Nancy Hughes: Perfect

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
An interview about the Miss Universe Pageant really caught my attention. A gentleman who was a major supporter of the contest was asked what determined the final outcome and the winner.

His answer was frank and to the point: “Let’s just say what it is: it all comes down to beauty. How they look. Oh, yes, they can be intelligent and business women and all those things, but what really matters is how they look . . . how beautiful they are.”

I looked at the pictures of each young woman in the contest and they were truly all physically beautiful. Perfect skin and perfect teeth. Perfect hair, perfect curls. Perfect gowns on perfect bodies. Perfect smiles. Perfect conversations with the judges. They . . . were . . . well . . . perfect.

And then I looked at my reflection in the mirror. A scar on my neck from a surgery. Wrinkles that make deep inroads from the corners of my eyes to my hairline. Varicose veins on my ankle resembling a tattoo gone horribly wrong. Crazy hair that wakes up in a whole new world every morning. A crooked tooth in spite of three years of braces. Nothing perfect at all.

According to that gentleman I would not compare or ever come close to his – or the worlds – definition of what matters: physical beauty. Can you identify?

Look at today’s Scripture in Proverbs 31:30. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. He knew a beautiful woman when he saw one and he was surrounded by hundreds of them. And yet he makes the startling observation that charm and beauty are not what’s most important. He says that the key to what makes a beautiful woman beautiful is her spiritual life. Wow!

Those lovely women in the pageant will not always look perfect as they did during the competition. No one can escape the aging process. Solomon reflects in Ecclesiastes that we all came from dust and that is where we will all return.

Solomon understands true beauty when he says “a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” She fears the Lord; in other words, she respects and reverences the holiness of her Creator. Her heart is focused on being an example of Jesus. That inner beauty will not fade with age as physical beauty most certainly does.

Will physical beauty continue to be what most in the world consider “perfect”? Oh I’m positive of that.

But, more than anything, I want my beauty to come – not from a reflection in a mirror – but from a reflection of Jesus. The Perfect Creator.

Father, too many times I look at my physical appearance and forget that you made me in your image to worship you. Today my heart is focused on you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

Can you think of a woman who you would consider to be physically beautiful?

Does she reflect a mirror of physical beauty only or does she also reflect the inner beauty of Jesus?

Application

Society today is continually focusing on physical beauty. If you have children or grandchildren, take time to share with them about God’s viewpoint of real beauty.
Share today’s power verses with them and praise their desire to be a beautiful reflection of Jesus.

Power Verses

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV) “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

I Samuel 16:7 (NIV) “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Ecclesiastes 3:20 (NIV) “All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.”
Psalm 139:14 (NIV) “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

I Peter 3:3-4 (NIV) “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

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

Kim Frencken: Thoughts on required reading lists

We all have our favorite books. Ones that we want everyone to read. So we get multiple copies and assign them to all of our students. We read it and discuss it. And as hard as it is to believe, there is someone in our class that doesn't share our enthusiasm. What!? Someone doesn't like this timeless classic? Someone can't get into the plot? Someone would rather be reading something else!?

In truth, required reading lists hold about as much fascination, for me, as mandatory meetings. It's that stubborn streak that surfaces. Tell me I HAVE to do something and I feel myself digging in for a siege.

Put me in a library and I immediately relax and head for the shelves. I find something I will read, absorb, live. Not because I was forced to read it, but because I chose it.

I've been guilty of having class novel reads. Dissecting a book to death. I've been on committees where we established reading lists for grade levels. And, yes, I added my favorites to the list (as did everyone else). I've tortured students who did not share my literary tastes. I've destroyed a forest with countless worksheets that had to be completed before the students could understand the novel. Were my methods sincere? Yes. Thorough? Yes. Create life-long readers. Nope! Anytime you combine the words rigor or regimented with reading, you kill it. Literally. The joy of reading is replaced with the job of reading.

After years of experience and exploring I changed the methods of my madness. I started expanding the reading lists to include student favorites. I used short reads to teach and reinforce skills. I created a literacy environment. Comfortable private reading places. An out-of-this-world class library. Turning the room into a scene from a book. One winter semester the room might be a tropical island or a land where it is always winter, but never Christmas! I (tried) to turn the novel read into an experience rather than an exercise.

We need to rev up reading instead of making it a routine. 

