Jasper County Sheriff's Office warns of mail being stolen from rural Carthage mailboxes

(From the Jasper County Sheriff's Office)

Over the past several days, investigators have received multiple reports of mail being stolen from residential mailboxes. These incidents appear to be occurring primarily in neighborhoods and housing clusters on the outskirts of the Carthage area. At this time, the investigation is still ongoing.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity. If you observe an unfamiliar person or vehicle stopping at multiple mailboxes, particularly during unusual hours, please contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

The Sheriff’s Office is also asking residents in the affected areas to review any available doorbell cameras, home security cameras, or surveillance systems for suspicious activity that may have occurred near their mailbox or along their street. Any photos or videos that may assist investigators would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone with information related to these incidents, or who may have captured suspicious activity on camera, is encouraged to contact the Det. Metscher at the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 417-358-8177 ext 1254.

If you observe suspicious activity in progress, please call 417-359-9100.

We appreciate the community’s assistance and cooperation as investigators work to identify those responsible.

State auditor blames former Fairview mayor and his girlfriend for more than $10,000 in missing funds

(From State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick)

Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is urging city officials in Fairview to seek justice after a review by his office found the former mayor and his girlfriend are responsible for more than $10,000 in missing funds. 

Fitzpatrick issued a letter to the city this week that details how a lack of segregation of duties and proper oversight allowed at least $10,314 to go missing under the watch of former Mayor Peter "PJ" Janis and his girlfriend, who served as a city clerk.

"Even though the former mayor has admitted the missing money looks 'horrible' and is willing to take responsibility for it, current city officials in Fairview should still work with law enforcement regarding criminal prosecution and take the necessary steps to obtain restitution. These dollars represent utility bills paid by the people of Fairview that should have gone into the city water account and Peter Janis needs to be held fully accountable for apparently diverting these funds into his own pockets," said Auditor Fitzpatrick. 

Fitzpatrick added, "When taken together, our original audit, the follow-up report, and this letter provide an extensive list of areas where the city should improve its oversight as well as its overall efficiency and accountability to taxpayers. City officials need to prioritize putting our recommendations into place to help ensure large amounts of money don't go missing in the future."

The letter documents how at least $10,314 in cash was received and recorded in the city's accounting system and/or manual receipt books, but not deposited from June 2023 through April 2024. The missing $10,314 was receipted during the period the former Mayor was responsible for overseeing the city's financial functions, and he and his girlfriend were responsible for making deposits. The missing money represents over 43% of utility payments made with cash during the 11-month period. The letter also notes additional money may have been received but not receipted, recorded, or deposited, resulting in possible additional missing money.

Fitzpatrick's office found the missing money was able to go undetected because the city lacked segregation of duties, proper oversight, and adequate reconciliations of utility billings. The letter notes the city's Board of Aldermen did not segregate duties or ensure sufficient oversight, and receipting controls were inadequate. 

The city clerks were responsible for almost all the accounting functions and no one verified the deposits after they were made. Additionally, the former mayor received payments and had access to the accounting system, but no one verified that he issued receipt slips, recorded receipts in the accounting system, and deposited those receipts. Additionally, the former city clerks did not perform monthly reconciliations of amounts billed, payments received, bank deposit slips, and bank statements for the period June 2023 through April 2024.

The review conducted by Auditor Fitzpatrick's office was prompted by concerns raised by residents and city officials during the time auditors were conducting a follow-up review of the city. The State Auditor's Office released a performance audit in 2022 that gave the city a "poor" rating and identified improper payments to a former city clerk and conflicts of interest by a former mayor. The follow-up report issued in 2024 found the city had implemented only 3 of the 22 recommendations made by the 2022 audit.

***
(Note: The following items are from the letter that was sent to Fairview officials.)

The Former Mayor, Peter "PJ" Janis, took office in April 2023 and served as Mayor until April 2024. As
of April 2023, the city also employed a City Clerk and Treasurer. The City Clerk and Treasurer were
responsible for the daily duties of receiving and recording receipts and preparing and making deposits. They were also responsible for preparing utility bills, posting payments in the utility system, making adjustments in the utility system, and monitoring delinquent utility accounts. The City Clerk and Treasurer resigned on June 12, 2023, because they were concerned about a missing deposit from June 5, 2023, and additional missing receipts from June 7 and 8, 2023. City officials indicated the office was closed on those days because the City Clerk and Treasurer were attending training, but the former Mayor opened City Hall.

