Nancy Hughes: Protected in the shadow of your wings

“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 63:7 (NIV)

My husband was the manager of a propane company for many years, and he often filled in for his drivers by delivering propane to the homes of his customers. One customer, an elderly woman, had a small dog that was a constant irritation.

Every time my husband stepped out of his propane truck, the dog would greet him by nipping his ankles and legs. No amount of kicking at it or yelling would stop it from attacking. Every delivery to her home would result in rips in his work pants and cuts on his legs.

Finally, in complete frustration with the dog’s persistence, he grabbed a wrench from the truck seat and thumped the dog on the head. It immediately yipped its way to the back of the house. “I thought THAT would take care of the problem,” my husband later told me.

As soon as he reached the customer’s door and started to knock, he heard the dog yipping again as it came around the corner of the house – but this time a huge Doberman pincher was leading the way with the smaller dog close behind. He may have been little, but he was not worried because he had a much bigger dog watching over him and serving as his protector.

“That little dog danced around under the back legs of the big dog as I stood pinned to the house until the lady came out to help,” my husband continued. “I swear it was taunting me and singing ‘Takin’ Care of Business.’ There was no way I could move,” he went on.

I can’t help but think of Psalm 63:7 when I think of that story. David understood the feeling of being attacked. But his attacker was King Saul, and he didn’t want to simply nip David’s ankle – he wanted to kill him! Even so, David knew that no matter what came his way, God was his deliverer.

And David also understood something else: he could sing praises of joy and deliverance in all circumstances because God was his protector, watching over him, and defending his life.

What are you facing that is nipping at your ankles every time you turn around? What keeps you awake at night and rolls around in your mind all day? Absolutely nothing is bigger than God’s ability to handle it and to protect you. Seek His help. Call on His name. When we allow the Creator of the Universe to take care of us, we can sing and praise from the shadow and protection of His wings.

Father, thank you for protecting me in the shadow of your wings as you watch over my every need. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Have you had a problem or situation that has been on your mind constantly, and you are unable to get it off your mind?

• Did you call on the Lord to help you? Why or why not?

Apply

• In your journal, draw a picture of huge wings.

• Now list every problem, worry, or situation you are facing under the picture of those wings. Then praise the Lord for His protection as you sing in His shadow.

Power

• Psalm 63:7 (NIV) “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”

• Nahum 1:7 (NIV) “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. . .”

• II Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV) “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

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

Change of plea hearing scheduled for former Cherokee County deputy charged with child pornography production

A 10:30 a.m. March 30 change of plea hearing is scheduled in U. S. District Court in Wichita, Kansas, for former Cherokee County deputy Garrett Gayoso, who is charged with child pornography production.

Gayoso's trial had been scheduled to begin March 23.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office placed Gayoso, 25, on administrative leave in April after the Fall River, Massachusetts Police Department said it was investigating the deputy for what was described as "an inappropriate relationship" between Gayoso and a juvenile female."

Gayoso later resigned. Massachusetts authorities charged him in May. A grand jury from the U. S. District Court in Kansas indicted him December 17.

A magistrate judge initially released Gayoso following his indictment, but the U. S. Attorney filed a motion asking for reconsideration and another judge overruled the decision and Gayoso was returned to jail.

The allegations against Gayoso were detailed in the U. S. Attorney's motion.

Defendant is a former law enforcement officer who abused his position of trust to groom a teenager online and get her to produce child pornography for his sexual pleasure. During the course of the months-long grooming, defendant was promoted to the role of Detective in February 2025, where he was supposed to be investigating the very types of crimes he was committing in secret.

Defendant is a danger and a flight risk and should be detained.

The case came to light when the victim’s mother searched Minor Victim 1’s laptop and cell phone and found sexually explicit messages and pictures between Minor Victim 1 – a 16-year-old high school student - and Defendant.

Minor Victim 1’s mother also discovered that Defendant had traveled to Massachusetts (where Minor Victim 1 resides) and had sex with Minor Victim 1. Minor Victim 1 confirmed that this all occurred.

