Nancy Hughes: Don't ignore the weeds

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?” Matthew 13:27 (NIV)

I finally decided to spend two long, hot afternoons pulling huge weeds out of the landscaping in my backyard a few years ago. The job was completed, but not without some negative outcomes, including sunburned shoulders, a sore back, and about two million (more or less) chigger bites. To be honest, I had not really given much thought to my backyard plants and shrubs for a long time.

Now, the landscaping in the front yard was a totally different story. I spent hours almost every day making it look attractive. Mowing and trimming, and weed eating and watering and mulching and planting new flowers and shrubs and, yes, pulling weeds were always on the agenda.

Why the difference in the attention that I gave each yard? It’s simple. The front yard – the one that I spent so much time on to make it attractive – is the yard closest to the street. It’s the yard everyone sees when they drive by. No one sees the backyard but me.

But you know what? The very same weeds that tried to creep up in my front yard were also sneaking into my landscaping in the backyard. I knew that. It’s just that since no one saw them, I didn’t think they were that important.

Isn’t that how it is with sin? The “big” sins – the ones people can see – are the ones we declare we would never allow in our lives. For example, we would never murder someone. And yet, we read in I John that when we allow the hate weed to grow in our hearts, we have murdered. (I John 3:15)

And what about adultery? We state loudly that we would never commit that sin, but if we allow lust to shove its roots into our hearts, that’s exactly what we have done. (Matthew 5:28). No one sees those weeds in the “backyard,” but they are there.

So how do I keep them out of my heart? The answer is clear: I have to be digging into God’s Word. Not every so often, on an afternoon. But every day. Why? Because when I am NOT in the Word, I allow weeds to sprout up in my heart. And since I am unable to identify them for what they are, I may either fail to spot them or simply ignore them until they have multiplied and spread from the backyard to the front yard of my life.

Not only that, but the good seed that has been sown? The compassion and mercy and grace and forgiveness and love that the Lord has given me? It is “choked out” and wilts and dies when the weeds are allowed to grow.

Take a deep look into your heart. What are you growing? You may be like me: It’s time to dig in the Word and do some weeding in my life.

Father, show me in your Word what weeds I need to pull out of my heart to be more like you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

Can you identify sins in your heart that you have allowed to grow?

What is your reason for allowing them to grow?

Apply

Memorize Matthew 13:27 and write it in your journal daily.

At the end of each day, make a list of the “weeds” that you allowed in your heart and replace them with God’s words of truth.

Power

Matthew 13:27 (NIV) “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?”

Psalm 119:11 (NIV) “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”


Proverbs 28:13 (NIV) “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Joplin man ordered held without bond on meth trafficking charge

A U. S. District Court judge ordered Mark Alan Thomas, 40, Joplin, held without bond while awaiting trial on a charge of possession with methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

A grand jury indictment was unsealed March 24 and was based on an October 10 Joplin Police Department arrest.

Previous story- Joplin man indicted for meth trafficking 

City of Joplin closes JHAP-3 applications due to heavy response

(From the City of Joplin)

City announces closure of JHAP-3 applications due to unprecedented response

The City of Joplin has received an unprecedented number of applications for the Joplin Housing Assistance Program Phase 3 (JHAP-3). Due to this overwhelming response, the City is no longer accepting applications at this time. The applications received to-date are expected to deplete the funds that were allocated to the program.

Applicants who have not yet received an eligibility email should be aware that the City will no longer continue processing applications. All applicants who have submitted an application but have not received approval will be placed on a waitlist in the event that additional funding becomes available in the future.Applicants who received a Household Eligibility notice will continue to be eligible until the funding runs out.

Funds are not secured for your application until the property intended for purchase is approved.
Already eligible applicants will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We are grateful for the strong community response to JHAP-3 and understand the importance of these resources for Joplin residents,” said Loni Smith, Project Coordinator. “While we regret that we are unable to accept additional applications at this time, we remain committed to completing assistance for approved households in a timely manner.”

