Carthage R-9 Board sets tax levy, accepts resignations of HR director, two teachers, hires three teachers

(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, August 15, 2022, 6:00 pm, at Carthage South Technical Center. Present were Board members Niki Cloud, Bill Lasley, Karen Wilkinson, Nathan Terry, Patrick Scott, and Ryan Collier. Jeff Jones arrived after the meeting started. Niki Cloud led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meetings, payment of bills, district financial report, district assessment plan for the 2022- 2023 school year, and special education compliance plan. 

Dr. Baker, Superintendent, presented a MSIP update stating the district is working on a revised presentation schedule and will present it to the board in the near future. Mr. Jones was absent so no update for the Carthage R-9 Foundation. 

Following a hearing on the district’s proposed tax rate, the Board established the total tax levy for 2022-2023 including Incidental Fund $2.7647, Debt Service Fund $0.83, and Capital Projects Fund $0.2860 totaling at $3.8807. 

Ms. Cloud presented the official report of the Canvassing Committee on the August 2, 2022, School Bond Election. The election results of the County Clerk were thereupon examined and approved by the Board of Education. 

The Board approved the Resolution of the Board of Education $500 One-Time Payment and details of the $500 One-Time Payment presented by Dr. Baker. 

Mr. Jared Patrick, High School Assistant Principal, and other certified staff presented a revised finals exemption policy developed by high school staff and board members. The board approved the revised finals exemption policy. 

Dr. Baker provided an update on the July 26, 2022, work session topics and the plan moving forward.

Dr. Baker updated the Board regarding the following: 

• School starts, Monday, August 22nd 

The Board met in closed session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss personnel matters in compliance with Section 610.021 (3) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. 

In closed session the Board approved the following personnel actions: 

Approved the employment of certified, support, substitute staff, and non-staff coaches as presented contingent upon receiving a clear criminal record check from the Missouri Highway Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a clear check of the Adult Abuse/Neglect Registry maintained by the Missouri Department of Social Services for all employees new to the district: 

Certified Hire: 

Gazaway, Calvin Music Teacher Columbian Elementary/Carthage 6th Grade Center- Mr. Gazaway is a retired educator. He is a current substitute in the Carthage R-9 School District.

Golubski, Keith Machining Teacher Carthage Technical Center - South- Mr. Golubski was approved as a part-time machining teacher in the spring. He will be teaching full-time. Mr. Golubski earned a Bachelor of Science in Youth Ministry from Saint Louis Christian College, Florissant, MO. He currently serves as an outreach pastor at Carterville Christian Church. His professional/technical expertise as a welder and plasma cutter operator were critical in his success at Cherokee Millwright and Mechanical, Maryville, TN and 9205 Creations, Carthage, MO. Mr. Golubski also brings experience as a mechanic. He previously worked as the assistant fleet mechanic in the Carthage R-9 School District and as a maintenance mechanic at O & F Machine Products, Joplin, MO.

Hughes, Bethany SPED Teacher Columbian Elementary- Ms. Hughes earned a Bachelor of Education from Missouri Southern State University. She is returning to the Carthage R-9 after most recently serving as a 2nd grade teacher at Hellenic American Academy, Deerfield, Illinois. Prior to her time in Illinois, she was a dual language teacher at Fairview Elementary. 

Support Hire: 

Coonce, Emily EL Paraprofessional Carthage Junior High School 

Roach, Kim CTE Business Manager Carthage Technical Center-South

Barnett, Karley Personal Paraprofessional Carthage Junior High School 

Moseley, Kayley SPED Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary 

Thrasher, Sarah Paraprofessional Carthage Intermediate Center

Rodgers, Felicia SPED Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary 

Clements, Kendra Student Health Assistant Carthage 6th Grade Center

Hildreth, Steven Paraprofessional Carthage Intermediate Center 

Sonnier, Damariz Home to School Liaison Carthage Intermediate Center 

Craig, Debra Cook Steadley Elementary 

Hargreaves, Cheryl Custodian Carthage Intermediate Center 

Sutherland, Tristan Nurse Steadley Elementary Transfer 

Murphy, Teresa SPED Paraprofessional Carthage 6th Grade Center 

Huffman, Nurse Early Childhood Center 

Jessica Barr, Madelynn SPED Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary 

Trujillo, Ruben SPED Paraprofessional Carthage Intermediate Center 

John-Ramos, Joseph Paraprofessional Carthage High School 

Sheldon, Daniel Custodian (Full Time) District 

Lightfoot, Alex Custodian (Full Time) District 

Patton, David Custodian (Full Time) District 

White, James Custodian (Full Time) District 

Asbell, Stanley Custodian (Full Time) District 

Horton, Brenda Title 1 Instructional Assistant (1st Semester) Carthage 6th Grade Center  

