Joplin man held without bond for DWI, assault, property damage

A Joplin man is being held without bond in the Joplin City Jail on charges of driving while intoxicated, aggravated fleeing, second-degree assault and property damage.

Phil Burkybile III allegedly tried to run over a Joplin Police Department officer. The officer shot Burkybile. Burkybile's injuries were not serious and he was treated at a Joplin hospital.

From the probable cause statement)

On 12/17/2025 {a Joplin Police Department officer}was on patrol in Joplin, Missouri. He observed a green passenger car traveling southbound from W 26th St and S Main St. He estimated the vehicle's speed to be 100mph. caught up to the vehicle at E 50th St and S Main St and initiated a car stop using his
lights and sirens. 

The vehicle fled west on Glendale Rd at a high rate of speed that caused substantial risk to the public. The vehicle crashed into a ditch in the area of the 1900 block of Glendale Rd and spun around so that the front of the vehicle was facing {the JPD} vehicle. 

{The officer} parked his vehicle in front of the crashed vehicle, {and} stepped out to take cover behind the a-pillar of his patrol car, and called the driver from his vehicle. The suspect vehicle accelerated forward as if to strike {the officer} which put him in apprehension of serious physical injury or death. 

In response, {the officer} shot his duty weapon at the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle continued to 5002 S Main St, Joplin, Missouri, with {the officer} in pursuit. The vehicle briefly stopped in the parking lot of 5002 S Main before it attempted to leave the parking lot through a southeast entrance. 

{The officer} was pulling into the parking lot and the suspect vehicle struck the front of his patrol car, unit 2759, causing over $750 in damage. The driver of the suspect vehicle tried to accelerate forward, further ramming {the officer's} vehicle.

{The officer} called the driver from the vehicle again and he was taken into custody. The driver was identified as Phil Dean Burkybile.

{The officer} conducted a DWI investigation on Burkybile at the hospital and found him to be driving while intoxicated.

According to a Joplin Police Department news release earlier today, the officer who shot Burkybile has been placed on administrative leave following department policy until an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol is completed.

Earlier story- Joplin PD attempted stop of suspected drunk driver leads to shooting

MIssouri Supreme Court announces changes designed to improve public access to court documents

(From Missouri Supreme Court)

The Supreme Court of Missouri today acted to improve remote public access to case documents and provide greater clarity and uniformity in its application.

Specifically, the Court entered an order refining various court rules to:Streamline and restructure Court Operating Rule 2, governing public access to court records, and provide uniform vocabulary for terms relevant to redaction. 

-Specify the appropriate standard required for sealing court records in a new Rule 55.0275.

-Clarify what is “confidential” in a revised Court Operating Rule 4.24, precisely defining both “confidential record” and “confidential information.”

-Simplify redaction instructions and enhance the process for correcting redaction. 

Under revised Court Operating Rule 2.03 and Rules 19.10, 55.025, and 84.015:

Redactions will be limited to the defined list of “confidential information” and information that is sealed, expunged, or closed by statute or Court rule. No other information may be redacted without leave of court for good cause shown. 

A confidential redaction information filing sheet (or CRIF) no longer will be required if a redacted and unredacted version of the filing are filed at the same time. 

Transcripts of open court proceedings will not be subject to redaction requirements, although any party may seek to redact from such transcripts otherwise confidential information as identified in COR 4.24(b).

If a court finds a filer acted in bad faith – either by failing to redact confidential information or by redacting information that is not otherwise confidential without leave of court – the court may impose appropriate sanctions.

These refinements do not take effect until July 1, 2026, but they should provide helpful guidance for lawyers and the public now. Over the coming months, the Court plans to provide additional information to help ensure consistent and successful implementation of the rule revisions.

“We are proud of our ongoing efforts to ensure meaningful access to public case information,” Chief Justice W. Brent Powell said. “Making public case documents available remotely was a huge step forward. Since then, we have continued to evaluate how best to balance two equally important goals: making public court documents more accessible online and protecting confidential information in those documents. Today’s order will help lawyers and the public better understand how to achieve that delicate balance.”