Massachusetts law enforcement contacted the KBI to investigate further. Various search warrants were obtained, and Defendant was Mirandized and interviewed. During the interview, Defendant admitted that he met Minor Victim 1 online and moved the chats to snap but claimed they did not text much (but had over 24,000 text messages on his phone). 

Defendant admitted to having sex with Minor Victim 1. Defendant admitted that nude photographs were exchanged and that he sometimes requested the nude photographs. Defendant denied knowledge of Minor Victim 1’s age, but his denial is contradicted by the facts.

For example, Minor Victim 1 states that although they met on a website meant for 18-year-olds, that Defendant asked her almost immediately how old she was, and she responded truthfully that she was 16.

Additionally, a review of the text messages show that it is clear Defendant knew her age. Defendant talks about throwing a prom for the victim, discusses the 7-8 year age gap of Minor Victim 1’s parents and how it matches their age gap.

Additionally, at one point Minor Victim 1 sends her Massachusetts id card that clearly shows her date of birth on it. Defendant comments on the id. Although proving that Defendant knew Minor Victim 1’s age is not an element of production of child pornography, it is relevant to show that he absolutely knew she was a minor in high school.

Defendant’s cell phone was seized and searched pursuant to a warrant. Defendant’s common social media handle was some variant of “Bootygoblin.” Agents found well over 24,000 text messages between August 17, 2024 and January 8, 2025.

Minor Victim 1 stated they were communicating through April 2025 (when her mother discovered the messages) and also reports that they communicated on other forums, such as Snapchat. Even with this incomplete picture, agents uncovered 119 images from Minor Victim 1 to Defendant, many of her entire nude body and many focused on her vagina.

There are also videos of Minor Victim 1 engaged in a sex act.

Defendant regularly discusses masturbating to these images. The chats are filled with sexually explicit comments, including when Defendant calls Minor Victim 1 “daddy’s little whore” and “daddy’s little slut” and “my cum slut” and “my whore” and “my obedient little whore.”

Defendant moved quickly in his grooming techniques with Minor Victim 1. Within his first 10 messages to the victim, he asks for a picture to see what she looks like. He starts talking about wanting to be in bed with her and rubbing her thigh within the first two hours of conversation.

After some of Defendant’s subtle suggestions, Minor Victim 1 states “I’m not sending you nudes we literally just met.” Nevertheless, Defendant continued to lavish Minor Victim 1 with praise and grooming and despite starting the conversation on the evening of August 17, already tells Minor Victim 1 he loves her around 1am on August 20.

The next day, on August 21, 2024, Defendant states “show me all of your body. That way nothing is secret or hidden from me.” The victim then sends a full body picture showing her breasts and vagina. It is evident this is new production because Minor Victim 1 states she needs to shave and Defendant responds he isn’t bothered by it before Minor Victim 1 says she will need some time to take a decent picture.

The text messages continue to when Defendant travels to Massachusetts to have sex with Minor Victim 1. After that encounter, the following exchange takes place:

MV1: Yes, I'm a little upset about something though

Defendant: What's that

MV1: I didn't like the whole not putting the condom on right away thing. I'm going to be paranoid as hell now

Defendant: I'm sorry baby

MV1: I don't want to take risks like that

Defendant: I'm sorry

MV1: It's okay just ask me before doing stuff like that next time

Defendant: You're right. I should've asked

Defendant then proceed to buy Plan B for Minor Victim 1.

The rest of the messages continue with the grooming and requests for child sex abuse material. At one point, Defendant asks Minor Victim 1 if she is still horny and suggests that she “take care of it” but then says “Don’t forget to show me.”

When Minor Victim 1 responds that she will, Defendant responds “Good girl.” They also discuss Defendant watching Minor Victim 1 engage in a sex act on a video call. In other words, the Defendant used Minor Victim 1 to engage in sexually explicit conduct in live chats that law enforcement does not have a record of.

