Webb City Police traffic stop leads to grand jury indictment for meth trafficking

A grand jury indictment of a Milo man for possession of methamphetamine with intennt to distribute was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Caleb Blaine Stark was arrested during a December 8 Webb City Police Department traffic stop. A search revealed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, according to the federal complaint.

Stark is being held in the Greene County Jail.

Former Neosho teacher named Miami superintendent

 (From Miami Public Schools)

Miami Board of Education members voted to hire Miami Assistant Superintendent Jill Douthit as the district’s next superintendent during a regular meeting Monday night. Douthit will step into the superintendency this July.

 
“Mrs. Douthit has been an integral member of our district team as an administrator, and we can’t wait to see how she will continue to help Miami students succeed as superintendent,” Miami Board of Education President Chuck McKibben said. 

“Over the past six years as a Miami administrator, Mrs. Douthit has proved she is dedicated to The Wardog Way, fostering educational excellence, collaborative partnerships and strategic leadership all for student success.”

 
Douthit is excited to continue to serve Miami students, parents, teachers and community members as she steps into her new role.

 
“I am truly honored and excited to serve as the next superintendent of Miami Public Schools,” Douthit said. “My vision for our district is to work hand-in-hand with our incredible community to achieve excellence in every area — academics, facilities, extracurricular activities, and beyond. 

"Together, we will focus on strengthening academic outcomes as our top priority, while also ensuring a stable and transparent budget, improving our facilities, and fostering an environment that attracts and retains exceptional staff. I’m also committed to enhancing our extracurricular programs to provide students with even more opportunities to grow and succeed. With the unwavering support of our families, staff, and community, I believe the future of MPS is bright and full of opportunity.”

 
Joining the district as Director of Special Programs in 2019, she led efforts to improve special education services, enhance English Learner (EL) programs, and expand gifted and talented opportunities. In addition, she established a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to provide targeted interventions for students and secured funding through USDA programs to ensure free meals for all students.

 
In 2022, Mrs. Douthit, after earning her Education Specialist degree, was promoted to Executive Director of Operations, where she collaborated with district administration to provide strategic leadership to building-level administrators.

 
She has been in her current role as assistant superintendent since March of 2024. During her tenure as assistant superintendent, she has placed a strong emphasis on developing Miami’s curriculum, enhancing instructional practices throughout the district. Working alongside a team of teachers and principals, she has helped craft and implement comprehensive, district-wide professional development plans.

 
Before joining Miami, Douthit had classroom experience as a teacher and instructional coach at Fairland Elementary School and Neosho (MO) School District.

 
According to McKibben, he is grateful for the responses from staff, students and community members throughout the process, as well as his fellow board members’ dedication to finding a superintendent who embodies the district’s needs and goals.

 
“Thank you to everyone who responded to the community survey and attended the focus groups,” McKibben said. “Your responses helped our board determine what type of leader best suits the needs of our students, teachers, staff and community. I would also like to say how extremely proud I am of my fellow board members for working with me throughout this process to ensure we select the perfect candidate. I would also like to say thank you to OSSBA for all their help as well as Amy Harner and Kenni Iverson for making sure everything went smoothly.”

 
OSSBA has helped facilitate superintendent searches across the state, working with other school board associations throughout the country to ensure a competitive candidate pool. The non-profit organization has partnered with several Oklahoma school districts of all sizes to perform superintendent searches, including Oklahoma City, Vinita and Kellyville.

Illinois hospital administrator named Freeman president and CEO

Freeman Health System confirmed the hiring of Matthew Fry, president and CEO of Hospital Sisters Health System St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, as its new CEO.

Fry will take over April 1, replacing Paula Baker, whose stay at Freeman was extended when the last new CEO who was announced, Tom Keller, backed out before his December 1 starting date.

Fry has been at the Illinois hospital since September 19, 2022. Prior to that, he worked his way up the ranks with Sutter Health, a California-based group of 24 hospitals and more than 200 clinics.

 

His last position with Sutter Health was assistant administrator and chief operating officer at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland.

On his Linked In page, Fry said, "I'm passionate about doing my part to ensure that health care is affordable and accessible to the people in the communities that I serve."

New Missouri governor focuses on crime, education, tax cuts in inaugural address

By Rudi Keller

Missouri Independent

Controlling crime, expanding education options and cutting taxes will be the top priorities for Missouri, new Gov. Mike Kehoe said in his inauguration speech.

