☕️ Goats in the Garden

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Good Morning, Joplin. Quick note before we dive in—JOMO Jive has grown a lot over the past year (over 4,000 readers), and we’ve been putting in more time to make it better, more useful, and a more consistent resource for the community.

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Now, enough of that…

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Joplin Outlaws Cancel Season

• Free Community Pet Vaccine Clinic

• JACC Board of Directors Nominees

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who eats a daily bowl of pistachios.

🐐 Empire Market’s 8th Birthday Bash + Goats in the Garden

Saturday, April 25 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Joplin Empire Market

Cake, goats, live music, and a whole lot of local love—Empire Market is turning 8! Celebrate with a fun-filled spring day featuring Goats in the Garden, a birthday card signing, and sweet treats from Handmade for You. Yes… there will be goats. And yes… Tortellini the Tortoise is making an appearance too.

🛍️ Shop all three market halls with fresh produce, meats, artisan goods & more
🎶 Live music from Dr. G (morning) & The Forget Me Nots (afternoon)
☕ Coffee, ready-to-eat food, photo booth & new merch drops

🎟️ Free to attend — bring the whole family!

SPONSORED BY GAMBINO’S PIZZA

When dinner needs to be easy and a crowd-pleaser, Gambino's Pizza has you covered. From piping hot specialty pizzas loaded with toppings to their classic crispy crust and fan-favorite pasta dishes, this is the kind of local spot that just hits every time. Feeding the family? Covered. Game night? Handled. Don’t forget the wings, cheesy breadsticks, and desserts to round it out.

Skip the stress and go with a sure thing tonight—order online or swing by and grab your favorites fresh out of the oven.

⚾ Joplin Outlaws Cancel 2026 Season Amid Stadium Dispute

The Joplin Outlaws will not take the field in 2026 after announcing the cancellation of their upcoming season, citing an ongoing dispute over access to Joe Becker Stadium. According to team owner Ken Clark, issues with the stadium lease escalated in recent months, ultimately preventing the team from securing a home field in time for the summer season. The Mid-America League acknowledged the situation, noting disappointment in how it unfolded and deferring further comment to team ownership.

Clark has stated the organization plans to pursue legal action, maintaining that the team did not violate its lease agreement. Despite the setback, Outlaws management has worked to place players with other teams across the league, with many already finding new opportunities. The team, which won back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025, hopes to return in 2027—but relocation remains a possibility as the situation continues to develop.

🎓 MSSU Student Research Symposium Showcases Innovation

Wednesday, April 22 | 12:30–1:30 PM | Billingsly Student Center Ballroom

Curious what local students are working on behind the scenes? The Student Research Symposium at Missouri Southern State University offers a front-row look at research, creativity, and innovation across a wide range of disciplines. This free, public event invites the community to explore student-led projects through poster presentations covering everything from business and technology to health sciences and the humanities.

Open to all, the symposium highlights work completed through classes, internships, and independent study, with students competing for awards across seven categories. Stop by to meet the presenters, ask questions, and see how the next generation of thinkers is tackling real-world ideas—right here in Joplin.

🐾 Free Community Pet Vaccine Clinic

Thursday, April 23 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Joplin Salvation Army

Keeping your pets healthy just got easier. The Joplin Humane Society is hosting a free walk-up vaccine clinic at the The Salvation Army, offering essential rabies and distemper vaccinations for up to 200 pets—no appointment needed. This initiative aims to make preventative care more accessible for local families while helping protect the broader community.

Thanks to partners like Petco Love, the clinic continues to expand its reach and impact. As an added bonus, the first 50 pets will receive free microchips (limit one per family), courtesy of MuttNation Foundation, with additional microchips available for $20 (cash only). If your pet needs updated vaccines, this is a simple, no-cost way to get it done.

🌎 Earth Day Sustainability Conference

Friday, April 24 | 9:00 AM–12:45 PM | Billingsly Student Center Ballroom

Celebrate Earth Day with a morning of ideas, education, and community collaboration at the Earth Day Sustainability Conference hosted by Missouri Southern State University. Open to all ages, this campus-and-community event brings together local organizations, environmental leaders, and educators to explore sustainability topics that impact the Four-States region and beyond.

The event features expert speakers, interactive booths, and a bonus session covering everything from e-waste and water quality to plastic pollution and sustainable living practices. Attendees can also connect with local groups like Wildcat Glades, the Joplin Recycling Center, and H2Ozarks, plus learn about regional initiatives shaping the future of environmental responsibility. Whether you’re passionate about conservation or just curious how to live a little greener, this is a solid place to start.

🏢 Chamber Announces Board of Directors Nominees

Election Cycle: April 2026–March 2029

The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce has released its official slate of nominees for upcoming Board of Directors terms. Nominated for new three-year terms are Tami Marlay (First American Title), Kara Coleman (EaglePicher), and Luke Gibson (Glenn-Gibson Group).

