Governor Mike Parson's upcoming schedule for April 22nd to 26th, 2024, is packed with various meetings and events across different cities in Missouri.On Monday, April 22nd, Governor Parson will kick off the week by hosting a meet and greet with members of the Greater Springfield Board of Realtor's leadership class at his office. Later in the day, he will hold a signing of his book at the Missouri River Regional Library in Jefferson City.Moving on to Tuesday, April 23rd, Governor Parson will be traveling to Poplar Bluff for a tour of Three Rivers College, where he will...
U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore presented the annual Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award to Rasta, a courtroom therapy dog, and his handler, Jennifer Vernon, in Kansas City. The award, given during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, recognizes the valuable contribution of individuals or organizations in preventing and responding to the exploitation of children.“Every dog lover has had the experience of being comforted by their devoted canine friend,” said Moore, highlighting Rasta's role in providing a calming influence for traumatized children during legal proceedings....
Bishop John Hogan, in his book On the Mission, recalled the history of the Mission of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Princeton, stating, "In 1886 a small group of Catholics led by Mr. and Mrs. John Finn, constructed a church 26’ x 36’ in the town of Princeton."Over the years, the Mission faced challenges, as highlighted in the article, "From later years down to 1970 Catholics living in Princeton found that the closest place for Mass was in Cainsville. For some, attending Mass represented a round trip of 100 miles." However, efforts were made to bring Mass closer to the...
A Republic, Missouri man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to fentanyl trafficking and illegal firearms. Tonikko Fewell, 34, admitted to possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute and illegally owning several firearms. The guilty plea was made before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool.During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Fewell had been involved in two instances where he fled from law enforcement officers. In one incident on August 16, 2021, officers found a significant amount of fentanyl, cash, and stolen firearms at Fewell's...
There were 11 companies in cities associated with Clay County that received 11 FDA inspections in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Association.
Governor Mike Parson announced that Jason Sumners will be the next director of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), taking over from Sara Parker Pauley who is retiring after 30 years of service. Sumners, currently the deputy director of resource management for MDC, will assume his new role on June 1, 2024, becoming the tenth director in the department's history.Governor Parson expressed his gratitude to the Conservation Commission for their selection of Sumners, stating, "We congratulate Jason on being named the new MDC Director and thank the Conservation...
A Webb City, Mo., woman, Amy Kay Thomas, 40, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole for her involvement in a kidnapping conspiracy that led to the torture and death of the victim, as well as for illegally possessing a firearm. U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool handed down the sentence.Thomas admitted to her role in the conspiracy, where she participated in the kidnapping of the victim known as "M.H." She was part of a group that bound, assaulted, and ultimately killed M.H. The prosecution revealed that Thomas had prior felony convictions for...
The Kansas City Council has given the green light to the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund Board’s decision to award $3,755,342 to 199 events for the 2024-2025 Annual Application Cycle. This funding aims to boost Kansas City’s vibrant neighborhoods and tourism.City Manager Brian Platt emphasized the importance of supporting neighborhood events, stating, “Building strong communities starts with supporting neighborhood events. When we come together to celebrate our local culture and diversity, we create bonds that make our city thrive.”The 2024-2025 Annual Application...
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A U.S. Marine Corps private, Gevoni Rayon Brown, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole for transporting child pornography across state lines. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Tuesday.Brown, 23, was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after his incarceration and to pay $24,000 in restitution to eight victims of child pornography found on his cell phone. Additionally, he must register as a sex offender upon release and comply...
Former Kansas City man, Wyatt Christopher Maxwell, also known as “Louis Whitaker,” pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to produce child pornography. Maxwell, who lived in Kansas City at the time of the offense before moving to Mexico, admitted to one count of attempting to produce child pornography.According to the plea agreement, the Overland Park, Kansas, Police Department received tips in February 2021 that Maxwell was producing child pornography with a 16-year-old resident of Overland Park. Maxwell had been recording sexually explicit videos of the victim...
John A. Caylor, a Kansas City man, has been sentenced to 13 years and six months in federal prison without parole for his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy and illegal possession of a firearm. U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips handed down the sentence on Tuesday, April 16.Caylor pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and heroin and possessing a firearm in connection with drug trafficking. He confessed to taking part in the conspiracy from February 28, 2020, to September 20, 2022.According to court documents, Caylor sold illegal drugs to a...
County offices in Jackson County are set to gradually re-open following a cyber attack. The Recorder of Deeds will open to the public on Tuesday, April 16, while the Assessment & Collections department will be open this week by appointment only. Taxpayers are being contacted to schedule appointments and are advised not to call for appointments.According to county officials, the Assessment & Collection offices will be open to previously scheduled appointments only from Tuesday to Friday, with a reminder not to call for appointments. Starting Monday, April 22, the...
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Lenexa, Kansas, man has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison without parole for possession and distribution of child pornography. Shaun Walker, 41, currently residing in Springfield, Mo., received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough.Walker, a former employee of Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technology, was found with child pornography on his personal cell phone while in a secure area at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Security Campus in Kansas City, Mo. He pleaded guilty to attempting to distribute...
Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson has directed for U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff at government buildings in Lafayette County and all police stations in Missouri on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in memory of Lake Lafayette Police Department Chief Steven A. Singer.Chief Singer, who tragically passed away while on duty, dedicated two decades of his life to serving and safeguarding his community. Governor Parson expressed his gratitude for Chief Singer's service, stating, “Chief Singer devoted 20 years of his life to protecting his community and...
In a recent announcement, the first phase of the Micro-Business Grant Program, part of the KC Small Business Capital Programs, has revealed its four grant recipients. Launched in February of 2024 with funding support from the Kauffman Foundation, the program has brought a new wave of support to micro-businesses in the Kansas City area.The winners of the Micro-Business Grant Program were selected by a committee comprising various entrepreneurial support organizations, financial institutions, and business leaders. The surprise recipients, who thought they were attending...
A Neosho, Mo., man, James B. Gibson, also known as “Gibby,” has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole for his involvement in a kidnapping conspiracy that led to the torture and death of the victim, as well as for illegally possessing a firearm. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool.Gibson's co-defendant, Lawrence William Vaughan, also known as “Scary Larry,” received a 25-year sentence back in 2013. Four other co-defendants are awaiting sentencing in the case, including Russell Eugene Hurtt, Amy Kay Thomas, Freddie...
New credit card regulations sponsored by U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) could threaten Missouri’s $19.9 billion tourism industry by eliminating airline credit cards and reward points for travelers, said David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA).