Stotts City Council members fail to show for meeting

(From Stotts City Mayor Tracy Knight)

On the evening of May 22, 2026, more than 25 residents attended the scheduled Stotts City Council meeting seeking answers regarding the recently released audit findings, city financial concerns, infrastructure issues, and other matters affecting the community.

Due to the absence of all the Board of Aldermen, the City Collector/Clerk, and the Water/Sewer Chief Operator, the City was unable to establish a quorum necessary to conduct an official Board of Aldermen meeting.

As a result, residents were unable to directly address questions and concerns to several city officials expected to be present.

Mayor Tracy Knight remained present throughout the gathering to hear resident concerns, discuss information currently available to the administration, and reaffirm the City’s commitment to improving transparency and accountability moving forward.

“The residents of Stotts City showed up tonight expecting answers and accountability from their local government,” said Mayor Knight. “I understand the frustration expressed by many members of the community. Citizens deserve officials who are willing to engage openly with the public regarding serious matters affecting the City.”

Mayor Knight further stated that while Missouri law limits the unilateral authority of the Mayor in matters requiring Board action, the administration will continue pursuing corrective action efforts related to the audit findings and advocating for greater transparency in city operations.

“The concerns raised by residents are legitimate and deserve to be addressed publicly and professionally,” Mayor Knight stated. “Avoiding difficult conversations only damages public trust further. My commitment remains to the people of Stotts City, and I will continue showing up, listening, and working toward solutions.”

The Mayor’s Office announced that ongoing efforts will continue in the following areas:

• Development of corrective action measures related to audit findings
• Increased transparency regarding city financial matters
• Improved public communication and access to information
• Strengthened oversight and accountability efforts
• Continued engagement with residents regarding city concerns

Mayor Knight thanked the residents who attended and encouraged continued public participation in local government processes.

“The future of Stotts City depends on an informed and engaged community,” Mayor Knight said. “The voices of our residents matter, and they will continue to be heard.”

Kehoe places tax overhaul, initiative petition limits on August ballot

By Jason Hancock

Missouri Independent

Gov. Mike Kehoe will ask Missouri voters in August to decide whether lawmakers should have new power to expand sales taxes to replace the income tax and whether citizen-led constitutional amendments should face a higher bar for passage.

Kehoe moved four proposed constitutional amendments to the Aug. 4 primary ballot: Amendment 1, renewing a sales tax for state parks and soil conservation; Amendment 2, requiring direct election of county assessors; Amendment 4, changing the threshold for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition; and Amendment 5, authorizing lawmakers to expand sales taxes as part of an effort to eliminate the state income tax.

In a statement Friday, Kehoe defended the August timing on Amendment 5 by pointing to the work lawmakers would face if it passes.

“Modernizing Missouri’s outdated tax code, specifically, will be a momentous task for the Missouri General Assembly, and placing the measure to phase out Missouri’s income tax on the August ballot gives lawmakers additional time to prepare for the next phase of implementation,” Kehoe said.

The governor did not address why Amendment 4, the initiative petition measure, was also placed on the August ballot rather than November.

The decision places two of the year’s most consequential measures before a smaller, historically more Republican-leaning electorate than the November general election.

Major ballot measures have historically driven up Missouri primary turnout, particularly among voters taking Democratic ballots. But the August electorate still skews more conservative than November’s, and Kehoe’s choice keeps Amendment 4 and Amendment 5 off a fall ballot already expected to include fights over abortion rights and Missouri’s congressional map.

Scott Charton, who speaks for the campaign committees opposing both Amendment 4 and Amendment 5, called the August placement of the two measures “the most brazen power grab from our citizens on a single ballot in Missouri history.”

“The common thread between the amendments is luring Missouri citizens to surrender long-held constitutional power and freedom, and giving that power to politicians to use unchecked,” said Charton, whose groups are funded by the Missouri Association of Realtors.

Amendment 5 was Kehoe’s top priority during this year’s legislative session. If approved, it would allow lawmakers to apply sales taxes to transactions not currently taxed, with any new sales-tax revenue tied to cuts in the top state income tax rate, currently 4.7%. Lawmakers would have five years to redefine what is subject to sales tax.

Supporters argue the proposal would make Missouri more economically competitive by moving the state away from income taxes. Opponents warn it gives lawmakers broad authority to tax services and consumer purchases that are not currently subject to sales taxes, shifting more of the state’s tax burden onto working families.

