Thursday, July 10, 2025

Probable cause: Monett man threatened to bomb or set fire to church, kill members


A Monett man is being held in the Barry County Jail on a $250,000 cash only bond on charges of making a terrorist threat, harassment and stalking.

According to a probable cause statement filed Wednesday in Barry County Circuit Court, Gustavo Gutierrez Parra, 42, stalked and harassed a woman who was staying in a temporary shelter at Iglesia El Mesias and threated to kill her and either set fire to the church or bomb it.







The threats caused the church to be evacuated.

From the probable cause statement:

On July 9, 2025, at 0935 hours, VI reported to PSR Shroeder that Guiterez Parra had been harassing and threatening her and other temporary residents of the shelter who have resided there for the past 6 months. 

V1 reported that Gutierrez Parra had threatened to kill her, set fire to the church, and bomb the church. VI stated that Gutierrez Parra said he has killed multiple people in Mexico and would have no problem doing it again. 








Due to these threats, all members of the church no longer feel safe. 

Gutierrez Parra returned on July 9th, 2025 at 0135 hours attempting to enter the building by banging on the windows and trying to force himself through the door by repeatedly knocking and banging on it. 


Agenda posted for Joplin City Council work session



JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 
MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025
5:45 P.M., Council Chambers













1.

Joplin Animal Outdoor Housing

2.

Mid-Alley Streetlight Metrics Discussion

3.

Proposed Stormwater Policy Discussion

4.

Public Works Operational Assessment



    Joplin man sentenced to 10 months in prison after probation revoked


    The probation of Frank Ness, Joplin, was revoked this morning during a hearing in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

    Judge Douglas Harpool sentenced to Ness to 10 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised probation.

    Court records indicate Ness was charged with violating five terms of his probation. 









    He admitted to two of the violations and agreed that his probation officer would testify that he also violated the other three conditions.

    Ness was sentenced to 10 years in a federal prison for possession of child pornography in 2015. He served eight years of his 10-year sentence before being released in 2023.

    The nature of Ness' violations is not specified in court documents.

    Wednesday, July 09, 2025

    Kehoe signs bipartisan education legislation into law


    By Annelise Hanshaw

    There could be more retired teachers returning as substitutes and more home-schooled students will be able to participate in sports and other school activities, thanks to a stack of bipartisan education bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Kehoe.

    Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed 13 bills Wednesday, including numerous education provisions passed in a handful of bipartisan bills. Several more bill signings are planned before all work on legislation from the 2025 session hits a Monday deadline.








    State lawmakers this year debated a number of controversial proposals, like opening up school district enrollment boundaries or allowing for alternative methods of school accreditation. But the majority of education legislation that made it to the governor was widely supported on both sides of the aisle.

    “From implementing distraction-free classrooms to expanding school safety efforts, the legislation signed into law this afternoon impacts both K-12 students and Missourians pursuing higher and career technical education,” Kehoe said in a news release.

    Here are some of the provisions Kehoe signed into law:

    Encouraging retired educators to substitute teach

    Retired teachers may continue to fill in as substitutes on a part-time or temporary basis until 2030 without losing their benefit from the Public School Retirement System.

    The legislation is an extension of a 2022 law that was due to sunset this year. Three years ago, lawmakers saw a need to bring retirees into classrooms as COVID-19 reduced the teacher workforce and put a 2025 expiration on the provision.

    But the need for substitutes still exists.








    In the 2023-24 school year, 4,500 retired educators served as substitutes, according to data from the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri.

    State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Moberly Republican and House Education Committee chair, told The Independent last month that the law helps keep trained teachers in front of students.

    “There would be open positions that would not get filled around the state (if the provision didn’t pass),” he said. “Many of them we would have completely unqualified people in those positions, when you have perfectly qualified people who might be a little bit older but have tons of experience.”

    This legislation applies to part-time and temporary substitutes. A different statute allows a handful of retirees to work full-time. Since 2003, retired teachers have been able to return full-time for two years, which lawmakers increased to four years in 2023.

    Cell phone limitations

    School districts will be required to establish policies for the upcoming school year that restrict cell-phone usage during the school day with few exceptions.

    Students with a disability that requires use of a mobile device are exempted, and cell phones are allowed during safety emergencies. Otherwise, including during lunch and between classes, students will be expected to keep their cell phones stowed unless told otherwise by a teacher.

    Roughly 53% of school leaders believe that cell-phone usage has hurt students’ learning abilities and 72% say it has negatively impacted mental health, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. A St. Louis University/YouGov poll earlier this year found 76% of Missourians favor restrictions for elementary students, 75% for middle school and 70% for high school.

    State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, filed the bill this session with a proposal only to ban cell phone use during instructional time. Lawmakers ultimately passed a more restrictive policy, and Steinhoff believes kids will benefit.

    “The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell,” Steinhoff told The Independent in May. “That’s going to have the biggest turnaround.”

