At the direction of the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) State Veterinarian’s office, the Missouri State Fair will not host rabbit shows at the State Fair this August due to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Serotype 2 (RHDV2). Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Serotype 2 (RHDV2) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that affects both […]
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Audio: Pettis County Sheriff writes open letter to citizens about threats made against officers and a child
Protesters held signs Thursday night in west-central Missouri’s Sedalia to show their support for a 25-year-old woman killed last weekend by a Pettis County deputy. Hannah Fizer of Sedalia was shot to death after allegedly threatening to shoot the officer, but a gun was not found in her vehicle. Don Hockaday, a protest organizer, says […]
Grundy County authorities report several arrests
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Michigan man Wednesday, June 17th on felony driving while intoxicated—persistent. Two Trenton residents were also arrested. Bond was set at $5,000 cash only for 41 year old James Charles Phillips of Port Huron, Michigan. Court documents accuse Phillips of operating a motor vehicle in Grundy […]
Former Missouri middle school teacher pleads guilty to enticing a minor for sex
A former Joplin, Missouri, middle school teacher has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to enticing one of her students to engage in illicit sex. Amanda Ruth Schweitzer, 41, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Tuesday, June 16, to enticing a minor for illegal sexual activity. Schweitzer was a […]
Governor Parson requests federal disaster declaration for 19 Missouri counties due to severe storms in May
Governor Mike Parson has requested that President Trump approve a major disaster declaration for Missouri to provide federal assistance to a total of 19 counties in response to severe storms and tornadoes that swept across the state on May 3 and 4, resulting in widespread destruction. “Our local, state and federal assessment teams have documented extensive damage to electric power […]
Newtown-Harris Board of Education approves propane bid, receives update on COVID-19 measures
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education has approved MFA as the district’s propane provider for the 2020-2021 school year. Diesel bids were discussed. There was also discussion on the impact of the state budget shortfall. More information will be provided at the budget workshop June 25th. An update was given on COVID-19 and measures for […]
North Kansas City woman sentenced to prison for repteadely embezzling from her employers
A North Kansas City, Missouri, woman was sentenced in federal court for embezzling from her employer in what was her fourth scheme to steal from a local company. Tonya A. Topel, 42, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to two years and nine months in federal prison without parole. The court also […]
12 Missouri residents indicted for roles in conspiracy to distribute fentanyl
A dozen Springfield, Missouri-area residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Greene County. James D. Collins, also known as “Red,” 46, of Battlefield, Missouri; Darryl Turner, also known as “D,” 56, Bobby G. Rost also known as “Pop,” 62, Elmer E. Freeman Jr., […]
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry backs Medicaid expansion
Missouri’s most influential business group is endorsing a Medicaid expansion issue that will appear on your August ballot. Medicaid, which is formally known as MO HealthNet, is a federal and state program that assists with medical costs for residents who have limited incomes. Missouri’s current Medicaid budget is about $10 billion, accounting for about one-third […]
Judge faces busy docket in Division One of Grundy County court
The judge in Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court handed down sentences, including probation to defendants in the Thursday session of Division One. At a hearing, Christopher Eudean Parsons of Cainsville admitted probation violations. The probation was revoked. Parsons was sentenced to five years with the Missouri department of corrections. The term runs concurrently […]
Missouri man who shot police officer, then himself, pleads guilty to drug trafficking
A St. Louis, Missouri, man who shot a law enforcement officer before shooting himself pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking and illegally discharging a firearm in Joplin, Missouri. E.F. Fitchpatrick, Jr., 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of […]
Cameron man who threatened officers with a knife officially charged
A Cameron man accused of threatening law enforcement with a knife and running from law enforcement at Hamilton faces charges in Caldwell County. Online court information shows 34 year old William Patrick Vessar has been charged with felony resisting or interfering with an arrest for a felony and two misdemeanor counts of fourth degree assault—special […]
Grundy County authorities report the arrest of four
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of four area residents on various allegations. Twenty-nine year old Christopher Eudean Parsons of Cainsville was arrested Wednesday, June 10th on a capias warrant on felony second degree assault. No bond was approved. He was scheduled for Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court Thursday, June 11th. […]
Missouri motorcycle helmet legislation still under review
Missouri’s governor is still reviewing legislation that would allow some motorcyclists to ride without a helmet. The provision is included in a large transportation bill that is now on Governor Mike Parson’s desk. Parson’s spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, told Missourinet on Wednesday that the large bill is still under review. Current Missouri law requires every person operating […]
Missouri man who pointed pistol at police officer during foot chase sentenced to 9 years in prison
A Springfield, Missouri, man who pointed a loaded pistol at police officers during a car and foot chase was sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm. Matthew D. Billingslea, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to nine years in federal prison without parole. On Sept. 11, 2019, Billingslea pleaded […]
Trenton woman arrested on probation violation
A Trenton woman was arrested Monday, June 8th on an alleged technical probation violation of special conditions. The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports 28 year old Josy Simmons’s original charge was possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabionoid. Her bond was set at $2,500 cash only. She […]
Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer: “Defunding police departments not the way to go”
Since the death of George Floyd of Minnesota, some elected officials are being asked whether to defund police departments. Most Minneapolis City Council members say they support dismantling their police department and putting the funding toward affordable housing and battling opioid and mental health problems. East-central Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer tells Missourinet affiliate KWIX in […]
Missouri man pleads guilty for role in large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy, faces 15 years in prison
A Springfield, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy that involved multi-pound shipments of methamphetamine transported from Arizona to Missouri. Gregory L. Hopper, 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing […]
Missouri sex offender on supervised release sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing child porn
A Springfield, Missouri, man with a prior conviction for transporting child pornography was sentenced in federal court for another child pornography offense. David Todd Beresky, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Beresky to a lifetime of supervised release following […]
Man who was armed outside of Chula residence enters plea of “Not Guilty”
A man accused of threatening others, being armed outside of a Chula residence, and fleeing from law enforcement last August entered a plea of not guilty in Division One of Livingston County Circuit Court Tuesday. Online court information shows Todd Grigsby waived formal arraignment, and the case was continued to July 7th for a plea […]