Interagency squabbling may open the door for more terrorist attacks on United States embassies overseas.
A government report issued Nov. 16 by the General Accounting Office (GAO), the investigative arm of Congress, features letters from officials at a number of federal agencies who are protesting a plan to have them put money into construction of safer embassies. By having the State Department, which normally foots the entire bill for these projects, joined by the other agencies, stronger, safer embassies could be built in less time and provide more safety for the U. S. diplomatic corps.
The plan was suggested by the GAO in a report filed in October, which was featured in the Oct. 2 Turner Report. That report suggested that wasteful construction policies being followed by the U. S. Agency for International Development and the U. S. State Department are increasing the chances that other U. S. embassy employees may meet the same fate as Lamar's Kenneth Hobson who died as as result of an Al Qaeda attack on an embassy in Kenya in 1998.
The GAO report indicated that a construction policy is increasing not only the danger, but the cost of building embassies.It was Aug. 19, 1998, that more than 500 people crowded into the Thiebaud Auditorium in Lamar to say their goodbyes to Staff Sgt. Hobson, who was killed 12 days earlier. Hobson was only 27 years old, had a wife and daughter.
The attacks on the embassies were precursors to the Sept. 11 assault on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
After the bombing of that embassy in Kenya that the U. S. began a multibillion-dollar, multiyear program to "build new, secure facilities on compounds at posts around the world," according to the GAO report. The Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 requires that all offices for the embassies be located in the compounds. The embassy compounds have been built in stages, the report said, with the primary portion of the embassy being built, then later an annex for the officeworkers.
During the time the annex is being built, the officeworkers are being house in temporary quarters."Staff who remain in a temporary facility after other U. S. government personnel move into a new embassy compound may be more vulnerable to terrorist attack because the temporary facility does not meet security standards for new buildings and may be perceived to be a 'softer' target relative to the new, more secure embassy compound," the report said.Current plans call for this approach to be followed through the year 2009.
The GAO recommended concurrent construction and suggested building the offices within the compound instead of in annexes. "Concurrent construction would eliminate the second expensive mobilization of contractor staff and equipment and added supervision, security, and procurement support expenses that result from nonconcurrent construction," the report said.
Building the office quarters concurrently with the compounds at the next nine embassy construction sites could save taxpayers $35 million, the report said.
After the release of the initial GAO report, government agencies responded overwhelmingly in a negative fashion, according to the follow-up report. Comments opposing the cost-sharing proposal came from the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Justice, Treasury, and the U. S. Agency for International Development. The State Department was the only department that approved of the plan.
The Capital Security Cost-Sharing Program was developed to accelerate construction of 150 new secure embassies around the world. By using the cost-share program, the report indicated, the construction could be completed by the year 2018 rather than the originally estimated 2030.
The 1998 attacks on embassies in Kenya and Tanzania led to the creation of an Overseas Presence Advisory Panel to review the condition, management, organization, and other aspects of the U. S. embassies.
In 1999, the panel issued a report saying that the U. S. overseas presence "was near a state of crisis and that the condition of U. S. posts and missions abroad was unacceptable."
The panel recommended the construction of the new, safer embassies.
If the recommendations of the initial GAO report are not implemented it could take an extra dozen years for American personnel overseas to be safe. The territorial reaction of these government agencies is not presenting a united front against terrorism.
***
And where have the major news organizations been while this has been going on? A Lexis-Nexis search of major news organizations indicate that no stories have written about the GAO embassy construction reports during the past three months.
***
A spokesman for Cox Communications, the company that owns and operates the cable systems in Carthage and Lamar, is accusing Nexstar officials of violating FCC guidelines. The accusation came as Nexstar is preparing to pull the plug on KSNF and KODE-TV in both communities in 24 days.
"The FCC does require broadcasters to participate in good-faith negotiations," Cox spokesman Dave Graubert told Multichannel News. "I don't think Nexstar has really lived up to that."
***
A federal court judge signed an order earlier today allowing lawyers for Jasper County officials to question a convicted child molester who filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the county. An interview with Martin Anthony Eck will be set up when it is convenient for prison officials, according to the order.
Eck is suing Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn, Presiding Commissioner Chuck Surface, Associate Commissioner Jim Honey, and former Associate Commissioner Anna Ruth Crampton, among others, for $100 million, claiming he did not receive proper dental care while he was in the jail awaiting trial on the child molestation charges.
Eck pleaded guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court in November to two counts of statutory sodomy in connection with incidents involving a 12-year-old girl. The Joplin Globe reported that Eck had been convicted of child molestation 11 years ago in Gordon County, GA. He was sentenced to 20 years, but the sentence was suspended and he was allowed to move to Joplin a few years later, where he was under the supervision of the probation office here, according to the article.
Monday, January 10, 2005
It's not often that I get to drive through a blighted area of Joplin, but I did stop by the Wal-Mart Supercenter Saturday night to pick up a few groceries.
Most of the time, I try to shop at Dillon's or Smitty's. After all, who wants to drive alone at night in an area that the local TIF Commission and apparently, the Joplin City Council, consider blighted.
I haven't seen any statistics on how much crime occurs at the Supercenter. I know it's a jungle in its parking lot. No wonder the city council is anxious to give all of those tax advantages to rich developers so the Wal-Mart Supercenter can continue to be a shining example of the powers of urban renewal.
Seriously, tonight is the night the City Council will make its final decision on whether to declare the area a TIF zone and provide tax breaks to a company that wants to put a shopping center on the old K-Mart property. The whole idea of tax increment financing is flawed and it's even more flawed in cases like this. Why take away from our tax base to bring in businesses that will take away business from the ones already here. On top of that, you are giving these new businesses tax breaks that are not available to the already-existing businesses.
It's bad policy and I am not just saying that because I work for a taxpayer-supported entity, the Joplin R-8 School District, that will lose funding because of this.
The basic concept of TIF, to improve property that is actually blighted, is an admirable goal. This property is among the most valuable in the city of Joplin. It will be developed and can be done without harming the taxpayers in the process.
***
It is amazing how selective the memory can be. The latest fiction to spread in the war between Nexstar, owner of KSNF and operator (and de facto owner) of KODE is that cable originally came into being to carry local stations.
If I recall correctly, no cable company ever came into this area, selling KODE, KSN and KOAM. It has always been the stations like CNN, ESPN, the Weather Channel, C-SPAN, TBS, TNT, and USA Network have spurred cable hookups.
Local stations had to go to the federal government 12 years ago to make sure that cable companies carried the local stations, even though most of them were. The thought then was that the local stations needed cable to ensure that they reach as many customers as possible.
The more pressing need now appears to be for another source of revenue flow. In the past, the networks paid local stations for carrying their programming. That is now a thing of the past. Plus, the added competition for the advertising dollar has hurt the bottom line at local TV stations. In the past, the stations competed against each other and newspapers and radio stations for the advertising dollar. Now the cable stations and the Internet have come into play.
That could be one reason why you see the constant flow of infomercials, many in prominent time periods (not just the wee hours of the morning) on channels 12 and 16. KODE used to carry the Andy Griffith Show at 11 a.m. Now it offers infomercials, KSNF used to carry Frasier at 12:30 p.m. Now it has a different infomercial every day, a surefire lead-in for NBC's afternoon soap operas.
Plus, you now have KODE and KSNF sharing ad sales, enabling the companies to offer better deals to advertisers.
If Nexstar can get one of the local cable outfits to cave in, it won't be long before the others are forced to follow suit. In this area, Cox would appear to be the weak link since its multi-tiered setup has already been much criticized.
***
The Joplin Globe is continuing to rake in big bucks from the controversy. KSN and KODE ran full-page advertisements in the Sunday and Monday Globe while Dish Network had a full-page ad in the Sunday edition.
***
The Newton County Sheriff's race was selected as the top news story of 2004 by the Neosho Daily News. And it was a major story that the Daily did its best to jump on. The biggest problem the Daily and other media sources have had with the controversies surrounding Ron Doerge is that it is hard to cover the story thoroughly when your main (and only) source is Doerge himself.
The story will continue in 2005 since reports are that Doerge received a deputy's commission and will remain an integral part of the Newton County Sheriff's Department.
That is not going to make things easy on his successor, Ken Copeland.
***
For those of you who have Cable One and have not receieved an antenna, check out Channel 67 (which is not provided by the cable company). KSNF is available on that channel.
I finally broke down ond bought an antenna (I didn't want to get one of the freebies since I write about Cable One in this blog.) just in time to see Marty Schottenheimer's latest playoff adventure. I left at halftime of the San Diego-New York Jets game Saturday night and bought an antenna at a store in the middle of a blighted area of Joplin.
***
All right. I know I have talked about this time and time again, but why do the local newspapers (primarily the Neosho Daily News and The Carthage Press) insist on putting the phrase "From staff reports" on articles that staff members contributed nothing to?
The latest example came on page one of the Sunday Neosho Daily News, which featured a press release on State Senator Gary Nodler's appointment as chairman of the Education Committee. No one is going to think less of the Daily if it simply says that it is a press release and tells where it came from. Or get on the phone, find some more information and make it into your own story. Then any information from the press release can be labeled, "according to the press release," or "the press release said."
***
Two Southeast Kansas radio stations have been sold to Southeast Kansas Independent Living (SKIL), according to the Pittsburg Morning Sun. KSEK, 1340 AM and 99.1 FM, is expected to keep the same format on both of its stations, though all sports activities will now be on the AM side, according to the Morning Sun article.
Most of the time, I try to shop at Dillon's or Smitty's. After all, who wants to drive alone at night in an area that the local TIF Commission and apparently, the Joplin City Council, consider blighted.
I haven't seen any statistics on how much crime occurs at the Supercenter. I know it's a jungle in its parking lot. No wonder the city council is anxious to give all of those tax advantages to rich developers so the Wal-Mart Supercenter can continue to be a shining example of the powers of urban renewal.
