NBC video: Tornado-ravaged Joplin moves forward

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Search efforts cease; survivors search for housing

In Ron Allen's report for NBC, it is noted that rescue efforts have ceased. Much of the video deals with residents trying to recover and find housing:

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Federal government will pay for 90 percent of Joplin tornado debris removal costs

The following news release was issued by the governor's office.)

Gov. Jay Nixon today announced that the federal government will pay for 90 percent of the cost of expedited debris removal in parts of the Joplin area that received catastrophic or extensive damage from the devastating tornado that hit on May 22. The Governor received word late Monday that the state application for the federal funding for the expedited debris removal had been approved by President Barack Obama.


Gov. Nixon made the announcement at the National Guard Armory in Joplin, where he was joined by Col. William Ward, who is leading the Guard's Task Force Phoenix. Gov. Nixon has directed Task Form Phoenix to lead the debris removal effort.

The federal funding will help with the expedited removal of millions of cubic yards of debris from the location of homes, businesses and other buildings in Joplin. Gov. Nixon has ordered the Missouri National Guard to serve as the state's point agency on the debris removal process. Maj. General Stephen L. Danner, Adjutant General of Missouri, has assigned Col. Ward to lead Task Force Phoenix in that effort.

"As I have said from the start, we will rebuild Joplin," Gov. Nixon said. "That is why I ordered the Missouri National Guard to lead the process of removing debris as soon as possible and to work with families and business owners to facilitate debris removal from their property. I have met personally with Brig. Gen. John McMahon, commander of the Northwest Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Col. Ward; and other leaders of Task Force Phoenix to discuss their mission and the importance of clearing this debris so that we can move forward with rebuilding Joplin as quickly as possible."

"The Missouri National Guard has been working non-stop to respond to this disaster from the first day, and this 90 percent federal funding will be of great assistance as we work through the challenge of removing a vast amount of debris and rebuilding this community," the Governor said.

The Governor also spoke directly with President Obama about the importance of moving forward with debris removal on an expedited basis in order to rebuild the community.

The federal debris removal program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with the assistance of the Corps of Engineers. It addresses debris removal in communities within, or immediately adjacent to, areas of catastrophic or extensive damage. Before debris removal teams can go onto private property, property owners will have to give their permission. FEMA will determine the degree of destruction by using a combination of mapping and information from local, state and federal officials who have surveyed the damage first-hand.

More information about the program such as how residents and business owners can request debris removal will be made available in the coming days.

Department of Public Safety releases list of 123 killed in tornado

(The following news release was issued by the Missouri Deparment of Public Safety Tuesday night.)
Total of 123 deceased persons from Joplin tornado have been identified and their next-of-kin notified

State officials release updated list of names of individuals whose next-of- kin have received notifications of their deaths

The Missouri Department of Public Safety today announced that a total of 123 individuals have been confirmed as deceased and their next-of-kin notified following the tornado that devastated Joplin on May 22.

On Thursday, May 26, Gov. Jay Nixon directed the Missouri State Highway Patrol to assume control of notifying next-of-kin.

As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, the deceased victims whose next-of-kin have received notifications of their deaths are:

Jose O. Alvarez, 59, Joplin

Maria L. Alvarez-Torres, 43, Joplin

Barbara A. Anderson, 76, Joplin

Sarah L. Anderson, 47, Joplin

William A. Anderson, 53, Joplin

Cyrus "Edward" Ash, Jr., 87, Joplin

Grace Aquino, 46, of Joplin

Robert W. Baker, 54, Joplin

Robert E. Bateson, 45, Joplin

Dorothy T. Bell, 88, Joplin

Regina M. Bloxham, 55, Joplin

Lathe E. Bradfield, 84, Joplin

Ramona M. Bridgeford, 77, Seneca

Leo E. Brown, 86, Joplin

Hugh O. Buttram, 85, Joplin

Tami L. Campbell, 28, Joplin

Arriyinnah S. Carmona, 8, Joplin

Moises Carmona-Navarro, 42, Joplin

Shante M. Caton, 10, Joplin

Trenton Caton, 6, Pierce City

Raymond Chew, 66, Joplin

Carolane J. Collins, 62 Eagle Rock

Clyde Coleman, 72, Galena, Kansas

Lois A. Comfort, 66, Webb City

Keenan K. Conger, 49, Joplin

Vicki L. Cooper, 59, Joplin

Teddy R. Copher, 71, Joplin

Malisa A. Crossley, 36, Joplin

Adam Darnaby, 27, Joplin

Patricia E. Dawson, 74, Joplin

Nancy E. Douthitt, 94, Joplin

Ellen Doyle, 75, Joplin

Amonda S. Eastwood, 49, Joplin

Richard A. Elmore, 70, Joplin

Randy E. England, 34, Neosho

Betty Fisher, 86, Joplin

Marsha A. Frost, 32, Joplin

Sebastian C. Frost, 10, Joplin

Charles K. Gaudsmith, 21, Carthage

Billie J. Gideon, 77, Joplin

Paul E. Haddock, 63, Joplin

Caley Lantz Hare, 16, Joplin

Dorothy V. Hartman, 91, Joplin

Dee A. Hayward, 47, Galena, Kansas

Glenn W. Holland, 59, Joplin

Lorie M. Holland, 48, Joplin

Charlotte Hopwood, 84, Joplin

Hayze Howard, 1, Webb City

Harli Howard, 5, Webb City

Thomas Russell Howard, 29, Webb City

Wendy A. Istas, 58, Joplin

Jane E. Jaynes, 86, Joplin

Melisa R. Johnson, 50, Carthage

Cheryl L. Jones, 39, Altamont, Kansas

Kathy S. Keling, 53, Joplin

James D. Kendrick, 63, Joplin

Stanley D. Kirk, 62, Joplin

Geneva Koler, 84, Joplin

Donald W. Lansaw, Jr., 31, Joplin

Bruce A. Lievens, 48, Joplin

Billie S. Little, 65, Joplin

Skyuler I. Logsdon, 1, Joplin

Christopher D. Lucas, 28, Vinita, Oklahoma

Rachel K. Markham, 31, Joplin

Nancy Martin, 52, Neosho

Jesse L. McKee, 44, Neosho

James E. McKeel, 69, Joplin

Mary L. McKeel, 64, Joplin

Randall E. Mell, 49, Joplin

Ronald D. Meyer, 64, Joplin

Lorna K. Miller, 72, Joplin

Ray Donald Miller III, 49, Joplin

Doris Montgomery, 83, Joplin

Edmond V. Mullaney, 82, Joplin

Sharyl Nelsen, 34, Joplin

William R. Norton, 18, Joplin

Dennis M. Osborn, 34, Seneca

Charles E. Oster, 77, Joplin

Shirley Ann Parker, 68, Joplin

Mary J. Perry, 76, Joplin

James B. Peterson, 27, Joplin

John H. Petty, 37, Neosho

Hallie M. Piquard, 78, Joplin

Natalia M. Puebla, 17, Neosho

Shelly Marie Ramsey, 42, Neosho

Loretta Randell, 54, Joplin

Troy Raney, 39, Joplin

Virgil T. Reid, 77, Joplin

Johnny Richey, 52, Joplin

Vicki Robertson, 66, Joplin

Keith D. Robinson, 48, Joplin

Virginia Mae Salmon, 80, Joplin

Tonya L. Sawyer, 41, Fort Scott, Kansas

Frances A. Scates, 70, Joplin

Gladys J. Seay, 83, Welch, Oklahoma

Daniel W. Shirley, 48, Joplin

Judy Smith, 71, Joplin

Nicholaus A. Smith, 23, Joplin

Shyrell L. Smith, 68, Pittsburg, Kansas

Lois L. Sparks, 92, Joplin

Steven J. Stephens, 28, Joplin

Gregan D. Sweet, 59, Joplin

Kayleigh Teal, 16, Pittsburg, Kansas

Heather L. Terry, 36, Joplin

John Thomas, Jr., 40, Joplin

Sandra K. Thomas, 55, Carthage

Zachary D. Treadwell, 9, Joplin

Margaret Tuit, 92, Joplin

Michael E. Tyndall, 33, Joplin

Darian D. Vanderhoofven, 45, Joplin

Joshua D. Vanderhoofven, 1, Joplin

Miguel Vazquez-Castillo, 28, Joplin

Miles Wells, 49, Webb City

Tiera Whitley, 20, Fulton, Kansas

Zach Williams, 12, Joplin

Charles W. Writer, 74, Joplin

The Department of Public Safety will release a daily update of those individuals confirmed as deceased as a result of the tornado, following notification of next-of-kin. The updates will be available on the department Web site, www.dps.mo.gov.

Billie Sue Huff Little, waitress, killed in tornado

(The following obituary is taken from the Simpson Funeral Home website.)

Billie Sue Huff Little, age 65, of Joplin went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, May 22, 2011 as a result of the tornado. Billie was born January 10, 1946 in Butler County, Missouri to Harry and Martha (Mitchell) Huff. She was a waitress.


Billie is survived by her daughter, Tammy Curtner and grandson, Donnie Reed both of Joplin along with other siblings. She will be missed by those who loved her.

Billie has been taken for cremation and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home of Webb City.

Jane Cunningham: I'm tested and proven

The national magazine, Roll Call, notes that Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, is likely to enter the Congressional race for the seat currently held by Republican Todd Akin, who is running for U. S. Senate:

"Most people tell me that I am perfectly positioned for it," Cunningham said in an interview. "My 7th Senatorial district is within the 2nd. It's where the concentration of Republicans are in the 2nd and I've run there for more than a decade."


Cunningham also emphasized her conservative bona fides, noting that the state party had given her the "Legislator of the Year" award for her work on Proposition C.