Charton said the proposal is too vague for voters to know what they are being asked to approve. He also pointed to the state auditor’s fiscal note, which says the General Assembly already has the power to reduce the state’s income tax by statute.

“The real agenda behind Amendment 5 is to trick voters into giving politicians a license to ignore current constitutional taxpayer protections approved by the people,” Charton said.

Amendment 5 would also allow lawmakers to override three prior voter-approved laws, Charton said, pointing to a 2010 amendment banning real estate transfer taxes, a 2016 amendment prohibiting new sales taxes on services and the 1980 Hancock Amendment, which requires significant tax increases to be approved by voters.

A lawsuit filed in Cole County argues Amendment 5 should be removed from the ballot because it contains too many subjects and because the ballot language written by lawmakers is misleading. If the measure remains on the August ballot, the legal fight could continue on a compressed timeline as election officials prepare ballots for military and overseas voters by the June 19 mailing deadline.

Amendment 4 would change how constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition are approved.

Instead of requiring a simple majority of votes cast statewide, citizen-sponsored constitutional amendments would need to win a majority in every congressional district. That means voters in one congressional district could defeat an amendment even if it wins statewide.

The proposal has been a priority for Republican lawmakers after Missouri voters used the initiative process in recent years to legalize marijuana, expand Medicaid eligibility, raise the minimum wage and protect abortion rights. Initiative campaigns have increasingly proposed constitutional amendments rather than state laws to make it harder for lawmakers to revise or repeal voter-approved measures.

Amendment 4 would apply only to constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition. Constitutional amendments placed on the ballot by lawmakers would continue to require a statewide majority for passage. The measure would also add prohibitions on foreign donations to ballot campaigns and signature fraud to the Missouri Constitution, though both are already addressed in state law.

“Amendment 4 effectively kills the IP process for citizens, while empowering the Legislature, which can still propose amendments for the ballot with simple majority votes in each chamber,” Charton said.

A legislative proposal that would repeal Missouri’s 2024 abortion rights amendment will remain on the November ballot. That measure would ban abortion except in medical emergencies and in cases of rape or incest during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It would also place Missouri’s ban on gender-affirming treatments for minors in the state Constitution.

A possible referendum on the gerrymandered congressional map passed by lawmakers last year is also expected to appear in November if Secretary of State Denny Hoskins certifies that supporters collected enough valid signatures and that the referendum is legal. The map was drawn to help Republicans flip the 5th Congressional District, held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City, and give the GOP seven of Missouri’s eight U.S. House seats.

The August ballot will also include Amendment 1, a 10-year extension of the one-tenth of 1% sales tax split between state parks and soil and water conservation programs. The tax raised about $140 million in fiscal 2025 and has been renewed by voters three times since it was first approved in 1984.

Amendment 2 would require every Missouri county to directly elect its assessor. Jackson County is currently the only county without an elected assessor.

The four measures Kehoe moved to August will appear in an election where the highest-profile candidate races are competitive Republican primaries in the 5th and 6th Congressional Districts and several state Senate districts.

The only statewide candidate race this year is for state auditor. Republican incumbent Scott Fitzpatrick is expected to easily win renomination in August before facing a Democratic challenger in November.

Stotts City mayor presenting formal action to plan to deal with state audit recommendations

(From Stotts City Tracy Knight)

Mayor Tracy Knight announced today that a formal Corrective Action Plan will be submitted to the Stotts City Board of Aldermen in direct response to the recent audit issued by the Missouri State Auditor's Office.

The plan outlines immediate and long-term actions intended to address deficiencies identified in the audit, strengthen financial accountability, improve operational oversight, and restore public confidence in city government.

“The findings identified in the audit are serious and demand immediate attention,” said Mayor Knight. “The residents of Stotts City deserve a government that is transparent, accountable, financially responsible, and fully compliant with the law. This corrective action plan is intended to establish real oversight, measurable reforms, and clear expectations moving forward.”

According to Mayor Knight, the corrective action plan includes:

Implementation of formal financial oversight and reporting procedures;

Increased scrutiny and documentation of city expenditures;

Verification and review of required public official bonds;

Development of written internal control and procurement policies;

Enhanced transparency measures for residents;

Standardized procedures for meeting records and public documentation;

Improved compliance with Missouri Sunshine Law requirements;

Ongoing public reporting regarding corrective action progress.

