Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Freeman

A Nevada man whose wife died following a March 27, 2024 surgery at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, filed a wrongful death lawsuit Thursday in Jasper County Circuit Court, followed by an amended petition Friday.

Listed as defendants in the action are Freeman-Oak Hill Health System, Freeman Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Derek Miller, D. O., Mohammad Rahman, D. O., David Buvant, M. D.,, Darla P. Easter, FNP; Jessica Statz, D. O., Justin Wilberding, D. O. and Christine Grimes CRNA.

According to the petition, Jerry Gilmore says CT scans and x-rays showed that his wife, Diane Gilmore, was not a good candidate for the elective hip arthroplasty surgery.

From the petition:

Diane Gilmore had pulmonary conditions and one or more brain tumors that should have been treated before surgery;

Diane Gilmore, by virtue of her pre-surgery condition, was not a good candidate for anticoagulation drugs;

Diane Gilmore, by virtue of her pre-surgery condition, was not a good candidate for anesthesia.

Gilmore is represented by El Dorado Springs attorney Mark Watson.

Joplin man charged with two counts of child molestation

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed two child molestation charges against a Joplin man Friday.

An arrest warrant was issued for Michael Schlueter (DOB 1965) with bond set at $200,000 cash only.

The alleged crimes took place in January at Schlueter's residence where the child, who is under age 12 was spending the night, according to the probable cause statement.

Victim 1 disclosed that Schlueter asked her if she wanted "snuggles" and asked her to go to the guest bedroom with him, which she followed him into. Schlueter helped her onto the bed and while lying on the bed Schlueter rubbed the outside of victim 1's vagina on her skin with his hand. Schlueter asked victim 1 if she liked that which she told him no.

Schlueter told victim 1 to keep this a secret between them and told her not to tell anyone.

Victim 1 disclosed there was an additional incident that occurred at Schlueter's residence on a different
date. Victim 1 discloses while lying on the air mattress in the living room, Schlueter rubbed her vagina
the same way he did before however this time was over her clothes.

Schlueter was arrested by the Joplin Police Department on 03/25/2026 and charged with domestic
assault. (Note: This was a different case.)

During his interview with police, Schlueter acknowledged the child had spent the night with him and his wife on occasions. He said he and his wife bought the child "the Bluey designed pajamas as well as the Care Bear style pajama, which she had described wearing in her interview at the Children's Center.

Neosho man killed in crash on 86

Seth Zerbel, 31, Neosho, was killed in a one-vehicle crash 12:22 p.m. today on MO 86 1/8 of a mile east of Neosho.

Zerbel was pastor at Joplin Grace Chapel before it closed in October, according to a post on the Joplin Area Ministry Network Facebook page and had been working for Teen Challenge the past few months.

According to the Highway Patrol report, Zerbel, who was driving 2003 Toyota Sequoia, traveled off the right side of the road, overcorrected, traveled off the left side of the road and struck a utility pole.

Newton County Coroner Ronnie Jones pronounced Zerbel dead at 12:35 p.m.

The fatality was the 25th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D. 

Jill Carter bill enshrining office of sheriff in Missouri constitution advances to House

(From Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby)

On Wednesday, the Missouri Senate third read and passed Senate Joint Resolution 87, sponsored by State Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby. The resolution, which proposes a constitutional amendment enshrining the office of sheriff in Missouri’s Constitution, now moves forward in the legislative process. As a constitutional amendment, SJR 87 would ultimately need to be approved by voters.

“At its core, this bill is about one simple but powerful idea: accountability to the people,” Sen. Carter said. “Sheriffs in Missouri should be chosen by and held accountable to the voters of their county — not appointed, insulated or controlled by political bodies.”

If approved by voters, SJR 87 would require counties to elect a sheriff to a four-year term by a majority vote of qualified county voters. The measure also clarifies the sheriff’s responsibilities and duties as provided by law.

“When citizens elect their sheriff, they know exactly who is responsible for public safety. And if that sheriff fails to lead with integrity, competence and courage, the people can remove them at the ballot box,” Sen. Carter said. “That is how a constitutional republic is supposed to work.”

