Friday, Feb 28, 2025

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Good Morning, Joplin. “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.”

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Liberty Utilities Under Investigation

• Carl Junction Envisions Its Future

• Give Blood, Get Free Adventures

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone whose Liberty Utility bill was over $600 this month.

A couple things to note before we get started:

🚒 Wednesday we posted the story about The City of Duquesne’s Fire Department seeking a tax increase. As it turns out, the City of Duquesne doesn’t HAVE a fire department. It’s the Duenweg Fire Department! In fact, Raymond Brown pointed out the City of Duquesne relies on Duenweg’s Fire Department for services and coverage. (Good catch, Raymond!)

💃 We’ve moved our Events section further down the newsletter. Don’t worry, we’re still scouring Joplin for local happenings. You just need to scroll down a little further to read about them.

SPONSORED BY V’S BARBERSHOP

Looking for more than just a haircut? At V’s Barbershop, it’s not just about trimming hair—it’s about tradition. Owner Lori Goins, a master barber, has created a space where getting a cut feels like stepping back into the good ol’ days. From classic barber chairs to hot lather and straight-edge razor shaves, V’s delivers and authentic, old-school experience right here in Joplin.

So what really sets V’s apart? The people. Lori isn’t just cutting hair—she’s building relationships. She’s watched patrons grow up, get married, and even bring in their own little ones for their first cuts. It’s a barbershop family, and once you’re in, you’re in for life.

Ready for a fresh cut with a side of nostalgia? Visit V’s Barbershop and experience the tradition for yourself.

Download the app to schedule an appointment!

THE DIGEST

State Probes Shocking Utility Bills 💡 

Is your utility bill giving you sticker shock? You’re not alone, and now state regulators are on the case. Missouri’s Public Service Commission (PSC) has ordered an investigation into Liberty Utilities’ billing and customer service practices after a flood of complaints from southwest Missouri customers (including many in the Joplin area).

From sky-high bills and missing bills to hours-long hold times with customer services, people have been fuming that something’s not right. The PSC heard the message loud and clear. In an official order issued this week, they’re directing staff to dig into the issue and come back with answers—and hopefully solutions.

That’s regulator-speak for: “We’ve gotten a lot of complaints, so we’re looking into every part of Liberty’s operation—electric, gas, water—to figure out what’s going wrong and what to do about it.” This is a story JOMO Jive will continue to follow and provide updates on.

Carl Junction Envisions Its Future 🏙️ 

Where should Carl Junction be in 5, 10, or 20 years? That’s the big question residents and city leaders tackled at a community meeting about the town’s future. In a scene straight out of “Parks and Rec” (minus the TV drama), locals gathered at City Hall to swap ideas on everything from new park upgrades to community center expansion.

Carl Junction residents are encouraged to take this public forum survey.

Give Blood, Get Free Adventures 🩸 

Here’s a win-win: save a life and enjoy a free day of fun. You recently read about Community Blood Center of the Ozarks’ 56 Day Challenge, but now they’re teaming up with area attractions for a special “thank you” to blood donors. Starting in March, anyone who donates blood with CBCO will receive an Ozarks Adventure Pass—basically a booklet of free admission tickets to popular attractions in the Ozarks region , worth over $150.

Here’s what the Ozarks Adventure Pass includes for donors in March and April:

• 🏦 Two free admissions to The Discovery Center in Springfield, MO (science museum, $30 value)

• 🤹 Two free admissions to the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, AR (children’s discovery museum, $24 value)

• 📸 One free combo admission to Beyond the Lens! in Branson, MO (interactive tech & pop culture attraction, $36.99 value)

• 🐯 Two free admissions to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, AR (big cats sanctuary, $64 value)

Usually all you get after giving blood is a cookie and a pat on the back. Now they’re tossing in free trips to see tigers and museums? That’s called a trade up, folks!

THEATRE TALK

9th Annual Comedy for Camp & S’MORE 📣 

Join Soroptimist International of Joplin for Comedy for Camp & S’MORE, a night of laughter and giving at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex. This fun-filled evening features gift card grabs, live and silent auctions, and clean comedy from Karen Morgan. Proceeds benefit Camp Soroptimist, a week-long summer camp for foster children, and support programs that empower local women and girls through education and career opportunities. Don’t miss out—come early for live music from Diversity Band’s Low Compatibility during the social hour at 6:30 PM.