    Homeschoolers in extracurricular activities

    Home-educated students will be able to join public schools’ extracurricular activities in the upcoming school year.

    The legislation, proposed for over a decade in Missouri, will require public schools to allow homeschooled students to try out for sports teams and join clubs beginning in August.








    Previously, the Missouri State High School Activities Association allowed homeschoolers to join public-school teams if they were enrolled in two classes at the school. Districts could have more restrictive policies, with many denying access to those who weren’t publicly educated full-time.

    For years, families with young athletes and performers have testified at the State Capitol for access to extracurricular activities. Some lawmakers worried about homeschooled students having separate academic and attendance standards, saying their participation could be unfair.

    But ultimately, it passed the Senate 30-3 and the House 94-44.

    School chaplains

    A new law will allow school districts to hire chaplains or accept them as volunteers.

    The bill was not as widely accepted as some other education provisions passed this year and drew criticism from lawmakers who worry chaplains would use the opportunity to evangelize students instead of comforting those who already share their faith.

    The bill’s sponsor state Sen. Rusty Black, a Chillicothe Republican and former educator, said he filed the bill to help students’ and teachers’ wellbeing.

    “Allowing a school district to employ or have a chaplain as a volunteer would benefit students and faculty who are struggling mentally and spiritually,” he said in the Senate’s discussion of the legislation in February.

    During the bill’s hearing in the Senate Education Committee, a minister with the Satanic Temple of Missouri Virgil Ovid said he would welcome the opportunity to become a school chaplain.

    Lawmakers then added language that would limit chaplains to those that are members “of a Department of Defense listed religious-endorsing organization recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board,” which excludes satanic ministers.

    CROWN Act

    Legislation also signed Wednesday will ban hair discrimination in educational settings. Dubbed the “CROWN Act,” which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, the law is part of a national movement to protect textured hair.

    The cities of St. Louis and Kansas City have protections for natural hair textures, and at least 27 states have enshrined the CROWN Act.

    The bill’s sponsor state Sen. Barbara Washington, a Democrat from Kansas City, told the Senate in May that she has seen people treat her and loved ones differently based on hair texture. She hopes students can be free from the pressure to change their hair and should not lose out on opportunities “simply because they chose to wear their hair in braids or an afro or dreadlocks.”

    The legislation bars educational institutions receiving state funds from placing restrictions on natural styles “commonly associated with a particular race or origin.”

    Safety measures, like requiring hair nets, are permitted.

    Missouri State University may offer PhD programs

    Lawmakers chipped away at the University of Missouri System’s exclusive rights to certain degrees, opening the doors for Missouri State University to offer doctoral degrees.

    State law has historically limited certain degree programs in public universities, giving the University of Missouri System dominance over PhD programs and research doctorates. But the changes will let Missouri State offer doctorate of philosophy degrees in subjects other than engineering.

    “This legislation marks a significant milestone for Missouri State University,” Missouri State President Richard B. Williams said in a May press release. “The ability to independently offer doctoral programs will help us better meet regional workforce needs across southwest Missouri and the state.”

    Career-technical education scholarships

    Missouri high school graduates will be able to attend career-tech programs using a grant mirrored after the state’s A+ Program beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

    Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Ann Kelley, a Republican from Lamar, will use state funds to help students pursue careers in fields like agriculture, nursing, cosmetology and other areas with career-certificate programs.

    “This will increase (the workforce) astronomically,” Kelley told The Independent. “And it’s great for the kids who are in those career-tech programs. It gives them another avenue to make themselves better.”

    To qualify, students will need to graduate high school with at least a 2.5 GPA, at least 95% attendance rate, 50 hours of unpaid tutoring and achieve proficiency in the Algebra I end-of-course exam. Students with high school career-tech certificates will also be eligible.

    Universally transferable associate’s degrees

    State-funded colleges will expand the number of courses universally transferable in Missouri with a charge from lawmakers to collaborate on five 60-credit-hour degree programs.

    Since the 2018-19 school year, students have been able to transfer 42 credit hours between community colleges and universities that receive state funding. The new law will add 18 more transferable credit hours in the programs of business, biology, elementary education, psychology and nursing.








    Community colleges spoke in favor of the legislation in a House hearing, while representatives from four-year institutions said they hoped existing articulation agreements could stand.

    Colleges must have the degree programs negotiated and ready by the 2028-29 school year.

    “If you go to a community college in southeast Missouri and you transfer to a four year school in northwest Missouri, we want it to be a seamless transition across the state,” the bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Cameron Parker of Campbell, told The Independent. “So if you go to any community college, you will know what any of the four-year schools are going to take.”

    Go Fund Me page raising money for family of Joplin man killed in fireworks accident


    A Go Fund me page has been established to raise money for the family of Justin Rankin, Joplin, who was killed in a fireworks accident July 3 and his daughter, who was seriously injured.

    From the page:

    Hello, my name is Kellee Shepherd. My Best Friend is Ashley (Rankin) Flowers.

