This blog features observations from Randy Turner, a former teacher, newspaper reporter and editor. Send news items or comments to rturner229@hotmail.com
A misdemeanor animal abuse charge was filed in Barton County Circuit Court today against a Golden City man who allegedly kicked a cat to death.
According to the probable cause statement, Connor Scott West (DOB 1994) came to a Golden City resident's home and when the resident opened the door he saw "his cat lying in the yard, bleeding."
West told the man he kicked the cat and then left, according to the statement.
The cat died from the injuries.
A criminal summons was issued to West today with a 9 a.m. October 20 court date set.
The case was investigated by the Barton County Sheriff's Office.
A mediation session for former Carthage golf superintendent Aaron Borland's wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the City of Carthage and current and former city officials has been scheduled for 10 a.m. October 15 in Springfield, with Stephen H. Snead as the neutral mediator.
The mediation session will gauge whether the two sides can reach an agreement to keep the case from going to trial.
Borland's action was filed July 13 in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
In addition to the city, former Parks Director Abi Almandinger, HR Director Michael Miller, City Administrator Tracy Cox, former City Administrator Greg Dagnan, former City Attorney Nate Dally and former Mayor Dan Rife are listed as defendants.
A grand jury indictment of a Joplin man on a federal weapons charge was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
Michael Douglas Fry, 57, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm when he was arrested April 23 by the Joplin Police Department.
The arrest came after a search warrant was executed by the deparment's Flex Platoon and SWAT at 205 South McCoy Avenue.
From the probable cause warrant in the Jasper County case:
While SWAT was securing the residence and securing the camper behind the residence, they contacted and detained Michael Fry standing outside of his camper.
After the area was completely secured, FLEX Detectives moved up search the residence and the camper located behind the residence. The camper is owned by Michael Fry, and it is also his listed address on his sex offender registry.
While Detectives were searching the camper, they located a small black safe. The keys to the safe were located inside the front pocket of the jeans he was wearing when contacted.
Inside the safe Detectives located multiple plastic bags containing a white crystal substance. I later tested the substance located inside the safe inside the camper. This substance tested positive for Methamphetamine (Schedule II Controlled Substance) using the TruNarc Device. The Scan was completed on 04/23/2026 at 11:30am. The Scan Number is 4911. The bag weighed 18.92 grams.
Also, inside the safe was a loaded pistol. The firearm is a Jennings Bryco 38 pistol. Silver in color. The pistol is .380 caliber. The serial number for the pistol is: 449939. The pistol was not listed as stolen when it was run through Dispatch.
Michael Fry has many felony convictions starting back in the early 90's throughout multiple states.
Michael is also currently a registered sex offender out of the State of Georgia. Michael is also currently on probation for Aggravated Assault.
A 10:15 a.m. October 15 sentencing date has been scheduled in U. S. District Court in Springfield for Mitchell Dean Gibbs, 34, Joplin, who pleaded guilty May 6 to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The allegation against Gibbs was detailed in the plea agreement.
On November 25,2025, Joplin, Missouri, Police Officers responded to the 600 block of N. Main Steet, in Joplin, Missouri, within the Western District of Missouri in response to a report of gun shots.
Upon arrival at the location, law enforcement located a 2005 multi-colored Toyota Corolla in the parking lot at 615 N. Main Street. Officers noted that the vehicle was running and attempting to leave the area. Officers believed the vehicle was involved in a shooting, activating emergency equipment and conducted a traffic stop. Law enforcement identified the driver of the vehicle as Mitchell Gibbs ("GIBBS").
Upon being stopped, GIBBS exited the vehicle and distanced himself from the driver's seat and vehicle. When asked if he had heard the gun shots, GIBBS denied hearing any gun shots.
GIBBS advised that he had three storage units, and he was there with his girlfriend and their l0-month-old child.
As officers spoke with GIBBS, other officers located several spent shell casings near the storage units where GIBBS stated he was renting, When asked if he knew anything about someone shooting, GIBBS advised that his girlfriend, Sha'ann got upset with him, and when he approached her, she started shooting at him.
At this time, officers looked into GIBBS vehicle and observed in plain view what appeared to be a handgun that was underneath the driver's seat. Officers were advised that GIBBS was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. GIBBS was placed under arrest.
