New felony charges filed against Goodman man

Matthew James Self, 33, Goodman, who was already facing child sex charges in Newton and McDonald counties, will continue to be held without bond in the McDonald County Detention Center following the filing of four more felony charges against him today in McDonald County Circuit Court.

Self, a former Neosho resident, pleaded not guilty to the new charges- invasion of privacy and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The allegations had been mentioned in the probable cause statement in Self's earlier case.

According to a heavily redacted probable cause statement, Self allegedly had "hidden cameras, USBs, {and} chargers with hidden cameras in them" all through the residence including in the bathrooms. 

The crimes allegedly took place in 2019.

While living in Neosho in 2016, Self allegedly paid a 10-year-old girl $100 to allow him to sodomize her. The allegations came to light during an interview at the Children's Safety Center in Washington County, Arkansas, according to the Newton County probable cause statement, which was filed March 17 in Newton County Circuit Court.

Self is charged in Newton County with sexual trafficking of a child.

The McDonald County probable cause statement, which was filed March 11, also indicated that Self paid the child $100 for anal intercourse. According to the complaint, the alleged crime occurred in 2019 when the child was less than 12 years old.

The child said Self had hidden cameras in the bathroom and had nude photos on his phone of the child and one of her friends as they showered, according to the statement.

Exeter woman charged with arson, domestic assault

The Barry County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed arson and domestic assault charges against an Exeter woman who allegedly set fire to a trailer Tuesday while a person was asleep inside.

An arrest warrant was issued for Elizabeth Anne Burkett (DOB 1982) with bond set at  $100,000 cash-only,

From the probable cause statement:

On 05/26/2026. Elizabeth A. Burkett, knowingly and of sound mind, procured a green propane torch bottle
and started a fire in the west side interior room of her residence, a single-wide trailer home.

Another occupant. V1. who also resided at this residence, was located asleep in a nearby bedroom
(approximately ten yards from where the fire was set) and was unaware that Elizabeth had set the fire
inside the residence until the west part of the residence was fully engulfed. and Elizabeth told her the
residence was on fire.

VI later claimed that had she not gotten out of the residence when she did, she would have been seriously
injured or killed due to Elizabeth's heinous actions.

Elizabeth later admitted to VI. W1, W2, and this affiant; she had knowingly set the fire to the residence
with the intent to burn it down because she didn't like living there. Elizabeth was also aware that VI was
located asleep inside the residence when she set fire to the residence.

As a result of Elizabeth's heinous actions, she placed V1 in immediate risk of serious physical harm or
death and destroyed a residence beyond repair.

Indian national pleads guilty to role in illegal gambling ring

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

An Indian national pleaded guilty in federal court today for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar illegal gambling conspiracy occurring at six locations in southwest Missouri.

Tushar R. Patel, 40, a resident of the state of Georgia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. This successful prosecution is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. 

 

Patel admitted that he and his co-conspirators, in aggregate, obtained approximately $9,506,464 in gross proceeds from their wire fraud scheme and illegal gambling businesses and then conducted various financial transactions for the purpose of laundering the proceeds.

On May 14, 2025, Patel was charged, along with eight other individuals, in a 72-count superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. The indictment charges all nine defendants with one count each of participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and operating illegal gambling businesses from July 1, 2022, to May 13, 2025. In addition to the conspiracy counts, all nine defendants were charged with at least one count of wire fraud, and eight defendants were charged with money laundering.

Through Patel’s guilty plea, he admitted that he and his co-conspirators ran illegal gambling businesses at four separate locations under the guise of internet amusement arcade games, skill game arcades, and adult arcades. Patel and his co-conspirators hired local employees to work in their businesses, which operated contests of chance, gambling devices, and slot machines in violation of Missouri and Federal law. 

Under federal statutes, Patel is subject to a sentence of up to 20, five, and 20 years in federal prison without parole, respectively, for each count to which he pleaded guilty. 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. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri National Guard Counter Drug Unit, the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center, the Greene County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney, the Jasper County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney, and the Johnson County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney.

Abortion-rights coalition launches campaign against Amendment 3

By Anna Spoerre

Missouri Independent

The campaign opposing a November ballot measure that would reinstate Missouri’s abortion ban formally launched Wednesday, arguing Republican lawmakers are trying to overturn the 2024 vote that ended the state’s near-total ban through a “bait and switch” measure.

The coalition, called Stop the Ban Missouri, has already amassed nearly $4 million, including a $2 million donation from the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation on Wednesday. Its first ad leans heavily into the idea that voters are being asked to revisit a decision they made less than two years ago.