Jasper County deputies interrupt in-progress theft of 4-wheeler

(From the Jasper County Sheriff's Office)

At approximately 9:00 AM, 03-27-26, Jasper County Sheriff deputies were dispatched to the area of County Road 220 and Baseline in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The reporting party indicated a car had parked directly behind his house during the night. The reporting party indicated he was not familiar with the vehicle and that it was not occupied.

Upon arrival deputies began searching the area. While searching, the deputies were notified of an in- progress theft of a four-wheeler about a mile to the south, near County Road 230 and Pine. 

Upon arrival at that scene, a subject had abandoned the four-wheeler and was found standing behind a
residence nearby.

The deputies observed the subject, later identified as Zachery G. Greeson, 28, Fargo, North Dakota
had no pants on. He was arrested without incident. During a consent search of the backpack he was
wearing, a baggie containing approximately 225 grams of powder cocaine and a baggie containing
roughly the same amount of ketamine was located.

Greeson indicated he was on his way from North Dakota to Alabama and while en route became
concerned about being the victim of an air strike. He said he pulled off the main highway to hide his car behind a house during the night. He stated as he was running through the woods during the night when his pants got hung up on barb wire and were ripped off.

Greeson has been charged with possession and trafficking of a controlled substance, burglary (he entered into a barn to steal the four-wheeler) and first degree trespassing. He is currently being held at the Jasper County Jail. Charges have been submitted to the Jasper County Prosecutor's Office for consideration.

Missouri House committee sinks latest bid to revive Second Amendment law

By Jason Hancock

Missouri Independent

Missouri lawmakers’ latest attempt to bar state and local officials from helping enforce certain federal gun laws collapsed Wednesday in a House committee, defeated not only by Democrats but by Republicans who said the bill would hurt gun dealers, invite costly litigation and ignore the concerns of law enforcement.

The House General Laws Committee voted 9-3 against a bill aimed at reviving Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act. The committee has 16 members — 11 Republicans and five Democrats — meaning the bill would have failed even if all four absent members had shown up.

The vote was a setback for a measure that has become a recurring cause for Missouri gun-rights activists. Since the original law passed in 2021, supporters have cast it as a bulwark against federal overreach, while opponents — including police chiefs, sheriffs, federal prosecutors and local officials — have argued it undermined cooperation with federal authorities and exposed local governments to costly lawsuits.

What made Wednesday’s defeat stand out was where the resistance came from.

State Rep. Mike Costlow, a Republican from Dardenne Prairie and a firearms dealer, said the bill was “absolutely not second amendment friendly,” despite its title.

In remarks before the vote, Costlow said the measure would create a conflict between state and federal law for gun dealers forced to choose between complying with federal law and risking liability under state law, or vice versa. He also took aim at the bill’s $50,000 civil penalty, arguing it would create a framework for people to exploit the Second Amendment for payouts at taxpayer expense.

Costlow accused outside groups of pressuring lawmakers to back a bill he said would do more to fuel a political narrative than protect gun rights.

Joining Costlow in publicly criticizing the bill was state Rep. Jamie Gragg, a Republican from Ozark, who said he had checked with local law enforcement in his district before the vote and came away convinced the bill did not have their support.

That opposition undercut the central argument from the bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Bill Hardwick of Dixon, that it was a narrower, more legally careful rewrite of a law courts already struck down.

At a hearing earlier this month, Hardwick told the committee he had removed language that sought to invalidate federal law while preserving what he described as its core protections. His bill would have barred state and local officials from enforcing certain federal firearm laws, including registration requirements, tracking of gun ownership and confiscation orders aimed at law-abiding citizens. It also would have kept the $50,000 civil penalty for violations.

Hardwick argued the proposal was based not on nullification but on the anti-commandeering doctrine that says the federal government cannot force state officers to carry out federal policy.

Supporters, including Aaron Dorr of the Missouri Firearms Coalition, said the bill would simply prevent the federal government from using Missouri police to enforce federal gun restrictions.

But opponents said that was not how the law worked in practice the first time around, and they warned it would not work now.

