Mark Alford: Gas prices down because President Trump's America-First energy agenda is working

(From Fourth District Congressman Mark Alford)

Good news doesn’t always make the headlines — but this week, even CNN and CBS News are cheering the drop in gas prices. And that’s something worth celebrating. Nationally, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline has fallen below $3 for the first time since 2021 — the lowest in years!

That means one thing: President Trump’s America-First energy agenda is working — and it’s working so well that even networks usually quick to criticize are reporting the relief with a smile. When gas prices go down, American families go forward. 

For too long, hardworking folks in Missouri’s Fourth District were watching prices surge. Filling the tank felt like a financial burden. But today, every driver pulling up to the pump is getting a little break — especially meaningful during the most expensive travel season of the year.

According to AAA data, the statewide average price for regular gasoline in Missouri is currently about $2.64 per gallon, which is lower than in prior months. This isn’t a coincidence. Under strong leadership, the United States is once again embracing American energy production, restoring stability to supply, and rejecting destructive policies that made us more dependent and more vulnerable.

But the bigger shift is clear: we’re choosing strength over scarcity. And when America is strong, families prosper. Farmers, truckers, and small business owners here in the Show Me State feel the difference first. In a district where we drive long distances to church, school, and work, these savings matter. They mean presents under the tree, more meals shared around the table, and more confidence in a future built on common-sense policy.

Let’s call this what it is: an early Christmas gift–a gift from American productivity and leadership that puts our people first. 

Of course, challenges remain. Inflation has taken a toll on every household. But as we close out the year, this progress proves that when we unleash American energy, Americans win. It’s the momentum we can build on. It’s proof that turning the corner is not only possible — it’s already happening.

So while you’re filling up the tank before heading to see loved ones in Sedalia, Warsaw, Cass County, or the Lake — take a moment to appreciate that price on the sign. It’s more than numbers.

It’s a reminder that America works best when America is working.

Wiseguys fails Joplin Health Department inspection after live, dead cockroaches found

Wiseguys, 612 S Main Street, failed a Joplin Health Department inspection November 24 with two priority violations and eight core violations.

Priority violations were noted for the following:

-Live and dead cockroaches were found on the inside of the paper towel dispenser, on top of the pass-through dishwasher, as well as on the floor and baseboards of the kitchen area.

-An employee drink was observed on a prep table in the kitchen area.

The following core violations were noted:

-In-use wiping clothes were on the prep tables in the kitchen area

-The three-compartment sink in the bar area didn't have a sanitizer test kit

-Food debris accumulations were seen inside and outside of the microwave in the kitchen

-The can opener blade had debris accumulations

-The inside of the ice maker had debris accumulations

-Clean drinking glasses were drying under dish towels without being air-dried first

-Pipes were leaking water under the handwashing sink in the bar area

-The women's bathroom didn't have a tight-fitting, self-closing door.

These establishments passed inspections during the last week of November:

Del Rio Grill and Cantina, 1802 W. 32nd Street

Whataburger, 2014 S. Range Line Road

Lotus Xpress, 801 E. 20th Street

Aldi Food Market, 3205 E. 20th Street

Han the Sushi Man, 2640 E. 32nd Street

Walmart Neighborhood Market Deli, 1600 E. 7th Street

 

Oklahoma woman sues Mercy Joplin after injuring her face in hallway fall

An Ottawa County, Oklahoma woman filed a lawsuit against Mercy Joplin claiming she caught her leg on a metal frame in a narrow hallways, fell and injured her face.

According to the petition, Cheryl Brock was in Mercy's emergency room February 10, 2024 while her husband was seeking medical care when the accident occurred.

From the petition:

After registering at the triage desk, Plaintiff’s husband was taken to the emergency department examination suites with Plaintiff in tow. Plaintiff stepped outside her husband’s examination suite at some point to use the restroom in the common hallway just outside the examination suites.

After Plaintiff exited the restroom, she started walking down the common hallway to return to her husband’s examination suite. At the same time, an employee of Defendant was walking the opposite direction coming toward Plaintiff, so Plaintiff moved toward the right of the hallway.

A large metal frame device which resembled a hospital bed was positioned upright along the right wall of the hallway. Defendant’s employee and Plaintiff passed each other in the hallway near where the metal frame device was positioned along the wall. 

As Plaintiff was looking at the employee, Plaintiff’s foot caught one of the legs of the metal frame that,
unbeknownst to Plaintiff, was protruding further into the walkway. The legs of the metal frame caused Plaintiff to fall forward, whereupon she landed face first onto the hard tile floor and sustained injury to her face.

The metal frame and legs extending into the hallway constituted a dangerous condition in that it created a trip and fall hazard.

