East Newton superintendent: No tax increase means just that

(From East Newton Superintendent Todd McCrackin)

Patrons of the East Newton School District,

There is a rule about bond issues that has been around for a long time. The 25-50-25 rule. Twenty-five (25) percent of the patrons will vote in favor of an issue without knowing what the issue is about. Fifty (50) percent of the patrons need more information to make up their minds on how to vote. Finally, there are twenty-five (25) percent of the patrons that would not vote to approve anything, no matter what the issue was about. Supporters have to then try to educate the fifty percent that need more information.

So, this letter is definitely not intended for the twenty-five percent that are “no voters”, even if the issue would not raise taxes. These folks just do not want to help any school, student, or staff. “No voters” come up with any excuse possible to say no. They even make up or twist facts about schools to try and prove points for voting no on an issue. What are their excuses? The school district wastes money, the school district spends too much on athletics; the performance of our district is poor, students are not graduating as smart as they once did. The list could go on forever. All of these excuses are validated for the “no voters” by perceived perceptions they have experienced with no research or statistical facts. Become educated so you can make an educated decision. Again, supporters will not change the “no voter’s” mind, but at least supporters can try to inform the fifty percent who need more information.

Now for the fifty percent that need more information. First, No Tax Increase means just that – the district tax levy will remain the same. Patrons have had the same levy amount for the past two years. If your assessed valuation increased then your taxes did increase – the school has nothing to do with that. The district has had a debt service levy since 1993.

Second, the Board has used the debt service fund wisely over the years. The district prepaid (extra payment) on the 2001 bond in 2013 and this March; saving tax payers almost $100,000 in interest. Third, each summer the district uses funds to make repairs, renovations, and upgrades to all three campuses if funds are available. Because our district receives most of its funding from the state, those funds have to be distributed to other areas – mainly salaries and operations. This leaves little funding for summer projects.

As a result, repairs, renovation, and improvements are being done on a very small scale. When some major catastrophe happens; projects have to be delayed until funding is available. This is what the district has been facing, an increasing gap in the ability to make repairs, renovations, and upgrades. Passing this bond issue would allow the district to gain ground on some overdue projects, not costing tax payers any additional money. The district cannot sit back and do NOTHING. Years of limited increases or even cuts to the state budget have affected all schools – mostly schools that primarily rely on state funding.

Remember, all Missouri school students depend on each of us to whom their future is entrusted. The students of today will take our places shortly; our hope is we served them well.

Todd McCrackin

Joplin Police Department Arrests March 21-22

03/21/2016 0535
JEFFREY ARTHUR BOHANNAN
2217 S Sergeant Ave JOPLIN, MO 64804
WM 49 2217 S SERGEANT AVE 500.00
1 1 DOMESTIC ASSAULT--CITY

03/21/2016 0945
MICHAEL RAY BRACKEEN
1701 Annie Baxter Ave JOPLIN, MO 64804
WM 63 1701 S ANNIE BAXTER AVE 500.00
1 1 LARCENY
2 1 BENCH WARRANT

03/21/2016 1945
SEAN WILLIAM DIXSON
560 Highland Hills Circle NORMAN, OK 73026
BM 19 301 S GENEVA AVE 0.00
1 1 LARCENY

03/21/2016 1945
DANIEL PETER GOSSELIN
200 I St, RUSSEL #34 MIAMI, OK 74354
WM 18 301- BLK S GENEVA AVE 0.00
1 1 LARCENY

03/21/2016 1845
DILLON SCOTT RUARK
1701 S Annie Baxter Ave JOPLIN, MO 64804
WM 24 1701 S ANNIE BAXTER AVE 500.00
1 1 FAIL TO APPEAR

03/21/2016 1754
TALISHA R REAVIS
2529 S Pennsylvania Ave JOPLIN, MO 64804
WF 18 414 W 26TH ST/S MOFFET AVE 0.00
1 1 MENTAL 96 HOUR HOLD