When originally enacted in 2021, the law declared a range of federal gun laws invalid in Missouri and threatened state and local agencies with lawsuits and $50,000 penalties for enforcing them. Law enforcement leaders warned it would chill cooperation with federal agencies, and the U.S. Department of Justice sued Missouri in 2022, arguing the state could not nullify federal law and that the measure was already disrupting gun-crime enforcement.

In 2023, U.S. District Judge Brian Wimes struck the law down as unconstitutional. The following year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld that ruling, concluding Missouri may choose to withhold assistance from federal authorities but cannot do so by purporting to invalidate federal law. Last October, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Missouri’s appeal, effectively ending the state’s effort to save the 2021 version.

That did not end the legislative push.

Last year, the Missouri House passed another attempt to revive the law, but the effort stalled in the Senate after law enforcement groups again warned that the rewrite preserved many of the same practical and constitutional problems. This year’s bill was another try at threading the same needle: preserve the political appeal of the original law while cutting away enough language to survive in court.

In an interview Thursday morning, Hardwick said he is not giving up on the issue, even if his House bill is likely dead. Two Senate versions of the legislation, sponsored by GOP Sens. Rick Brattin and Mike Moon, are still alive. And if those efforts fail this year, he intends to keep pushing the issue if he wins the Missouri Senate seat he is seeking.

“I’m not going to give up,” Hardwick said. “This is an issue that is near and dear to me.”

Higher education funding overhaul finds few takers in Missouri Senate

By Rudi Keller

Missouri Independent

A plan to overhaul higher education funding by tying state aid to enrollment squeaked through the Missouri House on Thursday and faces strong opposition in the state Senate.

(Photo- Missouri House Budget Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Seneca, defended his plan to overhaul higher education funding Thursday during a news conference prior to a vote on the plan- Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

The spending bill that would cut funding for some state universities by 40% or more passed the House 83-66 as 21 Republicans joined Democrats in opposition. A bill needs 82 votes to pass.

The plan for reallocating more than $1 billion in state support for community colleges and four-year universities was unveiled a little more than two weeks ago by state Rep. Dirk Deaton, the Seneca Republican who chairs the House Budget Committee. He said it is a response to decades of higher education funding decisions that created huge disparities in how much each school receives for each student being educated.

“We need to send the money where the kids are, where they’re going to school, and empower them,” Deaton said at a news conference before the House debate Thursday. “And that’s what this plan does.”

The current allocations have as much to do with past funding and political favors as they do with the particular mission of each school. Democrats said during debate that higher education funding needs a close look but Deaton’s change is too dramatic and the impact too severe.

“It doesn’t take an accountant to figure out that some of these institutions with this proposal would not survive,” said state Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Columbia Democrat. “It will leave holes in communities throughout Missouri.

The higher education funding bill was one of 12 spending bills approved Thursday in the House. Most passed easily, but two others —- one to fund the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and one to fund state elected officials that includes a controversial private school voucher program — also faced close votes and substantial Republican opposition.

The 12 bills spend $50.4 billion to fund state government operations in the fiscal year that begins July 1. Four other spending bills appropriating $2.6 billion to pay for construction and maintenance at state facilities were approved Thursday morning in the House Budget Committee and will be debated next week.

The spending plan, including capital needs, calls on the state treasury for $15.9 billion in general revenue, while the December revenue estimate projects the state will collect $13.6 billion in taxes. The deficit will be covered from accumulated surpluses, which will be almost exhausted when the fiscal year ends.

Deaton is leaving office due to term limits. Future lawmakers are going to have to make spending match revenue, he said.

“The General Assembly probably should stop passing bills with fiscal notes attached,” Deaton said.

Lawmakers also struggled with a cut to funding for services for adults with developmental disabilities proposed by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Hundreds of people came to the Capitol last month to protest the cut, and a bipartisan majority on the budget committee, including Deaton, voted to restore the funding.

It could be a preview if more severe cuts come in future years.

“Everything that’s in this budget is important to somebody, somewhere, to some member on this floor, and that’s what makes this so difficult,” Deaton said at the news conference. “It’s going to take a lot of hard choices and discipline, and the General Assembly needs to proceed with caution when it comes to fiscal policy.”