Defendant Mercy Joplin, by and through its employees, placed the metal frame in the hallway and positioned so as to create the dangerous condition.

Defendant Mercy Joplin knew or could have known about the metal frame positioned in the hallway in sufficient time to have remedied, barricaded, or warned about it.

The fall aforesaid and the injuries and damages suffered by Plaintiff as described below were the direct and proximate result of the negligence, carelessness, acts and/or omissions of Defendant Mercy Joplin, in one, more, or all the following particulars to wit:

a. by not keeping its premises in a reasonably safe condition free of hazards;

b. by not performing proper, frequent, and adequate inspections of the premises to discover the trip and fall hazard presented by the metal frame;

by failing to remedy, barricade, or warn about the trip and fall hazard created by the metal frame when such hazard existed for a sufficient period of time that

c. Defendant knew or could have known about it; and

d. by positioning the metal frame in the hallway with its legs protruding outward so as to create a trip and fall hazard;

Defendant’s failure to use ordinary care, as aforesaid, directly caused or contributed to cause Plaintiff to sustain bodily injury to her head and neck. Plaintiff has incurred a substantial sum for medical care and treatment. Plaintiff was caused and continues to have pain, suffering, loss of life’s enjoyment, diminished quality of life, and inconvenience as a result of her injuries.

Brock, who is represented by Patrick Martucci of Johnson, Vorhees and Martucci, is asking for damages and a jury trial.

Breakdown of what's included in my new book Sharing Memories With My Friends

 My new book, Sharing Memories with My Friends, is available now in paperback and e-book formats from Amazon.

My shipment of books won't arrive in Joplin until December 30, according to Amazon, but if any of you want to order single copies for yourself or as a Christmas gift, they should arrive in plenty of time.

The book is a collection of columns I wrote for my nightly Turner Report Newsletter and my short-lived Jukebox Memories blog.

The first segment of the book is a collection of essays about people who are no longer with us, but who made an impact on our lives in one way or another.

Other sections of the book are On the Playing Field, which is devoted to sports memories, Media Memories, Music Memories, Teaching Memories and More Memories, which features some stories that don't quite fit into the other sections.

The book can be ordered at its Amazon page.

The table of contents is posted below:

FRIENDS

Enough Smiles to Last Forever: Remembering Beth Gilbert ...................1

Spreading Her Magic: Remembering Brownie McNeely .........................4

A Cherished Memento: Remembering Barbara McNeely .......................6

Summer Seems So Far Away: Remembering Stan Johnson ....................8

Rooster Booster Mania: Remembering Danny Proctor.......................... 11

Teaching Values: Remembering Justene Womack ................................ 13

Rocking the Joint: Remembering Paul Epperson................................... 16

Late Night Flashbacks: Remembering Hank Rotten, Jr.......................... 19

A Teacher and a Friend: Remembering Caroline Tubbs........................ 21

Those Wonderful Bookstores: Remembering Robyn Thompson and 

 Pat’s Books .............................................................................................. 23

A Full and Productive Life: Remembering Nina Johnston..................... 26

The St. Lou Crew: Remembering Rose Fogarty ...................................... 28

Making A Shiv: Remembering James Payne........................................... 31

The House Where She Lived: Remembering JoAnn Turner ................. 33

Bridge to the Future: Remembering Opal Young .................................. 36

A Memorable Foreword: Remembering Jean Carnahan ...................... 39

Watchful Eye: Remembering Dorothy Parks ........................................... 41

Much Too Young: Remembering Brett Morgan...................................... 44

My Favorite Weatherman: Remembering Lee George.......................... 47

Joining the Heavenly Choir: Remembering Kathy Friend..................... 50

A Good Upbringing: Remembering Joe Bartlett ................................... 52

Proper Respect: Remembering Bill Turner.............................................. 54

Unsung Hero: Remembering Grant Reed ............................................... 56

ON THE PLAYING FIELD

Granby Baseball: Remembering Craig Hopper and 

 the Aroma Express................................................................................. 61

My Favorite Team: Remembering Steve White....................................... 64

The Old Foul Ball Trick: Remembering Dean Keeling............................ 68

The Memorial-McDonald County Showdown: 

 Remembering Cat Johnson.................................................................. 70

Carterville Distractions: Remembering Nancy Cruzan........................... 73

Baseball History: Remembering Carl Lewton Stadium.......................... 75

The Imposter: Remembering the Red Schoendienst Glove ................. 78

A Lesson Learned: Remembering a Coaching Mistake......................... 80

A Wide Strike Zone: Remembering My Umpiring Days ........................ 83

Games in My Mind: Remembering the Turner Ballfield......................... 85

Musical Outfielders: Remembering the Mickey Owen

 Baseball School...................................................................................... 87

