North Dakota judge sentences Carthage man to 20 years on meth, fentanyl charges

Jerry Charles Williams, 44, Carthage, pleaded guilty Tuesday in North Central District Court in Minot, North Dakota, to delivery of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Judge Stacy Louser sentenced Williams to 20 years on the meth charge, with 10 years suspended, followed by three years on probation. Williams was given a suspended sentence on the fentanyl charge.

At the time he committed his crimes, Williams was on probation after pleading guilty June 6, 2022 in Jasper County Circuit Court to possession of a controlled substance. 

Judge Gayle Crane sentenced him to four years in prison, suspended the sentence and placed him on probation for four years.

The probation was suspended following his North Dakota arrest.

Billy Long, Trump’s nominee to lead IRS, touts credential tax experts say is dubious

By Jeremy Kohler and Alex Mierjeski

ProPublica

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Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long of Missouri, whom President-elect Donald Trump has named his nominee to head the IRS, touts his expertise in tax matters.

He advertises his credential as a certified tax and business advisor, and he adds CTBA to his name on his X profile. That profile encourages people to message him to “save 40% on your taxes.”

But tax experts told ProPublica that they have never heard of CTBA as a credential in the tax profession. The designation is offered by a small Florida firm, Excel Empire, which was established just two years ago and only requires attendance at a three-day seminar. That is in stark contrast to the 150 credit hours and the rigorous exams required to become a certified public accountant, a standard certification for tax accountants.

In most tax cases, only lawyers, CPAs and enrolled agents — federally authorized tax practitioners — can represent taxpayers at the IRS.

“The cost of relying on tax advice from somebody that is solely focused on minimizing the tax liabilities that you have — as opposed to somebody that’s focused on both minimizing the tax liabilities and complying with the tax law — can be extraordinarily high if you are found to be in violation of the standards,” said Nathan Goldman, an associate professor of accounting at North Carolina State University.

Excel Empire’s three-day certification course has been advertised for as much as $30,000; its upcoming session is advertised at $4,997. Matthew Pearson, one of its founders, said this summer in a podcast that about 135 people have earned the CTBA designation, which the firm designed to help people without tax backgrounds to become advisors.

Nina Olson, a prominent taxpayer advocate, said that the modern tax industry has seen “a proliferation of different groups and entities that are providing tax advice” and that consumers have no way of knowing who is competent.

“It could just be that you’ve taken a very short course, and paid a large fee for that course, and that gives you the ability to put some initials after your name,” said Olson, who served as the IRS’ national taxpayer advocate from 2001 to 2019. She is now executive director of the Center for Taxpayer Rights, a Washington-based nonprofit that promotes fairness and access to justice in tax systems.

Tax experts said that Long’s years of experience as a real estate agent and as an auctioneer — before spending a dozen years in Congress — pales next to the deep experience in tax policy or management of the people who have held the job. For instance, the current IRS commissioner, Danny Werfel, previously served as acting IRS commissioner and held leadership roles at the Office of Management and Budget. He also worked in the private sector as a managing director at Boston Consulting Group.

Long’s experience in the tax world has been more narrowly focused. In the two years since he left Congress, he worked to bring in customers for at least two firms that marketed the employee retention credit — a pandemic-era benefit designed to support businesses that kept workers despite revenue losses or disruptions caused by COVID-19.

The credit also attracted fraud, eventually landing on the IRS’ “worst of the worst” list for tax scams. Two Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday announced an investigation into the firms, noting Long had neither a “background in tax preparation nor any credential as a licensed accountant, attorney or enrolled agent.”

Worth up to $28,000 per employee, the credit was available for the 2020 and 2021 tax years and has been widely used by both for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations across the country. However, the IRS raised significant concerns about aggressive promoters pushing ineligible businesses to file questionable claims. Red flags included inflated payroll numbers, claims for all quarters without proper eligibility or citing minor government orders that did not directly impact business operations.

The IRS says it has recovered over $1 billion from businesses that voluntarily reported improper claims. And it has launched hundreds of criminal investigations to try to recoup what it says could be billions of dollars more.

In a prepared statement in November, Werfel said businesses should review their claims and see if they were misled by firms marketing the tax credit.

“They should listen to trusted tax professionals, not promoters,” he said.

In a 2023 podcast discussing his work for the two firms, Long joked that he had a hat bearing the name of the credit glued to his head. He said his work marketing the tax credit had caused some clients to question their CPAs’ advice.

