JOMO Jive - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good Morning, Joplin. Take your dogs to the groomers. Or at least dig up their best picture. Mutt Madness (our March Madness-style contest to crown Joplin’s top dog of 2025) is right around the corner. Dog submissions will open early February. Voting will start in March. Stay tuned.

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Former Joplin 66 Speedway Remodel

• Starbucks Brings Back Free Refills

• MSSU Baseball and Softball Seasons Begin

• Community Blood Center of the Ozarks Seeks Donors

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who thinks their dog is cuter than yours.

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THE DIGEST

Former Joplin 66 Speedway Remodel

After laying dormant since 2004, the former Joplin 66 Speedway has new owners. The new vision is a large, outdoor event center scheduled to kick off this Spring. The new Route 66 Fairgrounds will completely overhaul the site, from landscaping, concrete and reworking the bleachers. This is exciting for Joplin residents because it will open the door for more events to take place in town—they already have the Mother Road Truck Show in May and a hot air balloon festival scheduled this summer!

Starbucks Brings Back Free Refills

Starbucks is trying to get back to its pre-COVID ways, starting by bringing back free refills. Customers ordering in-store will be asked if they would like to enjoy their order “for here” or “to go.” Folks who choose “for here” will have their drinks served in a ceramic mug, glass or a personal cup. These customers will be able to enjoy free refills on hot brewed or iced coffee or tea during their visit. Oh, and they’re bringing back the condiment bar, too. Now you can put as much cream and sugar in your coffee as your heart desires. Without the judgement.

MSSU Baseball and Softball Seasons Begin

It’s baseball and softball time! Well, almost. The official seasons don’t start until late February, but there are some tournaments coming up this weekend. The baseball team travels to Hot Springs, AR for the Dugan Invitational, while the softball team is headed to Branson, MO for the Branson Leadoff Classic. Last year the baseball team ended with a record of 44-15, while the softball team finished 33-22.

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks Seeks Donors

The “56-day Challenge”—Community Blood Center of the Ozarks’ initiative to encourage donors to donate more than one time a year. CBCO contributed to more than 60,000 units of blood being sent to 45 area healthcare facilities last year. Over 30,000 donors helped make that happen, and about 10,000 of those donors were first-timers. CBCO says that if each first-time donor donated more than once, they would collect over 17,000 more units of blood to provide to area hospitals. Needles don’t scare you? Click here to donate!

WEATHER

Wednesday: 🌡️ 33 | 58 ☁️

Thursday: 🌡️ 46 | 54 🌧️

Friday: 🌡️ 36 | 50 🌧️

MSSU SPORTS

Upcoming:

🏀 Men’s Basketball (9-9)
Thursday, Jan 30th at Arkansas - Fort Smith @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, Feb 1st at Northeastern State University @ 3:30 PM
Watch or Listen

🏀 Women’s Basketball (13-8)
Thursday, Jan 30th at Arkansas - Fort Smith @ 5:30 PM
Saturday, Feb 1st at Northeastern State University @ 1:30 AM
Watch or Listen

⚾️ Baseball - Dugan Invitational in Hot Springs, AR
Friday, Jan 31st vs Southern Arkansas University @ 4:00 PM
Saturday, Feb 1st vs Henderson State University @ 10:00 AM
Sunday, Feb 2nd vs Ouachita Baptist University @ 10:00 AM

🥎 Softball - Branson Leadoff Classic in Branson, MO
Friday, Jan 31st vs University of Arkansas-Monticello @ 10:00 AM
Friday, Jan 31st vs Southwestern Oklahoma State University @ 12:00 PM
Saturday, Feb 1st vs Southern Nazarene University @ 12:00 PM
Saturday, Feb 1st vs Arkansas Tech University @ 4:00 PM
Sunday, Feb 2nd vs Maryville University @ 11:00 AM
Sunday, Feb 2nd vs Oklahoma Baptist University @ 1:00 PM

🏃‍♂️ Men’s & Women’s Track
Friday, Jan 31st and Saturday, Feb 1st at Pitt State University