Parson signs executive order in preparation for predicted winter weather

(From Gov. Mike Parson)

Today, Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 25-01 as a precautionary measure to prepare for hazardous winter weather expected to impact the State of Missouri starting this weekend. The Order waives certain hours of service requirements for commercial vehicles transporting residential heating fuel and activates the Missouri National Guard for state and local response efforts, if needed.

"With a hazardous winter storm forecasted for this weekend, we want to be prepared to respond however may be needed," Governor Parson said. "Missourians should be proactive in their preparations and so too should state government. This Order helps ensure Missourians' homes stay heated and that state government and our National Guard members stand ready to assist. We ask that all Missourians stay aware and use extreme caution during this potentially dangerous winter weather event."

Executive Order 25-01 suspends hours of service regulations for motor carriers transporting residential heating fuels, including propane, natural gas, and heating oil. The Order also give the Adjutant General of the State of Missouri the authority to call and order into active service such portions of the organized militia as he deems necessary to aid Missourians.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch covering nearly every Missouri county from Saturday afternoon through Monday morning. The forecast indicates snow and sleet accumulations of more than 10 inches in many areas, particularly in northern Missouri, and notes power outages and tree damage are likely across areas of the state due to accumulating ice. Extreme cold is also expected into next week, particularly during the overnight hours.

Motorists are encouraged to postpone travel if possible. If you must travel, use extreme caution and check road conditions before driving to help determine if your trip can be completed safely. 

The Missouri Department of Transportation's (MoDOT) Traveler Information Map app can be downloaded free-of-charge to smart devices here. Please also see this latest announcement from MoDOT for more information.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has provided additional health and safety tips to Missourians in preparation for severe winter weather.

Executive Order 25-01 will expire on January 13, 2025. To view the Order, please click here.

Sentencing scheduled for Joplin man for kidnapping that led to murder

Sentencing for Freddie Tilton, 51, Joplin on kidnapping and weapons charges is scheduled for 2 p.m. January 27 in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

Tilton pleaded guilty to the charges in connection with the kidnapping that led to the death of Michael James Hall, Joplin, whose decomposing body was discovered during the execution of a search warrant at 3517 Cherry Road in Joplin July 28, 2020.

Tilton's crimes were described in the news release issued by the U. S. District Attorney for the Western District of Missouri after a jury found him guilty in September in connection with a separate kidnapping. He will be sentenced for that kidnapping during the same hearing:

A Joplin, Mo., man who earlier pleaded guilty in a separate kidnapping case has been convicted at trial by a federal jury, along with his accomplice, of kidnapping a woman who was rescued from her attacker at a Neosho, Mo., hotel room.

The Turner Report: Probable cause: Joplin man violates protection order, kidnaps, chokes, pistol whips and threatens to kill woman at Neosho hotel (rturner229.blogspot.com)

Freddie Lewis Tilton, 51, of Joplin, Mo., and Alvin Dale Boyer, 39, of Rogers, Arkansas, were found guilty on Tuesday, September 17, of one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and one count of kidnapping. Tilton was also convicted of one count of stalking. This is Tilton’s second conviction in a federal kidnapping case.

Tilton has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing for his role in a kidnapping just a few days earlier, which resulted in the torture and death of the victim, and for illegally possessing firearms.

Four co-defendants pleaded guilty in that case and have been sentenced. Amy Kay Thomas, 41, of Webb City, Mo., was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. James B. Gibson, also known as “Gibby,” 42, of Neosho, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Russell Eugene Hurtt, also known as “Uncle,” 52, of Greenwood, Mo., was sentenced to seven years in federal prison without parole. Lawrence William Vaughan, also known as “Scary Larry,” 53, of Neosho, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole.

Tilton admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to kidnap the victim, identified as “M.H.,” in July 2020. Tilton offered Ward and Vaughan $5,000 each to locate and secure M.H. for him. Carla Ward picked up M.H., whom she knew was being sought by Tilton, and took him to Vaughan’s residence.

