New York Jets select Joplin High School's Isaiah Davis in NFL Draft

 

The New York Jets selected former Joplin High School running back Isaiah Davis today in the fifth round of the annual NFL draft.

Davis, who played his collegiate football for national champion South Dakota State, was a standout during his years at Joplin High School.

The Jets posted the following release on the team website:

With their second of three picks (No. 173 overall) in the fifth round, the Jets selected South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis.

The Jets acquired the pick from the San Francisco 49ers, moving back from No. 129 (Round 4) for a pair of picks in Round 5 – No. 173 and No. 176.

Davis (6-2, 218), 22, played 46 games (36 starts) over four seasons for the Jackrabbits and rushed for 4,548 yards and 50 touchdowns. Over the last two seasons, he ran for 3,029 yards (1,451 in 2022, 1,578 in 2023) and 23 scores. He was twice named First-Team All-MVFC (2022, 23) and was honored as a First-Team All-American in 2023.

"I can't put it into words man," Davis said about the moment the Jets called. "My hands started shaking and it was an unbelievable feeling. I am so excited to be a Jet and be in New York. It is really a dream come true."

A hard-nosed runner, Davis seemingly got stronger each season, with 12 of his 24 career 100-yard rushing games coming in the FCS playoffs. The Jackrabbits' won back-to-back national championships in 2022 and '23 and in their eight postseason games over the last two seasons, he averaged 127.8 yards rushing and scored 12 total touchdowns.

"I am a versatile and downhill back," Davis said. "I feel like I can run well between the tackles and running power and getting downhill. That is what I am most used to doing, but I personally am going to find a way to impact the game. I am excited about what I have accomplished and all I have worked for this past year, and now I am going to bring it all to the Jets."

As a freshman, Davis dominated from the moment he stepped on campus in Brookings. In 2020, he ran for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games and earned Freshman All-American honors. He received offers from teams at the FBS level as a sophomore but remained committed to building a championship culture at SDSU.

"I didn't want to chase the money at the end of the day," Davis said. "The money is going to come when it comes but I was looking to win a championship and we ended up going back-to-back. When I went to SDSU, I made a commitment to my brothers and coaches to try and win a national championship and that's what I did."

The Jets addressed offense with each of their first five picks in the draft – T Olu Fashanu (Rd. 1, No. 11 overall), WR Machai Corley (Rd. 1, No. 65), RB Braelon Allen (Rd. 4, No. 134), QB Jordan Travis (Rd. 5, No. 171) and Davis.

Davis and Allen join a running back room that features star tailback Breece Hall and 2023 fifth-round pick (No. 143) Israel Abanikanda. Prior to the draft, Davis did his training in Texas where he met Hall.

"He seems like a really chill and genuine dude," Davis said. "He is really hard worker. It will be great to learn from someone like him who has excelled really well. I am looking forward to it."

Preliminary hearing Monday for alleged Mac County cult leader, accused of forcible rape of 10-year-old girl

The preliminary hearing for a former McDonald County pastor who was alleged to be the ringleader of a sex cult in 2006 is scheduled to be held 1 p.m. Monday in McDonald County Circuit Court.

Raymond Lambert II, 69, whose address is listed as Washburn in court files, is charged with forcible rape of a 10-year-old in the summer of 2013 and four counts of statutory sodomy. 

The prosecution is being conducted by the McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney's office and a special prosecutor from the Missouri Attorney General's office.

(Photo- Raymond Lambert, front, is shown during a court hearing in 2006.)

The allegations against Lambert include the following:

-Rape- Lambert allegedly forced the 10-year-old girl to have sex with him in a shed in the summer of 2013 after pushing her against the wall and grabbing her hair.

-Statutory sodomy- According to the complaint, between 2002 and 2004, Lambert reached into the pants of an underage boy and performed a sex act.

-Statutory sodomy- Lambert allegedly compelled an underage girl to perform an oral sex act on him while he touched her genitalia between 2002 and 2004

-Statutory sodomy- The complaint says Lambert committed the same crime mentioned in the previous paragraph with the girl on another occasion between 2002 and 2004.

Statutory sodomy- Lambert committed the same crime with a different underage girl in 1995, according to the complaint.

Felony charges against Lambert were filed in 2006, but were dismissed according to the McDonald County prosecuting attorney due to witnesses being reluctant to testify, though an attorney for the witnesses said that was not the case.

