Major Greitens donor is bankrolling Roy Moore PAC

An Illinois businessman who contributed $360,000 to Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens' campaign is bankrolling the political action committee that is paying for most of the advertising backing controversial Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.

Moore has been under fire after a number of women stepped forward to claim he pursued teenage girls when he was in his 30s and serving as an assistant district attorney and district attorney. One woman accused Moore of sexual misconduct with her when she was only 14.

Dick Uihlein, Lake Front, Illinois, the CEO of Uline, gave $100,000 to the Proven Conservative PAC, which is backing Moore, according to Federal Election Commission documents. The contribution was made in two $50,000 chunks and makes Uihlein Moore's biggest financial supporter by a wide margin.

Even so, the money Uihlein has given to Proven Conservative PAC pales in comparison the amount he poured into the Greitens campaign in 2015 and 2016, according to Missouri Ethics Commission records.

Uilhlein contributed $35,000 to Greitens in 2015, with a $25,000 donation on October 30 and $10,000 on November 10.

His 2016 contributions include $10,000 March 15, $25,00 March 28, $40,000 July 27 and a whopping $250,000 on October 20.

Uihlein also contributed $10,000 to the successful campaign of Attorney General Josh Hawley.

Mother's claim in lawsuit: North Middle School teacher groomed my son and had sex with him

The mother of a former North Middle School student who was allegedly the victim of a statutory rape by one of his teachers filed a lawsuit on the boy's behalf November 3 in Jasper County Circuit Court.

In the petition, the lawyers for the woman and son claim reading teacher Amanda Schweitzer, 37, groomed the 13-year-old boy through text messages and social media, creating an atmosphere that led to the two having sex on March 29.

Schweitzer's trial on a statutory rape charge is scheduled to begin April 11 in Jasper County Circuit Court with Judge Dean Dankelson presiding and is expected to last three days.

The civil suit details the events that stage for the boy, who is referred to as C. A. in the petition, to have sex with his teacher at her home:

In early 2017, Schweitzer began grooming C.A. via social media and text message in violation of JSD policies. On or about March 29, 2017, C.A. was late for the bus and subsequently missed school. 

Schweitzer messaged C.A. when she noticed he was not at school. Schweitzer subsequently drove to his home and picked him up without the consent of his mother. 

While at her home, Schweitzer engaged in sexual intercourse with C.A. As a result of the encounter, C.A. has been sustained emotional injuries. In addition, C.A. was forced to finish the semester off campus after the encounter with Schweitzer came to light. He subsequently transferred schools. 

The lawsuit alleges "negligent infliction of emotional distress." The plaintiffs are asking for a jury trial.

The lawyer for the woman and son is Michael Fleming of the Kapke & Willerth firm of Lee's Summit.

The local law firm involved is Elizabeth Turner Law, LLC.

Former Neosho resident pleads guilty to sexually exploiting child In Joplin

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A West Virginia man pleaded guilty in federal court today to sexually exploiting a minor in the Joplin, Mo., area.

Shannon Calhoun, 32, of Philippi, W. Va., formerly of Neosho, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to the sexual exploitation of a child.

By pleading guilty today, Calhoun admitted that he induced a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. Co-defendant Ronald Lee Fields, 56, of Joplin, pleaded guilty to the same charge involving the same child victim on Nov. 21, 2017.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Fields’ residence in Joplin on Jan. 30, 2017, and seized a desktop computer, an iPhone 5, two tablet computers, a digital camera, an SD card and a compact disk containing photos. Investigators discovered some pornographic photos of Fields with an approximately 5-year-old child, including photos taken at a motel and at his residence. Data on the photos indicated they were created using Fields’s camera.

Calhoun was identified as the adult performing sexual acts on the child victim in numerous images of the child being sexually abused over a period of several years.

Investigators also interviewed Benjamin Goodwin, 28, of Springfield. Goodwin, a former Springfield YMCA employee who pleaded guilty in a separate case to receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet, told investigators that he had traded images of child pornography with Fields.

Under federal statutes, Calhoun and Fields are each subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 30 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force.

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Joplin man pleads guilty to child porn charge; Affidavit indicates Neosho man molested 7-year-old for years

Nancy Hughes: The best reunion ever

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
I Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)

The videos showing a family member coming home from the military to surprise those they love get to me every time. I automatically get out the tissues when one pops up on the internet or on television.

They all make me cry. The son who thinks he is throwing a pitch to his catcher, when the catcher’s mask is suddenly pulled off to reveal Dad. The wife who has been told she is to receive an award for her husband in his absence, only to turn around and see him running toward her. The child in class who looks up from her deskwork and yells “Mommy, you’re back!” as her mother peeks in the door and falls to her knees to scoop up her daughter.

The stories behind those beautiful reunions are similar. Family members have been gone for several weeks or months – apart from their loved ones, serving their country in the military. Some have been able to Skype occasionally as well as talk on the phone; others have not been able to communicate with each other except through mail.

They also share one common bond: none of those getting the surprise reunion had any idea it was being planned. They knew they would see each other again but had no idea exactly when it would occur.

