Community Corner

🌱 Will new rules change where Hopeful Bites can feed Joplin neighbors?

Happening soon: Joplin Empire Market on the Joplin Patch calendar

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Cheers Joplin! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will new rules change where Hopeful Bites can feed Joplin neighbors?
  • What led to shots fired during Joplin’s early-morning police pursuit?
  • Which Joplin eateries stumbled—and which passed—the latest health inspections?

Also on today's calendar: 8th Annual Holiday Market.

Find out what's happening in Joplinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Joplinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Windy; a shower this morning, with a high of 58 and low of 25 degrees.
  • Friday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 51, low: 44.
  • Saturday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 60 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Joplin Officials Stress Safety, Access in Talks with Hopeful Bites Volunteers (koamnewsnow.com) — Joplin officials are working with Hopeful Bites volunteers to keep their free meal outreach going downtown while enforcing safety, accessibility, and food-handling rules around City Hall. The city has proposed shifting service to a designated area in the City Hall parking lot, while volunteers push for broader changes in how Joplin addresses poverty and homelessness.
   

2. Joplin Police release details of OIS and police pursuit, suspect in custody (koamnewsnow.com) — Joplin residents should know police say a suspected impaired driver led officers on a pursuit along Glendale Road to 50th and South Main, allegedly driving toward an officer and ramming another patrol car before being arrested. The suspect was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, no officers were hurt, and Missouri State Highway Patrol is assisting the ongoing investigation.
   

3. Boys and Girls Club of SW MO, Tasty T, Sam's Club Meat and Rotisserie fail Joplin Health Department inspections (blogspot.com) — Several Joplin food establishments, including the Boys and Girls Club kitchen, Tasty T, and Sam’s Club’s meat and rotisserie area, recently failed Joplin Health Department inspections for issues like temperature control, sanitation, and equipment condition. Many other familiar spots around town, from fast-food chains to markets, passed their inspections and remain in good standing.
   

4. Joplin Regional Stockyards owner says cattle market signals strong 2026 (brownfieldagnews.com) — Cattle producers tied to Joplin Regional Stockyards are seeing sharply higher calf and fat cattle prices heading into 2026, despite a rough patch this fall. Owner Jackie Moore says prices have largely rebounded after a brief downturn he blames on political and media chatter, and he’s optimistic the local cattle market will stay strong next year.
   

5. Missouri Southern Women's Hoops Cruises By Avila at Home (fourstateshomepage.com) — Missouri Southern women’s basketball kept Joplin fans cheering with a dominant 91–49 home win over Avila, stretching the Lions’ streak to five straight. MaKenna Yokley and Grace Frazier each scored 13 points, sparking an early surge that put the game out of reach and sets up momentum for their upcoming road matchup at Northeastern State.
   

📸 Around Joplin

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I had a package delivered to my address on Montana Pl in Joplin for a Dan and Karen Busath.
    If this is yours or you know them please reach out to me as I’d like to get their package to them! Thank you. (Nextdoor Kelsey Norman)
  • JOPLIN MO Dec 16 Climate: High: 60 Low: 36 Precip:" Snow: Missing... (X: iembot_sgf)
  • Authorities continue to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Joplin. Police tell me officer tried to pull over suspect on suspicion of DUI &... (X: TiffanyAlaniz)
  • Tractor Supply Company posted a job opening for Team Member in Joplin. Apply here.
  • Missouri Southern State University posted a job opening for Assistant Professor of Psychology in Joplin. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Joplin here.

Ok Joplin! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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