Saturday, September 29, 2018

Readership of Turner Report and Inside Joplin hits all-time high, plus links to this week's top posts

Thanks to all of you for your continued support of the Turner Report/Inside Joplin and for spreading the word about this news source.

For the month of September, the Turner Report has averaged 14,000 visitors a day while Inside Joplin is up to 13,000, Inside Springfield is at 2,000 and Inside Joplin Obituaries is receiving 4,000 visitors a day.

So again, thanks for your support.

***

The death of eight-year-old Destiny Chambers on Newman Road Thursday was featured on the Turner Report, Inside Joplin and Inside Joplin Obituaries, a tragedy that has hit the community hard.

With that story and other negative news as usual landing among the most visited post on the blogs, it is rewarding to see that good news for Carthage Chamber of Commerce Presient Mark Elliff and former KSN morning anchor Jasmine Bailey cracked the Turner Report Top 10.

The Top 10 for each of the three blogs and link to each post are featured below.

***

Thanks again to those of you who have subscribed or contributed to the Turner Report. I am not putting any links to subscribe or contribute in this post, but if you would like to do so, check out the PayPal buttons and information on the right hand side of this page.

The Turner Report

1. Illinois trucker who killed eight-year-old Joplin girl charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident

2. $10,000 cash bond set for Illinois truck driver who killed eight-year-old Joplin girl

3. Probable cause: Cardiologist, wife running marijuana operation

4. Joplin area cardiologist arrested on drug, weapons charges

5. Illinois truck driver who struck, killed Joplin girl cited for failure to maintain proper brakes in 2015

6. Area music teacher facing felony statutory rape, sodomy charges free on $100,000 bond

7. Governor appoints Carthage Chamber president to Missouri Housing Development Commission

8. Springfield Police Department hires KSN morning anchor as public affairs officer

9. Senate passes McCaskill/Collins Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act

10. Trump to Josh Hawley: McCaskill and Schumer are desperate; they'll do anything to win

Inside Joplin

1. Jasper County Sheriff: Adults try to lure children at rural Joplin home into car, same car may have been at Joplin day care

2. Carthage man airlifted to Kansas City hospital, passenger killed in collision on I-49

3. Eight-year-old Joplin girl run over, killed by semi on Newman Road

4. Joplin residents arrested after shot fired at SWAT team, meth, weapons confiscated, children removed from home

5. Four Joplin teens injured in rollover accident near Wheaton

6. Another missing woman reported in Joplin: Kristina Backes last seen six weeks ago

7. Sex offender arrested after Sarcoxie Police follow tip on people living in camper

8. Jasper County Marriage Licenses September 25-28

9. Joplin Police Department Weekend Arrests

10 Highway Patrol Arrests September 26-27

Inside Joplin Obituaries

1. Destiny Chambers

2 Leslie Gann

3. Archie Brewer

4. Valerie Foreman

5. Becky Copeland

6. Billy Penn

7. Darrel Brown

8. Jenna Booth

9. Ron Bullis

10. Randy Collard

Jason Smith: Dr. Ford may believe her accusations against Kavanaugh are true, but they are just hit job against Kavanaugh

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

When I wrote in July that history showed Judge Kavanaugh and his family were about to experience “the absolute ugliest in politics,” I had no idea how far the United States Senate would fall. Any hopes that Washington would set aside personal ambitions and responsibly ‘advise and consent’ vanished this week, as Senator Feinstein and her followers chose instead to search and destroy. At Judge Kavanaugh’s hearings we witnessed how destructive their thirst for power is, and watched a Senate circus publicly harm two families in the name of power and greed.

I have no reason to doubt Dr. Ford believes her testimony to be true. I also have no reason to doubt Judge Kavanaugh’s testimony. Both were believable, emotional, and credible witnesses. However, we have every reason to believe the lead-up to Thursday’s hearing was a carefully-timed political hit job by Senators who intended to smear Judge Kavanaugh’s name and drag out his confirmation as long as possible.

