(From MODOT)
Dade County Route E
CLOSED Tuesday, April 1
Where: Dade County Route D CLOSED between Route E and County Road 82 south of Jerico Springs.
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 1
What: MoDOT crews replacing a drain pipe underneath the road.
Traffic Impacts: Drivers will have to find an alternate route around the closing. Drivers will be able to get to driveways and other entrances on either side of the closing. However, they will NOT be able to travel through the work zone.
Weather and/or work scheduling conflicts could postpone the project.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Lamar man injured in ATV accident
Rustin G. Phipps, 24, Lamar, was injured in an ATV accident 6:30 p.m. Sunday on private property three miles southeast of Sheldon.
According to the Highway Patrol report, Phipps was racing a 1998 four-wheel Yamaha ATV through a field when it struck a ditch and flipped. Phipps was taken to Barton County Memorial Hospital with moderate injuries.
According to the Highway Patrol report, Phipps was racing a 1998 four-wheel Yamaha ATV through a field when it struck a ditch and flipped. Phipps was taken to Barton County Memorial Hospital with moderate injuries.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Signing for Scars from the Tornado set for Saturday at Vintage Stock on the Mall
The book details my experiences and East Middle School students' experiences during the May 22, 2011, Joplin Tornado, and during the first year attending a warehouse school.
Some of those students will be at the signing Saturday.
Following is a breakdown of what is included in Scars from the Tornado:
Foreword- This features a story that a former East student, Joplin High School sophomore Rylee Hartwell, wrote about the school shortly after the tornado.
A Teacher's Story- Over several chapters, I write about the last day at East before the tornado hit, the tornado and my first trip back to the school, the meeting at Missouri Southern where Principal Bud Sexson outlined what the warehouse school was going to be like, our return to school, the first day and much more.
Tornado Stories- This section features the students recounting their tornado stories. Some were right in the middle of it. Others feared for their friends. It affected all of them. Students with stories in this section include Jennifer Nguyen, Nick Shellenbarger, Abi Killinger, Alexandra Stelts, Donna Tomlinson, Maggie Baker, Cami Sanders, Kaley Moser, Amber Fleming, Desirae Orlaski, Taylor Robinson, Keisha Grunden, Courtney Hunt, Victoria Stehm, Garrett Severs, and Ryan Ball.
The School Year- This section features stories from the students about our year in the warehouse, with some commenting about the school. Those contributing stories include Sarah Peterson, Megan Hickey, Amy Koch, Jennifer Nguyen, Annie Strickling, Stella Ndauwa, and Melinda Adams. Megan, Amy, and Jennifer contributed multiple stories in this section.
Parting Shots- This section includes a longer story that I wrote about the people from around the world who let us know that we were not alone in our battle. My story centers around our 86-year-old penpal from Santa Barbara who has come to mean a lot to my students both last year and this year. The section also has shorter comments from Cara Marshall, Jimmie Willerton, Audrey Kanan, Taelor Stone, Logan Whitehead, Amelia Street, and Madison Meinhardt.
Tornado Poems- Among those contributing to this section are students Mykah Campbell, Michaela West, Sean Harrison, Ashton McGehee, Karly Weber, Jacy Welch, Mackenzie Gunderson, Bridget Ingham, Jerry Bland, Joseph Fry, Beth Dulinsky, and teacher Kathy Weaver.
The book also includes a photo section.
Copies of 5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado, Spirit of Hope: The Year After the Joplin Tornado, and No Child Left Alive will also be available.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
Newton County 4-H alumni group forming
(From University of Missouri Extension)
A group of 4-H supports from the Newton County area will be meeting to create a Newton County 4-H Alumni group at 7 p.m. on March 25 at the Newton County Extension Center in Smith Hall at Crowder College, Neosho.
During the meeting the group will decide on the goal of the organization and how to make the group valuable to the current 4-H program. Due to the lack of records it is requested that anyone interested in sharing their 4-H story attend the meeting.
“Past and current club leaders and club officers would be valuable in recreating 4-H history in Newton County. Although, the group is focused on Newton County it is open to anyone who has ever been in 4-H anywhere or who has wanted to be involved in 4-H,” said Jeremy Elliot-Engel, a 4-H youth development specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
Doug Hunt, a former Cedar Creek 4-H Club member, has been working with Elliot-Engel to make this 4-H alumni group a reality.
Doug Hunt, a former Cedar Creek 4-H Club member, has been working with Elliot-Engel to make this 4-H alumni group a reality.
“4-H has meant so much in my life that I want to find a way to give back and share my story,” said Hunt. “We are not sure how many Newton County 4-H alumni there are but there have been hundreds of 4-H members annually.”
This year marks the 100th anniversary of cooperative extension programs nationally. 4-H is the youth program of University of Missouri Extension.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of cooperative extension programs nationally. 4-H is the youth program of University of Missouri Extension.
“It is a historic year for Extension and 4-H, which is 112 this year. It is exciting that we are trying to track down our own history this year,” said Elliott-Engel.
According to records found in the Newton County MU Extension office, the Extension office opened in August 1914 at the County Courthouse, where the office remained for over 80 years.
“We don’t have records of the many 4-H clubs and especially club leaders that have worked in our many communities. We have records of clubs that currently exist and of recent history, but we don’t have records of clubs that thrived and then disbanded, which is a natural progression, as families grow up or project interests change,” said Elliott-Engel.
For more information you may contact the Newton County MU Extension Center, Smith Hall, Crowder College atnewtonco@missouri.edu or (417) 455-9500.
“We don’t have records of the many 4-H clubs and especially club leaders that have worked in our many communities. We have records of clubs that currently exist and of recent history, but we don’t have records of clubs that thrived and then disbanded, which is a natural progression, as families grow up or project interests change,” said Elliott-Engel.
For more information you may contact the Newton County MU Extension Center, Smith Hall, Crowder College atnewtonco@missouri.edu or (417) 455-9500.
Barton County Route U closed Monday
(From MODOT)
| Barton County Route U |
| CLOSED Monday, March 24 |
Where: Barton County Route U CLOSED between SE 990th and SE 100th Lanes north of Golden City.
When: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday, March 24
What: MoDOT crews replacing a drain pipe underneath the road.
Traffic Impacts: Drivers will have to find an alternate route around the closing. Drivers will be able to get to driveways and other entrances on either side of the closing. However, they will NOT be able to travel through the work zone.
