Monday, February 05, 2024

Eric Burlison: Mayorkas must be impeached and Biden should be next


(From Seventh District Congressman Eric Burlison)

This week, the House Committee on Homeland Security voted to advance articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas.

Impeaching Secretary Mayorkas is long overdue, that is why I cosponsored articles of impeachment against him last year. His actions and decisions thus far show he is utterly derelict in his duty of protecting our country against invasion.







I look forward to voting on the House floor to impeach Mayorkas and finally getting one step closer to justice for the American people who have been betrayed by the Biden Administration.

Mayorkas has failed the United States. He must be impeached, and Biden should be next.

Jason Smith: The invasion at the southern border

(From Seventh District Congressman Jason Smith)

Right now, our nation is facing an unprecedented border crisis. In just December alone, more than 300,000 illegal immigrants were caught trying to cross our southern border – the most ever in one month and a 300% increase from December 2020 when President Donald Trump was in office. In total, there have been more than 10 million illegal border entries under President Joe Biden.

When you look at the facts, there’s no question the Left’s radical immigration policies are responsible for the invasion of our southern border. 








Whether it’s Biden’s reckless decision to undo Trump’s effective policies, his administration’s refusal to enforce the law, or Senate Democrats blocking House Republicans’ tough immigration legislation, the Left has no one but themselves to blame for the chaos at our border.

But make no mistake: House Republicans are preparing to hold this administration accountable for its disastrous policies. On January 31st, the House Homeland Security Committee advanced articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas – Biden’s top border official and a main driver of this out-of-control crisis. House Republicans’ investigation has provided mountains of evidence outlining how Mayorkas has disregarded, ignored, or abused multiple laws, court orders, and rulings. On top of that, Mayorkas has breached the trust of Congress and the American people – including when he lied under oath by telling Congress the border was secure. Enough is enough: it's time to remove Mayorkas for failing to protect the homeland.

It’s no secret that terror groups are exploiting our open borders. Since Biden took office, at least 300 suspected terrorists tried to sneak into the U.S. We recently learned that a known terrorist was CAUGHT then RELEASED into the U.S. where he was allowed to roam freely for nearly a year. On January 31, the House passed another important piece of immigration legislation that would ban members of Hamas and other terror groups involved in any of the terror attacks against Israel that began on October 7th from entering the U.S. It’s shameful that Cori Bush, one of our own Missouri representatives, was among the two members who voted against this bill.








Over the last few months, Biden and members of the Senate have been working together on an immigration bill. The bottom line is that I won’t support any legislation that doesn’t address the root cause of the crisis: the Left’s open-border agenda. Now that we’re in an election year, Biden and Washington Democrats want Americans to believe that securing the border is a priority. That’s nonsense. There are numerous actions they could take right now to get the border crisis under control. The Democrat-controlled Senate could pass and send to the president’s desk Republicans’ Secure the Border Act. And with the stroke of a pen, Biden could bring back the nearly 100 effective border policies he got rid of in his first 100 days in office, including halting the construction of the border wall, reinstating catch-and-release, and ending the “Remain-in Mexico” program.

The number one priority for the American people is stopping the invasion at our southern border. As then-President Trump once said, “A nation without borders is not a nation.” He’s exactly right, and I will continue fighting to make our border secure again like it was when he was in office.

Saturday, February 03, 2024

Joplin woman arrested seventh time for DWI, fourth time in last six months


A Joplin woman was arrested for driving while intoxicated January 29, the seventh time she has faced that charge and the fourth time she has been cited in the past six months.

A Missouri Highway Patrol trooper pulled her over after Bird nearly caused an accident in front of him, according to the probable cause statement.

I was traveling eastbound on 7th street behind a black jeep wrangler who was also traveling eastbound. After traveling over the bridge west of Minnesota Avenue, A blue Lexus sports utility vehicle crossed 7th street on Minnesota Avenue at a high rate of speed. The Lexus nearly struck the Jeep and continued traveling southbound at a high rate of speed. 








I turned right onto Minnesota Avenue and overtook the vehicle. I activated the front antenna of my RADAR unit and checked the Lexus traveling at 40 miles per hour and this was after it had slowed down. The vehicle turned into a parking lot and stopped on its own. 

I turned on my emergency lights and pulled into the parking lot behind the vehicle. 

I contacted the driver of the vehicle, who was later identified as Brittney N. Bird. Ms. Bird explained to me that she was "racing" to the business we were in front of to check for a potential burglar. She advised me that she had a revoked license and stated she had a special driving privilege to drive to work and back. 

While speaking with Ms. Bird, I could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her breath and person. I noticed Ms. Bird's eyes were extremely bloodshot and glassy and she kept repeating the same things multiple times to me. 

Ms. Bird was slurring her words and seemed extremely nervous. I asked Ms. Bird to exit the vehicle and sit in my patrol car and she did not want to sit in my patrol car. I asked her why and she stated, "because you're going to do what you do."

Ms. Bird kept trying to divert the conversation and kept trying to call her boss, even though I asked her repeatedly not to. Based on her actions and statement's I requested back to respond to my location. I performed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, and her eyes showed all six clues, as well as vertical nystagmus. I placed Ms. Bird under arrest with the assistance of Joplin Police Department's Officer Kory Blevins. 

During the arrest Ms. Bird became extremely aggressive and would not let us speak with her. Ms. Bird repeated her lawyer's name several times and would not have a normal conversation.

Bird is scheduled to be arraigned in trial court Monday for her fourth DWI arrest, which occurred July 3, when a Webb City police officer pulled her over for a lane violation.

Bird waived her preliminary hearing and was bound over for trial October 31 and was scheduled to be arraigned December 11 in Jasper County Circuit Court. Her attorney, Brian Glades, showed, but Bird failed to appear and the arraignment was rescheduled, according to online court records.

Forty-seven days after the July 3 arrest, the Joplin Police Department arrested Bird for DWI.

The probable cause statement on the August 19 arrest, her fifth, said it took place in Joplin's bar district where Bird allegedly sideswiped a vehicle that was parked on the side of the road.

The statement indicates Bird's eyes were bloodshot and watery, her breath smelled of alcohol and she did not do well on the field sobriety tests.








The charge on the August 19 arrest, appears to no longer be on Jasper County Circuit Court online records.

Bird's sixth DWI arrest took place November 29. In the probable cause statement, the Joplin Police Department officer noted the danger he felt Bird poses to the public.

This arrest marks the third time in four months the Suspect has been arrested for Felony DWI and poses and very clear, and documented danger to society. Suspect shows a lack of regard for the safety of both herself and the citizens of Jasper County.

Despite having seven DWI arrests, online court records do not show she has ever been convicted on that charge.

Plea bargain agreements with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office reduced two of Bird's previous DWI arrests to guilty pleas on excessive blood alcohol content. During the first case, she was arrested by the Jasper County Sheriff's Office October 16, 2009 and pleaded guilty to the reduced charge December 28, 2010.

She was sentenced to seven days in jail, which she had already served, fined $500 and assessed $141.50 in court costs, according to online court records.

After the Webb City Police Department arrested for drunk driving January 14, 2012, Bird reached another plea agreement with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office and once again pleaded guilty to excessive blood alcohol content, was fined $500 and assessed $141.50 in court costs.








The probable cause statement for the July Webb City arrest says the Joplin Police Department also arrested Bird for drunk driving February 10, 2010, "but it shows {the case} as closed."

Following the Webb City arrest, Bird's attorney at the time, Brian Glades, petitioned the court to direct the Department of Revenue to restore Bird's driving privileges arguing the police did not have probable cause to stop his client.

Judge John Nicholas issued the stay order July 17 allowing Bird to continue driving.

The stay expired September 21, according to court records. On that day, following a hearing before Judge Nicholas, the case was continued until December 14. Online court records do not indicate whether that hearing was held.

On November 30, the day after Bird's previous DWI arrest, attorney Jared Stilley filed a petition to review the decision to revoke Bird's license following her arrest. A hearing was held January 4 and Judge Nicholas continued the case until December 12, 2024, according to court records.




Friday, February 02, 2024

Attorney for Stark City man charged with raping 7-year-old asks for bond, says he's no threat to the community


The attorney for a Stark City man charged with the rape of a 7-year-old girl is asking for "reasonable bond" for his client, saying he is no threat to the community and is not a flight risk.

Newton County Circuit Court records indicate more felony charges have been filed against Matthew Stephen Stewart (DOB 1992).

Stewart now faces two counts of statutory rape, two counts of statutory sodomy and a single count of child molestation.

Court records indicate the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's opposes bond for Stewart. Stewart's attorney, Jonathan Pierce, Neosho, filed the bond reduction motion today.

More information can be found at the link below:




Judge tosses pagan nurse's religious discrimination lawsuit against Joplin Gardens owners


A federal judge granted a motion for summary judgment, dismissing a former Joplin Gardens nurse's religious discrimination lawsuit today, saying there was no evidence that Lucinda Cox's Christian bosses discriminated against her because she was a pagan.

In his opinion, Judge David P. Rush noted that evidence provided by attorneys for N & R of Joplin, LLC, Joplin Gardens' owner, showed there was ample reason to both discipline and eventually fire Cox.







The administrators disciplined Cox for not properly providing medication to patients, something Cox acknowledged, but claimed other employees who were not pagans had also failed to properly provide medication and received lesser punishments.