A search of GIBBS' vehicle was conducted. A Glock 43x, 9mm firearm, bearing serial number "BSYU350," and a Smith & Wesson Model Airweight .380 caliber firearm bearing serial number *DNL5364," were discovered in GIBBS' vehicle. GIBBS was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Oflicers also located a plastic baggie on the passenger side that contained several glass pipes, several small baggies that contained a crystalline substance that was recognized as methamphetamine. The Smith & Wesson firearm was located within the plastic baggie found on the passenger side of GIBBS'vehicle.
After being taken into custody, GIBBS was searched and a single round of 9mm ammunition in his front pants pocket. Officers noted that the empty shell casings previously found near GIBBS' storage units were 9mm rounds that could be used with the Glock 43x firearm found under the driver seat of his vehicle.
When a records check was requested on the firearms, Officers were advised that the Smith & Wesson had been reported stolen.
On December 29,2025, Task Force Officer ("TFO") Joshua Hanes with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") conducted a physical exarnination of the firearms found in GIBBS' possession. TFO Hanes conducted a physical examination and test fired the weapons. The fireanns functioned as designed.
The plea agreement noted Gibbs' previous felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, several for passing bad checks and one for felony fleeing.
(From the Joplin Police Department)On August 26, 2026, around 9:50 p.m., the Joplin Emergency Communications Center began receiving 911 calls for a two-vehicle injury crash in the 3300 block of Range Line Road. The crash was reported to involve a pickup truck and a motorcycle. Joplin Police, Joplin Fire Department, M.E.T.S. Ambulance, and Newton County Ambulance responded.
When first responders arrived, they determined that the rider of the motorcycle was in critical condition and was transported to a local hospital. The Joplin Police Department’s Major Crash team responded to conduct the investigation.
During the initial investigation, it was determined that the motorcycle was northbound on Range Line Road from 36th Street. A pickup truck was attempting to make a left, southbound turn onto Range Line Road from a private drive, in the 3300 block.
As the pickup entered the roadway the two vehicles collided.
The rider and sole occupant of the motorcycle was later identified as Benjamin Hedrick, 21, of Joplin, who later succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin have been notified. The driver and passenger of the pickup truck did not report any injuries.
This incident is still an open and active investigation.
Flock Safety has poured more than $2 million into federal and state lobbying since 2025 as the fast‑growing surveillance company faces mounting scrutiny from lawmakers in both parties and privacy advocates over its ever-expanding network of license‑plate‑tracking cameras.
The company spent nearly $1.3 million between January 2025 and July 2026 on federal lobbying and at least another $1 million in statehouses across the U.S., according to OpenSecrets’ federal lobbying data and an analysis of lobbying disclosures across all 50 states. Flock has hired lobbyists in dozens of states – often former government employees passing through the political “revolving door” – including in places where weak disclosure laws mean spending totals are not publicly reported.
Flock has drawn increasing criticism over the vast, largely unregulated network of automated cameras it operates nationwide. The cameras record license plate numbers and other characteristics of all vehicles passing by, allowing thousands of law enforcement agencies in 49 states (all except Alaska) to search and share Flock’s data across jurisdictions. This enables police to track vehicles in real time and build investigative dossiers from billions of scans collected each month.
While police agencies praise the system as a tool for locating missing people and tracking suspects, privacy advocates warn the technology enables mass surveillance without a warrant. And amid a nationwide wave of protests and vandalism targeting the company’s cameras, more than 120 agencies or jurisdictions have canceled, suspended or rejected a contract – or deactivated their cameras – since January 2025, according to a tracker maintained by DeFlock, a group that opposes their use.
Many of those terminations followed concerns raised about improper data access, including instances in which officers conducted personal searches – raising a central question: What, exactly, does Flock want from this lobbying push? OpenSecrets reached out to the company for comment but did not receive a response.
Torin Monahan, a professor at the University of North Carolina and co-editor of the peer-reviewed journal Surveillance & Society, identified several likely items on Flock’s lobbying agenda. He said the company is likely focused on securing long-term contracts with municipalities and counties as well as avoiding potential restrictions that could require police to obtain a warrant before using the system or limit the cross-jurisdiction data sharing that underpins Flock’s network.
