Will Roderique’s 11th School Board term will be his last
January 14, 2026
Public works employees will vacuum piles of leaves raked to the curb beginning Monday, Dec. 1. (Don’t rake into the gutter.)
If you miss the first pass, don’t despair, there will be another one.
Outdoor adventures await following the opening Monday of Joplin’s new MOmentum Bike Park.
Noted as the largest municipal facility of its kind in Missouri, MOmentum offers 10 miles of mountain bike trails, BMX pump track, and a children’s bicycle playground. It also features bridges and skills features for riders to learn new skills before heading out on the more challenging sections.
“We are pumped to open this incredible and unique park to Joplin and our surrounding communities,” said Paul Bloomberg, director of parks and recreation. “People who may not have visited a bike park before will be amazed at the different features and trails that we’ve created. There’s something for the little ones all the way up to the skilled bikers.
The Grand Launch Party for MOmentum will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026. It will feature demonstrations by professional riders, giveaways and entertainment.
Bloomberg also told the crowd that Joplin is planning to host an annual bike festival in the park each fall.
MOmentum features more than 132,000 square feet of formal bike park within the 95-acre site. Riders of all ages and skill levels will enjoy the variety of options. It offers both a regional attraction and a community asset which promotes active lifestyles and family-friendly recreation.
For more information, visit the MOmentum Bike Park web page and Facebook page.
It’s been announced that Joplin will continue its contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to provide WIC services for 2026.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a special supplemental nutrition program providing services to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to their 5th birthday based on nutritional risk and income eligibility.
The primary services provided are healthy, supplemental food, risk assessment, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and support, health screening and referrals to health care.
To be eligible for WIC, applicants must have an income of less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level and be at nutritional risk. Migrant families are also eligible.
WIC supplemental food packages are specially chosen to provide foods high in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, whole grain bread products, hot or cold cereals, 100% fruit juices, and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.
The WIC program recommends breastfeeding and provides breastfeeding support, baby foods, and infant cereal. For women who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, infants may receive supplemental, iron-fortified formula.
WIC participants obtain their foods using their WIC cards for specific items at participating local grocery stores and pharmacies.
Studies confirm that pregnant women who enroll in WIC during the early months of pregnancy have fewer low birth weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy and eat healthier.
Persons interested in applying or who need more information should contact the Joplin City WIC Office at (417) 623-1928. Choose option 3 and leave a message if there is no answer.
WIC clinics are offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except during the lunch hour) at the Joplin City Health Department/WIC, 321 E. Fourth St., upper-level.
Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa met at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Mi Torino Restaurant in Webb City. Hostesses were Shelley Kneeland, Vera Ellison and Paula Stewart. Sixteen members and two guests were present.
After dinner, a presentation was given by guests Lana Nelson and Mona Ellston from Solace House of Joplin. The altruistic project for this month was a monetary donation from members to the Solace House. Following the presentation, Annette Elam led the business meeting.
Our next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Central United Methodist Church in Webb City.
