Usually, the stories that take hold are ones that have to do with crime and corruption, both of which the Turner Report has frequently documented.
What is it about the Troy Onstott that has put him on the Turner Report for the past several days?
While it is true that Troy's father, T. J. Onstott, was an all-MIAA football player for Missouri Southern State University and set records during his years on the gridiron for Lamar High School, but that is not the reason the story has continued to be covered.
Nor is the fact that Troy's mother, Jill Onstott, is a member of the Elbert family, probably the best known family in Seneca.
While those are points of interest, the primary reason the Troy Onstott story has taken old has been the writing of Jill Onstott each day as she not only updates readers on Troy's progress, but openly and honestly relates her fears, her joys and her undying faith.
Jill Onstott's writing has drawn readers, through hundreds of Facebook shares and this blog, into an unwavering support community.
Bad things happen to good families, but having a strong network of support make the road easier to navigate.
Troy's family is providing a strong network of support for the 10-year-old.
Jill Onstott's writing has turned that network into an army.
A dead bear and my picnic basket joke
The amusing story of a black bear captured by local law enforcement took a dark turn quickly Friday.
When we heard the bear had been turned over to the Department of Conservation, it was heartwarming to think of him being restored to a more natural habitat, frolicking in a remote area and living out his life following normal bear pursuits, whatever those may be.
At that point, as I posted the Joplin Police Department news release on the bear on the Inside Joplin blog, I posted the link on Facebook questioning why local law enforcement was spending time on chasing bears instead of solving the rash of picnic basket thefts in the area.
It was not long after that was posted that we learned the Department of Conservation had killed the bear or as it was euphemistically put, euthanized him.
That bit of information certainly made my joke in poor taste, but I don't plan on apologizing for it. Had I known the bear was dead or was going to be killed, I never would have posted the joke (which those of you who are unfamiliar with Yogi Bear don't understand anyway).
The killing of the bear was a sad ending to what should have been a fun respite from the crime and corruption in everyday news.
Book signing next Saturday at The Book Guy
My next signing is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12 noon next Saturday (July 20) at The Book Guy, 708 E. 15th in Joplin.
The signing will be part of the two-day annual sale at The Book Guy.
You can buy any used book in the store and get one free.
An outdoor tent will be set up where shoppers can fill a bag of books for just $5.
And I will be doing something different that I have never done before.
In addition to having copies of Lost Angels, The Murders of Rowan Ford and Doug Ringler, Newton County Memories 5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado, Spirit of Hope: The Year After the Joplin Tornado and Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud available, I have a special on my other titles.
These books will be available for $5 to anyone who was a student in one of my classes at South, East or Diamond, any of my colleagues or anyone who worked at those schools or in the districts while I was there, any parents of my former students and anyone who ever played baseball with me, was coached by me or played in a game that I umpired.
-Let Teachers Teach
-Scars from the Tornado
-Classroom Confidential
-Sports Talk Memories
-No Child Left Alive
-Devil's Messenger
-Small Town News
-The Turner Report
-Newspaper Days
This week's top 10 Turner Report, Inside Joplin and Inside Joplin Obituaries posts and links to them are printed below the PayPal button.
Thanks for your support for the Turner Report, Inside Joplin and Inside Joplin Obituaries. Please consider supporting the websites with a contribution by using the PayPal button or by sending your contribution to Randy Turner, 2306 E. 8th, Apt. A, Joplin, MO 64801
The Turner Report
1. Less than a year after beginning four-year prison sentence, Joplin man free, accused of crimes in three states,
2, More progress reported in recovery of 10-year-old Troy Onstott
3. Joplin man convicted in 2015 of assault, abandoning a corpse charged with felony resisting arrest, punching police animal
4. Improvement continues, rehab begins for 10-year-old Troy Onstott
5. Troy Onstott's eyes open, other improvements noted
6. Jill Onstott: 10-year-old Troy's physical therapy begins and "a storm of miracles is about to happen"
7. Accused Carthage child molester to police: I may have accidentally touched (6-year-old girl) there
8. KZRG commenters say American women's soccer cup team is a disgrace
9. Jury trial set to begin Wednesday for Joplin man accused of breaking six-week-old baby's leg
10. Frank Fletcher Ford, former employee reach settlement in sexual harassment lawsuit
Inside Joplin
1. Prayers requested for 10-year-old Lamar boy who was life-flighted to Children's Mercy Hospital following crash
2. Sarcoxie Police: If this drug paraphernalia is yours, come on down and claim it
3. Woman's body found in Joplin drainage ditch
4. Webb City man injured in four-wheeler accident
5. Jasper County Sheriff's Office Arrests
6. Five Jopiln business sell alcohol to minors during enforcement operation
7. Carthage Police: Who's this guy?
8. Jasper County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions
9. Joplin Police Department Arrests July 11-12
10. Joplin Police Department Weekend Arrests
Inside Joplin Obituaries
1. Anastasia Edwards
2. Nic Ramsey
3. Angela Hill
4. Richard Cochrane (Mike Lang)
5. Sharon Wheeler
6. Ben Hensley
7. Gayle Turnley
8. Rusty Frisinger
9. Randy Pendergraft
10. Charlie Long
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