Tilton, Thomas, and Gibson arrived at Vaughan’s residence in the early morning hours of July 15, 2020. They bound M.H.’s hands with handcuffs, and duct tape was placed around his mouth and other parts of his body. Gibson, Thomas, and others assaulted M.H. for a period of time. M.H. was cut, beaten, and shot at. Gibson burned M.H. with a blowtorch. Tilton fatally shot M.H. in the head. Thomas and others cleaned up the blood and damage created during the assault and shooting of M.H. They wrapped M.H.’s body in plastic wrap and Thomas, Tilton, and Gibson transported it to Hurtt’s property.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hurtt’s property on July 28, 2020, based on information that a deceased body was located on the acreage. When officers attempted to contact the occupants of the residence, Tilton fired multiple shots from inside the residence at the officers. Tilton was apprehended.

Officers found M.H.’s body on the property. Officers searched the residence and found a Rigarmi .25-caliber pistol, an Ithaca .22-caliber rifle, a Remington .22-caliber rifle without a serial number, a Harrington and Richardson 12-gauge shotgun, a Ruger 9mm handgun, and a Taurus 9mm handgun without a serial number.

The Turner Report: Federal grand jury indicts six Joplin, Neosho, Webb City residents on murder/kidnapping conspiracy charges (rturner229.blogspot.com)

Agenda posted for Joplin City Council meeting

 JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2025
5th FLOOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS
602 S. MAIN ST. JOPLIN MO
6:00 P.M.

1.

Call to Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America

2.

Roll Call

3.

Presentations

1.

McAuley Cross Country Proclamation

2.

Finance Committee Presentation

Documents:

1. 1.6.24 Finance Committee Presentation_v2.pdf

4.

Finalization of Consent Agenda

5.

Reports and Communications

1.

News from the Public Information Office

6.

Citizen Requests and Petitions

1.

Mary Price Requested to Speak on City Fiscal Accountability

7.

Public Hearings

1.

Public Hearing Procedures

Documents:

1. PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES.pdf

2.

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-001

A RESOLUTION granting a Special Use Permit (2nd Request) for the operation of a Concert House, located at 2120 E 24th St, City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

 

Documents:

1. RS001summary.pdf
2. RS001report.pdf
3. RS001 minutes.pdf
4. RS001app.pdf
5. RS001map.pdf
6. RS2025-001.pdf

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-253

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-274, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, by removing from District C-2 PD (Central Business – Planned Development) and include in District C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) property as described below and located at 1222 E 32nd St, Newton County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. 253summary- updated.pdf
2. 253report.pdf
3. CB253 minutes.pdf
4. 253app.pdf
5. 253map.pdf
6. CB2025-253.pdf

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-251

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-274, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, by removing from District R-3 (Multi-Family Residential) and include in District R-3 HP (Multi-Family Residential – Historic Preservation Overlay) property as described below and located at 117 N Moffet Ave, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. 251summary.pdf
2. 251report.pdf
3. 251 minutes.pdf
4. 251app.pdf
5. 251HPC report-app.pdf
6. 251Map.pdf
7. CB2025-251.pdf

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-252

AN ORDINANCE providing to vacate an alley way, lying near property described as 1036 S Range Line Rd, City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

 

Documents:

1. 252summary (1).pdf
2. 252report.pdf
3. 252minutes (1).pdf
4. 252app.pdf
5. 252map.pdf
6. 252siteplan.pdf
7. 252 Northbound (1).pdf
8. 252 Southbound.pdf
9. CB2025-252.pdf

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-165

 AN ORDINANCE approving the issuance of a purchase order to Mechanical Sales Midwest Inc. in the amount of Two Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand Four Hundred Twenty-Six and 00/100 DOLLARS ($299,426.00) for purchase, and delivery of 4 Multistack Modular Chillers for the City Hall Facility and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2024-165.pdf

9.

