Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Unemployed Joplin residents charged with stealing items from Target, selling them on EBay


The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney filed felony stealing charges against two Joplin residents who allegedly stole items from Target on five occasions and sold the items on EBay.

Warrants were issued today for the arrests of Seth Ray Jones (DOB 1991) and Akasha Rashawn Hackett (DOB 1996).

According to the probable cause statement, Jones and Hackett took items from Target five times between November 1 and November 6.







From the probable cause statement:

On 11/06/24 Target contacted the Police Department and advised the suspects had returned to the store and were stealing. 

Officers with the Joplin Police Department responded and were able to locate Akasha Hackett and Seth Jones. Both subjects were identified as the offenders in the now five cases reported by Target between the above dates. 

During my investigation, an interview was completed with Hackett and Jones. Jones provided information that he and Hacket are unemployed and are stealing targeted items from stores so that they can resell the items on eBay using an account under Hackett’s information. Jones stated he and Hackett made approximately $500 off the Lego sets stolen from Target between the above dates. 

Two shipping receipts from the US Postal Service in Joplin were in their vehicle. The receipts showed items were shipped off to Katy Texas, and Little Chute Wisconsin on 11/04/24. 








During an interview with Hackett, I spoke with her about the cases sent over by Target and her and Jones' impact on retail stores in the city from stealing. She stated, “that’s what I do, everyone else does it so it doesn’t matter." 

In five days between the above listed dates, Jones and Hackett were responsible for approximately $937.08 in total loss from Target.

The case was investigated by the Joplin Police Department.

Webb City man pleads not guilty to three counts of statutory sodomy


A Webb City man was arraigned and pleaded not guilty todayin Jasper County Circuit Court to three counts of statutory sodomy.

According to the probable cause statement, Jamie Judy (DOB 1971) committed the crimes with an underage girl on October 2, October 9 and October 14.







During an interview at the Children's Center, the girl said Judy said he wanted to teach her about sex.

Judy's bond is set at $50,000 cash only with the conditions that he wear an ankle monitor and have no contact with anyone under age 18.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Agenda posted for Carthage R-9 Board work session


















 

Jason Smith: The dawn of a new era in America


(By Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

It’s the dawn of a new era in America. After four long years of going from crisis to crisis, a major shakeup in Washington is coming in January. I am eager and ready to work side-by-side with President Donald Trump to get America back on the right track and undo all the damage the Biden-Harris administration inflicted on our great nation.

Under Trump, America will be prosperous again. As Chairman of Congress’s tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, I’m excited to work hand-in-hand with him on one of the most important policies we need to rebuild the economy: extending the historic tax relief that expires at the conclusion of 2025. Following passage of the landmark 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, real median household income rose by $5,000, wages increased 4.9%, and the poverty rate and unemployment rate reached their lowest levels in 50 years. My top priority will be delivering pro-family, pro-worker, and pro-small business tax reform to make our economy great again.








Unlike the Biden-Harris administration, Trump will stand up for American farmers, ranchers, and small businesses when it comes to trade. As the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade, I look forward to working with Trump to enact policies that put America first. Trump will aggressively enforce trade deals that support American farmers, workers, manufacturers, and small businesses. I will work closely with him to expand opportunities for our workers, hold those who cheat America accountable, and ensure we have policies in place to help bring companies and jobs back home to America.

A Trump administration also means an end to the Left’s radical and costly Green New Deal agenda. Trump knows full-well that an all-of-the-above energy agenda is vital to creating jobs and growing the economy. He’ll fight to unleash American energy to lower gas and utility costs and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Burdensome, overreaching environmental regulations that hurt our farmers, ranchers, and small businesses will be on the chopping block.

Trump will waste no time making America safe again. He will bring back the policies we need to end the chaos on the border. He will take a tough-on-crime approach to stop the lawlessness that’s plaguing our communities. And he will end the Left’s defund the police agenda and restore law and order to our nation’s communities by fighting back against far-left prosecutors who have worked to make crime legal in our nation’s cities.








