City of Carthage

St. Ann’s Students Explore Fire Safety and Science at Carthage Fire Station #1

Students from St. Ann’s School enjoyed an exciting and educational field trip to Carthage Fire Station #1, where they experienced hands-on learning with a tour, interactive presentations, and a creative science experiment.

During the visit, preschool through 5th grade students participated in an egg drop challenge; a fun experiment to test their creativity and problem-solving skills. Each student was challenged to design a protective container to keep their egg from breaking when dropped from the fire truck’s extended ladder.

Firefighters raised the ladder high above the station’s bay, giving students the thrill of seeing their creations put to the test. Some eggs didn’t survive the fall, while others impressed everyone with clever designs. One student’s egg, packed securely inside a peanut butter jar, survived the impact, but the jar itself cracked open!

The activity began with an unprotected egg drop to show the effect of impact and ended with the dramatic drop of a pumpkin from 75 feet in the air, an exciting finale that had everyone cheering.

In addition to the experiment, students learned about fire safety, explored the fire trucks, and got to see firsthand how Carthage firefighters serve and protect the community.

Everyone who attended had a fantastic time filled with laughter, learning, and appreciation for our local heroes. The Carthage Fire Department was proud to host such an enthusiastic group of young learners and looks forward to welcoming more school groups in the future.

Public Notice: Unauthorized Social Media Accounts

The City of Carthage has been made aware of several unauthorized Facebook accounts that have recently been created using the City’s name, imagery, or likeness. These pages are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the City of Carthage in any capacity.

To ensure you are receiving accurate and timely information, please refer only to the City’s official communication channels, including the verified City of Carthage Facebook page and the official website at www.carthagemo.gov

The City advises residents and visitors to exercise caution when interacting with or sharing content from unofficial sources. Misinformation disseminated through imitation or parody accounts can lead to confusion regarding City services, events, and public notices.

If you encounter a page or post that appears to falsely represent the City of Carthage, please report it directly to Facebook and notify City staff at (417) 237-7000 for verification.

The City of Carthage remains committed to transparent, accurate, and professional communication with the public.

🚧 Widening Project at Airport Drive and Hazel Avenue
The asphalt work on Hazel Avenue has been completed! Public Works will assess the road in the morning, Thursday Oct. 2nd to ensure it is ready to reopen for traffic. Airport Drive will remain closed.

We know many of you have been taking alternate routes during this project, and we truly appreciate your patience throughout the delays.

The long-awaited sculpture funded by Vision Carthage since late 2023 was installed on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the Fairlawn roundabout. The original project proposal was prepared by artist Rachel Wilson on September 18, 2021.

This project has been in progress for quite some time as the proper permit from MoDOT was required before installation. Scotts Landscaping will now move forward with beautifying the area surrounding the sculpture.

We would like to thank Parks Superintendent Chad Carney and his staff for their hard work in moving the piece from its previous location near Avilla. At 16 feet tall and weighing approximately 650 pounds, the installation required great care and coordination.

This sculpture will serve as a new landmark for Carthage and a testament to the collaborative efforts that continue to enhance our community. Stay tuned for further updates and details on a special celebration hosted by Vision Carthage, to be announced at a later date.

Mark Salazar, founder of Light Sports, a nonprofit based in Webb City with many players from the Carthage area, addressed the Council. He shared that he has been working with a ministry baseball group currently practicing and playing at the historic Carl Lewton Stadium, scheduling their time through the Parks Department Administrative Assistant.

Mr. Salazar presented an idea to the Council requesting consideration of a partnership that would allow him to manage the stadium and coordinate events, with the goal of restoring the historic facility for younger players.

He reported that he, along with a group of volunteers consisting of players and parents, has already completed some minor improvements at the field. Mr. Salazar expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to continue collaborating with the City of Carthage to bring the stadium back to life.

The City of Carthage congratulates Chad Dininger, who will serve as our next Chief of Police following Chief Bill Hawkins’ retirement later this year. We also welcome Richard Bonine, who will begin as Parks and Recreation Director on October 6, 2025.

The Carthage Fire Department was honored to be part of a special moment at Maple Tree Terrace during their Senior Prom. Firefighters took time out of their day to join the celebration, sharing smiles, dancing, and helping create lasting memories for the residents. Their presence brought joy and excitement, showing once again their dedication not only to protecting our community but also to being an active part of it.