Also approved for second three-year terms are Ben McNelly (Full Bore Studios) and John Hunter (Gusano’s). Additional candidates may still be added through a petition process requiring signatures from at least 20 Chamber member representatives, with a submission deadline of 4:00 PM on May 4. If no additional nominations are submitted, the current slate will be declared elected.

🏠 JHAP-3 Applications Close After Overwhelming Demand

The City of Joplin has officially closed applications for the Joplin Homebuyer Assistance Program (JHAP-3) after receiving an unprecedented number of submissions. City officials say the volume of applications is expected to fully exhaust the program’s available funding, prompting the immediate halt.

Applicants who have already received a Household Eligibility notice will continue through the process on a first-come, first-served basis, though funding is not guaranteed until a property is approved. Those who applied but have not yet been approved will now be placed on a waitlist in case additional funding becomes available. City leaders acknowledged the strong demand and emphasized their commitment to assisting as many approved households as possible while keeping residents updated on any future opportunities.

Tuesday: 🌡️ 52 | 74 💨 

Wednesday: 🌡️ 55 | 72 ☁️ 

Thursday: 🌡️ 62 | 75 🌧️ 55%

Recap:

⚾️ Baseball (29-13)
Friday 4/17 at HOME vs Missouri Western State University | W 6-3
Saturday 4/18 at HOME vs Missouri Western State University | W 6-4
Sunday 4/19 at HOME vs Missouri Western State University | W 12-11

🥎 Softball (39-7)
Friday 4/17 at HOME vs University of Central Missouri | L 7-5, W 4-3
Saturday 4/18 at HOME vs Rogers State Univeristy (Senior Day) | W 2-0, W 4-2

👟 Men’s & Women’s Track & Field
Sunday 4/19 at Pittsburg State University | Recap

Upcoming:

⚾️ Baseball (29-13)
Tuesday 4/21 at Pittsburg State University | 3:00 PM
Friday 4/24 at Saginaw Valley State University | 12:00 PM
Saturday 4/25 at Saginaw Valley State University | 12:00 PM
Saturday 4/25 at Truman State University | 3:00 PM

🥎 Softball (39-7)
Friday 4/24 at HOME vs Newman University | 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM
Saturday 4/25 at HOME vs University of Central Oklahoma | 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM

⛳️ Women’s Golf
Monday 4/20 - Wednesday 4/22 at MIAA Conference Championship

👟 Men’s & Women’s Track & Field
Friday 4/24 at University of Arkansas

Wednesday

🌿 Spring Foraging with Good Naturing: Join a guided foraging walk from 6:00–8:00 PM starting at the Wildcat Glades Education Cottage, where you’ll learn to identify edible plants and natural features. This pay-what-you-can class (ages 15+) is led by an experienced forager and supports the Wildcat Glades Nature Group.

🎮 Nintendo Trivia Night: Test your gaming knowledge at 7:30 PM at B&B Theatres Joplin 7 & B-Roll Bowling with this free, all-ages trivia event. Arrive early to grab a spot, compete for prizes, and enjoy food and drinks while you play.

Friday

🎶 March to August Live in the Park: Enjoy a free outdoor concert at 6:30 PM at Big Spring Park in Neosho, featuring a roots-driven string duo blending Americana, alt-country, and bluegrass. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, picnic with the family, and enjoy music plus sidewalk chalk fun for the kids.

🎨 Closing Bidding Party | Small Works Auction 2026: Wrap up the Small Works art auction on April 24 from 5:30–7:30 PM at Spiva’s Sharon & Lance Beshore Gallery while bidding on unique, local artwork. Celebrate the creative community and support the arts with an evening dedicated to one-of-a-kind pieces and meaningful impact.

🌱 Carl Junction Cultivator Garden Club Plant Sale: Stock up on homegrown plants and vegetables at this 2-day sale (Fri & Sat) in Carl Junction, featuring garden-ready finds at very reasonable prices. Support local growers and get your garden off to a strong start this season.

🌱 Neosho FFA Annual Plant Sale: Shop student-grown plants and support local agriculture April 24 (4:00–6:30 PM) and April 25 (9:00 AM–2:00 PM) at the NSD Ag Center on the Junior High Campus. Find a variety of greenhouse-grown plants ready for your garden while supporting hardworking FFA students.

🚗 Cruisin’ Carthage 2026: Check out an impressive lineup of classic and custom cars at this free community event hosted by Southwest Missouri Bank. Enjoy great food, live music, and chances to win cool prizes while soaking in the car show atmosphere.

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THANKS!

Thank you for reading JOMO Jive today. See you again Friday!