Second man charged in Joplin City Jail drug distribution

A second man was charged today in connection with the drug distribution in the Joplin City Jail October 12 that led to seven inmates being taken to local hospitals for overdoses.

Edward Ian Turner (DOB 1983), Duenweg, was charged with three counts of delivering a controlled substance. His bond was set at $50,000, cash or surety.

From the probable cause statement:

On 10/12/2026 and 10/13/2026, Edward Turner committed the offense of delivery of a controlled
substance at 303 E 3rd St in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. Under Miranda, Edward Turner admitted
to receiving methamphetamine from Kenneth Carter. 

Turner then distributed the methamphetamine to fellow inmates Kore Thomason, Daniel Rendon, James Johnny, and a fourth as-yet unidentified inmate.

On 10/13/2026, Edward Turner received more items in baggies which he believed to be cocaine.
Turner stated he gave these to James Johnny.

Johnny then distributed the substances to inmates Daniel Rendon, Derick Cartwright, Richard Cannon,
Loren Checkley, Kore Thomason, and Samuel Lane, who shortly thereafter were transported to
hospitals with symptoms of fentanyl overdose.

James Johnny, 49, Neosho, was charged with six counts of delivering a controlled substance.

Neosho woman charged with stealing checks intended for Frank Fletcher Superstore customers

 The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's Office filed a felony stealing charge today against an employee of Frank Fletcher Superstore, Joplin, who allegedly stole $8,754.36 in checks that were intended for customers.

An arrest warrant was issued for Brittany Michell Williams (DOB 1990) with bond set at $8,700 cash only.

The allegations against Williams were detailed in the probable cause statement.

On 10/20/2026 I, Officer Rauch, was dispatched to a past tense larceny that occurred at the Frank
Fletcher Superstore, 3111 E 32nd St, Joplin, Jasper County, MO.

I contacted a supervisor of the business, Rebecca Danner. Danner reported an employee, Brittany
Williams, had been stealing money from the business for approximately the past three years. During
that time, Williams had intercepted approximately 30 checks intended for customers of the business.

Williams voided the checks, and reissued them in her relatives' names. The 30 checks were totaled at
$8,754.36. I verified on the 30 copies of the checks I was provided that all said they were issued by
Brittany Williams. 

The checks were issued between November of 2022 and September of 2026. The cost of the loss from the appropriated checks was over $750 in 2026 alone.

Williams was taken into custody. Under Miranda Warning, Williams admitted she was the only person
involved and her relatives did not have any knowledge of the checks. Williams issued the checks to
them, and then direct deposited the money into her bank account.

Missouri commissioner of education search moves forward

 

(From Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)

The Missouri State Board of Education (State Board) voted Tuesday, October 20, to hire The K12 Search Group (K12) to assist in the search for Missouri's next Commissioner of Education.

Selecting the next commissioner is one of the State Board’s most important duties. The Commissioner leads the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and guides policies and programs that affect students, educators, schools and communities statewide. The State Board is committed to a deliberate, transparent search to identify a leader with strong educational experience, proven leadership skills and a deep understanding of Missouri’s diverse educational landscape.

K12 was selected by the State Board on the recommendation of its search committee after reviewing proposals and interviewing finalist firms. The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) provided administrative and logistical support but did not participate in the decision making.

The firm will work with the search committee and State Board to develop a position profile and recruitment strategy, identify, and engage qualified candidates, review applicants, and support the State Board throughout the process. The State Board will retain sole responsibility for evaluating candidates and selecting the next Commissioner of Education.

NASBE’s national perspective and experience working with state boards of education make it a valuable partner in this effort. Its role is to support the search committee and the State Board in ensuring Missouri’s search reflects the state’s unique needs and effective practices from across the nation.

NASBE’s role is limited to process support and administrative coordination, guided by its experience in fostering strong collaboration and alignment among state education policymakers and leaders.