Seriously, tonight is the night the City Council will make its final decision on whether to declare the area a TIF zone and provide tax breaks to a company that wants to put a shopping center on the old K-Mart property. The whole idea of tax increment financing is flawed and it's even more flawed in cases like this. Why take away from our tax base to bring in businesses that will take away business from the ones already here. On top of that, you are giving these new businesses tax breaks that are not available to the already-existing businesses.
It's bad policy and I am not just saying that because I work for a taxpayer-supported entity, the Joplin R-8 School District, that will lose funding because of this.
The basic concept of TIF, to improve property that is actually blighted, is an admirable goal. This property is among the most valuable in the city of Joplin. It will be developed and can be done without harming the taxpayers in the process.
***
It is amazing how selective the memory can be. The latest fiction to spread in the war between Nexstar, owner of KSNF and operator (and de facto owner) of KODE is that cable originally came into being to carry local stations.
If I recall correctly, no cable company ever came into this area, selling KODE, KSN and KOAM. It has always been the stations like CNN, ESPN, the Weather Channel, C-SPAN, TBS, TNT, and USA Network have spurred cable hookups.
Local stations had to go to the federal government 12 years ago to make sure that cable companies carried the local stations, even though most of them were. The thought then was that the local stations needed cable to ensure that they reach as many customers as possible.
The more pressing need now appears to be for another source of revenue flow. In the past, the networks paid local stations for carrying their programming. That is now a thing of the past. Plus, the added competition for the advertising dollar has hurt the bottom line at local TV stations. In the past, the stations competed against each other and newspapers and radio stations for the advertising dollar. Now the cable stations and the Internet have come into play.
That could be one reason why you see the constant flow of infomercials, many in prominent time periods (not just the wee hours of the morning) on channels 12 and 16. KODE used to carry the Andy Griffith Show at 11 a.m. Now it offers infomercials, KSNF used to carry Frasier at 12:30 p.m. Now it has a different infomercial every day, a surefire lead-in for NBC's afternoon soap operas.
Plus, you now have KODE and KSNF sharing ad sales, enabling the companies to offer better deals to advertisers.
If Nexstar can get one of the local cable outfits to cave in, it won't be long before the others are forced to follow suit. In this area, Cox would appear to be the weak link since its multi-tiered setup has already been much criticized.
***
The Joplin Globe is continuing to rake in big bucks from the controversy. KSN and KODE ran full-page advertisements in the Sunday and Monday Globe while Dish Network had a full-page ad in the Sunday edition.
***
The Newton County Sheriff's race was selected as the top news story of 2004 by the Neosho Daily News. And it was a major story that the Daily did its best to jump on. The biggest problem the Daily and other media sources have had with the controversies surrounding Ron Doerge is that it is hard to cover the story thoroughly when your main (and only) source is Doerge himself.
The story will continue in 2005 since reports are that Doerge received a deputy's commission and will remain an integral part of the Newton County Sheriff's Department.
That is not going to make things easy on his successor, Ken Copeland.
***
For those of you who have Cable One and have not receieved an antenna, check out Channel 67 (which is not provided by the cable company). KSNF is available on that channel.
I finally broke down ond bought an antenna (I didn't want to get one of the freebies since I write about Cable One in this blog.) just in time to see Marty Schottenheimer's latest playoff adventure. I left at halftime of the San Diego-New York Jets game Saturday night and bought an antenna at a store in the middle of a blighted area of Joplin.
***
All right. I know I have talked about this time and time again, but why do the local newspapers (primarily the Neosho Daily News and The Carthage Press) insist on putting the phrase "From staff reports" on articles that staff members contributed nothing to?
The latest example came on page one of the Sunday Neosho Daily News, which featured a press release on State Senator Gary Nodler's appointment as chairman of the Education Committee. No one is going to think less of the Daily if it simply says that it is a press release and tells where it came from. Or get on the phone, find some more information and make it into your own story. Then any information from the press release can be labeled, "according to the press release," or "the press release said."
***
Two Southeast Kansas radio stations have been sold to Southeast Kansas Independent Living (SKIL), according to the Pittsburg Morning Sun. KSEK, 1340 AM and 99.1 FM, is expected to keep the same format on both of its stations, though all sports activities will now be on the AM side, according to the Morning Sun article.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Today's Joplin Globe featured the news that former Jasper County Circuit Court Judge Charles Teel had died. I really didn't know Judge Teel at all.
I only covered one case in Judge Teel's courtroom, but that turned out to be the right one. I've told the story in a previous edition of The Turner Report of how I happened to be assigned to be The Carthage Press reporter at the hearing to determine whether Nancy Cruzan should have her feeding tubes removed. Nancy, whom I had known slightly as a teenager, had been in a car accident near Carthage in 1982 and had been in a persistent vegetative state since that time.
It was October 1990 and I had only been a general assignment reporter at The Press for six months. The courts were generally the province of reporter Pat Halvorson, but the hearing was on a Thursday, her day off was Thursday, and she had things she needed to do. Managing Editor Neil Campbell asked me if I could cover the hearing and I jumped at the opportunity. After all, this was a case that had gone all the way to the U. S. Supreme Court before being returned to the Jasper County Courthouse.
I was a little overwhelmed by the amount (and caliber) of the media that filled up most of the seats in the small upstairs courtroom. Since there were so many people shoehorned into the room and since it was a hearing with no jury, media were allowed to sit in the jury box. I was there with reporters for The New York Times, Associated Press, Kansas City Star and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, as well as two sketch artists for major newspapers and some four-states TV reporters.
Had I have been a bit more intelligent, I probably would have followed the lead of Globe reporter Jo Ellis, who was smart enough to distance herself from the media and took a seat in the middle of the courtroom, but I was too dazzled by being a part, if just a minor one, in such a major story.
The U. S. Supreme Court, a few months earlier, had ruled that people had a "right-to-die" in situations similar to Nancy's if they had clearly expressed their desire beforehand. The hearing in Jasper County was to determine if she had expressed that desire.
The morning testimony featured former co-workers of Nancy's who indicated she had said she would not want to be kept alive by artificial means if she were in that type of situation. As the testimony continued, I sat in the jury box, jotting down the same notes, seeing things in the same way as every other reporter sitting there with me.
The best thing that ever happened to me was when Judge Teel declared a noon recess. We were told to return to court at 1:30. Realizing that seating would once again be at a premium, I entered the courtroom at 10 minutes past one.
The jury box was already filled.
After silently cursing my fate (I could no longer be one of the big boys), I grabbed a seat two rows behind where Joe and Joyce Cruzan. Nancy's parents, and Chris White, Nancy's sister, were sitting with their attorney, William Colby.
Seated in the row directly in front of me were Chris's daughters, Angie and Miranda Yocum, the nieces that Nancy had adored. If memory serves me correctly, at that time Angie was a sophomore at Webb City High School and Miranda was a freshman. I noticed that Miranda had a sketch pad in her lap and was drawing a highly-detailed rendition of what was going on in the courtroom.
At that point, I made the decision to write two stories about this hearing, the official one over the testimony, and a sidebar about the nieces, focusing primarily on the little sketch artist. If I had stayed in that jury box, I would have missed out on a story that changed my journalism career.
I continued taking down the testimony at the same time I was jotting down details about Miranda and Angie. When one of Nancy's former bosses testified that Nancy said she wouldn't want to be kept alive by artificial means because "vegetables couldn't hug their nieces" I watched the girls' reaction. Angie began crying. Miranda's face was reddening, but she put her arm around her older sister and began patting her shoulder.
As the testimony wore on, Joe Cruzan left the courtroom and headed toward the bathroom. I followed, something that I normally would never have done, but I was going after the story even it meant being just one more person to invade this man's privacy.
After he finished with the purpose for which he had left the courtroom, I identified myself and asked if I could ask him a couple of questions. He sighed and said, "All right."
I told him I had been watching his granddaughter and she appeared to be quite the little artist. For a brief second, Joe Cruzan's face brightened and it appeared that some of the burden he had been carrying for years had been lifted. A smile crossed his face and he began talking about how talented Miranda was and how the family hoped she would become an artist. It was nearly 20 minutes before we returned to the courtroom. I didn't ask him any questions about his daughter. He didn't need any reporters asking him how he felt or asking him to relive the ordeal he and his family had gone through since Nancy's accident, but I definitely was not going to miss the chance to get information about Miranda.
At the end of the day, when the hearing concluded, Miranda presented her sketch to Colby, who was clearly touched. I am sure it remains one of his most cherished possessions.
It was another six weeks before Judge Teel made his decision. On Dec. 12, 1990, one of Judge Teel's secretaries called the media to let us know that the decision would be announced at 2 p.m. that afternoon. I didn't see Judge Teel that day. We were each given a copy of his decision which granted the Cruzans permission to remove the feeding tubes. Nancy died, some say for a second time, on Dec. 26, 1990.
That was the only time I ever stepped foot in Judge Teel's courtroom. It was definitely the right time to do so.
***
Anyone with tips on stories for The Turner Report should write to rturner229@hotmail.com , mail them to me at 2306 E. 8th, Apt. G, Joplin, MO 64801, or call me at 417-206-0585.
I only covered one case in Judge Teel's courtroom, but that turned out to be the right one. I've told the story in a previous edition of The Turner Report of how I happened to be assigned to be The Carthage Press reporter at the hearing to determine whether Nancy Cruzan should have her feeding tubes removed. Nancy, whom I had known slightly as a teenager, had been in a car accident near Carthage in 1982 and had been in a persistent vegetative state since that time.
