Friday, December 21, 2018

Billy Long: 115th Congress ' accomplishments will make life better for many Americans

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

Soon after the 115th Congress kicked off, President Trump promised the end of all talk and no action. Over the past two years Congress has worked hard to make good on this promise by passing landmark legislation that cuts taxes, combats opioid abuse and rolls back regulations.

I’ve always felt hard working taxpayers should be able to hold on to as much of their own money as possible.

In 2017, Republicans came together and passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which modernized our decades old tax system. This bill decreases the number of tax brackets, increases the child tax credit and provides new incentives for small businesses to expand. 

Since we passed tax reform, nearly two million jobs have been added to the economy, the unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since 1969 and the American people have more money in their pockets.



Along with tax reform, Republicans have spent the last two years rolling back Obama-era regulations that have cost businesses millions of dollars. 

During their first year, small businesses will spend more than $83,000 to stay compliant with regulations. Given their excessive cost, more than half of small businesses say that regulations are their top concern. 

Republicans have worked hard to pass legislation limiting the federal government’s role and ensuring businesses can thrive. Since 2017, we have passed bills that increase congressional oversight, such as the Midnight Rules Relief Act, and bills that roll back regulations entirely, such as the BRICK Act, which targets abusive environmental regulations.

While I’m proud of the work my colleagues and I have done cutting taxes and rolling back regulations, I’m especially proud of the work we have done combatting the opioid epidemic. 



This bipartisan issue brought together both parties, leading to the passage of H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which targets treatment, recovery, prevention, communities and combatting fentanyl. H.R. 6 directly helps communities impacted by this epidemic by creating recovery centers for those struggling with addiction, increasing research and boosting telehealth technologies.

While the 115th Congress was filled with a number of accomplishments that will make life better for many Americans, I look forward to continuing our efforts during the 116th Congress.

Federal judge approves settlement, dismisses Sheena Eastburn'a lawsuit against McDonald County, jailer who raped her

U. S. District Court Judge David P. Rush approved the dismisal of a lawsuit filed by convicted murderer Sheena Eastburn against the county of McDonald County and the jailer who raped her when she was a teen.

The order stipulated that the parties had reached a settlement. Both sides were ordered to pay their share of the costs.

The settlement was first announced December 10 in a filing in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The amount of the settlement and other details have not been released.



In the lawsuit, Eastburn, who was sentenced to life in prison in 1995 for the murder of her husband and was paroled in November 2017 after spending 25 years behind bars, claims jailer Terrie Zornes raped her and then the crime was covered up by Zornes' fellow workers at the Sheriff's Office.

In 2011, Zornes was charged with raping a teenage prisoner in 1994, but the charge was dropped when he pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old girl.



The petition says Zornes forced Eastburn, who was 17 at the time, to go into the property room, raped her, then destroyed evidence by tampering with the surveillance tapes.

Zornes raped Eastburn between December 1993 and February 1994, according to the lawsuit.

Judge denies bond reduction motion for Ace Mohr, preliminary hearing set on armed robbery, assault charges

Judge Joseph Hensley denied a bond reduction motion for Ace Mohr, 25, Carthage, Wednesday, in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Mohr, who is charged with armed robbery and assault, is being held on no bond in the Jasper County Jail. His preliminary hearing will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, January 10, with Judge John Nicholas presiding. Nicholas was assigned the case after Mohr's attorney, public defender Daniel Paulowicz asked for a change of judge.

How long Paulowicz will be representing Mohr is unknown, since the public defender's office told the court it does not have the resources to defend Mohr, who faces considerable prison time.

The charges in this case are the second and third filed against Mohr since he was sentenced to five years then had his sentenced suspended and was placed on probation March 5 after pleading guilty to receiving stolen property and dealing heroin. As part of a plea agreement, other felony charges against Mohr, including possession of cocaine and methamphetamine, were dropped.



The Carthage Police Department arrested Mohr August 18 on a felony domestic assault charge.

The latest charges against Mohr, who is being held without bond in the Jasper County Jail, stem from an October 27 incident and are spelled out in the probable cause statement:

On 10/27/2018 (the victim) was contacted at Mercy McCune-Brooks Hospital where he reported an assault and robbery to the Carthage Police Department. 




On 10/27/2018 (the victim) was attacked and hit repeatedly on the face and head with brass knuckles by Ace Nolan Mohr at 1200 Regan St. Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri.

During the assault Ace stole (the man's) wallet (unknown items inside it), black in color Android smartphone (unknown make or model) and black Timex watch. Per Mercy Hospital records (the victim's) injuries were a swollen and tender left eye which (the victim) was unable to open; facial fractures of the orbital bones; facial fractures of the zygomatic process and facial fractures of the maxillary sinus all on the left side of his face.

Lack of interpreter forces delay in guilty plea for Joplin man charged with raping, sodomizing 12-year-old

The guilty plea for a Joplin man charged with raping and sodomizing a 12-year-old girl was delayed Thursday in Jasper County Circuit Court because no interpreter was available.

Rasty Kiris, 29, was in court with his attorney, public defender Craig Lowe, but a call to the Language Line revealed there was no available who spoke Kiris' Chuukese dialect.

Judge Gayle Crane rescheduled the plea hearing for 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 9, The defense will provide the interpreter, according to online court records.



Kiris allegedly raped and sodomized the Joplin girl multiple times between June and August of 2017. The Joplin Police Department investigated the case.

Kiris is being held in Jasper County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Hartzler urges Senate to pass House version of resolution approving border wall funding

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) made the following statement after voting yes on a continuing resolution to keep the government open while providing increased funding for border security:

“In October of this year I traveled to the U.S - Mexico border to see firsthand the challenges facing our customs officials and Border Patrol agents working on the front lines. This fact-finding mission was the result of my work in Missouri dealing with the drug crisis that is decimating our communities and devastating families across our state. A primary source of these drugs is the U.S. - Mexico border, where illegal narcotics flow into America through highly manned and well-organized Mexican drug cartels. I cannot think of a more direct way to state this than to simply say that these cartels are killing our children. By not increasing security at the border, Congress is allowing this to happen.



“The Continuing Resolution I voted for includes the President’s request for border funding to address this problem. Instead of kicking the can down the road by continuing to inadequately fund homeland security, this legislation prioritizes our security by increasing funding to protect our border agents and stop the flow of deadly drugs into our communities.

“The problems on our border are deadly and they are not going away – they are getting worse. From the flow of illegal drugs and the trafficking of women and children to the issues that stem from illegal immigration, it is apparent that inaction is threatening our way of life.

“American families deserve better. I urge the Senate to pass this resolution to protect our families and communities.”

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Teen suicide focus of Joplin High School weekly update

A number of student suicides have stunned Joplin High School and the subject is addressed in a compelling fashion in the accompanying Jet HD news program.

The first portion of the weekly update features an interview with senior Kendall Lewis, who offers some thoughts on how to deal with those who might be considering suicide, how JHS teachers deal with students and some signs to look for in students whose problems could be causing them to make a decision from which there is no coming back.

Lewis talked about the students she has known who have taken their lives.





"It really hurts," she said, noting there are serious bullying problems and students who have had problems dealing with mental illness.

There have been cases, Lewis said, where students and teachers did not take the students' situation seriously.

"The school tries, but it can do a lot more."



Lewis praised the attitude shown by some faculty members. "Some teachers outdo themselves and try to help" she said, noting that these teachers show interest in their students and try to help them deal with problems.

"You're always going to have the teachers who don't. It's said that there are some teachers like that. If you're going to be a teacher, that's your responsibility."


Hartzler supports act that would allocate $20 million annually for Alzheimer's prevention research and treatment

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

This week Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) supported S. 2076, the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act. This bill would authorize $20 million annually from FY2020 to FY2024 to address the prevention, treatment, and care of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Currently 5.7 million people are living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is only predicted to increase,” said Hartzler, who worked to provide $2.3 billion for Alzheimer’s research in the most recent defense funding bill.

“It is a heartbreaking disease that ravages families and this year alone cost our economy $277 billion in healthcare costs. This legislation advances our efforts towards finding a much-needed cure,” added Hartzler, whose own mother passed away from Alzheimer’s complications in 2015.



Once signed into law, the bill would authorize Health and Human Services (HHS) to award $20 million in grants per year to address Alzheimer’s disease. 

The grants would go to higher education institutions, state health departments and American Indian tribes that are prioritizing the implementation of evidence-based practices, supporting early detection, reducing the risk of hospitalizations and cognitive decline, supporting caregivers, and reducing health disparities.

The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act passed the Senate last week and now awaits signature by the President.

Former MU, NFL wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham held on no bond in Greene County Jail following drug arrest

Former University of Missouri wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, who was booted out of Mizzou before his collegiate career ended for his constant brushes with the law, is in trouble again.

Green-Beckham is being held in the Greene County Jail on no bond on charges of marijuana possession and resisting arrest.

The Springfield Police Department released the following information to NBC Sports earlier today:

“At approximately 8:30 PM on December 19, 2018 Springfield Police Department Special Response Team served a search warrant,” Springfield Police Public Affairs Officer Jasmine Bailey told PFT via email. 

“While attempting to make entry, officers observed [Green-Beckham] inside the residence attempting to flee from a window.




Officers were able to restrain DGB with handcuffs and found marijuana in his pocket. A search of the residence revealed about one pound of marijuana inside a backpack belonging to DGB along with several vials of THC oil.

Inside the residence officers also uncovered about seven more pounds of marijuana. DGB was arrested for drug charges and resisting arrest and Keenen Sharp was arrested for drug charges pertaining to the seven pounds of marijuana.”

The charges have been submitted to the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's office, but nothing has been filed yet, according to online Greene County Circuit Court records.

Green-Beckham is a 2012 graduate of Hillcrest High School in Springfield.

Parson, director of agriculture, praise Trump for signing farm bill

(From Gov. Mike Parson)

Today, Governor Mike Parson and Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn praised President Donald Trump for quickly signing the 2018 Farm Bill, also known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, into law.

“Time and time again, farmers and ranchers are asked to produce more food with fewer resources,” said Governor Parson.

“The Farm Bill touches the life of every Missourian for the better by providing not only certainty for our producers, but also providing needed investments to advance agricultural research, international market development, working lands conservation, and rural broadband deployment.”



“Missouri farmers and ranchers faced a challenging growing season this year, but will be ending the year on a high note knowing a new Farm Bill is in place,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “We are accustomed to uncertainty in agriculture and remain appreciative of the blessing to be involved in an industry dedicated to feeding, clothing, and fueling our nation. We are in good hands as Secretary Perdue and his team get to work implementing the new law.”

Missouri agriculture is an $88.4 billion industry and remains the No. 1 economic driver in the Show-Me State. To learn more, visithttps://agriculture.mo.gov/topcommodities.php.

Christmas greetings from Gov. Parson and the First Lady