Rush noted that administrators documented that the offenses committed by two others named by Cox were not of "comparable seriousness."

Cox's attorney's claim that Joplin Gardens did not follow its own policies in terminating Cox was also shot down by the judge, noting that Joplin Gardens had every right to choose how to run its business, including not following its own policy "as long as it does not ultimately discriminate in doing so."

The judge noted that while Cox disputed the administrators' claims that she had not provided medication to patients, she provided no evidence indicating that she had provided the medication.

Cox's claims of a hostile work environment also didn't hold water, Rush noted.







Defendant argues that Plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim also fails as a matter of law because the uncontroverted material facts show Plaintiff did not suffer severe, pervasive, or extreme harassment because of her religion. According to Defendant, there is no proof that it knew or should have known about the alleged harassment because Plaintiff never reported that harassment to Defendant.

Three comments that were used by Cox to show she had been discriminated against in the workplace were dismissed as "simple teasing" from co-workers by the judge. 

In fact, the comments indicate that the coworkers felt threatened by Plaintiff. Accordingly, this factor does not support a claim of unwelcome harassment. 

 Rush noted Cox had provided no evidence to show that her bosses were even aware of the comments.

Details from the original lawsuit petition can be found at the link below>

The Turner Report: Pagan nurse sues Joplin nursing home owners for religious discrimination (rturner229.blogspot.com)

Thursday, February 01, 2024

Stark City man charged with statutory rape of 7-year-old girl


The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney filed a statutory rape charge against a Stark City man. An arrest warrant was issued and he will be held without bond.

According to the probable cause statement, Matthew Stephen Stewart (DOB 1992) raped the girl and forced him to perform a sex act on him when they were alone.

The statement alleges Stewart also made the child perform a sex act on the dogs and that Stewart told her "not to tell anybody, it was a secret and if she does, she will get in trouble."


Granby Police Chief, fired for alleged alcohol abuse, threatening arrest for spreading rumor about him, asks court to give him back his job


Former Granby Police Chief Rico Engberg, Joplin, who was fired by the Granby City Council January 3 is asking for a judicial review and to get his job back.

In documents filed Wednesday in Newton County Circuit Court, Engberg, who is represented by Webb City attorney Wesley Barnum, says the council's decision, which came following a hearing showed "a vested interest in the plaintiff's dismissal rather than representing an objective and unbiased decision."







The decision, Engberg claims, violated "constitutional provisions," and was not supported by evidence.

The city's findings of fact, which were included as an exhibit in the court filing claimed Engberg was unable to perform his duties because of an alcohol abuse problem, acted in his own self-interest, did not attend City Council meetings, failed to provide mileage logs and trip logs and did not follow the requirement to use a time card.

Alleged alcohol abuse

Engberg and his fiance testified at his hearing that he was taking medication to curb his desire for alcohol.

There was testimony from Officer Anthony Abruzzo and Mayor Jamie Conway that they believed the chief was intoxicated when the chief made phone calls to each of them on different dates and times. Both of these witnesses outlined that they did not know with certainty if the chief was actually intoxicated.

Engberg's fiance said he was continuing to have a few drinks at night.

Allegations of acting in his own self-interest

The findings alleged Engberg threatened to arrest a woman if she "continued to spread rumors" about an incident involving the chief and the woman's mother. The incident is not specified in the findings.

Officer Abruzzo testified that rumors were circulating about Engberg's meeting with the woman's mother and that eventually, Engberg told Abruzzo, "I f--ked up. I lied to you guys," and told him the lie concerned him and the woman's mother.







The council's findings were that Engberg's threats to arrest the woman were acting in his own self-interest.

Engberg was hired as police chief in March 2023. He previously was a school resource officer for the East Newton R-6 School District and worked with the Newton County Sheriff's Office and Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force.

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Goodman man faces meth charge following search warrant execution


The McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed a felony methamphetamine charge against a Goodman man today.

John W. Shellenberger (DOB 1985) was initially arrested after the execution of a search warrant at his home January 19 by the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team and McDonald County SWAT uncovered what was described in the probable cause statement as "a measurable amount" of crystal meth.

Shellenberger's bond was set at $2,000 cash only.



Anderson woman whose son drowned in bathtub in 2022, faces second child endangerment charge


An Anderson woman who was charged Wednesday with endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the 2022 drowning death of her 11-month-old son, was charged once again with felony endangering the welfare of a child.

According to the probable cause statement, Samantha A Qualls (DOB 1998) was charged following an Anderson Police Department investigation into an unattended child found Tuesday at the intersection of U. S. Business 71 and Industrial Park Drive.







The child had been dropped off at his home after school, found the door locked and no one home. When police located Qualls, she told them her mother was supposed to make arrangements to pick up the child and said the same thing happened a week earlier.