The hearing this week was an embarrassment that should have never taken place. Dr. Ford had no new details or corroborating evidence to provide. She should have been heard in private, as she requested. Instead, Ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein sat on her allegation for six weeks. She had every opportunity to discuss this alleged incident with her colleagues in the Senate, or even Judge Kavanaugh himself. As she was interviewing Judge Kavanaugh for an hour, she made no mention of the letter she had in her possession or the fact that she and her staff were actively helping Dr. Ford find a lawyer. She said nothing as Judge Kavanaugh testified for 30 hours in front of the committee the first time. Not one related question was included in the 1,000 answered questions the Judge supplied to the committee. And then, just as Judge Kavanaugh survived a week of liberal Senators grandstanding and fundraising off of his confirmation hearings and was on track to be confirmed, suddenly Dr. Ford’s allegations leaked to the press.

I wish we had gotten to the bottom of things on Thursday, but the nature of Dr. Ford’s allegation made that impossible. Dr. Ford testified emotionally about something she believes to be true, and Judge Kavanaugh forcibly denied anything like this ever took place and offered as much evidence as he could to clear his name. No new details, corroborating evidence, or any meaningful facts backing up the allegation came to light. What we’re left with is eight hours of character assassination attempts and no concrete reason to believe that this alleged incident in any way represents the man Judge Kavanaugh is today or has been for the past 30 years.

It’s simply not enough. Allowing uncorroborated accusations from over three decades ago, which have been denied in sworn statements of people who were supposedly there, would set a terrible, dangerous precedent for the Senate and the Supreme Court.

I feel for both the Kavanaugh and Ford families as they go through this terrible circus – every day must feel like a lifetime and I can’t begin to imagine how difficult this is to explain to their young family members. The Senate, once called the “greatest deliberative body in the world,” has failed them and has failed the American people at every step of this confirmation process. End this circus. It’s time to vote.

Governor appoints Joplin veterinarian, H. E. Williams CFO to state boards

(From Gov. Mike Parson)

Today, Governor Parson announced six new appointments to various boards and commissions.

Dr. Maynard Bill Jones, of Versailles, was reappointed to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board.

Jones is a veterinarian at the Versailles Veterinary Clinic with over 46 years of experience. He holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Missouri. Since 2008, he has been the Chairman of the Emergency Management and Public Health Committee of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, West Central Veterinary Medical Association, and serves on the Animal Orphanage Board of Directors.

Andrew Moore, of Poplar Bluff, was appointed to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors.

Moore is the owner of Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff, as well as the Butler County Coroner. He is a licensed funeral director, embalmer, and life insurance agent in both Missouri and Kansas. He has nearly twenty years of service in the funeral industry. Moore holds an Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Sciences from Northwest Mississippi Community College. Moore previously was the Deputy Coroner in Dunklin County. He is also the President of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce and past President of the Poplar Bluff Lions Club.

Phillip Slinkard, of Neosho, was reappointed to the Missouri State Board of Accountancy.

Slinkard is the Chief Financial Officer at H.E. Williams, Inc. in Carthage. He also serves on the H.E. Williams Board of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Missouri State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Missouri Society of Public Accountants, Institute of Management Accountants, Construction Financial Management Association, and Missouri Southern State University School of Business Advisory Board.

Dr. Linda Scorse, of Joplin, was appointed to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board.

Scorse is a veterinarian at Cornerstone Animal Hospital in Joplin. She has over 40 years of veterinary experience. She holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Missouri. Scorse is a member of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, Rotary Club, and the Missouri 4-H Foundation Board.

Joseph Smith, of St. Charles, was appointed to the St. Charles County Convention and Sports Facilities Authority.

Smith is a former member of the Missouri State House of Representatives, representing the 14^th District and serving St. Charles County from 2003-2011. He has a Health & Life Insurance License in Missouri, Illinois, and Virginia. Smith holds a Masters of Arts in Communication-Promotions from Lindenwood University.

Robert Whelan, of Poplar Bluff, was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Accountancy.

Whelan is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner and owns his own practice in Poplar Bluff. He has 40 years of accounting experience. Whelan received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University. He also served in the U.S. Army. He is a member of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce, Dexter Chamber of Commerce, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Poplar Bluff Kiwanis, and is President of the ERASE Foundation.

Billy Long: Congress must get rid of bureaucratic red tape that hurts manufacturing

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

Our manufacturing tour in Missouri’s 7th Congressional District is always one of the most well attended tours we do annually. The tour gives us the opportunity to showcase the great work taking place in the district along with learning how those of us in Congress can ensure manufacturers continue to be successful.

As one of the driving forces of our economy, manufacturing makes up 8.6 percent of the U.S. workforce with 12.75 million people employed. In the first quarter of 2018 alone, the manufacturing industry contributed $2.33 trillion to the economy and was among the top three industries to contribute to our economic growth.