“In America and here in Missouri, we believe our vote is sacred. That the people are the ones who decide. And in 2024, the people of Missouri decided to stop Missouri’s abortion ban,” a voiceover in the ad says.. “But now, politicians are trying to overturn the will of the people and ban abortion again.”

The proposed amendment, drafted and approved for the ballot by lawmakers in 2025, was a direct response to a citizen-led reproductive rights amendment that narrowly passed in 2024. That vote made Missouri the first state to overturn a near-total abortion ban through a public vote.

The 2024 measure was listed as Amendment 3. The new proposal will also appear on the ballot as Amendment 3.

Missouri voters,” said Tori Schafer, a spokesperson for Stop the Ban and an attorney with the ACLU of Missouri. “And we need to educate voters about the bottom line, and the bottom line here is clear: The new amendment 3 is an abortion ban that takes away a woman’s right to make her own medical decisions and instead puts it in the hands of politicians and lawyers.”

Supporters of the amendment argue it would restore abortion restrictions removed by the 2024 vote while preserving exceptions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies and survivors of rape or incest. The campaign backing the measure, Her Health, Her Future, has also said the amendment is necessary to protect parental consent, clinic regulations and the proposed ban on gender transition procedures for minors.

“The Her Health, Her Future PAC was launched with one clear and unwavering mission,” Mike Hafner, who was an advisor to Kehoe’s gubernatorial campaign and who is now a campaign advisor for the PAC, said last fall. “To defend the dignity of human life and ensure Missourians have the knowledge and necessary tools to stand boldly for the unborn.”

Missouri became the first state to enforce a near-total abortion ban after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, when a 2019 trigger law took effect. The following year, more than 11,500 Missourians left the state to obtain abortions legally in Kansas and Illinois.

Since the 2024 reproductive rights amendment passed, Missourians can again legally access procedural abortions at Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis. Medication abortion is legal but remains inaccessible pending a state court decision on what regulations on abortion and abortion providers are now unconstitutional under the reproductive rights amendment.

Schafer said in the last year the campaign has heard from many Missourians angered that abortion is back on the ballot.

“Truthfully, the energy is really high because in the fight for reproductive freedom, we know that this has been going on for decades and decades,” she said. “Since the 1970s with Roe, politicians in Missouri and special interests have been trying to take this right away from Missouri voters. So we are, unfortunately, used to this fight, and we are ready for it.”

The Stop the Ban coalition is made up of Abortion Action Missouri, the ACLU of Missouri, Action St. Louis Power Project, Beacon Reproductive Health Network, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action, PROMO and the Fairness Project.

Hoping to overcome a narrow loss in 2024, anti-abortion leaders launched Her Health, Her Future last September. Backers include Gov. Mike Kehoe and First Lady Claudia Kehoe, who serves as campaign treasurer, as well as other top Republican elected officials.

So far, that campaign has raised nearly $500,000.

At the Midwest March for Life in Jefferson City this spring, campaign signs for Her Health, Her Future dotted the Capitol lawn. They read: “Yes on 3 Ban Transgender Surgeries for Minors.”

That message points to one of the central fights over the November amendment: whether voters will view it primarily as an abortion measure, as a restriction on gender-affirming care for minors, or both.

A recent poll by Saint Louis University and YouGov showed 60% of Missourians support abortion access in the first eight weeks of pregnancy. It also found 67% of Missourians oppose gender transition medications for minors and 73% oppose gender transition surgeries for minors.

The poll also found the proposed Amendment 3 ahead but without a majority, with 47% support, 40% opposition and 12% undecided.

Critics of the amendment have pointed to the addition of the gender-affirming care ban as “ballot candy” to draw support for an abortion ban that might otherwise be more difficult to pass.

“Unfortunately politicians are trying to trick Missouri voters into banning abortion by combining these two separate topics,” Schafer said. “And so, we’ll be talking to voters about that, and I think that voters will feel confident in voting ‘no’ in November, given that information.”

Missourians will see the following on the November ballot:

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:Repeal the 2024 voter-approved Amendment providing reproductive healthcare rights, including abortion through fetal viability;
Allow abortions for rape and incest (under twelve-weeks’ gestation), emergencies, and fetal anomalies;
Allow legislation regulating abortion;
Ensure parental consent for minors’ abortions;
Prohibit gender transition procedures for minors?”

The ballot language was finalized by Missouri’s Western District Court of Appeals in December after the court determined previous ballot language drafted by Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins failed to sufficiently inform voters that a “yes” vote would repeal abortion rights.