Borland, Kassidy Personal Paraprofessional Carthage 6th Grade Center 

Spangler, Wayne Paraprofessional Carthage High School 

Smith, Amanda Attendance Secretary Carthage 6th Grade Center 

Atteberry, Robert Custodian (Full Time) District 

Russow, Jennifer Cook Carthage Junior High School 

Geter, Ashley Full-time Substitute Pleasant Valley Elementary / Mark Twain Elementary / Early Childhood Center Transfer 

Little, Jarrett Part-time Accompanist Carthage Junior High School 

Bartosh, Joseph EL Paraprofessional Carthage High School 

White, Minda Paraprofessional Carthage High School 

Boyd, Sundeana Cook Carthage High School 

Hale, Joyce Cook Steadley Elementary 

Gallaway, Susan Full Time Substitute Carthage Intermediate Center

Faulkenberry, SandraEL Paraprofessional Carthage Intermediate Center

Eakes Loving, Lauren Accompanist Carthage High School 

Green, Chloe TPA Paraprofessional Fairview Elementary 

Rosario, Neysa Home to School Liaison Fairview ElementaryTransfer 

Substitute Hire: 

Nord, Jennifer Substitute Cook District 

Gilmore, Kacey Substitute District

Helton, Darren Substitute District

Haeberle, Kelsey Substitute District

Meister, Melissa Substitute District

Gilbert, Wendilyn Substitute District

McGrew, Pam Substitute District

Eby, Alexus Substitute District

Conness, Zane Custodian (Sub) District

Depew, Scott Custodian (Sub) District

Pendleton, Richard Custodian (Sub) District

Pace, Rachel Substitute Teacher District

Henson-Rich, Twyla Substitute Teacher District

Ramirez, Anahi Substitute Teacher District

Baugh, Judy Substitute Cook Carthage High School Rehire 

Extra Duty Hire: 

Whyte, Bryan Teaching During Plan Carthage High School  

Thomas-Holman, Angela Doctorate Carthage High School 

Thayer, Kacey 8th Grade Girls Assistant Basketball Coach Carthage Junior High School  

Gazaway, Calvin Elementary Vocal Music Columbian Elementary/Carthage 6th Grade Center Transfer Howard, William Teaching During Plan Carthage Technical Center 

Marrs, Jeffrey Teaching During Plan Carthage Technical Center

Golubski, Keith Skills USA Carthage Technical Center 

Tiller, Gage Doctorate Carthage Technical Center 

Trowbridge, Cindy Teaching During Plan Carthage Junior High School 

Sonnier, Damariz Bilingual - Speaking Carthage Intermediate Center 

Sonnier, Damariz Bilingual - Writing Carthage Intermediate Center 

Darland, Norma Bilingual - Writing Carthage High School 

Sill, Trevor Assistant Wrestling Coach Carthage Junior High School 

Garcia Gonzalez, Cristina Girls Basketball Assistant Coach Carthage High School 

Mancilla-Gripka, Thiare Bilingual - Writing Fairview Elementary 

Thomas Coffman, Jana Bilingual - Speaking Carthage Intermediate Center

Thomas Coffman, Jana Bilingual - Writing Carthage Intermediate Center 

Certified Resignation: 

Jones, Chad Machining Teacher Carthage Technical Center 

Beck, Melissa Music Teacher Columbian Elementary / Carthage 6th Grade Center 

Support Resignation: 

Tomas, David Student Intern Administrative Office

Strait, Bailey Student Intern IT

Byers, NathanielMaintenance District 

Jones, Ashley Director of Human Resources Administrative Office 

Sullivan, Amanda Administrative Assistant Carthage 6th Grade Center 

Substitute Resignation: 

Farley, Rowena Substitute Teacher District

Farley, Philip Substitute Teacher District

Walker, Isabelle Substitute Teacher District

Extra Duty Resignation: 

Beck, Melissa Elementary Music Columbian Elementary / Carthage 6th Grade Center 

Jones, Chad Skills USA Carthage Technical Center 

Jones, Chad Additional Days Carthage Technical Center 

Banta, Leslie Academic Team Carthage Junior High School

Work nearly complete on Joplin City Hall ramp

(From the City of Joplin)

Work on the ADA-accessible ramp at the west entrance of City Hall is near completion and the west entrance should open in the next couple of weeks. 

With the construction phase done with new concrete in place, the contractor has removed the barriers, however the alley will remain closed to traffic and pedestrians.

 

Installation of handrails for the new ramp and sidewalk area still needs to be completed. The City is expecting the delivery of the handrails in the upcoming weeks. The area will be fully open once this work is finished. Until then, we ask that all visitors and employees continue to use the north and east doors to enter and exit the building.