Since the 1990s, people have been able to use Case.net – a web-based search portal – to find real-time public information about Missouri court cases. But this did not include the filings themselves. After electronic filing began in 2011, people could use computer terminals at courthouses to view public case filings. Since July 2023, people have been able to use Case.net to view, download, and print available public court records from their personal computers, tablets, or cell phones. 

But differences arose about what was, in fact, confidential, and best practices for redaction have been applied inconsistently. Through extensive review and examination of the rules and their practical implementation, as well as feedback from a variety of sources, the Court has sought to improve remote public access and redaction and to provide greater clarity and uniformity for those engaged with the court system.

“Throughout the extensive analysis we have undertaken, our ultimate goal has been to clarify the nature of confidential information and to simplify the redaction process,” Powell said. “We believe today’s order will result in better access to public court records while protecting any truly confidential information they may contain.”

Springfield business owner indicted for COVID fraud, money laundering

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A Springfield business owner was indicted by a federal grand jury for fraudulently obtaining $316,062 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and for laundering over $35,000 of PPP funds.

Jason L. Hemingway, 47, was charged with two counts each of bank fraud and making a false statement on a loan application, and three counts of money laundering.

According to the indictment, Hemingway applied for a PPP loan for his business, Principal Transfer Group, LLC on Feb. 9, 2021. The CARES Act established several new temporary programs and provided for the expansion of others to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these programs, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authorized forgivable loans to small businesses to retain workers and maintain payroll, make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments.

On his electronically submitted loan application Hemingway claimed that another individual was the owner of his business, Principal Transfer Group, LLC, and stated that the business had an average monthly payroll of $63,212 and employed 25 people, all of which were false statements. Hemingway signed the application in the name of the individual he claimed was the president and owner. Hemingway received $158,031 in PPP proceeds.

On April 8, 2021, Hemingway applied for a second PPP loan on behalf of Principal Transfer Group, LLC. On that application, again submitted under another individual’s name, Hemingway certified that he had received a previous PPP loan and that he had used the full loan amount for eligible expenses only, which was a false statement. He again claimed that another individual was the president and owner, that the business had an average monthly payroll of $63,212 and employed eight people, all of which were false statements. Hemingway signed the application in the name of the individual he claimed was the president and owner and received another $158,031 in PPP loan proceeds.

The indictment alleges that Hemingway used the PPP proceeds for non-approved purposes, including for his personal benefit. According to the indictment, Hemingway transferred $11,000 of the PPP funds into the bank account for another business he owned, 417 Print Shop, LLC, an additional $11,000 in PPP funds into his personal bank account, and $13,851.16 of PPP funds to his Robinhood account. Robinhood is a financial services company that allows users to invest and trade in stocks and cryptocurrencies.

The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Hemingway to forfeit to the government any property derived from the alleged fraud scheme, including a money judgment of at least $316,062, and an additional $35,851.16 money judgment for proceeds derived from the alleged money laundering scheme.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Monett nursing home administrator indicted for fraud, lying to EPA

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

The former administrator, maintenance contractor, and company owner of a Monett, Mo., skilled nursing facility were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to impede the EPA, a related state agency, and OHSA, and violate the Clean Air Act regarding the removal of asbestos-containing materials.

Juan Carlos Aguilar Gomez, 45, a citizen of Honduras, residing in Lawrence, N.Y., who was previously charged by criminal complaint on Aug. 1, 2025, with one count of violating the Clean Air Act, was charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and violate the Clean Air Act, six counts of violating the Clean Air Act, and one count of making a false statement to a federal department or agency.

Rebecca Massey, 46, of Granby, Mo., was charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and violate the Clean Air Act, six counts of violating the Clean Air Act, and one count of making a false statement to a federal department or agency.

Goldner Capital Management, LLC (GCM), a limited liability company located in the state of New York, was charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and violate the Clean Air Act, and six counts of violating the Clean Air Act.