Upon the resignation of the City Clerk and Treasurer, the former Mayor took over the financial duties and completed all financial functions for the city for approximately 6 weeks. The city then hired a City Clerk at the end of July 2023. The former Mayor also hired his girlfriend, Chelsea Dick, as an additional City Clerk, and she worked for the city from July 2023 until December 2023. The clerks performed the daily duties of receiving and recording customer payments, issuing receipts to customers, posting payments in the utility system, and preparing deposits. The former Mayor received and recorded customer payments when the clerks were not available. The former Mayor and former City Clerk Chelsea Dick were responsible for making deposits. 

In April 2024, the former Mayor's term ended, and he was replaced by the current Mayor.

In May 2024, city officials contacted the State Auditor's Office Whistleblower Hotline indicating they
discovered money was missing after performing a review of utility records. This review was initiated after a utility customer indicated his payment (paid by check) had not cleared the bank. Our review of the same records supported the city officials' conclusions. The current Mayor then contacted the former Mayor and requested that he return any payments still in his possession.

Former Mayor's reaction

In addition to undeposited cash, we noted 36 payments erroneously deposited into the General Account
instead of the utility account, totaling $2,596.

We discussed the missing money in a recorded interview with the former Mayor. When asked if he felt responsible for the money missing because he was Mayor at the time this all took place, the former Mayor stated "Well yeah. . . I mean if. . . I mean that makes it look. . . horrible on my end." 

The former Mayor did not provide an explanation for what happened to the missing money, but stated "I'll take responsibility for it." 

When asked if he would be willing to pay the city back for the missing money, he stated that he would
be willing to do so, and would be willing to make monthly payments for however long it takes, because
"either way I'm responsible for it." 

The former Mayor wrote out and signed a statement indicating, "I Peter Janis former Mayor of Fairview Mo, will take full responsibility for any and all missing funds from city water account, in the amount of $10,358.03."

On April 25, 2024, the former Mayor returned 30 checks and money orders, from 24 customer accounts,
totaling $2,084. The payments were dated from February 8, 2024, through March 19, 2024. 

When asked why he still had the payments in his possession after no longer being in office, the former Mayor indicated that it was the final deposit from the time he was Mayor, and that he had intended to deposit the payments, but the bank bag had gotten lost in his truck. However, this does not fully explain all retained receipts because the checks were from various dates over a 6-week period, and the former Mayor previously indicated he made deposits approximately weekly.

Burlison, Alford file for re-election

Seventh District Congressman Eric Burlison filed for re-election Monday, joining two others in the Republican primary.

John Casey, Republic; and Grayson Hunt, Willard, filed on the first day.

One candidate, Missi Hesketh, Forsyth, has filed on the Democratic ticket.

Fourth District incumbent Mark Alford, R-Raymore, filed today. At this point, he has no primary opponent, but five Democrats have filed.

Those filing are Jordan Herrera, Kansas City, Wayne Russell, Columbia, Hartzell Gray III, Lees Summit, G Rick, Morrisville, and Jeanette Cass, Niangua.

Suspect in stable condition following officer-involved shooting near Dadeville High School

(From the Dade County Sheriff's Office)

On March 2, 2026, around 4:30 PM, deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person in Dadeville, Missouri. Deputies first contacted the individual near the Dadeville Cemetery, where he refused to provide identification. Deputies later confirmed he had an active felony warrant out of Greene County, Missouri, and was listed as armed and dangerous.

Deputies made a second contact with the subject near Dadeville High School, where he again refused commands. The subject was not on school property but was near the roadway adjacent to the campus. 

Deputies worked to move him farther away from the school to ensure the safety of students and staff.

A short time later, deputies located the subject a third time on W Highway, just east of Dadeville. During this contact, the subject displayed what appeared to be a handgun and refused repeated verbal commands. As the subject pointed the weapon toward deputies, law enforcement fired several shots, striking him. The weapon was later determined to be a non‑functional replica modified to resemble a real handgun.

The subject was transported to a hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office assisted on scene. Lawrence County, a member of the Sheriff’s Critical Incident Team (SCIT), conducted the investigation.

We understand incidents like this are concerning. Our office remains committed to transparency and will release additional information as allowed by law.

All subjects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sarcoxie R-2 School District to have school Wednesday despite city boil order

The city of Sarcoxie has issued a boil order until further notice, but that won't stop school from being held Wednesday.

