Inside Joplin features news and commentary about Joplin, Missouri, and the surrounding area, including Webb City, Carl Junction, Carthage, Sarcoxie, Neosho, Granby, Seneca, Diamond, Lamar, Golden City, Liberal, Anderson, and Pineville, with information about Jasper, Newton, Barton, and McDonald counties.
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests
Highway Patrol Arrests July 7-8
Centennial Avenue from Garrison to Grand in Carthage to be closed
An expected closure is scheduled for Centennial Avenue from Garrison to Grand Avenue in the coming days.
Please plan accordingly and use alternate routes as needed. We appreciate your understanding.
Water to be shut off on portion of Oak Street in Webb City Wednesday
(From the Webb City Police Department)
PLANNED WATER SHUTOFFThe Water Crew will be replacing a fire hydrant.
Jasper County Marriage Licenses
South St. Louis Avenue from 7th to 6th to be closed
(From the City of Joplin)Starting Wednesday, July 9, South St. Louis Avenue, from 7th Street to 6th Street, will be closed for utility work as Spire Gas installs infrastructure in this area.
Drivers will need to use an alternate route in this area. Neighborhood traffic will still be able to access residences.
The City appreciates your patience as this improvement is completed.
Monday, July 7, 2025
Carthage Fire Department promotes Eli Maples to deputy chief
(From the Carthage Fire Department)The department is pleased to announce the promotion of Eli Maples to Deputy Chief – Fire Marshal. Deputy Chief Maples joined the Carthage Fire Department in 2004 and has served in numerous roles including Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Training Officer, and Fire Marshal.
With over 20 years of fire service experience, Maples brings a strong focus on public safety, fire prevention, education, and community risk reduction. His promotion to Deputy Chief recognizes both his technical expertise and his leadership within the fire department and community.
Newton County Sheriff's Office Weekend Arrests
Highway Patrol Arrests July 6-7
Missouri State Highway Patrol reports eight fatalities over holiday weekend
Traffic Statistics
Crashes -- 246
Injuries -- 115
Fatalities -- 8
DWI -- 114
Boating Statistics
Crashes -- 9
Injuries -- 4
Fatalities -- 0
Drowning -- 0
BWI -- 13
[During the 2024 counting period, 14 people were killed and 560 were injured in Missouri over the holiday in 1,366 traffic crashes. Last year during the counting period, troopers arrested 149 people for driving while intoxicated. In 2024, there were 10 boating crashes, which included seven injuries and no fatalities. No one drowned during last year's July Fourth holiday. Troopers made 12 boating while intoxicated arrests over last year’s July Fourth holiday weekend.]
2025 July Fourth Holiday Boating Statistics
Troopers worked nine boating crashes, which included four injuries and zero fatalities. Troopers made 13 boating while intoxicated arrests. No one drowned during the counting period.
2025 July Fourth Holiday Traffic Statistics
Troopers worked 246 traffic crashes, which included 115 injuries and eight fatalities. Troopers also made 114 DWI arrests.
Fatality Traffic Crashes
One traffic fatality occurred in the Troop D, Springfield area, Troop H, St. Joseph area and Troop I, Rolla area. Two fatalities occurred in the Troop B, Macon area. Three fatalities occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring area.
No traffic fatalities were reported on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
One person died Friday, July 4, 2025. A 62-year-old man from Bonne Terre, MO, died after being ejected from the motorcycle he was driving. The crash occurred after the man had passed a vehicle as they were entering a curve. The motorcycle was traveling too fast for the conditions and the rider failed to negotiate a curve. The motorcycle traveled off the right side of the road and the driver was ejected. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Ruggeri of Mercy Hospital. He was not wearing a helmet. The crash occurred on westbound Missouri Route Y, west of Snowdell Road, in St. Francois County. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office.
Seven people died on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Two people died when the vehicle they were driving traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck and tree, and began to burn. The driver and passenger were pronounced at the scene by Putnam County Coroner Fleshman. The crash occurred on eastbound Highway 136, 5 miles east of Lucerne, in Putnam County. This crash is still under investigation.
A 53-year-old man from St. Louis, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the road and struck a street sign. The vehicle returned to the road and traveled off the left side of the road. The right side of the vehicle struck the ground; the vehicle overturned and struck a utility pole. The vehicle came to rest off the left side of the road. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by Christian Hospital EMS. The man was not wearing a seatbelt. The crash occurred on northbound Natural Bridge Road, at Brown Road, in St. Louis County.
A 68-year-old man died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the roadway and overturned. The man was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead by Dr. Keith Butvilas at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, MO. The crash occurred on East 430th Road one-half mile west of Bolivar.