For more information contact Lynden Lawson, Assistant Director of Public Works for Operations at 417-624-0820, ext. 1560

More details provided on Barton County fentanyl trafficking indictment

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

A Pittsburg, Kansas, man who led Kansas authorities on a motorcycle chase before being apprehended in Missouri has been indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing fentanyl to distribute.

Justin T. Lapping, 47, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Aug. 16, with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

A Crawford County, Kan., sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Lapping on Aug. 9, 2022, but he fled on his motorcycle. 

Soon after entering Barton County, Mo., on Highway 160, Lapping abandoned his motorcycle and fled on foot from law enforcement officers. Officers deployed tasers and Lapping was taken into custody. He was allegedly carrying a Ziploc baggie that contained approximately 202 grams of cocaine and fentanyl.

According to the indictment, Lapping has a prior serious drug felony conviction in Taney County, Mo., which would qualify for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole.

The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge 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 Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the FBI, the Barton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Crawford County, Kan., Sheriff’s Department.

Parson pushing hard to sell lawmakers on $700 million tax cut plan

By Jason Hancock

Missouri Independent

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is hoping to avoid any special session drama. As he prepares to reconvene the legislature next month to debate a $700 million tax cut — with details about the plan expected to be announced as early as this week — Parson is hoping to avoid pitfalls that undermined a pair of special sessions he called in 2020.

He’s also navigating long standing tension between his office and the Missouri House, as well as a combustible state Senate with hard feelings among Republicans still simmering after a bitter 2022 legislative session and contentious GOP primaries.

(Photo- Gov. Mike Parson met with Republican lawmakers from the Kansas City area on Aug. 10, 2022, to discuss his plans for a special session to cut taxes and extend tax credits for agriculture-Missouri Governor’s Office).

 

The governor has spent much of August trying to sell his proposal to his fellow Republicans, holding regional gatherings with GOP legislators around the state and one-on-one discussions with Republican senators.

Last Friday he attended the Missouri House GOP’s summer caucus in Branson.

“I think all the meetings are going positive,” Parson told reporters earlier this month, later adding: “Doing the largest tax cut in Missouri history, and still being able to maintain education, health care, all the things we’re doing, we need to get that done.”

The governor has also solicited help from one of the state’s most vocal champions of tax cuts, Rex Sinquefield.

Parson’s office asked Sinquefield — by far the state’s most prolific donor, having doled out $40 million to Missouri candidates and causes since 2012 — to meet with legislators to discuss tax cut policy.

In meetings with the governor and legislative leaders, Sinquefield brought along conservative economist Art Laffer, who is credited as the architect of the controversial tax cut package in Kansas that was ultimately repealed after years of budget shortfalls.

A spokesperson for Sinquefield could not be reached for comment.

On Tuesday, Parson’s sales pitch moved on to Senate Democrats, who he met in his Missouri Capitol office.

 

Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, said his party has no qualms with cutting taxes, noting Democrats supported a tax cut bill signed into law last year.

But he questions whether it’s time for yet another tax cut when the state has so many ongoing needs that are going underfunded. Especially, Rizzo said, when a big part of the state’s budget surplus comes from one-time federal stimulus funds.

“We have a lot of good programs we are trying to make sure continue,” Rizzo said, pointing to efforts to raise teacher pay, fund school transportation and deal with staffing shortages that have plagued state agencies.

“Our concern,” Rizzo said, “is that when the federal money runs out, these permanent tax cuts will be more detrimental to the budget than we can realize right now.”

Parson’s plan is to lower the state’s top tax rate to 4.8%, down from 5.4%. In addition to cutting the top income tax rate, the governor hopes to raise the standard deduction to ensure a Missourian earning $16,000 or less would owe no state income tax at all.

The estimated cost of the changes is around $700 million.

The governor announced his intention to call lawmakers into special session in May after he vetoed a $500 million legislative proposal to send tax rebate checks worth up to $500 to people making a maximum of $150,000.

In his veto letter, he argued the plan was well-intentioned but left out both lower- and higher-income Missourians and did not provide permanent relief.

To bolster his case, Parson has pointed to Missouri’s massive budget surplus. When the new fiscal year began July 1, Missouri had more money on hand than ever before, with a general revenue balance of nearly $4.9 billion.

Higher wages, historic inflation and an influx of federal funds contributed to the bulging state budget.

Also on the agenda of the special session will be a package of agricultural tax credits that Parson vetoed in May. The $40 million tax credit legislation approved by lawmakers included incentives for biofuels manufacturers, meatpackers and young farmers, among others.

The governor vetoed the bill because the tax credits would have expired in two years. He wants a six-year extension.

In late 2020, Parson called lawmakers into special session twice — once to focus on crime prevention and then later to allocate federal COVID relief funds.

The crime special session in September 2020 fizzled after lawmakers adjourned without passing most of the governor’s priorities. Lawmakers approved the CARES Act funding two months later, but facing resistance, the governor had to abandon his proposal to shield businesses from certain COVID-related lawsuits.

Since then, Parson has been hesitant to convene special sessions, with the exception being last summer to to renew a tax on hospitals that is crucial to fund Missouri’s Medicaid program.

Parson refused to call lawmakers back to Jefferson City to redraw the state’s congressional maps last year, a decision that ultimately exacerbated tensions in the Missouri Senate as GOP leadership and the conservative caucus clashed for months over what the redistricting plan should look like.

 

The lingering animosity in the Missouri Senate hangs over plans for a special session, even though the conservative caucus publicly announced Monday it was disbanding.

“I have yet to see a special session go smoothly since I’ve been in the Senate,” Rizzo said. “You’re also bringing people back that just went through a pretty contentious primary. I mean, it was pretty well open warfare for the soul the Republican Party throughout the summer. And you’re going to bring people that already have issues to begin with back to pull in one direction? I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Auditor says state revenues in compliance with Hancock Amendment

(From State Auditor Nicole Galloway)

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a report detailing the office's annual review of state compliance with the state constitutional limits on taxing and expenditures, commonly known as the Hancock Amendment. 

The 1980 amendment to the Missouri Constitution restricts the amount by which fees and taxes can be increased and also limits the amount of personal income used to fund state government.

The Hancock Amendment limits the amount of Missourians' income that may be used to fund state government to no greater than the portion used to do so in 1981, except as authorized by a vote of the people. For the 2021 fiscal year, total state revenue was approximately $3.8 billion under the refund threshold. As a result, the state was found to be in compliance. Missouri has not exceeded the limit since 1999.

The Hancock Amendment also limits the amount the General Assembly may raise taxes or fees through new legislation without a vote of the people. Taxes and fees were projected to increase by $24.5 million, which is under the taxes and fees increase revenue limit of $111.8 million.

A complete copy of the office's review of state compliance with the Hancock amendment can be found here.

Highway Patrol offers details on new laws scheduled to go into effect

(From the Missouri State Highway Patrol)

The abbreviated descriptions below are intended to make the public aware of some of the new legislation enacted by the Missouri General Assembly which is related to crime and public safety. The listed legislation has been signed into law. 

Unless otherwise noted, these laws will go into effect August 28, 2022.

The Patrol wishes to make the public aware of several of these new laws or changes to increase public awareness and education. For a complete description of these newly enacted laws, visit the Missouri House of Representatives or Missouri Senate websites or click on the links provided within this news release.

HB1472 — https://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/3533S.05T.pdf

OFFENSE OF MONEY LAUNDERING (Section 574.105 RSMo)

Currently, the offense of money laundering involves a currency transaction. This bill modifies the offense of money laundering to specify a financial transaction. The bill adds a definition for "cryptocurrency," which is a digital currency in which transactions are verified and records are maintained by a decentralized system using cryptography. 

The bill replaces the definitions of "currency" with one for "monetary instruments" and it adds definitions for "financial transaction" and "transaction." The definition of "financial transaction" involves the movement of funds by wire or other means, including blockchain, and involves the use of a financial institution as defined under federal law.

A political subdivision may allocate up to 25% of the funds it receives from the state through grants for public safety to the creation of homeless outreach teams as specified in the bill. These provisions will not apply to shelters for domestic violence victims. The provisions of this section have an effective date of January 1, 2023.


HB2162 — https://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/5011S.04T.pdf

OPIOID ADDICTION TREATMENT FUND (Sections 195.206 & 196.1050 RSMo)

This bill establishes that the director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, if a licensed physician, may issue a statewide standing order, or contract with a licensed physician to issue such order, for an addiction mitigation medication, defined as properly administered naltrexone hydrochloride. 

Any licensed pharmacist may sell and dispense an addiction mitigation medication under a physician protocol or statewide standing order. A pharmacist acting in good faith and with reasonable care that sells or dispenses an addiction mitigation medication shall not be subject to any criminal or civil liability or professional disciplinary action for prescribing or dispensing such medication or for any resulting outcome. It shall be permissible for any person to possess an addiction mitigation medication. 

This bill provides that, in addition to those departments that currently have access, the Department of Corrections and the Judiciary shall have access to the "Opioid Addiction Treatment and Recovery Fund" to pay for opioid addiction treatment and prevention services and health care and law enforcement costs related to opioid addiction treatment and prevention.


HB2168 — https://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/4926H.06T.pdf

MOTOR VEHICLE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (Sections 303.025, 303.041, and C RSMo)

Beginning January 1, 2024, this bill specifies that the Department of Revenue must establish a process for the voluntary suspension of motor vehicle registration for vehicles which are inoperable or being stored and not in operation. The owner or nonresident must not further operate the vehicle until notifying the Department that the vehicle will be in use, and DOR must reinstate the registration upon receipt of proof of financial responsibility. 

Owners or nonresidents who operate a motor vehicle during a period of inoperability or storage claimed under the bill will be guilty of a class B misdemeanor and may additionally be guilty of a violation of The Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law. 

The bill also provides that the department may verify motor vehicle financial responsibility as provided by law, but must not otherwise take enforcement action unless the director determines a violation has occurred as described in the bill. Currently, a first violation of the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law is punishable as a class D misdemeanor, meaning a fine may be imposed of up to $500; a second or subsequent offense is punishable by up to 15 days in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $500. 

This bill specifies that a second or subsequent offense may be punished by up to 15 days in jail and will be punished by a fine not less than $200, but not to exceed $500. Fines owed to the state for violations of the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law may be eligible for payment in installments. Rules for the application of payment plans will take into account individuals' ability to pay.


HB2331 — https://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/4527S.04T.pdf

MEDICAL MARIJUANA FACILITY BACKGROUND CHECKS (Section 195.815 RSMo)

Currently, all owners, officers, managers, contractors, employees, and other support staff of licensed or certified medical marijuana facilities must submit fingerprints to the Missouri State Highway Patrol for state and federal criminal background checks. This bill limits those individuals that must submit to such fingerprinting to employees, contractors, owners, and volunteers. This bill provides a definition of contractor for purposes of the provisions of the bill.

SB678 — https://www.senate.mo.gov/22info/pdf-bill/tat/SB678.pdf

POLICE DEPARTMENT FUNDING (Section 84.730 RSMo)

Under current law, the city of Kansas City is required to provide one-fifth of its general revenue per fiscal year to fund the Kansas City Board of Police. This act increases such funding to one-fourth of the city's general revenue. 

Under current law, the General Assembly cannot require a city to increase an activity or service beyond that required by existing law, unless a state appropriation is made to pay the city for any increase costs.
This proposed (Missouri) Constitution amendment, if approved by the voters, provides an exception to allow for a law that increases minimum funding, if increased before December 31, 2026, for a police force established by a state board of police commissioners to ensure they have additional resources to serve their communities.

SB681 & SB682 — https://www.senate.mo.gov/22info/pdf-bill/tat/SB681.pdf

SUBSTITUTE TEACHING (Sections 168.036 & 168.037 RSMo)

Beginning January 1, 2023, the act authorizes substitute teachers that apply for a fingerprint background check the opportunity to submit the results to up to five different school districts for a specified fee.

VEHICLES USED TO TRANSPORT SCHOOL CHILDREN (Sections 302.010 & 304.060 RSMo)

This act modifies a definition of "school bus" to include only vehicles designed for carrying more than 10 passengers, including the driver. The act also provides that school districts shall have the authority to use vehicles other than school buses, meaning those vehicles designed for carrying 10 or fewer passengers including the driver, to transport school children, specifies that the State Board of Education shall not adopt rules or regulations governing the use of transportation network companies for the transportation of school children, repeals the requirement that drivers of non-school bus vehicles transporting school children have a school bus driver's license endorsement, and provides that the vehicles other than school buses shall meet any additional requirements of the school district.

The State Board of Education shall not require an individual using a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 12,000 pounds or less for the purpose of providing student transportation services in a vehicle other than a school bus to obtain any license other than a class F license.

SB775 — https://www.senate.mo.gov/22info/pdf-bill/tat/SB775.pdf

CHILD TRAFFICKING (Sections 210.1500, 210.1505, & 211.031 RSMo)

This act provides that when a child is located by a law enforcement official and there is reasonable cause to suspect the child may be a victim of sex trafficking, the law enforcement official shall immediately cause a report to be made to the Children's Division. 

If the Children's Division determines that the report merits an investigation, the reporting official and the Children's Division shall ensure the immediate safety of the child. If the law enforcement official has reasonable cause to believe the child is in imminent danger, he or she may take temporary custody of the child without the consent of the child's parents.

Additionally, this act establishes the "Statewide Council on Sex Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children." The council shall collect data relating to sex trafficking of children and develop best practices regarding the response to sex trafficking of children. The council shall submit a report to the governor and General Assembly on or before December 31, 2023; at which time the council shall expire.

Finally, this act adds that the family courts shall have exclusive original jurisdiction in proceedings involving a child who has been a victim of sex trafficking or sexual exploitation.

ORDERS OF PROTECTION (Sections 455.073 & 455.075 RSMo)

This act provides that if a full order of protection is granted by a court, all temporary orders shall continue in the full order of protection and shall remain in full force and effect unless otherwise ordered by the court. 

Additionally, this act adds that the court may order a party to pay a reasonable amount for the other party's attorney fees incurred prior to the proceeding, throughout the proceeding, and after entry of judgment for orders of protection.

