Highway Patrol Arrests February 27-28

Cayley R. Loy, 21, Springfield, driving while intoxicated, speeding, failed to drive on right half of roadway, no valid plates

Jerome E. Tucker, 23, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Chrystal D. Williams, 41, Miami, Oklahoma, driving while intoxicated, failed to stop at stoplight

Chase A. Farmer, 26, Glen Carbon, Illinois, driving while intoxicated, speeding, lane violation

Erick Saucedo Meza, 28, Monett, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, no valid license

Brandon S. Shirley, 42, Osceola, driving while intoxicated, no valid license, no seat belt

Scotty L. Jackson, 50, Lebanon, driving while intoxicated, speeding, no insurance

Bradley A. Ferguson, 31, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, failed to register motor vehicle

Frank J. Perez, 55, Reeds Spring, driving while intoxicated, no insurance, no seat belt

Paul W. Ross, 60, Bolivar, driving while intoxicated (drugs), displayed plates of another, no insurance, no seat belt

Shay R. Hoagland, 30, Long Lane, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, no seat belt

Robert D. Stone, 66, Stockton, driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving involving a crash

Jacob T. Mitchell, 26, Pittsburg, MO, driving while intoxicated

Spencer L. O'Bryan, 27< Nevada, Vernon County warrant for failure to appear on traffic warrant

McDonald County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

Lauren M. Hardin vs. Aaron M. Hardin

Derek R. Durham vs. Justi D. Durham

Jordan K. Riggs vs. Lauren M. Wyman

Kristy F. McCullough vs. Sean S. McCullough

 

Newton County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

Caleb A. Saddler vs. Shandra A. Saddler 

Tyler D. Andersen vs. Harley D. Andersen

Tina M. Hood vs. David M. Hood

Erin A. Crease vs. Shaun A. Crease

Jasper County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

Yolanda R. Bloemer vs. Patrick S. Cowan 

Sarah N. Black vs. Craig D. Black

Dalton M. Hatton vs. Elizabeth J. Lathrop

Henry B. Steverson vs. Terry L. Steverson

Jessica Link vs. Patrick Link

Vy K. Dao vs. Tran H. Tran

Kathy J. Wagner vs. Christopher Wagner

Douglas W. Stephens vs. Wendi J. Stephens

Tosha M. Nally vs. David K. Nally

Yesenia Rice vs. Joseph A. Rice

U. S. Bankruptcy Court Petitions- Joplin

Barry County

Kasey Dennis Roger Rundall and Bridgett Kay Nicole Rundall

Jasper County

Cassie M. Mathes

Jack Leon Divine and Kimberly Luan Divine

Matthew David Kiplinger

McDonald County

John Michael White and Deborah Lynn White

Newton County

Anthony Christopher Ford and Brittany Nicole Ford

Allen Lee Matthews 

Highway Patrol Arrests February 26-27

Merril R. Lewis, 47, Rogers, Arkansas, two Lawrence County misdemeanor warrants for driving while suspended one for driving while intoxicated

Mohammad A. Raza, 30, Portland, Oregon, Dubuque, Iowa felony warrant for larceny

 

Joplin participating in Statewide Tornado Drill Wednesday

(From the City of Joplin)

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 11 AM , State Emergency Management and the National Weather Service will conduct a Statewide Severe Weather Tornado Drill. This drill is weather permitting, and there will not be a backup date. Joplin/Jasper County, Carthage & Webb City will move their March monthly regional outdoor warning siren test from the second Wednesday to March 4, to coincide with the statewide tornado drill on Wednesday.

Every school, citizen, and business are encouraged to participate in the drill. 

Residents should treat the drill as if it were an actual Tornado Warning. The drill aims to test everyone's readiness for life-threatening severe weather events such as tornadoes, flash floods, and damaging winds. Local officials are encouraged to sound warning sirens to initiate the drill.

The National Weather Service will issue a Routine Weekly Test (RWT) to NOAA Weather Radios to initiate the drill. Outdoor warning sirens will also sound across participating communities in Missouri. The City of Joplin will observe this tornado drill by sounding the warning sirens for a full three minutes, the same duration as an actual warning.

As this drill is part of the 2026 Severe Weather Preparedness Week, observed from March 2 to March 6, David Holden, Emergency Management Director, encourages everyone to be proactive and prepare for weather safety. Preparing today may make the difference in surviving possible storms this spring. He also encourages people to seek appropriate notification systems and reminds the public about the purpose of the warning sirens.

“The sirens warn anyone outdoors to go indoors, if possible, and take shelter,” he said. “People indoors cannot always expect to hear the outdoor warning sirens.”

Holden encourages residents to utilize a NOAA Weather Radio that provides a warning signal when the area is under a watch or a warning. In addition, local news stations also offer weather watch apps for cell phones that residents can download.

“The advantage of having a weather radio is that you hear the alerts directly from the National Weather Service and are kept current of the warning status. The phone apps also provide notifications and current information that is helpful during severe weather.”

For more details about Joplin’s storm sirens and sheltering tips, go to https://www.joplinmo.org/698/Basic-Sheltering-Rules

More information about Severe Weather Preparedness Week can be found online at: www.weather.gov/sgf/SevereWeatherPreparednessWeek

Jasper County Marriage Licenses

 Julius Joseph Woods Ivory, 27, Carthage, and Jade Alexus Carter, 27, Joplin

Joshua Eli Schmitt, 44, Carthage, and Megan Ranea Meredith, 21, Carthage

Dewey Justin Coster, 40, Galena, Kansas, and Rebeka Faith Tasker, 38, Galena, Kansas

Austin James Musche, 26, Carthage, and Taylor Nichole Snyder, 24, Carthage

Salvador Riojas, Jr., 48, Webb City, and Amy Melissa Young, 43, Webb City

Alejandro Pichardo Rubi, 35, Carthage, and Cleo Suwanna Ruiz Cruz, 37, Carthage

Sergio Enrique Leon Paxtor, 34, Carthage, and Yenni Araceli García Huinac, 35, Carthage

Derek Luke Bohannon, 31, Joplin, and Daisy LaShae Anderson, 25, Joplin

Matthew Lee Ballenger, 29, Carthage, and Shelby Lynn Diede, 23, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Jaelyn Nicole Long, 23, Sarcoxie, and Elizabeth Paige Kesler, 23, Sarcoxie

Derick Andrew Newby, 27, Oronogo, and Riley Willa Porter, 28, Webb City

Nicolas Alberto Strother, 37, Joplin, and Chandal Lee De la Rosa, 35, Joplin

Erick Daniel Velasquez Gonzalez, 23, Carthage, and Lindsey Magali Cifuentes Fuentes, 25, Carthage

Skylar Allen Crossland, 33, Joplin, and Allison Nicole Herbig, 25, Joplin

Nils Patrik Persson, 35, Joplin, and Allison Marie Leiser, 30, Joplin

Amos Isaias Lopez Piedrasanta, 47, Carthage, and Briceyda Lorena Guzman Diaz, 42, Carthage

Trevon Lamont Earl Hale, 27, Springfield, and Kelsey Briana Griffith, 26, Joplin

Lane Jackson Farley, 21, Collinsville, Oklahoma, and Emily Marie Akerman, 22, Collinsville, Oklahoma

Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests

02/25/2026 0010 ERIK KYLE CHARON

509 S Wasington

NEOSHO, MO 64850

WM 38

GATEWAY AND SORRELL 31.50

2 NPD FAILED TO REGISTER VEHICLE

3 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - 1ST OFFENSE

4 NPD FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 390.080

5 NPD FAILED TO REGISTER VEHICLE

6 NPD FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 390.080

7 NPD FAILED TO REGISTER VEHICLE

8 NPD FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 390.080

9 NPD FAILED TO REGISTER VEHICLE

1 NPD NUISANCE VIOLATIONS 220.010

02/25/2026 26000363

0011 TERRY LEE WALKER

WM 39

12015 E HIGHWAY 86/HAMMER RD 1,000.00

356 W Cedar St, LPT C

GRANBY, MO 64844

1 `DWI

2 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - FELONY

02/25/2026 0940 HARRY WILLIAM HULL Jr

18418 Hottel Springs Road

MIAMI, OK 74354

WM 36

28 B ST 1,000.00

1 POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

2 TAMPERING WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IN FELONY PROSECUTION

02/25/2026 0945 MIGUEL ANGEL PAZ

2111 Cornerstone Ct

NEOSHO, MO 64850

WM 36

123 E MAIN ST 200.00

2 NCSO FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 390.080

02/25/2026 0945 MIGUEL ANGEL PAZ

2111 Cornerstone Ct

NEOSHO, MO 64850

WM 36

123 E MAIN ST 200.00

3 FAILED TO DRIVE ON RIGHT HALF OF ROADWAY

1 FAIL TO USE TURN SIGNAL 340.210

4 NPD FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 390.080

02/25/2026 2316 SHAUN EUGENE MOORE

23195 E Hwy 86

GRANBY, MO 64844

WM 38

23195 E 86 HWY 164.00

1 NPD FAIL TO REGISTER MOTOR VEHICLE

4 NPD DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED / REVOKED 390.020

5 NPD FAIL TO DISPLAY REGISTRATION PLATE 390.010

2 NPD NO INSURANCE/ FINANCIAL RESP.

6 IMPROPER LANE USE

3 NPD DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED / REVOKED 390.020

02/25/2026 2330 RICARDO ARGAEZ JIMENEZ

12023 Route B

SENECA, MO 64865

WM 41

6512 I 44 EB 2,500.00

1 `DWI 

Sarcoxie man suffers serious injuries crashing into tree

A Sarcoxie man was injured in a one-vehicle accident 8:02 p.m. Wednesday on Lawrence County Road 1022 eight miles east of Sarcoxie.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1997 GMC Sierra driven by an 80-year-old Sarcoxie man traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree and overturned.

The driver was treated for serious injuries at Mercy Joplin.

 

Highway Patrol Arrests February 25-26

Brian D. Spradling, 39, Springfield, driving while intoxicated

Jade N. Rice, 32, Pea Ridge, Arkansas, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Dirie D. Mohamed, 37, Minnetonka, Minnesota, felony possession of a controlled substance- khat

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