“Some of the things they’re lobbying for are things that they’re worried about,” Monahan told OpenSecrets. “I would imagine those are areas where they would like to head those restrictions off at the pass, if they could.”
He also suggested that Flock “wants to become the monopoly for this particular service” of license plate readers because the network gains power as the user count grows.
“So if you have more adoption throughout the country, then it probably will … barring any political blowback, persuade other clients that this is the right company that they should contract with for these services,” Monahan said.
Flock’s federal lobbying spending nears $1.4M
Flock is coming off its highest-spending quarter since it began lobbying the federal government in 2024. Between April 1 and June 30, 2026, the company reported $220,000 in federal lobbying spending after spending $210,000 in each of the five preceding quarters.
In total, it has spent nearly $1.4 million on federal lobbying, including $840,000 in 2025 and $430,000 so far in 2026.
While the company has not reported lobbying on specific bills, its 2026 filings show activity focused on both chambers of Congress and the White House, including the Office of Administration. Its lobbyists have been working on broad issue areas including homeland security, law enforcement, crime and criminal justice – an agenda that aligns with the company’s efforts to expand its camera network.
Several of Flock’s competitors also are active on K Street, though those legacy firms operate far larger product portfolios.
Axon Enterprise, a weapons and tech company formerly known as Taser, has spent nearly $5.3 million on federal lobbying since 2024 on a range of issues topped by homeland security, law enforcement, crime and criminal justice. Motorola Solutions – the parent of surveillance vendor Vigilant Solutions – has spent about $5 million in the same time frame, with its most frequently cited issues including the federal budget and appropriations, telecommunications, defense and intelligence. But the lobbying activity by those companies is not broken out by subsidiary or product line, making it unclear how much of their spending is tied specifically to automated license plate reader systems.
Much of Flock’s lobbying work has been handled by veterans of the revolving door – former public servants now advocating on its behalf. Five of the seven lobbyists hired by Flock this year fall into that category.
Among them: Bryan Lanza of Mercury Public Affairs, who served as communications director for President Donald Trump’s first transition team; Jennifer Lawkin Lukawski of BGR Group, the first executive director of the Republican Study Committee in the House of Representatives; and BGR Group President Erskine Wells, a former deputy chief of staff for Sen. Roger Wicker (R‑Miss.). Flock lobbying in statehouses with mixed disclosure requirements
An OpenSecrets review of all 50 state lobbying disclosure databases showed Flock with active lobbyists in 34 states in 2025 and/or 2026. Those filings documented at least $1 million in state-level lobbying during that span – but that figure almost certainly understates the company’s true spending because many states do not require lobbyists or their clients to report compensation.
In 18 of those states, Flock’s lobbyists were active but no spending totals were available. State disclosure laws vary widely, from detailed quarterly reports to systems that exclude retainer fees entirely, and those gaps in reporting requirements create blind spots in understanding the company’s full financial footprint.
In Arizona, for example, Flock retained Molera Alvarez – a prominent Phoenix lobbying firm co-founded by a former state superintendent of schools and staffed with several former state and municipal government employees – to represent its interests in 2025. Yet the state’s lobbying database shows no reportable expenditures. Arizona law excludes lobbyist compensation and retainer fees from disclosure. The secretary of state’s summary of principal expenditures from the previous year also lists $0.
Similarly, in Alabama, the company hired former Secretary of State Beth Chapman in 2025 to lobby state officials. But Flock’s quarterly disclosure forms list $0 in reportable spending, consistent with state ethics rules that do not require companies to disclose private retainer fees.
Flock’s largest known expenditure came in California, where since January 2025 it spent $30,000 in each quarter for a total of $180,000. The company focused its efforts on bills adding guardrails around vendor contracts for license plate reader systems – including measures requiring data that fails to produce a hit to be purged within 30 days, mandating audits, requiring case numbers for queries and blocking cross-agency sharing without authorization.
Of those six bills, only one passed both chambers. That bill would have established data protection requirements for license-plate-reader systems, but Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed it in September 2025. The others died in committee or stalled in the appropriations process.
“I view the lobbying money … in the same category of trying to influence in advance what the particular outcomes might be,” Monahan said.