The Mayor stated that the plan is designed not only to address audit findings, but also to establish stronger systems of accountability to help prevent future deficiencies.

“For too long, residents have raised concerns regarding transparency, financial reporting, and oversight,” Knight stated. “This administration is committed to confronting those issues directly. Accountability cannot simply be discussed — it must be documented, implemented, monitored, and enforced.”

Mayor Knight also indicated that progress on corrective actions should be reviewed regularly in open session so residents can monitor implementation efforts and the status of outstanding audit concerns.

“This process must remain transparent to the public,” Knight added. “The community deserves to see both the problems identified and the steps being taken to correct them.”

The corrective action plan will be presented to the Board of Aldermen for formal review and discussion during the upcoming council meeting on May 22, 2026.

Residents are encouraged to remain actively engaged in the process as the City works toward strengthening governance, financial management, and public trust.

Stolen trailer recovered in Sam's Club parking lot, Miami man arrested

(From the Jasper County Sheriff's Office)

On May 20, 2026, at approximately 1433 hours, deputies with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a stolen trailer at the Interstate 249 and Newman Road interchange in Jasper County, Missouri.

Through investigative efforts conducted by Detectives with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, and with assistance from the Joplin Police Department, the suspects were located in a parking lot at Sam's Club in Joplin, MO. The stolen trailer was recovered.

Ben Woodman, 54, of Miami Oklahoma, was placed under arrest for felony stealing and transported to the Jasper County Detention Center. Charges have been sent to the Jasper County Prosecutor for review.

This investigation remains active and ongoing.

Jill Carter: Addressing the State Tax Commission problem

(From Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby)

The pressure started with the State Tax Commission. County assessors like Newton County Assessor Cheryle Perkins, resisted mandated hikes from the State Tax Commission, and they responded back with threats and penalties.

Senators like me petitioned the Governor to expand the call to address the property tax issue during the special session he called last fall. He agreed to make it part of a bigger conversation about the KC Chiefs being able to use a portion of their sales to refurbish the stadium owned by Jackson County.

Late one evening during special session, each senator was called and asked which of the three they wanted for their district: A property tax freeze, cap, or leave property taxes alone.

Door #1: Allow the State Tax Commission to continue.

Door #2: A freeze. The Newton County Assessor had been the tip of the spear on pushback against the State Tax Commission.

There will not be time to amend or change on the floor.

I could not get assurance that there was language to allow bonds to go to a vote.

That meant potentially no new growth for my senate district's future.Local property taxes fund community essentials — schools, roads, libraries, fire protection, and developmental disability services. Without assurance of a bonding capacity, I had the potential to decimate our community's future.

At 10:30 p.m., I stated making calls. Local commissioners and others including some of our House Reps-where we debated what the best decision would be. Not being able to read the language was a major concern for everyone. No future growth. No new library. No fire district. That was a big gamble.

Door #3: We all agreed a cap would build a wall of protection against the State Tax Commission and buy us time for meaningful reform.

SB 3 dropped at 3 a.m., with no time to amend or discuss it.

• 22 counties received the full freeze, chosen by a handful of senators.

• 75 counties received the 5% cap. Chosen by a majority of Republicans, for the same reason I did.

• Roughly 17 counties (mostly Democratic areas) chose to do nothing.

SB 3 is being challenged in court. The intention was to put the Comission on notice and bring some relief, but rarely does good policy happen in the late hours with no time to read language.

Right after special session, an interim committee was established to work on a broad sweeping solution to address fundamental deficits in SB 3 and the State Tax Commission. We worked hard to come up with meaningful reform. A Bill advanced through both chambers but died the last day in House Fiscal.
The session had lots of successes. But this one failure, though it passed the Senate, weighs heavily on me.

I'm grateful to have brought some relief, but Missourians deserve predictability; local governments need stability. Getting both right is the real test of true policy reform.
Given the situation, which door would you have chosen?

Branson restaurant owner pleads guilty to encouraging, inducing illegals to live in U. S.

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

A Turkish National pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to reside within the U.S. illegally.

Berk Balgic, 26, pleaded guilty today before Federal Magistrate Judge David P. Rush for knowingly encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to reside illegally within the United States. Mr. Balgic, who owned both Flaming Margaritas – Mexican Kitchen and Flaming Margaritas – American Kitchen in Branson, Mo., knowingly hired individuals who were within the United States either illegally or in conflict with their stated visas, to enter and remain in this country. 