It was October 1990 and I had only been a general assignment reporter at The Press for six months. The courts were generally the province of reporter Pat Halvorson, but the hearing was on a Thursday, her day off was Thursday, and she had things she needed to do. Managing Editor Neil Campbell asked me if I could cover the hearing and I jumped at the opportunity. After all, this was a case that had gone all the way to the U. S. Supreme Court before being returned to the Jasper County Courthouse.
I was a little overwhelmed by the amount (and caliber) of the media that filled up most of the seats in the small upstairs courtroom. Since there were so many people shoehorned into the room and since it was a hearing with no jury, media were allowed to sit in the jury box. I was there with reporters for The New York Times, Associated Press, Kansas City Star and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, as well as two sketch artists for major newspapers and some four-states TV reporters.
Had I have been a bit more intelligent, I probably would have followed the lead of Globe reporter Jo Ellis, who was smart enough to distance herself from the media and took a seat in the middle of the courtroom, but I was too dazzled by being a part, if just a minor one, in such a major story.
The U. S. Supreme Court, a few months earlier, had ruled that people had a "right-to-die" in situations similar to Nancy's if they had clearly expressed their desire beforehand. The hearing in Jasper County was to determine if she had expressed that desire.
The morning testimony featured former co-workers of Nancy's who indicated she had said she would not want to be kept alive by artificial means if she were in that type of situation. As the testimony continued, I sat in the jury box, jotting down the same notes, seeing things in the same way as every other reporter sitting there with me.
The best thing that ever happened to me was when Judge Teel declared a noon recess. We were told to return to court at 1:30. Realizing that seating would once again be at a premium, I entered the courtroom at 10 minutes past one.
The jury box was already filled.
After silently cursing my fate (I could no longer be one of the big boys), I grabbed a seat two rows behind where Joe and Joyce Cruzan. Nancy's parents, and Chris White, Nancy's sister, were sitting with their attorney, William Colby.
Seated in the row directly in front of me were Chris's daughters, Angie and Miranda Yocum, the nieces that Nancy had adored. If memory serves me correctly, at that time Angie was a sophomore at Webb City High School and Miranda was a freshman. I noticed that Miranda had a sketch pad in her lap and was drawing a highly-detailed rendition of what was going on in the courtroom.
At that point, I made the decision to write two stories about this hearing, the official one over the testimony, and a sidebar about the nieces, focusing primarily on the little sketch artist. If I had stayed in that jury box, I would have missed out on a story that changed my journalism career.
I continued taking down the testimony at the same time I was jotting down details about Miranda and Angie. When one of Nancy's former bosses testified that Nancy said she wouldn't want to be kept alive by artificial means because "vegetables couldn't hug their nieces" I watched the girls' reaction. Angie began crying. Miranda's face was reddening, but she put her arm around her older sister and began patting her shoulder.
As the testimony wore on, Joe Cruzan left the courtroom and headed toward the bathroom. I followed, something that I normally would never have done, but I was going after the story even it meant being just one more person to invade this man's privacy.
After he finished with the purpose for which he had left the courtroom, I identified myself and asked if I could ask him a couple of questions. He sighed and said, "All right."
I told him I had been watching his granddaughter and she appeared to be quite the little artist. For a brief second, Joe Cruzan's face brightened and it appeared that some of the burden he had been carrying for years had been lifted. A smile crossed his face and he began talking about how talented Miranda was and how the family hoped she would become an artist. It was nearly 20 minutes before we returned to the courtroom. I didn't ask him any questions about his daughter. He didn't need any reporters asking him how he felt or asking him to relive the ordeal he and his family had gone through since Nancy's accident, but I definitely was not going to miss the chance to get information about Miranda.
At the end of the day, when the hearing concluded, Miranda presented her sketch to Colby, who was clearly touched. I am sure it remains one of his most cherished possessions.
It was another six weeks before Judge Teel made his decision. On Dec. 12, 1990, one of Judge Teel's secretaries called the media to let us know that the decision would be announced at 2 p.m. that afternoon. I didn't see Judge Teel that day. We were each given a copy of his decision which granted the Cruzans permission to remove the feeding tubes. Nancy died, some say for a second time, on Dec. 26, 1990.
That was the only time I ever stepped foot in Judge Teel's courtroom. It was definitely the right time to do so.
***
Anyone with tips on stories for The Turner Report should write to rturner229@hotmail.com , mail them to me at 2306 E. 8th, Apt. G, Joplin, MO 64801, or call me at 417-206-0585.
Friday, January 07, 2005
The first reading of a bill inspired by the death of a Neosho man and his granddaughter was held during the opening session of the 2005 Missouri State Senate Wednesday.
State Senator Gary Nodler, R-Joplin's bill would increase the penalty for involuntary manslaughter if a person has a blood alcohol level that is one and half times the legal limit or if a fatality occurs when the person's vehicle leaves a public thoroughfare. That's what prosecutors alleged happened on July 31 when a car driven by Edward Meerwald, 50, Noel, left Highway 86 and struck James Dodson, 71, Neosho, and his seven-year-old granddaughter, Jessica Mann, killing them.
Meerwald faces involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the deaths. He is scheduled to stand trial Feb. 23, in Jasper County Circuit Court, where the case was sent on a change of venue. Motions are scheduled to be heard Feb. 1. Court officials are expecting a three-day trial.
***
Sen. Nodler will be at the center of the biggest issue facing Missouri legislators this year...the restructuring of the Foundation formula, through which Missouri public schools are funded. Nodler will serve as Chairman of the Senate's Education Committee.
***
A U. S. District Judge has given lawyers for former Webb City High School student Brad Mathewson 12 days to show why his civil rights lawsuit against the school district and High School Principal Steven Gollhofer shouldn't be dismissed.
According to the show cause order, which was filed in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri today, Judge Ortrie D. Smith said the time has already expired for Mathewson or his attorneys to file a response to the school district's Dec. 22 motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
"Plaintiff is directed to show cause on or before Jan. 19, 2005, why his claims and motion for preliminary injunction are not moot." The school district claimed that Mathewson no longer has any standing to sue since he dropped out of school in early December.
In the school district's motion, first published on The Turner Report, school officials claimed Mathewson, who sued the school after he was not allowed to wear gay pride t-shirts, had created numerous disruptions on school property.
In their complaint, district officials said another Webb City High School student filed a report with the Webb City Police after Mathewson "grabbed his groin area while researching in the library and frequently 'hit on' or 'flirted' with him."That wasn't the only reason district officials say Mathewson's behavior, as well as his selection of clothing, was creating a disruption at the school.The filing included a signed affidavit from Gollhofer saying that Mathewson had been flaunting his sexual preference in other ways. "Specifically, students complained that (Mathewson) was showing, and forcing in some instances, inappropriate photographs to students which depicted (Mathewson) and another male lying on top of one another, and the other male kissing (Mathewson's) neck." Mathewson has disputed these contentions in an interview with The Joplin Globe.
Mathewson's claims that his t-shirts had not caused a disruption at the school were also disputed in the motion. "Students also complained about (his) t-shirts, and informed the administration that the t-shirts were inappropriate, as well as distracting."The motion also says that district officials had genuine fears for Mathewson's safety.
"The district had already handled and addressed threats of violence against (Mathewson)." Webb City High School's educational environment was "permeated with tension," the motion said.
American Civil Liberties Union officials have acknowledged in media interviews that it will be difficult to pursue the case since Mathewson dropped out of school. Their hope seems to lie with a group of students who wore t-shirts to support Mathewson the week after he filed his lawsuit. Reportedly, 11 students wore such shirts. Four followed administrators' requests to change the shirts. Seven others were sent home after refusing to do so. ACLU officials indicated they would try to get one of those students to continue the case.
***
One week has passed since Nexstar Broadcasting pulled KSNF and KODE off Cable One and neither side has shown any signs of backing down. On the contrary, Nexstar has broadened its battle against cable and has given a Jan. 31 deadline for Cox Communications, Inc., to begin paying for the two Joplin stations or have to remove them from their cable systems in Carthage and Lamar.
The company is also planning to pull its station in KTAL, Texarkana, Texas, from several Cox systems in the Texarkana-Shreveport, La., area. It has already pulled KTAL from Cable One in Texarkana.
Cox officials told Multichannel News that they are considering going to the Federal Communications Commission for help in resolving the dispute.
Nexstar is gambling that one of the cable companies will give in and that will create a domino effect and bring in millions of dollars in extra revenue. So far in the Joplin area the bet has not paid off. Reportedly, Cable One has only lost about 80 customers, a figure not much different from what it would lose at this time of the year anyway, while Cable One customers who have not bothered to mess with cumbersome antennas have been sampling KOAM's local news and its network programming and are liking what they see.
The Joplin stations are also running into problems with their main source of revenue, advertising, since local advertisers have been asking for discounts since KODE and KSNF are now reaching considerably fewer viewers. Some of those advertisers have also been making their way to KOAM.
Nexstar has been willing to take this chance with the stations in Joplin and Texarkana because these are stations in their smallest markets and they believe a short-term loss is merely an investment if they can rake in millions from the cable companies. It remains to be seen whether the gamble will pay off.
Even if Nexstar wins, it has caused damage to its Joplin stations' credibility and reputation that will take a long time to repair.
State Senator Gary Nodler, R-Joplin's bill would increase the penalty for involuntary manslaughter if a person has a blood alcohol level that is one and half times the legal limit or if a fatality occurs when the person's vehicle leaves a public thoroughfare. That's what prosecutors alleged happened on July 31 when a car driven by Edward Meerwald, 50, Noel, left Highway 86 and struck James Dodson, 71, Neosho, and his seven-year-old granddaughter, Jessica Mann, killing them.
Meerwald faces involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the deaths. He is scheduled to stand trial Feb. 23, in Jasper County Circuit Court, where the case was sent on a change of venue. Motions are scheduled to be heard Feb. 1. Court officials are expecting a three-day trial.
***
Sen. Nodler will be at the center of the biggest issue facing Missouri legislators this year...the restructuring of the Foundation formula, through which Missouri public schools are funded. Nodler will serve as Chairman of the Senate's Education Committee.
***
A U. S. District Judge has given lawyers for former Webb City High School student Brad Mathewson 12 days to show why his civil rights lawsuit against the school district and High School Principal Steven Gollhofer shouldn't be dismissed.
According to the show cause order, which was filed in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri today, Judge Ortrie D. Smith said the time has already expired for Mathewson or his attorneys to file a response to the school district's Dec. 22 motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
"Plaintiff is directed to show cause on or before Jan. 19, 2005, why his claims and motion for preliminary injunction are not moot." The school district claimed that Mathewson no longer has any standing to sue since he dropped out of school in early December.
In the school district's motion, first published on The Turner Report, school officials claimed Mathewson, who sued the school after he was not allowed to wear gay pride t-shirts, had created numerous disruptions on school property.
In their complaint, district officials said another Webb City High School student filed a report with the Webb City Police after Mathewson "grabbed his groin area while researching in the library and frequently 'hit on' or 'flirted' with him."That wasn't the only reason district officials say Mathewson's behavior, as well as his selection of clothing, was creating a disruption at the school.The filing included a signed affidavit from Gollhofer saying that Mathewson had been flaunting his sexual preference in other ways. "Specifically, students complained that (Mathewson) was showing, and forcing in some instances, inappropriate photographs to students which depicted (Mathewson) and another male lying on top of one another, and the other male kissing (Mathewson's) neck." Mathewson has disputed these contentions in an interview with The Joplin Globe.
Mathewson's claims that his t-shirts had not caused a disruption at the school were also disputed in the motion. "Students also complained about (his) t-shirts, and informed the administration that the t-shirts were inappropriate, as well as distracting."The motion also says that district officials had genuine fears for Mathewson's safety.
"The district had already handled and addressed threats of violence against (Mathewson)." Webb City High School's educational environment was "permeated with tension," the motion said.
American Civil Liberties Union officials have acknowledged in media interviews that it will be difficult to pursue the case since Mathewson dropped out of school. Their hope seems to lie with a group of students who wore t-shirts to support Mathewson the week after he filed his lawsuit. Reportedly, 11 students wore such shirts. Four followed administrators' requests to change the shirts. Seven others were sent home after refusing to do so. ACLU officials indicated they would try to get one of those students to continue the case.
***
One week has passed since Nexstar Broadcasting pulled KSNF and KODE off Cable One and neither side has shown any signs of backing down. On the contrary, Nexstar has broadened its battle against cable and has given a Jan. 31 deadline for Cox Communications, Inc., to begin paying for the two Joplin stations or have to remove them from their cable systems in Carthage and Lamar.
The company is also planning to pull its station in KTAL, Texarkana, Texas, from several Cox systems in the Texarkana-Shreveport, La., area. It has already pulled KTAL from Cable One in Texarkana.
Cox officials told Multichannel News that they are considering going to the Federal Communications Commission for help in resolving the dispute.
Nexstar is gambling that one of the cable companies will give in and that will create a domino effect and bring in millions of dollars in extra revenue. So far in the Joplin area the bet has not paid off. Reportedly, Cable One has only lost about 80 customers, a figure not much different from what it would lose at this time of the year anyway, while Cable One customers who have not bothered to mess with cumbersome antennas have been sampling KOAM's local news and its network programming and are liking what they see.
The Joplin stations are also running into problems with their main source of revenue, advertising, since local advertisers have been asking for discounts since KODE and KSNF are now reaching considerably fewer viewers. Some of those advertisers have also been making their way to KOAM.
Nexstar has been willing to take this chance with the stations in Joplin and Texarkana because these are stations in their smallest markets and they believe a short-term loss is merely an investment if they can rake in millions from the cable companies. It remains to be seen whether the gamble will pay off.
Even if Nexstar wins, it has caused damage to its Joplin stations' credibility and reputation that will take a long time to repair.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Offers by Joplin city officials to serve as mediators in the showdown between Nexstar Broadcasting, owner of KSNF and operator of KODE (and de facto owner of both) and Cable One have been rejected, at least at this point.
The city news section of www.joplin.org , the city's website, said, "The city is concerned about this issue and has made a standing offer to both companies to assist in this situation as a facilitator and/or provide a neutral environment in which to meet for discussions. The two parties have not accepted the city's offer at this time."
The website indicates that Cable One has a 10-year permit to operate a cable service in Joplin, which was renewed in March 2004. The city can review "signal quality, customer service and general operations of the cable company," the website says, "but does not have authority to require specific programming or channels."
Other companies are not excluded from establishing cable franchises in Joplin, the website said.
"The city finds this situation unfortunate, and hopes that this issue can be resolved to provide the citizens of Joplin a quality service from both companies," the website release concluded.
KODE and KSNF were removed from Cable One at midnight Dec. 31 at the request of Nexstar after the cable company refused Nexstar's demand to pay 30 cents per month per customer to carry the two local stations.
***
In a situation that may already be having ramifications for area tourism, Chicago Business is reporting that sales of the Precious Moments line of collectibles have dropped significantly over the past three years.
In 2001, Precious Moments accounted for 39 percent of the sales of its parent company Enesco. That figure had fallen to 25 percent by the end of 2004, and was a major reason for the financial problems Enesco has been facing.
Paula Manley, formerly chief financial officer at Follett Higher Education Group, a supplier to college bookstores, will take over as Enesco's CFO as of Jan. 24, the Chicago business article said.
The article indicates her job will be cut out for her. It quotes Pam Danziger, president of market research consultant Unity Marketing, Inc., as saying, "The whole bottom has dropped out of their core business. People don't want clutter anymore and what is Precious Moments but clutter?"
Enesco posted a net loss of $4.5 million during the nine months ending Sept. 30, 2004, according to the article.
The article also indicates Enesco has been impacted negatively by a drop in the sales of its Cherished Teddies line and by the increasing popularity of on-line buying of collectibles from eBay.
The Precious Moments line of collectibles was created by artist and former Carthage resident Sam Butcher. His Precious Moments Chapel has been a tourism attraction for this area for the past two decades. It remains to be seen how or if the drop in figurine sales will affect attendance.
***
Thanks to you readers, The Turner Report has set records the past three days for visitors with today ranking as the biggest day ever (and there is still some time left as I write this).
Many people are reaching this blog through bookmarks or by typing in the address, but as always many reach it through search engine results when they are looking for information on one particular subject or another.
It probably won't surprise you to know that many people have come to The Turner Report while researching the standoff between Cable One and Nexstar. That, however, is only the number two attraction. More people are still coming to this site to find out more about former KODE anchor Malorie Maddox, who appears to be quite popular. I have no idea whether those people are from this area trying to find out where she is now or if they are from her new home in Omaha, Neb., trying to find out about what she did in the past, but they are finding this site.
Other people have reached this site during the past week by typing in the following words in the search field:
-Edward Meerwald
-KOAM TV school closings
-Dr. Mark Mitchell, Neosho superintendent
-Large meth bust in Springfield
The city news section of www.joplin.org , the city's website, said, "The city is concerned about this issue and has made a standing offer to both companies to assist in this situation as a facilitator and/or provide a neutral environment in which to meet for discussions. The two parties have not accepted the city's offer at this time."
The website indicates that Cable One has a 10-year permit to operate a cable service in Joplin, which was renewed in March 2004. The city can review "signal quality, customer service and general operations of the cable company," the website says, "but does not have authority to require specific programming or channels."
Other companies are not excluded from establishing cable franchises in Joplin, the website said.
"The city finds this situation unfortunate, and hopes that this issue can be resolved to provide the citizens of Joplin a quality service from both companies," the website release concluded.
KODE and KSNF were removed from Cable One at midnight Dec. 31 at the request of Nexstar after the cable company refused Nexstar's demand to pay 30 cents per month per customer to carry the two local stations.
***
In a situation that may already be having ramifications for area tourism, Chicago Business is reporting that sales of the Precious Moments line of collectibles have dropped significantly over the past three years.
In 2001, Precious Moments accounted for 39 percent of the sales of its parent company Enesco. That figure had fallen to 25 percent by the end of 2004, and was a major reason for the financial problems Enesco has been facing.
Paula Manley, formerly chief financial officer at Follett Higher Education Group, a supplier to college bookstores, will take over as Enesco's CFO as of Jan. 24, the Chicago business article said.
The article indicates her job will be cut out for her. It quotes Pam Danziger, president of market research consultant Unity Marketing, Inc., as saying, "The whole bottom has dropped out of their core business. People don't want clutter anymore and what is Precious Moments but clutter?"
Enesco posted a net loss of $4.5 million during the nine months ending Sept. 30, 2004, according to the article.
The article also indicates Enesco has been impacted negatively by a drop in the sales of its Cherished Teddies line and by the increasing popularity of on-line buying of collectibles from eBay.
The Precious Moments line of collectibles was created by artist and former Carthage resident Sam Butcher. His Precious Moments Chapel has been a tourism attraction for this area for the past two decades. It remains to be seen how or if the drop in figurine sales will affect attendance.
***
Thanks to you readers, The Turner Report has set records the past three days for visitors with today ranking as the biggest day ever (and there is still some time left as I write this).
Many people are reaching this blog through bookmarks or by typing in the address, but as always many reach it through search engine results when they are looking for information on one particular subject or another.
It probably won't surprise you to know that many people have come to The Turner Report while researching the standoff between Cable One and Nexstar. That, however, is only the number two attraction. More people are still coming to this site to find out more about former KODE anchor Malorie Maddox, who appears to be quite popular. I have no idea whether those people are from this area trying to find out where she is now or if they are from her new home in Omaha, Neb., trying to find out about what she did in the past, but they are finding this site.
Other people have reached this site during the past week by typing in the following words in the search field:
-Edward Meerwald
-KOAM TV school closings
-Dr. Mark Mitchell, Neosho superintendent
-Large meth bust in Springfield
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
The final figures are in for 2004 and 127th District Representative Steve Hunter completed his meteoric rise at the top of the state's Republican party.
According to statistics available from the Missouri Ethics Commission, no Republican accepted more gifts from lobbyists than Hunter during the past calendar year. Hunter's reports indicate that he accepted $3,322.14 worth of meals, travel expenses, and other considerations from lobbyists, with most of the gifts being connected to lobbyists representing Ameristar Casinos.
The gifts didn't stop coming when the legislative session ended in May, according to reports filed by Hunter with the commission. He received $982.96 worth of gifts since June 1.
Two Democratic representatives, Rodney Hubbard of St. Louis with $4,119.29, and Connie Johnson of Jefferson City with $3,468.53, were the only ones to top Hunter's figures. The Carl Junction Republican barely edged out new Speaker of the House Rod Jetton of Marble Hill, who received $3,096.06.
Hunter received more gifts from lobbyists than Kevin Wilson, Marilyn Ruestman, and Ed Emery combined, though Ron Richard of Joplin with $1,752.48, and Bryan Stevenson of Webb City with $1,770.14 also did well.
Ms. Ruestman received $229.09, Wilson $871.69, and Emery $583.52.
While Hunter received a great deal from lobbyists after the legislative session ended, Richard has received nothing, Wilson $21.87 worth of gifts, Ms. Ruestman $61.50 and Emery $196.74.
The influence of the casino lobbyists on both Democrats and Republicans was obvious from the reports filed by the legislators. Nearly every representative who received more than $1,000 worth of gifts from lobbyists, received a sizable portion of that money from Ameristar lobbyists.
Hunter accepted travel expenses from lobbyist Sarah Topp on three occasions in 2004. He accepted travel expenses from lobbyist William Gamble one other time.Though Ms. Topp and Gamble represent a number of clients, including the Missouri Sheriffs Association, the Ethics Commission records indicate the travel money to Hunter came courtesy of the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Kansas City. Ms. Topp and Gamble also represent all of the interests of Ameristar Casinos, a Las Vegas-based company which only recently moved its operations into this state.On Jan. 22, Hunter accepted $91.32 in travel expenses, according to Ethics Commission records. He also accepted $91.32 in travel expenses, indicating he most likely went to the same place, as well as $125 for meals, food, and beverage from Ms. Topp on Feb. 20, $138 in travel expenses from her on March 8, and $455 for meals, food and beverage on March 20.Hunter accepted an additional $250 in travel expenses from Gamble on Aug. 28, according to the Ethics Commission records. Legislators are allowed to amend the records if they pay the lobbyists back, though the original expenditure remains. The Ethics Commission records show that none of Ameristar Casinos' gifts to Hunter have been paid back.
Hunter was the only legislator to receive gifts from Ms. Topp in February and the only representative (there were three senators) who received gifts in March, records indicate.The $1,150.64 Hunter received from the gambling interest was more money than any other area legislator, except Richard, received from all lobbyists' gifts combined.
Former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway received $1,464.85 worth of gifts from lobbyists, including travel expenses of $142.54 on March 29 and $168.50 on March 23, both from Jorgen Schlemeier, an Ameristar lobbyist. On June 12, she received $219.68 for travel from Sarah Topp, the same lobbyist who provided Hunter with most of his gifts.
Current House Speaker Jetton had his travel expenses covered by seven lobbyists on July 13, with each contributing $34.33, or close to $250 total, according to the Ethics Commission records. All seven lobbyists are registered as working for Ameristar. Apparently, Jetton believes taking one-seventh of the amount from seven different lobbyists looks better than receiving a large outlay from one lobbyist.
Jetton also received $124.04 for travel from the appropriately-named Ameristar lobbyist William Gamble on Nov. 18, $117.17 from Miss Topp for travel on Aug. 24, $116.87 for travel from Gamble on July 22.
Rodney Hubbard of St. Louis accepted $709.90 in travel expenses from Gamble on Aug. 9. Hubbard was an equal-opportunity proponent, also taking travel expenses three times from lobbyists from Harrah's Entertainment, another casino interest.
Connie Johnson of St. Louis apparently has a great appetite for lobbyists' gifts. Ms. Johnson received $627.35 for meals, food, and beverage, from Jorgen Schlieman on May 28.
Other legislators receiving large amounts from Ameristar included:
-Tom Dempsey, Republican Majority Floor Leader, St. Charles- $3,026.89 from all lobbyists, including $113.71 for travel from Gamble on Oct. 13, $250 for travel from Ms. Topp on June 7, $274.50 for travel from Gamble on May 18, and $135 for travel from Ms. Topp in January.
-Esther Haywood, Democrat, St. Louis- $1,356.08 from all lobbyists, $200 for travel from Jorgen Schlemeier on June 10.
-Robin Wright Jones, Democrat, St. Louis- $1,532.94 from all lobbyists, $200 for travel from Schlemeier on June 10.
-Joe Smith, Republican, St. Charles- $2,453.06 from all lobbyists, including $275.82 for travel from Ms. Topp, June 27, $101 for meals from Gamble on April 27, $327.14 for travel and $117.16 for meals from Schlemeier on March 27 and March 30, respectively, and $135 for travel from Ms. Topp on Jan. 10.
-Brian Yates, Republican, Lee's Summit- $2,228.94 from all lobbyists, including $125.58 from Ms. Topp for meals on Aug. 31.
***
I reported in the Jan. 4 Turner Report that Dish Network would be raising its prices as of Feb. 1 and noted the hypocrisy of the company that has been jumping all over cable for its annual rate hikes, raising its own prices after just 12 months. An Associated Press article indicates that the situation is much worse than that. Apparently, Dish Network has had five rate hikes in the past five years, according to the article.
***
Two prominent southwest Missourians have been proposed for honors by State Representative Marilyn Ruestman. Ms. Ruestman has submitted bills which would honor the late songwriter Albert Brumley of Powell, writer of the classic "I'll Fly Away," and Ms. Ruestman's mentor, former Seventh District Congressman Mel Hancock.
House Bill 154 would designate a portion of I-44 in Greene County from state route MM, exit 70, east to state route 286, exit 72, as the "Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway."
House Bill 155 would designate a portion of Highway E in McDonald County from the Arkansas state line north to Highway 76 as "Albert Brumley Memorial Highway.' The bill stipulates that all signs would be paid for, put up and maintained by Albert E. Brumley and Sons, Inc.
***
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today (Jan. 5) that the Golden City R-3 School District in Barton County will receive a $71,700 low-interest loan for lighting upgrades. The loan and six others which were announced, is administered by the MDNR's Energy Loan Program.
***
Attorneys representing Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn, Presiding Commissioner Chuck Surface, Associate Commissioner Jim Honey, and former Associate Commissioner Anna Ruth Crampton have filed a motion in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri asking to be allowed to question convicted child molester Martin Anthony Eck.
Eck is suing the county officials claiming he didn't receive proper dental care while he was in the county jail.
Eck pleaded guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court in November to two counts of statutory sodomy in connection with incidents involving a 12-year-old girl. The Joplin Globe reported that Eck had been convicted of child molestation 11 years ago in Gordon County, GA. He was sentenced to 20 years, but the sentence was suspended and he was allowed to move to Joplin a few years later, where he was under the supervision of the probation office here, according to the article. Eck, 41, Joplin, is asking for $100 million. Eck told what happened to him in his petition. 'I arrived at Jasper County Jail on April 2, 2004,' he wrote. 'I told the booking officer that I had bad teeth that needed taken care of. I was told at that time Jasper County Jail did not have a dentist. I filed a grievance on May 12, 2004, and got no response. I told the nurse numerous times and have written the sheriff on July 15, 2004." 'I still have not seen a dentist. As I understand it, it is the County Commission's job to make sure health care is available. It's been four months, still no dentist.' " Eck has been allowed to filed as a pauper, meaning that his effort to seek compensation for his dental problems will be funded by Missouri taxpayers.
The attorneys for the county officials have asked to interview Eck, according to their motion, because "it is vital to the defense of this litigation that defendants understand specifically what the plaintiff contends transpired during his incarceration in 2004 at the Jasper County Jail."
According to statistics available from the Missouri Ethics Commission, no Republican accepted more gifts from lobbyists than Hunter during the past calendar year. Hunter's reports indicate that he accepted $3,322.14 worth of meals, travel expenses, and other considerations from lobbyists, with most of the gifts being connected to lobbyists representing Ameristar Casinos.
The gifts didn't stop coming when the legislative session ended in May, according to reports filed by Hunter with the commission. He received $982.96 worth of gifts since June 1.
Two Democratic representatives, Rodney Hubbard of St. Louis with $4,119.29, and Connie Johnson of Jefferson City with $3,468.53, were the only ones to top Hunter's figures. The Carl Junction Republican barely edged out new Speaker of the House Rod Jetton of Marble Hill, who received $3,096.06.
Hunter received more gifts from lobbyists than Kevin Wilson, Marilyn Ruestman, and Ed Emery combined, though Ron Richard of Joplin with $1,752.48, and Bryan Stevenson of Webb City with $1,770.14 also did well.
Ms. Ruestman received $229.09, Wilson $871.69, and Emery $583.52.
While Hunter received a great deal from lobbyists after the legislative session ended, Richard has received nothing, Wilson $21.87 worth of gifts, Ms. Ruestman $61.50 and Emery $196.74.
The influence of the casino lobbyists on both Democrats and Republicans was obvious from the reports filed by the legislators. Nearly every representative who received more than $1,000 worth of gifts from lobbyists, received a sizable portion of that money from Ameristar lobbyists.
Hunter accepted travel expenses from lobbyist Sarah Topp on three occasions in 2004. He accepted travel expenses from lobbyist William Gamble one other time.Though Ms. Topp and Gamble represent a number of clients, including the Missouri Sheriffs Association, the Ethics Commission records indicate the travel money to Hunter came courtesy of the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Kansas City. Ms. Topp and Gamble also represent all of the interests of Ameristar Casinos, a Las Vegas-based company which only recently moved its operations into this state.On Jan. 22, Hunter accepted $91.32 in travel expenses, according to Ethics Commission records. He also accepted $91.32 in travel expenses, indicating he most likely went to the same place, as well as $125 for meals, food, and beverage from Ms. Topp on Feb. 20, $138 in travel expenses from her on March 8, and $455 for meals, food and beverage on March 20.Hunter accepted an additional $250 in travel expenses from Gamble on Aug. 28, according to the Ethics Commission records. Legislators are allowed to amend the records if they pay the lobbyists back, though the original expenditure remains. The Ethics Commission records show that none of Ameristar Casinos' gifts to Hunter have been paid back.
Hunter was the only legislator to receive gifts from Ms. Topp in February and the only representative (there were three senators) who received gifts in March, records indicate.The $1,150.64 Hunter received from the gambling interest was more money than any other area legislator, except Richard, received from all lobbyists' gifts combined.
Former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway received $1,464.85 worth of gifts from lobbyists, including travel expenses of $142.54 on March 29 and $168.50 on March 23, both from Jorgen Schlemeier, an Ameristar lobbyist. On June 12, she received $219.68 for travel from Sarah Topp, the same lobbyist who provided Hunter with most of his gifts.
Current House Speaker Jetton had his travel expenses covered by seven lobbyists on July 13, with each contributing $34.33, or close to $250 total, according to the Ethics Commission records. All seven lobbyists are registered as working for Ameristar. Apparently, Jetton believes taking one-seventh of the amount from seven different lobbyists looks better than receiving a large outlay from one lobbyist.
Jetton also received $124.04 for travel from the appropriately-named Ameristar lobbyist William Gamble on Nov. 18, $117.17 from Miss Topp for travel on Aug. 24, $116.87 for travel from Gamble on July 22.
Rodney Hubbard of St. Louis accepted $709.90 in travel expenses from Gamble on Aug. 9. Hubbard was an equal-opportunity proponent, also taking travel expenses three times from lobbyists from Harrah's Entertainment, another casino interest.
Connie Johnson of St. Louis apparently has a great appetite for lobbyists' gifts. Ms. Johnson received $627.35 for meals, food, and beverage, from Jorgen Schlieman on May 28.
Other legislators receiving large amounts from Ameristar included:
-Tom Dempsey, Republican Majority Floor Leader, St. Charles- $3,026.89 from all lobbyists, including $113.71 for travel from Gamble on Oct. 13, $250 for travel from Ms. Topp on June 7, $274.50 for travel from Gamble on May 18, and $135 for travel from Ms. Topp in January.
-Esther Haywood, Democrat, St. Louis- $1,356.08 from all lobbyists, $200 for travel from Jorgen Schlemeier on June 10.
-Robin Wright Jones, Democrat, St. Louis- $1,532.94 from all lobbyists, $200 for travel from Schlemeier on June 10.
-Joe Smith, Republican, St. Charles- $2,453.06 from all lobbyists, including $275.82 for travel from Ms. Topp, June 27, $101 for meals from Gamble on April 27, $327.14 for travel and $117.16 for meals from Schlemeier on March 27 and March 30, respectively, and $135 for travel from Ms. Topp on Jan. 10.
-Brian Yates, Republican, Lee's Summit- $2,228.94 from all lobbyists, including $125.58 from Ms. Topp for meals on Aug. 31.
***
I reported in the Jan. 4 Turner Report that Dish Network would be raising its prices as of Feb. 1 and noted the hypocrisy of the company that has been jumping all over cable for its annual rate hikes, raising its own prices after just 12 months. An Associated Press article indicates that the situation is much worse than that. Apparently, Dish Network has had five rate hikes in the past five years, according to the article.
***
Two prominent southwest Missourians have been proposed for honors by State Representative Marilyn Ruestman. Ms. Ruestman has submitted bills which would honor the late songwriter Albert Brumley of Powell, writer of the classic "I'll Fly Away," and Ms. Ruestman's mentor, former Seventh District Congressman Mel Hancock.
House Bill 154 would designate a portion of I-44 in Greene County from state route MM, exit 70, east to state route 286, exit 72, as the "Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway."
House Bill 155 would designate a portion of Highway E in McDonald County from the Arkansas state line north to Highway 76 as "Albert Brumley Memorial Highway.' The bill stipulates that all signs would be paid for, put up and maintained by Albert E. Brumley and Sons, Inc.
***
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today (Jan. 5) that the Golden City R-3 School District in Barton County will receive a $71,700 low-interest loan for lighting upgrades. The loan and six others which were announced, is administered by the MDNR's Energy Loan Program.
***
Attorneys representing Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn, Presiding Commissioner Chuck Surface, Associate Commissioner Jim Honey, and former Associate Commissioner Anna Ruth Crampton have filed a motion in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri asking to be allowed to question convicted child molester Martin Anthony Eck.
Eck is suing the county officials claiming he didn't receive proper dental care while he was in the county jail.
Eck pleaded guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court in November to two counts of statutory sodomy in connection with incidents involving a 12-year-old girl. The Joplin Globe reported that Eck had been convicted of child molestation 11 years ago in Gordon County, GA. He was sentenced to 20 years, but the sentence was suspended and he was allowed to move to Joplin a few years later, where he was under the supervision of the probation office here, according to the article. Eck, 41, Joplin, is asking for $100 million. Eck told what happened to him in his petition. 'I arrived at Jasper County Jail on April 2, 2004,' he wrote. 'I told the booking officer that I had bad teeth that needed taken care of. I was told at that time Jasper County Jail did not have a dentist. I filed a grievance on May 12, 2004, and got no response. I told the nurse numerous times and have written the sheriff on July 15, 2004." 'I still have not seen a dentist. As I understand it, it is the County Commission's job to make sure health care is available. It's been four months, still no dentist.' " Eck has been allowed to filed as a pauper, meaning that his effort to seek compensation for his dental problems will be funded by Missouri taxpayers.
The attorneys for the county officials have asked to interview Eck, according to their motion, because "it is vital to the defense of this litigation that defendants understand specifically what the plaintiff contends transpired during his incarceration in 2004 at the Jasper County Jail."
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
It shouldn't surprise anyone who reads The Turner Report on a regular basis to realize that there is a systematic, coordinated effort going on between Nexstar Broadcasting and the local satellite dish provider to break the back of the local cable company.
Take the recent anti-cable demonstration, covered by Nexstar's stations, and reportedly staged by sources connected with the satellite dish company. Or take the advertisements that are being placed regularly by the company, many times on KODE and KSNF's newscasts, encouraging viewers to continue to get their local stations by switching to satellite.
Multichannel News reports that Dish Network "has been especially aggressive in attacking cable operators over annual rate increases. In November, Dish invited reporters to call when writing stories about cable-rate increases, promising to offer up local customers who've switched to Dish from cable."
It was on June 29, 2004, that EchoStar Communications, owner of Dish network, announced that the network would offer local TV channels to Joplin and Pittsburg. In that announcement, EchoStar said, "Dish Network has frozen the lowest all-digital TV price through January 2005."
And that is exactly what Dish Network has done. During all of its promotions, the company has failed to mention that as of Feb. 1 it will be increasing its prices. The same company that has been lambasting cable for annual rate increases, will make its first rate increase since...February 2004.
Multichannel News reports "Dish Network is raising the price of its programming packages by $2 to $4 per month as of Feb. 1, citing rising programming costs and other expenses."
The letters announcing the rate increases are scheduled to go out this week, the article said. That "lowest all-digital TV price" will increase from $29.99 per month to $31.99 a 6.7 percent increase.
The Top 120 package is scheduled to increase from $39.99 to $42.99, up 7.5 percent. The Top 180 will increase from $49.99 to $52.99 and the "America's Everything" package will be $86.99, up from $82.99.
Take the recent anti-cable demonstration, covered by Nexstar's stations, and reportedly staged by sources connected with the satellite dish company. Or take the advertisements that are being placed regularly by the company, many times on KODE and KSNF's newscasts, encouraging viewers to continue to get their local stations by switching to satellite.
Multichannel News reports that Dish Network "has been especially aggressive in attacking cable operators over annual rate increases. In November, Dish invited reporters to call when writing stories about cable-rate increases, promising to offer up local customers who've switched to Dish from cable."
It was on June 29, 2004, that EchoStar Communications, owner of Dish network, announced that the network would offer local TV channels to Joplin and Pittsburg. In that announcement, EchoStar said, "Dish Network has frozen the lowest all-digital TV price through January 2005."
And that is exactly what Dish Network has done. During all of its promotions, the company has failed to mention that as of Feb. 1 it will be increasing its prices. The same company that has been lambasting cable for annual rate increases, will make its first rate increase since...February 2004.
Multichannel News reports "Dish Network is raising the price of its programming packages by $2 to $4 per month as of Feb. 1, citing rising programming costs and other expenses."
The letters announcing the rate increases are scheduled to go out this week, the article said. That "lowest all-digital TV price" will increase from $29.99 per month to $31.99 a 6.7 percent increase.
The Top 120 package is scheduled to increase from $39.99 to $42.99, up 7.5 percent. The Top 180 will increase from $49.99 to $52.99 and the "America's Everything" package will be $86.99, up from $82.99.
