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Joplin woman drowns on Shoal Creek



Tonya Phillips, 49, Joplin, drowned 11:15 a.m. Sunday on Shoal Creek, one mile west of Raccoon Road northeast of Granby.

According to the Highway Patrol report, Phillips was swept away by swift flood waters without a safety device and was unable to swim.

Newton County Acting Coroner Ronnie Jones pronounced Phillips dead at 2:15 p.m.

The drowning was the third this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

(This post has been changed to reflect that the drowning occurred on Sunday and not Monday.)

Former teacher, newspaper reporter and editor, covering Joplin and the Four-State Area since 2003.