The brief speech, delivered before a crowd gathered on a cold, sunny day outside the Missouri Capitol, also traced the Republican’s journey from a north St. Louis home led by a single mother to the top political job in the state.

Instead of lamenting that she could not give her children the things richer families enjoyed, Kehoe said, she told them to pray and work harder.

“That’s been the guiding principle of my life,” Kehoe said Monday, after the oath of office was administered by former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. “Whenever we saw something that needed to be done, we didn’t complain. We prayed hard, and we worked hard.”

Other state officeholders sworn in Monday are David Wasinger, lieutenant governor, Denny Hoskins, secretary of state, Vivek Malek, state treasurer, and Andrew Bailey, attorney general. All are Republicans.

Kehoe, who will turn 63 on Friday, built a successful car dealership in Jefferson City before being appointed to the state Highways and Transportation Commission in 2005 by then-Gov. Matt Blunt. He made his first bid for public office with a run for the state Senate in 2010. The Republican was appointed to replace Mike Parson as lieutenant governor in 2018 after Parson was elevated to the governor’s office following the resignation of Eric Greitens.

“My life—growing up in the inner city, moving to a small town, building businesses, and operating a ranch—these experiences have taught me one thing: Missourians are more alike than we are different,” Kehoe said.

Kehoe won the governorship by prevailing in a hotly contested Republican primary in August and then easily defeating Democratic nominee Crystal Quade in November.

Monday’s speech didn’t offer many specifics on issues Kehoe said he wanted to address. During his campaign, he said he would address crime and cut taxes, including working to repeal the state income tax, during his four years in office.

Crime, Kehoe said, leaves people in fear and cuts down on productivity. He promised to issue executive orders later in the day to address specific issues facing law enforcement.

He also said he wanted to beef up police agencies.

“In the coming weeks, months and years,” he said, “my administration will be relentless in our pursuit to make Missouri a place where it’s easier to be a cop than a criminal.”

 

On education, Kehoe indicated he wanted to build on legislation that last year expanded a tax credit used for private schools and allowed for establishment of a charter school in Boone County, as well as increasing base teacher pay.

“Securing Missouri’s future means strengthening public education and expanding school choice

so that every single student has the opportunity to get a world class education,” Kehoe said.

While Kehoe campaigned to eliminate the income tax, promising to start with a tax cut early in his administration, he did not endorse any of the proposals introduced so far in this year’s session as his preferred plan.

Several Republican members of the state Senate, for example, have filed bills to replace Missouri’s progressive income tax with a flat tax of 4%. Currently, Missourians pay 4.7% tax on the portion of their taxable income exceeding $8,900.

“My administration will focus on reducing taxes and cutting regulations, so families keep more of their own money,” Kehoe said, “and so job creators want to come here, expand here and hire more hard-working Missourians.”

Kehoe is the first sitting lieutenant governor to win the state’s top job since Democrat Mel Carnahan in 1993. Kehoe presided over the Senate for the final time a few hours before his noon inauguration and received a standing ovation when Senate Majority Leader Tony Luetkemeyer spoke of his 14 years as a senator and lieutenant governor.

“Our lieutenant governor has shown us how the Senate can benefit the leadership that prioritizes results over rhetoric,” Luetkemeyer said. “He’s a person focused on building bridges rather than burning them down.”

In his inaugural speech, Kehoe said he wanted to work for solutions and would remain open to proposals regardless of their source.


“This is my promise to you,” Kehoe said. “I will talk to anyone, work with anyone, and root for anyone who has a good idea to make our state safer, stronger, and better.”

(Photo by Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)

Woman who allegedly phoned Duquesne Police Department sergeant 80 times in one day charged with harassment

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed a felony harassment charge today against a Tulsa, Oklahoma woman who allegedly harassed a Duquesne Police Department sergeant

According to the probable cause statement, Abigail Marie Reavis (DOB 1999), a former resident of Joplin and Duquesne whose current address is Tulsa, Oklahoma, called the sergeant 80 times on December 28.

From the probable cause statement:

Victim 1 first became aware of Abigail Reavis’ behavior in 2017 when Abigail Reavis began following another Officer at the Duquesne Police Department. 

According to Victim 1, he became a fixation for Abigail Reavis after he authored a paragraph about her behavior for placement in the Joplin Police Department daily bulletin, warning other officers about her actions. 

Around the timeframe of December 2017, Abigail Reavis obtained the personal information of Victim, including his cellular phone number, from another person. In 2018, charges for harassment were filed against Abigail Reavis in Jasper and Newton Counties concerning this same victim. 

