R-7 incumbents keep their school board seats

The Webb City R-7 School Board is remaining the same after the three incumbents were reelected to new three-year terms by voters Tuesday.

The multi-term board members and the votes they received are: William Roderique, 770; David Collard, 713, and Jeanne Newby, 603. They’ll take the oath of office again when the board meets Tuesday, April 10.

A fourth candidate, Erin Taylor, received 568 votes in her bid to get a seat on the board.

Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis has all election results posted on the county’s website.

3% recreational marijuana sales tax approved by wide margin

Webb City will collect a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana – if there’s ever a dispensary here.

Voters agreed to the extra tax by a vote of 370 (81.86%) to 82.

Jasper County can collect a 3% tax of its own on recreational marijuana sales since receiving 6,082 (74.16%) to 2,119 voter approval.

The 3% recreational marijuana tax was also approved in Joplin and Carthage.

Too close to call – tie vote in Carterville’s 2nd Ward

There was a tie vote in Carterville as both 2nd Ward candidates, Terri Arterburn and Judy Martin, received 31 votes. Martin is the incumbent.

Officials on Wednesday consulted Missouri statutes to determine the city’s options for deciding whether Arterburn or Martin will be sworn in. If neither drops out, they can agree to flip a coin – or have another election. 

The matter could be settled or a new election scheduled during the upcoming City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 11.

Incumbent Warren Myers won reelection in the 1st Ward by defeating Chris Moore 43-37.

Justin Lawson defeated incumbent Larry Wald II 21-13 in the 3rd Ward.

Brenda Cupp held her 4th Ward seat by defeating Alison Pendergrass 36-25.

Mayor Alan Griffin was unopposed as he was reelected to a new term with 153 votes.

Webb City Council incumbents to be sworn in Monday

All four of the Webb City Council members whose two-year terms are expiring will take the oath of office again Monday.

Elected without opposition were: Andy Queen, 1st Ward; Gina Monson, 2nd Ward; Jonathan Shull, 3rd Ward, and Debbie Darby, 4th Ward.

Open Oronogo 2nd Ward seats attract less than 5 write-ins each

Two Oronogo Board of Aldermen incumbents were reelected as they ran unopposed.

Rick Seeley, 1st Ward, received 32 votes, and Darrell Orender, 3rd Ward, received 23 votes.

However, there were two open 2nd Ward seats on the ballot that received less than 5 write-in votes each.