Weather and/or work scheduling conflicts could postpone the project.
|
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Ava woman sentenced to three years in prison for embezzling from law firm
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Ava, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling $212,100 from her employer.
Peggy J. Duncan, 63, of Ava, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to three years and two months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Duncan to pay $212,100 in restitution to her victims.
Duncan was the account manager for the law firm of Carmichael & Neal, P.C. In addition to her other duties, Duncan handled the accounts payable and reconciled bank accounts for multiple corporations operated by Lloyd and Rose Carmichael, including Affordable Homes Development, LLC. During her employment, Duncan and her husband jointly owned Twin Oaks Mill, Inc., a sawmill located in Ava.
On Aug. 29, 2013, Duncan pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. Duncan admitted that she prepared 47 checks totaling $212,100 drawn on the Affordable Homes bank account from September 2006 to February 2009. Each of these checks was made payable to herself or to Twin Oaks Mill. Duncan forged her employer’s name to the checks without his knowledge or permission and deposited the checks into her own bank accounts. Duncan converted these funds to her and her husband’s personal use.
Duncan then entered false information into the Affordable Homes Reconciliation Detail Report which she presented to Lloyd Carmichael each month. The false information entered by Duncan made it appear that each check was written to other parties and was written for an otherwise authorized and legitimate purpose.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Ava, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for embezzling $212,100 from her employer.
Peggy J. Duncan, 63, of Ava, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to three years and two months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Duncan to pay $212,100 in restitution to her victims.
Duncan was the account manager for the law firm of Carmichael & Neal, P.C. In addition to her other duties, Duncan handled the accounts payable and reconciled bank accounts for multiple corporations operated by Lloyd and Rose Carmichael, including Affordable Homes Development, LLC. During her employment, Duncan and her husband jointly owned Twin Oaks Mill, Inc., a sawmill located in Ava.
On Aug. 29, 2013, Duncan pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. Duncan admitted that she prepared 47 checks totaling $212,100 drawn on the Affordable Homes bank account from September 2006 to February 2009. Each of these checks was made payable to herself or to Twin Oaks Mill. Duncan forged her employer’s name to the checks without his knowledge or permission and deposited the checks into her own bank accounts. Duncan converted these funds to her and her husband’s personal use.
Duncan then entered false information into the Affordable Homes Reconciliation Detail Report which she presented to Lloyd Carmichael each month. The false information entered by Duncan made it appear that each check was written to other parties and was written for an otherwise authorized and legitimate purpose.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Nevada area men sentenced in grain fraud scheme
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two men were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a $2 million scheme to defraud Cargill, Inc. by creating fictitious scale tickets for loads of corn that were paid for but never actually delivered to the company’s Butterfield, Mo., feed mill.
Bob True Beisly, III, 40, of Nevada, Mo., and Ronald Bunn,45, of Deerfield, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner. Beisly was sentenced to two years and 11 months in federal prison without parole (to run consecutively to his state criminal cases) and ordered to pay $559,616 in restitution to Cargill. Bunn was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $754,564 in restitution to Cargill. In a separate but related case, Jeffrey Hobbs, 41, of Exeter, Mo., was sentenced on Nov. 21, 2013, to two years and eight months in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $2,334,180 in restitution to Cargill. Each of the three defendants will be held jointly and severally liable for the restitution payments.
Beisly pleaded guilty on Aug. 6, 2013, to one count of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. Bunn pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2013, to two counts of mail fraud. Hobbs pleaded guilty on May 20, 2013, to one count of wire fraud.
Hobbs worked as a scale operator and pellet mill operator at Cargill’s Butterfield feed mill from December 1999 until March 2013. When a delivery truck would arrive at the feed mill, Hobbs was responsible for weighing each truck and its contents. Once the truck was weighed, Hobbs created a scale ticket for the company that delivered the grain, corn or feed. A copy of the scale ticket was sent to Cargill’s headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn., for processing and payment to the trucking company.
Beisly and Bunn approached Hobbs in 2002 about creating fictitious scale tickets for non-delivered loads of corn as a way to make money and ultimately defraud Cargill. Hobbs began creating completely fictitious scale tickets for Beisly and Bunn for the delivery of loads of grain, corn or feed that did not truly exist.
Beisly owned and operated K&B Grain. Beisly obtained contracts with Cargill for the delivery of a set number of grain loads that were supposed to deliver grain, corn or another type of product to the Butterfield feed mill. Beisly admitted that he received numerous fictitious scale tickets from Hobbs for deliveries that were never actually made. Beisly also admitted that at least once a week he received a fictitious scale ticket from Hobbs that claimed he had delivered a shipment of grain to the Butterfield feed mill, when in truth and fact, no such shipment or delivery was made. Shortly after the fictitious scale tickets were created by Hobbs, Beisly received a payment from Cargill.
Bunn owned and operating RB Grain. Bunn was contracted through The Scoular Company to transport shipments of wheat, corn and grain to the Cargill feed mill in Butterfield. Bunn also admitted that he received numerous fictitious scale tickets from Hobbs for deliveries that were never actually made. Once Scoular received a payment from Cargill based on the submission of a fictitious scale ticket, Scoular issued a check to Bunn based on the delivery of wheat, corn or feed that was never delivered.
Hobbs initially received $300 in kickbacks for each “ghost load,” which was later increased to $500 in cash for each “ghost load.”
Cargill officials discovered the fraud when the amount of grain, corn or feed that was being paid for was inconsistent with the amount they actually received. Over a span of nine years, this fraud scheme caused losses to Cargill of approximately $2 million.
These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. They were investigated by the FBI and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two men were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a $2 million scheme to defraud Cargill, Inc. by creating fictitious scale tickets for loads of corn that were paid for but never actually delivered to the company’s Butterfield, Mo., feed mill.
Bob True Beisly, III, 40, of Nevada, Mo., and Ronald Bunn,45, of Deerfield, Mo., were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner. Beisly was sentenced to two years and 11 months in federal prison without parole (to run consecutively to his state criminal cases) and ordered to pay $559,616 in restitution to Cargill. Bunn was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $754,564 in restitution to Cargill. In a separate but related case, Jeffrey Hobbs, 41, of Exeter, Mo., was sentenced on Nov. 21, 2013, to two years and eight months in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $2,334,180 in restitution to Cargill. Each of the three defendants will be held jointly and severally liable for the restitution payments.
Beisly pleaded guilty on Aug. 6, 2013, to one count of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. Bunn pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2013, to two counts of mail fraud. Hobbs pleaded guilty on May 20, 2013, to one count of wire fraud.
