☕️ Winter is Coming in a Big Way

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Good Morning, Joplin. We don’t know just how much snow we’re going to get. And since forecasts change so often and we only send emails at 6:00 AM on certain weekdays, we aren’t your best source for breaking weather alerts. Watch your favorite local news source because they have constantly updated radar and fancy drawing screens. We like Doug Heady’s new app DHWX (Apple | Google).

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Drone Medical Deliveries

• City Council Data Center

• Leggett & Platt Rejects $1.6B Buyout Offer

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who builds a snowman every time it snows.

SPONSORED BY GAMBINO’S PIZZA

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Business Expo week deserves a proper pizza celebration. To keep things rolling, Gambino’s Pizza is serving up 30% OFF all large pizzas for a limited time.

Whether you’re feeding your team after a long expo day, hosting clients, or just don’t feel like cooking, this is your sign.

Here’s the deal:

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Classic favorites, loaded specialties, and that signature Gambino’s crust you already know and love — now at a serious discount.

❄️ Winter is Coming in a Big Way

The National Weather Service says temperatures will be bitterly cold, dropping into the single digits at night and struggling to reach the teens through the weekend. Snow is expected off and on from tonight through Sunday, with several rounds bringing a total of about 2 to 6 inches possible. We’ve also seen reports of 7-14 inches of snow.

It’s also going to be cold. Really, really, really cold. It’s recommended to make an emergency kit with bottled water and non-perishable food, medications, pet food (if applicable), chargers and a power bank, a battery-operated radio, flashlight, and warm clothes and blankets. The best time to stock up at the grocery store was yesterday. ASAP is second best.

Warming Centers

Below are a few of the warming centers in Joplin. For a more extensive list in the surrounding area, click here.

• Souls Harbor - 817 Main St - If temp is 32 or below, the overflow shelter is available 7:30 PM to 5:30 AM

• Watered Gardens - 531 S Kentucky - If temp is 20 or below, the overflow shelter is available overnight

• Salvation Army - 320 E 8th - When temps are 32 or below, warming center is open Mon-Thurs from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Fri 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. If temps fall below 20, warming center is open 7 days a week, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• Joplin Public Library - 1901 E 20th - Open during business hours

🚁 Drones Could Change How Healthcare Reaches the Four States

A new healthcare initiative led by the Joplin Regional Alliance for Health is exploring how drone technology could dramatically improve access to medical services in rural communities across the Four States. Partnering with Valkyrie UAS Solutions, the program will use high-speed drones capable of traveling up to 80 mph and carrying critical medical payloads — including medications and lab samples — reducing delays that often impact rural patients.

The initiative officially launches April 1 with a new drone hub in Rolla, initially focused on transporting tissue samples for organ donation matching in partnership with the Midwest Transplant Institute.

Why it matters to Joplin: this project is being driven by a Joplin-based health coalition and designed to scale across the region, meaning future expansions could directly benefit local hospitals, clinics, and outlying communities — helping ensure that access to life-saving care isn’t limited by geography.

🏭 Leggett & Platt Rejects $1.6B Buyout Offer

Leggett & Platt has rejected a $1.6 billion all-stock buyout offer from Somnigroup International, with the company’s board saying the proposal undervalued the business and was not in shareholders’ best interests. While the offer was turned down, the decision does not close the door on future talks; Leggett & Platt has signed a non-disclosure agreement that allows Somnigroup to conduct due diligence, leaving open the possibility of a revised or improved offer down the line.

🪴 Greenhouse Restock Alert at Joplin Greenhouse & The Coffee Shop

If your plant shelf has been feeling a little empty, now’s the time to fix that. After Monday’s SUCC houseplant sale, Joplin Greenhouse has fully restocked with fresh new arrivals, including Raven ZZ plants, variegated prickly pear cactus, and a variety of orchids—plus plenty more throughout the space. Swing by, grab a coffee, and take a lap through the greenhouse. You never know which plant might decide it’s coming home with you.

