Agenda posted for Carthage R-9 Board of Education meeting

 

Billy Long apologizes after joking Iceland should become 52nd state

By Jason Hancock

Missouri Independent

Billy Long’s prospects of becoming ambassador to Iceland hit a stumbling block this week, as the former Missouri congressman had to apologize Thursday after facing backlash for his comments suggesting the country should become a U.S. state, with him serving as governor.

Long, in an interview with Arctic Today, a non-profit Alaska-based digital news publication that covers the Arctic region, apologized for joking with former colleagues in the U.S. House that Iceland will become the 52nd state, after America takes over Greenland. 

The comments set off a firestorm of criticism in the Arctic nation, where Long was nominated to serve as ambassador after stepping down from his leadership role at the Internal Revenue Service last year.

The Icelandic Foreign Ministry confirmed to Politico that it contacted the U.S. embassy in Reykjavík seeking clarification about the comments. And a member of Iceland’s ruling party said Long’s statement must be taken seriously and represented a fundamental disrespect for the sovereignty of small nations.

“There is no doubt that this is very serious for a small country like Iceland. We need to understand that all the security arguments made by the U.S. regarding Greenland also apply to Iceland,” Viðreisn Sigmar Guðmundsson, a member of Iceland’s parliament, told a local newspaper.

Icelanders launched a petition urging Foreign Minister Katrín Gunnarsdóttir to reject Long as ambassador. It currently has 2,000 signatures.

Long told the editor of Arctic Today that he was not serious when he made that statement. It was a joke, he said, about Jeff Landry, President Donald Trump’s U.S. Special Envoy to Greenland, becoming governor of Greenland.

“I was with some people, who I hadn’t met for three years, and they were kidding about Jeff Landry being governor of Greenland,” Long told Arctic Today, “and they started joking about me. And if anyone took offense to it, then I apologize.”

Long acknowledged that the reaction was justified, given the tensions internationally regarding Greenland.

Long, a former auctioneer and talk radio host who represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to lead the IRS in June. Two months later he was pushed out with little explanation and nominated instead to be ambassador for Iceland. He has not yet been confirmed by the Senate for that job.

McDonald County fugitive wanted for rape, domestic assault arrested after evading law for 7 years

(From the McDonald County Sheriff's Office)

On January 15, 2026, the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office assisted the U.S. Marshals Service Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force, and Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Operation Relentless Pursuit in the capture of a wanted fugitive.

The task force, comprised of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Stone County Sheriff’s Office, Taney County Sheriff’s Office, Branson Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), successfully apprehended Tyler Cleaver, 28.

Cleaver had multiple outstanding warrants, including Rape, Domestic Assault in the Second Degree (two separate cases), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Theft of a Firearm, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Trespassing. He had been actively evading law enforcement since 2019.

The McDonald County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all assisting agencies for their cooperation and dedication in bringing this long-term fugitive into custody.

(Note: Online court records indicate Cleaver is a one-time Anderson resident

Carthage men arrested for burglary of copper tubing from Sarcoxie residence

(From the Jasper County Sheriff's Office)

Between October 2025 and January 5th 2026 an unoccupied residence in Sarcoxie had been broken into several times with items being taken. The owners of the residence had installed cameras and captured images of two males stealing the copper tubing from the basement area of the residence.

During the investigation the males were positively identified from the photos and on January 14th, both males were located and taken into custody for Burglary 2nd.

The two men are identified as Scott M. Brogan, 30, of Carthage and Bryske A. Blair, 32, Carthage.

Charges for both men were submitted to the Jasper County Prosecutors Office and charges were received on both men.

Brogan was charged with second degree burglary with a $15,000 bond and Blair was charged with second
degree burglary with a $50,000 bond.

Charges filed against Joplin man who allegedly damaged Jasper County Court Building with go-kart

(From the Jasper County Sheriff's Office)

On December 16, 2025, surveillance cameras at the Jasper County Courts Building, located at 633 S. Pearl Avenue in Joplin, Missouri, captured two suspects operating go-karts on the concrete area outside the main entrance. 

The suspects were observed drifting the go-karts, leaving tire markings and causing damage to the bases of at least six supporting pillars, resulting in dents and scratches. The estimated cost tomrepair the damage is $12,860.

One suspect was identified as Dylan M. Aleman, 23, of Joplin. Aleman was arrested at his residence on January 14, 2026, and transported to the Jasper County Detention Center in Carthage. Charges of Property Damage in the First Degree were submitted, and a warrant was subsequently issued.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office thanks the community for its continued support and encourages anyone with additional information related to this incident to contact Detective Samuel Sarmiento (417) 358-8177 Ext. 1266. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

Diamond R-4 Board hires new superintendent

(From the Diamond R-4 School District)

The Diamond R-4 School District Board of Education has named Christopher Paullus, Ed.S. as the district's next superintendent.

Paullus currently serves as superintendent of the Wheaton R-3 School District, where has has led efforts focused on fiscal stability, staffing systems and strong districtwide instructional practices.

Prior to serving as superintendent, Paullus was principal of Wheaton Elementary School, where he helped strengthen instructional alignment and intervention systems, supported student growth, and emphasized a positive culture for staff and students.

Earlier in his career, he served in the Neosho School District as a high school teacher and program coordinator, supporting student readinesss initiatives and building strong relationships with students and families.

Paullus hold an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in superintendency from Northeast Missouri State University, a Master of Education in Leadership and Administration from Arkansas State University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Missouri State University.