Together, we will work to prevent biological males from competing in female sports. We’ll also work to get our schools back to focusing on providing students with a high-quality education instead of one that pushes the Left’s critical race theory and radical trans agenda.

Words cannot describe how excited I am that Trump is America’s 47th president-elect. For the first time in four years, we will have a president who will fight for the working class and who actually cares about rural communities. Our nation has a very bright future ahead.

Saturday, November 09, 2024

Shoal Creek Drive Village treasurer charged with stealing $27,000

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney filed felony stealing charges against Shoal Creek Drive Village treasurer Katrina Lynn Gourley, (DOB 1982) Joplin, who allegedly stole $27,075 between August 2, 2022 and September 19, 2022.

 The allegations are spelled out in the probable cause statement:

The victim in this case is Shoal Creek Drive Village. Reporting Party 1 (RPl) is a board member of the Village. 

RPl advised he was contacted by Involved Other 1 (IOl), who is a former board member. RPl advised he was told the bank accounts for the Village have some irregular activity. RPl advised the Village uses Southwest Missouri Bank. RPl advised that he responded to the bank and retrieved bank records for the past several months. 








Rpl turned over the records, which consisted of several pages. The records show several transactions made by Katrina Gourley, who is the Village Treasurer. 

Some examples are on 08/08/2022, Ms. Gourley transferred money to CashApp four different times for a total of $4500.00, on 08/15/20202 four times for a total of $3100.00, on 09/01/2022 four times for a total of $500.00, on 09/02/2022 six times for a total of $1200.00, on 09/06/2022 ten times for a total of $3500.00, and many more. 

RPl had what he advised were minutes from a board meeting that never occurred. He advised he received the minutes from the Principal at Stapleton Elementary School. He advised the minutes were made up and used by Ms. Gourley when she presented a check to Stapleton School. 

RPl also had with him a check that was written to Stapleton Elementary School. The check had been cashed. The number on the check is 1787 for $4,798.00. RPl advised the check was signed by Offender 2 (OF2) and Involved Other 2 (102). 102 advised he signed the check at the request of Katrina Gourley. 102 advised the check was not filled out when he signed it, and that Mrs. Gourley told him it was for office supplies. 








The Principal advised Ms. Gourley is the head of the PTO. The Principal advised he received the check from Ms. Gourley along with a copy of the minutes from the Village Board meeting. The Principal advised Ms. Gourley brought the check to the school. The check was payment for a fundraiser that Ms. Gourley was in charge of. 

After reviewing the records that I was given from Shoal Creek Drive Village, I was able to add the amount of money that was sent from the Village Bank account to "Katrina OW" using CashApp. The dates are from 08/02/2022-09/19/2022 for a total of approximately $27,075. 

After talking with IOl, I learned that a check was written to OF2 in the amount of $417.31. Check number 1728, date 06/30/2022. The check has a signature that looked like IOl signed it, however IOl advised she did not sign that check. 

I have tried numerous times to contact the suspect in this case. This case will be forwarded to the Newton County Prosecutors Office for further disposition.

The case was investigated by the Newton County Sheriff's Office.

Friday, November 08, 2024

Legislative priorities, school improvement, facilities on tap for Joplin R-8 Board work session


The Joplin R-8 Board of Education will hold a work session 5 p.m. Monday at the Memorial Education Building.

The agenda is printed below:

A. Call to Order - (Hartwell)
1. Roll Call - (Warstler)

B. Pledge of Allegiance - (Hartwell)








C. WORK SESSION
1. Legislation Priorities
2. School Improvement Update
3. Long-Range Facility Plan Update

D. Adjourn

Racist texts about ‘picking cotton’ sent to Black students nationwide, including Missouri


By Annelise Hanshaw

Racist text messages received this week primarily by Black students nationwide — including in Missouri — are under investigation by federal authorities.

