Joplin Regional Airport receives $7.5 million grant to reconstruct taxiway

(From Sen. Roy Blunt, R-MO)

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operation, Safety, and Security and a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, today announced that Joplin Regional Airport will be awarded a $7.5 million grant through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

The grant will be used to reconstruct a taxiway.

“Reconstructing the taxiway will allow Joplin Regional Airport to keep up with increasing travel demand, which is great for local families and businesses,” said Blunt. “I’ve been proud to advocate for the Airport Improvement Program, which is especially important for our regional airports. I’ll continue supporting efforts to enhance passenger safety and strengthen our state’s air transportation network.”

“With the steady growth and success of our commercial service with American Airlines we have seen an impact on our airfield infrastructure,” said Joplin Regional Airport Manager Steve Stockam. “The larger commercial aircraft are great news for our customers but have taken a toll on the 25-year-old taxiway that supports our main runway. With the support of Senator Blunt, this Supplemental Funding Grant has provided a window of opportunity to address this deteriorating taxiway immediately. Reconstructing Taxiway D now will ensure we will have the infrastructure in place to support the continued growth of our commercial service as we look to add frequency and new service routes.”

The AIP program provides grant funding for infrastructure improvements at public-use airports.

For smaller airports, the grant covers a range of 90-95 percent of eligible costs.

The Blunt-backed Bipartisan Budget Act, which was signed into law in February, increased overall resources for infrastructure investments, including the AIP program.

Federal grand jury indicts Joplin man on drug trafficking, weapons charges

A federal grand jury indicted a Joplin man today on felony drug trafficking and weapons charges.

According to the indictment, James E. Davis, 43, possessed marijuana with intent to distribute, possessed firearms as a feature of a drug trafficking operation and was a convicted felon in possession of firearms.

The Joplin Police Department arrested Davis following a June 8 traffic stop, also confiscating six guns, including one with the serial number removed, 57 hydrocodone pills, scales, drug paraphernalia and just over a pound of marijuana.

At the time of his indictment, Davis was free on $20,000 bond while awaiting trial on the drug charges in Jasper County Circuit Court.

(Photo: Weapons and drugs confiscated by the Joplin Police Department when arresting James E. Davis following a June 8 traffic stop.)

Joplin City Finance Director: Why's everybody always picking on me?

During an impassioned speech at the Joplin City Council meeting Monday night, City Finance Director Leslie Haase set citizens straight about who has the most dangerous job in the city.

Haase, who pulls down an annual six-figure salary, explained why she is worth every penny.

While police officers have to deal with meth users, domestic violence encounters (sometimes involving meth users), horrific traffic accidents and situations that thankfully, most of us do not ever have to face, Leslie Haase for 20 years has confronted something far more frightening.

Critics.

Haase tearfully told the Council of "rumors and inaccurate statements" that have "flourished in social media. Many have centered on me and my family."

The comments have come recently as discussions continue about the pay level for police officers and firefighters. Haase's encounter with the widow of a Joplin Police Department officer who was killed in the line of duty as the topic of a complaint sent to the City Council and City Manager Sam Anselm last week.

(Previous post: Claim in letter to Joplin City Council- Finance director tell's police officer's widow- Even your husband knew what he was coming to work for)

Haase explained a major problem she has in working for the city. "Unlike the private sector, people in the public sector always serve in the public eye."

That means that even when she is not at work, the public is still looking at her, she said, but that is all right with her.

"I willingly accept that responsibility."

That being said, Haase maintained that when a member of the public confronts her, she has the right to respond.

Then Haase followed a Joplin city officials tradition of the past few years and played the tornado card.

The city is being split apart when everyone was working together in the days and years after the May 22, 2011 natural disaster when the city had "positive notoriety."

Now that has changed, Haase said, but her approach to her job has not. "I have conducted myself with professionalism and integrity and honesty as is expected of all city employees and especially department directors.

"The same cannot be said for those comments directed at me personally."

Those who have criticized her are doing so with sinister intent, she indicated.

"It is apparent that these attacks on me and my family are calculated in nature to try to remove me from city service either voluntarily or involuntarily."

But those who are attacking her have underestimated her.

"Attempts to intimidate me will not work as I have done nothing wrong except to do my job as finance director to the best of my ability with the interests of the community at heart."

