Friday, June 13, 2025

Baxter Springs man charged with child pornography possession

(From the U. S. Attorney for the District of Kansas)

A Kansas man has been charged through criminal complaint in Wichita, Kansas, on allegations related to child sexual abuse materials.

According to court documents, Kenneth Norman Baker, 41, of Baxter Springs is charged with one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting the case.

Jefferson's fails Joplin Health Department inspection, 15th Street Dollar General passes reinspection

Jefferson's, 430 Geneva (Suite 100) failed its Joplin Health Department inspection Thursday with one priority violation and three core violations, according to information posted on the department website.

Dollar General, 817 E. 15th Street passed its reinspection. The business failed an inspection the previous day because it didn't have a business license posted.

Jefferson's priority violation was for having potentially hazardous foods in the Kintera prep table cooler (salad) being cold held above 41 degrees.

The business' core violations were for having a wiping cloth seen lying on the cold drawers, having hard-to-reach places near the grill not being cleaned on a frequent basis and for having a wall tile missing behind the urinal in the men's restroom.

Establishments that passed inspection Thursday were the following:

Zip's, 1902 E. 32nd Street

Fairfield Inn Breakfast, 3301 S. Range Line Road

Home2 Suites Breakfast, 3000 S. Range Line Road

McDonald's, 4436 S. 43 Highway

Chili's Grill & Bar, 1430 S. Range Line Road

Walmart Neighborhood Market Deli, 1600 E. 7th Street

Eden's Garden, 931 E. 4th Street

Walmart Neighborhood Market Meat/Bakery, 1600 E. 7th Street

Auntie Anne's Pretzels, 101 N. Range Line Road

Cecy's Cakes, 116 N. Range Line Road

Former Carl Junction choir teacher free after posting $100,000 cash bond

After spending nearly all of 2025 in the Jasper County Detention Center, former Carl Junction High School choir teacher posted a $100,000 cash bond on a stalking charge and will remain under house arrest and required to wear an ankle monitor while he awaits trial.

In addition, he is only permitted to leave his home between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to attend court proceedings or meet with his lawyer and he is to have no contact with any child under age 18, nor any access to the internet.

Smith already posted a $300,000 surety bond for a child pornography charge.

Smith's next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. August 18 in Jasper County Circuit Court.

The Turner Report: Probable cause. Former CJ teacher stalked girl from sixth grade through high school

Initial hearing for McDonald County teacher in statutory rape case delayed due to lawyer's "scheduling conflicts"

No one seems to be in any hurry to get moving on the statutory rape case against McDonald County High School science teacher Jolene Stark.

Online McDonald County Circuit Court records show that despite the charge being filed and a warrant issued for her arrest issued May 16, Stark's initial hearing has already been postponed twice after Judge John LePage approved motions for continuance by Stark's attorney, Jared Stilley, Joplin.

In both motions, Stilley asked for the delays because he had "scheduling conflicts.

Initially, the hearing had been scheduled for Monday, but Stilley filed a motion for continuance June 2 asking that it be delayed until July 2. LePage approved the motion Monday, the original date for the hearing, but the following day, Stilley filed another motion for continuance, asking that the hearing be moved to August 13, again saying he had a "scheduling conflict."

There is no notation that LePage approved the motion, but the hearing date is now listed as 10 a.m. August 13.

The McDonald County R-1 School District placed Stark on administrative leave after learning she was being investigated by the McDonald County Sheriff's Office, according to a post on the district's Facebook page today.

The investigation led to the filing of the statutory rape charge against Stark, who allegedly had sex with a student younger than age 17 between 2016 and 2018, according to the probable cause statement.

Stark is free after posting a $10,000 bond.

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Billy Long confirmed as IRS commissioner

By Ashley Murray

States Newsroom

Former Missouri U.S. Rep. Billy Long is now the head of the Internal Revenue Service, after the U.S. Senate approved his nomination Thursday.

Senators split along party lines, 53-44, to confirm the Republican, who served in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023, and previously spent multiple years as a talk radio host.

Long heads to the IRS after the agency has lost more than 11,000 employees, or 11% of its workforce, either through deferred resignations or mass firing of probationary workers since President Donald Trump began his second term, according to a May 2 report from the agency’s inspector general.