    On July 3, 2025 her brother and niece were in a terrible fireworks accident at their home. Justin, her brother, did not survive. Her niece is currently in a burn center in Springfield with severe burns from the accident. She is a teenager. The primary caregiver of Justin's children is his mother. 








    While she is strong and independent, she is going to need help caring for his children. The last thing anyone in the family expected was to lose Justin or for his daughter to be injured so bad that will take months to recover from.

    Ashley is aware I'm doing this for them. Her mother approved this to help with his funeral/memorial costs and to help the family get back and forth from Springfield. His daughter's recovery is going to be long. The family is going to need help with the expenses of that as well as making sure they don't lose their home.

    What I'm asking for people to come together to help his mother and children lay Justin to rest and for him to rest peacefully. They should not have to worry about how they are going to pay for a funeral. They should only worry about their grief and the recovery of his daughter.








    Please share, donate, pass along this along. I love Joplin for many reasons, but one always sticks out. This community comes together in the wake of tragedy to help their own. It's so beautiful that it's overwhelming at times the amount of generosity there is here in Southwest Missouri.

    All money raised will go for funeral costs as well as any other needs that might arise during this grieving and healing time.

    Thank you.

    Kehoe signs bill approving expansion of MSSU's statewide mission


    (From Missouri Southern State University)

    Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) will play an even greater role in shaping the future of higher education in the state, following Governor Mike Kehoe’s approval of legislation expanding the university’s statewide mission.

    July 9, 2025, in a ceremony at the state capital, Governor Kehoe signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 (SCR3) and Senate Bill 150 (SB150), formally recognizing MSSU’s emerging leadership in health and life sciences, as well as immersive learning. This adds to the university’s mission in international education, which has been in place since 1995.







    “The governor’s approval of our expanded statewide mission in SCR3 and SB150 marks an important milestone for Missouri Southern. The Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the General Assembly, and the governor have formally recognized three distinctive strengths of MSSU among Missouri’s public universities,” said Dr. Dean Van Galen, MSSU president. “We are committed to building on these strengths across our campus to provide unique opportunities and transformational experiences for our students.”

    The legislation approved by the governor reads in part:

    “Be it further resolved that Missouri Southern State University is hereby designated and shall hereafter be operated as a statewide institution of international or global education, health and life sciences, and immersive learning experiences.”

    "This is an exciting time to acknowledge and showcase the educational strengths, opportunities and workforce produced by MSSU,” said Carlos Haley, chair of the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors.








    In 2023, MSSU submitted a proposal to the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE), demonstrating its capacity to expand its mission. The proposal was unanimously approved by the CBHE in September 2023 and efforts to gain legislative approval began in the spring of 2024. Gubernatorial approval of SCR 3 and SB150 formally designates Missouri Southern as the only public university in the state to have these three elements as part of its statewide mission.
     
    “I am extraordinarily grateful not only to Governor Kehoe, but also to members of our entire legislative delegation that strongly supported the expansion of our statewide mission. Special thanks go to Senator Jill Carter and Representative Cathy Jo Loy who filed legislation and championed efforts in Jefferson City,” expressed Van Galen. “I am also very appreciative of the support of our Board of Governors, and our faculty and staff in better defining the university’s strengths and aspirations.”

    (Photo Dr. Dean Van Galen, president of Missouri Southern State University, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Carlos Haley, chair of the Missouri Southern Board of Governors. Benjamin Rosenberg, vice-chair of the Missouri Southern Board of Governors)

    Webb City man charged with three felonies after allegedly threatening wife with machete


    A Webb City man who allegedly threatened his wife with a machete was charged with three felonies today in Jasper County Circuit Court.

    Brian Kenton Depreste, Jr. was charged with third-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.







    From the probable cause statement:

    On 07-08-2025 at approximately 2057 hours Brian Depreste Jr. committed the offense of Domestic Assault 3rd Degreet, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Armed Criminal Action by pulling a machete in an angry manner as he walked towards the victim saying, "You want some of this?" 

    He would then put the machete back into the sheath and then strike the victim (wife) in the right thigh leaving a large mark. The mark was approximately 2"x6" and still had details showing the imprint of the sheath. 

    While searching for Mr. Depreste's medication he requested, four boxes of PMC 9mm ammunition was located in the trunk of his vehicle. When checking to see if there was a firearm to go with the ammunition a loaded Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm was located in the glove box of the vehicle he claims is his and he was getting ready to leave in upon officers' arrival. 








    Knowing Mr. Depreste was a felon and not supposed to have any ammunition or firearms he committed the offense of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a felon. 

    A look at his criminal history shows he has a charge of a Class B Felony Burglary 1st from Jasper County Circuit Court - Joplin (case #290595002331F) from 12-27-1996 along with two class C Felony Burglary 2nd and three counts of class C Felony Stealing from Jasper County Circuit Court - Joplin (case #CR5921417FX) along with several other Felony charges that doesn't show the disposition of.