“The Department of Justice, working in partnership with the EPA, will seek to hold accountable those who violate environmental laws, as evidenced by the charges returned today,” said R. Matthew Price, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

“Conspiring to violate our nation’s environmental laws to prevent exposure to the lethal dangers of asbestos is a betrayal of trust that puts the most defenseless members of our society at risk. By neglecting proper asbestos inspections and precautions, the defendants have not only violated laws but endangered the health of over 150 residents and staff,” said Cate Holston, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in Missouri.

According to today’s indictment, in Dec. 2018, Gomez’s company was contracted to do maintenance and renovation work at nursing homes within GCM’s investment portfolio, including a long-term care facility in Monett, Mo. The services in their signed agreement included planning and overseeing all construction, alteration, maintenance, and repair projects at the facilities.

The facility provided senior and other assisted-living care to at least 67 residents and was staffed by approximately 80 employees between 2018 and 2021 and was owned and operated as part of an investment portfolio owned by GCM, which funded all capital improvements to facilities owned by the parent company.

As early as July 2020 GCM agents and employees, including Massey, began plans to renovate the facility, including plans to remove the existing linoleum flooring and replace it with new flooring. This flooring contained at least 6-12% chrysotile asbestos, was in poor condition and crumbled easily, making the tile a regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM) under EPA guidelines. The removal of RACM requires special handling and disposal precautions and procedures.

GCM, Massey, and Gomez were advised during the bidding process by other construction contractors and maintenance employees that the floor needed to be tested for the presence of asbestos and that an asbestos certified contractor needed to remove any flooring containing asbestos.

Despite receiving at least one bid from a reputable contracting company, which advised that the floors likely contained asbestos, no testing or asbestos abatement was conducted at the facility. Instead, GCM agents and employees engaged Gomez to conduct the proposed renovations. Neither Gomez, nor any of his employees were qualified asbestos abatement contractors, workers, or supervisors.

Renovations began around Oct. 2020 and continued through Jan. 2021. During renovations, Gomez and his employees used an electrical/mechanical floor stripper, other scrapers, chippers, and other abrading or grinding machinery to remove the tile flooring. This process generated visible emissions throughout the facility’s hallways, dining areas, and residents’ rooms. Additionally, Gomez and his employees posted no signs regarding potential asbestos exposure, erected no containment, used no water to mitigate visible emissions, had no decontamination units constructed, did not use negative air machines, and disposed of RACM waste in an unlined, unsealed dumpster that was sent to a landfill not authorized to accept RACM.

Massey, knowing that no asbestos analysis/inspection had occurred and that one was needed, permitted the work to continue even though as the Administrator she was empowered, and obligated, under law to shut down any operations that posed a health or safety hazard to the facility’s residents.

On Jan. 20, 2021, officials with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) inspected the facility and obtained a bulk floor sample from the hallway. MDNR conveyed to Massey that they were concerned that the materials contained RACM and that, if they did, the owners of the facility would need to evacuate the residents. Gomez told MDNR inspectors that he had no knowledge of the presence of asbestos or permitting requirements prior to their inspection, both of which were false statements.

The indictment alleges that on April 30, 2021, Massey falsely told OSHA inspectors that she was unaware of the renovation project involving the flooring prior to Gomez and his workers beginning work in Dec. 2020. She also claimed that she knew nothing about asbestos until MDNR arrived at the facility. Both were false statements.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark, who was significantly assisted by former Environmental Crimes Section Senior Litigation Counsel Todd W. Gleason. It was investigated by the EPA – Criminal Investigations Division and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Boys and Girls Club of SW MO, Tasty T, Sam's Club Meat and Rotisserie fail Joplin Health Department inspections

Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Missouri, 316 S. Comingo Avenue; Tasty T, 101 Range Line Road and Sam's Club- Meat and Rotisserie, 3536 S. Hammons Boulevard failed Joplin Health Department inspections earlier this month, according to information posted on the department's website.

Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Missouri

Boys and Girls Club received a priority violation for not having sufficiently warm water in the handwashing station, rinse station and restroom hand sink.

Core violations were noted for an out-of-service milk-box cooler had a buildup of dried milk residue on the interior, for not having hand towels available at the handwashing sink and for having an accumulation of dust on the vent and filter covers above the hot wells and the food preparation surface.

Tasty T

Three priority violations and three core violations were noted at Tasty T.

Priority violations were noted for the following:

-Corn dog batter and ice cream mix were being cold held on the counter at room temperature for an indefinite period of time.

-Mouse droppings were seen in the dry storage room.

-A chemical spray bottle was stored on top of the food prep cooler.

Core violations were noted for the following:

-The three-compartment sink was rusted on the bottom corner.

-No hand towels were available at the handwashing sink.

-Light fixtures weren't working in the dry storage room.

Sam's Club

Sam's Club's meat and rotisserie section received two core violations, one for having floor and wall junctures not sealed properly in the chicken prep room and for having seals on the hood vent system above the ovens in the chicken prep area were in disrepair.

***

The following establishments passed their inspections:

Taco Stop, 1730 E. 7th Street

McDonald's, 2701 S. Main Street

Super Donuts, 1901 E. 32nd Street

Taco Bell, 2315 W. 7th Street

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, 4010 S. Richard Joseph Boulevard

Top Dawg Hot Dog Cart, (re-inspection)

Zanobia Grocery- Range Line Road

Island Genez Market, 2914 E. 32nd Street

Range Line Eagle Stop, 3504 S. Range Line Road

Road Ranger Convenience Store, 2101 S Prigmor Avenue

Sam's Club Retail/Dairy Deli, 3536 S. Hammons Boulevard

Hampton Inn Breakfast, 3107 E. 36th Street

Simple Simon's Pizza, 1522 E. Broadway Street

Stark City man charged with domestic assault, kidnapping, animal abuse

A bond reduction hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. December 22 in Newton County Circuit Court for Brett Adrian Mahurin (DOB 1988), Stark City, who is being held on a $2,500 cash bond after being charged with domestic assault, kidnapping and misdemeanor animal abuse.

According to the probable cause statement, Mahurin hit a woman over the head with a baseball bat December 13, then kept her from her phone and wouldn't allow her to leave to seek medical help.

Mahurin told the woman "he would burn her alive in the house" if she called the police.

The animal abuse charge came after Mahurin allegedly threw a puppy off the porch causing an injury to the puppy's rear left leg, according to the probable cause statement.

The case was investigated by the Newton County Sheriff's Office.

Joplin PD attempted stop of suspected drunk driver leads to shooting

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On December 17, 2025, at approximately 0406 hours, a Joplin Police Officer observed a possible impaired driver southbound on Main Street. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle on Glendale Road, and the vehicle failed to stop. A pursuit was initiated and the driver continued Westbound on Glendale. 

The vehicle then spun out and came to a stop facing Eastbound on Glendale as the Officer pulled up and stopped, exiting the patrol vehicle and giving verbal commands to the driver.

The driver of the vehicle drove at the officer and shots were fired at the suspect vehicle. The
suspect vehicle continued East bound on Glendale to South Main Street, where officers successfully stopped the vehicle at 50th and Main, taking the suspect into custody, after the suspect rammed a second officer’s patrol vehicle.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. No officers were injured during the incident.

Per department policy, the officer has been placed on paid administrative leave. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has been requested to assist with the investigation. Further details may be released as they become available

Newton County deputies arrest Diamond man for meth delivery

(From the Newton County Sheriff's Office)

On December 14, 2025, at approximately 4:00AM, a deputy with the Newton County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop in the 4200 block of South McClelland Blvd in Joplin. During the traffic stop, it was learned that the passenger of the vehicle, Raul Ulloa SR., a 66-year-old male of Springfield had active warrants from Joplin PD. Mr. Ulloa was arrested on these warrants. 