Discover Carthage’s Civil War Museum

Located at 205 Grant Street in Carthage, Missouri, the Battle of Carthage Civil War Museum offers visitors a fascinating look into one of the most pivotal times in American history. With engaging exhibits, detailed accounts, and authentic artifacts, the museum preserves and shares the story of the Civil War’s impact on southwest Missouri and beyond.

One of the museum’s highlights is its in-depth presentation of the Battle of Carthage, fought on July 5, 1861—recognized as one of the earliest battles of the Civil War. Through maps, displays, and narratives, visitors can follow the events of that historic day and better understand Carthage’s place in the broader conflict.

The museum also showcases the lives of the men and women who experienced the war firsthand. Exhibits explore local history, military strategy, and the lasting effects of the conflict on Carthage and the surrounding area. It even features a 7-by-15-foot mural painted by local artist Andy Thomas, capturing the drama and significance of the battle in vivid detail.

With free admission and a passionate, friendly staff, there’s nothing keeping you from visiting the Battle of Carthage Civil War Museum and experiencing history brought to life.

The museum is open:

Tuesday – Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(Closed on Mondays)

Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a student of history, or a traveler exploring Route 66, the Carthage Civil War Museum is a must-see destination that connects the past to the present.

🚒 Fill the Boot for MDA 💛

Our Carthage Fire Department is once again joining firefighters across the nation for the annual Fill the Boot campaign to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

📍 You’ll find our local firefighters at the north entrance of the Carthage Walmart from 9 AM – 4 PM each day through Labor Day weekend with boots ready to fill!

Since 1954, the partnership between the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and MDA has raised critical funds—one dollar at a time—to help empower people living with neuromuscular disease to live longer, more independent lives.

Every dollar collected stays hard at work fueling research, treatments, and support for families right here in our community.

💛 Stop by, say thank you to our local firefighters, and help us Fill the Boot for MDA!

Road Project Updates – August 26, 2025

🚧 Widening Project at Airport Drive and Hazel Avenue
The contractor is completing curb and gutter work on Hazel Street to prepare for the asphalt overlay. Once that work is finished, Hazel will reopen while crews continue repositioning the gas line along Airport Drive in preparation for the road widening project.

🚧 Box Culvert Project on East Chestnut
Work has begun on the box culvert replacement located on East Chestnut between Valley and South River Streets. A brand-new culvert will be installed soon to improve drainage and roadway safety in the area.

📌 Both of these projects are contracted out and are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and accommodate future growth.

The City of Carthage appreciates the public’s patience as we move forward with these important improvements. We recognize that construction can impact daily commutes and thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Restoring Our Streets After Utility Work — We Appreciate Your Patience

We recognize that many streets in Carthage are currently rough and uneven due to ongoing underground utility work throughout the city. We want to assure our residents that the City has a well-coordinated plan to repair and restore affected roadways.

This plan prioritizes safety and long-term quality to ensure our streets meet community standards. Because these repairs involve multiple phases and coordination with various departments and contractors, the process will take some time to complete.

We ask for your patience and understanding during this period. The City is committed to keeping residents informed with regular updates on repair progress and expected timelines.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to improve Carthage’s streets for everyone.

For questions or concerns, please contact the Street Department (417) 237-7010

Downtown Square Sidewalks & Streetscaping Update

Progress continues on the Downtown Square Sidewalks & Streetscaping Restoration, with another exterior corner now complete. Crews have pushed forward through rain and extreme heat, and work remains ongoing.

Please use caution when entering the square, as construction activity will continue. We appreciate your patience and support as we work to enhance the heart of our city.

Free Mahjong Open Play – Every Wednesday!
Join us every Wednesday at 1 PM for Afternoon Mahjong at Carthage Memorial Hall. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, all are welcome to come play and connect with others who enjoy the game.
Register today at https://secure.rec1.com/MO/carthage-mo/catalog

Mahjong Classes Series Draws Strong Community Interest A three-week series of Mahjong classes kicked off on Friday, June 13th, attracting a full house of enthusiastic participants. The first session reached capacity quickly, with a waiting list established due to high demand. Sue, a passionate Mahjong player, along with two of her friends, generously volunteered their time and expertise to lead the classes. Their commitment to sharing the game has sparked great interest within the community, offering residents an engaging opportunity to learn and enjoy this classic tile-based game. Classes are held at Memorial Hall from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Friday. The series will continue over the next two weeks, providing attendees with a chance to develop their skills and connect with fellow players. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 417-237-7050. Registration is open online at https://secure.rec1.com/MO/carthage-mo/catalog. Residents are encouraged to register soon to secure a spot in future sessions.