Flock also spent $169,000 since January 2025 on lobbying in Massachusetts on issues related to police, fire and law enforcement organizations, and $102,000 in Wisconsin lobbying on state Senate and Assembly bills to establish grants for law enforcement agencies to purchase license-plate-reader systems. In Tennessee, where lobbying disclosures include ranges instead of specific spending amounts, Flock paid its lobbying team between $25,000 and $50,000 in both 2025 and 2026 while recording less than $10,000 in expenses in both years.
“It seems like a drop in the bucket compared to the size of their contracts,” Monahan said.
In a sign of its expanding lobbying footprint, Flock registered a lobbyist in Wyoming on June 29.
Minimal spending on campaigns by Flock leaders
Compared to Flock’s lobbying spending, the political activity by its leadership is scant.
Corporations are prohibited from donating directly to candidates or political action committees. Flock Safety does not operate a political action committee for its employees to contribute to, and there is no record of any independent expenditure committee – or, a super PAC – funded by the company or its executives. Nor is there any record of the company or its leaders donating to Trump’s inaugural fund, a legal loophole that allows corporations to give unlimited sums.
OpenSecrets data shows CEO Garrett Langley donated $1,000 in 2024 to Health Jobs Justice, the leadership PAC for Sen. Jon Ossoff (D‑Ga.). Beyond that single contribution, there is no visible federal political giving from Flock’s top executives.
Beyond lobbying: The data question
But Flock’s ambitions extend beyond shaping policy. Monahan said the company is diversifying its portfolio beyond license-plate readers and adding drones, gunfire location systems and citywide “safety dashboards” that aggregate public data.
Taken together, it’s a sign that “the law enforcement space is getting pretty crowded” and that mounting scrutiny may be pushing the company to expand, Monahan said.
But that expansion raises questions that go beyond lobbying dollars, because Monahan said the data Flock collects isn’t used just for law enforcement purposes. It also trains the company’s proprietary AI models.
“What we don’t know, as the public, is where all those data are going. How might compromising data be included in these models? What controls might we have about the applications that these AI systems are being put toward?” he said.
Those are questions, Monahan said, that Flock’s lobbying disclosures don’t answer – and that neither regulators nor the municipalities signing contracts with the company have yet to seriously ask.
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for threatening to kill a prominent member of the California District Attorney’s office and bomb area schools.
David William Platek, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Megan Blair Benton, to two years in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release. Platek previously pleaded guilty to threatening interstate communication.
In 2019, the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, Calif. District Attorney’s Office charged Platek with identity theft. Eventually, those charges were dismissed. After the dismissal, Platek moved to Springfield, Mo., and blamed a member of the SLO District Attorney’s Office for his prosecution, his “self-exile” to Missouri, and his inability to find employment.
Platek sent his friend, who was living in another state, in excess of 125 pages of text messages. In the text messages, Platek threatened to blow up schools in SLO County, as well as threatened to kill a prominent member of the SLO District Attorney’s Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(From Leggett & Platt)Somnigroup International Inc. (NYSE: SGI, "Company" or "Somnigroup") today announced that Tyson Hagale has been appointed as President of Leggett & Platt, effective immediately. Mr. Hagale will report to Karl Glassman, Chief Executive Officer of Leggett & Platt. Mr. Hagale will have oversight responsibility for all of Leggett & Platt.
"I am delighted that Tyson has been elevated to this new role at the company," stated Mr. Glassman. "Over the course of his 25-year career at Leggett & Platt, Tyson has attained broad experience across multiple facets of our business, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, and operational leadership.
"During the last five years while serving as President of our Bedding Products segment, he played an instrumental role in executing a major restructuring to improve profitability in the face of industry headwinds. Tyson is well-suited to help me lead Leggett & Platt as we embark on this exciting new chapter as part of the Somnigroup family."
"Naming Tyson as President of Leggett & Platt is reflective of Somnigroup's deep respect for the legacy Leggett & Platt management team in general and Tyson's accomplishments specifically," commented Scott Thompson, Chairman and CEO of Somnigroup. "The Somnigroup team and I have worked with Tyson for many years. He is well-respected in the bedding industry and, importantly, understands the Leggett & Platt business beyond bedding. His commitment to the core values that have guided Leggett & Platt for over 100 years will ensure the continued success of the company under his enhanced leadership role."