After all what is more important a student reading a classic or a student reading?

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

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

The interest in the Jayda Kyle murder case continued this week as the accused killer's letter to Jayda's father has received more than 52,000 visitors and is only 22 away from becoming the second most visited Turner Report post in the 14-year history of the blog.

That post was joined in the top 10 by two others about the murder.

The number two post featured the guilty plea of Ace Mohr, Carthage, (pictured) to drug trafficking and receiving stolen property charges.

The fifth most visited post this week was a guest post from Carthage High School teacher Caleb Bayless, while the third was my thoughts on eliminating more than 400 Facebook friends.

Top posts for the week and links to them are featured below:

The Turner Report

1. Jalen Vaden to Jayda Kyle's father: I pray that you know I didn't do this to her

2. Ace Mohr pleads guilty, admits "I sold heroin"

3. Today I lost a lot of friends

4. Preliminary hearing scheduled for Joplin man charged with beating his 10-year-old son, threatening to shoot his children

5. Carthage teacher: A letter to my pregnant student

6. Family of accused Jayda Kyle murderer suspects outside manipulation as SMB, GoFundMe accounts shut down

7. Explosive court documents claim Jayda Kyle's mother turned her death into a social media event

8. Court document: Former North Middle School teacher told 13-year-old he was hot and she wanted him

9. Contract allows city to evict new baseball team if it can bring a team affiliated with Major League Baseball to Joplin

10. Trial date set for former Neosho substitute teacher's lawsuit against Decker, R-5 District

Inside Joplin

1. MODOT begins demolition of Connecticut Avenue bridge over I-44

2. Joplin Police Department Weekend Arrests

3. Barton County cattle gang udder investigation for mooving violations

4. Jasper County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

5. Sarcoxie Police Department breaks up teenage marijuana party

6. Joplin Police Department Arrests February 1-2

7. Jasper County Sheriff's Office Arrests

8. Lamar man arrested for DWI, felony possession after falling asleep in car waiting for train to pass

9. Joplin woman dead after house fire at 11 S. Patterson, fire under investigation

10. Joplin Police Department Arrests January 30-31

Inside Joplin Obituaries

1. Paul Sutton

2. Rex Gallemore

3. Sandra Williams

4. Carol Hoover

5. Vince Triplett

6. Haven Raulston

7. Donna Aronson

8. Kyree Clark

9. Hunter Jones

10. Elaine Reynolds

Lobbyists, special interests provide nearly all of Billy Long's contributions during last quarter of 2017

Fifty-two political action committees, five lobbyists, and an official from a public relations firm that represents pharmaceutical companies combined to contribute $103,936.60 to Seventh District Congressman Billy Long's campaign account, according to a quarterly report filed this week with the Federal Election Commission.

The PACs gave Long $97,236.60, with $19,000 of that coming from the pharmaceutical industry and another $18,000 from health, medical and insurance interests. The five lobbyists and the publicist all have pharmaceutical companies among their biggest clients, increasing that total $25,700.

Long received a total of $107,706.60 for the quarter, meaning that he received only $3,770 outside of the special interests.

During the same period in a non-election year, the fiscal conservative's campaign spent nearly double the amount it brought in- $197,673.

Included in that spending was $14,433.76 for 64 meals, including $2,830.13 at BLT Steak in Washington D. C., $2,641.25 December 26 at The Flame in Springfield and $1,781.53 at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab in Washington, D. C. October 10.

The list included six meals that cost more than $600.

On the positive side, two words that are not mentioned anywhere on the filing were "Las Vegas." Nearly all of Long's reports for the past few years have included one or more trips to Las Vegas.

***

Special interests PACS contributing $1,000 or more to Billy Long during the fourth quarter of 2017 included the following:

American Association of Clinical Urologists $1,000
Emerson Electric $1,000
Express Scripts $2,500
Leidos, Inc. $2,500
Google $2,510
American Academy of Neurology $1,000
Wal-Mart $1,000
Pfizer $1,000
Society of Interventional Radiology $5,000
Facebook $1,500
Marathon Petroleum $2,500
Bristol Myers $1,000
National Beer Wholesalers $2,500
CTIA The Wireless Association $3,000
Astellas $2,500
Novartis $1,000
Boeing $1,500
Professional Insurance Agents $1,000
American Medical Association $1,000
American College of Surgeons $3,000
General Motors $3,000
EMD Serono $1,000
Seasonal Employer $1,000
Novo Nordisk $1,000
Expedia $1,500
Boston Scientific $1,000
AstraZeneca $1,500
National Air Traffic Controllers $1,000
Vertex Pharmaceuticals $1,000
Johnson & Johnson $1,500
Quapaw Tribe $2,500
National Milk Producers $1,000
General Dynamics $1,000
Altria $1,500
Valero Energy $2,500
Abbvie $1,000
National Telecommunications $1,500
UPS $2,500
American Academy of Ophthalmology $1,500
American Osteopathic $3,500
Celgene $1,500
Chevron $2,000
Ameren $3,500
Kraft Heinz $2,000
Merck $2,000
Sanofi U. S. $1,500
Action Committee for Rural Electrification $2,500
Raytheon $1,000

Agenda posted for Monday Joplin City Council meeting

COUNCIL AGENDA
Monday, February 5, 2018
6:00 P.M., Council Chambers

1.

Call To Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America

2.

Roll Call

3.

Presentations

1.

Proclamation Recognizing KGCS, MSSU’s Television Station And Their Services For Communicating City Council Meetings, City Programs, And Events.

2.

Proclamation To Proclaim February 1-7, 2018 As Enrolled Agent Week In Missouri

4.

Finalization Of Consent Agenda

5.

Reports And Communications

6.

Citizen Requests And Petitions

1.

Larry Swinehart, PO Box 1134, Joplin, MO, Requests To Address Council Regarding Police Officer Retention.

7.

Public Hearings

1.

Public Hearing Procedures

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-251

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-2 and including in District R-3 property as described below and located at 1112 E. Second Street, City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. 

Documents:

1. CB 2018-251 MINUTES.PDF
2. CB 2018-251 STAFF REPORT.PDF
3. CB 2018-251 SUMMARY.PDF
4. CB 2018-251.PDF

3.

RESOLUTION NO. 2018-004

A RESOLUTION granting a Special Use Permit (1st Request) for the operation of a group residential facility located at 1112 E. Second Street, in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. RS 2018-004 MINUTES.PDF
2. RS 2018-004 SUMMARY.PDF
3. RS 2018-004.PDF
4. RS 2018-004 STAFF REPORT.PDF

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

Amended Minutes Of The January 2, 2018 City Council Meeting

Documents:

1. JAN 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AMENDED.PDF

2.

Minutes Of The January 16, 2018 City Council Meeting

Documents:

1. JAN 16 2018 AGN.PDF

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-400

AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and the Homeless Coalition that pertains to 2017 CDBG public service grant funds; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute same on behalf of the City.

Documents:

1. CB2018-400.PDF

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-401

AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and the Economic Security Corporation that pertains to 2017 CDBG public service grant funds; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute same on behalf of the City.

Documents:

1. CB2018-401.PDF

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-402

AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and Legal Aid of Western Missouri that pertains to 2016 CDBG grant funds; authorizing the City Manager or his designee, Director of Planning, Development & Neighborhood Services to execute same on behalf of the City.

Documents:

1. CB2018-402.PDF

9.

Resolutions

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-016

AN ORDINANCE amending Chapter 90, Peddlers and Solicitors, Article IV, Aggressive Solicitation, Section 90-144, Prohibited acts, by repealing Section 90-144, Prohibited acts; enacting a new Section 90-144, Prohibited acts; and containing an emergency clause. (Tabled at the January 16, 2018 City Council meeting).

Documents:

1. CB2018-016.PDF

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-017

AN ORDINANCE approving a Lease Agreement by and between the City of Joplin, Missouri, a
Municipal Corporation, and Joplin Sports & Entertainment, LLC, a Missouri Limited Liability Company, dealing generally with the lease of the land and improvements of the Joe Becker Stadium to a minor league baseball team; authorizing the City Manager to execute said Lease Agreement by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri, and containing an emergency clause. 