“Hey, this auctioneer, real estate broker, former congressman told me I’m going to get $1.2 million back,” he said. “Uh, you’re my CPA. Why didn’t you tell me that?” And he said the response of CPAs would be: “That’s a joke. That’s a fake deal. That’s not true. You’re going to have to pay all that money back. You’ll get audited.”

But he said the firms he worked for had never seen the IRS turn down one of their claims.

There is no evidence that either Excel Empire, Long or the firms that he worked for — Lifetime Advisors of Hudson, Wisconsin, and Commerce Terrace Consulting of Springfield, Missouri — engaged in wrongdoing. In the same 2023 podcast, Long emphasized he and his colleagues had helped only taxpayers who were entitled to the benefit.

Neither Long, Lifetime Advisors nor Commerce Terrace Consulting responded to requests for comment.

If Long is confirmed and succeeds Werfel, he’ll have the power to influence how Americans pay their taxes and how the federal government collects revenue. Trump has promised to end IRS “overstepping,” while Republicans have said that they would slash billions of dollars in funding passed under the Biden administration to modernize the IRS and enhance tax enforcement.

The IRS and the Trump transition team did not respond to requests for comment.

During his time representing Southwest Missouri in Congress, Long pursued legislation to abolish the IRS and establish a national sales tax. Billionaire Elon Musk, a Trump advisor, recently asked on X if the agency’s budget should be “deleted.”

Like Long, members of Excel Empire suggest that accountants don’t feel it is their role to save their clients money because they prioritize compliance over planning and are too busy during tax season to discuss strategies. The company’s website claims the firm has saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Edward Lyon, who is listed on Excel Empire’s website as chief tax planner and tax attorney, writes on his personal website that the seven most expensive words in the English language are “My CPA takes care of my taxes.”

Lyon elaborated on a podcast last year, noting that accountants “generally are rule followers,” but when it comes to lawyers, “we are trained to understand the rules but we’re trained to stretch the rules and bend the rules and poke at the rules and do an end run around the rules. It's a much more proactive focus.” Still, he has consistently emphasized that his company acts “legally, ethically and morally.”

The company’s co-founder, Pearson, once described Lyon on a podcast as the “preeminent proactive tax attorney in the country.” Lyon and Pearson declined to comment.

The Ohio Supreme Court suspended Lyon’s law license in 2005 for failing to meet registration and fee requirements on time, and he hasn’t regained it. He also does not appear to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment advisor.

Despite this, Lyon says he has trained tens of thousands of tax and finance professionals. As the author of several books and a column, he claims to be one of the country’s most widely read tax strategists and commands speaking fees of $15,000 and first-class travel arrangements.

Lyon has also developed several tax certification programs. On the Excel Empire website, some officers, including Pearson, use a title created by Lyon: tax master.

Appearing on another podcast, Lyon discussed how small businesses can be used as tax shelters. As an example, he asked the host, Heather Wagenhals — who also carries the CTBA title — if she had a swimming pool at her home, where she records her show.

“I do,” Wagenhals said. “That’s why I picked this one.”

Lyon responded: “All right, so I’m gonna rock your world in five words, ready? On-premises employee athletic facility.”

“Oh my God!” Wagenhals said.

Lyon added: “It’s really there in the tax code, and nobody’s told you that.”

In another podcast, Pearson brags about firing an accountant who balked at his request for advice about how to use a new Corvette “to keep from paying taxes.”

Olson said that attitude was disturbing and that simplistic answers can create problems for taxpayers in IRS audits and in the courts. “A swimming pool in someone’s home, even if employees are working in the home and using it, still would require the court to look at the percentage of employee use versus personal use — and they would look really closely at that,” she said.

Missouri governor commutes sentence of former KC cop convicted of killing a Black man

By Jason Hancock

Missouri Independent

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson commuted the prison sentence of a former Kansas City police officer who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black man.

Parson announced his decision to free former police detective Eric DeValkenaere from prison in a press release Friday afternoon that included numerous other individuals receiving a commutation or pardon. He did not explain his reasoning, but has long hinted he planned to make the controversial decision before he leaves office next month.

 

DeValkenaere, who is white, was serving a six-year prison sentence. He was convicted in 2021 of killing 26-year-old Cameron Lamb.

On the morning of Dec. 3, 2019, DeValkenaere responded to a request over his police radio to check out a driver who had been speeding through city streets. The driver, Lamb, had pulled his pickup truck into a driveway and was backing into a garage.

DeValkenaere, who was not in a police uniform, knocked down a makeshift fence to enter the property. Nine seconds later he shot Lamb, who was sitting in his pickup and had just placed a phone call.

DeValkenaere said he fired when Lamb pointed a gun at his partner. Police reportedly found Lamb in his truck, hanging out the driver’s side window and a handgun on the ground near his left hand.

Prosecutors have contended the gun was planted.

Jackson County Judge J. Dale Youngs convicted DeValkenaere of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. The officer had no legal right to enter Lamb’s property, he ruled, and the shooting was unconstitutional.

Since then, an appeals court panel has upheld the verdict. The Missouri Supreme Court refused to review the case. A federal judge ruled in a civil case that DeValkenaere violated Lamb’s constitutional rights.

DeValkenaere’s official commutation document, signed by Parson, places him on parole, “subject to the conditions imposed by the Parole Board

Critics of Parson’s decision noted he has routinely refused to intervene in wrongful conviction cases involving Black men.

“While Eric DeValkenaere gets to spend Christmas with his family, the three children of Cameron Lamb will never see their father again,” said House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat. “There is no justice here.”

Missouri judge strikes down abortion ban, but clinics say access remains blocked

By Anna Spoerre

Missouri Independent

A Missouri judge on Friday temporarily struck down several laws that Planned Parenthood clinics have said made access to abortion all but impossible across the state.

Among the laws Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang blocked include a 72-hour waiting period for an abortion and a mandate that physicians performing abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

But abortions will not yet restart in the state because licensure requirements remain in place.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers and the ACLU of Missouri in a joint statement Friday evening said that the state’s several clinics remain without abortion licenses.

“As a result of today’s mixed decision,” they wrote. “Missourians continue to be deprived of time-sensitive, essential, and constitutionally protected health care, despite voting in favor of a constitutional right to abortion.”

After more than two years of a near-total abortion ban, Missourians voted to legalize the procedure in November. Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Missouri immediately sued the state in the hopes of invalidating dozens of abortion regulations they believed were now unconstitutional.

On Friday afternoon, Zhang granted some of Planned Parenthood’s requests and denied others. This means that for the time being at least, some of the state’s strictest “targeted regulation of abortion providers,” or TRAP, laws are not enforceable.

Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri did not immediately say how soon they may begin offering abortion as a result of the judge’s order.

State officials, including Attorney General Andrew Bailey, agreed Amendment 3 makes null and void the state’s current ban on abortion, which only allows exceptions for medical emergencies.

But during a Dec. 4 hearing, Bailey’s office panned Planned Parenthood’s arguments that current TRAP laws cause irreparable harm and are unnecessary.

The state asked that the case be dismissed, arguing that because abortion is still accessible by mail or by leaving the state, Planned Parenthood didn’t have the standing to ask for an emergency injunction.

In her Friday order, Zhang wrote that, “as plaintiffs argue, they and their patients are suffering serious harm, whereas defendants only stand to lose the ability temporarily to enforce some laws that are likely to be held unconstitutional and which further no valid compelling state interest.”

She went on to temporarily strike down the following TRAP laws as unconstitutional: A requirement that physicians providing abortions have admitting privileges at hospitals with obstetric or gynecological care within 30 miles or a 15-minute drive.
A mandatory 72-hour waiting period between an initial abortion consultation and the abortion procedure.
The state’s informed consent requirement, which includes access to the state’s informed consent booklet.
In cases of medication abortions, a requirement that the medication be administered in the presence of the doctor who prescribed it. Planned Parenthood refers to this as a “telemedicine ban,” which prevents doctors from prescribing a medication in-person but allowing the patient to take the medication at home or in the presence of another medical professional.
A requirement that before administering medication abortion, providers must have a complication plan in place, which includes access to an on-call OB-GYN who is available at any time, in the case of a complication. Zhang wrote that this law was not helpful to those traveling from rural Missouri to an urban Planned Parenthood clinic, for example.
A law requiring all fetal tissue removed from the uterus during an abortion be sent to a pathologist.

Zhang kept in place the following TRAP laws:A requirement that patients must first see a doctor for an in-person appointment to confirm gestational age before prescribing the pills used in medication abortions.
A law stating that abortions can only be performed by physicians, and not physicians assistants or other advanced practice clinicians.
A law allowing the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to place separate regulations and standards that apply to ambulatory surgical centers on abortion clinics, including size requirements for hallways, room and doors. This law also requires clinics to keep a written plan for managing medical emergencies, including a transfer plan for patients to a nearby hospital. Zhang said she was denying the injunction related to these licensure requirements because the statutes “pertain to the actual licensure of the facilities rather than the rights of individuals seeking reproductive care.”

