City of Joplin cancels tornado drill

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(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin will not be holding a Tornado Drill on Wednesday, March 4, as previously announced, due to storms forecast for Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service, Springfield, Mo., issued the following cancellation statement regarding the drill: Due to the potential for thunderstorms on Wednesday, NWS Springfield, which covers far southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri, will not be participating in the annual tornado drill. Please note that other areas of the state may continue with the drill however the NWS Springfield area of responsibility (far southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri) will not be participating.

City officials remind the public that the normal testing of outdoor weather sirens is 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. The City will conduct a test at that time next week on March 11, weather permitting.

As this drill was 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 through local news media, weather apps on their phones, and a NOAA Weather Radio.

A NOAA Weather Radio provides a warning signal when the area is under a watch or a warning. Local news stations also offer weather information and 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.”

Route 43/North Fork Spring River Bridge to close

(From MoDOT)

Route 43/North Fork Spring River Bridge CLOSED Beginning Week of March 9 for Rehab Project

Drivers should look for alternate routes when Missouri Route 43 at the North Fork Spring River bridge north of Joplin CLOSES beginning the week of March 9 for a rehabilitation project, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Contractor crews will remove the bridge deck/driving surface and replace it with a new surface.

In addition to the new bridge deck, the contractor will paint the bridge girders, and add permanent pavement markings and object markers at either end of the bridge.

The bridge will remain closed for up to 160 days to complete the work.

The current structure was built in 1971 and is experiencing increasing deterioration. Approximately 3,200 vehicles cross the bridge daily.

Traffic impacts

All lanes of Missouri Route 43 will be CLOSED beginning the week of March 9 for the duration of the project

Drivers will have access to entrances at either end of the bridge, but will not be able to drive through the work zone

Drivers will be directed along a signed detour using Route 43, Missouri Route 96 and Missouri Route 171 and Jasper County Route M

Drivers are urged to find alternate routes around the project

Signs and message boards will alert drivers to the bridge closing

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

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule

Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests

02/27/2026 26000381

0245 ROBERT THOMAS ERMAN

WM 25

13814 GAZELLE DR 0.00

3802 S Wisconsin Ave, 4

DENNIS ACRES, MO 64804

1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT 4TH DEGREE

02/27/2026 0500 JOHN SHIH-MING INGALLS

3802 Virginia Ave

JOPLIN, MO 64804

WM 56

4700 W DOWNSTREAM

BLVD/GREENWOOD DR

0.00

2 FTA JOPLIN NO INSURANCE

5 FTA JOPLIN EXPIRED PLATES

6 FTA JOPLIN DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT

7 FTA JOPLIN DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED/REVOKED

8 FTA JOPLIN DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED/REVOKED

3 FTA JOPLIN DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT 380.140

4 FTA JOPLIN DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT 380.140

1 SPD DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED / REVOKED 390.010

02/27/2026 0946 KEVIN WADE BROWNING

1811 Todd Street

SULPHUR, LA 70663

WM 47

303 E. 3RD ST 25,000.00

1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT - 2ND DEGREE

02/27/2026 0254 PAUL DANIEL RANDOLPH

13814 Gazelle Dr

NEOSHO, MO 64850

WM 33

13814 GAZELLE DR 0.00

1 CALLAWAY CO SO FULTON-OBSCENITY

02/27/2026 26000389

2201 CURTIS JAMES WOODBRIDGE

WM 41

402 N WASHINGTON ST/RUBY RD 0.00

24706 State Highway 171

WEBB CITY, MO 64870

1 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - FELONY

02/28/2026 1345 GINA RAE HOYE

8610 Eloise Dr

NEWTON COUNTY, MO 64804

WF 59

1668 LANDIS RD 10,000.00

1

1 BURGLARY - 2ND DEGREE

1

2 TRESPASSING 1ST DEGREE

02/28/2026 1352 BRIAN SCOTT HARRIS

8464 Holly Rd

NEWTON COUNTY, MO 64850

WM 51

1668 LANDIS RD 10,000.00

1 BURGLARY - 2ND DEGREE

02/28/2026 2341 SKYLER MARSHELL

MCGARRAH

12331 Farm Road 1010

EXETER, MO 65647

WM 25

20769 GATEWAY DR/KUDU RD 184.00

1 NPD DISOBEY STOP LIGHT 315.060

2 PINEVILLE PD SPEEDING

03/01/2026 1243 DAVID WOODSEN JR

CAMPBELL

2724 Grand Ave

JOPLIN, MO 64804

WM 55

SPURGEON ROAD 0.00

1 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - 1ST OFFENSE 

Highway Patrol Arrests February 28-March 2

Salvador Anaya, 37, Neosho, Jasper County warrant for failure to appear on no license, Joplin Police Department warrants for failure to appear on no valid license, no insurance and failure to yield, no seat belt