    The case was investigated the Webb City Police Department.

    Woman who killed Joplin couple in collision while high on meth files another appeal


    Rita Glasgow, only four years into her 23-year sentence for killing Terry and Rhonda Copple in a January 4, 2021 collision at 28th and Connecticut when she was high on methamphetamine, has filed yet another appeal of her sentence.

    Glasgow's most recent appeal was rejected May 29 by Jasper County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Hensley and Glasgow, acting as her own attorney, appealed that decision today to the Southern District Court of Appeals.

    In the appeal that was rejected May 29, Glasgow claimed that she received ineffective counsel from her attorney Craig Lowe because he didn't put on any evidence during her sentencing hearing that could convince the judge to reduce her sentence.







    From Hensley's May 29 decision:

    In support of her claim, Movant called Craig Lowe who testified that he did not retain a psychiatrist or a psychologist to perform a “mitigation evaluation” because he did not think it would have changed the outcome of the sentence. 

    He further testified that in his experience, the more testimony the defendant put on at sentencing, the more evidence the State would have presented, and he was trying to limit the amount of evidence presented by the State which he knew would be detrimental to his client. 

    This Court finds the testimony of Mr. Lowe to be credible and reasonable. 

    In further support of her claim, Movant called Lisa Witcher, a licensed psychologist, who at the request of Movant’s counsel met with Movant on June 6, 2024, and December 19, 2024, while Movant was in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections. 

    Dr. Witcher reviewed Movant’s past medical records and records of the Department of Corrections and testified that Movant was born to a drug addicted mother, struggled with drug addiction all her life, was abandoned by her mother, abused by her mother’s boyfriend, placed in foster care, and that she suffered from depression, PTSD, and various substance abuse disorders. 

    Dr. Witcher further testified that since being placed in the Department of Corrections, Movant was ready to receive much needed treatment and therapy for past trauma. 








    The Court found Dr. Witcher’s testimony to be credible. However, the Court does not believe that her testimony, had it been presented at sentencing, would have changed the sentence executed by the trial court. 

    While Movant clearly suffers from drug addiction and mental health issues, these conditions do not mitigate the terrible damage caused by her decision to drive while intoxicated. The record reflects that Movant previously absconded from treatment, and a warrant was outstanding for her arrest when she made the decision to drive while intoxicated on methamphetamine and benzodiazepines. 

    The record reflects that she was traveling in excess of the speed limit when she ran a stop sign and  broadsided a vehicle killing Terry and Rhonda Copple. 

    The record also reflects that Movant had three prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and a prior felony conviction for stealing. 








    Given her record and the facts of the underlying case resulting in the death of two innocent victims, this Court does not believe the testimony of Dr. Witcher would have resulted in a lesser sentence. 

    The Court further finds that Mr. Lowe acted reasonably when he decided that this additional evidence would not have changed the outcome of the sentence, and that any attempt to present evidence to mitigate the sentence would only have resulted in the State presenting additional evidence of the devastating loss suffered by the family and the community.

    Accordingly, this Court finds that Movant failed to sustain her burden of proof on the allegations set forth in subparagraph 8(a) of her Amended Motion, and this claim is DENIED.

    Nursing home activities director charged with financial exploitation of the elderly

     


    The former nursing home activities director at Truman Health Care in Lamar has been charged with financial exploitation of the elderly.

    The initial appearance for Ashley N. Gastel (DOB 1986), Lamar, is set for 9 a.m. August 5 in Barton County Circuit Court in Lamar.







    According to the probable cause statement, Gastel allegedly gained the trust of a resident at the home, was provided with his debit card and used it to buy items locally and from Amazon.

    From the probable cause statement:

    On June 6, 2025, Ashley N. Gastel committed the crime of financial exploitation of an elderly person or elderly person with a disability, RSMO 570.145, Charge Code 570.145-005Y202026, in the City of Lamar, County of Barton, State of Missouri, due to the following facts: 

    On June 6, 2025, Officers took a report regarding financial exploitation of the elderly person or person with a disability. On June 16, 2025, Officers spoke with the victim, who is a resident at Truman Health Care, about the use of his debit card by the suspect, Ashley Gastel. 

    While Ashley, who was employed with Truman Health Care as an Activities Director took advantage of the victim by gaining his trust and offering to purchase personal belongings for him, used the 16-didgit card number and added it to her Amazon account. 

    Ashley purchased items on Amazon as well as, when going to Walmart the same debit card was used to purchase personal items for herself. 








    The following are transactions made by Ashley Gastel: 

    On January 06, 2025, a charge was made on Amazon for $162.80 using a debit card ending in 4736. 

    On January 07, 2025, a charge was made on Amazon for $44.42 using a debit card ending in 4736 

    On January 07, 2025, a charge was made at Walmart Supercenter in Lamar, MO using a debit card ending in 4736 for $31.36, and $36.10. A receipt has been printed for all three transactions by a Walmart Manager in Lamar, MO. 

    On January 07, 2025, a charge was made on Amazon for $36.10 using a debit card ending in 4736. 

    On January 07, 2025, a charge was made at Walmart Supercenter in Lamar, MO using a debit card ending in 4736 for $22.54. 

    On January 11, 2025, a charge was made on Amazon for$55.31 using a debit card ending in 4736. 

    On January 14, 2025, cash back was requested for $20.00 after purchasing Items for Billy at Walmart using the debt card ending in 4736. When returning Billy's items to him, he did not receive the cash. 

    On January 24, 2025, a charge was made on Amazon for $60.39 using a debit card ending in 4736. 

    On February 01, 2025, a charge was made on Amazon for$17.25 using a debit card ending in 4736. 








    On February 02, 2025, a charge was made on Amazon for$96.52 using a debit card ending in 4736. 

    On February 02, 2025, a charge was made on Amazon for $63.88 using a debit card ending in 4736. 

    On February 06, 2025, a charge was made on Amazon for$89.87 using a debit card ending in 4736. 

    On February 06, 2025, a charge was made on Amazon for $41.21 using a debit card ending in 4736.

    Tuesday, July 08, 2025

    Hunan Garden fails Joplin Health Department inspection

    Hunan Garden, 2830 S. Main Street, failed its Joplin Health Department inspection today, according to information posted on the department website.
     
    The inspection noted one priority violation and six core violations.

    The priority violation was for having food items in the cold holding portion of the buffet that was being cold held above 41 degrees.








    The following core violations were cited:

    -A wiping cloth was observed lying on preparation surfaces in the kitchen.

    -Food containers were stored uncovered in the walk-in cooler.

    -Flour was stored in an unlabeled container.

    -A can opener blade had accumulations.

    -Surfaces of the drying racks above the dish machine had accumulations.

    -A handwashing sink was being used for food preparation during inspection and was unavailable for proper hand washing.

    The following establishments passed their inspections:

    McDonald's, 3330 S. Range Line Road

    Red Onion Cafe, 203 E. 4th Street

    Long John Silver's, 1627 W. 7th Street

    Chick-fil-A, 3509 S. Range Line Road








    Little Caesar's Pizza, 2431 S. Range Line Road

    Taco Bell, 2315 W. 7th Street

    Glamour Nails & Spa, 320 S. Geneva Avenue

    Gene Bassman Stadium, 3301 W. 1st Street

    U. S. Senate vote could remove 1/3 of KRPS funding


    (From KRPS)

    For over 37 years, KRPS has served the Four States as the area's sole NPR news station. Housed at Pittsburg State, KRPS brings listeners the latest domestic and global news starting at 4 a.m. with NPR’s Morning Edition. 

    KRPS is the only southeast Kansas-based radio station that brings listeners live news from across the Sunflower State through its collaboration with the Kansas News Service, in addition to partnerships with NPR member stations across Missouri. That’s in addition to local daily news and features produced by the KRPS newsroom. The station broadcasts 14 hours of live news weekdays.








    All of that is at risk due to a rescission vote in the U.S. Senate scheduled for next week. The bill was narrowly approved in the U.S. House by a vote of 214 to 212. Approximately ⅓ of KRPS’s annual budget is comprised from the Community Service Grant that the station receives from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If approved, Senate Bill H.R. 4 The Rescissions Act of 2025 would claw back previously approved Congressional funding for KRPS and hundreds of public television and radio stations.

    KRPS General Manager Fred Fletcher-Fierro who also serves as the station's weekday morning host, program director, and digital editor says about the possible rescission. “There’s been a lot of talk in the media about government efficiency and how well government dollars are spent. At KRPS everyone wears multiple hats working to make the station the best it can be. If approved,








    the rescission would make operating the way it’s configured nearly impossible. Small, rural stations like KRPS need federal help.” The station operates with four full-time employees.

    KRPS raises funds through twice annual donation drives, in the spring and fall. In addition to receiving resources from Pittsburg State’s Foundation and underwriting. The station also receives approximately $23,000 annually from the state of Kansas.

    Lori Rook to challenge incumbent Trent in GOP State Senate primary


    (From the Lori Rook campaign)

    Lori Rook, a devoted Christian, wife, mother, business owner, attorney, and Springfield native, proudly announces her candidacy for Missouri State Senate District 20. Lori will be challenging the sitting Senator, Curtis Trent, for the position. The district includes Barton, Dade, Webster, and part of Greene County.

    “I am running for State Senate because Southwest Missouri deserves actual conservative fighters, not more go-along-to-get-along lobby core lackeys. Unlike my opponent, I won’t be afraid to stick my neck out to protect conservative values. I will be a defender of the people, not the corporations and special interests,” stated Rook.






     

    Lori knows first hand what happens when we don’t elect fighters. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Lori was on the frontlines fighting to protect the rights of seniors who were enduring abuse and neglect at the hands of nursing homes and hospitals.