Court documents indicate the arrest warrants were served on Qualls today and she is being held on a $2,000 cash-only bond.







In the case that was filed Wednesday, Qualls is alleged to have left her two sons, a 2-year-old and an 11-month-old in the bathroom alone for nearly a half hour while she smoked and talked on the phone. She found the 11-month-old drowned in the bathtub.

More information can be found at the link below.

The Turner Report: Anderson woman faces felony charge in 2022 drowning death of her 11-month-old son (rturner229.blogspot.com)

Agenda posted for Joplin City Council meeting



JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024
5th FLOOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS
602 S. MAIN ST. JOPLIN MO
6:00 P.M.


1.

Call To Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America
2.

Roll Call

3.

Presentations

1.

Joplin Area Chamber Of Commerce Quarterly Update

2.

TEConomy Presentation

4.

Finalization Of Consent Agenda

5.

Reports And Communications

1.

News From The Public Information Office

6.

Citizen Requests And Petitions

1.

Mary Price Requested To Speak On Capital Improvement Tax & Fiscal Accountability Of Tax Dollars

7.

Public Hearings

1.

Public Hearing Procedures

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-251

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-274, passed by the Council of the City of  Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, by removing from District M-2 (Heavy Industrial) to District R-3 (Multi-Family Residential) property as described below and located at 2012 W 2nd St. 

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-252

AN ORDINANCE approving the voluntary annexation by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, of property generally located West of the Intersection of Wildwood Ranch Parkway Ave and Nellie Mae.

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-253

AN ORDINANCE changing the name of S McKee Avenue, beginning at E 3rd Street and extending North along said public right-of-way to E Central Street, to “JD Love Way” in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

Minutes From The January 16, 2024, City Council Meeting

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-601

AN ORDINANCE approving a Contract by and between the City of Joplin and Joplin Industrial Electric Company, in the amount of Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty-Six Dollars ($365,726) for Mercy Park Electrical Improvement services authorizing the City Manager to execute said Contract by and on behalf of the City of Joplin.

Documents:
  1. CB2024-601.PDF
3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-602

AN ORDINANCE approving a Contract by and between the City of Joplin and Joplin Industrial Electric Company, in the amount of Two Hundred and Eleven Thousand Five Hundred Two Dollars and No Cents ($211,502.00) for Joe Becker Stadium Improvement services; authorizing the City Manager to execute said Contract by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and, amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 as adopted by Ordinance 2023-158 on October 16, 2023.

Documents:
  1. CB2024-602.PDF
9.

Resolutions

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO 2024-106

AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement with Satterlee Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Co. in the amount of Five Hundred Ninety-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-six and 00/100 DOLLARS ($597,756.00) for Justice Center Water Line Replacement and 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. 2024-353

AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Clay Cole Trucking for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of a lot located at 828 S Murphy Ave. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for Three Thousand dollars ($3,000.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-502

AN ORDINANCE    amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 as adopted by Ordinance 2022-161 on October 17, 2022, to adjust appropriations and containing an emergency clause.    

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-603

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin, Missouri, to enter into an Agreement with Downs and St. Germain, a Florida Corporation, to conduct a Tourism Visitor Profile of the Joplin tourism region for the not to exceed the price of Seventy-Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($75,000.00), authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin and containing an emergency clause. 

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-604

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin, Missouri, to enter into an Agreement with The World Street Art Foundation, The Netherlands, to consult on developing and marketing a 3D Street Painting Festival for three years (2024, 2025, 2026), with an option to add 2027, as a signature event to mark the centennial of Route 66 and increase international visitation to the Joplin tourism market and containing an emergency clause. 

6.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-605

AN ORDINANCE     approving a Purchase Order to be issued to Motorola Solutions, Inc. in the amount of One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand, Two Hundred Sixty-Six Dollars and No Cents ($144,266.00) for the annual service agreement; and containing an emergency clause.

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO 2024-107

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into a construction agreement with R.E. Smith Construction Company in the amount of Four Hundred Nineteen Thousand and 00/100 Dollars, ($419,000.00) for the Interior Renovations at Joplin City Hall; and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin;  amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 as adopted by Ordinance 2023-158 on October 16, 2023.

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-254

AN ORDINANCE establishing grades and accepting the Final Plat of Eagle’s Edge 3rd Addition located West of the Intersection of Wildwood Ranch Parkway and Nellie Mae, in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-255

AN ORDINANCE establishing grades and accepting the Final Plat of Eagle’s Edge 4th Addition located West of the Intersection of Wildwood Ranch Parkway and Nellie Mae, in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

1.

Site Plan Review Case 002-24

NW Corner of S Maiden Ln and W 22nd St – Site Plan Review – A request to review a site plan – KC DT LLC