A McDonald County grand jury indicted Lambert in February 2008, charging him with four counts of child molestation, three counts of statutory sodomy and one count of child abuse in connection with ritual sex abuse of children.

Janice Durbin, who was McDonald County prosecuting attorney at the time, dismissed charges against Lambert June 10, 2008, again citing reluctance of witnesses.

At the time the charges were filed against him, Lambert was minister of the Grand Valley Independent Baptist Church. Lambert and the church were located in what media described as a "compound" in rural McDonald County. Approximately 100 attended the church, which was termed a "cult" at that time and was not connected to any official Baptist organization.

May 2 show cause hearing set for Newton County Commissioners

A 12 noon May 2 hearing has been scheduled in Newton County Circuit Court so county commissioners Alan Cook (pictured), Daniel Swem and David Osborn can show cause why they shouldn't be held in contempt for allegedly violating a June 15, 2022 ruling that ordered the commissioners to stop their efforts to control the discretionary money in the offices of Newton County Recorder Jennifer Childers and Treasurer Gina Rodriguez.

Online court records indicate the commissioners were served notice of the meeting Thursday.

The hearing will be conducted by 15th Circuit Court Judge Dennis Rolf, who made the 2022 ruling.

In the motion for contempt, which was filed April 11 in Newton County Circuit Court, Carthage attorney Bill Lasley, representing Childers, alleged Cook has been the ringleader in what he indicated were violations of the ruling.

More details about the contempt motion can be found in the link below.

The Turner Report: War between Newton County officials escalates, may have contributed to Jim Otey's retirement announcement (rturner229.blogspot.com)

Carthage City Council woman fails in attempt to suspend city attorney who is leaving May 10 anyway

It's just money.

During the April 23 Carthage City Council meeting, council member Lori Leece asked what on the face of it would appear to be an important question.

The council was about to approve spending $25,000 so St. Louis attorney Paul Taylor could conduct an investigation of Mayor Dan Rife, which would lead to an impeachment, because that's what the City Council wants and that's Paul Taylor's specialty.

The contract the council would vote on a few moments later, however, called not only for the $25,000 for the investigation, but also for expenses.

Leece asked what those expenses would be.

Seemed like a good question.

Impeachment ringleader Tiffany Cossey, using the tone of voice that showed her irritation that someone felt the need to ask how much of the taxpayers' money was going to be spent, dismissed the question with that kind of tone you use when a child is getting unruly.

It might be for mileage, Cossey said, or it might be for lodging if they had to have any overnight stays.

Mileage and lodging can add up quickly, but it's just taxpayer money.

Of course, the council could save a lot of taxpayer money by just trying to get along with Rife and then work to vote him out of office next April, but that's not going to happen.

The council voted 7-2 with Cossey, Jana Schramm, Terri Heckmaster, Alan Snow, Derek Peterson, Dustin Edge and Tom Barlow approving the contract and Leece and Chris Taylor voting "no."

Cossey wasn't finished. 

Following what from all intents and purposes appears to have been a heated closed session, Cossey, who has already led what may have been an unsuccessful effort to fire City Administrator Greg Dagnan (it depends on your definition of the word "and") and who has Rife in her sights went after City Attorney Greg Dally.

During the closed session, Cossey accused Dally of sending a text message to a law enforcement officer with the information that a Carthage business owner, who had spoken at a previous meeting, had an outstanding warrant. Cossey claimed Dally targeted the woman because of what she said at the council meeting. Dally denied that was his intent, even though he acknowledged sending the text.

The information about the business owner was public information that is available through the state of Missouri's case.net system.

When the council returned to open session, Cossey offered a motion to ask the mayor to suspend Dally, even though Dally's last day as city attorney is May 10. The motion passed by a 6-3 vote with Cossey, Schramm, Heckmaster, Snow, Peterson and Edge voting yes and Leece, Taylor and Barlow voting against the measure.

It didn't matter. Rife wasn't going to suspend Dally.

That didn't stop Cossey from continuing her rampage.

Cossey, the perpetual motion machine, next made a motion to write a letter to the Missouri Bar Association notifying it of what she termed as Dally's unethical behavior. Schramm quickly parroted a second.

Barlow tried to stop where this was heading by noting that taking a step like that should at least involve an investigation.

Leece, once again displaying the patience of a saint, said her heart was broken both for the woman who thought she had been targeted and for someone whose career and life could be affected by the outcome of the vote.

