The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO - Neosho, Newton & McDonald counties

Neosho official notes communication lapse on airport hangar loan w/ city manager’s statement
NEOSHO, Mo. — City Manager Jan Blase acknowledged Tuesday that he “did not communicate very well” with either the City Council or the city staff when he used a state loan reserved for airport hangars to pay the city’s bills. He also said the city will need to borrow $1 million to alleviate a “cash-flow shortage.”
Neosho councilwoman to push for state audit of city finances w/ MoDOT investigation notification letter
NEOSHO, Mo. — In the wake of acknowledgments that the city of Neosho used a state loan reserved for airport hangars to pay its bills and make payroll, a councilwoman says she will seek a state audit of all the city’s finances. Councilwoman Heather Bowers said she obtained petition papers for an audit, requested several weeks ago on a separate city matter.
: Joplin considers FAG debt agreement for plant expansion w/ company info
A $33 million project to upgrade the Schaeffler Group USA Joplin FAG plant is nearing fruition.
The Joplin City Council has advanced a proposal to grant the company $33 million in industrial revenue bonds to buy and install new equipment that will allow it to manufacture large ring bearings for wind generators.
Tuition agreement with community colleges must pass Legislature
In-state students at both Crowder College and Missouri Southern State University would not see a tuition increase next year under plans advanced by Gov. Jay Nixon.
Under the agreement with Nixon that was announced Friday, Missouri’s community colleges would not impose a tuition increase on in-state students for the 2010-2011 school year. In exchange, their funding would only be reduced by 5.2 percent.
Two Neosho council members will investigate city’s finances
NEOSHO, Mo. — Two members of the Neosho City Council will investigate whether the council has been fully informed of the city’s financial condition in recent months.
The probe comes after City Manager Jan Blase said the city had used a state loan reserved for new airport hangars to pay its bills.
Neosho city manager admits use of airport loan to pay city bills
NEOSHO, Mo. — City Manager Jan Blase on Friday acknowledged the city used a state loan provided to Neosho solely for the construction of new airport hangars to “make payroll and pay our bills.” He had told the Globe earlier in the week while being interviewed on another matter that the city was sometimes “scrambling” to make payroll.
Lori Marble: Neosho’s Hickory Creek shines like a town jewel
NEOSHO, Mo. — Take a walk down one of Neosho’s trails that wind alongside Hickory Creek in the expanded Morse Park, and you’re likely to run into several other walkers, both two- and four-legged.
You will see people riding bikes and families enjoying the picnic pavilions.
Look closer and tucked into the brush-lined curves of the creek, you’ll find devoted anglers, fishing for trout. Described by some as the “best- kept secret in the Midwest,” what once was a flood plain has evolved over the past 16 years into a fishing dream spot and town jewel.
Preschool boy’s injury leads to sex-abuse charge
NEOSHO, Mo. — A rural Seneca man was charged Friday with sexual abuse of a 4-year-old boy, who this week was taken to a hospital after complaining of an injury.
The Newton County prosecutor’s office filed a charge of first-degree statutory sodomy against Relinx C.G. Clinton, 21, following an investigation by the Newton County Sheriff’s Department.
Fairview mayor facing charges of stealing, misconduct w/ probable-cause affidavit
FAIRVIEW, Mo. — The mayor of Fairview has been charged with two counts of felony stealing and one count of misdemeanor official misconduct in an investigation by the Newton County Sheriff’s Department.
Sid Oliver, 57, was free after posting a $5,000 cash-only bond on Thursday afternoon. He was arrested earlier in the day by deputies.
Newton County man in custody in robbery try
Councilwoman again calls for firing of city official
NEOSHO, Mo. — A member of the Neosho City Council has renewed her call to fire the city manager amid a contentious debate about whether she should be charged for copies of certain city records. Councilwoman Heather Bowers had formally moved to fire City Manager Jan Blase in September, alleging there were discrepancies between what city officials told her last year or possibly in 2007 about whether Blase was receiving a car allowance.
High school seniors: ‘Just Don’t Drink’
PINEVILLE, Mo. — In a presentation featuring the Jaws of Life carving up a compact car, and teachers stumbling about while wearing goggles that simulated intoxication, McDonald County High School DECA students had a simple message.
Wife of minister accused of DWI complains to council
NEOSHO, Mo. — The wife of a Neosho minister who says he has been wrongly accused of drunken driving complained Tuesday night to the City Council about the amount of time it has taken for a lab test on her husband’s urine sample. Melvin Stapp, 61, the minister of Monark Baptist Church, was scheduled to address the council, but he was called out of town. His wife, Jean Stapp, went before council in his stead.
Ex-Noel officer indicted on child-porn charges
A federal grand jury indicted a former Noel police officer Tuesday on charges of producing and possessing child pornography. Casey J. Nanez, 27, who also served briefly as a reserve sheriff’s deputy in McDonald County, was charged in a two-count indictment handed up in U.S. District Court in Springfield.
Clergyman, still accused of DWI, to address Neosho City Council
NEOSHO, Mo. — A Neosho minister who was charged with drunken driving although his Breathalyzer test showed no trace of alcohol will again address the City Council tonight.
Melvin Stapp, the minister of Monark Baptist Church, asked the council in late July to dismiss the misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.
Lori Marble: Serving up gratitude
Neosho seniors anticipating annual Appreciation Banquet
For the past decade, the Neosho School District has taken the opportunity in November to say “thank you” to seniors with an annual banquet.
Next Friday, area senior citizens will gather again to eat, win door prizes and enjoy student-sponsored entertainment. Organizers note a yearly increase in attendance, due in part to word-of-mouth advertising from previous guests.
Fairview mayor defends work despite investigation
FAIRVIEW, Mo. — Now under investigation by the county Sheriff’s Department, the mayor of Fairview is defending the work for which he was paid by the city over the past few years and is trumpeting its impact on the town. “I don’t know if I’ve been doing some wrongdoing, but I’m proud of what I’ve done,” Sid Oliver told the Globe on Friday. “I will hold my head up.”
Newton County eyes jail expansion
NEOSHO, Mo. — Newton County will solicit bids in the coming months for the expansion of the jail, although a decision about whether to proceed with the project will depend on costs, the county commissioners said Thursday.
The County Commission recently met with a bond consultant to discuss the use of $1.47 million in Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds toward the cost of the expansion.
Defendant accused of molesting same child again; second alleged victim also cited
NEOSHO, Mo. — A Newton County man, accused last year of molesting a young girl in 2006 and 2007, was arrested and charged this week with molesting the same girl and a second victim since the original charges were filed.
Shannon D. Spor, 33, 9983 Jonesburg Lane, was arrested Tuesday night after an investigation by the Newton County Sheriff’s Department.
Speakers cite sacrifices made by military veterans w/ slide show
ROCKY COMFORT, Mo. — When William Blevins got up Wednesday morning, he put on a T-shirt sporting the slogan “Freedom is not free” for Veterans Day. His 7-year-old grandson, Jason, questioned the phrase. In Jason’s mind, Blevins said, freedom was free.
Four throw hats in ring for Neosho council seats
NEOSHO, Mo. — Four people are vying for two seats on the Neosho City Council that will come up for election next year, but the field could become larger.
MSSU history professors get nearly $1 million grant to teach area teachers
The history faculty at Missouri Southern State University will receive part of a nearly $1 million federal grant to improve the quality of teaching at elementary and secondary schools in Southwest Missouri.
Former band instructor accused of sexual abuse
A former area band instructor has been accused of sexually abusing one former male student and making a lewd and indecent proposal to another in Ottawa County, Okla. Brian M. Rash, 38, was in the custody of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department as of Tuesday night, awaiting extradition to Oklahoma.
Short circuit blamed for fire at Neosho house
Lori Marble: Food Basket Brigade marks 22nd year
NEOSHO, Mo. — This holiday season marks the 22nd year of a tradition that sets Neosho apart as a truly caring community.
The Food Basket Brigade effort is under way as volunteers begin gathering names of needy families and galvanizing support to once again make sure that no one in the area is hungry over the holidays.
Return of Stellabration ready
STELLA, Mo. — The community of Stella will again honor local veterans during its second Stellabration this weekend.
Last year marked the first time the community put on Stellabration, which highlighted the opening of its new Veterans Memorial Park. This year’s celebration again will have a theme of honoring the veterans
Former clerk, accused of faking cancer, ordered to stand trial
PINEVILLE, Mo. — A former clerk in the McDonald County prosecutor’s office will stand trial on a felony charge of stealing after allegedly faking cancer and then taking donations for assistance, a judge ruled Wednesday. Tammy R. Young was bound over for trial after a brief preliminary hearing that consisted principally of testimony from a former co-worker who helped organize fundraisers for Young in April and May.
Voters endorse plan for full-time prosecutor in McDonald County
McDonald County voters on Tuesday threw their support behind a proposal to make the prosecutor’s office a full-time position, while bond measures passed in the communities of Lanagan and Diamond, according to complete but unofficial results.
Manslaughter charge filed in wake of hunting death
NEOSHO, Mo. — A rural Granby man was charged Monday with first-degree involuntary manslaughter for allegedly shooting and killing a teenager during a nighttime hunting accident. Jacob D. Shamblin, 25, faces the Class C felony charge in connection with an Oct. 18 hunting incident that claimed the life of Steven Cox, 19.

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