Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Springfield MO 554 AM CDT Sat May 27 2017 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-281100- Bourbon-Crawford-Cherokee-Benton-Morgan-Miller-Maries-Vernon- St. Clair-Hickory-Camden-Pulaski-Phelps-Barton-Cedar-Polk-Dallas- Laclede-Texas-Dent-Jasper-Dade-Greene-Webster-Wright-Newton- Lawrence-Christian-Douglas-Howell-Shannon-McDonald-Barry-Stone- Taney-Ozark-Oregon- 554 AM CDT Sat May 27 2017 ...Severe Thunderstorms Likely This Afternoon and Evening... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Weather hazards expected... Elevated Tornado risk. Significant Hail risk. Significant Thunderstorm wind damage risk. Significant Lightning risk. DISCUSSION... Strong to severe storms will develop and impact the Ozarks this afternoon into tonight as very strong instability and wind shear develop ahead of a cold front. A line of thunderstorms producing widespread damaging wind gusts appears increasingly likely. Gusts over 75 mph will be possible. Tornadoes will also be possible with any portions of the line which bow towards the east. If this line of storms materializes, there will be the potential for power outages. There will also be the potential for some supercell thunderstorms, especially this afternoon and early this evening as storms initially begin to develop. If these supercells do form, hail up to the size of baseballs, damaging winds, and tornadoes will all be possible. Along with the risk for severe thunderstorms, frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall can be expected. Localized flooding of low water crossings will be possible where the heavier rainfall occurs. Those with outdoor plans this afternoon and tonight are urged to pay close attention to the weather and have a plan in place to move to a sturdy shelter when severe weather threatens. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. A few lingering strong to severe storms will impact portions of south central Missouri Sunday morning before the system moves completely through the region. Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary concern. The next chance of storms comes towards the end of next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed this afternoon and tonight for most of the Missouri Ozarks and southeastern Kansas.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Elevated tornado risk this afternoon, tonight for Joplin area
Friday, May 26, 2017
Billy Long co-sponsors Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act
Kate Steinle, a 32 year-old medical device sales representative, was walking down a San Francisco pier when her life was tragically taken from her. Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who had previously been deported five times, shot Ms. Steinle in the back, killing her on the pier.
San Francisco is one of roughly 300 jurisdictions throughout the United States that is considered a sanctuary city. Sanctuary cities limit local authority from cooperating with federal agencies to enforce national immigration laws and arrest illegal immigrants. Sanctuary cities willfully ignore the laws that are intended to keep all legal and law-abiding American citizens safe.
To put an end to this lax policy, I am cosponsoring the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act. This bill will prohibit any sanctuary city from receiving certain funds under the Economic Development Assistance Programs and the Community Development Block Grant Program. This bill, if passed, would send a message loud and clear to those cities “protecting” illegal immigrants that they can’t decide which laws they don’t follow without any consequences. We live in a country based on the rule of law, and our laws must be followed.
Even though this legislation seems like a common sense solution, not all of my colleagues agree. Some argue that by passing this bill, it would hurt the relationship between community members and law enforcement. I disagree. Sanctuary cities provide a false sense of security for individuals living in this country illegally. It also sends the wrong message to those who came here legally that is not necessary. That’s not okay.
I believe in a system of government in which those who don’t follow the law or enforce the law should be held accountable. Allowing sanctuary cities to be a safe haven for illegal immigrants does a disservice to those cities and individuals that respect our laws. Sanctuary cities should be held accountable for their actions and the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act is the first step to accomplishing that.
I will continue to work with my colleagues to make sure that this bill and others that enforce our immigration policies are passed into law. President Trump ran on the promise of enforcing our immigration laws and I will continue to support his efforts in any way I can.
Arkansas man pleads guilty to making bomb threats to Cedar County Courthouse
An Arkansas man has pleaded guilty in federal court to making bomb threats to the Cedar County Courthouse in an effort to cancel his own court hearing that he feared would send him to jail.
Phillip Ray Robison, Jr., 36, of Hartford, Arkansas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Thursday, May 25, 2017, to one count of maliciously conveying false information related to explosive materials. Robison remains in federal custody without bond.
By pleading guilty, Robison admitted that he made three separate bomb threats on two occasions in January 2016, each of which caused the evacuation of the Cedar County Courthouse in Stockton, Mo.
Robison called the court clerk for the Cedar County Courthouse on Jan. 11, 2016. Robison stated, “You better tell Judge Bickel to clear the courthouse cuz a bomb is going off at 2:30.” Law enforcement cleared everyone and searched the courthouse for the presence of an explosive or bomb. Law enforcement did not locate an explosive device in the courthouse.