In her conclusion Haase said, "A wise woman recently told me there have to be easier jobs out there."

Perhaps she could become a police officer or a firefighter.

McCaskill praises governor, state legislature for expanding drug courts to battle opioid epidemic

(From Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-MO)

One thing is clear: the opioid epidemic has devastated too many Missouri families. But I'm not without hope.

I've seen firsthand how one addiction program changed lives and was successful in getting people the help they needed: when I was the Jackson County prosecutor in the 1990's, we implemented one of the country's very first drug courts, to redirect first-time non-violent drug offenders into supervised treatment programs -- because I know just how important it is to provide critical support like this to folks dealing with addiction.

Twenty five years later, I'm so excited that a new plan to expand access to drug courts throughout Missouri is finding champions across the political spectrum.

Drug courts focus on helping those who struggle with addiction get back on their feet -- offering Missourians who put in the effort a second chance.

From my days as Jackson County Prosecutor until now, we've seen the successes rehabilitation programs like this can bring to Missourian's lives and their communities.

And this isn't the only good news -- in 2012, we successfully launched a drug court for veterans in Jackson County, and just last month more than $1 million in new funding headed to drug courts across in Missouri.

I'm glad that these reforms have bipartisan support -- because that could mean access to drug courts for many more people across our state. And that's a huge win for Missouri.

I applaud the Governor and all those in the state legislature pushing to get this effort across the finish line to make drug courts more accessible to those who need them most.

We lose too many moms, brothers, kids, uncles and loved ones to addiction every year -- but I'm hopeful about the future because we're taking real steps to change that. But until that day comes, I promise to keep working hard to ensure Missourians across our state have access to the resources they need to fight this epidemic.

Jason Vieselmeyer hired as North Middle School assistant principal

During a closed session Thursday, the Joplin R-8 Board of Education hired Jason Vieselmeyer as assistant principal at North Middle School.

The district issued the following news release:

Serving Joplin Schools for seventeen years, Mr. Jason Vieselmeyer has a long history of dedication and commitment to the district and community. With an eleven-year tenure as the North physical education teacher, Vieselmeyer is ready to serve as assistant principal. 

Mr. Matt Harding, North Principal, stated, “Jason Vieselmeyer is a man of high integrity, character and has a great work ethic. His love for North Middle School students and staff was very evident through the interview process. Mr. Vieselmeyer has served the school district for many years, as a teacher and coach. He has held many leadership positions at North Middle School. His knowledge of North and his attention to detail will allow for a smooth transition to assistant principal for the students and staff."

Mr. Vieselmeyer began teaching in Joplin at Memorial Middle School and then to North Middle School to which he will now serve as assistant principal. 




Vieselmeyer earned a bachelors degree in history education from Pittsburg State University and a masters degree in educational administration from William Woods University.

Vieselmeyer replaces Jason Riddle, who was named McKinley Elementary Principal August 28.

Riddle replaced Brian Olivera, whose sudden resignation was accepted during an August 28 closed board meeting.

Report shows more domestic violence victims could be helped if government red tape eliminated

(From State Auditor Nicole Galloway)

State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a report on domestic violence shelter funding that found burdensome requirements in state law have meant an inefficient and uneven distribution of funding across Missouri.

The report found domestic violence victims are being turned away from shelters at a higher rate than the five neighboring states that provided information to the State Auditor's Office. In 2017, there were a reported 28,182 unmet requests for shelter and other services in Missouri.

“Victims of domestic violence shouldn’t be turned away because red tape is holding up shelter funding,” Auditor Galloway said. “Unfortunately, that’s happening in Missouri. A simplified and consolidated process – made possible by changes in the law – would cut down on the paperwork at the local level and make it easier to distribute funds to the shelters.”

To obtain funding collected by a city or county, domestic violence shelters must demonstrate to local officials that they meet a list of legal qualifications and also file an annual report with that local authority. Auditor Galloway said these requirements for information burden shelters, duplicating documentation already filed with the Department of Social Services and other state agencies in order to receive state and federal grant funding.

State law also does not require local authorities collecting domestic violence fees to actually distribute the funds or set a limit on the amount they can retain, in order to assure funds are being used to help Missourians in need. Auditor Galloway said there were 18 counties that did not distribute domestic violence fees in 2017; those counties had 2,679 domestic violence incidents reported last year. Lawmakers could require local authorities to distribute funds at least once a year.