Residents will be notified directly if their application status changes or additional funding becomes available. Updates will also be shared through the City of Joplin’s official communication channels.

For questions or additional information, residents may contact Loni Smith at lsmith1@joplinmo.org.

Former Granby police chief pleads guilty to DWI

 Former Granby Police Chief Rico Enberg pleaded guilty Monday in McDonald County Circuit Court to driving while intoxicated.

Judge John LePage sentenced Engberg to six months in jail, then suspended the sentence and placed him on unsupervised probation for two years.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Engberg January 8, 2025 

Greg Dagnan named chief of police at Missouri Southern State University

(From Missouri Southern State University)

Dr. Greg Dagnan has been appointed Chief of Police at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU), effective May 1, 2026.

Dagnan brings more than three decades of law enforcement experience to the role, having begun his career in 1990 with the Joplin Police Department. During his tenure there, he served in patrol, traffic, and investigative assignments, gaining broad operational and investigative expertise.

He later served as an investigator with the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office and as Director of the Children’s Center, where he focused on child abuse investigations and advocacy.

In 2008, Dagnan was appointed Chief of Police for the Carthage Police Department, a position he held until 2021. During his tenure, he also served as Chairman of the JASCO 911 Center Board of Directors and remained active in regional and statewide criminal justice leadership roles.

Dagnan holds a PhD in Criminal Justice Leadership from Liberty University, a Master of Arts in Human Resources Management from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Missouri Southern State University. He has also taught criminal justice courses at MSSU for many years.

Now returning to MSSU, Dagnan will lead the University Police Department, bringing extensive leadership experience, investigative knowledge, and a longstanding commitment to community service to the campus.

Greene County murder suspects arrested in Webb City

(From the Greene County Sheriff's Office)

On March 31, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., investigators with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit, in collaboration with Operation Relentless Pursuit, apprehended two additional suspects related to this investigation, without incident. 

The arrests occurred in the 500 block of North Webb Street in Webb City, Missouri, as a result of continued investigation. 

The Sheriff's Office is not releasing the identities of the arrested suspects at this time. Greene County detectives processed the scene. The investigation remains ongoing.

March 12 news release

On March 12th, 2026, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 3800 block of West Maplewood regarding a death investigation. Initial investigation revealed circumstances as suspicious in nature; the death was ruled a homicide. Suspects left the area prior to law enforcement arrival.
As a result of continued investigation, members of our fugitive apprehension team, alongside members of the U.S. Marshal Service, arrested Praize King in connection to this homicide, on March 18th, 2026.
This investigation remains ongoing.

Former Cherokee County deputy pleads guilty to child pornography charge

A 2:30 p.m. June 29 sentencing is scheduled in U. S. District Court in Kansas for former Cherokee County deputy Garrett Gayoso, 25, who pleaded guilty Monday to production of child pornography.

Gayoso's crime was described in the plea agreement:

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.

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.

New guidance on student screen time passes Missouri House after loosening restrictions

By Annelise Hanshaw

Missouri Independent

Public school districts will be encouraged to limit elementary school student use of iPads and laptops in the classroom under a Missouri House bill approved in a 143-10 vote Monday.

Originally, the legislation set out to place a 45-minute cap on students’ screen time in schools and mandate cursive instruction. This raised concerns among educators and parents, who told the House Education Committee that it would force a “one-size-fits-all” approach on students.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Tricia Byrnes, addressed that critique with committee members, who passed a version that would require schools to set their own technology policy with guidance from experts.

“(School boards) should create a policy that makes sense, that’s going to be supported by their teachers and parents. But most importantly, it is going to help their students,” Byrnes said during a House debate Monday.

Schools would also be required to share information about students’ use of technology to their guardians, upon request.

Over the past 10 years, an increasing number of schools have created policies that provide devices like an iPad or laptop to each student. State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Republican from Moberly and chairman of the House Education Committee, said this push is “wrong” for young students.

He didn’t want the state to set a limit on technology time but wants the state to “start the process of looking at screen time in schools.”