The FBI said in a statement issued Thursday it “is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter.”

Locally, groups have condemned the attacks, and college campuses are looking into the source of the messages.








The texts, which tell recipients they were “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation,” have been posted on forums online as far back as Wednesday afternoon. Students have reported receiving the texts at several universities around the state.

Thursday morning, the 17-year-old son of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones received the viral message, which the mayor’s father posted online.

Nimrod Chapel Jr., president of the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, called for law enforcement and schools to take action.

“This is terrorism plain and simple. It points to a well-organized and resourced group that has decided to target Americans on our home soil based on the color of our skin,” he said in a statement after Missouri State University students reported receiving the texts. “The schools that were targeted and law enforcement need to take these reports seriously and act quickly to prevent the escalation to physical violence.”








The University of Missouri-Columbia is also aware of students on its campus receiving the messages.

“​​We are actively investigating the matter and working to identify the source of these messages,” said Christopher Ave, the university’s spokesman. “We are also aware that similar texts have been reported at universities nationwide. Based on the information currently available, there is no indication of a credible threat to the safety of members of the MU community.”

Attorneys general in other states, such as Louisiana and North Carolina, have launched state investigations. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has not spoken publicly about the issue.

Thursday, November 07, 2024

Carthage R-9 announces Distinguished Tiger Alumni Award in memory of Caroline Tubbs

 

(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

In loving memory of Mrs. Caroline Tubbs—a lifelong educator and passionate advocate for learning—Carthage High School is proud to announce this new award honoring our most accomplished alumni. 

The Distinguished Tiger Alumni Award celebrates CHS graduates who’ve made outstanding contributions in fields like education, business, human services, government, fine arts, and community support. 

Award Qualifications:

-Exceptional achievements in their field

- Meaningful impact on their profession and community








- Leadership, character, and dedication to service

- Graduated from Carthage High School at least 10 years ago

Learn more or nominate a deserving Tiger today at www.carthagetigers.org/distinguishedtigeraward

Missouri business groups weigh challenge to voter-approved minimum wage hike, sick leave


By Clara Bates

A coalition of Missouri business advocacy groups says it is exploring multiple avenues to challenge the implementation of Proposition A — a measure that Missouri voters passed on Tuesday that will raise the state’s minimum wage and guarantee sick leave for some workers.

The measure passed with 58% of the vote and had the support of various unions and workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, over 500 state business owners and others.






 

The minimum wage will increase to $13.75 in January and then $15 in 2026. The paid sick leave provisions go into effect next May.

Hoping to block implementation of the changes is a coalition of business advocacy groups — Associated Industries of Missouri, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Missouri Grocers Association, the Missouri Restaurant Association, the Missouri Retailers Association and the National Federation of Independent Business.

The coalition is “explor[ing] all available options, including possible legal action,” according to a statement released Wednesday.

“We are deeply disappointed by the passage of Proposition A,” the groups wrote, adding that the measure will increase costs for consumers and employers as well as “poses a legal risk for all employers,” by providing a cause of action for employees to sue.

The focus of concern among these business advocacy groups has been with the sick leave portion of the proposition, arguing it constrains business owner’s freedom to make their own decisions and opens them up to liability if they don’t follow the requirements.

Ray McCarty, CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri, said in an interview with The Independent that groups are exploring a lawsuit to challenge the law on the basis that it doesn’t meet the state constitution’s single-subject requirement, because benefits and wages are distinct issues. They are also looking into advocating for legislative changes when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.

“We’ll look at the legal challenge first,” McCarty said. “If we’re not successful with that, or we’re not able to get that off the ground, or we don’t believe that we have that high chance of success, then yes, we will be looking at bills to try to mitigate some of the problems that we see with it.”