“NASBE supports state boards of education nationwide by helping create the conditions they need to lead effectively,” said Paolo DeMaria, NASBE President and CEO. “While we do not make decisions, we guide boards through their decision‑making processes based on each state’s unique context and needs. Selecting a state education leader is a significant responsibility, and a thoughtful search ensures Missouri considers a strong, diverse pool of qualified leaders. We are pleased to support the Missouri State Board of Education in this important work.”

Engaging K12 adds an important dimension to the process. A specialized firm can broaden the candidate pool beyond traditional applicants, conduct targeted outreach to experienced education leaders, and provide a structured review of qualifications to identify candidates whose leadership aligns with Missouri’s priorities. This expertise helps the State Board conduct a thorough, competitive search while allowing members to focus on selecting the state’s next education leader.

Philanthropic organizations have partnered to provide the funding needed to engage the professional search firm, with NASBE serving as the funding intermediary. This support allows the State Board to benefit from specialized recruitment expertise without using state funds, preserving those resources for other education priorities.

Supporting organizations represent a range of backgrounds and share a commitment to public education, student success, and workforce development. Their contributions reflect a shared interest in helping Missouri’s students succeed and ensuring the state has the leadership needed to strengthen educational opportunities and outcomes.

The funders will provide financial support only and will not participate in recruiting, evaluating, or selecting candidates, nor will NASBE. The State Board retains full responsibility for the selection process and final appointment decision. The search will be conducted in accordance with applicable law and the State Board’s transparency and accountability obligations.

The State Board gratefully acknowledges the educational leaders and organizations that have agreed to support this important effort including Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Regional Business Council, The DeBruce Foundation, and Town Branch Foundation.

“As we move through this important moment for Missouri education, the State Board remains committed to a transparent and thoughtful search,” said State Board President Brooks Miller. “Our goal is to identify the individual best suited to lead Missouri’s education system — someone with proven leadership, a clear vision for the future, and a deep commitment to educational opportunity and success for every student in Missouri. The expertise and broader reach that a professional search firm brings will help us thoroughly explore the candidate pool and make an informed decision in the best interests of Missouri’s students, educators, and communities.”

As the search progresses, the State Board will share updates and opportunities for public engagement, consistent with applicable law and the integrity of the candidate review process. The State Board remains focused on identifying a commissioner who can build on Missouri’s strengths, address its challenges, and advance excellence and opportunity for students statewide.

Jill Carter: I appreciate Gov. Kehoe's willingness to act quickly for Missouri agriculture

(From Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby)

Harvest season has always been one of the busiest and most expensive times of year for the farmers and ranchers who keep southwest Missouri moving. This year the fuel bills made it even harder. 

Diesel prices climbed so high that many producers were looking at thinner margins just to get crops out of the field and livestock to market. Governor Kehoe responded with two executive orders that give our agricultural community some practical, temporary relief.

The first order, signed at the end of September, allowed farmers and farm-licensed trucks to use red-dyed diesel on Missouri state highways for agricultural work and raised the weight limit for certain loads of livestock, grain, timber, and other harvest products. The second order, signed October 9, expanded that relief so any vehicle can use dyed diesel on state roads through the end of the year. It also kept the higher weight allowance in place. Both orders suspend the usual penalties that normally apply when dyed fuel is used on public roads, and they line up with the federal action taken earlier this month.

For producers in Jasper and Newton counties, the difference is straightforward. Many of our poultry, cattle, and hay operations already keep dyed diesel on the farm for tractors and equipment. 

Being able to put that same fuel in the trucks that haul birds, cattle, or grain to market, and to carry a bit more weight per trip, means fewer miles driven and less money spent at the pump during the weeks when every dollar counts. The orders are temporary and expire December 31, but they give families who grow and raise the food we all depend on a little more room to operate while fuel costs remain high.