Similar to the U.S. economy, Missouri’s manufacturing industry accounts for 9.2 percent of the workforce with nearly 260,000 people. In southwest Missouri specifically, manufacturing remains one of the top five industries for employment. The average salary for someone working in manufacturing in Missouri is $68,738, which is well above the average Missouri salary of $46,125.

In 2016, overregulation and excessive taxes were cited as some of the top concerns among manufacturers. Although overregulation affects every industry, it hits manufacturers the hardest costing them on average $19,564 per employee to comply with. Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and Republican efforts to roll back regulations, that all is changing. Following the passage of the TCJA, 70 percent of manufacturers increased both their hiring and employee wages. Not only have hiring and wages gone up, but nine out of 10 manufacturers invested more in their businesses.

The Energy and Commerce Committee I serve on has also plays an active role in making sure the manufacturing sector continues to thrive. Over the last year, the committee has held several hearings on issues that either impact the manufacturing or the industry itself, including topics such as how low unemployment and increasing wages impact the manufacturing sector as well as evolving technology.

Our economy depends on the hardworking men and women in the manufacturing industry. It’s up to Congress to get rid of both the burdensome policies that hinder growth and the bureaucratic red tape that stifles innovation.

Cleaver: Tariffs are hurting our businesses

(From Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver)

Much is going on right now on Capitol Hill but there are still some critical issues that are on the minds of many hard-working people that have been buried under the headlines. One of those critical issues continues to be the effects of tariffs on the U.S. economy. Hundreds of thousands of jobs may be in jeopardy because of these tariffs. Congress must act to protect American workers, provide stability in place of the administration’s volatility and push to end this trade war as soon as possible.

In the last few months, I have visited with farmers, business leaders and organizations in my district. I’ve heard from large manufacturers and leaders of smaller companies and they have expressed their frustrations on how tariffs are affecting their bottom line. The products vary…ranging from aluminum to soybeans to beef…but all of those I’ve spoken with share one common fear, the fate of their businesses under these tariffs.

For example, Harley Davidson, a company I fought hard to bring to Kansas City, suddenly announced they were closing the plant and moving overseas. That left nearly a thousand workers unemployed overnight. Now, just imagine that multiplied around the country.

Agriculture is one of Missouri’s top industries, bringing in about $88 billion per year. Most farmers tell me that the recently announced USDA payments are a start, but that ultimately they want trade, not aid.

What I learned is that these tariffs are hurting these businesses in ways we haven’t even thought of and Congress needs to take action to protect American jobs.

Friday, September 28, 2018

Government: Former crack baby should serve 15 years in prison for sex crimes with underage Joplin girls

Gary Stewart's lawyers say the judge should go lightly on him when he is sentenced Tuesday in U. S. District Court in Springfield on a federal child sex charge.

In a sentencing memorandum filed September 21, Stewart's attorney noted his client's crack baby status and for further effect added that his client's mother was shot to death when he was two years old and his father overdosed on heroin right in front of him the same day.

Plus he was raised in "the hood" in New Orleans.

A sentencing memorandum filed today in federal court indicates the government, while perhaps not agreeing with this charitable view of Stewart, does agree on the defendant's idea of a lighter sentence.

The U. S. Attorney is calling for Stewart to serve more than 15 years in prison, 188 months to be exact, and to serve 20 years on supervised probation after his release. According to the government memorandum, both sides agree to that recommendation.

Stewart, 37, Joplin, pleaded guilty to having sex with a 16-year-old girl and the Joplin Police Department had arrested him for having sex with other underage girls. He was awaiting trial on three statutory rape charges when he was indicted by a federal grand jury in April.

Stewart's crimes were described in the government's sentencing memorandum:

On December 27, 2016, an individual contacted Sergeant A. Blair of the Joplin Police Department with regard to sexually explicit photographs being exchanged between his 16-year-old daughter, Jane Doe, and an adult male, later identified as the defendant, Gary Stewart.

On December 29, 2016, Jane Doe was interviewed at the Children’s Center in Joplin by forensic interviewer Tiffany Bogardus. During the course of the interview, Jane Doe told Ms. Borgardus that she and the defendant “made out” on July 4, 2016, at her aunt’s home, located in Joplin, Missouri.