Cossey pushed onward, claiming this was just the latest instance of targeting in the city and this time, the vote went against her.

Only Schramm and Peterson voted with Cossey, while Leece, Taylor, Barlow, Edge and Snow voted "no" and Heckmaster abstained.

The council will meet in another special session 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Carthage Water and Electric Plant community room.

***

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Joplin company manager charged with stealing nearly $13,000 from employer

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed a felony stealing charge today against a Joplin man who allegedly took $12,972 by making unauthorized charges on his employer's credit card.

Richard R. Carriger II (DOB 1986), manager for Midland Paper, stole the money over a five-month period between October 2023 and March 2024, according to the probable cause statement.

According to Midland Paper invoice records Carriger used the company’s credit card to purchase items from 10/05/2023 through 03/05/2024. Unauthorized uses of the company’s credit card were valued at $12,972. 

Mr. Carriger was interviewed by me on 03/12/2024. Mr. Carriger was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with me. During this interview Mr. Carriger admitted to using the company credit card to purchase personal items. He also admitted that he purchased items for the business and his residence using the company credit card. 

Mr. Carriger states that he originally purchased multiple items but later cancelled the order knowing it was wrong. Mr. Carriger admitted to using the company credit card to purchase gift cards, totaling $4,275. 

Mr. Carriger allowed me to come to his residence which is also located in Joplin, Newton County, Missouri. I recovered the Ryobi power washer, portable heater, and a Ryobi chainsaw at his residence which he willingly gave me. These items were purchased using the company’s credit card.

The case was investigated by the Joplin Police Department.

Nancy Hughes: Fix it, God

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Teaching my four-year-old grandson to tie his shoes was quite a challenge. He struggled for several minutes but eventually got “one rabbit in the hole” before his attention turned to “Max and Ruby” on television and the lesson ended. But it brought back memories of another shoe-tying experience as a school nurse many years ago.

 

I was in my office when the mom of one of our first graders came in, obviously frustrated. She looked at me and demanded, “Nurse Nancy, I have a problem and YOU need to fix it now.” Notice that she was the one with the problem but I was the one she had decided needed to fix it. So I replied, “Well, Mrs. Smith, what’s the problem?” And she said “It’s my daughter Megan. She refuses to learn to tie her shoes.”

When I asked what she had done to help her daughter so far, she replied “Well, I show her how to do it but she screams and refuses to even try. She throws her shoes at me, crosses her arms, and yells at me to get out of her room.” I couldn’t resist asking: “And what do you do then?” She seemed surprised at my question. “I get out, of course!” she replied.

To me the problem could be fixed within about 10 minutes, I told her. She was very excited and said “How? Tell me how!” (Can I mention that it was the middle of January and we were having some pretty nasty weather?) I continued “I would put Megan’s shoes on the front porch and put Megan on the front porch. Then I would tell her she can come in when she ties her shoes and I would shut and lock the door.”

Honestly, does that not make sense to you? Made sense to me. But Mrs. Smith didn’t think so because she began yelling “I can’t believe you would ever suggest anything like that! YOU don’t have a heart!” I thought to myself: “And YOU don’t have a brain.” (Yes, it was a thought for which I later repented.)

As I reflected on the shoe-tying incident, I realized that it was often a mirror image of how I act when faced with a tough situation. I react in two ways: first, I pray about what is going on but if I don’t like God’s answer to my heart, I move on to my second reaction: “Fix it, God!” without listening and obeying His will.

 

Maybe He whispers “You can do it, Nancy” or “Wait, Nancy” or “Keep on doing what you are doing and be patient, Nancy” but that’s not what I want to hear. Too often, I know what God wants me to do . . . I just don’t want to do it. Instead, I want HIM to instantly get rid of the trial by either removing or solving the situation or changing the person that I have a conflict with or . . . you get the picture?

We must learn to seek His face first, in all situations. And when we do that, we have to be willing to listen to His answer . . . and to obey. Oh, the lessons I have learned when trials have come and I have focused on the Lord, listened to His voice, and obeyed. Resist the urge to cry “Fix it!” to God and instead trust Him to guide you in His Word through whatever situation you may be facing . . . including shoes that refuse to be tied.

Father, help me to seek your will and obey. Please guide and direct me through each trial so I may grow and mature in my walk with you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

What is your immediate reaction when faced with a trial?

