prigmor Avenue in Joplin

(From MoDOT)

TRAFFIC ALERT: Expect Lane Reductions, Delays on I-44 at Exit 13 in Joplin May 11-15

Where: I-44 at Prigmor Avenue (Exit 13) in Joplin

When: 9 p.m.-5 a.m., Monday-Friday, May 11-15

What: Contractor crews inspecting retaining walls

Traffic Impacts

East- and westbound I-44 traffic reduced to one lane where crews are working

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching work zones

No signed detours

Drivers urged to find alternate routes

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

Weather and/or construction delays could alter the work schedule.

Highway Patrol Arrests May 2-4

William E. Kupchanko, 55, Rockaway Beach, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia

Henry A. Iriarte Martinez, 24, Springfield, speeding, no valid license

Richard A. Bowers, 59, Springfield, Greene County felony warrant for deceptive business, Cole County misdemeanor warrant for passing a bad check, Springfield Police Department misdemeanor warrant for traffic offense

Daniel R. Lear, 49, Rockaway Beach, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine

Thomas A. James, 52, Marionville, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Robert J. Pippink 80, Marionville, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, failed to yield to emergency vehicle, failed to properly affix plates

Alvarado H. Wilson Blademar, 28, Carterville, driving while intoxicated, no valid license

Karl D. Edwards, 45, St. Louis, felony driving while revoked, speeding, no insurance

Justin R. Boughner, 34, Washburn, driving while intoxicated

Ronnie L. Scott, 19, Joplin, driving while intoxicated (drugs)

Braiden J. Hardy, 20, Marshfield, driving while intoxicated, minor visibly intoxicated, speeding

George W. Wheeler, 21, Lamar, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, speeding

Scout M. Badders, 30, Alesander, Arkansas, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Matthew B. Winton, 33, Springfield, Springfield Police Department misdemeanor warrant for stealing

Antonio G. Davis, 43, Springfield, felony driving while intoxicated, felony no license, failed to drive on right half of roadway, no valid plates

Tyler T. Dawson, 18, Monett, driving while intoxicated

Larry D. White, 61, Springfield, driving while intoxicated

 

Driver's examination stations to close for holidays

(From the Missouri State Highway Patrol)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on the following dates:

Friday, May 8, 2026, in observance of Harry S. Truman’s birthday.

Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Newton County Marriage Licenses

Maxwell Fred, 23, Neosho, and Martina Stephen, 24, Neosho

Emmanuel Abisai Corado, 20, Neosho, and Halee Grace Dodson, 18, Neosho

Logan James Barwick, 21, Joplin, and Faith Felicita Estep, 19, Joplin

Anthony Ryan Adams, 37, Neosho, and Erica Dawn DeBoard, 33, Neosho

Fernando Martin Alday, 43, Joplin, and Christina Elizabeth Chesley, 42, Joplin

Mario Figueroa-Munoz, 27, Neosho, and Katrina Marie Sovine, 23, Neosho

John Gabriel Reed, 52, Anderson, Rebecca Leanne Carter, 35, Goodman

Madison Mae McDonald, 21, Washburn, and Cameron Thomas Scott, 21, Garfield, Arkansas

Shadd Zachary Perry, 35, Miami, Oklahoma, and Patience Chelsie Bell Cruz, 29, Miami, Oklahoma

Lane reductions expected on I-49 in Pineville

(From MoDOT)

Expect Lane Reductions, Delays on I-49 at Exit 5 May 11

Where: North- and southbound I-49 at McDonald County Route H (Exit 5) in Pineville

When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday, May 11

What: Contractor crews inspecting truss signs

Traffic Impacts

Expect periodic lane reductions and possible traffic delays

Watch for crews and equipment working close to traffic

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching work zones

Drivers urged to find alternate routes

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

Weather and/or construction delays could alter the work schedule.

Joplin square dance club host for national Route 66 dance

 (From Joplin Western Twirlers Square Dance Club)

The Western Twirlers Square Dance Club will host a special Route 66-themed dance in Joplin as part of a nationwide series celebrating the highway’s 100th anniversary in conjunction with the 75th National Square Dance Convention.

The event will be held Saturday, June 6, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Joplin Square Dance Center, 1801 W. 2nd St. The evening will feature square dancing, other dance styles, Route 66 trivia with prizes, refreshments, and more. The public is welcome; admission is $7 per person.

“We have a lot of fun activities to introduce the public to square dancing,” said club president Crystle Swager.

The Western Twirlers were invited to participate in the Route 66 “trail-in” dance series due to their location along the historic route and their active social media presence. The iconic “Mother Road” stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through cities including St. Louis, Joplin, and Oklahoma City, as noted in the song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.”

Additional Route 66 dance events are planned in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Winslow, Arizona; and Santa Monica, California, leading up to the national convention in Waco, Texas, June 24–27. For more information about the national convention, see 75nsdctx.com.

The Joplin Route 66 square dance event is registered with the national Route 66 Centennial organization responsible for various year-round events. The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, Public Law 116-256, was passed by the 116th Congress, and signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 23, 2020, according to the organization. See www.Route66centennial.org for more details about centennial events and Route 66 general information.

The kickoff of the national celebration of Route 66 was held in Springfield, Mo., April 30-May 3 and gained national interest as NBC’s “Today” show broadcast live from the Birthplace Plaza in Springfield on April 30. The National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration included a concert hosted by actor John Goodman, a Springfield native.

Founded in 1948, the Western Twirlers—originally the American Legion Promenaders—is the oldest club in the Missouri Federation of Square and Round Dance Clubs. The group has a long history of performances and recognition, including a national television appearance broadcast in New York City in 1954 as well as appearances at the National Square Dance Convention.

Regular dances, led by veteran caller Jay Wright, are held on the first and third Saturdays. Lessons are taught by Wright, who was inducted in the Caller Hall of Fame in 2009.

The Joplin Square Dance Center, on 2nd Street, is located five blocks north of US Highway 66 / US 66/ 7th Street, also known as “Main Street of America.” The building was constructed as a dedicated dance center in the 1980s and is available for rent as an event venue.

Western Twirlers is a member of the Southwest District of Missouri as well as the Northeast Oklahoma Square Dance Association. Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan signed a bill to make square dancing the Official American Folk Dance in Missouri. For more information about square dancing in Missouri, see MissouriSquareDance.com.

For more information, visit Joplin Western Twirlers Square Dance Club on Facebook or contact Swager at 417-540-4743.

Highway Patrol Arrests May 1-2

Candi D. Sherwood, 48, Neosho, driving while intoxicated (drugs), careless and imprudent driving, failed to drive on right half of roadway

 Monica M. White, 32, Springfield, driving while intoxicated (drugs), speeding, lane violation

Corey M. Choates, 23, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, no seat belt

Abigail L. West, 25, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, failed to approach left turn in proper lane

Lucas T. Clark, 20, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, minor visibly intoxicated, minor in possession of alcohol, speeding, failed to register motor vehicle, failed to transfer title, failed to signal

Shawn C. Reed, 39, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding