Friday, March 14, 2025

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Good Morning, Joplin. It’s mischief night. If your toilet paper supply seems lower than usual, you might be living with a Halloween troublemaker. 🧻 

On a serious note, stay safe tonight!

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• SNAP and WIC funding assistance

• MOmentum Bike Park Grand Opening

• Ewert Park groundbreaking

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who loves scary movies.

SPONSORED BY ARVEST BANK

Considering refinancing? Here’s why you should shop around.

🍎 Local Agencies Respond to SNAP and WIC Funding Concerns

With the federal government shutdown delaying funding, Missouri’s Department of Social Services has announced it will not receive the money needed to issue SNAP benefits in November—and WIC and senior meal programs may also face disruptions.

The Alliance of Southwest Missouri, One Joplin, and United Way of Southwest Missouri & Southeast Kansas are coordinating local efforts to support families who may be affected. Nearly 48,000 residents in the region rely on food assistance each month, and advocates are urging the community to come together to help fill the gap.

How to help:

• 🥫 Donate food, gift cards, or funds to local food pantries

• 💪 Volunteer your time to help distribute food or host a drive

• 🏢 Employers: check in with staff who may be impacted and share local resources

• 📞 Need help? Call 211 or visit One Joplin’s or United Way’s online resource pages for assistance

🚲 MOmentum Bike Park Grand Opening Set for November 24

The wait is almost over — MOmentum Bike Park officially opens to the public Monday, November 24, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:30 PM at 601 Adventure Lane, Joplin. Riders of all ages are invited to bring their bikes and be among the first to explore this one-of-a-kind facility.

Spanning 132,000 square feet of bike park elements and 10 miles of mountain bike trails, MOmentum will be the largest municipal facility of its kind in Missouri. The 95-acre park was designed to welcome everyone from beginners to experienced riders.

During the event, officials will also reveal plans for a major national bike festival set for 2026, expected to draw riders and visitors from across the country.

The $9.9 million project was funded through the Parks & Stormwater Sales Tax, Hotel/Motel Tax, and a $1.5 million state tourism grant. Construction was led by Crossland Construction, with specialty work by American Ramp Company and design by SWT Design.

Learn more at joplinmo.org/MOmentum.

💦 A Bright Future for Ewert Park

City officials, East Town residents, and Joplin Chamber members gathered this week to celebrate the groundbreaking of the long-awaited Ewert Park renovation project—a $9.9 million investment set to transform one of Joplin’s most historic community parks.

Originally opened in 1925, Ewert Park has long been the heart of East Town. The new plans aim to honor that legacy while adding state-of-the-art amenities for modern use. Highlights include:

• 🌊 A new splash park, the largest in the region, with enhanced landscaping and bathhouse improvements

• ⛸️ A 12-foot-wide ice ribbon that winds around the splash park for winter skating

• 🏀 Covered basketball and multiuse courts, replacing the former tennis courts

• 🎤 A multi-functional amphitheater and stage for performances and community events

• 🏛️ Historical kiosks and interpretive signage showcasing Ewert Park’s cultural significance

• 💡 Upgraded security lighting and camera systems for safer, year-round use

Funded through the Parks & Stormwater Sales Tax and Use Tax revenues, the project is expected to be completed by late 2026.

To stay informed or sign up for project updates, visit EwertSplashPark.com.

🏛️ Public Meeting: Proposed Historic District in Downtown Joplin

Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 4:00–6:00 PM | Joplin Avenue Coffee Company

The Downtown Joplin Alliance and Post Art Library invite the public to learn about the proposed National Register historic district in Downtown Joplin. Representatives from the Lochmueller Group will present details about the project’s scope, timeline, and what property owners can expect during the architectural survey.

This project, funded through a Historic Preservation Fund matching grant from the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office, aims to document and preserve Joplin’s architectural heritage. Matching funds come from DJA’s Endangered Properties Program and private donations.

For more information, contact Lori Haun (Downtown Joplin Alliance) at [email protected] or Jill Halbach (Post Art Library) at [email protected].

⚖️ Mike Roberts Enters Race for Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney

Attorney Mike Roberts (R) has announced his candidacy for Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney, entering the August 2026 Republican primary. In his announcement, Roberts said he plans to strengthen communication between law enforcement, victims, and the courts, ensuring cases are handled “with fairness and integrity.”

Roberts brings over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and law, including 17 years with the Joplin Police Department and seven years as an Assistant Jasper County Prosecutor. For the past two decades, he’s run a private law practice focusing on criminal defense, traffic, and DWI cases.

Incumbent Prosecutor Theresa Kenny, who has held the office since 2017, also announced plans to seek re-election.

Friday: 🌡️ 37 | 61 ⛅️ 

Saturday: 🌡️ 38 | 53 ⛅️ 

Sunday: 🌡️ 33 | 57 ☀️ 

Upcoming:

🏈 Football (3-5)
Saturday 11/1 at Pittsburg State University | 2:00 PM

🏐 Women’s Volleyball (8-14)
Friday 10/31 at HOME vs University of Arkansas Fort Smith | 6:00 PM
Saturday 11/1 at HOME vs University of Central Oklahoma | 3:00 PM

⚽️ Women’s Soccer (2-10-3)
Sunday 10/31 at University of Central Missouri | 6:00 PM

HOME OF THE WEEK
by THE ESSENTIAL REAL ESTATE

Weekend Events

🛍️ Joplin Expo Holiday Market: Get ready for two days of festive fun and shopping inside the 40,000 sq. ft. Joplin Expo Center! Explore boutique vendors, enjoy live music, food, and drinks, and don’t miss face painting, Santa, and plenty of holiday cheer. It’s the perfect way to kick off the season and find unique gifts! Open Saturday, Nov. 1 (9 AM–7 PM) and Sunday, Nov. 2 (11 AM–5 PM)

🎨 2025 JRAC Studio Tour: Step inside the creative world of local artists during the Joplin Regional Artists Coalition’s Studio Tour! Visit working studios across the area to see artists in action, learn about their techniques, and discover one-of-a-kind works for sale. Start at any location and grab a map or signature card at participating studios. A perfect weekend for art lovers to explore, connect, and support regional talent! Tours run Saturday, Nov. 1 (10 AM–3 PM) and Sunday, Nov. 2 (1–4 PM)

🎭 This Is Halloween: The Midwest Regional Ballet brings a spooky twist to the stage with This Is Halloween at Pittsburg’s Memorial Auditorium! Enjoy a family-friendly ballet packed with eerie charm, creative costumes, and Halloween magic. Tickets range from $8–$20. Don’t miss the costume contest and free treats for kids on Halloween night! Performances run Oct. 31 at 7:00 PM, Nov. 1 at 7:00 PM, and Nov. 2 at 2:00 PM.

Saturday

🎁 8th Annual Handmade Holiday Market: Discover the magic of handcrafted artistry at Neosho’s annual outdoor Handmade Holiday Market! Shop locally made goods from talented artisans featuring woodworking, pottery, textiles, glasswork, and more. Enjoy delicious food, warm drinks, and a festive atmosphere while meeting the makers behind the creations.

👻 Webb City Library Haunted History Tour: Step into the shadows at the Webb City Public Library for a night of haunted tales and ghostly encounters! Explore the library’s eerie history and join a full paranormal investigation led by Paranormal Science Lab and Dark Ozarks. Tickets are $40 per person, and proceeds benefit the library. Walking and stairs are involved—wear comfy shoes and prepare for an unforgettable night of mystery!

Monday

💅 Girls Night Out at New Dimensions: Grab your friends for a fun evening of beauty, bites, and bling at New Dimensions School of Hair Design! Enjoy a charm bar, permanent jewelry, hair tinsel, and a dirty soda bar, plus plenty of good food and vibes. Guests can also take a tour of the school during the event.

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