03/21/2016 1631
JEREMY SCOTT DELMARCO
2940 Mcclelland Blvd, B JOPLIN, MO 64804
WM 29 3006 S MCCLELLAND BLVD 0.00
1 1 MENTAL 96 HOUR HOLD

03/21/2016 1659
HEATHER L CASTILLO
1612 S Ohio Ave JOPLIN, MO 64804
WF 34 1501 S RANGE LINE RD 500.00
2 1 FAIL TO APPEAR
1 1 LARCENY

03/21/2016 1655
SAMANTHA NICOLE LUDDERS
6544 Geneva Dr JOPLIN, MO 64801
WF 20 1501 S RANGE LINE RD 500.00
3 1 FAIL TO APPEAR
4 1 FAIL TO APPEAR
5 1 FAIL TO APPEAR
6 1 FAIL TO APPEAR
7 1 FAIL TO APPEAR

03/22/2016 0005
BRITTANY NICOLE EDEN
5250 A East Sunny Acres Lane JOPLIN, MO 64804
WF 27 1501 S RANGE LINE RD 500.00
2 1 FAIL TO APPEAR
3 1 COMMIT

Joplin man arrested, meth seized by drug task force

(From the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team)

On 03/21/2016 at approximately 1900 hrs the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team served a search warrant at 1611 Pearl Apartment #B in Joplin Missouri.

The warrant led to the seizure of five grams of suspected methamphetamine and several items of paraphernalia consistent with the distribution of methamphetamine.

The suspect was identified as Flennard R. Thorpe D.O.B 10/21/1965. Charges are pending against Thorpe with the Jasper County Prosecutor's Office for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute.

Highway Patrol DWI Arrests March 21-22

The Missouri Highway Patrol arrested the following people for driving while intoxicated:

Joseph E. Johnson, 30, Nevada
Kenneth E. Wells, 40, Goodman

Joplin man arrested for Select Jewelers armed robbery

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On March 17th at approximately 5:37 PM, the Joplin Police Department responded to an armed robbery at Select Jewelers at 3120 South Main.

A male suspect showed a handgun before firing a round through the wall of the store. It was later determined to have passed through the wall into Schlotzky’s. The male suspect ran on foot south across 32nd Street through traffic to Walgreens before fleeing in a vehicle. The suspect was described was a white or Hispanic male of average build and average height. There were no injuries in this incident and the suspect made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry.

On 03/19/2016 at 1820, the Joplin Police Department responded to an armed robbery that occurred near E. Central St. and McKee Ave. The victim, Joshua P. Michael, 25, Webb City, reported that he had given a ride to an unknown male from Kum & Go at 1631 E 4th St and near McKee and Central the suspect put a gun to his head and stole his red 2002 Ford Mustang.

The suspect was described as a white male, skinny, and appeared to be in his mid-30s. The vehicle was entered into the national database as stolen.

On 3/20/2016, Cherokee County, KS Deputies were able to locate the stolen Ford Mustang and engaged in a pursuit and a subsequent foot pursuit culminating with the arrest of Paul E. Lloyd, 33, Joplin. Lloyd is currently in custody in Cherokee County, KS on other charges. Joplin Police Detectives contacted Lloyd in the Cherokee County facility on 3/20/2016. The Joplin Police Department has forwarded to the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office, charges for Robbery 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action for each incident respectively.

Benghazi author to speak at TJ tonight

(From Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School)

Global Terrorism Trends and Tactics, and The Untold Story of Benghazi
Monday, March 21, 2016, at 7 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson

New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestselling author Fred Burton will visit Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School March 21 and 22 as part of the Steven McCollum Distinguished Speakers Series.

Join us for a special evening with global security and counterterrorism expert Fred Burton. Fred Burton, one of theworld's foremost authorities on security and terrorism, is vice president of intelligence at Stratfor Global Intelligence. The former police officer and State Department counterterrorism agent is a regular guest on major news networks for his terrorism and security expertise. His most recent book, Under Fire: The Untold Story of the Attack in Benghazi, is a New York Times and Los Angeles Times Bestseller. He has written two other books, GHOST: Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent (2008), and Chasing Shadows: A Special Agent's Lifelong Hunt to Bring a Cold War Assassin to Justice (2011).