“We are gratified that the court has rightly decided to retain licensing requirements for abortion facilities and doctors who perform abortions even while we mourn the loss of protections that are vital to the safety of women and the protection of preborn children,” Brian Westbrook, executive director of Coalition Life, said in a statement, adding that the organization will “closely monitor the licensing process of any facility in Missouri that seeks to offer abortions.”

On Nov. 5, Missourians narrowly approved Amendment 3, which states, in part, that “the right to reproductive freedom shall not be denied, interfered with, delayed, or otherwise restricted unless the government demonstrates that such action is justifiable by a compelling governmental interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”

The constitutional amendment officially took effect Dec. 6.

Had all the challenged TRAP laws been struck down, Planned Parenthood clinics said they were prepared to immediately begin offering abortions at some of their locations.

“It is unacceptable that tomorrow, just like for the past two weeks, Missourians will have a constitutional right that cannot be realized in their home state,” Emily Wales, president and CEO of Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said in a statement. “We’re relieved the court recognized and enjoined many oppressive laws on the books that serve no purpose except to put abortion out of reach. Unfortunately, a key tool weaponized by anti-abortion politicians — the licensure process — remains in effect, and we are unable to restore care.”

The plaintiffs in a statement said they are evaluating their legal options.

Joplin R-8 Board approves three teacher "separations," hires one teacher, 19 classified employees

During a closed session Tuesday, the Joplin R-8 Board of Education accepted the "separations" of three teachers and hired one teacher and 19 classified employees.

According to the minutes, the three teachers whose "separations" were approved were Kristopher Dishman, Linda Foxwell and John Henderson.

Henderson's "separation" was voted on separately from the other two.

The board hired Margarita Antillon.

Classified Hires

Camille Parkin
Megan Pearson
Valeria Scherbakoff
Addison Clarkson
Bailey Welch
Paige Thompson
Marsha Coonce
Dustin Odett
Susan Nelson
Sara Danner

Brandi Miller
Ramona Eldridge
Skyelar Long
Ainsley Smith
Rebecca Hawkins
Tabitha Henderson
Marla Daniels
John Jones
Alta Richardson

Seneca woman charged with abandoning eight puppies

A Seneca woman who allegedly left eight puppies at a house in a red, plastic container faces a misdemeanor animal abuse charge in Newton County Circuit Court.

The allegations were detailed in the probable cause statement.

On 11/20/2024 at approximately 12:00pm, Nikkayla Williams went to{a location in} in Seneca, MO. She parked across the street in the parking lot of the Seneca Church of Christ. She exited her vehicle and removed a large red plastic container from her vehicle that contained 8 small puppies. She walked across St. Louis Street and onto the property of {name redacted}.

She placed the red container with the puppies on the front porch of {the home} and then knocked on the door. She then started walking away toward her car.

{The property owner} answered the door and saw Williams walking away and observed the red container with the puppies. {He} told her that he did not want the dogs and asked her to take them with her. {He} told her that he would call the police. 

Williams told him that she didn't care and she got in her car and drove away. 

Williams knowingly abandoned the 8 puppies without making provisions for their adequate care. {The property owner} is not able to care for the puppies.

Williams is the owner of the puppies and has knowingly failed to provide adequate care for the puppies which could have resulted in substantial harm to the dogs due to the weather. The temperature was 54 degrees with wind blowing at 20mph from the WNW. The wind chill was 49 degrees. The puppies were in an open top container without any way for them to keep warm.

Joplin woman charged with felony DWI after collision on 66

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed a felony driving while intoxicated charge against a Joplin woman today following a two-vehicle accident 5:50 p.m. Wednesday on MO 66 one mile west of Joplin.

Bond was set at $10,000 cash only for Brandie Lynn Duvall, 46.

According to the Highway Patrol report, Duvall, driving a 2012 Dodge Journey, failed to yield and struck a 2014 GMC Terrain driven by a 60-year-old Baxter Springs, Kansas woman in the side. The woman was taken to Mercy Joplin with serious injuries.

According to the probable cause statement, Duvall told a Highway Patrol trooper she had not had anything to drink but later changed her story and said she had a "glass of wine hours before the crash."

A preliminary breath test showed 0.222, according to the statement.