"Diamond R-4 has a strong sense of community pride and a clear commitment to maintaining a safe, supportive and academically focused environment," said Paullus."

"I'm excited for the opportunity to partner with the Board, staff, families and the community to strengthen communication, support educators and ensure every student is known, challenged and prepared for what's next."

Board members worked with the Missouri School Boards Association to conduct the search.

Paullus will officially begin serving the Diamond R-4 School District on July 1, 2026.

Carthage resident sues Newton County after suffering injury at Courthouse

 

A lawsuit filed Thursday in Newton County Circuit Court alleges a defective door at the Newton County Courthouse caused an injury to a Carthage man.

The lawsuit, which was filed by Terry L. Russell, Carthage, claims a courthouse door shut on him too quickly causing him to fall down three or four stairs and land on the concrete below.

From the petition:

On November 6, 2025, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Plaintiff Terry L. Russell was lawfully present at the Neosho Courthouse located at 101 S. Wood Street, Neosho, Missouri, as a business invitee for the purpose of conducting courthouse business.

As Plaintiff exited through the courthouse entrance door, the door quickly shut on him before he could exit the building, with significant force, causing him to lose his balance and fall down approximately 3 to 4 stairs, falling approximately 5 feet and landing on the concrete surface below.

As a direct and proximate result of the fall, Plaintiff sustained severe and permanent injuries, including multiple fractures to his pelvis, causing him excruciating pain and rendering him unable to stand or bear weight.

The door mechanism at the Neosho Courthouse entrance was in a dangerous, hazardous, and defective condition at the time of Plaintiff's injuries.

Defendant Newton County had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition of the courthouse entrance door, as evidenced by the statement of Newton County Auditor Matthew Major, who was present at the time of the incident and informed Plaintiff's wife that "the doors do that all the time" and "have always been bad."

Count one of the lawsuit accuses Newton County officials of negligence for "failing to maintain the entrance door in safe working condition," "failing to repair the known dangerous door mechanism," "failing to provide adequate warnings about the dangerous condition of the door," and "failing to protect business invitees from a known hazard..

The petition indicates Russell suffered multiple pelvic fractures, a left shoulder injury and a right elbow abrasion and was hospitalized from November 6-11 before being discharged to a skilled nursing facility.

Russell, who is represented by Joplin attorney Edward Hershewe, is asking for damages, punitive damages and for a jury trial.

Fired employee sues Webb City restaurant

A former employee of Culver's Restaurant, Webb City, filed an unfair labor practices lawsuit Thursday in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Jonathan Chacon claims he was fired after complaining about a Culver's policy that requires all employees to remain on the premises and lock up and exit together when the restaurant closes.

From the petition:

Said policy required Defendant’s employees who had completed their duties to clock out and remain on Defendant’s premises until all of the employees had completed their duties and clocked out.

Defendant, through its managers posted a sign stating the above policy in the areas where employees worked.

Defendant required employees to remain on its premises while “off the clock” and without compensation.

Requiring employees to remain on the employee's premises while off the clock and unpaid is a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Missouri Minimum Wage Law (RSMo § 290.500 et seq.)

In or about December 2024 and January 2025 Plaintiff complained to Defendant’s management of the aforesaid policy and practices of Defendant.

On or about January 3, 2025 Defendant terminated Plaintiff’s employment.

Defendant terminated Plaintiff's employment in relation for Plaintiff opposing unlawful activity of the Defendant.

Listed as the defendant is Addotta Foods, which owns Culver's Restaurant.

Chacon, who is represented by Springfield attorney Raymond Lampert, is asking for damages, front and back pay and attorney fees.

Motion: Joplin man should be behind bars while awaiting trial for meth, cocaine trafficking

According to a detention motion filed Thursday in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Ivy Dewayne Lee Iverson, 34, Joplin, should remain behind bars while awaiting trial on for methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking and two weapons charges.

The motion cited the safety of the community and the likelihood that Iverson might attempt to flee.

The federal charges against Iverson stem from a Jasper County case.

From the Jasper County probable cause statement:

During this incident officers were investigating methamphetamine sales when they observed Ivy Iverson leave his residence before contacting him at his vehicle in the parking lot of Casey's, 403 N. Main Street.

Iverson was detained, then fled from officers on foot. While fleeing, Officers observed Iverson discarding multiple bags containing a crystal substance. Iverson was apprehended and four bags were located along his path of travel that contained a substance that tested positive as methamphetamine. The total weight of the bags was found to be 101 grams. 

A search warrant was then obtained for Iverson's residence of 220 N. Byers Avenue, Joplin, Jasper County. An adult female and five children were found to be living inside of the residence with Iverson, to include a baby in his bedroom. Inside Iverson's bedroom a Ruger, 9mm pistol with a serial number of 32972896 was located, 22 grams of cocaine, 19 grams of crack cocaine and 16 grams of fentanyl pills, electronic scales, plastic bags and $5,995.00.

Iverson pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance Thursday.

The detention hearing is scheduled for January 21.

Carl Junction man sentenced on federal weapons charge

Collin Asbell, 35, Carl Junction, was sentenced to three years and one month in prison during a hearing Thursday in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

Asbell pleaded guilty June 10 to being.a felon in possession of a firearm. After Asbell completes his sentence, he will be on supervised release for three years.

More background information about Asbell's case can be found at the link below.

Sentencing memo: Carl Junction man has had numerous shots at rehab and blown them all