The legislation would establish a council overseen by the state’s education department that would create model policies for school districts and potentially inform legislative changes on technology use in schools. The council would be made of teachers, principals, a parent advocate and adolescent health professionals.

“This is a bill to put this back to the teachers and the experts,” Byrnes told the House during its first debate on the bill last week.

The changes won over former educators like state Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, who applauded the bill for “pulling experts in” while allowing school districts to set local policies.

“This is a really exciting moment for this bill,” she said last week. “I think this will be the most important bill we pass out of the education committee this year.”

Criminal justice reform package, including Carter provision, headed to governor

(From Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby)

The Missouri General Assembly has passed Senate Bill 888, a comprehensive criminal justice reform package that incorporates key provisions from State Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby’s Senate Bill 894, enhancing protections for victims of violent crime, human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The bill is now awaiting action by the governor.

Senator Carter has long been a leading advocate for measures that defend the most vulnerable. The inclusion of her SB 894 in this wide-ranging criminal justice reform bill underscores her ongoing commitment to keeping Missouri families and communities safe.

“Missouri families have demanded real accountability for violent crime, human trafficking and sexual predation,” said Senator Carter. “Senate Bill 888 answers that call by ensuring dangerous criminals serve the overwhelming majority of their sentences behind bars. This is smart, tough-on-crime policy that protects our communities, supports victims and uses taxpayer dollars more effectively.”

Senate Bill 888 strengthens protections for victims while delivering tougher penalties for violent offenders, sex traffickers and repeat sexual predators, all while promoting smarter use of prison resources. The legislation includes several major provisions designed to enhance public safety. Serious crimes such as abuse through forced labor, trafficking for slavery or involuntary servitude, sexual trafficking through force, abduction or coercion, sexual trafficking of a child, and third-time violations of sex-offender registration are now classified as dangerous felonies, with offenders required to serve 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

The bill also establishes clear minimum prison terms for other felony classes to ensure consistent sentencing. Class A felonies require 70% of the sentence to be served before parole eligibility, Class B felonies require 50%, Class C felonies require 40% and Class D and E felonies require 25%, while dangerous felonies remain at the 85% threshold. Conditional release will be phased out for offenses committed on or after January 1, 2028, ensuring offenders serve the full term imposed by the court.

In addition, SB 888 reforms the parole process to prioritize victims’ rights. The parole board must use validated risk-and-needs assessments, publish performance data publicly and provide victims with enhanced notice and input at hearings, keeping the focus on incarcerating the most serious and violent offenders.

By closing early-release loopholes and expanding the list of offenses requiring lengthy prison terms, SB 888 strengthens public safety across Missouri.

For more information on Sen. Carter’s legislative actions, visit her official Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Carter.

Nevada couple charged with sex crimes against children

(From the Vernon County Sheriff's Office)

The Vernon County Sheriffs Office conducted a search warrant at 16562 S.1713 Rd lot 19 Nevada Mo. Friday evening after receiving information that was disclosed from a forensic interview from the Children’s Center. 

After conducting multiple interviews and collecting evidence from the search warrant, 2 individuals were placed in custody regarding sexual deviant crimes against children. Both individuals were placed on 24hr investigative holds and charges were sent to the Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. 

Vernon County prosecutor filed charges on both suspects, and warrants were issued for the following charges.

Fritts, Adam
26VE-CR00171
$500,000 cash only bond
Abuse or Neglect of a child under section 568.060
Child Molestation- 1st degree
Statutory Sodomy or Attempted Statutory Sodomy
Statutory Rape or Attempted Statutory Rape- 1st Degree

Fritts, Alicia
26VE-CR00170
$25,000 cash only bond

Endangering the Welfare of a Child Creating Substantial Risk—First Degree—No Sexual Contact

This is still an ongoing case and still under investigation. The children have been placed in state custody.

Sheriff Buehler says, "THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN!! Parents are supposed to protect their children and this makes me sick to think that both parents were involved. No child should feel unsafe with their parents. However, this is the stuff we encounter every day in our line of work. I will do my best to make sure the children in this county are safe.” 

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.