Mr. Balgic, either himself or through others, directed these individuals to obtain false and fraudulent documents that appeared to support that they were in compliance with United States immigration laws, when in fact, they were not. Mr. Balgic received a material economic benefit from his illegal hirings by paying these works less than those who were either citizens of the United States or legally within this country.

On Aug. 20, 2025, agents with Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO), along with other federal agencies, executed search warrants at the residence and restaurants of Mr. Balgic. This coordinated law enforcement action successfully located evidence and identified at least 13 individuals that Mr. Balgic knowingly and illegally employed at his two restaurants. During the investigation, HSI agents determined that Mr. Balgic had been knowingly hiring illegal immigrants to work at his restaurants starting at least in August of 2024, and continuing until Aug. 20, 2025, when law enforcement executed warrants.

Within the plea agreement between the United States and Mr. Balgic, he admitted his criminal conduct and agreed to consent to a request for judicial removal from the United State at the time of his sentencing. Immediately after being sentenced by the district court, Mr. Balgic will be taken into custody and then processed through an expedited deportation process that will return him to his native country of Turkey.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs, Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Baxter Springs man arrested for criminal sodomy of a minor

(From the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office)

Arrest for Criminal Sodomy of a minor

On May 18, 2026, members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office arrested David Plummer, age 40 of Baxter Springs, Kansas for four counts of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy. 

Plummer’s arrest was the result of an on-going investigation conducted by the Cherokee County Detective Bureau. 

Plummer was transported to the Cherokee County Jail where he is currently being held.

This investigation is ongoing, and anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at (620) 429-3992.

Lamar man sentenced to 15 years for child endangerment that led to death

Judge David Munton sentenced Jeremy R. Vanmeter (DOB 1990), Lamar, to 15 years in prison May 14 for first-degree endangering the welfare of a child- death of a child.

Vanmeter pleaded guilty March 12 in Barton County Circuit Court to the crime, which occurred March 31, 2021 at 900 E. 17th Street, Lamar.

The crime was described in a March 12 news release from the Barton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office:

Vanmeter was watching his 16-month-old child, and the child was placed in a pack n play. The top of the pack n play was covered with a side rail from a crib, and a computer tower was placed on top of the side rail for weight to keep the child from climbing out of the pack n play. 

Approximately 4 hours after placing the child in the pack n play, Vanmeter checked on the child and found the child’s neck was caught between the top of the pack n play and the crib rail and the child was not breathing. 

The child was transported to Cox Barton County hospital where the child was pronounced dead. 

Cassville man sentenced to 8 years for child molestation

(From the Barry County Sheriff's Office)

On September 10, 2024, Anthony Sizemore from Cassville, MO, was charged with Child Molestation 3d Degree with a $25,000 cash only bond. 

On September 12, 2024, Anthony Sizemore was granted a bond reduction by Judge Robert Foulke. Sizemore turned himself in and posted the bond. 

On March 12, 2026, following a two-day bench trial, Circuit Court Judge Alan Blankenship found Anthony Sizemore GUILTY of Child Molestation 3d Degree. Barry County Prosecutor Amy Boxx and Assistant Prosecutor John Young presented the case. Sizemore was scheduled

for sentencing on May 15, 2026. On May 15, 2026, Sizemore was sentenced to eight years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Circuit Court Judge Alan Blankenship. Sizemore was also granted an appellate bond of $10,000 C/S pending the appeal. Sizemore was taken into custody and bonded on the appellate bond. Sizemore has filed a Notice of Appeal with the Court of Appeals, Southern District.

Greenfield men arrested on burglary, assault charges

(From the Dade County Sheriff's Office)

On May 19, 2026, deputies with the Dade County Sheriff’s Office, working jointly with the Greenfield Police Department, executed two no‑bond felony arrest warrants related to an ongoing criminal investigation.

Arrest 1: 

Austin Rust of Greenfield Missouri
Taken into custody on the following issued arrest warrants:

• Conspiracy to Commit Burglary 1st Degree —
• Conspiracy to Commit Assault 2nd Degree — 

Arrest 2: 

River Stephens of Greenfield Missouri
Arrested on the following issued arrest warrants:

• Burglary 1st Degree —
• Assault 2nd Degree —
• Armed Criminal Action — 

Both individuals were transported to Cedar County Jail and are being held on no bond pending formal court proceedings.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.