The budget approved in the House would:

-Maintain funding for public schools at current levels but is $190 million short of fully funding the state foundation formula. The budget also falls about $35 million short of fully funding transportation needs for school districts.

-Eliminate the only general state employee pay raise in the budget. Last year, lawmakers approved a 1% raise for each two years in state employment, capped at 10% for 20 years. Kehoe wanted to continue that plan by giving employees who reached a two-year multiple an additional 1%.

-Cuts $51 million from child care services by eliminating funds that pay enhanced rates to help providers cover costs of serving children with special needs, foster children.

Cut $250,000 Kehoe requested for The 57 Foundation, set up “to educate the public on the history of Gov. (Mike) Parson’s life and administration.”

Deaton’s higher education proposal seems doomed in the upper chamber.

State Sen. Rusty Black of Chillicothe, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said Thursday that opposition is strong and support is weak.

Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, in Black’s district, would see a 26% funding boost. Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, with a campus just outside his district, would see a 24% cut.

“I can’t make a guarantee to anybody what that will look like, because I work with 33 other people, but right now it seems like a difficult task,” Black said.

Black’s predecessor as appropriations chair, Republican state Sen. Lincoln Hough of Springfield, was more blunt in his assessment of the plan.

“That’s a complete joke,” Hough said. “You can’t cut institutions by half of their state appropriation in one year.”

Lincoln University in Jefferson City has lobbied successfully over the past several years to obtain state funds to match federal money available for its land grant mission. The funding for that match is $12.7 million and is retained in the House budget plan. But instead of $23.7 million in core funding, the school’s appropriation would be cut almost $9 million, to $14.8 million.

“We finally got them to where they need to be and should be, and now they’re going to get the rug pulled out,” Hough said.

The final debate and votes on the 12 bills consumed about three hours and many of the issues raised during debate revisited arguments made Tuesday, when amendments were offered.

The shortfall in school funding and the cuts to child care services made the vote close on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education spending bill. It passed 85-70, with 22 Republicans opposed.

The bill including $60 million in voucher funding for the MOScholars program, which is funneled through the state treasurer’s office, passed 84-61 with 13 Republicans opposed. The program received $50 million in the current year’s budget.

State Rep. Stephanie Hein, a Springfield Democrat, said she worries that the cost will grow even faster in coming years. Every child approved for a voucher can keep it throughout their school career because the state does not check family income against statutory limits after the initial grant, she said.

While future lawmakers will need to cut the budget, she said pressure will build to keep increasing the MOScholars program.

“It’s a big ticket item, and we need to be prepared for those decisions,” Hein said.

The fact that the program is growing shows the need, Deaton said in reply.

“Missourians are demanding these opportunities and this access,” he said, “and it’s disappointing to me that so many oppose it, but I totally support it.”

Harry S. Truman's grandson to speak in Lamar

(From Missouri State Parks)

History will come to life in the birthplace of the 33rd President when Clifton Truman Daniel, the eldest grandson of Harry and Bess Truman, visits Lamar on Thursday, April 30.

Daniel will host a special evening of storytelling and personal reflection at Lamar’s Thiebaud Auditorium, offering a rare glimpse into the private lives of one of America’s most iconic couples.

The event, held just four blocks west of the Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site at 105 E. 11th St. in Lamar, features two opportunities for the public to engage with presidential history. The event kicks off with a meet and greet, followed by a public presentation.6 p.m. – Exclusive Meet and Greet: Held in the Thiebaud Auditorium meeting room, this session allows guests to speak with Daniel. Online registration is required for this portion and can be done at icampmo.com. A $10 registration fee includes admission, light hors d'oeuvres and one complimentary drink. A cash bar will also be available.
7:15 p.m. – Public Presentation: Following the reception, Daniel will move to the main stage for a one-hour presentation featuring his memories of Harry and Bess. This portion of the event is free and open to the public with no registration required.