In a social media post after Long’s confirmation, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, congratulated the new IRS commissioner.

“I look forward to partnering with him in his efforts to modernize the IRS and improve customer service for taxpayers,” wrote Crapo, of Idaho.

Long’s nomination process was overshadowed by a Democrat-led investigation into the former lawmaker’s involvement in a fake tribal tax credit scheme.

Long denied any wrongdoing during his May 20 confirmation hearing.

Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee, said on the floor ahead of Thursday’s vote that a decision on Long “ought to be an easy no.”

“It’s one corruption bombshell after another with former Congressman Billy Long. Fake tax credits. Scam tax advice. Shadowy political donations that went straight in his pocket. Promises of personal favors. No-show jobs with high-paying federal salaries. That’s quite a rap-sheet,” said Wyden, of Oregon.

The IRS is tasked with collecting tax revenue and enforcing the tax code.

Agenda posted for Joplin City Council meeting

JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2025
5th FLOOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS
602 S. MAIN ST. JOPLIN MO
6:00 P.M.

Call to Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America

Roll Call

Presentations

Public Works Department Update

Documents:

2025 PW Update Presentation.pdf

Finalization of Consent Agenda

Reports and Communications

News from the Public Information Office

Citizen Requests and Petitions

Shawnya Fisher requested to speak on City ordinance on having a shed on an otherwise empty lot in the city of Joplin.

Christopher Jones Requested to Speak on Emergency Management

Public Hearings

Public Hearing Procedures

Documents:

PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES.pdf

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-523

AN ORDINANCE approving a Petition to Remove Property From the Joplin Sports Facility Community Improvement District; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-524

AN ORDINANCE approving a Petition to Add Property to the Joplin Sports Facility Community Improvement District; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

Consent Agenda

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-109

AN ORDINANCE approving the issuance of a Purchase Order to United Access in the amount of Fifty-Five Thousand Five Hundred Two Dollars and No Cents ($55,502.00) for the replacement of the two Wheelchair Lifts on the large trolley; amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 as adopted by Ordinance 2024-151 on October 21, 2024; and, setting a date when this ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

CB2025-109.pdf

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-124

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Emery Sapp and Sons Inc. in the amount of Two Million Eight Hundred Forty Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty-Three and 59/100 dollars ($2,840,723.59) for construction of the Zora Street Improvements Phase 2 project and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

CB2025-124.pdf

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-270

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-274, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, by removing from District M-2 (Heavy Industrial) and include in District R-3 (Multi-Family Residential) property as described below and generally known as 1148 S Pennsylvania Ave, Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:

CB2025-270.pdf

Resolutions

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-008

Resolution No. 2025-008 – Extending the “Proposition Action Implementation and Oversight Committee”.

Documents:

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-523

AN ORDINANCE approving a Petition to Remove Property From the Joplin Sports Facility Community Improvement District; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-524

AN ORDINANCE approving a Petition to Add Property to the Joplin Sports Facility Community Improvement District; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-525

AN ORDINANCE approving the Real Estate Contract by and between the City of Joplin, Missouri, a Municipal Corporation, and Brigitte Morales, for the sale of one parcel located at 916 Jackson Avenue, totaling approximately 5,134 square feet of land; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-526

AN ORDINANCE approving the Real Estate Contract by and between the City of Joplin, Missouri, a Municipal Corporation, and Masada Contracting LLC., for the sale of one parcel located at 1210 Iowa Avenue, totaling approximately 6,000 square feet of land; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-527

AN ORDINANCE amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 as adopted by Ordinance 2024-151 on October 21, 2024, to adjust appropriations and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-612

AN ORDINANCE approving an application for grant money by the City of Joplin, Missouri to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Community Oriented Policing Services dealing generally with Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness; authorizing the police department to apply on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-613

AN ORDINANCE approving an application for grant money by the City of Joplin, Missouri to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Community Oriented Policing Services dealing generally with Law Enforcement Crisis response and de-escalation enhancement; authorizing the police department to apply on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