Mr. Hagale will be based out of Leggett & Platt's office in Carthage, Missouri.
(From the Neosho R-5 School District)Following the inaugural Neosho Athletics Hall of Fame class, we are proud to welcome the Class of 2026. This year’s inductees represent generations of Neosho and Goodman athletics and are being recognized for their extraordinary accomplishments, leadership, dedication, and lasting impact.
1964 Goodman Pirates Basketball Team
The 1964 Goodman Pirates captured the Missouri Class S State Basketball Championship, finishing an incredible 24–2 season under head coach Charles Goade. Their championship season stands as one of the most significant accomplishments in Goodman basketball history. The team, coach, manager, and cheerleaders are being honored as members of the Class of 2026.
Bill Hulsey
A 1959 Neosho graduate, Hulsey earned All-Conference, All-District, and All-State honors and helped lead the 1957 and 1958 Wildcats to seasons of 9-0-1 and 10-0. He later dedicated 54 years to Moark and served his community as a volunteer police officer.
Tammy Townsend Holder
A 1985 graduate, Holder was an exceptional distance runner, earning seven All-State honors in track and three in cross country. She won back-to-back Class 4 state cross country championships in 1983 and 1984 while helping lead Neosho to team state championships both years. She later built a distinguished career in agricultural education, research, and food security.
Doug Gillispie
A 1995 graduate, Gillispie was one of Neosho’s most accomplished three-sport athletes. He helped lead the Wildcats to an 11-1 football season, conference and district championships, and the school’s first playoff victory. He continued his career at Pittsburg State University as its only three-sport letterwinner and later played professional basketball in Spain.
Ron Quintana
A 1995 graduate, Quintana excelled in football and baseball before becoming a standout collegiate baseball player. He later served as a strength coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a high school coach in Colorado, he has led his program to two state championships and more than 225 career victories.
Nate Rodriguez
A 2013 graduate, Rodriguez established himself as one of Neosho’s most accomplished wrestlers, winning three state championships. He went on to become an NCAA Division II National Champion and three-time All-American at Maryville University before earning his medical degree and beginning his career in medicine.
Event Details
September 4, 2026
5:00 p.m. — Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Freeman Health System Performing Arts Center 511 S. Neosho Blvd., Neosho, MO
Following the ceremony, our inductees and their guests will gather for the Hall of Fame dinner.
Football Halftime
The 2026 Neosho Hall of Fame Class will receive special recognition during halftime of the Wildcats’ home football game.
Be sure to join us as we celebrate the Class of 2026 and honor the champions who continue to shape the tradition, excellence, and legacy of Neosho athletics!
(From Barton County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Smalley)On August 24, 2026, the Ozark Drug Enforcement Team, Lamar Police Department and the Barton County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a Lamar residence. The investigation resulted in the seizure of a quantity of suspected methamphetamine, paraphernalia used in the distribution of methamphetamine, and written records of drug transactions. Donovan Jacob Wood and Ashley Danielle Sherron were arrested at the scene.
On August 25, 2026, the Barton County Prosecutor's Office filed charges against both individuals. Donovan Jacob Wood was charged with Count 1, class A felony of delivery of a controlled substance in a protected location, government assistance housing; Count 2, class A felony of delivery of a controlled substance in a protected location, within 2000 feet of a public secondary school; Count 3, class D felony of endangering the welfare of a child for committing the offense of delivery of a controlled substance at Juvenile #1’s residence; and Count 4, class D felony of endangering the welfare of a child for committing the offense of delivery of a controlled substance at Juvenile #2’s residence. Wood is being held in the Barton County Jail on a no bond warrant.
Ashley Danielle Sherron was charged with Count 1, class A felony of delivery of a controlled substance in a protected location, government assistance housing; Count 2, class A felony of delivery of a controlled substance in a protected location, within 2000 feet of a public secondary school; Count 3, class D felony of endangering the welfare of a child for committing the offense of delivery of a controlled substance at Juvenile #1’s residence; and Count 4, class D felony of endangering the welfare of a child for committing the offense of delivery of a controlled substance at Juvenile #2’s residence.
Sherron is being held in the Vernon County jail on a no bond warrant.