Shortly thereafter, she and the defendant again “made out” at the same residence. On the second occasion, the defendant inserted his fingers into her vagina and Jane Doe performed oral sex upon the defendant. The defendant met Jane Doe a third time on October 30, 2016, at her aunt’s home, where she and the defendant engaged in sexual intercourse. Jane Doe claimed that the defendant had sexual intercourse with her on three different occasions. Jane Doe also informed the interviewer that she and the defendant communicated via text messages transmitted with her iPhone and ZTE981 cellular telephones.

During these text exchanges, the defendant asked her to produce and transmit sexually explicit images of herself. Jane Doe complied with these demands, and sent the defendant sexually explicit pictures of herself.

The investigators were able to seize and examine both cell phones utilized by Jane Doe to communicate with the defendant. A forensic examination detailed numerous text messages sent between Jane Doe and the defendant discussing sexual activity.

It was clear from several text exchanges that the defendant was aware that Jane Doe was a minor and that he was breaking the law by engaging in sexual acts with her.

Several sexually explicit photographs of Jane Doe were recovered from the telephones. Photographs of the defendant posing naked were also located on the phone.

On January 26, 2017, Joplin Police Detective Jason Hutchins made contact with the defendant at the Jasper County Detention Center with regard to a separate investigation involving the allegation that the defendant had sexually abused other children. In the course of the interview, the defendant admitted having committed the statutory rape of Jane Doe.

On the other hand, as Stewart's attorney noted in the earlier sentencing memorandum, Stewart may have pleaded guilty to having sex with an underage girl, but he "hates drugs and has never used drugs."

$10,000 cash bond set for Illinois trucker who killed eight-year-old Joplin girl

A $10,000 cash-only bond has been set for the DeKalb, Illinois truck driver who struck eight-year-old Soaring Heights Elementary student Destiny P. Chambers and killed her.

Lance T. Lee, 49, is in the Jasper County Jail on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident.

Previous post: Illinois trucker who killed eight-year-old Joplin girl charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident

No date has been set for his initial court appearance.

According to the probable cause statement, Lee struck the girl, then drove all the way to Strafford before the Highway Patrol caught up to him.

At first, he claimed the damages to his 2017 Freightliner tractor-trailer were due to hitting a deer on I-44, but later said he thought he had a hit a mailbox on Newman Road. The probable cause statement says material left at the accident matched Lee's vehicle.

Lee's Facebook page indicates he is a long haul driver for USF Holland.

\Destiny Chambers obituary

Newton County Memories to be available at Newtonia Fall Festival

I will be at the Newtonia Fall Festival between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, September 29) with signed copies of Newton County Memories.

The 43rd annual festival will begin 9 a.m. at the Newtonia Community Building.

A full slate of activities is scheduled for the day, including performances by area musicians, arts and crafts, games and activities, the king and queen contest and the parade, which is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. and will include semis and antique tractors.

The event was originally held to raise funds to build the community center. A ham and bean lunch will start at 11 a.m. and will continue until the food is gone.

The festival is scheduled to conclude at 3 p.m. with the announcement of the final raffle winners.

In addition to copies of Newton County Memories, I will have my books on the Joplin Tornado, including 5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado and Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud, my education books, Let Teachers Teach and Classroom Confidential, and other titles available, as well as Turner Report t-shirts.

Newton County Memories includes the following chapters and names:

Chapters

Introduction
2. Cold-Blooded Assassin (Remembering Dean Keeling)
14. Becky’s Mom (Remembering Helen Hildebrand)
18. Good Intentions Don’t Cut It (Remembering Willi Pierson)
21. The Meeting Place (Remembering the Neosho Square)
25. The Hangout (Remembering Gertrude Brown and the Brown Derby)
28. A Commitment to Young People (Remembering Terry Shepherd)
33. A Bases Loaded Intentional Walk (Remembering Gary Shepherd)
39. Special Delivery (Remembering Gary Nagle)
42. Return to Granby (Remembering the Newton County News)
50. No Love for the Captain and Tennille (Remembering James Payne)
53. The Long and Difficult Road (Remembering the Newtonia Tornado)
56. One-Year Anniversary (Remembering the Newtonia Tornado)
59. One of a Kind (Remembering Duane Beaver)
62. The Trailer Classroom (Remembering T. J. Bowman)
66. Those Who Can (Remembering the Teachers)
70. World Champions (Remembering the 1967 St. Louis Cardinals)
73. (The Words That Keep Her Alive (Remembering Barbara McNeely)
76. Letter to the Editor (Remembering Mr. Patrick)
79. No Stealing in Heaven (Remembering Rev. Freddie Franks)
82. Death of a Newspaper (Remembering the Neosho Daily News)
86. Art for the Ages (Remembering Newtonia History)
89. The Joy of Reading (Remembering the Bookmobile)
93. The Man in Charge (Remembering Rue Porter)
96. The Last Cup of Coffee (Remembering Wilma Bragg)
99. Taking the Blame (Remembering Mickey Owen)
102. The Last Performance (Remembering Bill Pierson)
105. Solid, Steady and Reliable (Remembering Tom Channel)
108. Instead of Just A Wishin’ (Remembering the Sportsman’s Friend)
111. The Place to Be (Remembering Rita Wheeler and Reta’s)
114. The Baseball Fields of Neosho (Remembering Ralph Houk)
116. The Last Time I Wore Makeup (Remembering Patty Renfro)
119. A Slap in the Face (Remembering Susan Warren and Little Moon of Alban)
122. A Few Ill-Chosen Words (Remembering Ranae Powell)
125. The Voice of the Cardinals (Remembering KMOX)
131. A Name From the Past (Remembering Bob Shore)
134. Making the Past Come to Life (Remembering Dixie Haase)
136. The Face of the Newspaper (Remembering Harlan Stark and Bill Ball)
139. The House on the Hill (Remembering Max Carter)
142. The Final Deadline (Remembering Eulah Hawkins)
145. It Started at East Newton (Remembering Ron Lankford)
148. Conversation and Politics (Remembering Mike Camerer)
151. Stolen Bases (Remembering an Oldtimers Game )
157. A Child Discovers Reality (Remembering Ranger Ed and the Fun Club and Children’s Shows of Yesteryear)

Names and Places

Jack Anderson
Slim Andrews
Anything Goes
Louis Armstrong
Ted Arnall
Aroma Express

Karla Babb
Pete Babb
Bill Ball
Buzz Ball
Lou Ann Ball
Baseball Digest
Duane Beaver
Don Bogle
Maggie Bowman
T. J. Bowman
Ken Boyer
Roy Bragg
Sharon Bragg
Vicki Bragg
Wilma Bragg
Lou Brock
Teddy Brock
Ernie Broglio
Brown Derby
Gertrude Brown
Vernie Browning
Jack Buck
Burnett Grocery
Bill Burress
Howard Bush
Richard Bush

Harry Caray
Max Carter
Orlando Cepeda
Norma Champion
Tom Channel
Charles O. Chester
Preston Chester
Civil War Cemetery
Bob Clark
Roberto Clemente
Sue Cole
Combat
Ronna Cook
Ed Cooper
Anne Cope
Ken Cope
Randy Cope
Geoff Cornish
Corral
Crowder College
Nettie Cummins

Dairy Dip
Bill Dalbom
Diamond
Diamond Middle School
Dog N Suds

East Newton High School
Lester Ray Edgar
Harold Ensley

Fairview
Fife and Drum
Kiley Finkbiner
Woody Fitzmaurice
Curt Flood
John Ford
Rev. Freddie Franks
The Fugitive
Donna Fullerton
Reta Fullerton

Bob Gibson
Charles Goade
Andy Griffith
Carroll Gum

Dixie Haase
Scott Harris
Eulah Hawkins
Gerry Henson
Whitey Herzog
Todd Higdon
Becky Hildebrand
Bob Hildebrand
Helen Hildebrand
Laurie Hildebrand
Anita Hilton
Danny Hilton
Craig Hopper
Jim Hunter
Ralph Houk
Kaylea Hutson

J. C. Penney
Julian Javier
Jackie Jensen
Billy Johnson
Burney Johnson
Hattie Mae Johnson
Lee Ann Johnson
Stan Johnson
Teddy Johnson
Don Johnston
Joplin Globe
Joplin News-Herald
Danny Judd
David Judd
Gary Judd
Larry Judd
Mark Judd
Tim Judd

Bill Keith
Ken’s Pizza
KMOX
Paul Knight
Debbie Kruse
KUHI

Ray Lankford
Ron Lankford
Tony LaRussa
Helen Lee
Lettermen
Brad Letts
Charlie Letts
Steve Letts
Tim Letts
Little Moon of Alban
Jim Lobbey
Lumberjacks

Joyce Mann
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Janice Matthews
Willie Mays
Tim McCarver
Patrick McFarland
McGinty’s
Gray McKinney
Barbara McNeely
Midway School
Ron Mitchell
The Mouse That Roared
Stan Musial

Gary Nagle
Roger Neer
Rick Nelson
Neosho
Neosho Boulevard
Neosho Daily News
Neosho Newsstand
Neosho Nurseries
Neosho Square
Newton County News
Newtonia
Newtonia Community Building
Nichols Grocery

Old Mining Town Days
Gene Oliver
Roy Orbison
Mickey Owen
Alan Oxendine
Gary Oxendine

Helen Patrick
Hodgen Patrick
James Payne
Drew Pearson
Sherry Pettey
Bill Pierson
Willi Pierson
Rue Porter
Burl Powell
Keith Powell
Ranae Powell
Elvis Presley

Ranger Ed
Steve Ray
Irene Relf
Patty Renfro
Reta’s
Ritchey House
Johnny Rivers
Mae Robbins
Rita Roller
Jean Rowe

Chief Saddler
Ray Sadecki
St. Louis Cardinals
Karen Sapp
John Scott
Wana Senter
Mike Shannon
Gary Shepherd
Rob Shepherd
Terry Shepherd
Red Schoendienst
Bob Shore
Skinny and Rusty
Dick Smith Memorial Park
Bob Snyder
Rhonda Speak
Sporting News
Stark City
Harlan Stark
Chad Stebbins
Casey Stengel
Sterling's
Carolyn Strait
Emery Styron
John Styron
Pat Styron
Vern Styron
Amber Swartz
Randy Switzer

Danny Tanner
Richard Taylor
Vickie Thomas
Tigers
Joe Torre
Herb Troxel
Robyn Trowbridge
Bill Turner
JoAnn Turner
Kelly Turner
Vicki Turner

Rob Viehman

Susan Warren
Scott Watson
Bill Webster
Minnie Weems
Larry Wheeler
Rita Wheeler
Scott White
Steve White
Williams
Ed Wilson
Woodpeckers
David Wormington
Dee Wormington

Zoey

Newton County Memories is also available locally at Granby Auto Supply and Hardware, Always Buying Books and Changing Hands Book Shoppe in Joplin and Pat's Books in Carthage. It can be purchased online through Amazon in paperback and e-book formats at the links below.

Agenda posted for Monday Joplin City Council meeting

JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Monday, October 1, 2018
6:00 P.M., Council Chambers

Call To Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America

Roll Call

Presentations

Semi-Annual Insurance Update By Segal

Documents:

SEMI ANNUAL INSURANCE UPDATE FROM SEGAL.PDF

Clifford Wert Would Like To Provide An Update On The Capital Campaign For The Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex.

Finalization Of Consent Agenda

Reports And Communications

Citizen Requests And Petitions

Margey Upson Would Like To Speak On Agenda Items And Raises.

Janus Lazarus Would Like To Invite The City Council To Participate In The Annual Table Tennis Tournament.

Isaiah K. Wilson Would Like To Address City Council Regarding The Finance Director And City Manager.

Renita Kitchingham Would Like To Address The City Council Regarding Crime And Valuable Resources.

Public Hearings

Public Hearing Procedures

Documents:

PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES.PDF

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-271

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2004-256, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, November 15, 2004, by designating the property as an Historic Landmark and include in a Historic Preservation Overlay District, property as described below and located 602 N. Pearl Avenue in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:

Consent Agenda

Minutes Of The September 17, 2018 City Council Meeting

Documents:

SEPT 17, 2018.PDF

Minutes Of The September 24, 2018 Special City Council Meeting

Documents:

MINUTES - SPEC MTG - 9-24.PDF

Resolutions

RESOLUTION NO. 2018-016

A RESOLUTION recognizing Rick Allen upon his retirement from active service as the Facility Maintenance Technician within the City of Joplin Public Works Department.