During the arrest, the deputy noticed a bag in the vehicle that contained a white crystal-like substance. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and the bag was retrieved from the vehicle. The white crystal-like substance in the bag field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 15 grams. 

The driver of the vehicle, Bryan Houk, a 49-year-old male from Diamond was placed under arrest for Delivery of a Controlled Substance. A search of Houk revealed more baggies containing suspected methamphetamine as well as a large amount of cash. 

In total, approximately 22 grams of suspected methamphetamine was seized along with over $6,000 in cash. Charges for Delivery of a Controlled Substance were submitted to the Newton County Prosecutor for review and charges were filed on Bryan Houk. Houk remains in custody at the Newton County Jail on a $5,000 cash warrant. 

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is committed to removing illegal narcotics from our community. If anyone has any information about illegal narcotics activity, we ask that you contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office at 417-451-8000 and ask to speak to a deputy. 

Sheriff Matt Stewart

Dustin Perkins named Carthage R-9 athletic director

(From Carthage R-9 School District)

We’re excited to announce that Mr. Dustin Perkins has been named the next Athletics & Activities Director at Carthage High School, effective July 1, 2026, following the retirement of Mr. Mark Holderbaum. 

A proud CHS graduate with more than 22 years in education, Mr. Perkins brings deep experience as a teacher, coach, and administrator. 

He has served Carthage High School for the past 12 years as an Assistant Principal and has coached multiple sports across southwest Missouri. His background, leadership, and love for Carthage make him a natural fit for this role.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Dustin Perkins on this exciting next chapter!

Passerby rescues 14-year-old from burning building at 7th and Pearl

(From the Joplin Fire Department)

At approximately 7:52 am, Joplin 911 dispatchers began receiving multiple 911 calls of a residential structure fire located at 7th and Pearl Ave. 

Initial reports also indicated that a 14-year-old boy had crawled out a second floor window and was standing on the roof of the balcony needing rescued. 

Prior to our arrival a passerby that had a ladder in their vehicle stopped and rescued the 14-year-old. 

JFD arrived within 3 minutes of the call and found heavy fire involvement at the back of the house with dark black smoke pushing out the front. Personnel aggressively attacked the fire and searched both levels of the house for occupants. 

The fire was controlled within 15 minutes of arrival and all occupants were determined to be out of the structure. One occupant was transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation, no other injuries to civilians or firefighters occurred.

The Joplin Fire Marshal’s office investigated the cause and origin of the fire and determined the fire began in the kitchen of the home near the stove and accidental causes could not be ruled out.

The Joplin Fire Department would like to thank the citizen that stopped to assist the 14 year old off the roof prior to our arrival. 

JFD was assisted by METS ambulance and the Joplin Police Department.

This is the 15th structure fire the Joplin Fire Department has responded to in the past two weeks

Federal grand jury indicts Carthage man for illegal possession of a firearm

A grand jury indictment of a Carthage man for being a felon in possession of a firearm was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

According to the indictment, Phillip Jordan Neese, 33, possessed the weapons September 17 in Jasper County.

The indictment stems from a Joplin Police Department arrest that day. Neese was charged with drug trafficking, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was bound over for trial after waiving his preliminary hearing December 9.

From the Jasper County probable cause statement:

On 09/17/2025 I attempted to make an investigative stop on Philip Jordan Benet Neese after a Joplin
Police Department Detective had sent out his photograph indicating he was a suspect in an unlawful
use of a weapon investigation. 

Upon seeing the male I immediately recognized him. I observed Neese walking eastbound on 8th Street from S. Connor Avenue. I attempted to stop Neese, but Neese continued walking southbound. 

As Neese was walking southbound, he retrieved a small gray and black pistol from hear his waistline. Neese then ducked behind a nearby residence before quickly reemerging.

Neese was detained without incident. I located a small gray/black Kel-Tec .380 caliber pistol (SN#LFQ02) behind a tree approximately 3 feet from where I saw Neese. Neese admitted to throwing the firearm behind the tree. 

