Tuesday, October 14, 2025

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Good Morning, Joplin. Yesterday, President Trump helped negotiate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza with leaders from Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar. As part of the agreement, 20 Israeli hostages were released and many Palestinian prisoners were freed. People all over the world—from different political affiliations, backgrounds and beliefs—are now saying Trump might be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize.

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• City of Joplin’s Response to the State Audit

• Public Hearing on Proposed Joplin Charter Revisions

• Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for Ewert Park Renovation

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who misses their best friend.

HOME OF THE WEEK
by THE ESSENTIAL REAL ESTATE

SPONSORED BY ARVEST BANK

🛠️ City of Joplin’s Response to the State Audit (Part 2)

Following last week’s summary of the State Auditor’s “Fair” rating, the City released an 18-minute explainer video and a written response detailing how it’s addressing each recommendation. While some people within the community believe Joplin could be doing better, City leaders emphasized the audit found no fraud, theft, or unlawful activity, and said many adjustments are already in place.

Highlights from the City’s response:

• Emergency ordinances: Use reduced by about 50% since April 2024; public review and comment emphasized.

• Finance controls: Stronger reconciliations for online/credit card payments; independent review of voided receipts; improved collections.

• Budget transparency: Clearer reporting of multi-year obligations/encumbrances.

• Payroll & allowances: Citywide time-tracking software rollout; annual reviews of vehicle stipends for reasonableness.

• Building Department: Ordinance updates aimed at fairness while properties are brought into compliance.

• Internal audit coverage: Duties assigned to the Financial Analyst role, with independent annual audits and grant audits supplementing oversight.

• Joplin Sports Authority: City reps on the JSA board reviewing finances, expenditures, and activities (per the City’s statement).

• Closed meetings & records: Council now formally approves closed-session minutes; electronic-records policy under review to align with state guidance.

• CVB purchasing: System upgrade so bidding documentation is attached and retained electronically.

📺 Watch the City’s 18-minute video here:

🎃 October Third Thursday: Harvest Festival on Main Street

Thursday, October 16 | 5:30–8:30 PM | Downtown Joplin

Downtown Joplin’s favorite street festival is going out in style for its final event of the year! The October edition of Third Thursday transforms Main Street into a Harvest Festival, featuring more than 160 vendors, live music, street performers, art, food, and fall fun for all ages.

This free, family-friendly celebration includes performances by Paul Blakely, Speciosa, Tough Luck Chuck, and Analog Frogs, with Andrew Pommert playing in Spiva Park. The Joplin Family Y will host a live Zumba session, followed by their popular Thriller flash mob once the sun sets. Explore art and activities at Perk Art Cafe’s foam paint booth, The Boutique Marketplace’s “Boo-tique” Halloween party, and Schroeder Family Exploreum’s spooky science experiments.

Enjoy patio dining, a vintage car cruise on the 100 block, and a bustling artisan market on the 500 block. Don’t miss Petals & Pages: Fall Edition, a Whimsy Bookery pop-up at Countryside Flowers (424 S Joplin Ave) from 6:00–8:00 PM.

🎭 The Lord Chamberlain’s Men Present: Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Friday, October 17 | 7:00 PM | Leggett & Platt Green at the Cornell Complex
Tickets: $25-$40 | Membership Info: Join C2C

Experience one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies under the open sky as The Lord Chamberlain’s Men bring Twelfth Night to life on the Leggett & Platt Green at the Cornell Complex. Known as the UK’s premier all-male theatre company—and named after Shakespeare’s own original troupe—this marks one of their first-ever U.S. tour stops, right here in Joplin.

Performed in true Elizabethan fashion, this open-air production features period costumes, live music, and infectious humor, weaving together romance, mistaken identity, and laughter. As twilight settles over downtown, audiences will be transported straight to Shakespeare’s time.

Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or rent a C2C chair. Arrive early to grab a spot on the lawn and enjoy the pre-show atmosphere, including London Calling’s fish and chips truck, which will be parked onsite throughout the day in the east lot off Joplin Avenue.

🎟️ Learn more about Connect2Culture’s 2025–2026 season, memberships, and ticket packages at connect2culture.org/our-season.

🎨 Creative Week at Spiva Center for the Arts

Get ready for a week full of imagination and hands-on creativity at Spiva Center for the Arts! From kid-friendly art classes to a sophisticated adult workshop, there’s something for every artist in the family.