    Lori is a graduate of Missouri State University and received her Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University School of Law. Lori is Managing Partner and Attorney for Ozarks Elder Law; she has spent her career safeguarding Missourians through her expertise in elder law, estate planning, and fighting financial fraud. Married to Ryan, a Marine and small business owner, and mother to Aidan (19), Lincoln (16), and Nora (13), Rook’s faith and family guide her mission.








    Lori has been selected as a Missouri Kansas Super Lawyer for five consecutive years. Her awards from the Springfield Business Journal include, “40 under 40,” “Trusted Advisor,” and one of Springfield’s “Most Influential Women.”

    For more information about Lori Rook and her campaign, please visit LoriRook.com

    Carthage R-9 mourns loss of 2025 graduate killed in morning crash


    The Carthage R-9 School District will have crisis counselors at the Carthage High School Media Center 12 noon to 2 p.m. Thursday to help those who need to someone to talk to following the crash that killed 2025 graduate Aidden Lambeth this morning on County Road 190 and Newman Avenue just north of Duenweg.

    The following message was posted on the district's Facebook page:

    Carthage School District is saddened to share the news that Aidden Lambeth, a member of the CHS Class of 2025, tragically lost his life in a car accident early this morning(7/8/25).








    Although school is not currently in session, we know this loss will be felt by many students and staff. In response, CHS and CTC are activating our crisis response plan to offer support as our school community begins to process this tragedy.

    Crisis Team support will be available in the CHS Media Center on Thursday, July 10, from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. Counselors will also be available in the days ahead for anyone who may need someone to talk to.

    As we navigate this heartbreaking time, we ask that you please lift Aidden’s family and friends, as well as his teachers and classmates, up in your prayers.








    According to the Highway Patrol report, the accident occurred at 5 a.m. when Lambeth, driving a 2001 Ford F150, traveled off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected and traveled off the left side of the road. The vehicle overturned and struck a tree.

    Jasper County Coroner James Harrison pronounced Lambeth dead at 5:32 a.m.

    The fatality was the 61st this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.

    Monday, July 07, 2025

    Kansas lawmakers extend deadline for Chiefs, Royals to accept stadium incentives


    By Tim Carpenter

    TOPEKA — A bipartisan council of Kansas lawmakers voted Monday to extend by six months the deadline for the Missouri-based Kansas City Royals or the Kansas City Chiefs to accept economic development incentives from Kansas for construction of sports stadiums.

    The Legislative Coordinating Council unanimously agreed to grant the reprieve so the Kansas Department of Commerce could present options for stadium deals to the LCC until Dec. 31, 2025.







    A 2024 law that set the framework for issuance of STAR bonds to cover 70% of construction costs for one or both stadiums and support structures had a deadline of June 30, 2025. The statute gave the LCC authority to add another year to the timeline.

    House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, recommended adoption of a six-month alternative for the presentation of formal proposals by the Department of Commerce to the LCC. He said he didn’t want the stadium issue to bleed into the 2026 session of the Legislature, which would convene in early January.

    “We have had this law out there for a year now and each team has had a year to come to some type of conclusion,” Hawkins said. “Neither team has and quite frankly for the last month and a half, I have been very consistent across the board saying, ‘Let’s get it done.’ ”

    He said he was persuaded to endorse a half-year extension because one of the teams waited from November to February for responses from the administration of Gov. Laura Kelly. Also, he said, the Kelly administration didn’t answer a proposal from a team — previously reported to be the Chiefs — for seven weeks.

    “It doesn’t matter what team it was. That’s not fair to the teams, when they’re making proposals and they’re not getting responses back,” said Hawkins, who is a candidate for state insurance commissioner.

    The LCC adopted the six-month extension but also voted to broaden the window of opportunity for stadium deals with Kansas to June 30, 2026. That could be a technicality, because the LCC could decide on behalf of the full House and Senate not to consider recommendations submitted after that date.

    Missouri offered to finance up to 50% of the cost to renovate or build new stadiums for the Royals and Chiefs. Both franchises have played at a Jackson County, Missouri, complex since the early 1970s.

    Sen. Tim Shallenberger, a Baxter Springs Republican serving as the Senate’s vice president, said he didn’t want to force the Chiefs or Royals to abruptly wrap up a deal with Kansas.

    “When I was younger, I was a banker,” Shallenberger said. “Putting a deal like this together is not easy. You have landowners that look at the deadlines that we put out and use that as leverage. You have the teams look at the deadlines we put out and use that as leverage. Approved by the LCC by this December seems a little quick to me.







    Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, convened the LCC meeting because he recently observed signs of progress during confidential negotiations involving the Chiefs.

    “We weren’t interested in being a pawn and extending for no reason at all,” Masterson said. “The sense was as long as there’s legitimate, real conversations about the possibility of that relationship … we could move forward.”

    Chiefs president Mark Donovan asked Kansas lawmakers to amend the deadline to continue negotiations with Kansas on building a stadium, team headquarters, practice facility and related business developments.