Being an old-fashioned newspaper guy, I deplore the recent trend toward smaller newspaper companies starting niche free publications full of fluffy features signifying nothing.
Liberty Group Publishing has started a few of these to boost its revenue over the past few years. It's not that there's anything inherently wrong with fluffy magazines, but they have a tendency to divert the company away from what should be its primary goal...to find a way to serve its community with solid, hard-hitting journalism and increase its revenue flow by doing so.
That's why the announcement seven days ago in the Neosho Daily News that staff writer Michelle Pippin is moving to the magazine side of Liberty was so disheartening. Ms. Pippin has worked hard over the past few years and has served the Daily's readers well. I am sure she will thrive working for the magazines, but I personally would like to see some of that magazine-style writing included in Liberty's local newspapers...and not just the fluffy kind, but the hard-hitting investigative kind. I don't know what the Daily's plans are for replacing Ms. Pippin, but it would be nice if the Daily would spend some money and bring in someone with experience.
***
Sticking with the small, local newspapers, the Jan. 1 issue of The Lamar Democrat featured editor Rayma Bekebrock Davis' look at the events that took place in the year 2004. And there were definitely a number of big ticket items featured, including the decision of long-time sheriff Bill Griffitt not to run for re-election, the death of O'Sullivan Industries' founder Tom O'Sullivan, the purchase of Lamar Supermarket by Summer Fresh, and the destruction of the historic Earp Building in an Aug. 28 fire.
A number of news items concerning O'Sullivan Industries, the city's largest employer, were featured...all of them came from news releases issued by the company. Yes, those releases were important news, but this situation called for journalistic leadership and that was not in evidence in Lamar.
The following items were included in the year- end wrapup:
-MoDOT confirmed installation of rumble strips on Highway 43 to begin on July 26.
-Lamar Rotary explained its centennial project to the district governor, Gerald Harp, on Oct. 5. The project is headed by Doug Davis. (Democrat publisher)
-Allen and Edith Walters donated the Lamar Fair queen portraits to Rotary officially in September. The framing project for those portraits was spearheaded by Rayma Bekebrock Davis (Democrat editor).
-The Lamar Democrat went to full pagination.
-In November, the Lamar Fair queen framing project was complete.
The article concluded with Mrs. Bekebrock-Davis writing, "Our hope is to publish more good news than bad and to continue to be your record of life in Barton, Jasper and Dade counties."
Apparently, the "record of life in Barton County" for the year 2004 did not include the resignation of Daniel O'Sullivan, chairman of the board of O'Sullivan Industries, and the later resignation of marketing chief Michael O'Sullivan, the last of the O'Sullivans to hold leadership positions in the company brought to Lamar by Tom O'Sullivan 40 years ago.
The "record of life in Barton County" also did not include the forced departures of longtime O'Sullivan officials, some of whom had been with the company for more than three decades.
Those items were never featured in the newspaper.
Items that ran in the newspaper, but did not make the year-end wrapup story, included the appointment of million-dollar CEO Bob Parker at O'Sullivan Industries and the decision to move the company's corporate headquarters from Lamar to Atlanta.
If that is the paper of record, my guess is that Arthur Aull and Madeleine Aull VanHafften are rolling over in their graves.
***
Let's stick with the newspapers. The Joplin Globe had the misfortune this morning to run a number of man-on-the-street quotes about the Cable One-Nexstar battle that heavily leaned toward Nexstar. A suspicious mind might question the timing of that page-one story on the same day that the Globe's A section featured a full-page ad from a satellite dish company..and those full-page ads bring in big bucks. The man-on-the-street thing is a relic of the past and needs to be discarded. In this case, I have talked to as many people, maybe more, who agree with Cable One or who curse both of the companies. But when you tell a reporter or photographer to come back with five or six photos to use as a man-on-the-street feature, that reporter is going to come back with five or six usable photos, not 10 or 12 so you can get a better choice and who can blame him? The Globe editors' lack of imagination opened the paper to charges of bias with this story.
***
KOAM-TV's Lisa Olliges' hard-hitting story on a Montgomery County, Kansas, judge who appears to be running a dictatorship, is unusual in more ways than one.
First off, it is a hard-hitting investigative story that took on a solidly-entrenched public figure, something you don't see much of in television or newspapers.
Second, it is being run in January which, unless I am unaware of some big change, is not a sweeps month. In television, sweeps periods, which I believe are February, May, and November, are used to determine the rates stations can get away with charging their advertisers. The more viewers they draw, the more consumers they reach, so companies are willing to pay more to place their advertising with the top-drawing stations. Usually, big week-long investigative pieces are reserved for sweeps month. That's when you see pieces like "Sex in Joplin" "Drug Use: A Teen Epidemic?" on the local news.
Ms. Olliges' series is part of what appears to be a commitment to hard-hitting investigative reporting by the station. That was definitely reflected in the hiring of the new co-anchor for veteran Dowe Quick. Rhonda Justice has a distinguished record of investigative reporting during the past decade in northwest Arkansas.
KOAM is investing some money in improving its news product and it shows.
I can't say for sure if Nexstar is putting any money into its news product, as I currently don't receive either KSNF or KODE.
***
A 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, hearing is scheduled in Jasper County Circuit Court for former Carthage R-9 Board of Education member Michael Lloyd Wells' incest case. The judge will decide on a motion by Wells' attorney to suppress evidence found in Wells' computer. Wells is a former Carthage Police officer.
Liberty Group Publishing has started a few of these to boost its revenue over the past few years. It's not that there's anything inherently wrong with fluffy magazines, but they have a tendency to divert the company away from what should be its primary goal...to find a way to serve its community with solid, hard-hitting journalism and increase its revenue flow by doing so.
That's why the announcement seven days ago in the Neosho Daily News that staff writer Michelle Pippin is moving to the magazine side of Liberty was so disheartening. Ms. Pippin has worked hard over the past few years and has served the Daily's readers well. I am sure she will thrive working for the magazines, but I personally would like to see some of that magazine-style writing included in Liberty's local newspapers...and not just the fluffy kind, but the hard-hitting investigative kind. I don't know what the Daily's plans are for replacing Ms. Pippin, but it would be nice if the Daily would spend some money and bring in someone with experience.
***
Sticking with the small, local newspapers, the Jan. 1 issue of The Lamar Democrat featured editor Rayma Bekebrock Davis' look at the events that took place in the year 2004. And there were definitely a number of big ticket items featured, including the decision of long-time sheriff Bill Griffitt not to run for re-election, the death of O'Sullivan Industries' founder Tom O'Sullivan, the purchase of Lamar Supermarket by Summer Fresh, and the destruction of the historic Earp Building in an Aug. 28 fire.
A number of news items concerning O'Sullivan Industries, the city's largest employer, were featured...all of them came from news releases issued by the company. Yes, those releases were important news, but this situation called for journalistic leadership and that was not in evidence in Lamar.
The following items were included in the year- end wrapup:
-MoDOT confirmed installation of rumble strips on Highway 43 to begin on July 26.
-Lamar Rotary explained its centennial project to the district governor, Gerald Harp, on Oct. 5. The project is headed by Doug Davis. (Democrat publisher)
-Allen and Edith Walters donated the Lamar Fair queen portraits to Rotary officially in September. The framing project for those portraits was spearheaded by Rayma Bekebrock Davis (Democrat editor).
-The Lamar Democrat went to full pagination.
-In November, the Lamar Fair queen framing project was complete.
The article concluded with Mrs. Bekebrock-Davis writing, "Our hope is to publish more good news than bad and to continue to be your record of life in Barton, Jasper and Dade counties."
Apparently, the "record of life in Barton County" for the year 2004 did not include the resignation of Daniel O'Sullivan, chairman of the board of O'Sullivan Industries, and the later resignation of marketing chief Michael O'Sullivan, the last of the O'Sullivans to hold leadership positions in the company brought to Lamar by Tom O'Sullivan 40 years ago.
The "record of life in Barton County" also did not include the forced departures of longtime O'Sullivan officials, some of whom had been with the company for more than three decades.
Those items were never featured in the newspaper.
Items that ran in the newspaper, but did not make the year-end wrapup story, included the appointment of million-dollar CEO Bob Parker at O'Sullivan Industries and the decision to move the company's corporate headquarters from Lamar to Atlanta.
If that is the paper of record, my guess is that Arthur Aull and Madeleine Aull VanHafften are rolling over in their graves.
***
Let's stick with the newspapers. The Joplin Globe had the misfortune this morning to run a number of man-on-the-street quotes about the Cable One-Nexstar battle that heavily leaned toward Nexstar. A suspicious mind might question the timing of that page-one story on the same day that the Globe's A section featured a full-page ad from a satellite dish company..and those full-page ads bring in big bucks. The man-on-the-street thing is a relic of the past and needs to be discarded. In this case, I have talked to as many people, maybe more, who agree with Cable One or who curse both of the companies. But when you tell a reporter or photographer to come back with five or six photos to use as a man-on-the-street feature, that reporter is going to come back with five or six usable photos, not 10 or 12 so you can get a better choice and who can blame him? The Globe editors' lack of imagination opened the paper to charges of bias with this story.
***
KOAM-TV's Lisa Olliges' hard-hitting story on a Montgomery County, Kansas, judge who appears to be running a dictatorship, is unusual in more ways than one.
First off, it is a hard-hitting investigative story that took on a solidly-entrenched public figure, something you don't see much of in television or newspapers.
Second, it is being run in January which, unless I am unaware of some big change, is not a sweeps month. In television, sweeps periods, which I believe are February, May, and November, are used to determine the rates stations can get away with charging their advertisers. The more viewers they draw, the more consumers they reach, so companies are willing to pay more to place their advertising with the top-drawing stations. Usually, big week-long investigative pieces are reserved for sweeps month. That's when you see pieces like "Sex in Joplin" "Drug Use: A Teen Epidemic?" on the local news.