🚨 Important Parking Notice 🚨 We have received multiple concerns about cars parking in the street while waiting to pick up children after school. This creates a safety hazard by blocking traffic flow. To address this, our Street Department will be installing "No Parking" signs. We will also be working with the school to notify parents that street parking will no longer be allowed. Our goal is to give everyone ample notice and encourage compliance with these new parking rules, so we can avoid the need for enforcement actions like ticketing. Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our roads safe! 🚗🚸 #SafetyFirst #Community #ParkingNotice

We are excited to celebrate the Ribbon Cutting at Carl Lewton/Rock Stadium, as it is an important piece of our history. And though some needed repairs had to be made to ensure the safety and longevity of the ballfield for future generations, overwhelmingly the majority of citizens let it be known they wanted this to remain as a ballfield. And that has always been our plan to have it remain as a ballfield. We are pleased to have the high school baseball team back on their home turf! Future use of the field will be for Little League. There have been many repairs and renovations to the field including replacement of the outfield fence, purchased and installed a new scoreboard, restored electricity to the clubhouse and also stadium lights, new bleachers, concrete, dirt, seeded the area behind the bleachers, new left field foul pole and base rock for the concrete. $150,000 was allocated out of Use Tax money to renovate the stadium and was unanimously approved on December 19, 2023. To date we have spent just over $90,000 on repairs and renovations. We are pleased to have the field safe and ready for this year’s ball season. Thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for helping us celebrate!

Last night Carthage Police Department and the City of Carthage had the privilege of swearing-in 5 new officers. Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Hinojoza, Isaac Fry, Kyle Fallis, Jessica Guevara, and Michael Lane.

Due to ongoing complaints and parking issues in the downtown area, we would like to remind everyone that there is a two-hour parking ordinance in the City Code. Sec. 23-424. - Two-hour parking. (a) No person shall park any vehicle within the following listed boundaries on any public street and leave the same continuously parked for a period greater than two (2) hours between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday: The area bounded on the west by the east curb line of Garrison Avenue and on the north by the south curb line of Central Avenue and on the east by the east curb line of Howard Street and on the south by the north curb line of Sixth Street. (b) The police committee of the council may designate certain streets within the above bounded areas as areas in which parking is not restricted. Any such areas shall be placed on a list and a copy will be kept by the chief of police and the city clerk. The council may make changes to the list. (c) Any person guilty of violating the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) shall be subject to a fine of five dollars ($5.00) if such fine is paid within seventy-two (72) hours of the placement of a notice of violation on the vehicle, provided however, that if such person has received more than four (4) such notices of violation within a thirty (30) day period such person shall be subject to a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) if paid within seventy-two (72) hours of the placement of a notice of violation on the vehicle. If the fines mentioned above are not paid within seventy-two (72) hours and the person is found guilty of violating the provisions of subsection (a) or (b), such person shall be sentenced to a fine in accordance with the general penalty sections of the Carthage Code. (d) It shall be unlawful for any person to move his motor vehicle from one (1) location on the Carthage Square or within one (1) block of the Carthage Square to another location on the Carthage Square or within one (1) block of the Carthage Square for the purpose of avoiding the two-hour parking limitation as set forth in subsection (a) above. Any person found guilty of violating this subsection shall be subject to fine not less than ten dollars ($10.00) and not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00). (e) No person shall be fined for violation of the two-hour parking restriction above if on the day in question he has ridden on the city operated bus tour and as a result thereof has parked for more than two (2) hours at any restricted location. It shall be the duty of such person upon receiving a notice of violation of this section to furnish proof of his riding said bus on the time and date in question. (Code 1978, § 307.010; Ord. No. 6245, § 1, 6-12-90; Ord. No. 6387, § 1, 1-29-92; Ord. No. 96-68, § I, 9-24-96; Ord. No. 17-34, § I, 8-8-17)