NOTICE OF ORDER OF PROTECTION (Section 455.085 RSMo)

Under current law, a person is deemed to have notice of an order of protection against him or her if a law enforcement officer responding to a call of domestic violence or violation of the order of protection presented a copy of the order. This act adds that notice is also given by actual communication to the person in a manner reasonably likely to advise him or her.

WITNESSES IN CASES INVOLVING SEXUAL OFFENSES (Section 491.015 RSMo)

Under current law, in prosecutions related to sexual offenses a witness's prior sexual conduct or specific instances of prior sexual conduct is inadmissible, except in certain instances. 

This act provides that this evidence is inadmissible at any trial, hearing, or court proceeding and not a subject for inquiry during a deposition or during discovery, except in certain instances.

WITNESSES IN DOMESTIC ASSAULT PROCEEDINGS (Sections 546.262 & 546.263 RSMo)

A court shall not compel a victim or member of the victim's family in a domestic assault proceeding to disclose a residential address or place of employment on the record in open court unless the court finds that disclosure of the address or place of employment is necessary. Additionally, a person may testify in a domestic assault proceeding if the person testifying is the victim of offense. The circuit court shall develop rules for appearances by video and shall post these rules on their website.

SEXUAL OFFENSES (Sections 566.010 & 566.086 RSMo)

This act adds to the definition of "sexual contact.” Additionally, this act provides that a person commits the offense of sexual contact with a student if he or she has sexual contact with a student and is a coach, director, or other adult with a school-aged team or club.

SEXUAL OFFENDERS (Sections 566.149, 566.150, & 566.155 RSMo)

Under current law, certain offenders shall not knowingly be present in certain areas, such as schools, public parks with playgrounds, public swimming pools, and athletic fields primarily used by children. Additionally, under current law, certain offenders cannot serve as an athletic coach or trainer for a sport team if a child less than 17 years of age is a member of the team. 

This act adds that any person found guilty of the offense of possession of child pornography shall not knowingly be present in such areas and shall not serve as an athletic coach.

OFFENSE OF PROSTITUTION (Section 567.020 RSMo)

This act provides that a person shall not be certified as an adult or adjudicated for the offense of prostitution if the person was under the age of 18 at the time when the offense occurred. Such person shall be classified as a victim of abuse and reported immediately to the Children's Division and to the juvenile officer for appropriate services.

SEXUAL PERFORMANCE BY A CHILD (Sections 573.010 & 573.206 RSMo)

Under current law, sexual performance includes sexual conduct by a child who is less than 17 years old. This act changes the age to 18 years old. Additionally, this act creates the offense of patronizing a sexual performance by a child if such person obtains, solicits, or participates in a sexual performance by a child under the age of 18. This offense is a class C felony.

OFFENSE OF ENABLING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR (Section 573.024 RSMo)

This act creates the offense of enabling sexual exploitation of a minor which shall be if a person acting with criminal negligence permits or allows certain sexual or pornography offenses. Such offense is a class E felony for the first offense and a class C felony for any subsequent offenses. Additionally, if the person found guilty of the offense is an owner of a business that provided the location for such exploitation, the business shall be required to close for up to one year for the first offense and shall permanently close after a subsequent offense.

OFFENSE OF PROVIDING EXPLICIT SEXUAL MATERIAL TO A STUDENT (Section 573.550 RSMo)

This act provides that a person commits the offense of providing explicit sexual material to a student if such person is affiliated with a public or private elementary or secondary school in an official capacity and, knowing of its content and character, such person provides, assigns, supplies, distributes, loans, or coerces acceptance of or the approval of the providing of explicit sexual material to a student or possesses with the purpose of providing, assigning, supplying, distributing, loaning, or coercing acceptance of or the approval of the providing of explicit sexual material to a student. This offense is a class A misdemeanor.

SEXUAL OFFENDERS (Section 589.404 RSMo)

This act modifies the definitions of "sexual conduct" and "sexual contact."

SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS BILL OF RIGHTS (Section 595.201 RSMo)

Under current law, sexual assault survivors have rights relating to how a criminal investigation regarding a sexual assault must be conducted. This act provides that sexual assault survivors retain these rights regardless of whether a criminal investigation or prosecution results or regardless of if he or she has previously waived any of these rights. 

A sexual assault survivor, for purposes of this act, is any person who is 14 years of age or older and who may be a victim of a sexual offense who presents themselves to an appropriate medical provider, law enforcement officer, prosecuting attorney, or court. 

Under this act, a sexual assault survivor has the right to:

• Consult with an employee or volunteer of a rape crisis center;
• A sexual assault forensic examination;
• A shower and change of clothing;
• Request to be examined by an appropriate medical provider or interviewed by a law enforcement officer of the gender of the survivor's choosing, when available;
• An interpreter who can communicate in the language of the sexual assault survivor's choice, as reasonably available;
• Notification and basic overview of the options of choosing a reported evidentiary collection kit, unreported evidentiary collection kit, and anonymous evidentiary collection kit;
• Notification about the evidence tracking system;
• Notification about the right to certain information considered a closed record, such as a complete incident report; and
• Be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse in any related criminal or civil proceeding and the right to reasonable protection from the offender.