Documents:

RS2018-016-RICK ALLEN RET.PDF

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-143

AN ORDINANCE approving a Work Authorization with Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc., in the not to exceed amount of Thirty NineThousand Five Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($39,500.00) for Professional Engineering Consulting Services for NPDES Permit Renewal Support, Phase 3, and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-144

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Crews Construction Inc., in the amount of One Hundred Seventeen Thousand and no/ dollars ($117,000.00) for construction and installation of two grit augers and troughs for the Shoal Creek Wastewater Treatment Facilities; and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-145

AN ORDINANCE approving a Purchase Order in the amount of Six Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Five Hundred Eighty-One and no/100 Dollars ($685,581.00) to be issued to Ace Pipe Cleaning Inc. to cover Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Wastewater Collection Systems as budgeted in the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 as adopted by Ordinance 2017-167 on October 16, 2017; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-146

AN ORDINANCE approving a Work Authorization with Allgeier, Martin & Associates Inc., in not to exceed amount of Sixty-Five Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($65,000.00) for professional engineering consulting services for the 2018-2019 sanitary sewer rehabilitation toolbox and miscellaneous rehab assistance project and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-147

AN ORDINANCE authorizing construction agreement between the City of Joplin and Guarantee Roofing Inc., in the not to exceed amount of One Hundred Seventy One Thousand Two Hundred and No/100 Dollars ($171,200.00) for repair and restoration of the roof at City Hall; and, amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 as adopted by Ordinance 2017-167 on October 16, 2017; and, containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-272

AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission which will provide FHWA Metropolitan Planning Assistance and FTA Section 5303 assistance, hereafter known as Consolidated Planning Funds, from November 1, 2018, through October 31, 2019, in accordance with the rules of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 49 U.S.C. Section 5303 and 23 U.S. Code Sections 104(F) and 134 to conduct comprehensive and transportation planning programs, as the City of Joplin has been designated to conduct transportation planning programs for the Joplin Area Transportation Study Organization; authorizing the City Manager or his designee, the Director of Planning, Development, and Neighborhood Services, to execute said Agreement for the City, and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-452

AN ORDINANCE approving a Program Services Contract by and between the State of Missouri, Department of Health and Senior Services, and the City of Joplin, Missouri, for a term commencing October 1, 2018 and running through September 30, 2019, for the amount of up to Five Hundred Seventy Thousand, Nine Hundred Eighty-Three Dollars and no Cents ($570,983.00), to enable the Health Department to provide nutritional assistance and education to residents of Jasper County, authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

Approval Of Surplus Property For The Annual City Auction.

Documents:

2018 AUCTION MASTER LIST.XLSX

News From The Public Information Officer, Lynn Onstot

Comments From City Council Members

Joplin R-8 Board hires three teachers, 24 classified employees, accepts one teacher resignation

During a closed session Tuesday night, the Joplin R-8 Board of Education took the following actions:

Certified Employments: Kathleen Allen, Sally Junkins, and Nancy Robertson

Certified Resignation: Dawn Compton

Classified Employments: Calin Adams, Valerie Barcom, Dani Bowling, Jason Cannon, Travis Cavener, William Conroy, Lisa Crouch, Shannon Dalton, Sharon Deleon, Joseph Doyle, Grace Dunlap, Michael Ebbs, Barry Garbrick, Tyler Graves, Valetta Huff, Tabatha Joeckel, Mary Johnson, Leslie Kessler, Alicia McKeever, Mark Norris, Holly Parks, Paige Randall, Tanner Simmons, Tina Sjorlund, and Tiffany Sutten

Substitutes: Libby Colston, Taylor Cox, Dan Gilbert, Tula Griffin, Terry Guinn, Sophia Gutierrez, Dustin Heritage, Kelsie Matthews, John McPhail, Rebecca Morin, Amanda Powell, Shelby Rigdon, Dority Randy, Olivia Garren, and Lisa Bromley

Classified Separations: Demetrius Carr, Spenser Clayton, James Cutbirth, Christina Harris, Hannah Helms, Aubree Larson, Mike McGrew, Randall Miller, Mark Norris, Sandi Sapp, Kristen Sisseck, Daniel Todd, Carol Bogle, and Sydney Stever

English Language Translators/Interpreters: Jazmine Rodriquez, and Keila Zamudio

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Joplin School District makes counseling services available after hit-and-run death of Soaring Heights Elementary student

(From Joplin Schools)

At 6:55 a.m., emergency personnel responded to an accident on Newman Road outside of Joplin.

It is with extremely heavy hearts we can now share the fatal loss of one of our precious Eagle students. Miss Destiny Chambers was currently enrolled at Soaring Heights Elementary. Staff and students in Joplin Schools remember her huge heart and big smile.

Additional students who were on the bus at the time of the accident were picked up by parents at the scene or transported to school where parents picked them up.

Counseling services have been made available to any staff or student needing support and will continue for the coming days. Our deepest sympathy goes to the family.

Illinois trucker who killed 8-year-old Joplin girl charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident

The Illinois truck driver who killed an eight-year-old Joplin girl this morning on Newman Road, just outside of the city limits has been charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident.

The probable cause statement says Lance T. Lee, 49, DeKalb, Illinois, hit Destiny P. Chambers, 8, at 6:55 a.m. and never stopped until he reached Strafford.

At first, Lee told the Highway Patrol he thought he hit a deer on I-44, but changed his story, admitted being on Newman Road and said he thought he hit a mailbox. Lee said he told his employer that he hit a deer because he could have been charged with hitting a mailbox.

The probable cause statement is printed below:

On September 27, 2018, at 0701 hours, I was advised by Troop D Radio of a one-vehicle fatality crash involving a pedestrian. The crash occurred in Jasper County, east of Joplin, on Newman Road at Sunny Crest Lane. I arrived on scene at 0735 hours.

The crash occurred as a 2017 Freightliner tractor trailer driven by Lance T. Lee, date of birth September 25, 1969, was traveling eastbound on Newman Road. The pedestrian, D. C., date of birth July 17, 2010, was running northbound from her residence along Sunny Crest Lane.

D. C. ran into the path of Lee’s vehicle and was struck by the front of the vehicle in the eastbound lane of Newman Road. Lee’s vehicle did not travel off the roadway and did not strike any other object at the scene. Lee did not stop and continued east, leaving the scene of the crash.

D. C. was transported by ground ambulance and pronounced dead at Freeman West Hospital by Dr. Boulware at 0727 hours.

Lee and the vehicle he was driving at the time of the crash were located at YRC Freight in Strafford, Missouri. Sections of broken bumper from the crash scene were transported to Lee’s location. The bumper sections matched the damage to Lee’s vehicle. Pink fibers located at the scene with D. C's. clothing were also found on the vehicle with blood and skin.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Michael Bracker read Lee his Miranda warning at 1119 hours. During an interview conducted by Sergeant Bracker, Lee first stated he struck a deer on Interstate 44 near the 46 mile marker. Lee then admitted to being at the crash scene on Newman Road.

Lee stated he saw the school bus stopped on Sunny Slope Lane and thought he struck a mailbox as he passed the school bus. Lee stated he told his company he struck a deer because hitting a mailbox is a chargeable accident and he would have lost time.

Lee was taken to the Jasper County Jail, according to the probable cause statement.

Destiny Chambers obituary

Illinois truck driver who struck, killed Joplin eight-year-old cited for failure to maintain proper brakes in 2015

The Illinois truck driver who ran over and killed an eight-year-old Joplin girl this morning was cited for failure to maintain proper brakes in 2015, according to Mississippi County, Missouri, online court records.

Lance T. Lee, 49, DeKalb, Illinois, pleaded guilty on February 8, 2015 and paid a $130.50 fine, according to court records.

He was originally stopped by the Highway Patrol, the records indicate.

The Highway Patrol report on this morning's fatality accident said Destiny P. Chambers, 8, was crossing Newman Road, just outside the Joplin city limits when she was struck and killed by the 2017 Freightliner tractor-trailer Lee was driving.

Pre-trial conference scheduled for accused killer of three-year-old Jonathan Munoz-Bilbrey

An October 15 pre-trial conference is scheduled in Jasper County Circuit Court for Leonard Valdez, 22, Joplin, the accused killer of three-year-old Jonathan Munoz-Bilbrey.

Valdez is charged with second degree murder and felony child abuse.

The three-year-old was taken to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas after he suffered brain injuries, facial bruising and a laceration at his home at 1502 S. Michigan Avenue November 10. He died two days later.

The probable cause statement indicates Valdez was the only person supervising the boy at the time the injuries occurred.

The boy died 22 days after the Joplin Police Department arrested Valdez for domestic assault at the same address, 1502 S. Michigan Avenue, where police say the child abuse took place. The victim was the boy's mother, Natasha Michelle Bilbrey, 22, according to the JPD incident report.

Valdez' trial is scheduled to begin June 3.