There is no state agency charged with oversight of domestic violence shelter funding, so the Auditor’s Office compiled the information for the report by working with local governments and the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, a non-profit organization comprised of community-based domestic violence programs throughout the state.

The decentralized manner that Missouri uses in distributing domestic violence fees means that funds may not necessarily be utilized where there is a demand for services. The centralized model used by at least three surrounding states – Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee – allows fees to be more strategically distributed based on need, the Auditor said. A centralized registration and reporting system for shelters also would enable more consistent reporting and better oversight of domestic violence funds.

“The odds that survivors of domestic violence receive the help they need in Missouri should not depend on which counties they live,” Auditor Galloway said. “Lawmakers can streamline the process of getting money to the shelters. Let’s work together to help Missouri families.”

A copy of the report on domestic violence shelter funding is here.

Nancy Hughes: Would you say it to my face?

“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed,
or hidden that will not be made known. What you
have said in the dark will be heard in the
daylight, and what you have whispered
in the ear in the inner rooms will
be proclaimed from the roofs.”
Luke 12:2-3 (NIV)

Cell phones can be a great way of communicating . . . most of the time. On the plus side, you don’t have to stay at home waiting for an important phone call because you can be reached no matter where you might be. But there can be a down side to them, too, as a girlfriend of mine found out several years ago.

She had received a call on her cell phone from Marie with questions about a party that was being planned. The conversation was a bit complicated because Marie’s sister was at her home to help plan the party so the conversation went from Marie to her sister, back to Marie and then to my friend.

Marie finally solved that problem: she put her cell phone on speaker so they could all hear the conversation at the same time. When they finally had everything planned out, Marie said “I’ll talk to you later” as my friend said “Okay.”

The one catch? Marie forgot to hit the “end” button on her cell phone.

That in itself wouldn’t necessarily be bad because my friend could simply have hung up but she heard her name and started to answer, thinking that Marie had forgotten to ask her something. However, what she heard caused her to catch her breath and tears to roll.

The two women she had just talked to on the phone were discussing her and it was not a kind discussion. Their opinions left no item out of the conversation, from how poorly she decorated her home to her lack of cooking skills to her latest haircut.

As my friend heard the conversation move on to her husband and children she hung up, brokenhearted and incredibly sad at the comments of the two women.

I could not help thinking about today’s Scripture after she tearfully shared what had happened. “What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight…”

Confession time, my friends. How many of us have made unkind comments and given our opinions about someone that would have crushed that person had we said it face to face?

Me…I raise my hand here but not in a proud way. I am ashamed to say that I have made comments that would have hurt deeply the person I was talking about had they heard them. I am the one who has whispered judgment about someone that I would never ever want “proclaimed from the roofs.”

It is never okay to gossip and comment hurtfully about someone. As I comforted my friend and her broken heart, I also asked the Lord to forgive me for those things I have said that would hurt so deeply if repeated to the person.

Join me in memorizing Luke 12:2-3. And let us resolve to do everything we can to encourage and not rip apart as we hit the “end” button on hurtful comments so that the only thing “proclaimed from the roofs” is the love of Jesus.

Father, I am ashamed about the harsh words that I have spoken about someone that I would never say to her face. Forgive me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

Have you ever made a comment about someone that you would be embarrassed to have them know?

What do you think their reaction would be if they had heard your comment about them? Hurt? Tears?

Application

Before you respond to a comment made about someone, take a breath and ask yourself: Would I be embarrassed or ashamed if that person was standing in front of me when I answer?

Memorize today’s Scripture as a reminder before you comment about others.

Power Verses

Luke 12:2-3 (NIV) “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.”

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Titus 3:2 (NIV) “to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”

(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing, check out her blog, Encouragement from the War Room.)

Top Turner Report/Inside Joplin posts for the week- See how many of them were not covered by any other media source

Earlier this week, former Jasper R-5 Board of Education secretary Karla Justice (formerly Jessee) checked into a federal prison in Illinois.

Ace Mohr had his probation suspended, while Edward Meerwald the drunk driver who killed two people in 2004 had his bond reduced.

A review of campaign finance documents showed Rep. Bill White and former Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce President Rob O'Brian spent almost half a million in their 32nd District State Senate primary race.