The Scripture from I Thessalonians has become sweeter than ever to me recently. Paul is speaking about Christ’s return and he is explaining what will happen. From this passage we learn that Jesus will be the one leading the glorious get-together.

First He will collect His children who have passed away and then those who are still alive. Both groups “will be caught up together . . . in the clouds.” Wow!

Can you imagine it? Hugging a spouse or child again! Smiling as you once again see a parent or grandparent! I can imagine the hugs and laughter that will roar through the clouds at that glorious reunion.

Do this for me: think of those special people in your life who have passed away. Now, picture meeting them again face to face.

Just as the military families don’t know when the reunion will take place, we Christians do not know the exact date.

But we DO know it’s going to happen one day. And when it does, we are going to shout “best reunion ever!”

Father, oh the hope that you give with your promise that we will be together with our loved ones who knew you. Thank you for that joyful reunion. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

Have you had doubts about seeing a loved one again?

Application

Re-read today’s Power Verses and picture in your mind what the beautiful reunion will be like with loved ones who have passed away.

Praise the Lord for His death and resurrection that make heavenly reunions possible.

Power Verses

I Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV) “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”


John 14:2-3 (NIV) “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”


I Corinthians 2:9 (NIV) “ . . . No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him . . .”


I Corinthians 15:55 (NIV) “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”


Psalms 147:3 (NIV) “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing and information about her books, check out her blog, Encouragement From the War Room.)

Kim Frencken: Things a veteran teacher is thankful for

Veteran. Seasoned. Experienced. All synonyms for teachers who have been around a block or two. Seasoned makes me feel like a fry so I'll just stick with veteran. We all seem to have some things in common. Or at least we can identify with similar things. Things from the good ole days.

We're thankful for parents that gave us the benefit of the doubt. We had them. They believed the teacher. Yep! That mean old teacher who picked on me was innocent in my parent's eyes. She was the hero. I was the convicted.

We're thankful that we have (or have had) administrators that support us. I've got your back has taken on a whole new meaning today. Back in the day if a principal said they would support you, they meant it. They didn't mean, "I"ll support you if......" In many schools support has become conditional. I am thankful I teach in a place where the administration still has my back. That's called integrity, by the way.

Ask a veteran teacher how they feel about parents who volunteer. Over the years, I've been blessed with parents who have volunteered to help with difficult projects, help prepare materials for the classroom, or help decorate. Some have offered to read to students who needed some extra assistance, or became a buddy to a lonely child. Awesome. I realize that laws have changed because of those who harm children, making it more difficult to accept outside help, but it is still doable in so many ways. If coming into the classroom isn't an option, there are always things that need to be done outside of school: preparing crafts, making bulletin board items, or picking up class treats.

So what else are we thankful for??? Weekends, holidays, and summers off to recharge our batteries. Peers, Parents, and Principals that listen. A laminator that works. Lessons that knock it out of the ballpark. The lightbulbs that go off. And, the joy that comes with each new day.

(For more of Kim Frencken's writing and information about her educational products, check out her blog, Chocolate For the Teacher.)

Links provided for top Turner Report/Inside Joplin posts for the week

The response of the owners of the Exploration Station pre-school to a lawsuit filed by the parents of a two-year-old who was allegedly abused while staying there was the top post for the Turner Report this week, while the Top 10 also featured three posts about Gov. Eric Greitens' unsuccessful attempt to get rid of Margie Vandeven as Missouri's Commissioner of Education.

The untimely death of Missouri Southern State University student and Joplin High School graduate Vivian Vu in an eight-vehicle accident while she and other MSSC students were returning from a model United Nations competition in Chicago was the most visited post on Inside Joplin.


The Turner Report

1. Exploration Station owners: Two-year-old was at fault

2. Greitens lashes out after State Board of Education fails to fire Vandeven

3. Settlement reached in Nicodemus family wrongful death lawsuit

4. Joplin man pleads guilty to child porn charge; Affidavits indicate Neosho man molested 7-year-old for years

5. Greitens move to fire Vandeven, privatize education fails

6. UPI reporter who told the world of JFK's death got his start at the Joplin Globe

7. Arraignment set for Joplin man accused of abusing 3-year-old boy who died from injuries

8. Vote to fire Commissioner of Education could be happening now; Greitens makes power move

9. Trial date set for former North Middle School reading teacher on statutory rape charge

10. Missouri Department of Revenue officers to carry firearms

Inside Joplin

1. Missouri Southern sophomore/Joplin High School graduate dies from injuries suffered in eight-vehicle crash

2. Joplin Police Department arrests man with 10 outstanding warrants, disguised Claritin pills

3. Jasper man, Carthage woman injured in accident on 171

4. Jasper County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

5. MSSU student in critical condition, five others, professor injured in eight-vehicle crash near St. Louis

6. Joplin Police Department Arrests November 21-22

7. U. S. Bankruptcy Court Petitions- Joplin

8. Runaway juvenile may be in Joplin

9. Diamond woman injured after swerving to avoid another vehicle

10. Ten thousand dollar bond set for Neosho man charge with Range Line Econolodge arson

Inside Joplin Obituaries

1. Debra Pope

2. Kadyn Couch

3. Cory Ward

4. Micheal Christensen

5. Ryan Moore

6. Sally Mason

7. Larry Pounds

8. Tim Harris

9. Dean Stratton

10. Seth Cupp

***

My holiday book signing will be held next Saturday, December 2, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Changing Hands Book Shoppe in Joplin.