Hobbs worked as a scale operator and pellet mill operator at Cargill’s Butterfield feed mill from December 1999 until March 2013. When a delivery truck would arrive at the feed mill, Hobbs was responsible for weighing each truck and its contents. Once the truck was weighed, Hobbs created a scale ticket for the company that delivered the grain, corn or feed. A copy of the scale ticket was sent to Cargill’s headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn., for processing and payment to the trucking company.
Beisly and Bunn approached Hobbs in 2002 about creating fictitious scale tickets for non-delivered loads of corn as a way to make money and ultimately defraud Cargill. Hobbs began creating completely fictitious scale tickets for Beisly and Bunn for the delivery of loads of grain, corn or feed that did not truly exist.
Beisly owned and operated K&B Grain. Beisly obtained contracts with Cargill for the delivery of a set number of grain loads that were supposed to deliver grain, corn or another type of product to the Butterfield feed mill. Beisly admitted that he received numerous fictitious scale tickets from Hobbs for deliveries that were never actually made. Beisly also admitted that at least once a week he received a fictitious scale ticket from Hobbs that claimed he had delivered a shipment of grain to the Butterfield feed mill, when in truth and fact, no such shipment or delivery was made. Shortly after the fictitious scale tickets were created by Hobbs, Beisly received a payment from Cargill.
Bunn owned and operating RB Grain. Bunn was contracted through The Scoular Company to transport shipments of wheat, corn and grain to the Cargill feed mill in Butterfield. Bunn also admitted that he received numerous fictitious scale tickets from Hobbs for deliveries that were never actually made. Once Scoular received a payment from Cargill based on the submission of a fictitious scale ticket, Scoular issued a check to Bunn based on the delivery of wheat, corn or feed that was never delivered.
Hobbs initially received $300 in kickbacks for each “ghost load,” which was later increased to $500 in cash for each “ghost load.”
Cargill officials discovered the fraud when the amount of grain, corn or feed that was being paid for was inconsistent with the amount they actually received. Over a span of nine years, this fraud scheme caused losses to Cargill of approximately $2 million.
These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. They were investigated by the FBI and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Woman pleads guilty to embezzling $300,000 from Branson company
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Galena, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to embezzling more than $300,000 from her employer.
Sarah N. Underwood,35, of Galena, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to wire fraud, money laundering and failure to file a tax return.
According to today’s plea agreement, Underwood worked as the community manager for Fall Creek Condominium in Branson, Mo., from Jan. 15, 2007, until she was fired on Sept. 7, 2012, when her theft was discovered. Fall Creek and its owners association has 639 condominiums owned by individuals and under its association. Among other duties, Underwood was responsible for the book-keeping and financial affairs of Fall Creek, and was an authorized signatory on the checking accounts.
By pleading guilty today, Underwood admitted that she conducted numerous unauthorized electronic bank transfers and wrote $311,280 in unauthorized checks from the bank accounts of the Fall Creek Condominium Owner’s Association. Underwood deposited these checks into her bank accounts and spent the money on personal expenses and purchases.
For example, Underwood admitted that she spent $76,287 to purchase a Shelby Mustang, used $25,505 to purchase a condominium at Fall Creek and received two paychecks every two weeks from Fall Creek.
Underwood used a cashier’s check written on her employer’s bank account to purchase a 2012 Ford F350 Super Duty 4X4 Crew Cab Truck for $56,169. The truck was registered to Mstrmind Enterprises, a company owned by her and her boyfriend, which performed construction and rehabilitation work at Fall Creek. Underwood was responsible for running the business affairs of Mstrmind, while her boyfriend, who was also employed by Fall Creek, was the project manager and responsible for the actual construction or rehabilitation project. The embezzlement scheme included an $80,000 check written to Mstrmind that was purportedly payment for work performed, but Underwood could not justify the payment.
Underwood also admitted that she failed to file federal tax returns for 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Under federal statutes, Underwood is subject to a sentence of up to 31 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $525,000 and an order of restitution. 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 FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Galena, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to embezzling more than $300,000 from her employer.
Sarah N. Underwood,35, of Galena, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to wire fraud, money laundering and failure to file a tax return.
According to today’s plea agreement, Underwood worked as the community manager for Fall Creek Condominium in Branson, Mo., from Jan. 15, 2007, until she was fired on Sept. 7, 2012, when her theft was discovered. Fall Creek and its owners association has 639 condominiums owned by individuals and under its association. Among other duties, Underwood was responsible for the book-keeping and financial affairs of Fall Creek, and was an authorized signatory on the checking accounts.
By pleading guilty today, Underwood admitted that she conducted numerous unauthorized electronic bank transfers and wrote $311,280 in unauthorized checks from the bank accounts of the Fall Creek Condominium Owner’s Association. Underwood deposited these checks into her bank accounts and spent the money on personal expenses and purchases.
For example, Underwood admitted that she spent $76,287 to purchase a Shelby Mustang, used $25,505 to purchase a condominium at Fall Creek and received two paychecks every two weeks from Fall Creek.
Underwood used a cashier’s check written on her employer’s bank account to purchase a 2012 Ford F350 Super Duty 4X4 Crew Cab Truck for $56,169. The truck was registered to Mstrmind Enterprises, a company owned by her and her boyfriend, which performed construction and rehabilitation work at Fall Creek. Underwood was responsible for running the business affairs of Mstrmind, while her boyfriend, who was also employed by Fall Creek, was the project manager and responsible for the actual construction or rehabilitation project. The embezzlement scheme included an $80,000 check written to Mstrmind that was purportedly payment for work performed, but Underwood could not justify the payment.
Underwood also admitted that she failed to file federal tax returns for 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Under federal statutes, Underwood is subject to a sentence of up to 31 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $525,000 and an order of restitution. 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 FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
McDonald County Route MM closed Tuesday
(From MODOT)
| McDonald County Route MM |
| CLOSED Tuesday, March 18 |
Where: McDonald County Route MM between Holly Road and Rogers Road near Southwest City.
When: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 18
What: MoDOT crews replacing drain pipes underneath the road.
Traffic Impacts: Drivers will have to find an alternate route around the closing. Drivers will be able to get to driveways and other entrances on either side of the closing. However, they will NOT be able to travel through the work zone.
Weather and/or work scheduling conflicts could postpone the project.