COUNCIL BILL NO 2024-125

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Sunrise Elevator Company, Inc in the amount of Six Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Three Hundred Forty-Eight and 00/100 dollars ($636,348.00) for the construction of the City Hall Elevator Modernization project and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 as adopted by Ordinance 2024-151 on October 21, 2024; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-127

AN ORDINANCE approving Amendment 1 to Work Authorization OLS-WIL-03 with Olsson in the not to exceed amount of Ninety-Eight Thousand and 00/100 dollars ($98,000.00) for professional engineering services for the Willow Branch 7th Street Improvements project and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-128

AN ORDINANCE approving Amendment 1 to Work Authorization OLS-OC22-02 with Olsson in the not to exceed amount of One Hundred Eight Thousand Three Hundred Fifty and 00/100 dollars ($108,350.00) for professional engineering consulting services for the design of the Grand Falls Trail; and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading and Third Reading

AMENDED COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-003

AN ORDINANCE amending Chapter 82 - Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, Section 82-191 – Unlawful Use of Weapons; Exceptions, as it pertains to hunting within city limits; establishing regulations; and fixing the time when this ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

Agenda posted for Carthage R-9 Board of Education meeting

Eight Joplin stores sell alcohol to minors during compliance check

(From the Joplin Police Department)

With the goal of reducing the availability of alcohol to underage youth, the Joplin Police Department conducted Youth Alcohol Compliance Checks at various establishments throughout the City of Joplin on June 7, 2025.

Compliance checks are aimed at ensuring adherence to state and local laws regarding the legal sale of alcohol to minors.

Of the 36 locations checked, 8 locations were found to be in non-compliance and sold alcohol to the minors. The list of the compliant and non-compliant stores can be found below.

Along with compliance checks, the Joplin Police Department is working to partner with local establishments and owners to ensure each employee responsible for selling alcohol is receiving proper training.

The Department is encouraging businesses to learn more through Free Responsible Retailer Training, a class for local retailers hosted by the Community Partnership of the Ozarks. If your business would like up-to-date information on Missouri alcohol sales laws, how to identify minors and intoxicated persons, state compliance checks, and more, contact Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO) at (417) 888-2020 or email kpoor@cpozarks.org.

Compliant

Casey’s General Store, 403 N. Main

Dollar General, 1221 E. 32nd Street

Downtown Corner Mart, 419 W. 4th Street

Dave's Liquor Store, 801 S. Maiden Lane

White Oak Station, 2307 W. 7th Street

Casey's General Store, 2808 W 7th Street

Mac's Stop, 1302 S. Schifferdecker

Quik Stop, 1930 S Schifferdecker

Casey's General Store, 2764 W. 32nd Street

Love's Travel Stop, 4013 S 43 Highway

Downstream Q-Store, 4777 W Downstream Boulevard

Pilot Travel Center, 4500 S 43 Highway

Rapid Robert's, 4549 S 43 Highway

Maverik Adventure's First Stop, 5002 S. Main Street

Snak-Atak Phillips 66, 4302 S. Main Street

Walgreens, 3222 S. Main Street

True Wine, Spirits and Smokes, 3348 S. Main Street

CVS, 112 E. 32nd Street

Zipz 6, 2701 S. Main Street

Hall's Food Mart, 2002 S. Bird Avenue

Chad's Spirit 66, 703 W. 7th Street

Dollar General, 807 W. 7th Street

Lion Stop, 3525 E. Newman Road

Red Apple Mart, 901 N. Florida Avenue

Discount Smokes & Liquor, 1804 E. 7th Street

Dollar General, 817 E. 15th Street

Joplin Mini Mart, 1210 E. 15th Street

Non-Compliant

Zipz, 1902 E. 32nd Street

Dollar General, 101 S. Main Street

Alps Discount Liquor, 2602 S. Main Street

Dollar General, 1502 E. Zora Street

White Oak Station, 1631 E. 4th Street

Casey's General Store, 1904 E. 20th Street

Phillips 66, 2115 S. Connecticut

Phillips 66, 1318 E. 32nd Street

Kehoe says he won't "wait for chaos," activates National Guard

(From Gov. Mike Kehoe)

Today, in response to immigration enforcement protests planned across Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-25, activating the Missouri National Guard as a precautionary measure in reaction to recent instances of civil unrest across the country.

