Newtonia Battlefields featured on next Newsmakers program

(From KGCS)

Two Civil War Battles in Newtonia, Missouri are bringing historic status to the site which will become part of the National Park Service. This week on Newsmakers, members of the Newtonia Battlefields Protection Association share the history of the site and the Mathew Ritchey mansion. Sen. Roy Blunt played a role in the site gaining historic status and becoming part of the National Park Service.

Marion Liles, Tom Higdon and Eddie McAlister detail the steps the group has taken over more than 20 years to protect the property and push for its preservation. A video story offers history through a tour of the property including a nearby Civil War cemetery.

Newsmakers is airing nightly at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. the week of June 30 on KGCS-TV and will air at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, July 6 on KOAM-TV. It is also posted on the station’s YouTube channel: KGCS - Missouri Southern State University.

KGCS programming can be seen on channel 21 and is also available on regional cable television systems such as Sparklight, Mediacom and Optimum Internet in Carthage. The station operates as a service of the Department of Communications at Missouri Southern State University.

Joplin city offices to close for Independence Day, trash routes to operate as usual

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin offices will be closed for Independence Day on Thursday, July 4. This closing includes the Recycling Center and MAPS Transportation services. All City services will resume their regularly scheduled hours on Friday, July 5.

Please note that Republic Services has notified us that they will be running their regular routes, so residential trash and curbside recycling will not change due to the Independence Day holiday.

 

Public meeting scheduled on U. S. 60 intersection improvements in Newton, Barry counties

(From MoDOT)

Intersection Improvements on Route 60 in Newton & Barry Counties Focus of Public Meeting July 9

The public is invited to participate in an in-person public meeting to learn more about plans to make intersection improvements along U.S. Route 60 in Newton and Barry counties, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The in-person meeting will be held 4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday, July 9 at Lampo Center, 500 E. Spring St., in Neosho.

A virtual (online) meeting also will be available Monday, July 1 through Monday, July 15, and can be accessed at www.modot.org/southwest.

Beginning in the spring of 2025, contractor crews will make intersection improvements at these six (6) locations along Route 60 in Newton and Barry counties:

In Newton County

Turn lanes at Routes Y/CC
Turn lanes at Hammer Road west of I-49
Turn lane at Oak Ridge Drive in Neosho
Roundabout at Newton County Route HH east of Neosho
Turn lanes at Routes M/W east of Granby

In Barry County

Roundabout at Missouri Route 97 in Barry County near Monett Regional Airport in 2026

The estimated cost of the project is $13.8 million.

Those unable to access either the in-person or online public meetings are encouraged to contact MoDOT’s Southwest District Office at 417.895.7600 and accommodations will be made to share the information and gather feedback.

Newton County Sheriff seeking Neosho man on assault warrant

(From the Newton County Sheriff's Office)

Warrant Wednesday!

This individual has an outstanding Newton County felony warrant. We would like the public's help in locating him.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact our dispatch center at 417-451-8333.

You can also submit anonymous tips on our website.
https://www.nc-so.org/tip.html

**Do not attempt to apprehend**

 

Carthage Police Department plans alcohol compliance checks

(From the Carthage Police Department)

In the near future, the Carthage Police Department will be conducting a series of alcohol compliance checks at licensed retailers in the City of Carthage. The purpose of these checks is to assess the level of accessibility of alcohol within our community and prevent the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors, thus creating a safer and healthier environment for our youth.

Underage buyers, working under the supervision of law enforcement, will visit retailers in the near future and attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages. Employees and employers caught selling alcohol to minors will by cited and the case will be referred for appropriate prosecution.

Our hope is that all retailers will refuse to sell alcoholic beverages to all underage buyers. To achieve this goal, The Alliance of Southwest Missouri provided a free server training program for businesses and their employees. 

The program provided information and tools to assist employees in checking identification and ensuring they know the law, their responsibilities, and their rights. Better trained and prepared employees will help ensure that we all achieve our goal of reducing underage drinking and its negative consequences.

Search warrant executions at Pittsburg homes net three arrests, confiscation of meth, fentanyl

(From the Pittsburg Police Department)

On Wednesday morning, June 26, 2024, beginning at approximately 06:45 AM, law enforcement officers with the Pittsburg Police Department, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation executed drug search warrants at 405 W 5th Street, 506 W 4th Street, 2107 Timber Lane, and 512 W 4th Street. 

The search warrants stemmed from an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine and counterfeit fentanyl pills. Upon execution of the search warrants several individuals were detained and evidence was collected.

 
As a result, 26-year-old Lachelle Ranee Ann Hinman, of Parsons, 48-year-old Casey Lee Gibson, and 25-year-old Dmitri Alexander Stamm, of Pittsburg, were arrested and transported to the Crawford County Sheriff’s office for booking.

 
Ms. Hinman was arrested for a misdemeanor failure to appear warrant out of Pittsburg Municipal Court. Ms. Hinman has since bonded out for her warrant posting a $349.00 cash bond.

Ms. Gibson was arrested for felony distribution of methamphetamine (within 1,000 feet of any school property), felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Ms. Gibson is currently being held without bond.

Mr. Stamm was arrested for felony distribution of narcotics (within 1,000 feet of any school property), felony possession of narcotics, felony possession of stolen property (vehicle), and felony possession of drug paraphernalia. Mr. Stamm also had a warrant for his arrest out of Linn County Kansas District Court for probation violation stemming from a 2021 distribution case. Mr. Stamm is currently being held without bond.

While at the jail, Mr. Stamm was found to be in possession of suspected fentanyl pills. Further charges anticipated to be requested from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.

In total, an estimated nearly 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills were located stemming from this investigation.

 
Ms. Hinman, Ms. Gibson, and Mr. Stamm are 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.

Nevada Police Department arrests longtime non-compliant sex offender

(From the Nevada Police Department)

On Monday, June 24, 2024, Nevada Police were called about a suspicious person in the 1000 block of S. Adams St. When speaking with the subject officers believed the individual was giving them false information.

 
Officers begin to investigate throughout the day attempting to follow up on his alleged identity. The investigating officer was able to determine the subject in question was actually a wanted fugitive with multiple warrants from the Kansas City area.

 
On June 25, 2024, Nevada Police were able to locate the subject in question in the 600 block of S. Pine St. A mobile fingerprint scanner was utilized to confirm the subject’s identity and he was taken into custody on the outstanding felony warrants from the Kansas City area.

 
During the arrest, it was also discovered that the individual was a non-compliant sex offender who had not been registered since 2020.

 
The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Vernon County Jail for holding by Nevada Police.

 
The subject has been identified as follows:

Errin A. Green, age 54 of Kansas City, Missouri.

On June 25, 2024, the following charges were filed against Errin A. Green through the Vernon County Associate Court:

One (1) Count of Fail to Register as a Sex Offender – Unclassified Felony

Green is being held in the Vernon County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 cash only bond.

 
Citizens are encouraged to contact the police if they have any information that would be helpful to combat crime.

 
To report criminal activities call 911, contact the Nevada Police Department at (417) 448-5100 or use the Nevada Police Department’s Tip Hotline (417) 667-8477.
Any and all information can be kept confidential if requested.