Retired Carthage mail carrier's heroism recognized on USPS website

(The following story was posted today on the U. S. Postal Service employees' website Link)

Carthage, MO, City Carrier Karen Outhier was delivering a package at a retirement village on Dec. 9 when she heard someone crying for help.

Outhier looked around but didn’t see anyone.

When she heard the cry again, she followed the sound of the voice around a corner and between some cars to find an older woman on the ground. The woman said she had fallen and needed help.

Outhier ran to her vehicle to get her phone and called 911.

The Postal Service employee stayed with the customer until paramedics arrived. The woman was later found to have a brain tumor and is scheduled for surgery to remove it.

Outhier retired at the end of December.

Joplin Schools announces Teacher of the Year finalists

(From Joplin Schools)

Please help us congratulate the 2025-26 Joplin Schools Teacher of the Year Finalists! 

These teachers were nominated by our community, earned their building's Teacher of the Year award, and will now go on to be interviewed by a panel of judges to determine which one will represent our district as the Joplin Schools Teacher of the Year.

Each of these finalists are talented, experienced, compassionate, collaborative, highly skilled, and above all, dedicated to supporting their students in becoming the very best versions of themselves:

Anne Jakaitis, First Grade, Soaring Heights Elementary

Whitney Benfield, Fifth Grade, Irving Elementary

Stacie Frieze, Special Education, McKinley Elementary

Angela Graves, 7th Grade Reading, North Middle School

Tarryn Gilbert, Science, Joplin High School

Stay tuned for our district Teacher of the Year winner announcement in early April!

A-F rating system for public schools clears Missouri House

By Annelise Hanshaw

Missouri Independent

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s request to grade public schools on an “A” through “F” scale is pushing House lawmakers to approve legislation some think isn’t quite ready.

With approval and dissent on both sides of the aisle, the House voted a bill to create a new school accountability system through to the Senate 96-53 Thursday despite concerns the letter grades could be a “scarlet letter” for underperforming schools.

“Will this labeling system actually improve schools or will it mostly brand communities, destabilize staffing and incentivize gaming rather than learning?” asked state Rep. Kem Smith, a Democrat from Florissant, during House debate Tuesday morning.

She said the key metrics that determine the grade, performance and growth, are volatile.

“The label itself can become a self-fulfilling prophecy,” she said. “The bill doubles down on high stakes metrics that are known to be unstable.”

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Dane Diehl, a Republican from Butler, told lawmakers that a performance-based school report card with “A” through “F” grades is inevitable. The details, though, are negotiable.

“The governor’s executive order, it is going to happen either way,” he said. “I think we tried to make that process a little better for school districts.”

Kehoe’s order directs the state’s education department to draw up a plan for the report cards and present it to the State Board of Education. The board could reject the idea, but with a board with primarily new members appointed by Kehoe, lawmakers have accepted the system as fate.

State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Republican from Moberly and chair of the House’s education committee, told the committee in January that he prioritized the bill as a way to give lawmakers influence over the final outcome. He is happy with the edits the committee made, which gives the education department more leeway to determine grade thresholds and removes a provision that would raise expectations once 65% of schools achieve “A” or “B” grades.

The House also approved an amendment Tuesday that would grade schools’ environment. This would be based on the rates of student suspension, seclusion and restraint incident rates and satisfaction surveys given to students, parents and teachers.

The Senate’s version, which passed out of its education committee last week, does not include those changes.

“I think (the House bill) is the best product we have in the Capitol right now,” Lewis said. “I am not saying it’s complete, but it is the best we have right now.”

The changes have softened some skeptics of the legislation, like state Rep. Brad Pollitt.

Pollitt, a Sedalia Republican, said he didn’t support the legislation “for a number of years.” But with the edits, he sees potential for the legislation to usher in changes to the way the state accredits public schools.

The current process, he said, “nobody seems to like,” pointing to widespread concerns with the state’s standardized test.

Some of these changes are already happening quietly. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received a grant from the federal government to develop a state assessment based on through-year testing, which would measure student growth throughout the school year, instead of a single summative assessment.