Documents:

1. SUMMARY_CB2018-017_COJ AND JOPLIN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT_LEASE AGREEMENT RE JOE BECKER STADIUM - SW LEAGUE.PDF
2. CB2018-017_JOPLIN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT_LEASE AGREEMENT_JOE BECKER STADIUM_SWLEAGUE.PDF
3. JOE BECKER LEASE WITH JES CITY LEASE AGREEMENT FORM CLEAN 130 18.PDF

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-105

AN ORDINANCE     approving a Work Authorization with Allgeier Martin & Associates Inc., in the not to exceed amount of Three Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand, Two Hundred Eighty-Eight Dollars ($355,288.00) for Professional Engineering Consulting Services for the I & I Reduction Program, and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. EXHIBIT LARGE_DIAMETER_SEWERS_FINAL.PDF
2. COMPLETE WORK AUTHORIZATION AMA-I AND I.PDF
3. CB 2018-105 SUMMARY SHEET.PDF
4. CB 2018-105 IIRP-002.PDF

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-106

AN ORDINANCE     approving a construction contract with Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. for street resurfacing in the not to exceed amount of one million, seven hundred nineteen thousand, one hundred thirty four Dollars and fifty-nine cents ($1,719,134.59) for the 2018 Resurfacing project and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. COUNCIL SUMMARY - RESURFACING 2018.PDF
2. CONTRACT.PDF
3. BASE BIDS.PDF
4. 2018 PAVING PROGRAM MAP.PDF
5. 2018 PAVING PROGRAM.PDF
6. CB 2018-106 RESURFACING 2018.PDF
7. CB 2018-106 RESURFACING 2018.PDF

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-351

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 107 N. Byers. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for Two Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty-Nine and 00/100 Dollars (2,789.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2018-351 BID.PDF
2. CB 2018-351 PICTURES.PDF
3. CB 2018-351 SUMMARY.PDF
4. CB 2018-351.PDF

6.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-352

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 2215 S. Tyler. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for One Thousand One Hundred Seventy-One and 00/100 Dollars ($1,171.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2018-352 BID.PDF
2. CB 2018-352 PICTURES.PDF
3. CB 2018-352 SUMMARY.PDF
4. CB 2018-352.PDF

7.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-403

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to execute Work Authorization #3 to the Master Services Agreement for Professional Administrative Consulting Services with PricewaterhouseCoopers Public Sector LLP (PwC) to provide implementation and administrative activities, not to exceed One Million, Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand, One Hundred Fifteen Dollars ($1,950,115) and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute said Agreement; and containing an emergency clause 

Documents:

1. CB 2018-403 SUMMARY.PDF
2. PWC PS LLP WORK AUTHORIZATION 3.PDF
3. CB 2018-403.PDF

8.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-500

AN ORDINANCE approving an Addendum to Agreement to Transfer Repayment Rights by and between the City of Joplin and BBT Joplin, LLC for the 1717 Market Place Tax Increment Financing Plan; authorizing the City Manager to execute said Agreement by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2018-500 SUMMARY OF ADDENDUM TO AGREEMENT FOR 1717 MARKETPLACE TIF.PDF
2. CB 2018-500 ORDINANCE APPROVING ADDENDUM TO AGREEMENT TO TRANSFER REPAYMENT RIGHTS FOR 1717 TIF.PDF
3. CB 2018-500 EXHIBIT A ADDENDUM TO AGREEMENT TO TRANSFER REPAYMENT RIGHTS JAN 2018.PDF

9.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-501

AN ORDINANCE amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 as adopted by Ordinance 2017-167 on October 16, 2017, to adjust appropriations and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2018-501 SUMMARY FY 2018 BUDGET ADJUSTMENT.PDF
2. CB 2018-501 BUDGET AMENDMENT ORDINANCE FOR FY 2018.PDF
3. CB 2018-501 SCHEDULE A BUDGET AMENDMENT JAN 2018.PDF

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-404

AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and Rosin Preservation, LLC; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute same on behalf of the City. 

Documents:

1. CB 2018-404 AGREEMENT.PDF
2. CB 2018-404.PDF
3. CB 2018-404 SUMMARY.PDF

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

1.

News From The Public Information Office

2.

Vote To Go Into Closed Session, Which Shall Pertain To Legal Action, Causes Of Action, Or Litigation Including A Public Governmental Body And Any Confidential Or Privileged Communications Between A Governmental Body Or Its Representatives And Its Attorneys; And The Hiring, Firing, Disciplining, Or Promotion Of An Employee Or Particular Employees Of A Governmental Body Involving Personal Information; As Set Forth In Section 610.021(1) (3) RSMo, As Amended, 2016. This Meeting, Record, And Vote To Be Closed To The Extent Provided By Law. The City Council Shall Adjourn At The End Of The Session.