For more information, call MoDOT at 417-895-7600 or visit modot.org/southwest.
|
Sunday, March 16, 2014
State senator pays tribute to the late Fred Lemons
Our region lost Fred Lemons, a great man who understood the importance of supporting his community. In 1998, Fred started the Lockwood Community Foundation and created the Lockwood School Foundation and the Lockwood Chamber of Commerce.
As mentioned in a moving article by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks about Fred’s legacy recently featured in the Springfield News-Leader, “The tragedy is not in Fred’s passing—as was noted as his funeral, Fred and life did not cheat each other—but that the world desperately needs more people like Fred Lemons, not fewer. He was a giant of his community—a leader, a rallying point, and a reasonable voice—the kind of man more towns desperately need if they are to thrive in the future.”
We all mourn Fred’s passing. My deepest condolences to his friends and family.
Strong winds, snow headed for Springfield/Branson area
(From the National Weather Service)
STRONG WINDS AND SNOW EXPECTED FOR SUNDAY... .A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL STRENGTHEN ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLAINS LATE TONIGHT AND THEN TRACK EAST ACROSS THE ARKLATEX REGION ON SUNDAY. AS THIS OCCURS...A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP SOUTH THROUGH THE AREA FROM LATE TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING. RAIN WILL CHANGE TO SNOW BEHIND THIS FRONT WITH STRONG AND GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS DEVELOPING. SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 4 INCHES ARE EXPECTED...WITH THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS OCCURRING ALONG THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF THE OZARK PLATEAU ACROSS THE EASTERN OZARKS. LOCALIZED AMOUNTS BETWEEN 4 AND 5 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE IN DENT AND NORTHERN SHANNON COUNTIES. MOST OF THE ACCUMULATION WILL OCCUR ON GRASSY SURFACES...HOWEVER ROADWAYS WILL LIKELY BE IMPACTED WHERE HEAVIER SNOW FALLS. ADDITIONALLY...THE STRONG WINDS AND FALLING SNOW WILL REDUCED VISIBILITIES TO A HALF MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. MOZ058-070-071-079>083-090>092-095>098-104-105-161000- /O.NEW.KSGF.WW.Y.0009.140316T1200Z-140317T0000Z/ MARIES-PULASKI-PHELPS-POLK-DALLAS-LACLEDE-TEXAS-DENT-GREENE- WEBSTER-WRIGHT-CHRISTIAN-DOUGLAS-HOWELL-SHANNON-TANEY-OZARK- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VIENNA...FORT LEONARD WOOD... WAYNESVILLE...ROLLA...BOLIVAR...BUFFALO...LEBANON...HOUSTON... CABOOL...SALEM...SPRINGFIELD...MARSHFIELD...ROGERSVILLE... MOUNTAIN GROVE...MANSFIELD...NIXA...OZARK...AVA...WEST PLAINS... WINONA...EMINENCE...BRANSON...FORSYTH...GAINESVILLE...THEODOSIA 353 PM CDT SAT MAR 15 2014 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM CDT SUNDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPRINGFIELD HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM CDT SUNDAY. * TIMING AND AREAS AFFECTED...AREAS GENERALLY ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE INTERSTATE 44 CORRIDOR AND ALONG AND EAST OF THE HIGHWAY 65 CORRIDOR ON SUNDAY. * SNOW ACCUMULATIONS... 1 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED...WITH THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS OCCURRING ALONG THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF THE OZARK PLATEAU ACROSS THE EASTERN OZARKS. LOCALIZED AMOUNTS BETWEEN 4 AND 5 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE IN DENT AND NORTHERN SHANNON COUNTIES. MOST OF THE ACCUMULATION WILL OCCUR ON GRASSY SURFACES...HOWEVER ROADWAYS WILL LIKELY BE IMPACTED WHERE HEAVIER SNOW FALLS. * WINDS AND VISIBILITY...SUSTAINED NORTH WINDS OF 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED. THIS WIND ALONG WITH THE FALLING SNOW WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES DOWN TO A HALF MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. * IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WILL MAKE TRAVEL DIFFICULT ON SUNDAY DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITIES ALONG WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SNOW COVERED ROADWAYS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT VISIBILITIES WILL BE LIMITED DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW. USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Springfield woman pleads guilty to assaulting federal agent with her car
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to assaulting a federal agent with her car while he was attempting to apprehend her boyfriend during a foot chase.
Alisha Johnson, 32, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to the charge contained in a Dec. 17, 2013, federal indictment. Johnson remains in federal custody.
On July 25, 2013, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agents were attempting to apprehend Francisco Sosa-Lopez for immigration violations. When Sosa-Lopez saw the approaching agents, he fled the area on foot. While the agents were pursuing Sosa-Lopez, Alisha Johnson arrived in her vehicle and attempted to pick up Sosa-Lopez.
As Sosa-Lopez attempted to get in the vehicle, Johnson shouted derogatory comments at the pursuing agents, indicating that she was aware of the agents’ intent to apprehend Sosa-Lopez. Agents continued the pursuit and ordered Sosa-Lopez to not enter the vehicle. Sosa-Lopez ignored the agents’ directives and continued to try to enter the rolling vehicle. As one of the agents approached Sosa-Lopez, Johnson drove her vehicle over the curb and into the agent, striking the agent on the left leg. Sosa-Lopez entered the vehicle and fled from the scene; he remains a fugitive from justice. Johnson voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement shortly after the incident.
As result of being struck by the vehicle, the federal agent suffered significant damage to his knee. Two surgeries were later performed on his knee.
Under federal statutes, Johnson is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. 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 James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Nixon brings Good Schools, Good Jobs plan to Marshfield
(From Gov. Jay Nixon)
Missouri was the number one state in technology job growth in the nation last year, and good schools are vital to building on this momentum, Gov. Jay Nixon said today during a visit to Marshfield High School in Webster County. Gov. Nixon discussed his “Good Schools, Good Jobs” plan which will provide the resources to help the Marshfield School District expand access to technology in the classroom and fully fund the state’s K-12 foundation formula by Fiscal Year 2016.
“Attracting good jobs to Missouri starts with investing in good schools like the ones here in Marshfield,” Gov. Nixon said. “Missouri had the fastest technology job growth in the nation last year. To prepare our graduates for careers in next-generation jobs like these, we must make sure our schools have the resources they need. That’s why my ‘Good Schools, Good Jobs’ plan makes a real investment in our students, our schools and our future.”