    In the correspondence, Donovan said complexity, importance and scale of the project made it clear “more time is needed to bring the effort to full fruition.”

    This article was originally published by Kansas Reflector, a part of States Newsroom.

    Another public hearing added on Liberty Utilities rate increase request


    (From Missouri Public Service Commission)

    The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) is announcing an additional local public hearing on July 24, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Recreation Center in Aurora, Mo., to receive customer comments in an electric rate increase request case filed by The Empire District Electric Company d/b/a Liberty.

    Liberty has requested to increase rate revenues from its Missouri electric retail customers by $152.8 million per year, and increasing its monthly fixed residential customer charge from $13 to $16.








    With the additional hearing, the Commission has scheduled six in-person local public hearings and two virtual local public hearings. Any person may participate at any of the hearings, but are encouraged to attend the hearing corresponding to the location nearest to their service area for the most relevant information. In order to ensure broad participation and the ability for every citizen to offer comments, comments may be time-limited.

    Below is the new local public hearing schedule:

    July 21 — Joplin. Missouri Southern State University, Corley Hall, 3950 Newman Road.
    The hearing starts at 6 p.m., beginning with a public information/question-and-answer session followed by the Commission receiving testimony from the public.

    July 22 — Nixa. City Council Chambers, 715 West Mount Vernon Street.
    The hearing starts at Noon, beginning with a public information/question-and-answer session followed by the Commission receiving testimony from the public.

    July 22 — Bolivar. Southwest Baptist University, McClelland Joe Roberts Room (Dining Hall), 1600 University Avenue.

    The hearing starts at 6 p.m., beginning with a public information/question-and-answer session followed by the Commission receiving testimony from the public.








    July 23 — Branson. City Council Chambers. 110 West Maddux Street.
    The hearing starts at Noon, beginning with a public information/question-and-answer session followed by the Commission receiving testimony from the public.

    July 24 — Aurora. Recreation Center, 126 West Hadley Street.
    The hearing starts at Noon, beginning with a public information/question-and-answer session followed by the Commission receiving testimony from the public.

    July 23 — Virtual Local Public Hearing starts at 6 p.m. See further details below*
    July 25 — Virtual Local Public Hearing starts at Noon. See further details below*

    *To attend a virtual local public hearing by telephone, at the time of the virtual hearing, call toll-free 1-855-718-6621, listen to the prompt and enter the meeting number/access code 2861 936 9973 for the July 23 hearing at 6 p.m.); or 2866 586 9948 for the July 25 hearing at Noon; followed by # (pound/hashtag symbol). If prompted for a password, enter 0261.

    To attend a virtual local public hearing by video (internet), visit the website www.webex.com. You can also download the Cisco WebEx meetings application on your mobile device, laptop, desktop or tablet prior to the hearing and join the meeting at the hearing time by entering the corresponding meeting number/access code and password listed above.








    These local public hearings will be held in facilities that meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any person who needs additional accommodations to participate in these hearings should call the PSC’s hotline at 1-800-392-4211 or TDD hotline at 1-800-829-7541 before the hearings.

    To facilitate an orderly presentation that can be preserved for the record, members of the public who wish to participate in the virtual hearings should register, but are not required to register, by sending their first and last name, phone number, email address and the hearing they wish to attend to pscinfo@psc.mo.gov or by calling 1-800-392-4211 by 5 p.m. the day before the hearing.

    If you are unable to attend a local public hearing and wish to make written comments, you may click the link below, contact the PSC, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102, or by using the Commission’s electronic filing system (EFIS) at https://psc.mo.gov/General/Submit_Comments. From this webpage, click on “e-Filing Instructions” under the heading “Submit Comments in Writing”. When submitting comments, please reference File No. ER-2024-0261.

    In addition, you may also provide comments or request additional information from the Office of the Public Counsel (Governor Office Building, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102-2230, telephone 1-866-922-2959 (toll-free) or 573-751-4857, email opcservice@opc.mo.gov). The Office of the Public Counsel is a separate state agency that represents the general public in matters before the Commission.

    Charges filed after naked man allegedly performed solo sex act at Landreth Park


    The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney filed a misdemeanor sexual misconduct charge against a Bolivar man who allegedly was naked and masturbating in front of a women's restroom at Landreth Park.

    Bond was set at $20,000 surety or $3,500 cash for Derick Wayne Cartwright (DOB 2000), who pleaded not guilty during his arraignment today in Jasper County Circuit Court.

    A bond modification hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 16. Cartwright is being held in the Joplin City Jail.


    From the probable cause statement:

    On July 5, 2025, I, Officer Hibbard, was dispatched to Landreth Park, Joplin, Jasper County, MO in reference to sexual misconduct.

    Prior to arrival, dispatch advised a white male was completely naked standing in front of the women's restroom with children nearby. Upon arrival, officers located the door to the women's restroom locked and could hear an individual inside.