Abigail Reavis was convicted of harassment in Jasper County in 2019. 

Shortly after this conviction, Abigail Reavis left the area and was not seen by the victim for a few years, and it was assumed by Victim 1 that she left the area. There were other court proceedings as well that may not be a public record but can be taken note of by the court involving Abigail Reavis and Victim 1. 

On December 28, 2024, Victim 1 received a high volume of harassing calls from blocked numbers. Using a phone-trapping application, he traced several of the calls back to Abigail Reavis. Over 80 calls were made on December 28, 2024, to Victim 1, most within minutes of each other. 

A phone application used by victim 1 identified the originator of at least 15 of these calls as Abigail Reavis. 

An ex parte order, Abigail Reavis as the respondent, with Victim 1 as the petitioner, was issued on December 31, 2024, in response to her ongoing harassment.

A warrant was issued for Reavis' arrest with bond set at $10,000 surety or $750 cash.

The case was investigated by the Carl Junction Police Department.

Missouri lawmakers unlikely to prioritize teacher pay as past efforts bring growth

By Annelise Hanshaw

Missouri Independent

More Missouri educators are staying in their jobs following efforts to raise teachers’ base pay and provide alternative measures for certification, the State Board of Education learned last week.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education predicts schools will have fewer vacancies in the future, speaking positively about small gains and outlining a path for more improvement.

“It is encouraging data to see because it signals that while supply of new teachers is increasing, we’re also seeing a decrease in the demand for new teachers,” Paul Katnik, assistant commissioner in the office of educator quality, told the board.

Following Katnik’s presentation, the department announced the creation of a playbook to improve teacher recruitment and retention in Missouri with eight cornerstones to guide lawmakers and education officials.

“The data confirms we’re making positive, incremental progress, and this indicates we are doing the right things,” Katnik said. “The data also indicates we have more work yet to do.”

Teacher retention in Missouri increased in the 2023-24 school year after a decrease the year prior. Among all Missouri teachers, 88.7% remained in the profession, compared to 88.2% the year prior.

Despite a continued push for teacher recruitment efforts from the state department, lawmakers have less emphasis on the problem than in years past with few bills filed addressing the issue head on.

“From what we passed last year, there will be a $700 million core increase, so that will be the increase this year,” state Rep. Ed Lewis, a Republican from Moberly, told The Independent. “Will we go beyond that? No, I can’t imagine that we have any appetite to go higher than that this year.”

Lewis has filed numerous bills aimed at teacher recruitment and retention in years past, and his legislation was made law in a large education package last year. His proposals included a grant that helps upcoming teachers pay for college education, so long as they teach in Missouri afterward.

The new law is expected to pour hundreds of millions into schools alongside an increase to the formula that funds public schools.

This year, Lewis hopes to just see “tweaks” to the existing measures and funding in the appropriations process.

“We have to realize that we just put a lot of money into education, and we’ve got to make sure that we appropriate all that and that we figure out how, long term going forward, we’re going to continue to meet the educational needs in public education,” he said.

Still, a few bills seek to expand programs to retain teachers.

State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, filed a bill hoping to create a grant program incentivizing teachers to stay in their jobs. But, Steinhoff knows the appetite for public education spending is particularly weak this year.

Steinhoff’s bill would combine local efforts with a matching fund from the state to supplement teacher salaries by $5,000 to $6,000 annually.

Last year, the legislature increased the minimum teacher pay to $40,000 and $46,000 for those with at least 10 years of experience. Base pay for those with at least 10 years of experience will rise to $48,000 over two years.

The pay bump has caused compression in some districts, with teachers having served in a district for five years making little more than newcomers, Steinhoff said. And average teacher pay, which rose to over $55,000 this year in Missouri, is still “way behind” careers requiring similar levels of education.

Lewis said districts could use the increase to the foundation formula to make “more competitive” salary schedules, putting onus on local authorities to use the state funds for retention.

A bill proposed by state Rep. Ben Keathley, a Republican from Chesterfield, seeks to dictate how much districts can spend on administrative salaries compared with teacher compensation. The bill would require districts to spend at least 88% of educator salaries on teachers in the 2026-27 school year, with that portion rising 1% annually until it reaches 95%.

Other bills filed addressing teacher pay include fixes to a provision passed last year that incentivizes a five-day school week, clarifying that a school calendar can be shorter based on inclement weather and still qualify.

Lewis also filed legislation that would sunset a fund created to help districts raise teacher salaries to the new minimum in 2035, unless the grant is renewed.