MEDIA MEMORIES

Final Edition: Remembering the Newton County News........................ 93

Life in Lockwood: Remembering the Lockwood 

 Luminary-Golden City Herald............................................................... 95

Just Jake Talkin’: Remembering H. J. Johnson and 

 the Mornin’ Mail ..................................................................................... 97

Learning From the Best: Remembering Lou Nell Clark 

 and the Lamar Democrat ....................................................................100

Staying Informed: Remembering Local TV News .................................103

MUSIC MEMORIES

40 Star Survey: Remembering WHB.......................................................108

Room 210 Songbook: Remembering My Classroom Music ...............112

Jam Session in the Driver’s Ed Room: Remembering 

 Russell Wilkie........................................................................................114

Making a Comeback: Remembering Frankie Valli 

 and the Four Seasons ..........................................................................117

TEACHING MEMORIES

More Than a Souvenir: Remembering the Cup O’Nickels ..................122

Divine Intervention: Remembering Room 210 .....................................125

Reaching for the Sky: Remembering Shane Gallagher 

 and the Ceiling of Fame......................................................................128

MORE MEMORIES

Shear Delight: Remembering Ted Arnall and 

 a Good Old-Fashioned Haircut..........................................................132

Return to Stella: Memories of Triway School.........................................137

Six Puppies: Remembering the Newtonia Phone Booth .....................140

Preserving History: Remembering Mom’s Genealogy.........................142

Crazy Cat In the Attic: Remembering Callie ..........................................145

Dad’s Gifts: Remembering Three Toolboxes.........................................148

Overflowing With Wisdom: Remembering a 

 Doctor’s Appointment.........................................................................150

Time in a Bottle: Remembering My High School Graduation.............152

The Long and Winding Roads: Remembering 

 Getting Lost Near Ritchey ...................................................................154

Jukeboxes and Pop Machines: Remembering the Brown Derby.......156

Gone With the Wind: Remembering Newtonia City Hall ....................159

What’s He Doing Here?: Remembering Roy Blunt, 

 Bill Webster and the Lincoln Ladies Ice Cream Social ....................162

The Place to Be: Remembering Northpark Mall...................................165

Photo Feature: Remembering Prayer at a Football Game...................167

Joplin woman charged with stealing Carthage woman's vintage antiques

Samantha Danielle Oxford, 34, Joplin, is being held in the Jasper County Detention Center on a $15,000 surety or $2,000 cash bond after being charged today with burglary, stealing and possession of a controlled substance.

According to the probable cause statement, Oxford vintage antique items worth $5,657 from Valerie Earl, Carthage.

From the probable cause statement:

Samantha Oxford was determined a suspect due to her vehicle being seen on a trail cam at the property. A search of Samantha’s Facebook found multiple items reported stolen being sold by Samantha on Facebook Marketplace.

On December 3, 2025, detectives served a search warrant on Samantha’s property located at 1612 S Pearl Ave. in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. Samantha was taken into custody where she was interviewed under Miranda. 

Samantha admitted to entering Valerie's property three separate times between November 21st and November 29th of this year and stealing the antiques. She admitted knowingly that she was not allowed to be there and advised she was stealing the items for personal gain. 

Almost all the items stolen from the victim were found in Samantha’s residence (1612 S Pearl Ave.) except for some items she reported that she had already sold.

A baggie of methamphetamine was found in Samantha closet along with two partially loaded syringes. Samantha admitted that the bag contained a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and was hers.

In a news release, Jasper County Sheriff Randee Kaiser credited the work done by the lead investigator, Detective Garrett Metscher.

Former police officer pleads not guilty to child pornography charges

Former Monett and Aurora police officer Scott William Gaston waived his arraignment and pleaded not guilty to possession of child pornography and promoting child pornography this morning in Lawrence County Circuit Court.

Gaston, 49, Marionville, is being held without bond in the Lawrence County Detention Center. A bond reduction hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.

Previous post- Child pornography charge filed against former Monett, Aurora police officer

Two arrested on drug, weapons charges following search warrant execution at Joplin Main Street business

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On December 3rd, 2025, Joplin Police FLEX Platoon and detectives served a narcotics search warrant at 628 S. Main Street, Joplin, MO, which is a business called Pressure Packs.

The search warrant was issued pursuant to an ongoing investigation lasting over a month. Over the course of the investigation, probable cause was obtained that led  Joplin Police Detectives to believe that individuals operating the business were selling illegal narcotics to underage individuals. 

Additionally, the business was not licensed to  sell marijuana. The FLEX Platoon developed three primary suspects. The suspects were  identified as Landers Page, 39, of Oronogo, MO (top photo), Courtney Mitchell, 20, of Joplin, MO, and a juvenile male. 