A 32-year-old man died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner G. Armstrong. The man was wearing a seatbelt. The crash occurred on Cedar Falls Road, at Flat River Bridge, in St. Francois County. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office.
A 27-year-old female died when the northbound vehicle she was riding in began to hydroplane. The vehicle began to rotate and crossed the center of the road. The rear of the vehicle was struck by a southbound vehicle. The female was pronounced dead by Dr. Riggings at Mercy Hospital in Lebanon, MO. The female was not wearing a seatbelt. The male driver of the northbound vehicle sustained serious injuries in the crash; he was wearing a seatbelt.
A 71-year-old female died when she walked into the path of an eastbound vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Harrison County Coroner Andre Remmer. The crash occurred on eastbound U.S. 136, west of I-35, in Bethany, MO. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Bethany Police Department.
No traffic fatalities were reported on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatalities after this news release was sent out, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than a traffic/boating/drowning incident.
Joplin Police taking applications for Citizens Academy
(From the Joplin Police Department)The Joplin Police Department is proud to announce the upcoming session of the Citizens Police Academy. The Citizens Police Academy is an exciting 14 week program hosted by the police department. This program is offered to people in our area who want to learn more about the Joplin Police Department.
Pavement sealing work planned in Jasper, Barton, Lawrence, Barry counties
(From MoDOT)
Pavement Sealing Work Planned for Various Routes in Five Counties Starting Week of July 14
Here’s a look at the locations where contractor crews will be working:
Stone County
Route K – From Route M south to Route A near Hurley
Route UU – From Missouri Route 86 east to end of state maintenance northeast of Blue Eye
Barry County
Route B – From Missouri Route 97 east to a point just west of Missouri Route 37 near Purdy
Lawrence County
Route M – From Missouri Route 96 south to Missouri Route 174 east of Mt. Vernon
Missouri Route 97 – From a point approximately two (2) miles south of County Road 2210 near Pierce City south to a point just north of Route B in Barry County
Jasper County
Route YY – From Missouri/Kansas state line east to Missouri Route 96 near Carl Junction
Route JJ – From Route Z south to Route P near Carl Junction
Barton County
Route K – From Northwest 40th Road east to Missouri Route 43 near Liberal
S. Route 160 – From Missouri/Kansas state line east to Route M near Mindenmines
Route T – From U.S. Route 160 south to Missouri Route 126 east of Lamar
Route A – From Route C south to U.S. Route 160 north east of Lamar
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 to the work zone.
A seal coat is not an alternative to an asphalt overlay, but is planned for these roads as an economical way to maintain and preserve the roadway. The treatments keep a road from deteriorating and will extend its life.
Project information
Contractor: Blevins Asphalt Construction Co., Mt. Vernon
Total cost: $1.9 million
Completion date: September 1, 2025
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Joplin woman killed, nine injured in Laclede County crash
Pittsburg man arrested following apartment explosion, standoff
(From the Pittsburg Police Department)On Friday morning, July 4, 2025, at approximately 05:00 AM, law enforcement officers with the Pittsburg Police Department were dispatched to the 100 block of west Cleveland Street in reference to a report of an explosion in the area. Officers responded and located an apartment complex which had received damage from an apparent explosion to the exterior of the property. Decking, an apartment door and a few apartment windows were damaged. There were no injuries reported.
Officers responded to another residence in the 800 block of east Ford Street to follow up with the alleged suspect. Contact was made with the suspect, who was identified as 55-year-old Donovan Davis, of Pittsburg.
Mr. Davis was taken to the police department and questioned in relation to the incident, and investigators applied for a warrant to search Mr. Davis’ apartment for evidence relating to the explosion on west Cleveland Street.
Mr. Davis was placed under arrest and transported to the jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office booking. Mr. Davis was arrested for felony criminal use of weapons, felony aggravated arson, felony aggravated assault, felony interference with law enforcement, felony criminal damage, and for a misdemeanor traffic warrant from the Crawford County District Court. Mr. Davis is currently being held without bond.
Mr. Davis is 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.
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Golden City man flown to Mercy Joplin following ATV-car collision
According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2021 Polaris Sportsman ATV driven by a 61-year-old Golden City man failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox driven by 42-year-old Lamar woman.
Highway Patrol Arrests July 4-5
McDonald County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
Newton County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
Jasper County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
U. S. Bankruptcy Court Petitions- Joplin
Friday, July 4, 2025
Highway Patrol Arrests July 3-4
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests
Highway Patrol Arrests July 2-3
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests
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