Neese was found to be a convicted felon and was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm. Search incident to arrest yielded a methamphetamine pipe and a folded piece of foil in Neese's pocket. Inside the foil I located approximately 0.49 grams of a white powder substance. 

Due to my training and experience I believed the substance to be fentanyl. Under miranda warning, Neese admitted to the substance either being fentanyl or "tranq". I tested the substance via TruNarc and test #4323 identified the substance to be positive for fentanyl compound.

Pittsburg man arrested after allegedly shooting two women

(From the Pittsburg Police Department)

On Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 2:14 a.m., the Pittsburg Police Department dispatch center received a call about two victims who were shot and were being driven to the hospital by personal vehicle. While this call was received, another call came into dispatch about gunshots being heard in the area of west 20th Street. Officers from the Pittsburg Police Department responded to the area of west 20th Street as well as Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg. 

Officers at the hospital located a 22-year-old-female and a 23-year-old-female who suffered gunshot wounds. Both victims began receiving treatment and were later flown to KU Medical Center in Kansas City for additional treatment. Both victims are currently listed as being in stable condition. 

Officers were informed that the shooting incident occurred in the alley of the 300 block of west 20th Street. Officers located evidence related to the shooting in the alley and secured the crime scene. Three individuals who drove the victims to the hospital were transported to the police department to be interviewed. Detectives from the police department responded to assist with the investigation. 

After interviewing the witnesses, officers were able to determine that an altercation took place between the two victims and one of the subjects from the vehicle. During the altercation, another occupant of the vehicle who was not involved in the altercation, shot the two female victims. 

As a result, 23-year-old Walter Herrera Alvarez, of Pittsburg, was placed under arrest. The other individuals were released after being interviewed. 

Mr. Alvarez was transported to the jail located at the Crawford County Sheriff’s office for booking. Mr. Alvarez was arrested for two counts of Aggravated Battery. Mr. Alvarez is currently being held without bond. 

Mr. Alvarez is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other crimes, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700, or at our automated tip line, (620) 231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

Judge delays decision on signatures for Missouri referendum on gerrymandered map

By Rudi Keller

Missouri Independent

A portion of the signatures submitted last week to force a referendum on Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional district map won’t be reviewed before a Cole County judge rules on whether all should be checked.

(Photo- Missouri Capitol Police officers conduct security checks Dec. 9 on the 691 boxes of petitions filed to force a referendum on the gerrymandered Congressional district map passed by lawmakers in September. Of the 27 times a referendum has been placed on the Missouri ballot, voters have rejected the General Assembly’s actions all but twice- Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).

People Not Politicians is challenging a decision by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins that no signatures collected before Oct. 14 — the day he certified the form of the referendum petition — are valid. 

In an order issued Friday, Circuit Judge Christopher Limmbaugh wrote that he will wait to issue his ruling while local election officials determine if the portion being checked is sufficient to place the issue on a statewide ballot.

Last week, People Not Politicians delivered 691 boxes of petition sheets bearing more than 305,000 signatures to Hoskins’ office. There are signatures from every county in the state, organizers said, and they have little doubt they will reach the threshold of about 110,000 signatures to make the 2026 ballot.

In a filing in the case, People Not Politicians stated that about 103,000 of the signatures were collected before the cutoff date.

The other 202,000 signatures should be checked before he makes a decision, Limbaugh ruled.

“Conceivably, this could be enough signatures to place the referendum on the ballot thereby mooting the issues presented in the case at bar,” he wrote.

The case, he wrote, will be “in abeyance until the requisite number of signatures have been certified or up until enough signatures have been rejected so as to prevent plaintiffs’ referendum from appearing on the ballot.”

Limbaugh presided over a three-hour trial in the case last Monday. 

Limbaugh ordered Hoskins to hold on to the signatures not sent to local election authorities for verification while the case is on hold. When the signatures were submitted, Hoskins said he was already acting to preserve the early signatures.