Jonro Saylors, 40, Harrison, Arkansas, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine, felony possession of a controlled substance- fentanyl, driving while intoxicated

Abel G. Gomez, 48, Monett, felony driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, driving while suspended or revoked

Elizabeth R. Norman, 24, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, no valid plates, speeding, lane violation

Alex W. Miller, 25, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive in right lane

Ralph J. Burdette, 18, Stockton, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Victor L. Reed, 19, Monett, driving while intoxicated, speeding, displaying or possessing a fictitious driver's license

Zachary S. Crossland, 30, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, lane violation

Jonathan A. Hammersmith, 32, Branson, driving while intoxicated, lane violation

Lowell Thomas, 45, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident, no valid plates, slo insurance, no license

Harry L. Neal, 39, Anderson, driving while intoxicated, lane violation, no valid license, window tint

Aaliyah K. Vasquez, 22, Republic, driving while intoxicated, lane violation

:Patrick R. Boyd, 25, Verona, driving while intoxicated, lane violation, failed to properly affix license plates

Christopher M. Harris, 61, Joplin, driving while intoxicated, failed to stop at steady red signal

Michael G. Stock, 38, Wheatland, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, no valid plates

Robert G. Deardorff, 58, Archie, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right side of roadway causing an accident

Jonathon E. Johnston, 30, Anderson driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving, no insurance, no seat belt 

Agenda posted for Joplin Parks and Recreation Board meeting

 

Regional students to gather at MSSU for annual History Day

(From Missouri Southern State College)

Nearly 200 middle and high school students from 15 regional schools will gather at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) on March 6 to compete in the annual History Day competition.

History Day challenges students to conduct extensive historical research and present their findings in one of five categories: papers, exhibits, websites, documentaries, or performances. Students may compete individually or in groups of up to five. Each project must align with this year’s theme, “Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in History.”

Exhibits will be on display beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Connor Ballroom of the Billingsly Student Center. Performances will begin at 9 a.m. in Corley Auditorium in Webster Hall, and documentaries will be screened starting at 9 a.m. in classrooms on the second floor of Webster Hall. Each student or group will also participate in a brief interview with a pair of judges as part of the evaluation process.

The exhibits, screenings, performances and interviews are open to the public, though attendees may not interact with students or judges during the evaluation process.

Winners will be announced during a closing ceremony scheduled for approximately 3:30 p.m. in Corley Auditorium in Webster Hall. The ceremony is open to the public.

MSSU students represent university at Governor's Student Leadership Forum

(From Missouri Southern State University)

Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) students Noah DeClue, Sandesh Khanal, and Luke Wood were one of 60 collegiate students nominated to represent Missouri Southern at the 39th Annual Missouri Governor’s Student Leadership Forum (MOGSLF). 

The Forum took place February 12–14, 2026, and provided students from across the state with an incredible opportunity to learn from influential leaders in various fields. Hosted at the Missouri State Capital, the event featured a dynamic lineup of speakers, including Governor Mike Kehoe, state legislators, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders, who shared their experiences, wisdom, and insights with the next generation of leaders.

The weekend also offered ample networking opportunities, where students engaged in meaningful conversations with the speakers and one another, exchanging ideas and forming connections that may serve them throughout their personal and professional journeys.

The 2026 Missouri Governor’s Student Leadership Forum equipped students with the tools, resources, and motivation to become the next generation of leaders in Missouri and beyond. As students left the forum, they were empowered to take what they had learned and apply it to their communities, schools, and personal lives.

The event began in 1988 under the leadership of former Missouri Governor and 79th U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

For more information about the Missouri Governor’s Student Leadership Forum and upcoming events, visit www.missourigslf.com, call 573-691-7572 or e-mail jaclyn@mogslf.org