I appreciate the governor’s willingness to act quickly for Missouri agriculture. In District 32 we know what it takes to get a crop or a load of livestock from the farm to the buyer. These steps help keep that process moving without adding more cost. As always, if you have questions about how the orders apply to your operation or if there’s something else the state can do to support our farmers and ranchers, contact my office. We’re here to help.

Guatemalan national arrested in Carthage pleads guilty to illegal reentry

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A Guatemalan national who was previously indicted by a grand jury pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after being previously deported.

Jorge Mendez-Romero, 47, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Douglas Harpool. Under federal statute, illegally reentering into the United States after being previously deported is in direct violation of existing federal immigration law and is subject to a sentence of up to two years imprisonment. 

 The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Carthage, Missouri Police Department.

South African charged with illegally voting in McDonald County

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A lawful permanent resident from South Africa was charged today with unlawful voting by an alien.

Hanlie Venter, 67, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of illegally voting in the November 2024 federal election. Venter was born in South Africa and moved to the United States in 2020. In 2021, she applied for and was granted lawful permanent residency. 

Venter registered to vote in September 2024 and subsequently voted in the November 2024 federal election at a polling place in McDonald County, Missouri. Lawful permanent residents are not allowed to vote in federal elections and are not allowed to vote in state or local elections in Missouri.

The charge contained in the criminal complaint is simply an accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury who will be responsible for determining whether the defendant is guilty or not. 

Under federal statutes, Venter is subject to a sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of $100,000. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wyatt A. Cross and Assistant United States Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations.

Missouri Democrats gain ground in polls, but congressional races remain uphill battles

By Rudi Keller 

Missouri Independent

Missouri Republicans’ advantage among voters has narrowed sharply this year, but that shift may do little to change the state’s congressional delegation on Nov. 3. 

An August St. Louis University/YouGov survey showed Missourians were just about evenly split between Republicans and Democrats on a generic congressional ballot, a major gain for Democrats from a poll in February. 

But Democratic voters are mainly concentrated in the 1st and 5th districts. Republicans won the other six by comfortable margins in 2024 and there’s only one race that has attracted significant broadcast advertising: The 2nd District in eastern Missouri.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner raised $562,000 from mid-July through Sept. 30 and spent $2.4 million in that period defending her seat. She has spent $1.2 million on broadcast ads so far, according to tracking by The Independent. Her Democratic opponent, Fred Wellman, outraised Wagner in the period by more than $200,000 but was outspent by an almost 6-to-1 margin.

Wellman  has spent only $271,000 on broadcast advertising.

Wagner, a longtime figure in Missouri Republican politics, is seeking her eighth term. Wellman, a retired military officer, is making his first bid for office.

Interviews with voters in the district revealed sharply different views of national politics. Kay Wiese of Ballwin told The Independent she believes suburban swing voters are souring on Republicans. 

“There’s not a lot of thoughtful input from a lot of the folks that we have on the Republican side,” she said. “I feel like they are mostly puppets in that party. It’s just like they are not standing up for the middle class, the more common people.”

But Pat Compton of Winchester said she sees no reason to change her support for Republicans. While many voters are angry over high gas prices, she is not.

“I’m for the war in Iran,” Compton said. “Once that gets settled, the prices will change.”

The 2nd District is the most competitive congressional race in Missouri, according to Cook Political Report. It is rated as “Likely Republican” while the other seven districts are rated as “solid” for the incumbent party.

On the west side of Missouri, intense battles for seats in Congress are playing out on television — but the ads are for races in Kansas. 

Republicans did try to make another Missouri congressional district competitive this year, but not through campaign advertising.

Last year, Republican lawmakers redrew six of Missouri’s eight congressional districts in an effort to flip the Democratic-held 5th District in Kansas City. But a referendum campaign put the 2025 map on the Nov. 3 ballot, and the courts blocked its use in this year’s election.

It took a ruling from the Missouri Supreme Court on Sept. 3, affirmed three times by the U.S. Supreme Court, to end the GOP’s effort to use the 2025 map in November alongside the referendum.