When the search warrant was executed, Page, Mitchell, and the juvenile male suspect  were immediately detained outside the business near a vehicle. When detained, it was  discovered that all three suspects were armed with handguns. A backpack that  contained suspected marijuana and a Pioneer Arms 7.62 caliber AK style pistol was also located. The scene was secured by Joplin Police officers.

Following the search warrant at the business, more evidence was seized which  supported the charge of illegal drug trafficking, and more firearms were located. As a result of the search warrant, a follow-up search warrant was conducted at 1112 Paw Paw Place in Oronogo, MO, by the Joplin Flex Platoon and Oronogo Police Department.

During the search warrant on Paw Paw Place, additional evidence was seized.

Both Page and Mitchell were arrested and transported to the Joplin City Jail. Page was charged with Unlawful Use of Weapons and Delivery of a Controlled  Substance - Having a Minor to Purchase or Transport. 

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the charges with a $250,000 cash only bond.

Mitchell was charged with Unlawful Use of Weapons and Delivery of a Controlled Substance - Having a Minor to Purchase or Transport. The Jasper County Prosecuting  Attorney’s Office filed the charges with a $250,000 cash only bond.

At this time, this investigation is still open and active, with additional charges likely.

Missouri passed Amendment 3 in 2022, which legalized Marijuana in Missouri, but had the following guidelines for possession.

A person must be at least twenty-one years old to possess recreational marijuana and  can only have up to three ounces, or 85.05 grams in their possession at any time.

Missouri unlawful use of a firearm revised statue 579.015. states that it is illegal to possess a firearm while knowingly in possession of a controlled substance that is  sufficient for a felony violation.

Carthage R-9 Board schedules work session, closed session for personnel matters

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education will meet in closed session 5:45 p.m. Monday at the Early Childhood Center, 625 Fairview Avenue, to discuss personnel matters.

Board members will discuss facility tours during a work session scheduled for 6 p.m.

Carthage man sentenced for stalking Jasper County detention officer

Kaden Allen Glaser, 21, Carthage, pleaded guilty this morning in Jasper County Circuit Court to stalking a Jasper County detention officer and was sentenced to four years in prison.

The sentence will run concurrently with Glaser's seven-year sentence for burglary.

Under a plea agreement with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office, a separate charge of violating a protection order will be dismissed.

Glaser was already awaiting trial for violating a protection order preventing him from going near the detention officer when the activities that brought the stalking charges occurred.

According to the probable cause statement in the protection order case, the investigating Carthage Police Department officer said Glaser posed a threat to the officer because:

Glaser met the Victim while incarcerated at the victim's place of employment. On release, Glaser began stalking the victim causing her to obtain a protection order. The suspect has shown an obsession stating he is in love with the victim and has disregarded the protection order trespassing at the victim's residence on two separate occasions in a two-hour period.

After his arrest, Glaser tried to convince other detention officers to give his alleged victim the message that he loved her, the probable cause statement said.

{Glaser} became agitated and aggressive with Deputies after being told the message would not be passed. {He} made comments about continuing to go to Victim #1's residence when he got released from jail, and made statements advising he would murder Victim #1.

Child pornography charge filed against former Monett, Aurora police officer

The Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed child pornography charges against a former Monett and Aurora police officer today.

Scott William Gaston, 49, Marionville, is being held without bond in the Lawrence County Detention Center on charges of possession of child pornography and promoting child pornography.

According to the probable cause document, following a tip, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force discovered 29 video files.

The task force, along with the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Homeland Security executed a search warrant on Gaston's home, where he lives with his domestic partner and four children, today, according to the probable cause statement.

The statement noted concerns about dangers Gaston might pose to others, as well as concerns about whether he would appear in court.

The defendant has 17 years of prior law enforcement experience, giving him extensive knowledge of investigative procedures, court processes, and the potential consequences of the serious felony charges he is now facing. This level of familiarity increases his ability to evade court obligations and avoid prosecution. The evidence directly linking him to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, combined with the substantial penalties associated with these offenses, provides a significant incentive for him to flee or refuse to appear if only summoned.

These factors create a substantial risk that he will not comply with a criminal summons.

The defendant's 17 years in law enforcement give him specialized training, tactical knowledge, and familiarity with firearms that elevate the level of danger he presents. During the search warrant, investigators located multiple firearms, large quantities of ammunition, and significant amounts of cash throughout the residence. Four young children also live in the home, and the criminal conduct under investigation involves the exploitation of minors. 

The combination of his training, access to weapons, the seriousness of the offenses, and the instability indicated by his recent termination from employment demonstrates that he poses a credible and ongoing threat to the safety of the community and individuals around him.