Stop by and pick up one of my books or a Turner Report t-shirt at bargain prices.

See you there.

Billy Long: It's up to the Senate to work with us to pass a tax reform bill

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

A lot has changed since 1986, but our tax code isn’t one of them. Ronald Reagan was president and Top Gun, along with its theme song,“Take My Breath Away,” just hit the big screen. Springfield’s own Tommy Whitlock penned that famous theme song. Times were good. Yet, 31 years later, hardworking Americans are living in an era characterized by stagnant wages and businesses moving overseas at the expense of the middle-class. It’s a reality House Republicans understand all too well and one we are working to alleviate. With the passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, our bill simplifies an archaic tax code by expanding standard deductions, consolidating tax brackets and closing special-interest loopholes.

Under the House Republicans’ pro-growth tax plan, the number of tax brackets would be decreased by nearly half. In the current code, there are seven tax brackets. Our plan lowers that number to just four: zero, 12, 25 and 35 percent while still maintaining the 39.6 percent. For example, a person making $48,000 could drop from a 25 percent top marginal tax rate to 12 percent under the proposed changes. In dollars, that’s an increase of almost $6,000 to their individual standard deduction — a change that means more take-home money and less government overreach. After all, people know what to do with their money better than the government does.

But individuals aren’t the only ones that win based on the House bill. Not only does this bill create a new Family Credit, which expands the Child Tax Credit, but it keeps the Child and Dependent Tax Credit — reductions that make a difference for working families. The new Family Credit would increase the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $1,600. For a family barely getting by, that’s a big difference.

This code works for everyone from Missouri’s working families to its small business owners. As a former small businessman, I know firsthand the challenges small businesses face when it comes to our complex tax code. Missouri is home to over 500,000 small businesses employing 1.1 million workers. But in order to succeed, we need to create an environment that encourages innovation, instead of forcing it overseas to a more favorable tax code. According to the Tax Foundation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would create 975,000 news jobs — 18,000 in Missouri alone. It’s a recipe for success.

Everyone deserves a tax code they can understand. Our current tax code is not only outdated, but unnecessarily complex. Americans spend almost 9 billion cumulative hours a year filing their taxes and $100 billion annually to comply with the individual income tax. There is a reason nine out of 10 Americans have to use some type of software to file their taxes. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 90 percent of Americans would need just a postcard (not a PhD) to file their taxes.

The passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts gets us one step closer to giving hardworking Americans an overdue break. Now it’s up to the Senate to work with the House and pass a tax reform bill worth the president’s signature.

Murder charges filed against Joplin man for death of abused three-year-old; no bond allowed

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office has filed second degree murder charges this afternoon against Leonard Valdez, 21, Joplin, for the November 12 death of three-year-old Jonathan Munoz-Bilbrey.

Judge Joseph A. Hensley ruled that Valdez, whose bond had been set at $150,000, will be held without bond.

Valdez also faces the original charge of child abuse or neglect. He pleaded not guilty to that charge during a video arraignment this morning in Jasper County Circuit Court.

The three-year-old was taken to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City after he suffered brain injuries, facial bruising and a laceration at his home at 1502 S. Michigan Avenue November 10.

The boy died 22 days after the Joplin Police Department arrested Valdez for domestic assault at the same addres, 1502 S. Michigan Avenue, where police say the child abuse took place. The victim was the boy's mother, Natasha Michelle Bilbrey, 22, according to the JPD incident report.

The next hearing will be held 9 a.m. December 13.

Trial date set for former North Middle School reading teacher on statutory rape charge

Three days have been set aside beginning April 11 in Jasper County Circuit Court for former North Middle School reading teacher Amanda Schweitzer's trial on a felony statutory rape charge.

Judge Dean Dankelson will preside.

Schweitzer, 38, allegedly had sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old student at her home March 29.

Schweitzer is also charged with three felony charges, kidnapping, statutory rape, and statutory sodomy in Newton County for allegedly taking the same 13-year-old boy to the Water's Edge Camp Ground and having sex with him.

Schweitzer, who was placed on administrative leave by the Joplin R-8 School District, has since resigned.

Joplin man pleads not guilty to abuse that led to death of 3-year-old

Leonard Valdez, 21, Joplin, waived his arraignment this morning and pleaded not guilty to felony child abuse in connection with the death of three-year-old Jonathan Munoz-Bilbrey.

The probable cause statement said the boy suffered head injuries, bruises and a laceration when he was brought to Mercy Hospital November 10. The boy died November 12 at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

The next hearing will be held 9 a.m. December 13. Valdez is being held in the Jasper County Jail on a $150,000 cash only bond.