🎨 Tuesday, October 14 — Creation Station with Emily Cole
A fun and engaging art class for ages 6–11, where kids explore painting, drawing, sculpture, and more. Each week features a new theme to help young artists express their creativity while learning foundational art skills. Cost is $10 per student; pre-registration required as space is limited.

Wednesday, October 15 — Mini Makers: Itsy Bitsy Spiders
Little artists ages 2–5 will create watercolor resist spiderwebs in this playful, guided class full of music, movement, and creativity. A parent or guardian must stay to help. It’s the perfect mix of art, fun, and spooky fall vibes!

Saturday, October 18 — Paste Resist Batik Table Runners
Join mixed-media artist Brooks-Elizabeth Billings for a relaxing, hands-on workshop using the Zimbabwean paste batik method. Create a stunning custom table runner while enjoying complimentary wine. Open to ages 21+, all skill levels welcome. Cost is $55; pre-registration required.

🏛️ Public Hearing on Proposed Joplin Charter Revisions

Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 4:00 PM | City Council Chambers, Joplin City Hall (602 S Main St)

Joplin residents are invited to share feedback on proposed changes to the City Charter during an upcoming public hearing. The Charter Review Commission will consider the following potential amendments:

• Adjusting City Council pay (currently $5 per meeting)

• Reducing the number of required signatures for nominating petitions, including an alternative standard for incumbents

• Changing the term “emergency ordinance” to “expedited ordinance”

• Removing the requirement that the Public Works Director be a Missouri-registered professional engineer

• Eliminating publication requirements currently mandated in the Charter

Residents may also suggest other amendments for review. The Commission’s recommendations will be submitted to City Council for possible inclusion on the April 7, 2026 ballot, with a final report due December 1, 2025.

For more information, contact City Clerk Holly Nagy at (417) 624-0820 ext. 1220 or [email protected].

⚒️ Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for Ewert Park Renovation

Tuesday, October 28 | 1:00 PM | Ewert Park, 846 Murphy Blvd

City officials and East Town neighborhood leaders are inviting the public to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Ewert Park renovation, a project set to bring one of Joplin’s most historic parks into a new era of community recreation and connection.

The redesigned 14-acre park will feature a splash park for summer months, a winding ice ribbon for winter skating, a new amphitheater, playground, and basketball courts, creating a year-round destination for residents. Plans also include historical markers recognizing important figures and moments from Ewert Park’s legacy.

📍 Ewert Park is located northeast of 7th Street and Illinois Avenue.
For more information, contact Lynn Onstot, Public Information Officer, at 417-438-2287.

🚧 Paving Shifts to Connecticut Avenue Following Schifferdecker Work

Starting Tuesday, October 14, Joplin’s resurfacing efforts will transition from Schifferdecker Avenue to Connecticut Avenue, spanning Campbell Parkway to 32nd Street. This follows completion of mill and overlay work on Schifferdecker (7th to 32nd), expected by October 13 if weather permits.

Drivers are urged to stay alert for lane shifts and active crews along both corridors. Although the roads remain open, traffic will be guided around work zones to maintain access. The mill-and-overlay method involves removing the top layers of pavement and applying fresh asphalt, typically done in stages (one side first, then the other).

For more details, contact Traffic Engineer Dakota Rusk at 417-624-0820 ext. 1598 or [email protected].

Tuesday: 🌡️ 65 | 82 ⛅️ 

Wednesday: 🌡️ 62 | 82 ☀️

Thursday: 🌡️ 59 | 80 ⛅️

Recap:

🏈 Football (2-4)
Saturday 10/11 at Emporia State University | L 31-24

🏐 Women’s Volleyball (8-10)
Friday 10/10 at HOME vs Newman University | W 3-0
Saturday 10/11 at HOME vs Pittsburg State University | W 3-2

⚽️ Women’s Soccer (2-7-3)
Friday 10/10 at HOME vs Washburn State University | L 5-1
Sunday 10/12 at HOME vs Emporia State University | L 1-0

Upcoming:

🏈 Football (2-4)
Saturday 10/18 at HOME vs University of Nebraska at Kearney | 1:00 PM

🏐 Women’s Volleyball (8-10)
Friday 10/17 at Washburn University | 6:00 PM

⛳️ Women’s Golf
Tuesday 10/14 at UCM Midwest Classic

We’d love to hear your feedback! Reply to this newsletter or take the poll to let us know how we’re doing!