The son of former KOAM reporter Craig Andres was killed in a tragic accident.

All of those were news stories that could only be found locally on the Turner Report.


The most visited Turner Report post of the week- a letter from Tracy Nielson, the widow of a Joplin police officer who died in the line of duty to the Joplin City Council and City Manager Sam Anselm describing a confrontation she had with City Finance Director Leslie Haase in a city parking lot, was featured here and on KOAM.

This has been a week in which the approach that I use to make this alternative news source a service for Joplin area readers has been thoroughly on display.

Thanks to those of you who contributed to the Turner Report/Inside Joplin in one way or another this week, whether it be financially through subscriptions or donations, by commenting, by sharing posts, or simply by spreading the word. You are the reason I have been able to continue this news operation's growth for almost 15 years.

The top 10 posts for the Turner Report, Inside Joplin and Inside Joplin Obituaries and links to each of them are featured below. Below the links, those of you who have not subscribed or contributed recently will find links and information on how to do so.

Thanks again for your support and your readership.

The Turner Report

1. Claim in letter to Joplin City Council: finance director tells police officer's widow- Even your husband knew what he was coming to work for

2. Former KOAM reporter's teen son dies from injuries sustained in fall

3. Embezzling Jasper R-5 Board secretary checks into Illinois prison for next 30 months

4. Bond reduced for drunk driver who killed Joplin girl, Neosho man

5. Judge suspends probation, Ace Mohr still being held on $30,000 bond

6. Thirty minutes ago, I was attacked

7. Nearly half a million dollars spent in White-O'Brian State Senate race

8. Newspaper war brewing in Carthage

9. Josh Hawley: We need a border wall and an immigration policy to protect Americans

10, Candlelight vigil held for Sarah Burton, Joplin woman has been missing for two months

Inside Joplin

1. Joplin Police searching for missing teen

2. Joplin Police Department Weekend Arrests

3. Jasper County Sheriff: Sarcoxie man's gunshot wound was self-inflicted, accidental

4. Highway Patrol Arrests September 14-15

5. Joplin Police ask for help in finding runaway

6. Jasper Police arrest three on meth charges following stop at Judy's Truck Stop

7. Jasper County Sheriff's Office Arrests

8. Carl Junction Police looking for security footage following property damage in Miller Street/Cherry Street area

9. Jasper County Dissolution of Marriage Petitions

10. Suspected rapist, kidnapper captured at Baxter Springs home

Inside Joplin Obituaries

1. Isaiah Andres

2. Jaxson Adams

3. Christopher Kissell

4. Jeannie Blaylock

5. Wes Nall

6. Diane Doner

7. Velma Long

8. Norma Patterson

9. Robert Grubb

10. Melvin Alford

Help support the Turner Report/Inside Joplin news operation with a subscription or contribution. Help keep this alternative news source continue to provide news and commentary for the Joplin area. You can subscribe or make a contribution at the PayPal buttons below or you can mail a contribution, large or small, to Randy Turner, 2306 E. 8th, Apt. G, Joplin, MO

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Jason Smith: I applaud Trump for appointing fierce defenders of the Constitution to the Supreme Court

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

On September 17th, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention finished months of tense deliberations and compromises.

Standing in Independence Hall in Philadelphia where 11 years earlier America declared her independence, 39 delegates signed their names on parchment paper boldly proclaiming, “We the People of the United States…establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” 

This week on National Constitution Day we celebrate the greatest legal document ever written and the bedrock for American government, the U.S. Constitution.

The framers of the Constitution didn’t agree on everything, in fact they disagreed constantly. Our founding fathers and the states they represented had greatly differing opinions on the structure of government and how much power to give elected officials. 

Until they reached the “Great Compromise” calling for proportional representation in the House and equal representation of states in the Senate, there were doubts if they would ever reach an agreement the entire Union could get behind. Ultimately, they established a government with checks and balances, carefully designed to protect states’ rights while dividing power between three equal branches of government and guaranteeing the government does not infringe on individual liberties.