After the courthouse was cleared, Robison called the clerk’s office a second time and said, “you screwed up,” indicating that law enforcement had missed the bomb during their original search. Once again the courthouse was closed and another search was conducted. Law enforcement again failed to find an explosive device during this second search.
On the day of the bomb threat, a court bailiff observed Robison at the courthouse. The bailiff thought that Robison seemed nervous. Robison had been scheduled to appear in Judge Bickel’s court for a probation violation hearing following his prior conviction for distribution of illegal narcotics. Robison was concerned that he was going to be sent to the Missouri Department of Corrections for a 120-day sentence.
On Jan. 25, 2016, Robison called another bomb threat into the Cedar County Courthouse. The court was cleared and searched by law enforcement officers. No explosive device was located. When the court reopened to the public, Robison was first in line. Deputies who were aware of the circumstances of the first bomb threat recognized Robison.
Deputies asked Robison to step out of line to speak with them. Robison agreed to be interviewed and was taken to the sheriff’s office. Robison admitted that he had made both of the January 2016 bomb threats because he wanted his court hearing to be cancelled. Robison believed that if his hearing was held, the court would return him to jail, and he wanted to avoid returning to jail. Robison also told deputies that there were never any bombs.
Under federal statutes, Robison is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Cedar County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.
Strong to severe storms possible Saturday for Joplin area
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Springfield MO 523 PM CDT Fri May 26 2017 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-272230- Bourbon-Crawford-Cherokee-Benton-Morgan-Miller-Maries-Vernon- St. Clair-Hickory-Camden-Pulaski-Phelps-Barton-Cedar-Polk-Dallas- Laclede-Texas-Dent-Jasper-Dade-Greene-Webster-Wright-Newton- Lawrence-Christian-Douglas-Howell-Shannon-McDonald-Barry-Stone- Taney-Ozark-Oregon- 523 PM CDT Fri May 26 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Weather hazards expected... Limited Hail risk. Limited Lightning risk. Limited Damaging Wind risk. DISCUSSION... A weak boundary across southern Missouri will be the focus area for scattered thunderstorms to possibly develop late evening into the overnight. There is uncertainty on this development due to an elevated cap in the atmosphere. Coverage should be isolated to widely scattered in nature with the primary threat being large hail up to the size of half dollars possible. There may be an isolated damaging wind gust up to 60 mph possible overnight as well. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Overall...the best chance for strong to severe storms will occur from Saturday afternoon into Saturday night as the cap weakens and very strong instability develops ahead of a cold front which will move through Saturday night. The main risks will be large hail up to the size of baseballs and damaging wind in excess of 70 mph. The possibility exists for a tornado or two as well. With the risk of severe thunderstorms...frequent lightning and heavy rainfall will be possible. Localized flooding of low water crossings may be possible where the heavier rainfall occurs. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed late this evening and overnight across southern Missouri.
So you want to be a Joplin R-8 human resources director
The position is currently being held on an interim basis by former Webb City R-7 Superintendent Ron Lankford.
Position: Director of Human Resources/Systems Support
Term: Full-Time/12 Month
Classification: Classified/Exempt
Location: Administration Building
Qualifications: Masters Degree or equivalent in a related field; or four to ten years related experience and/or training;
Equivalent combination of education and experience
Strong background and experience in labor relations, employment law, employee benefit administration and compensation programs
Knowledge of a high performing classroom preferred.
Experience of research and development of a strategic plan
Supervisory: Yes
Reports to: Superintendent
Responsibilities:
Support all duties necessary to ensure that human resource activities, including project support service functions, are performed in a timely and efficient manner. Provide performance and process data requirements to support program evaluation and inform a systems approach to school improvement. Assist with overall management and operations of district communications.
General Expectations:
- Supports the mission of Joplin Schools.
- Supports the value of education.
- Complies with the privacy rights of students.
- Safeguards confidential and/or sensitive information.
- Communicates effectively with all the members of the school district and community.
- Provides excellence in customer service both internally and externally.
- Reacts to change productively.
- Keeps abreast of new information, innovative ideas and techniques.
- Maintains accurate records and filing systems for accountability and audit purposes.
- Ensures that all activities align to the District Strategic Plan while conforming to district, state and federal guidelines.
Essential Functions:
- Administer employment policies and practices.
- Monitor compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations.