Billy Long: I will provide a voice for the unborn

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

In 1971, Ted Kennedy said, “Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized — the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old.” I was a senior in high school when Roe v. Wade was decided. In 1973 I could not fathom how it could possibly be legal to kill an innocent unborn child and today nothing has altered my thinking.

Each year, 19 percent of pregnancies in the U.S. end in abortion. That’s almost one in five. What’s even worse is that the U.S. is one of seven countries that still performs abortions after 20 weeks, and according to numerous research, by this point the babies can feel pain. That’s unacceptable. Individuals who describe themselves as “pro-choice” would like you and I to think that a majority of Americans are in favor of these policies and that current law is actually good for women. That’s not the case. According to a Marist-Knights of Columbus poll, 56 percent of Americans believe that abortion is morally wrong. More than 50 percent of Americans believe that abortion harms women long term. Those are the facts.

For people like myself, it’s nice to finally have a pro-life ally in the White House. During President Trump’s first year in office, he has championed a variety of pro-life legislation and actions. For example, President Trump declared January 22, 2018, the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, to be National Sanctity of Human Life Day. He has appointed pro-life judges and stopped federal tax dollars from funding abortions overseas. Last April, President Trump signed H.J. Res. 43 into law, which overturned President Obama’s midnight rule that prevented states from defunding federally-funded family planning programs. Within days of taking office, President Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy, which prevents billions of dollars in foreign aid from funding abortions abroad. I applauded the president’s actions. I said it back then and I’ll say it again: no state or taxpayer should be forced to fund health care services that perform abortions. The American people shouldn’t have to worry about their tax dollars funding something they morally oppose, both in the U.S. and abroad.

As a strong pro-life advocate, I have continued to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. Just this last year, I voted in favor of H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017, which prevents taxpayer dollars from funding abortion. This bill would make the Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayer dollars from funding abortion, permanent. H.R. 7 also prevents individuals who have health insurance through the exchanges created by Obamacare from obtaining health insurance plans that cover abortions. Last October I voted in favor of H.R. 36, the Pain-Cable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would ban abortions at 20 weeks. Both of these bills passed the House of Representatives. Just recently, I was the proud cosponsor of H.R. 4844, the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act and H.R. 4712, the Born-Alive Survivors Protection. H.R. 4712 would protect babies who are born alive after an attempted abortion by requiring medical professionals to give them the same care they would any other baby. This bill would also allow an individual to be charged with murder for knowingly killing an unborn child. H.R. 4844 aims to give more information to women seeking an abortion. This bill also requires that a woman seeking an abortion get an ultrasound before deciding she wants an abortion and requires the abortion provider to explain the ultrasound. Failure to do so, would result in a $100,000 fine. Each one of these bills would work to strengthen protections for the unborn.

This January, the Missouri Life Caravan came to Washington, D.C. for the annual March for Life, and I had the privilege of talking with them about my commitment to protecting the unborn. After my remarks, I had the opportunity to sit and listen to them talk about their work and efforts to continue the fight. These pro-life warriors, along with the hundreds of others I have met, remind me that the fight for life isn’t over and there is still much more work to be done. I look forward to working with these individuals to give voices to the voiceless.

Webb City man pleads guilty to having sex with underage girl

A Webb City man pleaded guilty today in U. S. District Court in Springfield to a charge of sexual enticement of a minor.

Ricky Ray Ball, 51, who was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2016, admitted to having sex with a 16-year-old girl in 2014. His trial had been scheduled for later this month.

Sentencing will be held at a later date.

Contract allows city to evict new baseball team if it can bring a team affiliated with Major League Baseball to Joplin

While it is uncertain what could possibly be an embarrassment to city officials who thought Wallace Bajjali was a fine, upstanding business, under the City of Joplin's proposed contract with a new independent baseball team, the city is making a stand for its honor.

Joplin City Council is scheduled to make a decision on the contract when it meets 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Joplin Sports Entertainment (JSE), the name of the corporation that will own the new ball team, has to retain the historic name of Joe Becker Stadium, according to the terms of the contract, but it can sell the naming rights to "the field" and split the money with the city.

It can also sell naming rights to anything else with the same financial arrangement.