Resolutions

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-603

AN ORDINANCE approving the issuance of a Purchase Order to Leo M Ellebracht Company to cover the purchase of a mid-size attack hose package as approved in the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. Summary Sheet for mid size attack hose paclage.pdf
2. Council explanation for attack hose package.pdf
3. 2025-01 Mid Sized Attack Package Bids.pdf
4. council bill for Attack Hose Package.pdf

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-100

AN ORDINANCE approving the issuance of a Purchase Order to Premier Truck Group of Joplin in the amount of One Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Sixteen and 00/100 Dollars ($128,916.00) for the purchase of a 2026 Freightliner 114SD; and, setting a date when this ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-100 Freightliner (2026) 114SD Summary Sheet PO.pdf
2. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-100 Freightliner (2026) 114SD Premier Truck Group.pdf
3. COUNCIL BILL 2025-100 Freightliner (2026) 114SD Ordinance.pdf

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO 2025-101

AN ORDINANCE approving the issuance of a Purchase Order to S&H Farm Supply, Inc in the amount of Two hundred Twenty-Four Thousand Two Hundred Seventy-Five and 00/100 Dollars ($224,275.00) for the purchase of a 2025 New Holland T6.155EC Tractor & BB25 Bengal Boom Mower Package; and, setting a date when this ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-101 New Holland Summary Sheet PO (2025) TC and Boom Mower.pdf
2. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-101 New Holland Ordinance (2025) TC and Boom Mower.pdf
3. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-101 New Holland (2025) T6.155 and Tiger Bengal BB24 Boom Mower Package Quote.pdf

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-600

AN ORDINANCE amending Chapter 114, Traffic, Article III, Operation of Vehicles, by enacting Division 6, Sections 114-351 through 114-357, for the purpose of adopting the “Siddens Bening Hands Free Law;” prohibiting the use of electronic communication devices while driving.

Documents:

1. Summary Item 2025-600 Distracted Driving Ordinance.pdf
2. CB2025-600.pdf

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-601

AN ORDINANCE     Authorizing the City of Joplin to issue a purchase order to Motorola Solutions, Inc. in the amount of One Hundred Fourteen Thousand, One Hundred Twenty-Eight Dollars and 00/100 Dollars ($114,128.00) for the purchase of a remote dispatch console; authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin and setting an effective date.

Documents:

1. Summary Item 2025 601 Motorola Remote Dispatch Console Purchase.pdf
2. Joplin Sole Source Letter - MCC Remote Console (1).pdf
3. MO_Joplin Remote Dispatch Console Proposal_12042024 (1).pdf
4. Council Bill No. 2025-601 Ordinance Motorola Remote Dispatch Console Purchase.pdf

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2025-602

AN ORDINANCE   Authorizing the City of Joplin to issue a purchase order to Don Brown Chevrolet in the amount of One Hundred and Eight Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Dollars and No Cents ($108,420.00) for the purchase of two (2) replacement Chevy Tahoe Police vehicles; authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin and setting an effective date.

 

Documents:

1. Summary Item 2025-602 Police Vehicle Replacement Purchase.pdf
2. Council Bill 2025-602 Police Vehicle Purchases.pdf

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading and Third Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-403

 AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and the Homeless Coalition that pertains to 2024 CDBG public service grant funds; authorizing the City Manager to execute same on behalf of the City.

Documents:

1. CB2024-403.pdf

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-629

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into a Funding Agreement and MOA with the Regional Commission on Homelessness for the purpose of coordinating implementation of homelessness issues and efforts with the qualified Collaborative Entity/Lead Agency and Joplin Homeless Coalition (The Partners) within the Joplin region; identify, aggregate, and direct significant donations, resources, and in-kind services to address the agreed upon homelessness priorities as edified and in annual work plan adopted by The Partners; and, authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute said Agreement by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri.

Documents:

1. CB2024-629.pdf

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

Settlement reached: Newton County Commission admits it purposely violated Sunshine Law

(From the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)

Today, Newton County Prosecuting Attorney William Lynch announced that he has settled the case against the Newton County Commission for failure to abide by the Missouri Sunshine Law. 

The violation alleged by the Prosecuting Attorney pertained to amending the agenda during a posted meeting. 

“As a public servant, I care deeply about the tenets of governmental transparency and fiscal conservatism. As such, I take seriously my statutory obligation to enforce the Sunshine Law,” said William Lynch. “I am thankful the Newton County Commission agreed to the settlement terms and specifically the compliance plan, which will ensure the Commission complies with Sunshine Law in the future and does so in a way that will be at no cost to our hardworking taxpayers.” 

As a part of the agreement, the Newton County Commission admits that the Sunshine Law was violated purposefully in its meeting on December 12, 2024. The Commission agrees to attend a class on the Sunshine Law as presented by the Prosecuting Attorney or other approved source and to seek legal advice prior to amending an agenda at any future meeting. 

Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri provides the framework for what is known as Missouri’s Sunshine Law. Jurisdiction to file a lawsuit is shared specifically with the Prosecuting Attorney, Attorney General, or to an aggrieved person, taxpayer, or citizen.

***

(Note: The settlement was reached after Judge Kevin Selby issued a temporary restraining order against the Commission preventing actions that were taken during the December 12 meeting from going into effect. The prosecuting attorney's petition for enforcement of the Sunshine Law is printed below.)

On Thursday, December 12, 2024 held a regularly scheduled business meeting at 10:30 am. An agenda was posted publicly in accordance with Sunshine Law on or before December 11, 2024.

After the meeting was called to order at 10:30 am on December 12, 2024 and roll taken, a motion was made to approve the agenda, before that motion was seconded, District 1 Commissioner Alan Cook made an amendment to the agenda to “reclassify ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) entries.

The motion to amend the agenda was seconded by District 2 Commissioner David Osborn. Presiding Commissioner Daniel Swem asked for a list of the reclassifications, to which Cook stated that he had them. Swem asked if the entire commission could look at them, at which point Cook appears to have provided a copy of the amendment to Swem.

During the meeting, Cook stated that he had been in communication with FORVIS, a firm hired to help Defendant navigate use of ARPA funds. Cook stated that there had been things allocated to ARPA previously, that he wished to allocate back to general funds, namely 12 items reallocated from ARPA to “Road and Bridge” totaling $58,911.20. There were three items reallocated from ARPA funds to “Capital Expenditures” totaling $79,481.24. 

Cook stated this would total $138,392.44 to “free up” ARPA funds. Cook stated he had the list of the individual items and Swem asked for copies of that list. Cook responded that he would provide copies, ostensibly after the vote. 

Cook then made the motion to reallocate the funds, Osborn seconded the motion. Swem asked Osborn if he wished to physically look at the list or vote on it without looking. Osborn responded that he didn’t need to look at it because Cook read it off.

Swem then asked for a roll call vote which resulted in Swem voting “no,” and Cook and Osborn voting “yes."

The Commission then went into closed session. Notably, the deadline for obligating ARPA funds is December 31, 2024. By reallocating $138,392.44 away from ARPA, Defendants obligated the county’s general funds by the same amount and opened $138,392.44 for other potential pet projects of the commission. Should this reallocation stand as of December 31, 2024, Plaintiff acting on behalf of taxpayers, will suffer immediate and irreparable loss in the absence of relief requested below.

Hit-and-run charges dismissed against former Carthage parks director

Misdemeanor hit-and-run charges against former Carthage parks director Mark Peterson have been dismissed.

The case is no longer included in the Jasper County Circuit court case.net records.

Peterson's trial had been scheduled for January 27.

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney filed the charge February 8 in connection with a January 17 incident in the parking lot at Roscoe's Bar and Grill, 325 E. Grant, Carthage.

From the probable cause statement:

The victim reported that his 2007 Chevrolet Silverado (4YGM04) was struck by a white midsized pickup truck in the north parking lot of the business. Witness 1 advised that he observed the incident. He was outside on the phone when he observed a white GMC pickup reverse from a parking spot and strike the victim's black truck.

The witness advised that the impact moved the victim's truck. He also stated that he made eye contact with the suspect, gestured for the suspect to stop but the suspect continued and left the property.

The witness recalled that the first two characters of the suspect's license plate were "5M." I contacted the business owner who later provided video footage of the incident.

Employees were able to identify the suspect from the incident as Mark Peterson. They were familiar with Peterson and also able to identify him from his receipt from his bar tab.

The Carthage Police Department investigation was able to identify the suspect vehicle as Peterson's, according to the probable cause statement.

The owner of the vehicle Peterson allegedly hit obtained four estimates of the cost to fix his car, ranging from a high estimate of $1,624.76 to a low estimate of $728.24.

Peterson still faces felony charges in Jasper County Circuit Court for stealing and money laundering. The next hearing in that case is scheduled for January 22 in Joplin.

More information about that case can be found at the link below.

The Turner Report: Former Carthage Parks Director charged with stealing $142,000, money laundering (rturner229.blogspot.com)