County clerks and election boards have until July 28 to finish checking the signatures.

Limbaugh has already ruled twice against opponents of the map forced through by the Republican majority during a September special session.

Limbaugh ruled last week lawmakers had the constitutional authority to enact the revised map.

And in October, he declined to issue a temporary order blocking any of the actions during the special session in a case brought by the Missouri NAACP. That case is set for a trial Monday afternoon.

The NAACP wants Limbaugh to declare that Gov. Mike Kehoe had no authority under the Missouri Constitution to call lawmakers into session for congressional redistricting and altering the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments proposed by initiative.

The fight over redistricting began in July, when President Donald Trump began pressuring Missouri Republicans to change the map to give the GOP an edge in seven of the state’s eight districts instead of the six they currently hold.

Trump kept up the pressure during the special session and state Senate Republicans used rule changes to undercut Democratic opposition and muscle the map to passage.

Last week, Democratic attorney Brad Ketcher filed a complaint with the Missouri Ethics Commission alleging any White House employee calling lawmakers about the redistricting plan should have been registered as a lobbyist.

The intended result from the new map is to flip the 5th District to the GOP. The district, based in Kansas City, has been represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver since 2005.

The district is carved up under the new map with portions attached to the 4th and 6th Districts. Heavily Republican areas stretching along the Missouri River to Boone County would be added to the remaining Kansas City portions.

If the referendum has sufficient signatures, the map would be on the November 2026 ballot unless lawmakers set an earlier date.

Former Shoal Creek Drive treasurer bound over for trial on stealing charge

Kristina Gourley (DOB 1982) was bound over for trial on a stealing charge following a preliminary hearing in Newton County Circuit Court today.

Gourley's arraignment in the trial division is scheduled for 9 a.m. January 12.

Gourley, who was the treasurer of Shoal Creek Drive Village, allegedly stole $27,075. Gourley also served as treasurer of the Stapleton Elementary PTO, but the charges against her do not include anything she did in that position.

Previous Post (including probable cause statement)

Jason Smith: President Trump delivers support to Missouri's farm families

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

For four years under Joe Biden, rural America was treated as an afterthought, even as farmers battled a cost-of-living crisis that led to soaring input costs, falling commodity prices, shrinking export markets, and interest rates that squeezed family operations year after year. 

In southeast Missouri—where agriculture is the backbone of our economy and a way of life for countless families—those pressures created real strain for many producers who were already dealing with challenging conditions. Thankfully, after four years of being ignored, farm families across southeast Missouri finally have a champion in the White House again.

This week, President Donald Trump and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a lifeline for some of our farmers who have been struggling the most: a $12 billion aid package to provide one-time bridge payments at a moment when row crop producers desperately need stability heading into next year’s planting season. As many family farms are weighing difficult decisions about the future, this support will help them get through a challenging season and plan with a little more certainty.

But make no mistake: the challenges facing agriculture run deeper than any single relief package can solve. Low crop prices continue to hammer profit margins in the Delta, and the costs of diesel, fertilizer, seed, and equipment remain far above where they stood before Biden-era inflation took hold. These pressures are felt every single day by family farms already operating on tight margins, forcing producers to make difficult choices about how much they can plant, what they can invest in, and how they can keep their operations moving forward. Their resilience is remarkable, but they shouldn’t have to face these challenges alone.

That is why the agriculture investments included in the Working Families Tax Cuts are so significant. At a time when farmers are being squeezed from every direction, this bill provided the largest investment in American agriculture in a generation: $56 billion for Title I farm programs, $6 billion for crop insurance, and a doubling of funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development. Importantly, it also included the first meaningful investment to reference prices for major commodities in over 20 years, which is why this bridge program is necessary to get farmers through this last season before those guarantees kick in. These investments are essential for rebuilding the export markets that our farmers rely on and restoring a true agricultural trade surplus under President Trump’s leadership.