📊 Joplin City Council Approves Wildwood Ranch Annexation, Opens Path Toward Data Center

At a packed City Council meeting on January 20, the City of Joplin voted to approve both the voluntary annexation of roughly 540–600 acres in the Wildwood Ranch area and the rezoning of that land from residential to heavy industrial. The annexation measure passed 6–3, and the rezoning passed 7–2 after more than seven hours of public testimony and discussion, with many residents expressing concerns about transparency, utility impacts, and future development plans.

Supporters, including landowners and developers, said bringing the property into city limits gives Joplin more control over future projects and could strengthen the local tax base, while opponents questioned the process and urged more community input. Council members and city officials emphasized that annexation and rezoning do not guarantee a data center will be built, as additional approvals and studies would still be required before any construction begins.

The next meeting to follow up on this topic — including any related ordinances or discussion about specific development proposals — will be announced through the City’s official channels as those items are scheduled; residents can also watch City Council meetings live on KGCS-TV or via livestream on the City’s website.

🚓 Joplin Considers Sales Tax to Support Police & Fire Services

Joplin voters will be asked this spring to consider a proposed half-cent sales tax aimed at boosting funding for police and fire services, with a focus on increasing pay, retaining personnel, and keeping up with rising demand. Fire Chief Gerald Ezell says the department lost firefighters to higher-paying agencies and responded to a record number of calls in 2025, leading to frequent mandatory overtime. The police department faces similar challenges, with 11 open positions and plans to add more. If approved, the ballot measure — Proposition Police and Fire — would help raise wages, fund new equipment, and support projects like a new structure at the Joplin Police Department firing range.

🧾 Changes Coming to Jasper County’s Senior Tax Credit Program in 2026

Jasper County is making a small but important update to its senior property tax credit program for 2026. Seniors who qualified for the credit last year will need to complete a new, short renewal form to continue receiving the benefit. The form verifies that the applicant still owns and lives in the qualifying property and can be mailed back to the county. First-time applicants will still work directly with the collector’s office as before. County Collector Steve McIntosh emphasized that eligibility depends on the applicant remaining the primary resident of the home. The new forms will be mailed out soon, and anyone who does not receive one should contact the collector’s office directly.

Friday: 🌡️ 12 | 31 ☁️ 

Saturday: 🌡️ 10 | 16 🌨️ 95%

Sunday: 🌡️ 0 | 14 🌨️ 90%

Upcoming:

🏀 Men’s Basketball (9-8)
Saturday 1/24 at Pittsburg State University | 3:30 PM

🏀 Women’s Basketball (13-4)
Saturday 1/24 at Pittsburg State University | 1:30 PM

👟Men’s & Women’s Track & Field 
Friday 1/23 at Rumble in the Jungle DII Challenge at Pittsburg State University
Saturday 1/24 at Bob Teel Invitational at Columbia, MO

Friday

🍷 Bottled & Beautiful: A Wine Bottle Creation Night at Vino Noir: A relaxed, guided craft workshop where guests transform an empty wine bottle into a personalized piece of home décor. Perfect for a girls’ night or date night, this creative evening includes all supplies with optional add-ons and drinks available for purchase.

🦁 Lion Pride Luncheon: A mid-day gathering inviting the public to connect with MSSU Athletics through updates, coach and player Q&A, and community conversation. This January luncheon spotlights Men’s and Women’s Basketball and includes lunch at the Ron Richard Athletic Center for fans and supporters.

Saturday

🌈 Creativity Unlimited - A calm, open-ended art class for neurodivergent young adults, Creativity Unlimited emphasizes self-expression, exploration, and creative freedom over finished results. Participants work at their own pace with supportive guidance. All supplies included; cost is $15.

Monday

✂️ Community Craft Night with WEFT - This free, adults-only community craft night invites participants to collage mood boards and intentions onto a one-page 2026 calendar. Hosted in collaboration with New Rules Art Club, WEFT provides a relaxed, no-pressure creative space. All supplies included; RSVP required.

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THANKS!

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