Do you want it “fixed” instantly or do you ask God to show you His will?

Apply

When a trial confronts you, meet it head-on with a short prayer of “Your will, your way, Father.”

Journal a list of previous trials you have had and how God answered your prayers each time. Then praise Him for His faithfulness.

Power

James 1:2-4 (NIV) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Psalm 55:22 (NIV) “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing, check out her blog, Encouragement from the War Room.) 

Public Service Commission approves surcharge increase for Spire customers

(From Missouri Public Service Commission)

The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a request filed by Spire Missouri, Inc. (Spire Missouri) to change the Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (ISRS) on the bills of its natural gas customers. The ISRS first appeared on Spire West customer bills in April 2004 and on Spire East customer bills in June 2004.

This ISRS adjustment reflects infrastructure replacement investments made by the natural gas company during the period of September 1, 2023 through February 29, 2024. These costs for natural gas pipeline replacements and relocations are not currently included in Spire Missouri’s rates.

 

The current ISRS for residential customers of Spire East is $0.75 a month. As a result of this case, the ISRS will increase to $1.43 a month. For Spire West residential customers, the current ISRS is $1.79 a month. 

 As a result of this case, the ISRS will increase to $3.22 a month. Spire Missouri has been authorized to file tariffs reflecting the Commission’s decision. Those tariffs will include a proposed effective date for the ISRS change.

Was it a Carthage City Council meeting or a Looney Tunes revival?

Carthage City Council's version of a Warner Brothers cartoon continued tonight with City Administrator Greg Dagnan in the role of Bugs Bunny and council member Tiffany Cossey personifying Elmer Fudd, except for the part about being "vewwy, vewwy quiet."

Cossey's quest to fire Dagnan continued as she made a motion for a special council meeting Monday, April 29 to change a city ordinance so she can get rid of Dagnan.

The council, by a 7-2 vote, fired Dagnan April 11, except it couldn't fire Dagnan because the city administrator can only be hired or fired by the council AND the mayor and Mayor Dan Rife wasn't having anything to do with it.

Though Cossey insisted the word AND meant AND when the hiring takes place, but means something totally different when it came to firing, Dagnan was still employed as of tonight.

So part of the special meeting will be so Cossey can see to it that the wascally city administrator can finally be shown the door with no ifs, ANDS or buts.

With so many special meetings recently, though, you have to wonder how long will be before none of them are really special.

During the council comment time, Cossey and fellow council members Alan Snow, Derek Peterson and Dustin Edge provided numbers of how many people contacted them since the last meeting and whether those people supported the firing of Dagnan and the impeachment of Rife.

All of them said there were far more people who approved their actions since the election.

Council member Lori Leece wondered why she was the only one who was questioning if it was worthwhile to upset the whole town and cost a lot of money to hire a lawyer to conduct the impeachment.

Cossey snapped back at her. "Are you finished?" and ended by explaining, "I am carrying out the will of my constituents."

Tonight's meeting also included an emotional goodbye from City Attorney Nate Dally, who noted that being Carthage's city attorney "meant more to me than just another job." This was "my hometown."

He offered praise for the heads of city departments he had worked with and said he was not leaving with bitterness, but that it was a huge relief.

His last day is May 10.

That's all, folks.

Former Carthage parks director arraigned in trial court, pleads not guilty to stealing, money laundering

Former Carthage parks director Mark Peterson waived the reading of the charges and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in the trial division of Jasper County Circuit Court Monday.

Peterson is charged with three counts of stealing and two counts of money laundering.

According to the probable cause statement, Peterson stole more than $140,000 from the city between 2020 and 2022.

Peterson was taking money from the operation of the municipal golf course and depositing it into multiple bank accounts labeled as "Mark Peterson DBA Pete's Pro Shop," the statement said.

Peterson's next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 8.

Change of plea hearing set for Joplin man on child pornography charge

A change of plea hearing has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. May 6 in U. S. District Court in Springfield for Shawn Jay Moore, 58, who is charged with receiving and distributing child pornography.

According to a detention motion filed December 28 Moore allegedly uploaded 14 files depicting child pornography onto an online dating website.

The defendant was later interviewed and confessed to downloading child pornography from the internet on a daily basis.

According to the detention motion, Moore also "has an extensive history of alcohol abuse manifested in six convictions for driving while intoxicated."