These measures matter because behind every dollar is a family trying to keep a farm afloat. Farmers are the backbone of rural America and the foundation of our nation’s food supply. They rise before sunrise, work long after sunset, and take enormous risks each year so the rest of the nation never has to wonder where its food comes from. They deserve a government that has their back, and with President Trump in the White House, that finally feels true again.

As these provisions take effect, I will continue fighting to ensure our producers have access to the resources, markets, and certainty they need to thrive for generations to come. President Trump’s aid package provides much-needed relief in this moment. The agriculture investments in the Working Families Tax Cuts strengthen the future, and together, they signal something rural America has not felt in a long time: real hope, backed by real action.

State audit of Barry County underway

(From State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick)

The Missouri State Auditor's Office has started a regularly scheduled audit of Barry County, located in southwest Missouri. The audit officially commenced with an entrance meeting with county officials on Monday, December 15.

The Missouri State Auditor's Office last issued a performance audit of Barry County in 2019. The audit gave the county a rating of "fair" and recommended better checks and balances in the sheriff's office to ensure proper oversight of financial transactions. The report also found the county should do more to protect electronic data and prevent unauthorized access to county records. 

The State Auditor's Office also released a closeout audit of the Barry County Collector in 2019. The audit gave the office a rating of "good" while recommending better documentation of receipts.

Individuals may provide information confidentially for consideration during the audit of Barry County to the State Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline by calling 800-347-8597, emailing moaudit@auditor.mo.gov, or by visiting www.auditor.mo.gov/hotline.

 

Probable cause: Evidence contradicts Carthage woman's claim that boyfriend committed suicide

Candida Hudson, 39, Carthage, who is being held without bond in the Jasper County Detention Center on a second-degree murder chase, claims her boyfriend committed suicide, but investigating officers say the evidence indicates she was the one who pulled the trigger.

When Carthage police officers arrived at the home at 410 West Fir Road Friday, the body of Donald Webb, was lying on the couch with a gunshot wound to the head.

Hudson was taken for questioning and consented to gunshot residue tests, according to the probable cause statement, which showed residue on her left hand. Photos of her hands were taken, showing "visible blood."

From the probable cause statement:

During the interview, Hudson provided the following account:

She arrived home from work at 1745 hours and encountered Webb, her boyfriend of approximately one year, who appeared intoxicated. Webb had recently lost his jobs and was storing belongings in her apartment.

Hudson described ongoing conflicts related to Webb's alcohol use. She stated that an argument ensued during which Webb threatened suicide. She locked the balcony door while he smoked outside, then allowed him back inside.

Hudson further stated that Webb retrieved a firearm from the coffee table, removed it from its holster, and pressed it to his head. She attempted to intervene by grabbing the firearm with both hands, but Webb allegedly pulled it away with one hand and moved to the opposite end of the couch.

Hudson claim Webb then pulled the trigger, resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound. She denied owning or possessing any firearms and stated this was the only firearm in the residence, though she admitted knowing Webb had brought multiple firearms into the home on prior occasions.

Hudson reported calling 911 immediately, checking for vital signs as instructed and attempting to move Webb to the floor for CPR, but she claimed she was unable to do so due to his size.

Several inconsistencies and evidentiary contradictions were noted during the interview and subsequent scene analysis, establishing probable cause that Hudson's account was fabricated and she intentionally discharged the firearm resulting in Webb's death.

The probable cause statement then detailed the alleged inconsistencies. Hudson had gunshot residue on her left hand, while Webb didn't have any residue on either hand. 

This contradicts her claim of Webb firing the weapon himself.

The gun had blood on the right side of its frame, while there was no blood on the left side, indicating the shooter was left-handed, the statement said.

Hudson is larger than Webb, the statement said, questioning Hudson's claims that Webb could have taken the gun from her using one hand or that she couldn't move him from the couch to the floor after the shooting.

The probable cause statement also noted Hudson's behavior.

Hudson displayed minimal remorse, referred to Webb in the past tense shortly after the incident and became defensive when confronted with discrepancies.

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