Ms. Olliges' series is part of what appears to be a commitment to hard-hitting investigative reporting by the station. That was definitely reflected in the hiring of the new co-anchor for veteran Dowe Quick. Rhonda Justice has a distinguished record of investigative reporting during the past decade in northwest Arkansas.
KOAM is investing some money in improving its news product and it shows.
I can't say for sure if Nexstar is putting any money into its news product, as I currently don't receive either KSNF or KODE.
***
A 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, hearing is scheduled in Jasper County Circuit Court for former Carthage R-9 Board of Education member Michael Lloyd Wells' incest case. The judge will decide on a motion by Wells' attorney to suppress evidence found in Wells' computer. Wells is a former Carthage Police officer.
Former McDonald County sheriff candidate Randy Hance has retained the services of one of southwest Missouri's top criminal lawyers to defend him against federal weapons charges.
According to a document from the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Hance will be represented by Shawn Askinosie of Springfield, who has been the lawyer in many of the biggest criminal cases in this region over the past few years.
Hance was arraigned Dec. 30 in Springfield before Judge James C. England.
***
Today's Globe indicates that Cox Cable viewers are about to go through the same extortion techniques employed by Nexstar, owner of KSNF and operator of KODE (but de facto owner of both) during its battle with Cable One. Nexstar claims the cable company should not be allowed to carry the two local stations, while Cox claims it has another 30 days. Maybe I will be proven wrong, but I thoroughly expect KODE and KSNF to suffer from these tactics. I don't expect to see a massive turn toward satellite dishes in this area. Nexstar has already lost the public relations battle. Of course, it is the poor receptionists at the local stations who are suffering for Nexstar's tactics. I am sure they are receiving one phone call after another. It won't do any good to call Nexstar COO Duane Lammers on the number being shown on Cable One Channel 6. It's easy to hold your position when you don't bother to answer your own phone and I would be very surprised if Mr. Lammers is personally fielding any of the complaint calls.
According to a document from the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Hance will be represented by Shawn Askinosie of Springfield, who has been the lawyer in many of the biggest criminal cases in this region over the past few years.
Hance was arraigned Dec. 30 in Springfield before Judge James C. England.
***
Today's Globe indicates that Cox Cable viewers are about to go through the same extortion techniques employed by Nexstar, owner of KSNF and operator of KODE (but de facto owner of both) during its battle with Cable One. Nexstar claims the cable company should not be allowed to carry the two local stations, while Cox claims it has another 30 days. Maybe I will be proven wrong, but I thoroughly expect KODE and KSNF to suffer from these tactics. I don't expect to see a massive turn toward satellite dishes in this area. Nexstar has already lost the public relations battle. Of course, it is the poor receptionists at the local stations who are suffering for Nexstar's tactics. I am sure they are receiving one phone call after another. It won't do any good to call Nexstar COO Duane Lammers on the number being shown on Cable One Channel 6. It's easy to hold your position when you don't bother to answer your own phone and I would be very surprised if Mr. Lammers is personally fielding any of the complaint calls.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Just a little over two months ago, former Sarcoxie minister Donald Peckham pleaded guilty to two counts of statutory sodomy in connection with sexual activity with underaged boys. Peckham stood in a Jasper County courtroom and admitted his crimes. Peckham was sentenced to seven years on second degree sodomy count and 15 years on the first degree sodomy count, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Apparently, a little time behind bars has made Peckham reconsider that plea. On Dec. 22, Peckham filed a motion in Jasper County Circuit Court to have his sentence thrown out. Five days later, one day before Peckham's 72nd birthday, the court ruled that the taxpayers will fund his efforts by allowing Peckham to file as a pauper, meaning that a public defender will help him prepare his case.
This means I owe the Joplin Globe an apology since I criticized the newspaper a few days ago for mentioning Peckham in its page-one feature on ongoing stories that are continuing into the new year. The Globe story indicated the effect of Peckham's illegal activities on his church, the Jubilee Christian Fellowship Church in Sarcoxie. would be a story it would be watching in 2005. I suggested the church should be left alone.
It appears that it is Don Peckham who wants to continue the process of dragging his former church through the mud. The Globe's extensive research into the story showed that this is not the first time the former minister has put his own needs before the needs of others. Globe reporting uncovered allegations of similar problems at several Methodist churches in Kansas dating back three decades.
Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney Dean Dankelson told The Globe his office was investigating 12 possible sexual abuse victims.
***
The Globe broke with its usual pattern and posted the news just after midnight Friday that KODE and KSNF had been removed from Cable One. Oddly enough, the information was available from a Google News search, but not on the Globe's website. I don't know enough about the technical ins and outs to know if that had anything to do with the fact that the story was posted on Dec. 32nd, according to its original incarnation on the web.
That being the case, perhaps the Globe overlooked a bigger story since these cable TV flaps come and go, but this appeared to be the first recorded instance of a December 32nd.
The mistake was corrected by the time the story actually appeared on the Globe website.
***
Despite the many antennas Cable One gave out so viewers would not be deprived of KODE and KSNF, I would imagine that a substantial majority of viewers are no longer receiving those two stations. I briefly considered stopping at the cable office last week and standing in line, but after considerable reflection, I started wondering why I should put myself out for these two stations.
Yes, I will miss "Law and Order" on NBC (the other two Law and Order shows, which I also watch on a regular basis, are rerun a few days later on the USA Network) and "Boston Legal." I wouldn't mind watching the college football championship game in a few days and it will be hard to do without "Nightline." I have been in the habit of turning on the TV in the morning to KODE's morning show, though I recently turned to KSNF, but I will have no problems whatsoever watching KOAM' s morning program.
I wonder how many other viewers will also sample KOAM's local programming. I am sure viewers who did not get an antenna or a satellite system will not miss the middle-of-the-day infomercials that have become so prevalent on KODE and KSNF since Nexstar began running both companies.
***
Since I am apologizing to the Globe today, I might as well add KSNF to the list, at least I believe this was on KSNF. A few days ago, I wrote about KOAM's superior coverage of the incident at the Barry County Courthouse in Cassville, in which a man ran over a deputy, then was shot. KOAM had a camera crew and reporter there and offered excellent coverage of the event. The Nexstar management saved money by not sending a crew there, meaning that neither KSNF or KODE would have coverage of the event. But why do you need to have in-person coverage (which is so highly overrated) when you can do what KSNF (or KODE, I get them mixed up these days) did and run a picture of a gun overlaid on a map of Missouri with Cassville highlighted.
Now that's gripping television!
Apparently, a little time behind bars has made Peckham reconsider that plea. On Dec. 22, Peckham filed a motion in Jasper County Circuit Court to have his sentence thrown out. Five days later, one day before Peckham's 72nd birthday, the court ruled that the taxpayers will fund his efforts by allowing Peckham to file as a pauper, meaning that a public defender will help him prepare his case.
This means I owe the Joplin Globe an apology since I criticized the newspaper a few days ago for mentioning Peckham in its page-one feature on ongoing stories that are continuing into the new year. The Globe story indicated the effect of Peckham's illegal activities on his church, the Jubilee Christian Fellowship Church in Sarcoxie. would be a story it would be watching in 2005. I suggested the church should be left alone.
It appears that it is Don Peckham who wants to continue the process of dragging his former church through the mud. The Globe's extensive research into the story showed that this is not the first time the former minister has put his own needs before the needs of others. Globe reporting uncovered allegations of similar problems at several Methodist churches in Kansas dating back three decades.
Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney Dean Dankelson told The Globe his office was investigating 12 possible sexual abuse victims.
***
The Globe broke with its usual pattern and posted the news just after midnight Friday that KODE and KSNF had been removed from Cable One. Oddly enough, the information was available from a Google News search, but not on the Globe's website. I don't know enough about the technical ins and outs to know if that had anything to do with the fact that the story was posted on Dec. 32nd, according to its original incarnation on the web.
That being the case, perhaps the Globe overlooked a bigger story since these cable TV flaps come and go, but this appeared to be the first recorded instance of a December 32nd.
The mistake was corrected by the time the story actually appeared on the Globe website.
***
Despite the many antennas Cable One gave out so viewers would not be deprived of KODE and KSNF, I would imagine that a substantial majority of viewers are no longer receiving those two stations. I briefly considered stopping at the cable office last week and standing in line, but after considerable reflection, I started wondering why I should put myself out for these two stations.
Yes, I will miss "Law and Order" on NBC (the other two Law and Order shows, which I also watch on a regular basis, are rerun a few days later on the USA Network) and "Boston Legal." I wouldn't mind watching the college football championship game in a few days and it will be hard to do without "Nightline." I have been in the habit of turning on the TV in the morning to KODE's morning show, though I recently turned to KSNF, but I will have no problems whatsoever watching KOAM' s morning program.
I wonder how many other viewers will also sample KOAM's local programming. I am sure viewers who did not get an antenna or a satellite system will not miss the middle-of-the-day infomercials that have become so prevalent on KODE and KSNF since Nexstar began running both companies.
***
Since I am apologizing to the Globe today, I might as well add KSNF to the list, at least I believe this was on KSNF. A few days ago, I wrote about KOAM's superior coverage of the incident at the Barry County Courthouse in Cassville, in which a man ran over a deputy, then was shot. KOAM had a camera crew and reporter there and offered excellent coverage of the event. The Nexstar management saved money by not sending a crew there, meaning that neither KSNF or KODE would have coverage of the event. But why do you need to have in-person coverage (which is so highly overrated) when you can do what KSNF (or KODE, I get them mixed up these days) did and run a picture of a gun overlaid on a map of Missouri with Cassville highlighted.
Now that's gripping television!
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