"We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state," Governor Kehoe said. "While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities."

This week, the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Missouri National Guard established a Unified Command to monitor situations on the ground and prepare to assist local law enforcement.

Executive Order 25-25 declares that a State of Emergency exists in the State of Missouri due to civil unrest and calls on the Adjutant General, or his designee, to forthwith call and order into active service such portions of the National Guard as he deems necessary to aid executive officials of Missouri to protect life and property.

It is further ordered and directed that the Adjutant General or his designee, and through him, the commanding officer of any unit or other organization of the National Guard, to take such action and employ such equipment as may be necessary in support of civilian authorities and provide such assistance as may be authorized and directed by Governor Kehoe.

To view Executive Order 25-25, please visit this link.

Webb City man charged after series of threats causes My Dentist to close for the day

A Webb City man was charged with making a series of threatening phone calls to My Dentist, 1411 S. Range Line Road Wednesday that forced the business to close.

An arrest warrant was issued for James Thurston Trotter (DOB 1957) with bond set at $25,000 cash or surety. A condition of the bond is that Trotter not make contact with anyone from My Dentist and not come within 500 feet of the property.

From the probable cause statement:

On June 11th, 2025, I, Officer Hibbard, was dispatched to My Dentist (1411 S Rangeline Rd) in reference to threats to do harm, and later for a bomb threat.

Upon arrival, I spoke to manager Allison Carter and employee Brittany Montgomery. Allison explained today at 1035 hours current patient, James T. Trotter, called the office from phone number 417-560-6344 and clearly stated over a recorded line, “I own this goddamn place, and you better do what I tell you or someone will come there and pile that place to pieces."

Allison and Brittany both stated James has called the business multiple times over the last few days making vague threats, but nothing clear like this.

Allison stated the business wished to pursue charges against James T. Trotter if enough evidence is collected. I took a report from this, cleared the call, and was waiting on the audio file to be emailed to me when I was dispatched back to My Dentist for a bomb threat.

On my way to the business dispatch advised James called in again and clearly stated, “I guess you didn’t learn. I’m in the parking lot so get those people out of there because I’m going to blow that place the f--k up."

Dispatch then advised the business was taking patients to a safe place inside the building due to this, and that Brittany witnessed a vehicle driving through the parking lot suspiciously.

Officers arrived on scene and determined there to be no immediate threat to the employees, patients, or business in general. I then gathered further information from Allison and Brittany. Allison stated they are now getting all patients and employees out of the business and shutting down for the day due to being afraid of James T. Trotter’s statements.

Officers gathered information that James T. Trotter was in his residence in Webb City, MO. Webb City Officers were notified about the situation and contacted James T. Trotter.

Webb City Officers arrested on charges of Terrorist Threats 2nd Degree RSMO 574.120 and transported him to the Joplin City Jail. I met Webb City Officers at the Jail and confirmed James T. Trotter’s information. Dispatch advised James T. Trotter also had an outstanding warrant out of Pineville, MO which was confirmed by Pineville Police Department.

While at the Jail, I read James T. Trotter Miranda Rights. James T. Trotter stated he understands his rights and agreed to speak with me. I asked {him} what happened. James stated, “I told them to quit blowing up my phone."

James T. Trotter then asked for a lawyer, and I stopped questioning him.

Friday, June 13, 2025

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Call to Order

Roll Call

Presentations

Public Works Department Update

Finalization of Consent Agenda

Reports and Communications

News from the Public Information Office

Citizen Requests and Petitions

Shawnya Fisher requested to speak on City ordinance on having a shed on an otherwise empty lot in the city of Joplin.

Christopher Jones Requested to Speak on Emergency Management

Public Hearings

Public Hearing Procedures

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-523

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-524

Consent Agenda

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-109

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-124

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-270

Resolutions

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-008

Ordinances - Emergency

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-523

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-524

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-525

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-526

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-527

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-612

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-613

Ordinances - First Reading

COUNCIL BILL NO 2024-125

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-127

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-128

Ordinances - Second Reading and Third Reading

AMENDED COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-003

Unfinished Business

New Business

TURNER REPORT PRIVACY POLICY