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Kehoe sworn in as 58th governor of Missouri

(From Gov. Mike Kehoe)

Today, at a ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol, Mike Kehoe was sworn in as the 58th Governor of Missouri, marking a new chapter of leadership for the state.

Building on his distinguished record of public service, successful business career, and an unwavering commitment to Missouri’s communities, Governor Kehoe vowed to honor the state’s rich legacy while forging an ambitious path toward a brighter future. With a focus on public safety, education, economic development, and agriculture, he outlined his administration’s goal to tackle the most pressing challenges and seize the opportunities for growth.

 

“My life—growing up in the inner city, moving to a small town, building businesses, operating a ranch—these experiences have taught me one thing: Missourian’s are more alike than we are different,” said Governor Kehoe. "It will take each of us, working together, to secure an even safer, stronger, and more prosperous Missouri.”

Governor Kehoe was sworn in by former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, using a Bible that belonged to his mother, Lorriane Kehoe.

Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, State Treasurer Vivek Malek, and Attorney General Andrew Bailey were also sworn in during today’s inauguration ceremony. Oaths were administered by the following individuals:

Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Rhodes Russell for Lieutenant Governor Wasinger; Judge Thomas N Chapman of the 43rd Judicial Circuit for Secretary of State Denny Hoskins; dJudge Thomas C. Clark II of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District for State Treasurer Vivek Malek; and Missouri Supreme Court Judge Kelly Broniec for Attorney General Andrew Bailey.

Following a performance of the National Anthem by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer Eva Millar-Galván, the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, gave the invocation. The swearing-in of state elected officials was followed by a 19-gun salute and flyover of military aircraft. Musical selections were performed by the 135th Army Band. The event concluded with a benediction offered by Reverend John Miles, Senior Pastor at Morning Star Baptist Church in Kansas City.

A copy of Governor Kehoe's inaugural address is attached below. Photos from today's ceremony will be available on Governor Kehoe’s Flickr page.

Governor Kehoe Inaugural Address Media Copy .pdf

Gov. Kehoe signs six executive orders, launches Safer Missouri initiative on first day

(From Gov. Mike Kehoe)

Today, as his first official act in office, Governor Mike Kehoe took decisive action to prioritize public safety by signing six executive orders and officially launching his comprehensive Safer Missouri public safety initiative.

Developed in close collaboration with law enforcement partners and representatives across all levels of law enforcement within the state, the Safer Missouri plan sets the stage for immediate and impactful action. The measures introduced today represent the first steps in a comprehensive, multi-phase plan that focuses on reducing crime, supporting law enforcement, and fostering community partnerships to achieve lasting change.

Further steps requiring General Assembly action are slated for implementation in the coming weeks, with additional details to be unveiled during Governor Kehoe’s 2025 State of the State address.

"By standing with the brave officers who protect us every day and implementing strategic, forward-thinking measures, we are working to make Missouri a safer place to live, work and raise a family," said Governor Kehoe. "In the coming weeks, months, and years, my administration will be relentless in our pursuit to make Missouri a place where it’s easier to be a cop than a criminal."

Governor Kehoe was joined by Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety Mark James, and leaders from statewide law enforcement associations, including the Missouri State Fraternal Order of Police, Missouri State Troopers Association, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, and the Missouri Sheriffs Association.

"I applaud Governor Kehoe for taking action less than an hour after being sworn into office," said Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. "Today is a bold move toward restoring law and order, backing Missouri law enforcement as they protect our families, and reaffirming our commitment to obtaining justice for victims."

"Governor Kehoe’s actions reflect his unwavering resolve to enhance safety and security in Missouri," said Mark James, Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety. "These executive orders will equip law enforcement with much-needed resources and support to effectively address crime."

Exercising his constitutional authority, Governor Kehoe enacted the following measures:

Executive Order 25-02 establishes "Operation Relentless Pursuit", a regional anti-crime effort that emphasizes intelligence-led policing and cross-jurisdiction collaboration in order to collectively pursue and apprehend dangerous fugitives. The strategies employed in this enforcement initiative will include:The designation of full time Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) investigators within each of the nine troop regions; and
Allocation of budgetary funds to support one new deputy sheriff within each MSHP troop who will be dedicated to task force operations, including targeted operations against criminal activities.

Executive Order 25-03 launches the Blue Shield Program to recognize local governments for their dedication to effective law enforcement and community safety. A Blue Shield designation highlights initiatives that enhance public safety, strengthen support for law enforcement and build lasting partnerships with the community. Issuance of the Blue Shield designation enables law enforcement agencies to access specific state grant opportunities.