The district leans Republican and Cunningham said her "strong Republican credentials" would be important with the majority of voters there.

She said if she decides to run, her primary campaign message would be that she is "the only one who is tested and proven" and the only candidate who has held elected office.

In 2010, Martin lost his bid to unseat Rep. Russ Carnahan (D) in the 3rd district. Wagner lost her bid to run the Republican National Committee to Reince Priebus earlier this year.

"I've walked the walk," Cunningham said. "Anyone can talk the talk, but I've walked the walk — I'm tested and proven."

If we think we have problems in Congress now...

Malisa Crosley, 36, died while saving nine-year-old son in tornado

(The following obituary is taken from the Mason-Woodard Mortuary website.)

Malisa Ann Crossley, age 36, of Joplin, Mo., passed away on May 22, 2011, at her home, from injuries sustained in the catastrophic tornado.

Malisa was born on January 29, 1975 in Joplin, Missouri, the daughter of Jerald Lynn Gaston and Peggy “White” Gettler. She has been a life time resident of Joplin. She worked as a customer service representative at Walmart on 7th Street the past two years. Malisa unselfishly covered and protected her nine year old son during the tornado, and as a result his life was spared. Malisa was a loving mother. She was always smiling and she loved to make others smile. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.


She is survived by her mother Peggy Gettler, Grand Praire, Texas. Two sons, Thomas Crossley, Joplin, Mo. and Chaz Martin of the home, one daughter, Shantal Crossley of Joplin, Mo. Her fiancé Bryce Coleman.Two sisters, Jennifer Gordon and husband David of Irving, Texas, Lindy Molina and husband Freddy of Irving, Texas. Her best friend, Angela Baumann, who was a sister to her. She is also survived by Aunts and Uncles and nieces and nephews. Her father Jerald Lynn Gaston preceded her in death in 1980.


Malisa will be cremated with a Memorial Service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to the Malisa Ann Crossley fund in care of the mortuary.


Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Lobbyists' fundraiser for Billy Long was scheduled for Tuesday night

Whether it took place or not I do not know, but a fundraiser for Seventh District Congressman Billy Long, with four Washington lobbyists serving as hosts, was scheduled for Tuesday night at Hill Country Barbecue in our nation's capitol. The event was described as a dinner honoring the freshman Congressman.

And we do know that Long was in Washington since he voted with the majority not to extend the nation's debt limit.

I first wrote about this fundraiser in the April 17 Turner Report, noting that the hosts included Gregg Hartley, former chief of staff to Roy Blunt, who represents AT&T, as well as numerous other clients, Tim McGivern, also an AT&T lobbyist, National Rifle Association lobbyist Liz Williams, and Jeffrey Hogg, who represents Reynolds American.

 The event has a "suggested contribution" of $1,000 per PAC or $500 per individual. The invitation can be viewed at this link.

The Washington fundraiser was the ninth for Billy Long since he took office in January. Six of those, including one on March 30, were held at the exclusive Capitol Hill Club. As noted in the April 13 Turner Report, Long spent $1,133 from his campaign account to the club for initiation and dues to the club.

Seven Missouri Congressmen vote against extending debt limit

Seven Missouri Congressmen voted against extending the debt limit Tuesday. The measure failed 318-97.

The only members of the Missouri delegation to vote for the proposal were Democrats Lacy Clay and Emanuel Cleaver. Voting against it were Republicans Billy Long, Vicky Hartzler, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Sam Graves, Todd Akin, and Jo Ann Emerson and Democrat Russ Carnahan.

GateHouse Media changes Wellington, Kan. paper from three times a week to weekly

The folks in Wellington, Kan., who once had a daily paper, and then saw it changed to three times a week, will see a further reduction this month when it becomes a weekly.

The fun in the Wellington Daily News (I assume the name will change) announcement is how it is twisted to make it sound like this is the best thing that ever happened. The newspaper is owned by GateHouse Media, the same company that owns The Carthage Press, Neosho Daily News, and Pittsburg Morning Sun in this area:

Stephen Wade, Group Publisher for Kansas for The Wellington Daily News’ parent company, Gatehouse Media, says it’s not a matter of lost revenue, but lost opportunity that has brought about the change.


"This is an exciting opportunity for your newspaper and this community. We believe this will demonstrate that Wellington is a progressive town ready to leap ahead. We noticed last fall how eager this town was to embrace Twitter during the disappointing lottery commission hearings. That spoke loudly and positively about Wellington." said Wade.

With two publications gone a week, reporters will have more time to produce stories, photos, video and more of what readers want.

"Our readers will have access to continually updated news every day.

You will see us using more video and social media." Wade said.

Moving more news to the web is a trend driven by the readers themselves, Wade said, though some are sure to be upset by the news.

"Some will likely try to turn this into a negative. That cannot be farther from the truth. We opened a new newspaper in Andover earlier this year utilizing this format. We wanted to try it and test it. The Andover American has been warmly received in that community, and I believe that model works in Wellington." said Wade.