Tuesday, April 01, 2014
Debbie Fort: Common Care is taking away our local control
"Common Core is taking away our local control," Mrs. Fort said, noting that while the idea was good, the implementation was not. She cited problems with the federal government using it as a carrot to lure states who were sick of No Child Left Behind and the standards being developmentally inappropriate for younger students.
Also, she noted, "we are being tested to death." She noted that Joplin students are tested 16 times a year.
Mrs. Fort said blaming the district's financial problems, which include a reserve fund that has fallen to five percent, is overlooking spending problems, including national and international travel and extra layers of administrators.
Joplin R-8 School Board candidate failed to pay taxes
"A huge part of what we're responsible for is fiscal responsibility for taxpayer dollars," McGrew said, beginning his answer. He ended by noting again that "fiscal responsibility is what we have to be focused on."
McGrew's assessment was correct, but documents on file in Jasper County Circuit Court indicate McGrew, who wants to be elected to a position where he would be responsible for millions of dollars, has had problems with his own finances.
An October 28, 2013, filing from the Department of Revenue's Collection Enforcement division indicates McGrew paid what he owed.
The income tax lien was not the only financial problem the board candidate faced in 2013, according to the court documents. Judge Richard Copeland awarded Mid-America Accounts Control Bureau, a collection agency, a $735.96 judgment against McGrew on May 14, 2013. That included $460 McGrew owed and $275.96 in interest. In addition, McGrew was charged $318 for court costs, including sheriff's fees and process server fees.
Court records show McGrew's wages at Freeman Health were garnished until the judgment was satisfied on November 1, 2013.
Cable One drops Viacom channels, including MTV, Nickelodeon, CMT, Comedy Central
It seems like we have another showdown between cable outlets and programming providers every couple of months.
A few months ago, it was the Turner Broadcasting channels, including TNT, TBS, CNN, and Turner Classic Movies that were off the air for weeks.
This time, Cable One has removed the Viacom channels,including MTV, TV Land, CMT, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, VH1, Spike, and BET, which are on the cable's basic package, and other programming that is featured on other packages.
This time, however, Cable One appears ready to immediately replace the channels with new ones, instead of the prolonged wait we had to go through last time.
Cable One posted the following message on its website:
Cable ONE and Viacom were unable to come to a fair agreement by our March 31 contract expiration date, so we were forced to remove these channels from our line-up.
Viacom asked for a rate increase greater than 100%, despite the fact that viewing is down on 12 of their 15 networks – some by more than 30% since 2010. We asked Viacom to either reduce their rates or allow us to drop some of their less popular networks to reduce the total cost. They refused these reasonable requests.
Cable ONE has let these networks go and expects to add many top-rated networks you’ve requested and expand several other highly-requested networks to our most popular level of service. Some of the new networks include BBC America, Sprout, Investigation Discovery, the Blaze, Hallmark Channel, National Geographic, TV One, Sundance, and more. Beginning April 2, you can view your new networks and their channel locations by visiting www.StopProgrammingHikes.com and selecting your city.
Cable One listed the following networks that are being removed:
Viacom channels vary across our markets, but may have included the following channels in your area: Centric, Spike, CMT, Comedy Central, BET, MTV, MTV2, MTV Hits, VH-1, VH-1, Classic Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nick Teen, Nick Toons, and TV LAND.
A few months ago, it was the Turner Broadcasting channels, including TNT, TBS, CNN, and Turner Classic Movies that were off the air for weeks.
This time, Cable One has removed the Viacom channels,including MTV, TV Land, CMT, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, VH1, Spike, and BET, which are on the cable's basic package, and other programming that is featured on other packages.
This time, however, Cable One appears ready to immediately replace the channels with new ones, instead of the prolonged wait we had to go through last time.
Cable One posted the following message on its website:
Cable ONE and Viacom were unable to come to a fair agreement by our March 31 contract expiration date, so we were forced to remove these channels from our line-up.
Viacom asked for a rate increase greater than 100%, despite the fact that viewing is down on 12 of their 15 networks – some by more than 30% since 2010. We asked Viacom to either reduce their rates or allow us to drop some of their less popular networks to reduce the total cost. They refused these reasonable requests.
Cable ONE has let these networks go and expects to add many top-rated networks you’ve requested and expand several other highly-requested networks to our most popular level of service. Some of the new networks include BBC America, Sprout, Investigation Discovery, the Blaze, Hallmark Channel, National Geographic, TV One, Sundance, and more. Beginning April 2, you can view your new networks and their channel locations by visiting www.StopProgrammingHikes.com and selecting your city.
Cable One listed the following networks that are being removed:
Viacom channels vary across our markets, but may have included the following channels in your area: Centric, Spike, CMT, Comedy Central, BET, MTV, MTV2, MTV Hits, VH-1, VH-1, Classic Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nick Teen, Nick Toons, and TV LAND.
Thunderstorms, significant lightning risk tonight for Joplin area
(From the National Weather Service)
KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-021830- BOURBON-CRAWFORD-CHEROKEE-BENTON-MORGAN-MILLER-MARIES-VERNON- ST. CLAIR-HICKORY-CAMDEN-PULASKI-PHELPS-BARTON-CEDAR-POLK-DALLAS- LACLEDE-TEXAS-DENT-JASPER-DADE-GREENE-WEBSTER-WRIGHT-NEWTON- LAWRENCE-CHRISTIAN-DOUGLAS-HOWELL-SHANNON-MCDONALD-BARRY-STONE- TANEY-OZARK-OREGON- 127 PM CDT TUE APR 1 2014 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE MISSOURI OZARKS AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED... LIMITED HAIL RISK. SIGNIFICANT LIGHTNING RISK. DISCUSSION... SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ALONG A LINE AND PUSH NORTH AND AFFECT LOCATIONS GENERALLY ALONG AND NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE 44 CORRIDOR THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY THIS EVENING. THE MAIN THREAT FROM ANY STORMS WILL BE SCATTERED LIGHTNING STRIKES AND SMALL HAIL. THIS ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED TO PUSH NORTH AND OUT OF THE AREA EARLY THIS EVENING. A CLUSTER OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IS THEN EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ACROSS EASTERN KANSAS LATE TONIGHT. THIS ACTIVITY IS THEN EXPECTED TO SHIFT EAST INTO PORTIONS OF EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS AND WEST CENTRAL MISSOURI. A FEW OF THESE STORMS MAY CONTAIN HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS... GENERALLY ALONG AND NORTH OF A NEOSHO TO VICHY MISSOURI LINE LATE TONIGHT. FREQUENT LIGHTNING STRIKES CAN ALSO BE EXPECTED WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAY THEN PERSIST INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING ACROSS CENTRAL MISSOURI. THE MAIN THREAT FROM THESE STORMS WILL BE HAIL TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS...FREQUENT LIGHTNING...AND BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL. ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY MAY THEN DEVELOP FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON INTO WEDNESDAY EVENING FROM NORTHEASTERN KANSAS INTO SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FEW OF THESE STORMS TO TRACK INTO EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS AND FAR WEST CENTRAL MISSOURI WEDNESDAY EVENING. IF THIS OCCURS...HAIL TO THE SIZE OF HALF DOLLARS...WIND GUSTS TO 60 MPH...AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING WILL ALL BE POSSIBLE. INDICATIONS ARE THAT ANOTHER CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS MAY THEN DEVELOP ACROSS AT LEAST PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA FROM LATER WEDNESDAY EVENING INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT. AT THIS TIME...THERE REMAINS HIGH UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHERE THIS CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP AND TRACK. LOCATIONS THAT ARE IMPACTED BY THIS THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WILL SEE A RISK FOR HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS...FREQUENT LIGHTNING...AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL. A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL THEN TRACK FROM NORTHERN OKLAHOMA INTO NORTHERN OR CENTRAL MISSOURI ON THURSDAY. THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP DURING THE DAY ON THURSDAY ALONG A COLD FRONT TRAILING FROM THIS LOW. INSTABILITY AND WIND SHEAR WILL SUPPORT AN ELEVATED THREAT FOR SEVERE STORMS ACROSS MOST OF THE OUTLOOK AREA. THE THREAT FOR SEVERE STORMS WILL THEN END FROM WEST TO EAST FROM LATER THURSDAY INTO THURSDAY EVENING AS THE COLD FRONT SWEEPS EAST ACROSS THE REGION. IN ADDITION TO THE THREAT FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS INTO THURSDAY...SOUTHERLY NON THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS AROUND 30 MPH CAN ALSO BE EXPECTED.
Strong thunderstorm headed toward Reeds, Sarcoxie, Avilla
(From the National Weather Service)
SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN NEWTON...NORTHERN LAWRENCE AND SOUTHEASTERN JASPER COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM CDT... AT 154 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 3 MILES SOUTHWEST OF REEDS...OR 9 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CARTHAGE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH. PENNY SIZE HAIL IS EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR... REEDS AND SARCOXIE BY 200 PM CDT. LA RUSSELL AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF AVILLA BY 205 PM CDT. STOTTS CITY AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF RED OAK BY 215 PM CDT. MILLER AND 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF MOUNT VERNON BY 225 PM CDT. INTERSTATE 44 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 18 AND 53 WILL ALSO BE IMPACTED BY THIS STORM. PEOPLE IN NORTHEASTERN NEWTON...NORTHERN LAWRENCE AND SOUTHEASTERN JASPER COUNTIES...INCLUDING SARCOXIE AND MILLER...SHOULD MONITOR THE WEATHER SITUATION CLOSELY. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE WARNINGS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION SHOULD SEVERE WEATHER THREATEN.
