Thirty troopers graduate from Highway Patrol Academy

(From Missouri State Highway Patrol)

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 30 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, December 20, 2024. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. at the Patrol Academy’s gymnasium. The 122nd Recruit Class reported to the Academy on July 1, 2024. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on January 6, 2025.

The Honorable Robin Ransom, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey provided the keynote address and Colonel Olson also addressed the class. The Troop F Color Guard presented the colors and the 135th Army Band, Missouri Army National Guard, performed the national anthem. Chaplain Kevin Kappler, US Missions, provided the invocation and benediction.

Four class awards were presented during the graduation ceremony. The recruits accumulated points toward graduation in the categories of physical fitness, firearms, and academics throughout their 25 weeks at the Academy. The person with the highest number of points in each category earned the respective award. The recruit with the highest number of points overall earned the Superintendent’s Award. Trooper Kevin Francom accepted the Physical Fitness Award; Trooper Corbin Dougherty accepted the Firearms Trophy; and Trooper Ryan Brown accepted the Academics Award. Colonel Olson presented the Superintendent’s Award to Trooper Corbin Dougherty.

The names, hometowns, and first assignments of members of the 122nd Recruit Class are listed below:

Troop A
Trooper Louis T. Baggerly (Belton, MO) ─ Zone 7, Jackson County
Trooper Lance J. Estes (Warsaw, MO) ─ Zone 15, Henry County
Trooper Heisser A. Pujols Bido (Independence, MO) ─ Zone 14, Bates County
Trooper Kemp M. Stewart (Joplin, MO) ─ Zone 6, Jackson County
Trooper Reese E. Tayloe (Warrensburg, MO) ─ Zone 12, Johnson County

Troop B
Trooper Austen E. Harrison (Macon, MO) ─ Zone 2, Macon County

Troop C
Trooper Devin J. Bittick (Florissant, MO) ─ Zone 1, N. St. Louis County
Trooper WrayVauze L. Givens (Mexico, MO) ─ Zone 10, Franklin County
Trooper Adam C. Moran (Ste. Genevieve, MO) ─ Zone 13, Jefferson County

Troop D
Trooper Hunter R. Burks (Fordland, MO) ─ Zone 16, Hickory and Dallas Counties
Trooper Kyle R. Goddard (Republic, MO) ─ Zone 4, Stone and Taney Counties
Trooper Forrestt R. Jones (Hollister, MO) ─ Zone 4, Stone and Taney Counties
Trooper Jackson D. Lock (Nixa, MO) ─ Zone 1, Greene County
Trooper Jacob W. Nuttall (Bolivar, MO) ─ Zone 6, Lawrence and Dade Counties

Troop E
Trooper Ryan W. Brown (Doniphan, MO) ─ Zone 1, Butler and Ripley Counties
Trooper Cody A. Naramore (Delta, MO) ─ Zone 6, Mississippi/New Madrid/Scott Counties

Troop F
Trooper Colton R. Cavanaugh (Kansas City, MO) ─ Zone 6, Morgan and Moniteau Counties
Trooper Grant M. Garrett (Camdenton, MO) ─ Zone 11, Camden and Miller Counties
Trooper Dean M. Hagenhoff (Westphalia, MO) ─ Zone 2, Cole and S. Callaway Counties
Trooper Martha A. Minarik (Algonquin, IL) ─ Zone 1, Cole and S. Callaway Counties
Trooper Brittney S. Romano (Patton, MO) ─ Zone 7, Cooper and Howard Counties

Troop G
Trooper Corbin M. Dougherty (Van Buren, MO) ─ Zone 8, Carter and Reynolds Counties
Trooper Johnny D. Healy (West Plains, MO) ─ Zone 6, S. Howell and Oregon Counties
Trooper Dustin B. Howell (Thayer, MO) ─ Zone 7, S. Howell and Oregon Counties
Trooper Michael J. Rudy (Thayer, MO) ─ Zone 8, Carter and Reynolds Counties

Troop H
Trooper Joshua D. Bedingfield (Magnolia, TX) ─ Zone 4, Grundy/Mercer/Livingston Counties

Troop I
Trooper Collin A. Clinton (Rolla, MO) ─ Zone 2, Phelps and Maries Counties
Trooper Kevin L. Francom (Sandy, UT) ─ Zone 4, Pulaski and Maries Counties
Trooper Austin L. Gillispie (Bolivar, MO) ─ Zone 1, Phelps and Maries Counties
Trooper Canaan L. Park (Seymour, MO) ─ Zone 6, Pulaski and Maries Counties

Joplin native joins Highway Patrol, assigned to Troop A

(From Highway Patrol Troop A)

Captain Steven V. Wilhoit, commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit, is pleased to announce the assignment of five new troopers within Troop A. The new troopers were members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s 122nd Recruit Class, which graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on December 20, 2024. The new troopers will report for duty in their respective assignments on January 6, 2025.