- Manage staff and associated HR budgets.
- Support departments on HR projects and issues.
- Research area compensation and benefit practices.
- Educate staff about benefits and personnel policies.
- Conduct staff grievance hearings.
- Promote and train staff in customer service skills.
- Promote working relationships and problem-solving models as needed.
- Communicate with staff, public and civic groups.
- Have the skills and abilities to successfully lead human resource activities in a medium to large organization while maintaining the trust and respect of staff and external constituencies.
- Have excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
- Carry/share the culture of the organization.
- Provide meaningful, clear and accessible information to all stakeholders through a variety of mediums.
- Build the credibility of and trust in the District through transparency and timeliness of accurate information.
- Approval of outside publications dissemination.
- Collect and interpret strategic improvement data to staff and community in a way that supports collaborative planning and effective implementation.
- Measure improvement trends.
- Systematically communicate progress to staff, teams, families, and other key partners.
- Design, implement and analyze a system for developing and improving customer, stakeholder and supplier relationships as well as for monitoring internal and external satisfaction.
- Assist various departments in their efforts to demonstrate educational program effectiveness.
- Carry out all other duties as assigned.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand or sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The individual must be able to travel between district facilities.
Attendance
Regular and consistent attendance is an essential function of this position.
The work conditions and environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Conditions and Environment
The work environment is consistent with a typical office environment.
Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Judge: It is unfortunate taxpayer dollars will be used to pay for (C. J. Huff's) failure
In his order, Harpool noted that the lawyers had won the case, but not had prevailed on every issue that was brought before the court.
The judge also had harsh words for district officials who he noted had every opportunity to avoid the lawsuit after the district was put on notice before a May 2015 North Middle School MAP celebration trip to Victory Ministries and Sports Complex:
(The) Court also considered that the Defendants had every opportunity to avoid this lawsuit. Defendants were put on notice far in advance of this litigation of the issues raised by Plaintiffs, but failed to proactively address or eliminate the problem with the consent and waiver form. The Court finds it unfortunate that in this case the taxpayers’ dollars will be used to pay for the Defendants’ failure to identify and correct this legal issue without the cost and expense of litigation.
Though the name of former Superintendent C. J. Huff was not mentioned, it was Huff's decisions, or lack of decisions, that led to district money being used not only to pay Jane Doe's attorneys, but also the attorneys who represented Joplin R-8.
Huff received an e-mail from a lawyer for the American Humanist Association warning that the field trip would be a violation of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. The primary problem was the decision to use parental permission slips provided by Victory Ministries which gave permission for its employees to proselytize the students and also allowed Victory to take photos of the students that could be used in its advertising.
In his e-mail response, Huff acknowledged there was a problem with the permission slip, but only said a better one would be used the next time. Victory officials told Huff they had no problem with having a different permission slip, but no replacement slip was ever given to the students and instead of sending the students to a different destination, Huff allowed the field trip to continue, a decision that led to today's $147,435 decision.
Harpool's final decision, while going against the district, does not prevent the district from scheduling field trip to Victory Ministries or other religious venues. The judge set guidelines that have to be followed if such a trip is made, including the prohibition of religious messages from employees and workers at the facilities will not be allowed to use photos or video of the students to promote their facilities.
Jane Doe sued on behalf of her children and was allowed to remain anonymous for her protection. The judge awarded her $1 in damages as she requested.
Pet food company to build 112,000 square foot facility in Joplin, add 46 jobs
Today, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens announced that major pet food company Blue Buffalo plans to expand upon its Heartland Pet Food manufacturing campus in Joplin by constructing a 112,000 sq. ft. building to accommodate continued expansion. The company’s new facility and expansion is expected to result in the creation of 46 new jobs for the community of Joplin.
“I spoke with Bill Bishop, Chairman and founder of Blue Buffalo, about their plans to construct a new building and increase the size of its campus in Joplin. They will bring in a new pet food line and create 46 new jobs in the community. It was great to talk to them about Missouri’s new direction and they look forward to working with us to grow the state’s economy and create more quality jobs. Thank you, Blue Buffalo,” said Gov. Greitens.
In 2012, Blue Buffalo broke ground on its 416,000 sq. ft. Heartland Pet Foods facility in Joplin, which became the company’s first manufacturing plant in the country. Blue Buffalo has pledged to create more than 160 full-time jobs at the plant. After just a few years of operating in its facility, the company will now expand Heartland’s footprint to accommodate additional manufacturing equipment for a new pet food line and for its growing workforce. The new building is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2018. Blue Buffalo points to Missouri’s strong workforce, central location and robust transportation system for its decision to expand in the Show-Me State.