While Gov. Mike Kehoe could have placed abortion on the August ballot, he kept it as part of the November general election.

“Missourians are used to having to tell politicians in Jefferson City what they want by using the ballot measure process,” Schafer said. “And so we know Missourians are with us, and we already said no to abortion ban just two years ago, and we’re confident that Missourians will defeat this new abortion ban by voting no on Amendment 3 in November.”

Northpark Mall owner closes $78.5 million sale of Florida facility

(From CBL Properties)

CBL Properties (NYSE:CBL) announced today that, along with its joint venture partner, it has closed on the sale of Hammock Landing, a 397,000 square-foot open-air center in West Melbourne, FL, for $78.5 million, including the assumption of the $43.8 million loan. 

The sales of Hammock Landing, along with the first quarter sale of related infrastructure bonds, generate approximately $26 million of cash proceeds to CBL.

“The sale of Hammock Landing at an 8% cap rate further validates the value within CBL’s open-air portfolio,” commented Stephen D. Lebovitz, CBL’s Chief Executive Officer. 

“The transaction provides an attractive source of equity and advances our capital recycling strategy as we redeploy proceeds into higher-yielding opportunities. Notably, the proceeds from Hammock Landing effectively matched the equity required to acquire Gateway Mall earlier this year.”

(CBL Properties owns Northpark Mall in Joplin.)

Carthage R-9 Board accepts 4 teacher resignations, hires 5 teachers, assistant principal

(From the Carthage R-9 Board of Education)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, May 18, 2026, 6:00 pm, at Carthage South Technical Center – Community Room. Present were board members Ms. Niki Cloud, Mr. Ryan Collier, Mrs. Lora Phelps, Mr. Jeff Jones, Ms. Maria Sanchez, and Mrs. Robin Blair. Dr. Mark Westhoff was absent. Ms. Niki Cloud led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Carthage Technical Center student groups, Skills USA, FCCLA, and FFA shared their successes as
National Qualifiers.

The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, district financial report, and amendments to FY26 budget.

Mrs. Kim Ensminger, Director of Early Childhood Center, and Mrs. Kamie Bourgault, Director of
Parents as Teachers, presented to the board the CSIP Priority 1: Developing Successful Students,
Objective 3: Success-Ready Students (Kindergarten Readiness).

Mr. Jeff Jones provided a Carthage R-9 Foundation update stating scholarship season is completed.

For information regarding the Raise The Curtain campaign contact the Carthage R-9 School Foundation.

Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided the Board information
regarding the bids the district received for the KE Baker remodel update. Bids came in higher than
originally anticipated. Dr. Goodnight is working through project costs and will follow up with the Board.

Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the contract for custodial supplies. Dr.
Goodnight stated Osborn Paper Company meets all bid requirements and specifications.

Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the contract for pest management control. Dr. Goodnight stated Bug Zero, Inc., meets all bid requirements and specifications.

Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the contract for HVAC-Energy Services Company (ESCO). Dr. Goodnight stated Navitas meets all bid requirements and specifications.

Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, presented the 2026-2027 budget review. Key areas discussed were
state and federal funding, fund balances, district debt payments, tax revenue, and assessed valuation. The Board will approve the preliminary budget during the June 15th board meeting with amendments
made as the year progresses.

Dr. Boyer presented his report to the Board.

The Board met in closed session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss legal, personnel, student matters, and negotiated contracts in compliance with Section 610.021 (1), (3), (6), and (12) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.

In closed session the Board approved the following personnel actions:

Approved the employment of certified, support, and substitute staff as presented contingent upon
receiving a clear criminal record check from the Missouri Highway Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a clear check of the Adult Abuse/Neglect Registry maintained by the Missouri
Department of Social Services for all employees new to the district:

Certified Hire

Kaily Harvey, fourth grade teacher, Carthage Intermediate Center- Ms. Harvey is an experienced elementary educator with a background in many subject areas in grades 5-7. She holds a Master's degree in reading from Grand Canyon University and has a Bachelors in Elementary Education from Missouri Southern State University.

Stephanie Rodgers, math teacher, Carthage High School- Ms. Rodgers is a certified educator with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Missouri State University. She has experience teaching math at both the elementary and secondary levels, currently serving as a high school math teacher in Diamond, Missouri, after previously teaching 5th grade math in Carthage.

Kenneth King, special education teacher, Carthage Junior High School- Mr. King holds an MBA in Healthcare from Colorado Technical University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Communication from Missouri Southern State University. Mr. King has served in leadership and consulting roles with organizations including Press Ganey, HealthStream, and Freeman Health System, specializing in patient experience improvement, leadership coaching, and organizational culture initiatives.