At fewer than 4,500 words, the Constitution has a beautiful simplicity to it. It is the shortest and oldest Constitution still in use today, and over 100 countries have used the U.S. Constitution as a model for their own. While it lays out the responsibilities and procedures unique to each branch of government, the Constitution is remarkable because it clearly states what the government cannot do. To the framers of the Constitution, every individual in the world has fundamental rights – not given by the government, but by our Creator. They were disgusted by governments around the world infringing on the rights of the people and established a Constitution which does not grant rights, but rather bans the government from infringing on our God-given freedoms. It’s an important distinction, and one that shows how valuable and inherent our founders believed individual liberties are. In a new government of, by, and for the people, they barred the government from preventing the people from defending themselves, speaking their mind, and worshiping how they choose, among others. President Abraham Lincoln said the Constitution “must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.”

Perhaps the most important branch of government for maintaining the Constitution is the judicial branch. We trust justices on the Supreme Court with the incredible responsibility of interpreting laws and telling the government when it oversteps its Constitutional authority. It is vital to have Supreme Court justices who respect the Constitution and the proper role of the judiciary above all else, and I applaud President Trump for nominating fierce defenders of the Constitution like Justice Gorsuch and Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. One of the most revealing parts of Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings last week was how often he referred to his pocket Constitution, which he’s carried with him for 25 years. During questioning he pulled out his copy more than 300 times, showing the nation that above all else, his loyalty is to our nation’s founding document.

We are blessed to live in a country where our founding fathers crafted a masterpiece of a Constitution to balance our rights and the need for a government with restrained power. I firmly believe every American should study the Constitution because Constitutional issues confront the nation daily, and it’s important for the public to understand the basis on which all American laws are formed. If you would like a copy of the Constitution, my office can help direct you to the most affordable options. Studying our country’s founding document is the surest way to ensure your liberties, granted only by our Creator, will be guaranteed in the United States of America.

Governor applauds General Assembly passage of treatment court expansion, STEM education bills

(From Gov. Mike Parson)

With the nearly unanimous, bipartisan approval from the Missouri Senate on Friday, two pieces of legislation will now go to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. The Missouri General Assembly met this week to discuss STEM Education and Treatment Courts expansion after Governor Mike Parson called for a special session to focus on passing these two priorities.

In addition to the legislation that was passed, the Senate confirmed 43 of 46 of Governor Parson’s appointees.

With the passing of these bills, Governor Parson’s mission to grow Missouri’s workforce and prepare our students for tomorrow’s jobs remains intact. Governor Parson was proud of the accomplishments from both the Senate and the House, and their unified response to help our citizens.

“I am thankful to all the legislators who worked hard this week to pass STEM Education and Treatment Court expansion,” said Governor Parson. “This is a great day for Missouri, passing these two important issues with overwhelming, bipartisan support is a major step forward in preparing Missouri’s future workforce.”

Originating in the Missouri House, two bills were approved and sent to the Senate Wednesday evening for further discussion.

One bill establishes a statewide STEM career awareness program and will allow for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create the program to increase awareness among students from 6th-8th grade. The passing of the bill will encourage more young people to pursue career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit and handled in the Senate by Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff.

“Today, many computer science jobs go unfilled because not enough students have been trained for the jobs,” said Sen. Libla. “By improving computer science education in the state, we can better prepare students for the workforce and for the many companies that desire and depend on these skills.”

The other piece of legislation focuses solely on reforms to treatment courts throughout the state. By expanding treatment courts, it will allow for individuals to get treatment, instead of being incarcerated in an overcrowded prison system. Rep. Kevin Austin, R-Springfield, sponsored the bill, and Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, handled it in the Senate.

“The treatment court bill not only saves taxpayer dollars through reduced recidivism rates, it saves lives. It transforms a defendant who is abusing drugs, suffering from mental illness such as PTSD, and committing crimes against society into an adjusted and employed citizen,” said Rep. Austin. “I want to thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for their work and the passage of this bill. I especially want to thank our Governor for his recognition of the effectiveness of these courts and his desire to turn defendants into contributing citizens of our state rather than inmates.”

Sen. Dixon said, “With this additional success, we consolidate and beef up treatment courts and their ability to multiply the countless number of success stories they’ve made possible. Treatment Courts reduce recidivism rates. People are able to get well and become productive members of society again. As a result, their entire family and community becomes upward bound. I would like to thank Governor Parson, the leadership of both chambers, and Rep. Austin for their willingness to call the special session and take up this important legislation that will save many lives.”

Once signed into law by Governor Parson, these bills will go into effect 90 days after his signature.