Gov. Nixon’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal includes his “Good Schools, Good Jobs” plan, which is an increase of $278 million for K-12 classrooms, putting the state on a path to fully funding the foundation formula in two years. The K-12 foundation formula, passed into law in 2005, establishes the state’s funding level for K-12 schools.
“As our economy continues to pick up steam, the best way to build on this momentum is to invest in our students and schools. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees. Even though Missouri already has the 6th lowest taxes in the nation, some folks want to cut taxes in a way that would make it impossible to provide schools like this one with the resources they need,”Gov. Nixon said. “That’s the wrong approach, so I will continue to work each and every day to make sure we’re getting dollars into the classroom and keeping our promise of a quality education to every Missouri child.”
Gov. Nixon’s Fiscal Year 2015 “Good Schools, Good Jobs” budget proposal would also increase funding for Marshfield schools by more than $1.1 million which the district will use to recruit and retain quality teachers, and bring the 1:1 technology program to the high school.
“In Marshfield we have outstanding educators and support staff throughout the district. Investing in these professionals will allow us to continue to offer a quality education to every child,” said Dr. Mark Mayo, Marshfield Superintendent. “Gov. Nixon’s Good Schools, Good Jobs proposal provides significant new funding for public schools which would help us continue to invest in quality educators, and, in addition, will also bring more technology to the high school thereby giving students hands-on learning experiences to prepare them for college and beyond.”
Missouri was the fastest-growing state for technology employment in 2013, according to new analysis by Dice.com of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Missouri gained 2,700 tech positions in 2013, an increase of 8.4 percent, in the category of Professional and Business Services, Computer Systems design and Related Services.
Gov. Nixon has made public education in Missouri a top priority of his administration. Math and reading scores have increased on his watch and Missouri’s high school graduation rate is now the eighth highest in the nation. Over the past five years, Missouri has also led the nation in minimizing tuition increases at its public universities.
Portion of Barton County Route V to be closed Tuesday
(From MODOT)
Barton County Route V
CLOSED Tuesday, March 18
MoDOT Traffic Alert:
Barton County Route V
CLOSED Tuesday, March 18
Where: Barton County Route V between Route FF and Route W west of Irwin.
When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 18
What: MoDOT crews replacing a drain pipe underneath the road.
Traffic Impacts: Drivers will have to find an alternate route around the closing. Drivers will be able to get to driveways and other entrances on either side of the closing. However, they will NOT be able to travel through the work zone.
Weather and/or work scheduling conflicts could postpone the project.
Barton County Route V
CLOSED Tuesday, March 18
MoDOT Traffic Alert:
Barton County Route V
CLOSED Tuesday, March 18
Where: Barton County Route V between Route FF and Route W west of Irwin.
When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 18
What: MoDOT crews replacing a drain pipe underneath the road.
Traffic Impacts: Drivers will have to find an alternate route around the closing. Drivers will be able to get to driveways and other entrances on either side of the closing. However, they will NOT be able to travel through the work zone.
Weather and/or work scheduling conflicts could postpone the project.
McDonald County Route MM closed Wednesday
(From MODOT)
| McDonald County Route MM |
| CLOSED Wednesday, March 19 |
MoDOT Traffic Alert:
McDonald County Route MM
CLOSED Wednesday, March 19
Where: McDonald County Route MM south of Route 90 near Southwest City.
When: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 19
What: MoDOT crews replacing a drain pipe underneath the road.
Traffic Impacts: Drivers will have to find an alternate route around the closing. Drivers will be able to get to driveways and other entrances on either side of the closing. However, they will NOT be able to travel through the work zone.
Weather and/or work scheduling conflicts could postpone the project.
|
Eleven-year-old killed in accident near Anderson
An 11-year-old boy was killed in a one-car accident at 7:49 a.m. today on Route NN, one mile east of Anderson.
According to the Missouri Highway Patrol report, the accident occurred when a 2004 Ford F-150 driven by Barbara S. Schuller, 63, Anderson, ran off the right side of the road, stuck a ditch, and overturned.
A passenger in the vehicle, Aaron Schuller, 11, was taken by helicopter to Freeman West, where he was pronounced dead at 9 a.m.
Ms. Schuller was also taken by helicoper to Freeman West with serious injuries. Suffering minor injuries and treated at Freeman were two other passengers in the vehicle, Kya Baisch, 9, Anderson, and Nolan Baisch, 12, Anderson.
According to the Missouri Highway Patrol report, the accident occurred when a 2004 Ford F-150 driven by Barbara S. Schuller, 63, Anderson, ran off the right side of the road, stuck a ditch, and overturned.
A passenger in the vehicle, Aaron Schuller, 11, was taken by helicopter to Freeman West, where he was pronounced dead at 9 a.m.
Ms. Schuller was also taken by helicoper to Freeman West with serious injuries. Suffering minor injuries and treated at Freeman were two other passengers in the vehicle, Kya Baisch, 9, Anderson, and Nolan Baisch, 12, Anderson.
Contract for Sarcoxie license fee office awarded
(From the Missouri Department of Revenue)
The Office of Administration, in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Revenue, has awarded the management contract for the Sarcoxie License Office to the City of Sarcoxie. All license office contracts in Missouri are awarded through a competitive bid process.
The City of Sarcoxie has been the contractor of the Sarcoxie License Office since 2007. The Sarcoxie License Office will remain at its current location at 111 N. 6th St.
In fiscal year 2013, more than 9,000 transactions were conducted at the Sarcoxie office, generating $30,585 in agent processing fees.
The Office of Administration, in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Revenue, has awarded the management contract for the Sarcoxie License Office to the City of Sarcoxie. All license office contracts in Missouri are awarded through a competitive bid process.
The City of Sarcoxie has been the contractor of the Sarcoxie License Office since 2007. The Sarcoxie License Office will remain at its current location at 111 N. 6th St.
In fiscal year 2013, more than 9,000 transactions were conducted at the Sarcoxie office, generating $30,585 in agent processing fees.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Neosho license fee office up for bid
(From the Missouri Department of Revenue)
The Missouri Office of Administration is now accepting management contract bids for the Neosho License Office. Interested individuals and groups must submit their bids to operate the Neosho License Office by April 4.
A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) bidders are required to use to develop their bids can be viewedhere. Prospective bidders may also tour the Neosho office from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., March 20 to gain perspective on how a license office is operated.
In fiscal year 2013, nearly 67,000 transactions were conducted at the Neosho office, generating approximately $221,000 in agent processing fees.