Supporters of the measure, including Richard Von Glahn, campaign manager for Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages, say efforts to overturn or weaken it are unlikely to succeed. Von Glahn said wages and benefits are part of overall compensation, so fall under the single-subject requirement. He added there were several opportunities for the group to voice an opinion with concerns about the language earlier, and they didn’t.

“They waged a campaign to try to convince voters to reject this. They lost,” Von Glahn said. “And so the idea of a lawsuit now kind of feels a little frivolous to me, and is a waste of time and resources. They would be better off making sure that they are educating their community and businesses about the requirements of the law, and helping for smooth implementation.”








Because the measure changes state law but not the constitution, the legislature could modify or overturn it without returning for a new vote of the people.

In 2018, after the state passed a minimum wage increase, some business interest groups advocated unsuccessfully for lawmakers to change pieces of it, Von Glahn said, “and that might happen again.”

“If I’m a politician, I know I have a limited amount of time in Jefferson City. There’s a limited amount of bills that can be heard and voted on,” he said. “Overturning the will of Missouri voters should not be high on the list.”

McCarty said the wide margin of passage could make it challenging to convince legislators to tweak the law.

“For 58 to 42, that’s very difficult for any legislator, even experienced ones who have been around a long time, it’s very difficult for them to go against the will of the people, and we understand that,” he said. “Some legislators may look at this and go, we don’t want to goof with it at all because the percentage was so high in support of it.”

Business leaders “have good reasons why we would want to change it,” McCarty said. But while they could try to move a bill through the legislature, he said they’d prefer to “head it off at the pass and just do away with it” through litigation.

A predicted victory

Prop A’s victory didn’t come as a surprise to most: It follows a trend of progressive initiative petition campaigns finding success in a state that hasn’t voted for a Democrat for statewide office since 2018

Paid sick leave measures also passed in Alaska and Nebraska, bringing the number of states with such laws to 18.

The details of the law are similar to those in states that have already adopted policies to expand access to paid sick leave. Employees can begin accruing and using sick time on May 1, 2025, earning one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to five days per year for small businesses (those with fewer than 15 employees) and seven days per year for larger businesses. Certain workers are exempt, and are listed in the full text of the law, including those employed on a “casual basis” for babysitting, workers employed in a private residence who work occasionally for six or fewer hours, and those who work in retail or service in a business that annually makes less than $500,000 in annual gross volume sales.

Von Glahn said that while canvassing, workers found common ground in their identity with other workers — regardless of party affiliation — who also have the experience of needing to leave work to pick their sick children up from school.








“And immediately what I get is people nodding their heads, ‘yeah, I have that too,’ and saying, it doesn’t make sense that some workers get punished for having to do that. “

Alejandro Gallardo, a restaurant prep cook in Columbia who canvassed with the campaign, said people he spoke to were surprised to hear about “what it’s really like in the restaurant industry,” and some were surprised to hear the minimum wage isn’t already $15.

Coworkers come into work sick “all the time,” he said, in his experience in the restaurant industry. One coworker who had the stomach flu, he remembers, came into work, saying “my stomach tells me I need to stay home, but my wallet tells me I need to come to work.”

Gallardo will qualify for sick leave for the first time in his career come May. He’ll no longer have to choose between going without pay or coming into work sick, calling it a “huge improvement for a lot of workers in the state.”








The ballot measure will make sick leave guaranteed for 728,000 workers who currently lack it statewide, or over 1 in 3 Missouri workers, according to an analysis from the progressive nonprofit the Missouri Budget Project.

The minimum wage increase is slated to affect over 562,000 workers in the state, according to the Missouri Budget Project, or nearly one in every four workers.

“This is a vital part of the community that’s not being treated the way it should be treated,” Gallardo said. And I think this proposition will go a long way to fix that.”

Missouri voted for abortion-rights amendment and Republicans who vow to overturn it


By Jason Hancock

Missourians voted Tuesday night to protect abortion rights, raise the minimum wage and guarantee paid sick leave for workers.

