Inside Joplin

Monday, January 5, 2026

Highway Patrol reports five fatalities over holiday period

(From Missouri State Highway Patrol)

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the New Year’s holiday:

Five people died and 87 were injured in 187 traffic crashes during the 2026 New Year’s holiday counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, January 4, 2026. There were 0 boating crashes and 0 drownings over the 2026 New Year’s holiday counting period.

2026 New Year’s Holiday Traffic Statistics

Troopers investigated the following:

Traffic Crashes — 187
Traffic Crash Injuries — 87
Traffic Crash Fatalities — 5
DWI — 112

During the 2024-2025 New Year's holiday counting period one person was killed and 118 injured in 264 traffic crashes in Missouri.

Further details related to the traffic crashes and arrests can be found on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website.

The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release is sent to the media.

NOTE: The New Year's holiday counting period varies from 1.25 to 4.25 days in length each year, depending on which day of the week the holiday is on.

Spring session of MSSU Choral Society begins next week

The spring session of the well-known area-wide mixed community chorus, the MSSU Choral Society, begins Monday, January 12, 7 pm to 9 pm. in room 208 of the Music Building at MSSU. Enter through Door 17 off the parking lot behind the building.

There are no auditions, and all singers are welcome. Prior experience in a choir is helpful, but not required. The class fee is $30 and covers a semester of choral singing and the holiday performance. Interested singers may attend the first few weeks free.

The choir will prepare for its spring concert with a selection of engaging and fun-to-sing music.

Melissa Belk returns as conductor of the chorus.

For further information, contact Wally Bloss at WBloss@GMail.com or 417-386-3996.

Newton County Marriage Licenses

Addison Emberly Joffrion, 23, Neosho, and William Chase Welch, 24, Neosho

Jimmy Martin Martinez Fletes, 48, Neosho, and Cony Isabel Vega Ruiz, 49, Neosho

Ricardo Tamez, 32, Granby, and Stefany Campos, 32, Granby

Barton County Marriage License

Keygan Michael Bruner, 29, Liberal, and Mariah Gail Poe, 26,
Liberal

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Highway Patrol Arrests January 2-3

Craig S. Moore, 53, Raymore, felony driving while revoked, driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident, failed to drive on right half of roadway resulting in an accident

Trevor A. Long, 20, Seymour, driving while intoxicated, no seat belt, careless and imprudent driving resulting in a crash

Kenneth G. Scrivens, 54, Granby, felony driving while intoxicated (drugs)

Mason K. Driscoll, 21, Mount Vernon, driving while intoxicated

Gannon A. Baugh, 19, Carthage, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Alvaro G. Juarez, 43, Brookline, driving while intoxicated, drove wrong way on divided highway, careless and imprudent driving, no valid license, failure to affix plate

Karter H. O'Dell, 21, Marshfield, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right side of roadway

Gregory D. Gimlin, 69, Joplin, felony drug trafficking- methamphetamine, Jasper County felony warrant for delivery of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to affix license plates, failed to stop at stop sign, no seat belt, no valid license

Terrill K. Hano, 55, Jane, driving while intoxicated, failed to maintain single lane, failure to register motor vehicle

Douglas M. McLallan, 23, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, speeding

Osiel I. Malagon, 24, Ozark, driving while intoxicated, following too closely

Christopher G. Batross, 46, Springfield, felony driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway