Greitens appoints acting Director of Economic Development

(From Gov. Eric Greitens)

Today, Governor Eric Greitens announced that Rob Dixon, current President of the Missouri Community College Association, will be appointed as Missouri’s new Acting Director of Economic Development.

Throughout his career, Rob Dixon has transformed economic and workforce development organizations. He started in economic development at the local level in the City of Hollister. His success in Hollister allowed him to quickly rise to lead economic development in the City of Springfield. Dixon’s most recent success has been in workforce development, where he successfully coordinated major policy changes on behalf of Missouri’s 12 community colleges. Prior to Dixon’s career in economic development, he served as a Marine in Afghanistan and Pakistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Rob earned his Associate’s Degree from St. Charles Community College, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Missouri St. Louis, and earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Missouri State University.

Governor Greitens released the following statement, “Our top priority is more jobs and higher pay for the people of Missouri. For too long, Missouri’s economy has struggled. Real change and bold leadership are needed to bring jobs back to our state. Rob has proven that he knows how to get results and drive change. His experiences as a Marine, economic developer, and leader of Missouri’s community colleges will help to make Missouri one of the top states for jobs. We are excited for Rob to join our team and get to work helping the people of Missouri find quality jobs.”



Rob Dixon released the following statement, "Governor Greitens and I share the same desire to transform the way Missouri does economic development. The people of Missouri need more jobs and higher pay. We’re going to compete with every state in the country to win jobs for our people. I look forward to working with economic developers across the state to create one of the top business climates in the nation.”

Billy Long: Bill will close treatment gap for newborns

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

Each year, 200,000 newborns in the United States are admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, but the treatments available to these babies are limited. While the number of newborns needing intensive care has increased, treatment options have stagnated, leaving us with a worrisome treatment gap that continues to grow. Currently, more than 90 percent of the medications used on infants are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is unacceptable. This is why I recently introduced the Promoting Life-Saving New Therapies for Neonates Act, H.R. 2641.

For far too long newborns have lacked the quality care that is crucial to their health. With prematurity being the number one cause of newborn mortality, something needs to be done. This bill will close the treatment gap for newborns by incentivizing research for effective drugs and ensuring that these new drugs target the most critical needs of neonates. Parents have enough to worry about after having a child. They should not also have to worry about their child getting the care they need and deserve.

With so little research being done to help improve neonatal care, doctors sometimes use drugs that are intended for adults. They will adjust the dosages, but adjusting the dosages doesn’t help in some cases and can sometimes make things worse. Infants respond differently than adults to these drugs, and treating them as “tiny adults,” as one doctor put it, can be harmful.

Current incentives to help close the treatment gap have not worked as planned, which is why this bill is important. Due to the numerous challenges posed by the age group, many doctors have not wanted to take on the possible risks that come with conducting clinical trials. It’s also more challenging to find patients in this age group that are available for study at any given time compared to other age groups, and the conditions needed to make trials effective are not found in children and adults.

Creating more incentives for research into effective drugs that target the most critical neonatal needs gives children access to reliable health care they need and parents the ease of mind they deserve. I will work hard to make sure that this bill is passed in both the House and the Senate and signed by the president. Now is the time to take action.

White House declares federal disaster declaration for Missouri flooded areas

(From Gov. Eric Greitens)

The White House announced today that it has approved Missouri for a federal disaster declaration, unlocking additional federal funding to affected individuals and communities. The Governor’s May 24 disaster request estimated total losses and expenses of over $86M:
12 rivers exceeded flood records, causing damage to homes, businesses, bridges and roads
1,217 homes suffered major damage or were destroyed (an additional 678 homes received minor damage)
283 businesses were damaged or destroyed

The state is making preparations to immediately begin working with community action agencies, local and regional officials, and federal partners to deploy additional resources. Those in need of assistance and interested in applying for federal help are asked to call FEMA’s hotline 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit at www.DisasterAssistance.gov . You have 60 days from the date of the disaster declaration to register. The quicker you register, the quicker you can get FEMA assistance.

Additionally, as a result of flooding that took place in southern parts of the Midwest in early April, U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest economic injury disaster loans are now available to small non-farm businesses in the following eight Missouri counties that are contiguous to Arkansas: Barry, Butler, Dunklin, Oregon, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stone, and Taney counties. SBA assistance information and applications are available online here.

This week, the state covered a lot of ground to help citizens, businesses, and communities move forward with flood recovery efforts, starting with Gov. Eric Greitens appointing Patrick Baker as Missouri's Flood Recovery Coordinator. Baker comes from Lt. Governor Mike Parson’s Office. This is the first time a Missouri Governor has appointed a disaster recovery coordinator before a federal disaster declaration has been issued.

“While the flooding has had a devastating impact on Missouri communities, our state team is already leaning forward across departmental lines to ensure we do everything we can to support recovery and rebuilding,” Baker said. “Missourians are resilient and determined, and working as a team I am confident we’ll build communities stronger for the future.”

Federal government seeks $400,000+ from Tarzan Zerbini Circus owners for unpaid taxes

The federal government is seeking $418,483.14 from "Tarzan" Jean Zerbini and his wife, Elizabeth B. Zerbini, for unpaid taxes from 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2015.

In a complaint filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Acting U. S. Attorney Thomas Larson claims the Webb City couple failed to pay $63,758.81 in 2000, $296,371.01 in 2002, $27,199.56 in 2005, and $31,113.76 in 2015.

The government is asking for the amount of the unpaid taxes, plus interest and additions accruing after June 4.

East Middle School to open, counselors will be available to help students deal with Brooke Robinson's death

Joplin Schools posted the following item on the district website following the confirmation today that East Middle School student Brooke Robinson died following an accident on Shoal Creek:

To all District Staff, Students and Parents
(and especially East Middle School Students and Staff)

We know the school district and community are both sharing in the loss of Brooke Robinson, East Middle School student.

Tomorrow, June 2nd, we will open the East Middle School Commons Area from 1 to 3 PM. At that time, we will have counselors available to visit with any student (or family) who wishes to seek assistance while grieving.

And please remember the Robinson Family during this most difficult time.
Thank you.

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Jasper County

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Springfield MO
745 PM CDT THU JUN 1 2017

The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northeastern Cherokee County in southeastern Kansas...
  Northwestern Jasper County in southwestern Missouri...

* Until 845 PM CDT

* At 744 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Carl
  Junction, or 9 miles east of Columbus, moving north at 10 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Carl Junction...                  Weir...
  Asbury...                         Waco...
  Crestline...                      Lawton...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

Greitens appoints Missouri Flood Recovery coordinator

(From State Emergency Management Agency)

Patrick Baker was introduced as Missouri's Flood Recovery Coordinator on a media conference call this morning with Gov. Eric Greitens’ State Flood Recovery Team. 

Baker comes from Lt. Governor Mike Parson’s Office. This is the first time a Missouri Governor has appointed a disaster recovery coordinator before a federal disaster declaration has been issued. 

“While the flooding has had a devastating impact on Missouri communities, our state team is already leaning forward across departmental lines to ensure we do everything we can to support recovery and rebuilding,” Baker said. “Missourians are resilient and determined, and working as a team I am confident we’ll build communities stronger for the future.”

Final tabulations show that a total of more than 1,400 households were served during the 15 Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) held in flood-impacted communities across the state. This was the most MARCs ever held for a single disaster in Missouri, and the most people served.

Flooding in Arkansas that began April 1 means U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest economic injury disaster loans are now available to small non-farm businesses in eight Missouri counties that are contiguous to Arkansas.

The loans are available in Barry, Butler, Dunklin, Oregon, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stone, and Taney counties. SBA assistance information and applications are available online here.

Visit Recovery.mo.gov for more flood recovery resources. The site is updated daily.
United Way 211 is the go-to source for 24/7 assistance with unmet flood recovery needs. Call 2-1-1 for assistance or contact 211 online at http://211helps.org.