They also voted by wide margins to send Republicans to Jefferson City who vehemently oppose those proposals and may try to roll them back.

It’s become a familiar pattern in Missouri — progressive ballot measures like Medicaid expansion and marijuana legalization finding success in a state where Republicans have dominated for more than a decade.








Exactly why this seems to play out cycle after cycle is a matter of debate.

Eljah Haahr, a former GOP speaker of the Missouri House, believes Tuesday’s split decision, in line with years of similar outcomes, can best be explained by money.

“Missouri is a conservative state,” Haahr said. “But if you have the money, you can build a winning campaign.”

The coalition that successfully campaigned for the abortion-rights amendment raised more than $31 million, while abortion opponents raised just a fraction of that amount.

Proposition A, which will gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and guarantee paid sick leave for hundreds of thousands of workers, was supported by a campaign that raised $6 million and faced little organized opposition.

Six years ago, opposition to a ballot measure expanding Medicaid never managed to get off the ground while the campaign in support raised $10 million.

In each case, out-of-state progressive groups that aren’t required to disclose their donors cut massive checks to support the ballot measures.

“They had the resources to present their side,” said James Harris, a longtime GOP consultant. “Opponents lacked the money to educate voters in any meaningful way.”







Chalking up the success of initiative petitions to money oversimplifies the situation, said Stephen Webber, a former chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party who won a seat in the state Senate on Tuesday.

“The money might impact the margins,” Webber said, “but it doesn’t explain a voter casting a ballot for Amendment 3 and then voting for Mike Kehoe (for governor). If the money would make a difference to the outcome, the money would have been there.”

Voters are complex, Webber said, and pick candidates based on a combination of issues. And thanks to the initiative petition process, he said, Republican lawmakers are shielded from consequences when they stonewall voter priorities.

“Voters don’t seem to punish them for it,” he said, “they just seem to fix it through the ballot initiative process.”

Beyond money, Haahr said, is that the Democratic brand is tarnished in Missouri.

“Missouri Democrats’ brand is inextricably tied to the national Democrats,” he said “When they won in Missouri, the national Democratic brand was not considered as far left.”

Democratic candidates in Missouri are indeed getting “caught up in national noise,” said Claire Cook-Callen, director of campaigns with the liberal advocacy group Progress MO.

Conversely, ballot initiative campaigns “are conversations between Missourians,” Cook-Callen said. “It’s an ability to cut across a party line and talk to somebody about something that directly impacts them in their life.”

Peverill Squire, a professor of political science at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said the recent success of liberal ballot measures shows that Missourians are comfortable with the Democrats’ positions on many issues.






 

But rural Missourians, Squire said, have become “uncomfortable with Democratic candidates for the General Assembly who they often see as talking down to them and unable to relate to their problems.”

“Being popular in St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia isn’t sufficient,” he said.

Many Democratic candidates this year had hoped the abortion-rights amendment would have coattails that would help them claw back into relevancy in the legislature.

Webber said that sort of short-term thinking isn’t going to rebuild the party.

“The path back for Missouri Democrats is going to be a long road,” Webber said. “If anybody thinks there’s a shortcut, it’s an ambush. If anybody thinks that there’s a shiny object, it’s a trap. There’s no one race we can win. There’s no one thing we can do. We are going to have to slowly chip away over the next decade.”

Meanwhile, Republicans are faced with a quandary of their own.

After years of watching voters go around the GOP-dominated legislature through the initiative petition process, the party has become determined to counter that by making it harder to amend the state constitution. Year after year, however, Democratic resistance short circuits that push.

Yet now abortion has been enshrined in the Missouri Constitution, and a litany of Republican officials are calling for lawmakers to put another constitutional amendment on the ballot rolling back those rights.

“For years,” Harris said, “we’ve been discussing making it more difficult to put something in the state constitution. That’s something that Republicans need to have a discussion about in the coming months.”