“Blue Buffalo’s expansion of our state of the art manufacturing facility in Joplin reflects our ongoing commitment to the people, the city and the state of Missouri. With this expansion we will be further increasing our internal production capacity. We are very proud to continue to create jobs and to being an upstanding partner in the community," noted Bill Bishop, Chairman and founder of Blue Buffalo
The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Joplin also assisted the company with its expansions in Missouri.
“Blue Buffalo’s Heartland facility is an excellent employer in our community and representative of the many fine firms in our food processing sector. We are proud the company thinks enough of Joplin and its people to continue to invest in expanding its operations here,” noted Rob O’Brian, President, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to seeing the continued growth of Blue Buffalo in this area.”
Official announcement: CFO Paul Barr to retire from Joplin R-8 after 23 years
Please join me, Joplin Schools Leadership Team, and Board of Education in extending our best wishes and tremendous appreciation to Paul Barr who is retiring June 30, 2017, after 23 years of devoted service to the district.
During his tenure, we have relied on Paul’s disciplined, balanced, and strategic financial leadership to skillfully guide the district through a multitude of changes and challenges. Paul’s attention to detail and commitment to the students, staff, and patrons of the district has resulted in Joplin Schools’ sound financial health for more than two decades.
Paul plans to spend immediate retirement time with family, but will stay professionally active in the future as well.
Paul is committed to helping district administrators and support staff implement a smooth and seamless transition to new financial leadership.
Mendy
Paul plans to spend immediate retirement time with family, but will stay professionally active in the future as well.
Paul is committed to helping district administrators and support staff implement a smooth and seamless transition to new financial leadership.
Mendy
Billy Long on Blue Cross Blue Shield KC decision: Failing health care law must be replaced
Today (Wednesday) Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City announced that it will no longer be offering individual Affordable Care Act plans in 2018. Below is Congressman Billy Long’s (MO-07) statement:
“Earlier last year I talked about the possibility of this happening, and today that possibility became a sad reality for Missourians covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City,” said Rep. Long.“Roughly 67,000 individuals in Missouri and Kansas will have no options for coverage under Obamacare’s exchanges in 2018 due to a failing health care law that must be replaced. Missourians continue to get the rug pulled out from underneath them with skyrocketing premiums and limited choices.”
Joplin residents, Lamar man indicted on meth conspiracy, trafficking charges
Those charged were Katherine A. Stein, 27, Joplin, Torrey L. Nigro, 26, Joplin, Adrian K. Gire, 31, Lamar, and Brice J. Bresee, 36, Joplin.
The crimes allegedly occurred between May 10 and May 12, 2016, according to court records.
This marks the second time the four have been indicted on charges connected with this alleged conspiracy.
The U. S. Attorney for the Southwest District of Missouri issued the following news release November 14, 2016:
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that nine southwest Missouri residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in relation to a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Jasper County, Mo.
Donald B. Loomis, 34, Katherine A. Stein, 26, Torrey L. Nigro, 25, Brice J. Bresee, 36, and Kelly C. Walker, 25, all of Joplin, Mo.; Alisha D. Courtney, 46, and Terrance E. Romero, 41, both of Webb City, Mo.; Adrian K. Gire, 30, of Lamar, Mo.; and Lisa M. Allison, 38, of Neosho, Mo., were charged in a 16-count indictment returned under seal on Nov. 2, 2016. That indictment has been unsealed and made public following the arrests and initial court appearances of the defendants.
The federal indictment alleges that Loomis, Stein, Walker, Courtney and Romero participated in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in Jasper County from March 1, 2015, to Sept. 24, 2016.
The indictment also alleges that Stein, Nigro, Bresee and Gire participated in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Jasper County from May 10 to May 12, 2016.
In addition to the conspiracies, the indictment charges Stein, Nigro, Bresee and Gire together in one count of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and in one count of using cell phones to facilitate the drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Romero is also charged with one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Romero allegedly was in possession of an F.I.E. Corp. Titan .25-caliber handgun on June 1, 2016.
Courtney is also charged with four counts of distributing methamphetamine.
Walker is also charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine and one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Stein and Allison (who is not charged in either of the drug-trafficking conspiracies) are charged together in one count of distributing methamphetamine and in one count of using a cell phone to facilitate a drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull, II. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Webb City, Mo., Police Department, the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Jasper County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Newton County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
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