The Missouri Department of Revenue oversees 182 license offices which are each operated by independent agents. All of the license offices were put out for bid under the competitive procurement process in 2009. Contracts were awarded for one year with three one-year renewal options. The move toward a competitive procurement process of the license offices overhauled the way local motor vehicle and driver license offices are awarded and was one of the first actions of Gov. Jay Nixon's administration.
Bids will be evaluated on areas such as expertise of the personnel proposed, methods proposed for performing the services and whether the individual or entity is a not-for-profit, political subdivision, a Missouri Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) or a Missouri Service-Disabled Veteran Enterprise.
The Missouri Office of Administration is now accepting management contract bids for the Neosho License Office. Interested individuals and groups must submit their bids to operate the Neosho License Office by April 4.
A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) bidders are required to use to develop their bids can be viewedhere. Prospective bidders may also tour the Neosho office from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., March 20 to gain perspective on how a license office is operated.
In fiscal year 2013, nearly 67,000 transactions were conducted at the Neosho office, generating approximately $221,000 in agent processing fees.
The Missouri Department of Revenue oversees 182 license offices which are each operated by independent agents. All of the license offices were put out for bid under the competitive procurement process in 2009. Contracts were awarded for one year with three one-year renewal options. The move toward a competitive procurement process of the license offices overhauled the way local motor vehicle and driver license offices are awarded and was one of the first actions of Gov. Jay Nixon's administration.
Bids will be evaluated on areas such as expertise of the personnel proposed, methods proposed for performing the services and whether the individual or entity is a not-for-profit, political subdivision, a Missouri Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) or a Missouri Service-Disabled Veteran Enterprise.
Springfield lawyer accused of making lewd comments, showing photographs of naked women
The Missouri Supreme Court has scheduled a disciplinary hearing Wednesday for a Springfield attorney who allegedly made lewd comments to a client and showed her pictures of naked women.
The brief filed by the chief disciplinary counsel against Darryl Johnson Jr. includes the following passage:
During the meeting, Respondent showed Danels photographs of naked women and made crude comments to Danels regarding his sexual preferences. According to Danels, Respondent explained as follows:
“He mentioned the fact that it helped in the cases, that they were taken of, they were like from the internet. He told me if I had any internet pictures, if I could get any pictures of my soon-to-be-ex-husband and I together, that it would help my case, sexually together, it would help my case.”
Respondent also showed Danels an autographed picture of a naked stripper that he had been given while at a strip club. The picture was signed “To Darryl.”
Respondent admits showing Danels photographs of naked women and described the conduct as a “common practice” that he utilizes so that his clients will know what to expect during the course of a dissolution proceeding.
Respondent denies making any lewd statements to Danels and denies ever showing her a
photograph of a stripper.
The following description is taken from the Missouri Supreme Court website:
A client who hired Springfield attorney Darryl Johnson Jr. to represent her in a case to dissolve her marriage later filed a complaint with the chief disciplinary counsel’s office, alleging Johnson made lewd comments, showed her photographs of naked women and did not obtain a satisfactory ruling. Another client filed a complaint alleging Johnson failed to file timely motions in a custody case and failed to notify him when the matter was set for hearing. A prospective client filed a complaint alleging that, at the time he scheduled an appointment with Johnson about representing him in a marriage dissolution case, Johnson’s staff failed to check for conflicts of interest, which would have revealed Johnson was already representing the prospective client’s wife. When the prospective client appeared for his appointment and staff learned who he was, they served him with his wife’s dissolution petition in the waiting room. A disciplinary hearing panel investigated the client complaints as well as Johnson’s trust account following an overdraft. The panel determined that Johnson had placed advance fee payments into his operating account instead of his trust account on several occasions and wrote checks from the operating account without regard as to whether they were from the appropriate client funds. The chief disciplinary counsel asks this Court to discipline Johnson’s law license.
The disciplinary counsel argues Johnson violated several rules of professional conduct and should be disciplined. Counsel contends, as to the first client, that Johnson violated Rule 4-1.7(a)(2), regarding conflicts, because having a sexual interest in his client could create a conflict of interest. Counsel asserts Johnson violated Rule 4-1.15(c) by commingling client funds with personal funds. Counsel argues Johnson violated Rules 4-1.1 and 4-1.3 by failing to represent his client competently and diligently by filing timely motions and communicating regarding the pending matter. Counsel claims Johnson violated Rules 4-5.3 and 4-8.4(a) by permitting his staff to use information from a prospective client against the prospective client. Counsel asserts that suspension is the appropriate sanction based on standards of the American Bar Association and because this Court previously has suspended attorneys who have engaged in misconduct similar to that present in this case.
Johnson responds he should not be disciplined for his conduct. He argues that he did not have a sexual interest in the first client and only showed her nude photographs as an example of what evidence can be presented in a marriage dissolution case. Johnson concedes he deposited advance fee payments into his operating account and commingled funds but denies that he misappropriated funds. He contends he provided clients with monthly statements identifying their balances. Johnson concedes that he failed to represent the second client diligently by not filing a response properly or by the due date. He asserts that he did not permit his staff to serve papers on a prospective client in his waiting room and that he did not have knowledge of their actions. Johnson argues an appropriate sanction would be admonishment or reprimand.
The brief filed by the chief disciplinary counsel against Darryl Johnson Jr. includes the following passage:
During the meeting, Respondent showed Danels photographs of naked women and made crude comments to Danels regarding his sexual preferences. According to Danels, Respondent explained as follows:
“He mentioned the fact that it helped in the cases, that they were taken of, they were like from the internet. He told me if I had any internet pictures, if I could get any pictures of my soon-to-be-ex-husband and I together, that it would help my case, sexually together, it would help my case.”
Respondent also showed Danels an autographed picture of a naked stripper that he had been given while at a strip club. The picture was signed “To Darryl.”
Respondent admits showing Danels photographs of naked women and described the conduct as a “common practice” that he utilizes so that his clients will know what to expect during the course of a dissolution proceeding.
Respondent denies making any lewd statements to Danels and denies ever showing her a
photograph of a stripper.
The following description is taken from the Missouri Supreme Court website:
A client who hired Springfield attorney Darryl Johnson Jr. to represent her in a case to dissolve her marriage later filed a complaint with the chief disciplinary counsel’s office, alleging Johnson made lewd comments, showed her photographs of naked women and did not obtain a satisfactory ruling. Another client filed a complaint alleging Johnson failed to file timely motions in a custody case and failed to notify him when the matter was set for hearing. A prospective client filed a complaint alleging that, at the time he scheduled an appointment with Johnson about representing him in a marriage dissolution case, Johnson’s staff failed to check for conflicts of interest, which would have revealed Johnson was already representing the prospective client’s wife. When the prospective client appeared for his appointment and staff learned who he was, they served him with his wife’s dissolution petition in the waiting room. A disciplinary hearing panel investigated the client complaints as well as Johnson’s trust account following an overdraft. The panel determined that Johnson had placed advance fee payments into his operating account instead of his trust account on several occasions and wrote checks from the operating account without regard as to whether they were from the appropriate client funds. The chief disciplinary counsel asks this Court to discipline Johnson’s law license.
The disciplinary counsel argues Johnson violated several rules of professional conduct and should be disciplined. Counsel contends, as to the first client, that Johnson violated Rule 4-1.7(a)(2), regarding conflicts, because having a sexual interest in his client could create a conflict of interest. Counsel asserts Johnson violated Rule 4-1.15(c) by commingling client funds with personal funds. Counsel argues Johnson violated Rules 4-1.1 and 4-1.3 by failing to represent his client competently and diligently by filing timely motions and communicating regarding the pending matter. Counsel claims Johnson violated Rules 4-5.3 and 4-8.4(a) by permitting his staff to use information from a prospective client against the prospective client. Counsel asserts that suspension is the appropriate sanction based on standards of the American Bar Association and because this Court previously has suspended attorneys who have engaged in misconduct similar to that present in this case.
Johnson responds he should not be disciplined for his conduct. He argues that he did not have a sexual interest in the first client and only showed her nude photographs as an example of what evidence can be presented in a marriage dissolution case. Johnson concedes he deposited advance fee payments into his operating account and commingled funds but denies that he misappropriated funds. He contends he provided clients with monthly statements identifying their balances. Johnson concedes that he failed to represent the second client diligently by not filing a response properly or by the due date. He asserts that he did not permit his staff to serve papers on a prospective client in his waiting room and that he did not have knowledge of their actions. Johnson argues an appropriate sanction would be admonishment or reprimand.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Attorney General sues Branson, St. Louis travel clubs for fraud
(From Attorney General Chris Koster)
Attorney General Chris Koster announced today he has sued two travel-club companies for deceiving consumers about the benefits of memberships.
In one suit, Koster sued Anytime Vacations in Taney County Circuit Court. Koster's suit alleges that Anytime Vacations promised consumers discounts on airfare, hotel accommodations, cruises, and other travel benefits for joining its travel club and paying fees of hundreds and even thousands of dollars. After joining, however, consumers found the "discounts" were nonexistent, and that they could get better deals going through standard, free services such as Travelocity and Orbitz.
Koster said his office received 50 complaints against Anytime Vacations, alleging that consumers paid fees to the companies totaling more than $140,000. In one case, a consumer paid $6,995 to join the club. Anytime Vacations refused to cancel the consumer's contract and refund his money after he discovered it cost more to book a flight through Anytime Vacations than through routine travel websites.
In the second suit, Koster also sued Red Rock Travel, LLC, doing business in Missouri as Endless Travel Vacations, and its owners, Jack Keefe and Sherri Wolff, in St. Louis County Circuit Court for the same type of fraudulent business practices.
Koster said his office received five complaints about Endless Travel Vacations, totaling $19,000 in fees paid.
Both lawsuits also allege that the companies violated Missouri law by failing to register with the state or provide proof of sufficient reserve funds to provide the services they promised. In addition, the travel-club companies told consumers they had just three days to cancel contracts, when consumers legally had three years to cancel because the clubs were unregistered.
"Some travel clubs use high-pressure tactics to make it difficult for consumers to say 'no', and then put up roadblocks for consumers to cancel," Koster said. "My office will pursue travel-club businesses that cheat Missouri consumers and violate our state's laws."
Koster is seeking restitution for consumers, as well as civil penalties and the costs of the investigation and prosecution.
Koster said that before signing a contract, consumers can check with his Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 to determine whether there are complaints filed against the travel club, if the travel club is registered in Missouri, and if it has demonstrated the financial ability to provide the discounted benefits they are offering.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
Neosho man pleads guilty to stealing $4.9 million from Joplin firm
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Neosho, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing more than $4.9 million from his employer.
David VanWinkle, 60, of Neosho, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to wire fraud, money laundering and failure to pay taxes.
VanWinkle was the comptroller for Frontier Leasing Incorporated (FLI) in Joplin, Mo. By pleading guilty today, VanWinkle admitted that he stole $4,911,621 from FLI between June 2008 and December 2013, which he spent on personal expenses and gambling.
Based on a report from a financial institution, federal agents began investigating unusual deposits VanWinkle made into his business accounts for two businesses, VanWinkle Accounting and VanWinkle Farms.
VanWinkle, acting as the comptroller for FLI, received payments from FLI’s customers in the form of checks. VanWinkle deposited some of those checks into FLI’s legitimate business accounts, but deposited other checks into another checking account under the name of FLI that VanWinkle had opened at another bank. VanWinkle was the sole person on this secret account; no one else was aware that FLI had the account and VanWinkle was not authorized to open an account or deposit any of FLI’s customer payment checks into the account.
VanWinkle admitted that he withdrew money from the secret bank account to deposit into his business accounts. The embezzled money was then spent on VanWinkle’s personal and gambling expenses.
According to the indictment, VanWinkle failed to report the embezzled funds from FLI on his personal income tax returns he filed with the Internal Revenue Service for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. VanWinkle did not file income tax returns for the years 2011 and 2012, the indictment says, and therefore did not report the embezzled funds during these years, either.
In addition, VanWinkle was responsible for collecting payroll taxes for FLI and paying over those payroll taxes to the IRS. VanWinkle withheld those taxes but failed to turn them over to the IRS. VanWinkle admitted that he collected, but failed to pay over, a total of $435,896 in federal tax, Social Security and FICA withheld from FLI employees’ paychecks.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, VanWinkle must forfeit to the government $4,911,621, a 2013 Holland tractor, a 2007 Hummer H3, a 2012 John Deere no-till seed drill, and $28,086 that was seized from various bank accounts.
Under federal statutes, VanWinkle is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $750,000. 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 FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Neosho, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing more than $4.9 million from his employer.
David VanWinkle, 60, of Neosho, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to wire fraud, money laundering and failure to pay taxes.