The Republican nominee in the district — state Sen. Rick Brattin — struggled to raise money in September, when the redistricting plan was in dispute in state and federal courts. 

A campaign disclosure report filed this week shows Brattin raised only $900 in the five days after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sept. 25 decision. His last significant promotional expense was $2,855 for yard signs on the day of the Missouri Supreme Court ruling.

Uncertain congressional map hangs over Missouri’s crowded 5th District GOP primary

The court decisions severely diminished the value of the Republican nomination.

If the 2025 boundaries had been used in November, the district would have been rated as solidly Republican. President Donald Trump won the votes in those boundaries by 18%, according to Cook Political Report. The incumbent, Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, won his 2024 re-election in the boundaries that will be used in November with 60% of the vote.

In the aftermath, Brattin lashed out.

“The responsibility for this chaos rests first and foremost with the Missouri Supreme Court,” Brattin wrote on social media.

Cleaver, as expected, praised the courts.

“For more than a year, state officials have spent precious time, energy, and resources on an effort to silence the voices of Missouri voters and steal a congressional seat,” Cleaver said on social media. 

Instead of a potentially competitive, multimillion-dollar campaign, Brattin now finds himself in the same position as most challengers to Missouri incumbents this year: short on money and facing long odds.

He reported having $17,503 on hand on Sept. 30.

There is little in the way of campaign activity in any other district that would suggest Missouri will not return incumbents — or the incumbent party nominee — to Washington. Incumbents and nominees of the incumbent party have raised 89% of the money for this year’s contests and had 94% of the funds available on Oct. 1.

The ballot lineups in Missouri’s six remaining congressional races are:

• 1st District, St. Louis and St. Louis County: U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell won renomination for a second term in a primary rematch with former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, whom he unseated in 2024. Paul Berry III is on the Republican ticket and has not formed a campaign committee.
• 3rd District, Central Missouri to St. Charles and Jefferson counties: U.S. Rep. Bob Onder of Lake Saint Louis, a Republican seeking his second term against Democratic nominee Bethany Mann. Onder had $568,000 on hand and Mann had about $10,000 on hand in the most recent reports.
• 4th District, Central Missouri to the Kansas border, including Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood. U.S. Rep. Mark Alford is a Republican seeking his third term, with Democratic nominee Jordan Herrera and Libertarian Thomas Holbrook on the ballot. Alford had $773,000 on hand and Holbrook had $3,125 at the most recent report.
• 6th District, north Missouri from St. Joseph to Hannibal. Chris Stigall won the Republican nomination to replace U.S. Rep. Sam Graves. His Democratic opponent, Josh Smead, is doing better than some rural district Democrats in fundraising — he made a small broadcast ad buy — but Stigall had $212,000 on hand at the last report compared to $32,156 for Smead.
• 7th District, southwest Missouri including Springfield, Joplin and Branson. U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison is seeking his third term in office in the district that has been Republican the longest in Missouri. His Democratic opponent, Missi Hesketh, had $33,543 on hand at the latest report while Burlison reported $961,193. Libertarian Kevin Craig has not reported raising any money.
• 8th District, southeast Missouri from Rolla and Jefferson County to the Bootheel. U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is seeking his sixth full term. The Republican won a special election in 2013. He had almost  $5.5 million on hand on Sept. 30, while Democratic challenger Chris Reichard had $12,563. Libertarian Rebecca Sharpe Lombard has not formed a campaign committee.

Democrats are hoping to link Republicans to unpopular state policies and the SLU/YouGov poll offered a potential sign of weakness for the GOP in northwest Missouri. Voters in the region favored Democrats 46% to 35% on a generic congressional ballot, though the regional sample of just 52 respondents makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions.

The region, which includes St. Joseph, showed an 11-point preference for Democrats on a generic ballot.