Donate & Tickets here!

Justin Roberts & The Not Ready For Naptime Players 🎸 

Five-time GRAMMY-nominated children’s musician Justin Roberts has been creating the soundtrack to families’ lives for 25 years. With Justin’s band, the Not Ready for Naptime Players, kids and their families can explore what it means to be yourself and embrace what makes you unique.

Tickets here!

Remember, if you have pictures or a story/event you think we should cover, tag us @jomojivemedia or reply to this email so we can share our favorites!

WEATHER

Friday: 🌡️ 41 | 69 ☀️

Saturday: 🌡️ 35 | 52 ☀️

Sunday: 🌡️ 31 | 60 ⛅️

MSSU SPORTS

Recap:

🏀 Men’s Basketball (11-16)
2/27 vs University of Central Missouri | L 56-78

🏀 Women’s Basketball (18-12)
2/27 vs University of Central Missouri | W 78-59

Upcoming:

🏃 Men’s and Women’s Track & Field
2/28 at MIAA Indoor Championships

🏀 Men’s Basketball (11-16)
3/1 vs Washburn University | 1:40 PM

🏀 Women’s Basketball (18-12)
3/1 vs Washburn University | 3:30 PM

⚾️ Baseball (10-2)
2/28 at Washburn University | 3:00 PM
3/1 at Washburn University | 1:00 PM
3/2 at Washburn University | 1:00 PM

🥎 Softball (9-6) - Branson Showtime Tournament
2/28 vs Truman State University | 3:00 PM
2/28 vs Missouri S&T | 5:30 PM
3/1 vs Truman State University | 2:30 PM
3/1 vs Lincoln University | 4:30 PM
3/2 vs Winona State University | 10:30 AM

Family Friendly Events

February Toddler Time | Friday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Roller City

Family Instructed Paint “Shamrock Piglet” | Friday 1:00 PM
Location: Create N Sip Studios

Nature Explorers: Rocks Rock! | Friday 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Wildcat Glades

Family Instructed Paint “The Kraken” | Sunday 1:00 PM
Location: Create N Sip Studios

Other Events

Friday

Bowl For Kids’ Sake | 2:30 PM
Location: Carl Richard’s 4th Street Bowl

Critical Mass Group Bike Ride | 6:00 PM
Location: Joplin Ave & 4th St

Reversible Seasonal Porch Signs | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Create N Sip Studios

Instructed Canvas “Spring Cactus” | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Create N Sip Studios

Fae Rave | 9:00 PM
Location: The Short Rest

Saturday

Four States Winter Open (Chess) | 8:00 AM
Location: Homewood Suites

Maker’s Market | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Falcon Lake Farm

Habitat Restoration Work Day | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Redings Mill Bridge

Guitars’ Mardi Gras Party | 7:00 PM
Location: Guitars Rock N Country Bar

Sunday

Lovecraft: We are all mad here! | 2:00 PM
Location: Zinc Coffee

Free Zumba | 3:00 PM
Location: Chaos Brewing Company

Piano Man JR Neal | 5:00 PM
Location: HoneyPop’s Bar & Grill

Oscars Watch Party | 6:00 PM
Location: Royale Cinema Lounge

Live Music Lowdown

Friday

Randall Shreve at JB’s | 6:00 PM

Interim at Eastside Social | 6:00 PM

OutRaged Band at Chaos Brewing Company | 7:00 PM

The Grays at Osage Spring | 8:00 PM

Tim Nowell at Kansas Crossing | 8:00 PM

Pug Johnson at Legends Sports Bar | 8:00 PM

Libby Sparks Band at Legends Sports Bar | 10:00 PM

Saturday

Stover Hollow at Christines Vineyard | 6:00 PM

Wilkie Jay with Big Smitty Band at Redings Mill Inn | 7:00 PM

Wheelhouse 7 at HoneyPop’s Bar & Grill | 7:00 PM

Buster Clifton David at Osage Spring | 8:00 PM

Zane Grimes at Kansas Crossing | 8:00 PM

Sunday

Chris Bassett at HoneyPop’s Bar & Grill | 12:00 PM

Wilkie Jay at Redings Mill Inn | 4:00 PM