Richard Neria, math teacher, Carthage High School- Mr. Neria is being recommended under PSRS Critical Shortage. He comes highly recommended with 28 years of experience from Carl Junction

Schools. Mr. Neria has obtained 2 Masters Degrees in Educational Technology and Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University.

Tim Head, assistant principal, Carthage Intermediate Center- Mr. Head is an experienced educator with more than 15 years in special education, currently serving as a Special Education Teacher with the Webb City R-VII School District. He previously taught in the Joplin R-VIII School District and has additional experience in paraprofessional support and youth ministry leadership. Mr. Head holds a Bachelor of Biblical Literature from Ozark Christian College, a Master’s degree in Special Education from Missouri State University, and is currently completing a post-master’s building principal certification through Pittsburg State University.

Maria Aguilar, dual language- Spanish teacher, Carthage Junior High School- Ms. Aguilar is a highly
experienced teacher with many years in Houston ISD. She obtained her Bachelors degree in political science from Texas A&M, and completed teaching certificate programs in Elementary education, Secondary Spanish, as well as English as a second Language.

Support Hire

Donald LeMasters, bus driver

Leticia Guevara Rodriguez, custodian, Carthage High School

Zia Honaker, IT tech seasonal, IT Department

Luke Jones, IT tech seasonal, IT Department

Substitute Hire

Breanna Lathrop

Certified Transfer

Nancy Stefan, science teacher, Carthage Junior High School

Ryan Mankin, special education teacher, Carthage Junior High School

Kimberly Hoover, special education teacher, Carthage High School

Jennifer Denney, Title 1 teacher, Steadley Elementary

Shelia Norwood, Title 1 teacher, Carthage Intermediate Center

Support Modification

Carter Brammer, IT tech seasonal, IT Department

Michael Lanyon, IT tech seasonal, IT Department

Landon Schmelzer, IT tech seasonal, IT Department

Support Transfer

Dakota Sisseck, behavior interventionist, Steadley Elementary

Kayla Foster, ELL paraprofessional, Carthage High School

Stephen Abbiatti, head custodian, Steadley Elementary

Kimberly Thomas, cook, Fairview Elementary

Paula Amershek, cook, Steadley Elementary

Kimberlee Patrick, cook, Steadley Elementary

Certified Resignation

Christina Ogden, Title 1 teacher, Steadley Elementary

Jessica Dutter, practical nursing instructor, Carthage Technical Center

Justin McKee, MO Options Teacher, Powers Learning Center

Jessica Alves, special education teacher, Fairview Elementary

Support Resignation

Carson Tyndall, bus aide

Lora McDaniel, custodian, Administration Building

Oakley Branstetter, special education paraprofessional, Steadley Elementary

Bradley Bos, bus driver

Raquel Lara, ELL paraprofessional

Courtney Lashmet, paraprofessional, Early Childhood Center

James Robinson, bus driver

Seven businesses fail Joplin Health Department inspections

Seven Joplin businesses failed Joplin Health Department inspections since the beginning of last week, according to information posted on the department website.

 Three restaurants, Jimmy John's, 3030 S. Main Street, Taco Bell, 2315 W. 7th Street, and Mac's Stop, 703 W. 7th Street, failed inspections today. It was a re-inspection for Mac's Stop, which failed a recent inspection.

King's Kettle Corn, 321 S. Joplin Avenue; Queen's Bee, 3106 Connecticut Avenue, and Mosa Hibachi, Sushi, 501 W. 7th Street; and Charley's Cheesesteaks, 101 N. Range Line Road, failed inspections last week. Charley's Cheesesteaks and Queen's Bee were being re-inspected after failing earlier.

Jimmy John's

Jimmy John's received priority violations for having employee drinks improperly stored and ready to eat turkey and shredded chicken being cold held above 41 degrees.

Core violations were cited for having worn cutting boards, liquid waste accumulating on the cooling unit in the walk-in freezer and for having a ceiling tile missing.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell received priority violations for having food items in the walk-in freezer being cold held above 41 degrees, having Pico de Gallo being cold held above 41 degrees and for having sanitizer concentration for quaternary ammonium in the sink at <400 ppm.

Core violations were noted for using the handwashing sink to dump drinks, excess condensation freezing on the ceiling of the walk-in freezer and for having no hand towels at the sink by the register.