Trooper Louis T. Baggerly, a native of Belton, MO, has been assigned to Zone 7, which serves the citizens of Jackson County. Trooper Baggerly graduated from Belton High School in Belton, MO, in 2018. Prior to his appointment to the Patrol, Trooper Baggerly attended the College of the Ozarks in Branson, MO, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2022. Trooper Baggerly is married.

Trooper Lance J. Estes, a native of Warsaw, MO, has been assigned to Zone 15, which serves the citizens of Henry County. Trooper Estes graduated from Warsaw High School in Warsaw, MO, in 2012. Prior to becoming a member of the 122nd Recruit Class, Trooper Estes served as a Commercial Vehicle Officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Trooper Estes is married and has four children.

Trooper Heisser A. Pujols Bido, a native of Independence, MO, has been assigned to Zone 14, which serves the citizens of Bates County. Trooper Pujols Bido graduated from Van Horn High School in Independence, MO, in 2017. Prior to his appointment to the Patrol, Trooper Pujols Bido joined the United States Army in 2017, where he continues to serve as a reservist. Trooper Pujols Bido is married.

Trooper Kemp M. Stewart, a native of Joplin, MO, has been assigned to Zone 6, which serves the citizens of Jackson County. Trooper Stewart graduated from Lee’s Summit North High School in Lee’s Summit, MO, in 2019. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Stewart was employed as a manager at a grocery store.

Trooper Reese E. Tayloe, a native of Warrensburg, MO, has been assigned to Zone 12, which serves the citizens of Johnson County. Trooper Tayloe graduated from Warrensburg High School in Warrensburg, MO, in 2021. Prior to his appointment to the Patrol, Trooper Tayloe joined the United States Army in 2021, where he continues to serve as a reservist.

Barton County Marriage Licenses

Scot Ashley Baker, 58, Lamar, and Michelle Yvonne Johanson, 55, Lamar 

Bradden Andrew Smith, 23, Lamar, and Clara Ann Lindsay, 23, Lamar 

Rylan Michael Wooldridge, 22, Lamar, and Phajjia Nicole Gordon, 19, Lamar

 

City of Joplin schedules public meetings to discuss transportation program

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin will relaunch its transit services utilizing the Sunshine Lamp Trolley program in early February 2025. As preparations begin, the City of Joplin will host two Public Meetings on Thursday, January 9, 2025, to discuss the program.

The first meeting will be from 11:30 to 1 p.m., and the second meeting will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

 

Both meetings will take place in the City Council Chambers on the fifth floor of City Hall, 602 South Main Street. The same information will be posted in an Open House format for citizens to view and provide feedback.

Public transit riders and the general public are encouraged to comment at either meeting. To schedule a ride to attend the 11:30 to 1 p.m. meeting, please contact the MAPS office at 417-626-8607.

If unable to attend a public meeting, please contact Gina Thompson, Public Transportation Coordinator, at 417-624-0820, ext. 1800, or email Gthompso@joplinmo.org to leave a comment.

Highway Patrol Arrests December 18-19

Janice D. Henry, 62, Bentonville, Arkansas, felony driving while intoxicated, driving while revoked, lane violation, no insurance

Tamara D. Maggard, 67, Kissee Mills, driving while intoxicated

Brandie L. Duvall, 46, Joplin, felony driving while intoxicated- causing serious physical injury, failure to yield

 

Newsmakers program highlights efforts of Shine Joplin

(From KGCS)

“Knowing what is wrong with a person, tells you little about what is right with them.” Heather Wimsett, founder of Shine Joplin, shares a quote that has inspired her efforts to create opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Wimsett gives details of how Shine Joplin started and its mission to ensure these adults find purpose in life. Shine Joplin is a Christian based day program which includes fitness, bible study and skills building through the production of craft items.

Lynae Sanchez, the craft project designer talks about the various creations available and the impact the work has on members and their families. Sam Dutton, a Shine Joplin member discusses his duties and what the Shine Joplin program means to him.

Newsmakers is airing nightly at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. the week of December 22 on KGCS-TV and will air at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, December 28 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 Communication at Missouri Southern State University.

Three arrested, meth, weapons, stolen items seized following search of Neosho home

(From the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team)

On 12/19/24 Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, Newton County SWAT Newton County K-9 and Joplin Police Investigators served a Search Warrant at 11097 Poppy Drive in Neosho. 

Detectives seized approximately 4 ounces of suspected Methamphetamines, 12 Guns and ammo, 2 Bullet Proof Vests, 1 stolen lawn mower, 1 stolen generator and a stolen Car Hauler. 

Two Adult males and 1 Adult female are being charged with Drug Trafficking, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Receiving Stolen Property. The Charges are currently pending with the Newton County Prosecutor's Office and all 3 suspects are currently in Newton County Jail. 

This case is ongoing and more arrests could be pending.