Fred Burton's latest book, Under Fire: The Untold Story of the Attack on Benghazi is available in TJ's front office. Mr. Burton will be available to sign books after his talk.

Crowder College weekly report

(From Crowder College)

Academic Information

·         Spring Break is March 21-25. The college will be open all week except Friday, March 25, in observance of Good Friday.

·         Graduation is just around the corner, May 14. It is time to place your orders for cap, gown, and announcements. Find out more: http://www.crowder.edu/services/records/graduation/

·         Crowder College’s Educational Opportunity Center will host several workshops to help anyone interested in attending a college or technical school complete the FAFSA (Free Application Federal Student Aid). For more information go to: http://www.crowder.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2016-FAFSA-PR-and-Schedule-01-22-2016.pdf or contact our EOC Office at 417.455.5475 or 866-822-1362.

·         Crowder Scholarship applications for Fall 2016 are available online: http://www.crowder.edu/foundation-alumni/scholarships/ The deadline is April 1. Don’t miss this opportunity to help pay for school through generous donations made to our Foundation.

Roughrider Athletics

·         Roughrider Softball are now 22-6 on the season. This week they are travelling, but will play at home April 1. For more information go to:  http://crowderathletics.com/sports/sball/2015-16/schedule

·         Roughrider Baseball are now 17-11 on the season. They play at home March 22, 25, 26 & 29.  Check out their schedules for more information: http://crowderathletics.com/sports/bsb/2015-16/schedule

·         Roughrider Soccer held its 34^th Annual Thunderdome indoor soccer event, March 18-19. The winners were the current Roughrider Soccer players. Contact Coach Brad Smith for more information: 417-455-5443 or email: BradSmith@Crowder.edu

Crowder Foundation Events

·         Buy a Book. Build a Future. Local author Allen Kent is donating 100% of the proceeds of all book sales to benefit the Crowder College Behavior Support Center. The goal is to sell 42,000 books before June 30. Find out more: https://501auctions.com/buyabook

·         The inaugural Roughrider Car Show will be held April 30, 10am-3pm, in the Farber parking lot on the Neosho campus. Registration is now available: https://squareup.com/store/crowder-college-foundation-2

·         Evening of Jazz 2016 is April 26 at the Neosho Civic. Reservations for a table of 8 - $275; Open seating $30 per ticket. Registration is now available: https://squareup.com/store/crowder-college-foundation-2

Campus Community Events

·         Art Show in Longwell Museum, March 21-31, McDonald County High School students. Artist reception will be held March 21 from 6-8pm. Museum hours are: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. For more information call: 417.455.5470 or go to: http://longwellmuseum.weebly.com/exhibits.html

·         The annual High School Business Competition will be held Wednesday, March 30 by the Business Division.  Approximately 550 high students will be on our campus competing in a variety of written tests including Accounting, Business Communication, Business Math, General Business, Computer Applications, Marketing, Office Procedures, and Personal Finance.  In addition, students can compete in performance events including keyboarding, Impromptu speaking, and Management Decision Making.  This year we are adding a Shark Tank Competition in which teams will pitch their business ideas competing for $600 in seed capital money.  This money was graciously donated by the following sponsors:  Steve Godbersen at 1st Choice Chiropractic, Debbie Major with Magdaleno IPM, Debbie and Jeff Werneke with Silhouette Imaging, Stephens College and SMB Bank.

·         The 47^th Annual Aggie Day will be held March 31. Over 2500 high school students will be on campus competing in 19 contests. This competition is a big event as their District contests are the following week.

·         Friends of the Library is currently taking book donations for its annual Book Sale scheduled April 18-20. If you would like to donate books to the sale please contact the Lee Library at 417.455.5610.