Executive Order 25-04 establishes a 287(g) designation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow state and local law enforcement to assist in enforcing immigration laws. The executive order directs the Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) designate specific MSHP troopers to undergo immigration enforcement training with an emphasis on preventing illegal immigration, apprehending criminal offenders, and interdicting drug trafficking activities as an integral part of their regular responsibilities within Missouri.

Executive Order 25-05 charges DPS and MSHP with the collection of immigration status within the statewide uniform crime data reporting system for those charged with crimes in Missouri.

Executive Order 25-06 tasks DPS with modifying the Patrol’s salary schedule by reducing the time of service required to reach the top salary tier from 15 years of service to 12 years of service.

Executive Order 25-07 directs the Department of Corrections and Parole to assemble a working group comprised of stakeholders to assess the existing rules with regard to the eligibility of offenders for parole, conduct of parole hearings and the conditions to imposed on paroled offenders. 

Once the group’s recommendations have been received, the Board will present amended rules to the governor’s office by October 1, 2025. The current rules, as set by Section 217.690.4 RSMo., have not been amended since 2017. By enhancing guidelines and processes through formal rulemaking, Missouri can continue to refine its approach to offender management while reducing criminal relapses.

Additionally, in order to enhance communication and strengthen the relationships between law enforcement agencies and the governor's office, Governor Kehoe also took administrative action to establish a designated staff member in his office as the contact for law enforcement agencies and issues. This liaison will serve as the intermediary between field operations and state resources available to assist in law enforcement efforts.

The executive orders will be posted at this link.

Webb City woman with 15 convictions for stealing, shoplifting, charged with stealing $314 worth of alcohol

A Webb City woman with a long history of stealing and shoplifting convictions and a recent arrest for driving while intoxicated, is facing a felony stealing charge in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Heidi Jo Marbut (DOB 1981) allegedly stole $314.18 worth of alcohol December 6 from a Carthage business, normally too small of an amount for a felony charge, but she is charged for having four or more stealing offenses in the past 10 years with the emphasis on more.

According to the probable cause statement, Marbut has pleaded guilty to either shoplifting or stealing 15 times in the past six years.

From the probable cause statement:

On 12/06/2024, Carthage Police Officers responded to a past tense theft that occurred at a local business in the 400- BLK of W Centennial Ave, Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri. 

The on-duty management for the business advised that a white female appearing to be 45-55 years of age had stolen $314.18 (after tax) worth in a alcohol before fleeing the scene in a black passenger car.

After reviewing the video footage of the incident, the suspect, later identified as Heidi Marbut, was observed to remove the merchandise from the shelf and hold it on the opposite side of her body from the front counter where the staff was located. 

Marbut is seen glancing at staff multiple times while taking the bottles of a alcohol. Marbut is then seen exiting the building without making an attempt to purchase the merchandise. Marbut is seen fleeing the scene in a black 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage bearing Missouri license plate NG3K5P. 

Officers were able to confirm that the registered female owner of the vehicle was not the suspect and checked department history at the registered address and located Marbut's information, which matched the age range of the suspect. 

After comparing Marbut's driver's license photo and social media profile pictures to the video surveillance footage, officers were able to confirm Marbut as the suspect. Marbut is currently on probation/parole for stealing. 

Four days before the alleged theft, the Joplin Police Department arrested Marbut for driving while intoxicated. The next hearing in that case is scheduled for February 11 in Joplin Municipal Court.

Joplin man charged with stealing mail from woman's porch

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's Office filed a felony stealing charge against a Joplin man who allegedly stole mail from a woman's porch.

The complaint against Harold Lewis Appel III (DOB 1983) was filed Friday in Jasper County Circuit Court.

From the probable cause statement:

On December 31st, 2024, Victim 1 contacted the Joplin Police Department and reported that she observed someone had stolen mail from her porch. 

A review of the video footage revealed Harold Appel walking up to the porch and approaching Victim 1’s mailbox, he covered the camera with his jacket and then walked away from the porch. 

As he was walking into the yard, Mr. Appel dropped several pieces of mail in the yard from under his jacket. Mr. Appel picked up the mail and left the area.

Jasper County Circuit Court records indicate Judge Dean Dankelson revoked Appel's probation on a receiving stolen property charge February 5, 2024. Dankelson sentenced Appel to seven years in prison 2021 but placed him in a program that allowed him to be released after four months and placed on probation.

Between that time and February 5, 2024, at least 11 probation violation reports were issued.