R-2 Superintendent Phil Lewis posted on the following message on the district's Facebook page:

We will have school tomorrow, March 4, 2026, even though Sarcoxie is under a boil order. We will have a limited number of water bottles at school tomorrow. Please send a water bottle with your student for school, and extra for any after-school practice. Thank you for your cooperation.

City officials announced the boil order this afternoon, posting the following message on the city's Facebook page:

BOIL ORDER IN EFFECT
3/3/2026 4:30 PM

Until further notice:

Boil all water for at least 1 full minute at a rolling boil before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, or preparing food.
Bottled water may be used as an alternative.
Water may still be used for bathing and handwashing, but avoid swallowing it.
We will notify you when the boil order is lifted. Updates will be provided through local radio and television stations, the Sarcoxie Record and Facebook.

Your safety is our priority. Thank you for your cooperation

Seneca R-7 names Marly Ramsour director of special services

(From the Seneca R-7 School District)

The Seneca R-7 School District is pleased to announce the hiring of Marly Ramsour as our Director of Special Services for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Marly brings experience in special education compliance, transition resources, and developing mentoring courses for new special educators. She has a strong record of building inclusion through Special Olympics and Unified programming, strengthening family-centered IEP practices, and improving teacher effectiveness through sustained professional development.

 

Sen. Mike Moon revives personhood amendment criminalizing abortion

By Anna Spoerre

Missouri Independent

Wes Groggins didn’t mince words when he testified to a Missouri Senate committee Monday in support of legislation expanding legal protections for embryos.

The executive director of Abolish Abortion Missouri invoked the Bible’s Old Testament in his justification that anyone who has an abortion or assists someone in accessing an abortion should be charged with murder.

“God demands equal justice,” he said, “equal protection for all persons.”

For the second year in a row, state Sen. Mike Moon, an Ash Grove Republican, is sponsoring a proposed constitutional amendment that would define “person” as including “every human being with a unique DNA code regardless of age, including every in utero human child at every stage of biological development from the moment of conception until birth.”

This approach to both criminalizing women who have abortions and forcing women who’ve been raped to continue a pregnancy has become increasingly unpopular among Missouri Republican leadership in recent years. Notably, none of the state’s leading anti-abortion groups testified on behalf of the legislation Monday.

“We are certainly at a political divide,” Moon told the Senate Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee on Monday. “It appears we are also at a scientific divide and also a spiritual divide.”

While Moon’s legislation faces long odds to land on the ballot, it does shed light on an ongoing debate among anti-abortion advocates over what abortion exceptions are justifiable, after Missourians overturned the state’s near-total abortion ban in November 2024.

“Some are saying that we are doing our best to save the children, especially the pre-born children, but I ask you this question: ‘how can we make that claim if we haven’t taken all the steps we can possibly take to make that happen?’” Moon said Monday “ … Will this committee determine that we’ve already done as much as we can do? Or will you endeavor to do even more?”

More than 20 people testified in support of the legislation, driving from all corners of the state to condemn abortion in any form. One man used his time before the microphone to sing Amazing Grace to the committee. Another emphasized that everyone in the room “already survived the thought of abortion” by being born. Multiple photos were shown of embryos, their names told to committee members by those testifying in support of their rights.

Moon’s amendment would create a total abortion ban and criminalize anyone involved in an abortion, from the providers to the person ending their pregnancy. Those found guilty of murder in Missouri can face the death penalty.

Last year, Moon stepped down from the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee after he said he couldn’t support a proposed abortion ban amendment that included exceptions for survivors, but didn’t want to block the amendment from moving forward.

The legislature went on to approve a similar proposed amendment for the ballot. As a result, Missourians will be asked to again weigh in on abortion this November. The measure would re-instate an abortion ban, but this time adding exceptions for rape and incest survivors in addition to exceptions for medical emergencies. It would enshrine an existing ban gender-affirming health care for minors in the constitution and allow abortions during an ectopic pregnancy.

“We’re in a precarious situation in our state,” Moon told the committee, because while state law defines life as beginning at conception, the state constitution protects abortion access up until the point of fetal viability under the reproductive freedom amendment approved by about 52% of Missourians in 2024.

State Sen. Tracy McCreery, a Kirkwood Democrat, raised concerns at Monday’s hearing about how Moon’s proposed amendment could threaten the legality of in-vitro fertilization in Missouri.

Through the IVF process, a woman’s eggs are retrieved from her body and then fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. Any embryos that result can then be either transferred to her uterus or frozen for future use.