Daniel is the son of author Margaret Truman and former New York Times managing editor E. Clifton Daniel Jr. A distinguished historian and author, Daniel serves as the honorary chairman of the Truman Library Institute and vice president of the Society of Presidential Descendants.

Daniel is the author of “Growing Up with My Grandfather” and “Dear Harry, Love Bess.” He currently portrays his grandfather in the acclaimed one-man stage show, “Give ‘Em Hell Harry,” and travels extensively lecturing on Truman’s presidency.

This event is made possible through a collaboration between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Barton County Chamber of Commerce, The Belt Cocktail Co., Boarders Inn and Suites, Mother Tucker's Pizza, and Tractors BBQ and Grill. Following the presentation, there will be a fireworks display sponsored by Jake’s Fireworks.Mother Tucker’s Pizza and Tractors BBQ and Grill are offering a special discount to any customers who mention this event.

The Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site, located at 1009 Truman in Lamar, will be open for free guided tours during its regular operating hours on the day of the event.

Mac County jury recommends 9 years in prison for Granby man on child molestation, sexual misconduct charges

(From the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)

After a two-day jury trial, the McDonald County jury that found Rogers Benton King III, 47, of Granby Missouri, guilty of two counts of child sex crimes, suggested the court sentence King to 9 years in the Department of Corrections.

The jury suggested a sentence of 8 years on Child Molestation and 1 year on Sexual Misconduct.

Judge Charles Genisio will determine the sentence on June 29, 2026. 

Under Missouri law, the charges of Child Molestation in the Second Degree carries a sentence of 5 to 15 years and Sexual Misconduct Involving a Child Under 15 carries a sentence of 1 to 4 years in the Missouri
Department of Corrections. The Judge cannot exceed the suggested sentence of the jury.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nate Dally presented evidence outlining the impact the offense had on the 10-year-old victim who was six-years-old when the defendant perpetrated on her, as well as a statement from a propensity witness who was also abused by the defendant when she was a child.

“Citizens play a integral role in holding offenders accountable and delivering justice for victims and we saw that today through our jury’s actions,” stated William Lynch, Newton County

Prosecuting Attorney. “Jury sentencing is relatively rare, and this is the first instance I’ve encountered in my 12 years of practice.”

This conviction and sentence were made possible thanks to our partners at the Children’s Center of Southwest Missouri and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted Nate Dally, Dillon
Walker, and William Lynch of the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Joplin woman bound over for trial on three counts of child abuse

Victoria Elizabeth Word, 32, Joplin, was bound over for trial after waiving her preliminary hearing today in Jasper County Circuit Court on three counts of child abuse.

Word's arraignment in Division 3 is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 7 before Judge David Mouton.

Word allegedly endangered three children by having them in a residence filled with cockroaches, trash and animal feces, according to documents filed January 12 in Jasper County Circuit Court.

The preliminary hearing for Word's husband, Derek L. Word, 35, who is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 1.

From the probable cause statement:

Upon my arrival, I contacted Derek Word, who was extremely intoxicated and alone with his three juvenile children, V1, V2 and V3.

Mr. Word advised his wife Victoria was supposed to be watching all three of their children while he worked a double throughout the day. Mr. Word advised at approximately 2236 hours he received a text from Victoria stating she was leaving the children alone at home to go to a marijuana dispensary.

Mr. Word arrived home at approximately 2345 hours and found the children still home alone.

Victoria contacted Mr. Word by text message and informed him that she would not be coming home and was with a male friend named Pat. Mr. Word advised that Pat was one of her "friends with benefits."

V1 is 9 years old, V2 is 2 years old and V3 is 11 years old. Mr. Word informed me that in case of an emergency none of the children have any access to a phone to reach emergency services.

It was also found that V2 was locked in her bedroom naked with her floor covered in urine and feces. The urine and feces appeared to be from V2 due to her being locked in a room without a diaper. V2's door was locked with a latch style lock that was located on the top of the door at a position only an adult could reach.

V1 and V3's room were covered in trash and cockroaches.

The rest of the residence smelled strongly of urine and feces causing a sense of nausea and disgust. 

The case was investigated by the Joplin Police Department.