Mac's Stop

Mac's Stop received a priority violation for having flies in the drain in the cabinet below the tea station and core violations for a debris buildup on soda fountain surfaces behind the nozzles and for having damaged cabinet trim and doors.

King's Kettle Corn

King's Kettle Corn received a priority violation for not having water available at the hand washing station.

Queen's Bee

Queen's Bee received priority violations for having molded food in the walk-in freezer and for having custard being cold held above 41 degrees.

Core violations were cited for having jasmine rice and a food container stored on the floor, having an incorrect sanitizer kit, for having single service items stored incorrectly under the sink and for having a sticky floor in the walk-in freezer.

Mosa Hibachi and Sushi

Mosa Hibachi and Sushi received four priority violations:

-An employee did not wash hands when required.

-Employee drinks were stored above food in the cooler.

-Premade sushi rolls were being held in a cabinet at ambient temperatures and not being marked or discarded within four hours.

-Sushi rice was cold held above 41 degrees.

Charley's Cheesesteaks

Charley's Cheesesteaks received a priority violation for having multiple meats and cheeses being cold held above 41 degrees.

***

The following establishments received passing inspections:

Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen, 2130 S. Range Line Road

Qdoba Mexican Eats, 3102 E. 7th Street

Granny's Shaffer's 2728 N Range Line Road (re-inspection)

Las Brasas, 1202 S. Range Line Road

Club 1201, 1201 E. 32nd Street (re-inspection)

China Pantry, 101 N. Range Line Road

CVS Pharmacy, 112 E. 32nd Street

McDonald's, 1123 S. Range Line Road

McKinley Elementary School, 610 S. Forest Avenue

Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, 3118 S. Range Line Road

Blackstone Gastropub, 1521 S. Broadway Street

Glow Nail Lounge, 1710 E, 32nd Street

Residence Inn Breakfast, 3128 E. Hammons Boulevard

Holiday Inn: Route 66 Pub and Grill, 3401 Arizona Avenue

Super 8 Breakfast, 2830 E. 36th Street

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

Jimmy John's, 407 S. Range Line Road

Forest Park Baptist Church Mission Joplin, 725 S. Highview Avenue

Crazy Llama Coffee, 415 W. 32nd Street

Love's Travel Stop, 4013 S. 43 Highway

Discount Express, 2703 E. 32nd Street

Shell Knob man charged after shooting

(From the Barry County Sheriff's Office)

On 5/23/2026 at approximately 0200 hours, Barry County deputies were dispatched to a residence in Shell Knob, MO., for a shooting.

Deputies arrived on scene and detained Raymond Brownsberger, who had made a statement on the 911 call that he shot the victim one time. The victim was transported by ambulance with a gunshot wound.

Barry County detectives were called to the scene and began an investigation. A search warrant was granted and detectives began processing the scene.

Interviews were conducted with a witness and the suspect, who stated that an altercation occurred between the victim, the witness and Brownsberger.

Brownsberger admitted he went to his vehicle and returned with a firearm. Brownsberger stated the victim advanced toward him again, and he shot the victim. One of the witnesses of the incident was a juvenile.

Raymond Brownsberger, 30, Shell Knob, was charged with the following:

-Assault first degree

-Armed criminal action

-Unlawful use of a weapon

-Endangering the welfare of a child.

Brownsberger is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.

Anyone with information related to the assault is encouraged to contact the Barry County Sheriff's Office at 417-847-6556, as the investigation is ongoing.

Cassville man killed in collision

A Cassville man was killed in aa two-vehicle collision 8;20 p.m. Sunday on Farm Road 2200 one mile south of Cassville.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1995 Jeep Cherokee driven by a 69-year-old Cassville man and aa 2008 Chrysler Town and Country driven by a 66-year-old Cassville man struck each other in the side.

The Jeep Cherokee traveled off the roadway and overturned, ejecting the driver who was pronounced dead by Dr. Hartman at Mercy Cassville at 9:36 p.m.

The driver of the Town and Country was treated for moderate injuries at Mercy Cassville.

The fatality was the 51st this year for Highway Patrol Troop D. 

Burlison demands information on 1952 flying saucer report

 

(From Seventh District Congressman Eric Burlison)

As part of the ongoing push for UAP transparency under President Trump’s disclosure efforts, I sent a letter to MIT Lincoln Laboratory demanding answers about a reported 1952 “flying saucer” recording tied to the federal government’s early UAP investigations. 

The letter calls for the tape and any related records to be preserved and transferred to the National Archives as part of the federal UAP disclosure process. 

MIT now has 30 days to explain whether the recording exists and whether it can be released to the public.