McCreery referenced the confusion that played out in Alabama two years ago when its state supreme court ruled that frozen, fertilized embryos are “children.” IVF procedures temporarily came to a screeching halt and families were left in limbo as clinics tried to determine whether they could be found liable for wrongful death if an embryo was destroyed.

“Your language is very troubling, and it doesn’t just impact non-Christians,” McCreery said after relaying a story from one of her constituents who underwent IVF. “It impacts some very, very conservative families all around the state.”

“I don’t believe in coincidence,” Moon said, adding that he plans to submit a committee substitute that would address her concerns.

“So you are OK then with families using fertility treatments?” she asked.

“Mmm hmm,” Moon said.

State Sen. Patty Lewis, a Kansas City Democrat, said she wasn’t sure Moon’s answer was reassuring, considering not every embryo that’s created ends up being implanted.

Hannah Strege, 27, joined her parents, Marlene and John Strege, in testifying in support of the proposal. Hannah Strege said she was the first frozen embryo to be adopted in the United States and then born.

“When my parents adopted me and my 19 siblings, we had already existed for nearly three years, not in a nursery, not in a home, not in storage, biologically human, yet treated under property law,” said Strege, whose parents for decades have advocated against abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

Sarah Hanks, a mother of 10 who gave birth to one of her daughters as the result of an embryo adoption, also testified in support.

“We valued her so much,” she said, “that we paid $18,000 for this whole adoption process, and we did it because we believe that her life was precious and that she deserved to be valued.”

Doug Mann, with Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action, was among a handful of people to testify against Monday’s legislation.

The proposal, he argued, “does not follow the science, nor does it follow medical standards, and it’s going to cause a lot of issues outside of just abortion.”

Remembering Ken Godfrey

It was a Monday in May 1978 when I started a new job as sports editor of the Lamar Democrat. My only previous newspaper experience was nine months as the editor of the Newton County News, perhaps the worst editor southwest Missouri had ever seen.

For some reason, the Democrat's editor, Lou Nell Clark, saw something in me that I didn't even know was there.

When I arrived just after the building was opened that morning, the composing room foreman Russell Pierson showed me how to take national and state sports copy off the Associated Press ticker, which was a great help, but I didn't want to have my first day as sports editor pass without having any Lamar sports on my page.

I asked Russell who I would need to get in touch with to check on what was going on in Lamar sports.

That's how inexperienced I was.

"Don't worry about it," he said. He glanced at his watch and said, "Ken Godfrey will be here in about a half hour."

I had no idea who Ken Godfrey was, but a half hour later I knew exactly what he was- a lifesaver.

That was the first of many mornings that Ken, who was summer recreation director for the city of Lamar, walked into the Democrat office with the scorebooks for every game that was played at the city's parks the previous evening.

My first sports page was filled with local sports news, thanks to Ken Godfrey.

While he made his daily pilgrimage to the Democrat office to help the newspaper, which was a daily at the time, it wasn't the main reason.

Ken Godfrey brought those scorebooks so the kids would receive recognition.

It was my first introduction to a truth that many community newspapers have forgotten- names are news.

My job at the Democrat fell victim to budget cuts after eight months and by the time I returned to the newspaper as managing editor in November 1982, Ken Godfrey had moved on. The next time I ran into him, he was working as an aide and coach for the Jasper R-5 School District, an association that continued in one form or another until his death Sunday at age 78.

While covering Jasper sports, first for the Democrat and later for the Carthage Press, I had many opportunities to see Godfrey in action.

He not only showed infinite patience while working with the students who were fortunate enough to be on his teams, but he also served as a goodwill ambassador for the Jasper R-5 School District.

What Ken Godfrey meant to the district was detailed nicely in a post today on the Jasper High School/Junior High Booster Club Facebook page:

Jasper School District lost a truly remarkable man yesterday. 

Coach Godfrey dedicated so much of his time, heart, and life to our schools, touching countless lives along the way. As an aide, he worked closely with numerous students, offering patience, encouragement, and steady support each day.

He coached multiple sports over the years, mentoring and inspiring so many young athletes. You could always find him at any sporting event Jasper was participating in, faithfully cheering on the kids and the teams. He even spent countless hours each summer watering the football field, quietly working behind the scenes to make sure everything was ready for Friday nights.

For years, he greeted students and families as our crossing guard, always with a warm smile and a kind word. He was a true blessing to our community, and he will be deeply missed.