The department is poised to pilot the new test in 14 classrooms this spring, hoping to eventually offer it statewide within a few years. But the estimated startup cost of $2 million is one of many department requests cut from the governor’s proposed budget as the state grapples with declining revenue.

Creating the “A” through “F” report cards is estimated to cost a similar amount, if not more, according to the state’s fiscal note. The expense is largely frontloaded, going to the programming and technology support required to create the grade cards’ interface.

When The Independent asked Kehoe’s office about the fiscal note, the governor’s communications director Gabby Picard said he would work with “associated agencies” to determine appropriate funding “while remaining mindful of the current budget constraints and maintaining fiscal responsibility.”

The House’s version of the legislation includes an incentive program for high-performing schools, giving bonuses to go toward teacher recruitment and retention, if the legislature appropriates funding for the program.

The bill originally proposed incentives of $50-100 per student to subsidize teacher pay. This had large fiscal implications, and Lewis surmised that it would violate a section of the State Constitution prohibiting bonuses for public employees.

Making the funding optional and directing it to the school’s teacher recruitment and retention fund remedied those concerns. The Senate Education Committee removed the incentive program in its version of the legislation.

The House’s approval Thursday does not stop discussion and possible amendments. Next, the bill will go to the Senate for consideration, and if any changes are made, it will return to the House for more discussion.

Kehoe reappoints Mark Elliott, Ben Rosenberg to MSSU Board of Governors

(From Gov. Mike Kehoe)

Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced seven gubernatorial appointments to various boards and commissions.

T Mark Elliott, of Joplin, was reappointed to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors.

Mr. Elliott currently serves as an agency sales manager at Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance in Webb City and has been a licensed insurance broker since 1987. From 1986 to 2000, Elliott represented Jasper and Newton Counties as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives. He is a graduate of Carl Junction High School and attended Drake University and Missouri Southern State University.

Mark Garnett, of West Plains, was appointed to the Missouri Air Conservation Commission.


Mr. Garnett currently operates Garnett Company, LLC, a national distributor of machine-quality drive screw pallet nails serving the wooden pallet industry. He previously worked for his family's company, Garnett Wood Products, for over 40 years. He is an active member of his community, previously serving as president of the board of directors for the Missouri Forest Products Association and the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association. He currently sits on the board of directors for Community First Banking Company, which he co-founded in 1997. Garnett holds bachelor's degrees in business management and marketing from Missouri State University.

Yulissa Gomez-Delgado, of Noel, was appointed as a student member to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors.

Ms. Gomez-Delgado is currently involved in several university-sponsored organizations, including the Student Senate, the President’s Student Ambassadors, Global Leaders, and the Latin American Student Alliance. Off-campus, she works as a teller at Southwest Missouri Bank and volunteers with the Noel Housing Authority. Gomez-Delgado is pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration at Missouri Southern State University.

Matt Klumper, of Jefferson City, was appointed to the Children’s Trust Fund Board.

Mr. Klumper is a government accounts officer at Central Bank. Previously, he served as the superintendent of the Michael Prenger Family Center and was a functional unit manager for the Missouri Department of Corrections. Klumper holds a Bachelor of Science in Organization Management from Hannibal-LaGrange College and a Master of Business Administration from William Woods University.

Benjamin Rosenberg, of Joplin, was reappointed to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors.

Dr. Rosenberg is a retired pediatric dentist, having practiced in Joplin since 1968. He holds a strong record of civic service, including membership on the Joplin R-VIII School Board, the Joplin Zoning and Planning Board, and the Joplin Parks and Recreation Board. Dr. Rosenberg has also served as a member of the Joplin City Council. He earned his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Oklahoma and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Roger Stottlemyre, of Lee's Summit, was appointed to the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Mr. Stottlemyre is a retired colonel and former superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, serving in that role from 2001 to 2006. He also previously served as director of the Missouri Gaming Commission. He has held membership in several civic organizations, including Rotary International, Leadership Missouri, and the Missouri State Troopers Association. Stottlemyre is a former member of the U.S. Marine Corps, having earned the rank of corporal.