Additionally, this act provides that a survivor must be informed of the survivor's rights by a medical provider, law enforcement officer, and a prosecuting attorney in a timely manner. A document shall be developed by the Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with certain Missouri-based stakeholders, which shall be provided to a sexual assault survivor explaining the survivor's rights. The document shall include:

• A description of the rights of the sexual assault survivor pursuant to this act; and
• Telephone and internet means for contacting a local rape crisis center.

This act repeals duplicate rights found in other provisions of current law. Additionally, this act repeals the requirement that a law enforcement officer shall upon written request provide a free, complete, and unaltered copy of all law enforcement reports concerning the sexual assault within 14 days to the survivor.

CLOSED RECORDS OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT (Section 595.226 RSMo)

Under current law, certain identifiable information of victims of domestic assault or stalking shall be closed and redacted from public record. This act adds that such identifiable information shall also include, but shall not be limited to, the victim's personal email address, birth date, health status, or any information from a forensic testing report. 

This act also repeals provisions relating to when a court may disclose such identifying information of a victim and provides that any person who is requesting identifying information of a victim and who has a legitimate interest in obtaining such information, may petition the court for an in-camera inspection of the records. 

If the court determines the person is entitled to all or any part of such records, the court may order production and disclosure of the records, but only if the court determines that the disclosure to the person or entity would not compromise the welfare or safety of the victim.

SB799 — https://www.senate.mo.gov/22info/pdf-bill/tat/SB799.pdf

CUSTODY OF OFFENDERS (Section 575.200 RSMo)

This act adds to the offense of escape from custody any person who is being held in custody after arrest for any probation or parole violation who escapes or attempts to escape from custody. This offense shall be a class A misdemeanor unless the person was under arrest for a felony, in which case it is a class E felony; or the offense is committed by means of a deadly weapon or holding a person hostage, in which case it is a class A felony.

Joplin R-8 Board accepts three teacher resignations, hires two teachers

The Joplin R-8 Board of Education accepted three teacher resignations and hired two teachers during a closed session Friday.

Teachers resigning were Syeda Greenlee, Terrie Hunter and Braylee Vasquez. The resignations were accepted unanimously with board member Donnie Greenlee leaving the room during the vote on Greenlee.

Teachers hired were Kylee Burke and Lisa Sanders.

The board also discussed real estate and legal matters during the closed session with no votes taken.

Federal grand jury indicts Carthage man on fentanyl trafficking charge

A federal grand jury indicted a Carthage man for fentanyl trafficking. 

According to the indictment, which was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Justin T. Lapping, 47, possessed fentanyl with intent to distribute August 9 in Barton County.

The Barton County Sheriff's Office made the arrest and the prosecuting attorney charged Lapping with felony drug trafficking, according to online Barton County Circuit Court records. His preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for September 13.

The indictment notes that Lapping has a previous conviction for drug trafficking in Taney County.

Lapping is being held in the Barton County Jail.

Missouri Senate Conservative Caucus disbands

By Jason Hancock

Missouri Independent

After more than two years of warring with Republican leaders, the Missouri Senate’s conservative caucus will disband, the group announced Monday afternoon.

In a statement released to the media, five incumbent members of the caucus said it was no longer needed after the outcome of the Aug. 2 GOP primaries.

“The Republican primary electorate decisively voted in favor of the conservative message espoused by conservative caucus-aligned Republicans,” said the statement signed by GOP Sens. Rick Brattin, Bill Eigel, Andrew Koenig, Denny Hoskins and Mike Moon.

 (Photo- Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, speaks during a press conference of the Senate conservative caucus on March 10, 2022- Tessa Weinberg/Missouri Independent).

 

“Moving forward,” the statement continued, “there is no need for us to be defensive about passing good legislation — we believe the class of Republican nominees vying to fill open and existing Missouri Senate seats would demand the same results we have been looking for these past four years.”

Candidates aligned with and supported by the conservative caucus won four competitive primaries for open seats.

In addition, a Republican incumbent — Bill White of Joplin — was defeated by a candidate who vowed to allign with the caucus.

If all seats remain in control of the party that currently holds them, the new breakdown of the Senate after the primaries will likely be a nine-member conservative caucus, 15 senators aligned with Republican leadership and 10 Democrats.

In the Monday afternoon statement, the five members of the now dissolved conservative caucus said they hoped to “seek unity within a single majority caucus in the Missouri Senate chamber under exclusively the Republican banner.”

To do that, the statement said, there needs to be new leadership in the chamber “that is not constrained by the labels of the past.”

