The City said the purchase is necessary to go forward with replacement of the Main Avenue bridge downtown.

The two-officer team with the Springfield Police Department began work on Monday.

Springfield City Council approved funding for the markers Monday night.

The draft ordinance, submitted by Councilmember Craig Hosmer, would limit individual contributions to local elections to no more than $2,600.

Addressing homelessness has been a top priority for Joplin city officials.

City officials said that, in order to build a new Main Street Bridge, the building will have to be torn down and that they haven't been able to negotiate a purchase price with the business's owner.

The 3% hike in the tax would have helped fund a new convention and event center downtown.

The 18-month project will target more than 1,500 homes in the West Central neighborhood, chosen for its high concentration of aging or blighted homes.

The planned development on the outskirts of town would convert agricultural land into townhomes, villas and other housing.

If approved, the tax revenue would go to help fund a new convention and event center in Springfield.