Agenda posted for Monday Joplin City Council meeting

JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING 
June 5, 2017 6:00 P.M., Council Chambers 

 1. Call to Order
 Invocation Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America

2. Roll Call

3. Presentations
1.Segal Consulting to present the City of Joplin’s Health Strategy Initiative and to discuss the Reserve Policy Guide and Recommendations.

4. Finalization of Consent Agenda

5. Reports and Communications

6. Citizen Requests and Petitions
1. Request from Jerod Horn, Civil Air Patrol, 1001 NW Murphy Blvd, is requesting for a city sponsorship for a barrier-free facility.

7. Public Hearings
1.Public Hearing Procedures
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-265 - AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2004-256, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, November 15, 2004, by removing from District R-1 and including in District C-1 property as described below and located 2925 East 14th Street in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. (P & Z Recommended Approval)

 8. Consent Agenda
1. Minutes of the May 15, 2017 Council Meeting
2.COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-261 - AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an Agreement with Transystems Corporation for Transportation Planning Services relating to the update of the Joplin Area Transportation Study Organization’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan; authorizing the City Manager to execute said Agreement for the City.

9. Resolutions 1. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-007 - A RESOLUTION authorizing the Director of Public Works to sign documentation for the City of Joplin with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Natural Resources; and to authorize the Director of Public Works to furnish all required documentation.

10. Ordinances
 Emergency
1.COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-137-AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with G & G Construction Co. Inc. for the purpose of Shoal Creek WWTP trickling filter renovation for the not to exceed price of Eight Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Four Hundred Three and 00/100 Dollars ($865,403.00); authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.

2.COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-138-AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Crews Construction Inc. for the purpose of Turkey Creek WWTP Anaerobic Digester Repairs for the not to exceed price of Four Hundred Eighty-Two Thousand Six Hundred Three and 00/100 Dollars ($482,600.00); authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.

3.COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-140-AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Hunter Chase & Associates for construction of storm water improvements in the area of Delaware Ave 15th to 18th Street for the not to exceed price of Five Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand Three Hundred Ten and 00/100 Dollars ($537,310.00); authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.

4.COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-141-AN ORDINANCE approving Work Authorization with Allgeier Martin & Associates Inc. in the not to exceed amount of Sixty-Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-Six and No/100 Dollars ($67,976.00) for engineering Construction and management phase services associated with the Trickling Filter for the Shoal Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility and containing an emergency clause.

5.COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017–370 - AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Jordan Disposal for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of lot area located at 512 S. Jackson in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for the amount of Three Thousand One Hundred Twenty Eight and 00/100 Dollars (3,128.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.

11. Ordinances
First Reading

1.COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-262-AN ORDINANCE requesting to review the Final Plat of THE WOODLANDS Plat 3, located 350ft. East of 33rd Street and John Duffy Drive in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. (P & Z Recommended Approval)

2.COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-263 – AN ORDINANCE requesting to review the Final Plat of THE WOODLANDS Plat 4, located 650ft. East of 33rd Street and John Duffy Drive in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. (P & Z Recommended Approval).

3. COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-264 - AN ORDINANCE requesting to review the Final Plat of TWIN HILLS Plat 3, located at 26th Street and Jimmy Weaver Drive in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. (P & Z Recommended Approval) Council Agenda June 5, 2017 3

12. Ordinances
Second Reading and Third Reading

1.COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-509 - AN ORDINANCE approving the job description for Utility Billing Supervisor and the placement of the position within the Salary Administration Plan for the City of Joplin.

13. Unfinished Business

14. New Business
1. Approval for Out of Class Pay for Assistant City Clerk
 2. Appointments and Reappointments to Boards and Commissions
 3. News from the PIO

Brooke Robinson's body found in Shoal Creek

(From the Newton County Sheriff's Office)

The body of Brooke Robinson has been found in Shoal Creek by Redings Mill Fire personnel.

We would like to thank all of the agencies that came to Shoal Creek to assist in the search. Some came from as far as St. Louis to help find Brooke. Thank you to all of the volunteers and folks that prayed for the family of Brooke Robinson and for those searching for her.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Brooke and send our thoughts and prayers to the family during this extremely hard time.

GateHouse Media promotion highlights few reporters they have left

Over the past few years, readers have watched as GateHouse Media has stripped down their newspapers and taken jobs out of local communities.

The most recent actions taken by the company- reducing the Carthage Press to one edition per week, cutting the Neosho Daily News to two editions, and the Pittsburg Morning Sun to five, are only the latest examples of how they have devalued what should be leading businesses in the community.

I have written before of how GateHouse and its previous incarnation, Liberty Group Publishing, took a thriving newspaper, the Carthage Press, and left it in a shambles.

The only thing that has kept that newspaper alive over the past few years has been the hard work of Managing Editor John Hacker and a threadbare staff that now includes only one reporter, Sports Editor Brennan Stebbins.

The company long ago stopped sending out advertising sales people and its circulation department is non-existent.

The only thing GateHouse Media knows how to do is cut.

The company's entire business model is based on buying more and more newspapers (it owns hundreds, including a couple of dozen in Missouri) and then cutting staff, selling off equipment, and when the newspapers are still not making money, they do the only thing they know how to do- cut more.

That business model led to bankruptcy a few years ago and does not appear to be working any better now.

Instead of trying something innovative, improving their product, for instance, GateHouse Media is launching a media campaign to promote its newspapers.

The campaign, "Newsroom Hero," begins next week and will profile the editors and reporters at GateHouse, the few of them that remain, and show how involved they are in their communities. After all, it doesn't cost as much to slap their names and photos on ads as it would to provide them with the resources they need to improve their newspapers.

GateHouse's two-million-dollar-a-year CEO Kirk Davis (he has a $2.2 million golden parachute if he ever gets fired), says, "We are extremely proud of our people and the important role they play inside the newsroom and in their communities."

That is probably why he has downsized so many of them, including the recent removal of reporter Rebecca Haines from the Press.

The news release GateHouse issued for its latest promotion is printed below:

GateHouse Media, one of the largest publishers of locally based print and online media in the United States, today announced the launch of a new brand campaign, “Newsroom Hero”. The campaign, which is the first in the company’s history, highlights GateHouse Media’s deep community connections and commitment to serving as a trusted source of local, award-winning news.

“We are extremely proud of our people and the important role they play inside the newsroom and in their communities,” said Kirk Davis, Chief Executive Officer, GateHouse Media. “This campaign reinforces the strong and cherished relationship we have with our readers and gives them a peek into how deep our local roots go. This campaign celebrates the hundreds of ‘Newsroom Heroes’ working to make an impact as journalists and as part of the fabric of their communities.”The “Newsroom Hero” campaign profiles GateHouse Media journalists and shows the positive impact they make in their communities not only as journalists but as parents, coaches and volunteers. Running across GateHouse’s print, digital, social media and outdoor platforms, the campaign reaches nearly 23 million weekly readers - including 35 million monthly digital visitors - across 36 states and 535 markets.

The campaign debuts the week of June 4th in 130 daily GateHouse newspapers. Following the initial blitz, GateHouse’s 314 weekly newspapers and extensive digital and social platforms will participate in the campaign. The initiative celebrates GateHouse Media’s people and demonstrates its ability to launch large advertising and marketing campaigns across its growing footprint.

This summer, GateHouse will launch an essay contest for high school students, tied to themes of the “Newsroom Hero” campaign. Winning essays will be featured across the company’s newspapers and websites and student winners will receive cash prizes toward college tuition.

“Our readers turn to us for reliable, compelling content that is both relevant to them and truly impacts their communities. The active, positive role we play in hundreds of communities enables us to deliver the local, trusted content that matters most. We are continuing to invest in new platforms and digital products to deliver the highest quality content to our readers and business partners,” added Davis.

The campaign was designed in-house by the GateHouse Marketing and Creative Solutions team in close collaboration with GateHouse editors. To view the campaign, please visit: http://mediakit.gatehousemedia.com/Branding2017/