Meridith Vogeler, DNP, of St. Peters, was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

Ms. Vogeler is a professor and nursing program director at Lindenwood University. Previously, she served as an emergency room nurse for SSM Health and as an instructor at St. Charles Community College. She holds a variety of leadership positions at Lindenwood University, including serving as chair of the Nursing Faculty Academic Council. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, her master's degree in nursing education from Northwest Missouri State University, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Education from Arkansas State University.

Crane man killed in crash south of Sarcoxie

A Crane man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 12 a.m. today on Tiger Road at Aspen Road three miles south of Sarcoxie.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse driven by a 25-year-old Crane man traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a fence, returned to the road, traveled off the right side of the road, struck another fence and overturned.

Newton County Coroner Jerry Deems pronounced the driver dead at the scene at 12:27 a.m.

The fatality was the 19th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

Neosho man sentenced to 10 years for child abuse

(From the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)

A Neosho man has been sentenced to prison after entering a guilty plea to a Class B felony of Abuse or Neglect of a Child on February 25, 2026. The plea was entered pursuant to North Carolina v. Alford, whereby the defendant admitted there is sufficient evidence to convict him without admitting wrongdoing.

David Matin, 63, of Neosho, Missouri was sentenced to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Judge John LePage of the 40th Judicial Circuit after pleading guilty as charged.

The charges arose when, in April of 2023, physicians treated a 20-month-old child that was suffering from emaciation. Physicians determined there was no medical reason for the emaciation. Deputy Brad Black with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office determined the defendant was the father of the child and was charged with the care, custody and control of the child and the mother was a ward of the state. 

Matin made statements to Deputy Black that he stopped feeding the child baby food because he understood that baby food had lead and arsenic in it.

“The photos that we were shown of this poor child left an indelible mark on my staff and myself,”
said Newton County Prosecuting Attorney William Lynch. 

“Immediately, our team sprang into action and sunk our teeth into this case. David Matin now has a decade sentence to look forward to for failing to adequately care for his daughter, who has by the grace of God made a full recovery.”

“Our officers, medical professionals, and investigator and victim advocates worked tirelessly for this outcome,” stated Sarah Crites, Newton County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. “The child’s foster families and guardians also allowed us to fully seek justice while also ensuring the health and safety of our victim.”

The case was investigated by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Sarah Crites and William Lynch of the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Joplin man charged with statutory rape, statutory sodomy

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney charged a Joplin man with two counts of statutory rape and two counts of statutory sodomy.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Adam Lukes Sauceda (DOB 1989) who is to be held without bond.

Sauceda allegedly molested a 12-year-old girl from the time she was 7, including February 28 and March 1 of this year.

The girl lived in Carthage when the assaults allegedly began and moved to Joplin in 2023. She described how Sauceda assaulted her

From the probable cause statement:

Victim 1 disclosed that when Sauceda would have sex with her she felt pain, that there was never a
time where it didn't hurt. Victim 1 disclosed that Sauceda told her not to tell anyone, that he would get
into trouble or go to jail. 

The girl said Sauceda had used his phone to record some of the assaults, according to the probable cause statement.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Saucedo talked to Joplin Police investigators.

During this interview Sauceda admitted that he had recorded victim 1 performing oral sex on him while at the Joplin, Jasper County address.

Sauceda also acknowledged other sexual assaults, the probable cause statement said.

Pineville woman killed, 2 people injured in crash

One person was killed and two injured in a two-vehicle collision at 9:10 a.m. today on Business Route U. S. 71 in Pineville.

According to the Highway Patrol, a 2024 Ford Expedition driven by a 27-year-old Prairie Grove, Arkansas man was making a left turn when it struck a 2004 Cadillac driven by a 42-year-old Pineville man.

A passenger in the Cadillac, a 23-year-old Pineville woman, was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:29 a.m.

The Pineville man was treated for moderate injuries at Mercy Joplin.

The Prairie Grove man was treated for minor injuries at Mercy Bella Vista.