Carthage R-9 Board approves levy, bond issue proposals, accepts five teacher resignations

(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, December 16, 2024, 6:00 pm, at Mark Twain Elementary. Present were Board members Mr. Jeff Jones, Ms. Niki Cloud, Mr. Ryan Collier, Mr. Patrick Scott, Ms. Maria Sanchez, and Dr. Mark Westhoff. Mrs. Lora Phelps was absent.  Mr. Jeff Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mark Twain Elementary, second grade students presented information on the school’s coffee shop and hot cocoa bar. 

The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, district financial report, and revised policies and regulations. 

Dr. Gage Tiller, Director of Carthage Technical Center, presented the MSIP 6 Standard: Effective Teaching and Learning – 21st Century Success-Ready Graduates evaluative report to the Board. Jenna Calhoon was selected as the districts’ Missouri School Boards’ Association John T. Belcher Scholarship nominee. Jenna will compete for a regional scholarship; one regional winner will be awarded a state-wide scholarship. 

Ms. Maria Sanchez provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update highlighting the Trivia Night fundraiser will be held February 8th at Specialty Risk Insurance. 

Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, and the Board reviewed and discussed the legislative priorities. Dr. Boyer provided the Board information regarding the December 2024 budget revisions. Dr. Boyer and the Board reviewed and discussed the proposed resolution of the Jasper/Newton County Mitigation plan. Dr. Boyer provided the Board information regarding the new and revised policies and regulations for their review and consideration of adoption at the January 20, 2025 board meeting. 

The Board approved a resolution placing an operating levy on the April 8, 2025 ballot. The Board approved a resolution placing a general obligation bond issue on the April 8, 2025 ballot to construct an auditorium, including classroom space on the high school campus. Dr. Boyer presented his report to the Board. 

The Board met in closed session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss legal, personnel, and student matters in compliance with Section 610.021 (1), (3), and (6) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. 

In closed session the Board approved the following personnel actions: 

Approved the employment of certified, support, and substitute staff 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. 

PN Staff Contract Renewals 

Mari Beth Linder, Practical Nursing Coordinator Carthage Tech Center Re-employment for 2025 

Jo Ellen Branstetter, Practical Nursing Instructor Carthage Tech Center Re-employment for 2025 

Jessica Barrett, Practical Nursing Instructor Carthage Tech Center Re-employment for 2025 

Certified Hire 

Brett Collier, EL Teacher Carthage Sixth Grade Center New Hire- Mr. Collier has previously taught in the district for 6 years from 2018-2024. He was a history teacher at the Junior High during that time frame. He holds a BSED in History Ed from PSU and a Master of Arts in History from MSU.  

Logan Walker, Math Teacher Carthage High School New Hire- Mr. Walker will be graduating from Missouri Southern State University this December with an Education Major. He is currently teaching high school math for the Lamar School District. Mr. Walker was a substitute teacher for the Carthage School District between 2022 and 2024. 

Support Hire 

William Puryear, Plumber District New Hire 

Casey Baldwin, Cook Junior High School New Hire 

Yajaira Ordonez, Administrative Assistant District New Hire 

Garry Brooks, Evening Custodian Sixth Grade Center New Hire 

Bradley Bos, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire 

Substitute Hire 

Samantha Rusk, Substitute District New Hire 

Karley Crowe, Substitute District New Hire 

Kenneth Roach, Substitute District New Hire 

Jessica Barker, Substitute District New Hire 

Kelly Borchgardt, Substitute Cook District New Hire 

Certified Transfer

Sydney Peters, Math Teacher Carthage High School Transfer for 2025-2026 

Jennifer Moffatt, Math Teacher Carthage High School Transfer for 2025-2026 

Brett Collier, Social Studies Teacher Carthage Junior High School Transfer for 2025-2026 

Camryn Holloman, PLTW Biomedical Instructor Carthage Tech Center Transfer for 2025-2026 

Support Transfer

Jerry Murphey, Head Custodian Tech Center-North Transfer 

Adriana Torres Ramos, Administrative Assistant Transportation Transfer 

Substitute Modification

Melissa Stremke, AEL Substitute Teacher Tech Center-North Modification 

Larry Doty, Substitute District Modification 

Certified Resignation

Chris Wilkerson, PLTW Biomedical Teacher Carthage Technical Center Resignation 

Julie Tullis, Health Science Teacher Carthage Technical Center Resignation 

Paul Kennedy, Computer Science Teacher Carthage Technical Center Resignation 

Mary Bader, EL Instructional Coach Welcome Center/District-Wide Resignation 

Mark Sponaugle, Career and Adult Accommodations Coordinator Carthage Technical Center Resignation 