No technology, just Big Chief tablets at Craig Michael Wood hearing
He did not say whether he would be wearing a white powdered wig when the preliminary hearing for accused child killer Craig Michael Wood is held April 24 in Springfield, but Greene County Circuit Court Judge Mark Powell has let it be known that the 21st Century will not be welcome in his courtroom.
The case over which Judge Powell is presiding is one of the most horrendous to hit southwest Missouri in years. Those in this area remembered how raw the feelings were following the brutal rape and murder of 10-year-old Rowan Ford of Stella.
The same holds true for the abduction and murder of Hailey Owens of Springfield, one which also involves rape, according to documents filed in Greene County Circuit Court.
Wood’s lawyer wanted no cameras in the courtroom for the preliminary hearing, but Judge Powell overruled that request. As is the case with many judges, Powell will allow one television camera to serve as a pool for all TV stations interested in the footage and one still camera to be used as a pool for the print media.
Pictures, however, are all that the judge will allow. The TV cameraman will not be allowed to record any audio of the hearing and no other audio recording will be permitted.
Despite the intense public interest in the event, Judge Powell will not permit anything about the hearing to be revealed until after the final witness is heard.
In a ruling issued Monday, Powell said, “The media is not allowed to e-mail, blog, tweet, text, or post anything about the preliminary hearing from inside the courtroom while the hearing is taking place."
That probably means that Powell will have eagle-eyed bailiffs at the ready making sure that no one is doing anything except writing down what is happening in his courtroom. He may even provide the Big Chief tablets and number two pencils.
If and when this case comes to trial, it is going to a year or two down the road. Sure, people will remember the coverage, but considering how much has been reported on the case, that is already guaranteed.
The best way to make sure the public knows how justice is being handled in our courtrooms it to keep the process open.
All Judge Powell is doing is reminding us what we already knew- he is the boss.
Sinquefield, Club for Growth line up behind Hanaway
Big money continues to line up behind Catherine Hanaway's candidacy for governor.
The former speaker of the house picked up another $160,000 in contributions this morning, including $100,000 from the Club for Growth, which is largely funded by retired billionaire Rex Sinquefield, $50,000 from Sinquefield himself, and $10,000 from Sen. Brian Munzlingler's campaign committee.
Hanaway is the only announced candidate on the Republican side, though State Auditor Tom Schweich has also been considered to be a possible candidate.
The former speaker of the house picked up another $160,000 in contributions this morning, including $100,000 from the Club for Growth, which is largely funded by retired billionaire Rex Sinquefield, $50,000 from Sinquefield himself, and $10,000 from Sen. Brian Munzlingler's campaign committee.
Hanaway is the only announced candidate on the Republican side, though State Auditor Tom Schweich has also been considered to be a possible candidate.
Flanigan, Richard top Joplin area legislators in lobbyists' gifts
Missouri Ethics Commission records show Flanigan has received $523.18 in gifts, including $318.20 in the February records, which were posted this morning. Richard has $512.95, including $231.49.
For both men, the biggest gift in February was a $75.50 meal from lobbyist Kit Crancer representing Students First, the Michelle Rhee-led organization that pushes for the elimination of teacher tenure, the evaluation of teachers through student scores on standardized tests, and educational vouchers.
Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, has received $111.51 in gifts, but none in February.
Rep. Charlie Davis, R-Webb City, has $125.03, including $79.42 in February. His biggest gift in February was a $37 meal from lobbyist William Gamble representing the Missouri Beverage Association.
Rep. Bill Lant, R-Joplin, has $85.46 in gifts, including $76.85 in February, topped by a $47.18 meal from lobbyist Gary Burton, representing Missouri American Water.
Rep. Mike Kelley, R-Lamar, has $123.79 in gifts, with $27.89 of that coming in February, topped by a $24.01 meal from Mary Scruggs, representing the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.
Two legislators, Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Joplin, and Rep. Bill White, R-Joplin, have not accepted any gifts from lobbyists.
Joplin Progress Committee pays for mobile sign for city council candidates
The Joplin Progress Committee paid $400 to Sign Designs, Joplin, Monday for a mobile sign promoting its favored City Council candidates, according to a 24-hour report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
The committee is backing Ryan Stanley, Miranda Lewis, Mike Seibert, Mike Woolston, and Gary Shaw.
The report says the committee has $2,593.27 in the bank.
The committee is backing Ryan Stanley, Miranda Lewis, Mike Seibert, Mike Woolston, and Gary Shaw.
The report says the committee has $2,593.27 in the bank.
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