Just to the south, Platte County is a battleground for Missouri House seats. Voter Eric Munch said he backs the redistricting plan and Republicans.

Platte County is in the 6th District and the 2025 map did not change that.

“I don’t have any problem with it,” Munch told The Independent. “The state voted in a Republican Legislature, and if they want to go after redistricting, I say go for it.”

The last Democrat representing a largely rural congressional district, the late U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton of Lexington, lost his office in 2010 after 17 terms. For Democrats to translate their statewide gains into congressional victories, they will have to win back some of the rural voters who abandoned the party over the past two decades.

The lack of money doesn’t keep most underdog candidates from working crowds and visiting the events that matter in communities in their district. Smead walked in the Brunswick Pecan Festival Parade in Chariton County on Oct. 3 while Stigall stayed away.

As he waited for the parade, James Ostermann, a Chariton County farmer, blamed high diesel prices on a lack of refining capacity and faulted Democrats’ environmental policies for limiting development.

“I used to be Democrat straight through, but they put so much pressure on the middle class and everybody that they’ve just taken my vote away,” Ostermann said.

That attitude may be softening, said Grace Fortner of Keytesville. 

She said she returned to her home county about 10 years ago to raise her family.

“I don’t think that’s true, simply because I’m looking around my county and my district lately, and it’s the first year I feel hope for our district actually,” Fortner said. “This is the best I’ve ever seen Democrats’ signs out and around in the last 10 years, especially the last eight years.”

Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

Neosho man charged with supplying fentanyl to six Joplin city prisoners

A Neosho man pleaded not guilty to six charges of delivering a controlled substance during his arraignment this afternoon1 in Jasper County Circuit Court.

James Evan Johnny, 49, who was being held on a municipal stealing charge, allegedly provided fentanyl to six other prisoners. He is being held on a $30,000 cash or surety bond. A bond hearing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. October 27 in Carthage.

(From the probable cause statement)

On 10/13/2026, emergency personnel responded to the Joplin City Jail to attend to multiple
unresponsive inmates in Dorm A. A total of seven (7) inmates including James Johnny were
administered Narcan and transported by ambulance to local hospitals, where they were treated for
suspected fentanyl overdoses. 

The inmates treated were Derick Cartwright, Richard Cannon, Loren Checkley, Kore Thomasen, Samuel Lane, and Daniel Rendon. 

During a search of Dorm A, a baggie with white residue which field-tested positive for fentanyl was located in the vicinity of the dorm where the inmates were found unresponsive.

Surveillance video from Dorm A showed inmate James Johnny displaying a white item in his left hand
to another inmate. Johnny and the other inmate went to a corner of the dorm. Several other inmates
gathered in the same corner over the next fifteen minutes until inmates began showing signs of overdoses.

Under Miranda, James Johnny admitted to obtaining what he knew to be narcotics from another inmate
and then distributing those narcotics to other inmates.

Eric Parker named City of Joplin's director of information technology

 (From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin has selected Eric Parker as its next Director of Information Technology, City Manager Nick Edwards announced today.

Parker, a longtime Joplin-area IT professional, served for 26 years at TAMKO Building Products in IT. Prior to his career with TAMKO, Parker also held IT roles at NPC International and Leggett & Platt.

“This was a competitive national search, and when we had the opportunity to meet Eric, it was clear that his broad level of experience would be a very good fit for the City,” said Joplin City Manager Nick Edwards. “He has a tremendous level of experience in managing enterprise systems and programs, and he stood out amongst other candidates due to his depth and breadth of IT expertise. This is a very important role, and I’m thrilled to be welcoming Eric to our team.”

Parker, a graduate of Missouri Southern State University, earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a double major in mathematics and computer information systems. Over the course of his career, he has gained experience with ERP systems, cybersecurity, and the management of hardware and software lifecycles.