    Officers made several commands for the subject to unlock the door and exit the restroom, but they failed to do so. Officers requested a Joplin park ranger to this location to unlock the door. The park ranger arrived and unlocked the door.

    Officers made announcements and entered the restroom. One of the stall doors was shut and locked. Officers knocked on the door and a male announced that he was in the restroom but came out wearing clothing after officers made commands. I detained the male who identified himself as Derick W. Cartwright and sat him down on a bench near the restroom.

    I then spoke to VI and VI's young child V2. V1 explained {they} were at a play structure near the restroom when VI looked and noticed a while male standing directly in front of the women's restroom, completely naked, and actively masturbating using one of his hands.

    VI stated this was very disturbing for VI and V2. V1 pointed to Derick W. Cartwright and stated, "That's him.:

    V1 stated they wish to pursue charges on behalf of V2. There were also several other individuals in the park that pointed to Derick and stated they witnessed him completely naked in front of the women's restroom, but none wished to provide their information for the report. 

    Jason Smith: Passing of One Big, Beautiful Bill was a major victory for the American people


    (From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

    On July 3, House Republicans helped President Donald Trump secure a major victory for the American people by passing The One, Big, Beautiful Bill and sending it to the president’s desk. 

    As Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, I am proud to have led the effort on writing the tax provisions in this bill, which is the largest middle- and working-class tax cut in American history. The bill also includes both the largest cut in mandatory spending – $1.5 trillion – and biggest investment in border security in our nation’s history. This landmark legislation would not have gotten across the finish line without President Trump. Thanks to him, we are now entering a new Golden Age in America.








    The One, Big, Beautiful Bill builds on the foundation of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, the success of which cannot be overstated. In the years following passage of that tax relief, the United States’ economic growth far exceeded expectations. The bottom 20 percent of earners saw their federal tax rate fall to its lowest level in 40 years; wages grew at the fastest rate in 20 years; household income rose by $5,000; and the poverty level dropped to its lowest level in recorded history. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill builds on that success and provides additional relief by expanding the child tax credit for 40 million families and increasing the guaranteed standard deduction, which 91 percent of taxpayers use when filing their taxes. For the average American family, this means up to an additional $10,900 in take-home pay.

    Republicans also delivered on President Trump’s promises that 77 million Americans voted for. That includes no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on car loan interest, as well as tax relief for seniors. This will make a significant difference in the lives of millions of Americans. A waitress working at a local diner will get an additional $1,300 in her pocket. The lineman helping restore power after severe storms will pay ZERO income taxes on his hard-earned overtime wages – putting upwards of $1,400 in additional money in his pocket. And middle-class retirees on Social Security will pay ZERO taxes on their benefits.

    The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will also have a major impact on the men and women who drive our rural communities: farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. It increases the doubled Death Tax exemption and makes it and the small business deduction permanent. It extends 100% immediate expensing, doubles small business expensing – one-fifth of which is utilized by the American agriculture industry – and provides for immediate expensing for new buildings and other structures used in agriculture and farming. All told, the bill is projected to lower taxes on farmers by more than $10 billion.

    This bill is also for rural communities like my hometown of Salem, where the factories that I would drive by as a young kid are now shuttered and the good-paying jobs they provided were shipped overseas. This bill will help strengthen jobs and opportunity in small towns by rewarding companies that manufacture and hire more Americans here at home. It secures up to 7.2 million jobs and will create an additional 1 million small business jobs annually, which will help end the decline and hollowing out of rural communities across southeast and south-central Missouri.








    The One, Big, Beautiful Bill is a huge victory for the millions of Americans who were left behind when Washington Democrats were in control of Washington. It’s for the hardworking folks who don’t have lobbyists in D.C. It’s for the farmers, truck drivers, welders, waitresses, and nurses pulling double shifts. It’s for the people who work hard, play by the rules, and ask for nothing more than a fair shot and a government that works for them, not against them. It restores sanity in a town that’s lost it, cuts waste, and reins in reckless spending. It demands that if you’re able to work, you should. And it stops asking working families to foot the bill for Washington’s bad decisions.

    I cannot overstate just how significant and positive an impact this bill will have on farmers, workers, small businesses, and families across southeast and south-central Missouri. But my fight to deliver for the hardworking folks who sent me to Washington is far from over. I will continue working around the clock to advance the solutions we need to make our rural communities an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

    Sunday, July 06, 2025

    Cooky's Cafe in Golden City closed after fire


    Cooky's Cafe in Golden City, which has been open since 1942, is closed after a fire Saturday night.

    KOAM reports the Golden City Fire Department, Jasper Fire and Rescue and the Lamar Police Department responded to the fire, which happened this morning shortly after midnight.

    The following message was posted on the Cooky's Cafe Facebook page:

    Happy Sunday to our friends and family!







    We had a small fire at the restaurant this morning and due to water and smoke damage we will be closed until further notice. Everyone is fine, so no worries there.

    We appreciate you guys and we'll keep you updated as we figure things out!

    Have a blessed day!