“Such a change is necessary to achieve peace within a body that has seen little of it since the final legislative day of the 2021 first regular session,” they wrote.

 

Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, is the current odds-on favorite to become the chamber’s president pro tem. He has not shied away from publicly quarreling with the conservative caucus, at one point accusing the group of turning the Senate into a “clown show.”

Rowden said on Monday that Missouri Senate Republicans in recent years have approved “generational conservative reforms into law, and Missourians are better off as a result.

“I am happy these five senators want to join the team that has been leading the conservative fight in Missouri,” Rowden said. “The time is now to do big things for this great state.”

The real leadership fight in the Senate is expected to be over who replaces Rowden as majority floor leader. The position comes with the power to manage the Senate debate calendar, giving the majority leader influence over what legislation moves forward and how much time it receives on the Senate floor.

The three candidates discussed as possible successors include Koenig and Sens. Mike Bernskoetter of Jefferson City and Cindy O’Laughlin of Shelbina.

O’Laughlin was originally a member of the conservative caucus but hasn’t been affiliated with the group in more than a year. Bernskoetter is considered the candidate with closest ties to current GOP leaders.

Originally founded in 2018, the Senate conservative caucus has been involved in an escalating war with Republican leadership. It culminated this year, with conservative caucus members used parliamentary maneuvers to gum up the Senate and, with their priorities failing to get traction, turned otherwise anodyne bills into vehicles for controversial amendments pertaining to transgender student athletes and vaccine mandates.

The acrimony between the two factions became so bad that the Senate adjourned a day early for the first time since a fixed adjournment date was set in the state constitution in 1952.

The drama then spilled onto the campaign trail, with a PAC supported by the conservative caucus vying to increase its numbers — and its power within the chamber.

Republican Senate leadership have publicly threatened to use procedural maneuvers of their own to quash conservative caucus filibusters, which they argued were simply glorified publicity stunts.

Last week, Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee’s Summit, hinted that Senate rules may need to change in order to prevent the conservative caucus from hijacking the chamber.

He also panned the caucus for taking large campaign checks from trial attorneys, a group that historically has supported Democrats and opposed tort reform.

In their Monday statement, the members of the conservative caucus decried any such step as an abandonment of Senate tradition, which calls for unlimited debate.

“We know of no senator, current or former, who claims that the prestige and traditions of the Missouri Senate are stronger today than when our current leadership team took the helm in 2018,” the statement said. “The next leadership team must do better.”

Nancy Hughes: Who is really on the throne?

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV)

When my daughter began teaching school, she wanted more than anything for each of her students to know how precious they were to her so she had her dad build a throne to place in her classroom – and not just any throne. This one was huge, with a high ornate back, padded arms, and a soft maroon pillow to sit on. 

When one of her first-grade students did something especially kind or funny or read more books than assigned or simply was polite, that student was selected to sit on the throne.

Since all her students were extraordinary to her, she said it was easy to find something special about each one so that they all got a turn sitting on the “Throne of the Room” at least once during the school year. I can only imagine the delight of each first-grade student at being selected to sit on the throne because of something that he or she did.

As much as I love my daughter’s way of honoring her students, I cannot help thinking about another throne: the throne of my heart. And, honestly, I don’t believe that anyone has to select me to sit there – because I do that all by myself. I sit on the throne of my heart when I am selfish, prideful, or more concerned with me and mine than with you and yours.

I plant my will right on that maroon pillow when I get my ugly on and do not care how you are feeling or whether or not my words and actions will hurt you. I call myself king when I feel the need to always be in control and have the last word instead of allowing Jesus to have it all.

Jesus should be the only King on my heart’s throne. Period. I need to step down with my wants and desires – in other words, my SELF – and invite Jesus to sit there instead. There is room for only one. One King. One will. One focus. And it should not be me.

One died for me. Only one. One came out of the grave three days later. Only one. One today sits on the throne in heaven. Only one. And that One, that King, should be the only one to sit on the throne of my heart. Only Jesus.

Where are you sitting today, my friends? Have you settled in on the throne of your heart and refused to allow Jesus in? Please take a moment to examine who is in charge of your life and if it is not Jesus, decide today to make a big change on the “Throne of the Room” in your heart.

Father, for the times that I try to put myself on the throne instead of Jesus, forgive me. Help me to clean out my heart to make room for you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

Do you ever feel that things in your life push in and crowd out Jesus from your heart?

Why do you think you have allowed some of those replacements for Jesus on the throne of your heart?

Apply

Journal a list of all the things in your life that battle to take control of your heart’s throne as king.

Beside each one write a Scripture that encourages you to give Jesus the only throne seat of your life.

Power

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV) “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

Matthew 6:24 (NIV) “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Psalm 84:1-2 (NIV) “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul years, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”

(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing, check out her blog, Encouragement from the War Room.)