Highway Patrol Arrests September 29-30

Aaron W. Sipes, 64, Eagle Rock, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway, unlawfully operated utility vehicle while under influence of alcohol

 Jimmy G. Callahan, 70, Warsaw, driving while intoxicated, failed to drive on right half of roadway

Joplin Little Theatre production of Carrie the Musical featured on Newsmakers program

(From KGCS)

A horror novel written in 1974 has messages that resonate still today and soon will be shared on stage at Joplin Little Theatre. Carrie the Musical tells the tale of a bullied student whose special powers allow her to execute revenge on her tormentors. The production plus a discussion of Stephen King’s works, including Carrie the novel, are the focus of the next Newsmakers program.

Director Preston Hamilton shares his experience with the musical and its similarities and differences to the original text. He’s joined by actors Maddison Crocker who plays Carrie and Jennifer Jones who portrays Carrie’s mother to discuss the musical’s themes and their roles. Zak Watson, Professor and Department Chair of Language and Literature examines Stephen King’s writing style and talks about the horror and suspense writing genres.

Newsmakers is airing nightly at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. the week of October 4 on KGCS-TV and will air at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, October 10 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 Suddenlink Communications. The station operates as a service of the Department of Communication at Missouri Southern State University.

Virtual public meeting set on plans to replace Route 160 North Fork Spring River Bridge in Barton County

(From MoDOT)

Route 160/North Fork Spring River Bridge Replacement in Barton Co. Focus of Virtual Public Meeting

The public is invited to a virtual (online) public meeting starting Friday, October 16, to learn more about plans to replace the U.S. Route 160 bridge over the North Fork Spring River in Barton County, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The meeting will be available from Friday, October 16 through Thursday, October 29 and can be accessed at the project webpage here.

The bridge, approximately 2.5 miles north of Golden City, is a single-lane bridge built in 1928 and will be replaced with a new structure that is 117 feet longer and eight feet wider than the current one. In addition, the contractor will add permanent pavement markings, guardrail and rumble strips to the ends of the new bridge.

We are committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. Access for people with disabilities is available. If you need a reasonable accommodation or assistance in another language, please contact Southwest District Customer Service at swcr@modot.mo.gov or 417-895-7600.

Lane closures, traffic shifts planned on Route P in Joplin

(From MoDOT)

MoDOT TRAFFIC ALERT: Lane Closures and Traffic Shifts on Jasper County Route P in Joplin
Beginning Monday, October 5, for Sidewalk Upgrades

Where: Lane Closures and traffic shifts on Jasper County Route P between Perking’s Street and Missouri Route 66 (7th Street) in Joplin

When: Monday, October 5, until Friday, October 30

What: Crews will remove portions of sidewalks and entrances, temporarily replacing them with gravel while new pavement is installed. The project includes sidewalk installation and upgrades, entrance upgrades, curb and gutter, and signal upgrades at various locations to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. This is part of the sidewalk upgrades project on various routes in Stone, Taney, Lawrence, Jasper & Newton Counties, which began in July 2026.

Traffic Impacts

Drivers may encounter flaggers, lane closures, and traffic shifts where crews are working

Driveway concrete replaced in half sections, and temporary gravel driveways will be provided to allow access to the property

Drivers urged to find alternate routes. No signed detours planned.

Signs will alert drivers approaching the work zone

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

Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule.

Project Information

Branco Enterprises, Inc., Springfield, is doing the work for a low bid amount of $1,025,005.09.
The project is to be completed by December 14, 2026.

Newton County Sheriff's Office Arrests

09/28/2026 26001947

0117 WILLIAM CARL BUSBY

WM 58

999 S MAIN ST/ROSE LN 0.00

802 Jackson Ave

JOPLIN, MO 64801

1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT 4TH DEGREE

2 TANEY COUNTY

09/28/2026 2015 SAM L MOREAU Jr

142 N Riley St

GOODMAN, MO 64843

WM 44

21999 GATEWAY DR/MCDONALD RD

1 `DRIVING WHILE REVOKED/SUSPENDED - 2ND OR 3RD OFFENSE 

Greenfield man suffers serious injuries in motorcycle crash

A Greenfield man was injured in a one-vehicle accident 8:40 p.m. today one mile south of Greenfield.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2005 Harley Davidson Electra Glide driven by a 42-year-old Greenfield man traveled off the right side of the road, ejecting the driver, who was treated for serious injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

 

Highway Patrol Arrests September 28-29

Kieler A. Parker, 20, Joplin, Jasper County warrant for invasion of privacy and trespassing

Brady D. Elliott, 21, Baxter Springs, Kansas, driving while intoxicated

Travis L. Stroud, 48, Niangua, Wright County misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on peace disturbance, no valid license, no insurance

Phillip M. Stockton, 38, Everton, driving while intoxicated

Carrie M. Liles, 46, Brighton, felony unlawful possession of a firearm

Samantha R. Bell, 34, Bolivar, Bolivar Police Department warrant for failure to appear on larceny, speeding