VanWinkle was the comptroller for Frontier Leasing Incorporated (FLI) in Joplin, Mo. By pleading guilty today, VanWinkle admitted that he stole $4,911,621 from FLI between June 2008 and December 2013, which he spent on personal expenses and gambling.
Based on a report from a financial institution, federal agents began investigating unusual deposits VanWinkle made into his business accounts for two businesses, VanWinkle Accounting and VanWinkle Farms.
VanWinkle, acting as the comptroller for FLI, received payments from FLI’s customers in the form of checks. VanWinkle deposited some of those checks into FLI’s legitimate business accounts, but deposited other checks into another checking account under the name of FLI that VanWinkle had opened at another bank. VanWinkle was the sole person on this secret account; no one else was aware that FLI had the account and VanWinkle was not authorized to open an account or deposit any of FLI’s customer payment checks into the account.
VanWinkle admitted that he withdrew money from the secret bank account to deposit into his business accounts. The embezzled money was then spent on VanWinkle’s personal and gambling expenses.
According to the indictment, VanWinkle failed to report the embezzled funds from FLI on his personal income tax returns he filed with the Internal Revenue Service for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. VanWinkle did not file income tax returns for the years 2011 and 2012, the indictment says, and therefore did not report the embezzled funds during these years, either.
In addition, VanWinkle was responsible for collecting payroll taxes for FLI and paying over those payroll taxes to the IRS. VanWinkle withheld those taxes but failed to turn them over to the IRS. VanWinkle admitted that he collected, but failed to pay over, a total of $435,896 in federal tax, Social Security and FICA withheld from FLI employees’ paychecks.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, VanWinkle must forfeit to the government $4,911,621, a 2013 Holland tractor, a 2007 Hummer H3, a 2012 John Deere no-till seed drill, and $28,086 that was seized from various bank accounts.
Under federal statutes, VanWinkle is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $750,000. 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 FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Cassville man faces child porn charges; authorities find homemade porn with infant
(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Cassville, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
Matthew Casas, 25, of Cassville, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo. Casas remains in federal custody.
According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s federal criminal complaint, a business in Monett, Mo., contacted the local police department when a customer who rented a smart TV notified them he discovered child pornography stored on the device’s memory. Law enforcement officers reviewed the images on the set, which were created by a digital camera and appeared to be homemade pictures of an adult male performing sexual acts on a female no older than 12 to 18 months. It did not appear the images had been obtained from the Internet.
In February 2014, officers received several cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a person was posting images of child pornography to online social media accounts. All of the images depicted children, from infancy to 10 years old, engaged in sexual poses or involved in sexual acts with an adult or each other. Several of the images from the TV were identical, or depicted other sex acts between the infant and adult male, with the images posted online. There were many more images posted online, including numerous images know to be commercially available and actively traded among child pornography collectors and viewers.
Investigators learned that those images were posted from a computer at Casas’s residence. Officers executed a search warrant at the residence on Feb. 28, 2014.
Dickinson cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Monett, Mo., Police Department, the Cassville, Mo., Police Department and the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Cassville, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
Matthew Casas, 25, of Cassville, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo. Casas remains in federal custody.
According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s federal criminal complaint, a business in Monett, Mo., contacted the local police department when a customer who rented a smart TV notified them he discovered child pornography stored on the device’s memory. Law enforcement officers reviewed the images on the set, which were created by a digital camera and appeared to be homemade pictures of an adult male performing sexual acts on a female no older than 12 to 18 months. It did not appear the images had been obtained from the Internet.
In February 2014, officers received several cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a person was posting images of child pornography to online social media accounts. All of the images depicted children, from infancy to 10 years old, engaged in sexual poses or involved in sexual acts with an adult or each other. Several of the images from the TV were identical, or depicted other sex acts between the infant and adult male, with the images posted online. There were many more images posted online, including numerous images know to be commercially available and actively traded among child pornography collectors and viewers.
Investigators learned that those images were posted from a computer at Casas’s residence. Officers executed a search warrant at the residence on Feb. 28, 2014.
Dickinson cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Monett, Mo., Police Department, the Cassville, Mo., Police Department and the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Affordable Care Act meeting scheduled in Neosho
(From University of Missouri Extension)
University of Missouri Extension programs focus on the high-priority needs of Missourians. Each county extension center, with oversight by locally elected and appointed citizens, is your local link to practical education on almost anything. More information is available online at http://extension.missouri.edu.
Do you have questions about the Affordable Care Act? Are you wondering how the Affordable Care Act will affect you and your community? If so, make plans to attend an informational session about the new health care law that can help families, individuals and businesses understand their options and responsibilities.
University of Missouri Extension, in partnership with Freeman Health System and Mercy Hospital of Joplin, will host, “Affordable Care Act: What Individuals Need to Know.” The program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., March 11 in the Newton County University of Missouri Extension Center, Smith Hall, Crowder College campus, 601 Laclede, Neosho.
The session is free and open to the public. It is part of MU Extension’s Health Insurance Education Initiative.
“The Health Insurance Education Initiative will help Show-Me State citizens understand their health insurance options and learn how to get help in their own communities if they choose to enroll in Missouri’s health insurance marketplace,” said Brenda Procter, associate professor of consumer and family economics for MU Extension.
A new website, at http://extension.missouri.edu/insure, provides educational materials and links to information. There is a map of Missouri educators who can provide local workshops and a calendar where you can learn about upcoming events near you.
“The website is a one-stop source for factual, unbiased information about the changes in health insurance that are required by the new law,” Procter said.
“The Health Insurance Education Initiative will help Show-Me State citizens understand their health insurance options and learn how to get help in their own communities if they choose to enroll in Missouri’s health insurance marketplace,” said Brenda Procter, associate professor of consumer and family economics for MU Extension.
A new website, at http://extension.missouri.edu/insure, provides educational materials and links to information. There is a map of Missouri educators who can provide local workshops and a calendar where you can learn about upcoming events near you.
“The website is a one-stop source for factual, unbiased information about the changes in health insurance that are required by the new law,” Procter said.
MU Extension’s Health Insurance Education Initiative website will also provide resources for the state’s small businesses, including information about tax credits for offering insurance to employees and explanations of rules that might affect their bottom line, she said.
For more information, contact the Newton County Extension Center at (417) 455-9500.
University of Missouri Extension programs focus on the high-priority needs of Missourians. Each county extension center, with oversight by locally elected and appointed citizens, is your local link to practical education on almost anything. More information is available online at http://extension.missouri.edu.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
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