He steps into a critical position for the City of Joplin. The Director of IT is responsible for serving as the technology architect for city government – evaluating, onboarding and maintaining dozens of systems that support and connect the City’s 15 departments and approximately 600 employees working in multiple locations throughout Joplin. The director ensures the IT department delivers on the City’s technological priorities, serves as guardian of the City’s data, and is a key liaison to external partners in terms of technology initiatives.

Parker will be the City’s second Director of IT – he follows Mark Morris, who retired last month after 25 years of service.

"I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve as the City of Joplin's new IT Director. I look forward to working alongside City leadership and staff to support technology needs, strengthen IT services, and help ensure our systems continue to meet the needs of our employees and community,” he said. “I can't wait to build relationships, contribute to the City's success and embrace the opportunities ahead."

Parker will begin his new position on Monday, October 26.

Lawsuit demands end to redacting Highway Patrol crash reports

(From the Missouri Press Association)

The Missouri Press Association (MPA) and the Missouri Broadcasters Association (MBA) have filed a petition in Cole County Circuit Court against the Missouri State Highway Patrol, saying the agency is illegally blacking out basic information in crash reports that Missourians have been able to see for decades. The two associations are joined by Gray Local Media, Inc., Warden Publishing Company, and managing editor Roxie Murphy.

For nearly 30 years, the Patrol posted traffic and boating crash reports online without redactions, and its own website once told the public that “all information on crash reports is considered an ‘open record’ and cannot be withheld from the public.”

Sometime in 2024, that changed. The Patrol began redacting names and other details — even the names of people killed in crashes — both in its online database and in responses to records requests. Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, the state’s open records law, these incident reports “shall be open records.”

Crash reports help communities learn who was hurt or killed, let families and neighbors get accurate information, and help the public spot dangerous roads and intersections. Journalists have long used unredacted reports to verify the identities of people who died on Missouri roads and to report on public safety and vehicle safety. Without them, it is far harder to hold public agencies accountable or to tell Missourians what is happening in their own communities.

The petition asks the court to order the Patrol to provide full, unredacted crash reports and to restore complete public online access, and it seeks civil penalties and attorney’s fees.

“Missourians have had the right to see these records for decades, and that right did not expire when the MSHP unilaterally changed its policy,” said Chad Stebbins, Executive Director of the Missouri Press Association. “We are standing up for all Missourians who deserve to know and understand the safety issues surrounding roads they travel every day. When the government blacks out the name of someone killed on a public road, it is the whole community that is kept in the dark.”

“People have been calling our member stations upset that they didn’t know that their neighbors or prominent community members were in a crash,” said Chad Mahoney, President and CEO of the Missouri Broadcasters Association. “Our stations serve people who deserve accurate, timely information about what happens on Missouri roads and waterways. We are asking the court to restore the access Missourians have always had.”

About the Missouri Press Association

The Missouri Press Association is a nonprofit organization that works to promote, strengthen and enhance the journalism profession and Missouri’s newspapers. Learn more at www.mopress.com.

About the Missouri Broadcasters Association

The Missouri Broadcasters Association is a nonprofit organization that promotes the interests and welfare of Missouri’s radio and television broadcasters, many of which engage in news reporting. Learn more at www.missouribroadcasters.org.

About Gray Local Media, Inc.

Gray Local Media, Inc. owns and operates television stations in 117 markets in the United States, including 5 stations that serve residents of Missouri: KMOV in St. Louis; KCTV in Kansas City, KS; KYTV in Springfield; KFVS in Cape Girardeau; and KPOB in Poplar Bluff. Learn more at www.graymedia.com.

About Warden Publishing Company

Warden Publishing Company owns and publishes six local newspapers throughout Missouri, including The Gasconade County Republican, The Maries County Advocate, The Osage County Unterrified Democrat, The Cuba Free Press, Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror and the Saint James Press. Roxie Murphy is an award-winning journalist who works as a managing editor for Warden Publishing Company. Learn more at https://www.gasconadecountyrepublican.com/.