Victim identified in shooting on Joplin avenue, investigation continues

(From the Joplin Police Department)

Joplin Police are asking for tips as the investigation into a fatal shooting continues, the shooting occurred on 2/28/2026 in the 500 block of Joplin Avenue. Anyone with any  information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Joplin Police  Department. Any information is extremely valuable, no matter how insignificant it is  believed to be.

Tips and information can be directed to Sergeant Jason Stump at 417-623-3131 ext. 1620 or TIP411.com, or by using the “Joplin PD” app from your app store.

As the investigation has continued, investigators with the Joplin Police Department have relentlessly followed up on numerous leads regarding the homicide investigation.

Joplin Police Investigators have identified the victim as Anthony Campbell, 27, of Joplin.

An autopsy has been scheduled for today, 3/2/2026 in Springfield, Missouri.

The Joplin Police Department believes that this incident was isolated and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

This investigation is active and ongoing. As additional information becomes available, it will be released.

Previous news release

On 02/28/26 at 01:48 am, Joplin Emergency Communications Center received a call of gun shots in the 500 block of Joplin Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male subject with apparent fatal gunshot wounds. The suspect fled the scene before officers' arrival.

Detectives with the Joplin Police Department have initiated a homicide investigation.

The victim's name is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

Updated information will be released as the investigation continues.

If anyone has information related to this incident, please contact Sergeant Jason Stump at 417-623-3131 ext. 1620

Jason Smith: America is safer, more secure and more prosperous under Trump's leadership

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

One year ago, President Trump returned to office with a clear promise: make life more affordable for hardworking Americans and restore strength to our economy. During his State of the Union address, President Trump shared how those promises have turned into results, and families across southeast Missouri are feeling the difference. 

During his speech, we saw Washington Democrats routinely refuse to stand for some of the most commonsense proposals he could offer, like requiring an ID to vote. Despite this disappointing display of partisanship, President Trump outlined a bold agenda to help working families and reaffirmed his commitment building on the success of this past year.

After four years of rising prices and shrinking paychecks under Joe Biden, wages have now increased more in one year under President Trump than they did during the entire Biden presidency. Inflation and gas prices have both fallen to their lowest levels in five years. This is real relief Americans are seeing at the grocery store, the gas pump, and in monthly household budgets, and the President rightly took credit for these results in his speech. Families in rural Missouri who were stretched thin by an economy working against them can finally have some breathing room once again.

A major reason for this turnaround is the Working Families Tax Cuts, which I authored. We enhanced the standard deduction, expanded the Child Tax Credit, and created Trump Accounts to help families build security for the future. Policies like no tax on tips and no tax on Social Security ensure workers and seniors keep more of what they earned, and no tax on overtime will surely be felt by the 24% of Missouri employees who regularly work more than 40 hours a week. We backed growth and investment led by small businesses and the private sector — not more spending by Washington bureaucrats.

As the President mentioned, we are also confronting one of the biggest affordability challenges facing families: health care costs. Already, we have helped deliver more access and lower costs. As part of the Working Families Tax Cuts, the Rural Health Transformation Program granted $216 million to Missouri to protect and strengthen access in rural and underserved communities. We also expanded access to Health Savings Accounts, allowing countless Missourians to use tax-free dollars for medical care. On top of that, we increased transparency in how pharmacy benefit middlemen operate and closed loopholes that allowed illegal immigrants to access taxpayer-funded benefits, protecting both patients and taxpayers. And the President talked about a key priority that we will be working on this year: holding health insurers accountable with transparent metrics for patients.

Beyond affordability at home, I was glad to see the President take credit for his America First trade policy, which has restored fairness for American farmers, workers, and small businesses. For years, other nations were allowed to exploit our producers through unfair and predatory trade practices. That era is over. Our trade deficit has plummeted, trading partners are eliminating barriers to American goods, and they are committing to trillions of dollars in new investment here at home. For Missouri farmers and manufacturers, that means new export opportunities and a more level playing field. It means our producers can compete — and win — without being undercut by foreign governments.

The American people demanded change, and in just one year, President Trump has delivered real results. Wages are rising, inflation is falling, families are keeping more of what they earn, and our farmers and businesses are competing on fair terms. I was excited to hear the President talk not only about the accomplishments we’ve delivered for working families, farmers, and small businesses, but also about the work ahead. The direction is clear, and I will continue working alongside President Trump to strengthen our economy, protect working families, and ensure our best days are still ahead.