Support Retirement 

Debra Newman, Media Aide Mark Twain/Pleasant Valley Elementary Retirement 

Support Resignation 

Jessica Neff, Cook Columbian Elementary Resignation 

Larry Doty, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage Junior High School Resignation 

Jessenia Eaton, Administrative Assistant Transportation Resignation 

Cayden Crahan, Bus Mechanic Transportation Resignation 

Mary Reddy, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage Junior High School Resignation

MSSU to use nearly $2.2 million to overhaul Leggett & Platt Athletic Center

(From Missouri Southern State University)

The Missouri Southern Board of Governors today approved a $2.189 million allocation from university reserve funds for a comprehensive overhaul of the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. 

Work begins in spring 2025 with the replacement of the L&P roof damaged in the EF0/EF1 tornado on May 6, 2024, that passed over campus. 

Interior changes are divided into two phases with phase one, beginning construction in the summer of 2025, including new bleachers, indoor track, and basketball court. Phase two includes renovations to the concession stand, restrooms, sound system, and video scoreboard. Philanthropic support and an allocation from the Missouri Southern Foundation are also being sought to complete the funding package for the entire $5 million project (the roof repair, phase one, and phase two combined).

Opened in 1999 for an initial cost of $8 million, Leggett & Platt has become the region’s premier large event space hosting over 80 events annually, half of them non-athletic campus and community gatherings. 

The high level of use of the facility over the last 25 years has made this $5 million upgrade of L&P necessary to maintain it as Southwest Missouri’s largest column-free venue. 

“We recognize the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is far more than a venue for basketball, volleyball, and indoor track and field,” says MSSU Athletic Director Rob Mallory. “It has become a gathering place for the region in times of celebration and tragedy and maintaining it in top condition is a high priority for the university."

In addition to athletic events, Leggett & Platt has hosted U.S. presidents and state governors; MSSU, Kansas City University, and high school commencement ceremonies; 600+ person banquets; university and community career fairs; served as a place of refuge after the 2011 Joplin tornado; and as the venue for the funerals of the two fallen Joplin police officers in 2022. 

MSSU president Dr. Dean Van Galen commented, “We are grateful to the Board of Governors and our philanthropic and foundation partners for their support of this important maintenance project. We look forward to a rejuvenated facility continuing to serve our community for another 25 years.”

Reserve funds are assets maintained by the university’s governing board to ensure long-term financial stability and, when appropriate, for one-time special needs and projects. University reserve funds may only be accessed at the direction of the MSSU Board of Governors.

Casey's employee charged with stealing

A 9 a.m. January 27 arraignment is scheduled in Lawrence County Circuit Court for a former employee of the Casey's General Store in Pierce City who allegedly stole more than $900 from the cash register.

The Pierce City Police Department was contacted November 6 by the store manager who said she fired Cheyenne Nicole "Nikki" Rickman (DOB 1998) after discovering sales totals were not adding up and then reviewing video of Rickman working the register.

From the probable cause statement:

{The manager} stated that she watched video of the register {and} stated that on the above days Cheyenne N. Rickman was working at the register. {She} stated that she observed Rickman take $100 bills from customers. 

Rickman would take the bills and act like she was putting bills into the register. {The manager} stated that Rickman would then put bills up her sleeve. {She} stated that she watched several hours of video to try to figure out the discrepancy between sales and the amount of money in the register when Rickman was working. 

On November 08, 2024, at around 08:30 this officer made contact with the suspect Cheyenne Nicole (Nikki) Rickman. At this time Rickman was read her Miranda rights, Rickman stated that she understood her rights and was willing to talk. 

I asked Rickman if she knew why I was talking to her. She stated, "Is this about Casey's?'' I then stated yes. I then asked why, or how was there a difference in sales and the amount of money in the cash register? 

Rickman stated that she did not have any idea why. I then stated that there is video of Rickman putting big bills in her shirt sleeve. Rickman stated that her skin itches and that was what happened. She was scratching her arm. 

At no time did Rickman state that she took money from the register.

This officer received security video from Casey' General Store. The video was from November 03, 2024. The video shows the front of the store around the cash register area and behind the counter. The video shows Rickman putting money in her sleeve several times through the day of November 03, 2025.

The times are as follows:

05:36,

06:53,

09:42, 

10:13, 

11:05, 

11:44, 

12:30, 

13:05, 

13:24