But the businesses that will be represented must be of stellar reputation. The city has the right to disapprove anything in bad taste, offensive to the city's image "or a source of embarrassment to the city."

The contract stipulates that airlines, sporting goods, apparel or soft drink companies are automatically approved, which should bring a sigh of relief from the airline officials who have been lining up to slap their names on Joplin facilities.

JSE will have to seek approval for any alcohol and tobacco companies that want to buy naming rights, indicating that these are not automatically placed on the "embarrassment to the city" list.

JSE will be required to pay $35,000 in rent annually with the first payment on or before January 15, 2019, 75 cents per paid ticket of $4 or more, and $10,000 by October 15 each year if attendance is above 75,000.


If JSE has any outside activities, the city receives 75 cents for each ticket of $4 or above. That does not apply to Joplin Sports Authority activities, Joplin Outlaws games, or youth baseball activities.

The city maintains the right to evict JSE if it ever convinces a team affiliated with a major league franchise to come to Joplin, according to the contract.

The contract makes no mention of what will be done if anyone suggests creating a Blasters Hall of Fame.

Carthage teacher: A letter to my pregnant student

Earlier this evening, I received a request from an old friend who had received permission to share this thoughtful, well-written message that Carthage High School Spanish teacher Caleb Bayless posted on his blog Educational Anecdotes.

As my career in education has unfolded, I have had many students walk through my door. None of a more unique situation than my students who are pregnant. Throughout the busy day, it is difficult to have a heart-to-heart with 30 other students in the room. If I could, the following letter is what I would say to them.

To my pregnant student:

You’re pregnant and in high school. There is a ton of media out there to show you what it’s like with cameras following you around or whatever highlights fit into the allotted time. But I want you to know this: your decision does not affect our teacher-student relationship. Much like the homecoming queen or black-lipstick wearing emo or the average-in-every way student sitting in the same classroom, you are a student.

I won’t…

…talk to you about your decision, that’s not my place. My job is to teach you. If you would like, I will discuss my experience and hopefully, you can learn something from that.

…admire your ability to juggle your responsibilities; welcome to the rest of your and everyone else’s lives. Use this time to learn your mental and physical limits; more than anything, learn to function on little sleep.

… condemn your pregnancy; you get that enough from people around town when they see a pregnant teen. Just understand the looks and words they send your way are simply their regurgitations from other sources. Keep your head up!

… celebrate your pregnancy anymore more than anyone else’s; you get enough of that from your friends. Don’t interpret that as I think there is anything less than a miracle happening inside your body, but my role isn’t to take a moment and do a backflip; my job is to keep you motivated to learn and grow as a person.

I will…

…understand that you need more bathroom breaks and to walk around sometimes for no other reason than just to move.

…remind you to keep drinking water. You’re working double-time, stay hydrated.

…give you a dirty look if you attempt to eat a five-pound bag of Sour Patch Kids all by yourself; what used to just be unhealthy is now harmful.

…understand you are tired and just want to go home; I won’t let you. My motivational words will be more gentle than with other students. You have to keep going!

… be understanding when you must miss class for your doctor’s appointments; even though my wife and I scheduled ours for after school, I understand you are possibly at the mercy of someone else’s ability to take you.

Finally, I want you to stop taking notes when you feel a kick or hiccup from that little person in your womb and enjoy those moments. There is nothing more special than what it is taking place inside your body and you need to enjoy it. You are having to learn a lot of tough lessons and I hope one of them is that your child is now more important than anything else. Because of them, stay in school and work twice as hard as before. Be an example to them before they even have the chance to realize what you’re doing.

Take care of yourself and take care of your baby,

Mr. Bayless

(Please check out and follow Mr. Bayless' blog for more of his thoughts on education.)

Accused killer of three-year-old Jonathan Munoz-Bilbrey bound over for trial

Leonard Valdez, 21, Joplin, waived his preliminary hearing this morning in Jasper County Circuit Court and was bound over for trial in Division One.

Valdez is charged with second degree murder and felony child abuse in connection with the November 12 death of three-year-old Jonathan Munoz-Bilbrey.

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 probable cause statement indicates Valdez was the only person supervising the boy at the time the injuries occurred.

The boy died 22 days after the Joplin Police Department arrested Valdez for domestic assault at the same address, 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 for Valdez is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, February 26.