Traffic stop results in discovery of multiple illegal drugs

A traffic stop on Business 49 highway for what appeared to be improper vehicle registration on Monday resulted in two arrests by the Butler police department. During the stop officers were given verbal consent to search the vehicle, at which time the suspects were patted down to discover a knife, prescription pills and a plastic bag containing a white crystal substance.

Further investigation revealed the white substance to be methamphetamine, and the pills a schedule II narcotic drug. Both subjects were arrested and taken to the Bates County Jail.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

From the city of Rich Hill

The city of Rich Hill is holding a "City Flag Contest". The winning flag will be unveiled during the Famous 4th of July celebrations. If you are interested in doing this you can drop you entry off at City Hall or email to tperryman@richhillmo.com or you can fax to 417-395-4555. We will be accepting entries until May 27th. If you have any questions feel free to contact city hall.

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Rep. Wanda Brown's Capitol Connection

House Approves Unemployment Reform Legislation (SB 28)
 

While our economy is showing some positive signs of life, our state continues to deal with the repercussions of the economic downturn of 2008-2009. One of the lasting effects of that difficult moment in our nation’s history is the enormous economic burden it placed on our state as we paid for unemployment benefits for the many Missourians who lost their jobs. The dramatic increase in Missourians on unemployment also prompted us to take a closer look at the way the system works. Specifically we want to make sure our unemployment system is sustainable so that it can continue to provide benefits to Missourians while they do their best to return to work.

A bill we passed this week that is now on its way to the governor’s desk would reform our unemployment system to ensure it is protected for those who need it – Missourians who lose their jobs by no fault of their own. As the law stands now, it is possible for individuals to collect benefits even after being fired for offenses like sleeping on the job. The law simply denies benefits to those who are fired because of “misconduct” in the workplace.

The change we authorized would expand the definition of misconduct to deny unemployment benefits to those who lose employment because they are chronically absent from work or knowingly violate the rules of their employer. The bill would protect those who unknowingly violate a workplace policy, or who violate a policy that is unlawful. The bottom line is that this change would preserve unemployment benefits for hard-working Missourians who are laid off or who lose their jobs by no fault of their own. It’s a change we hope the governor will sign as it represents a positive step forward in protecting our unemployment system from potential waste, fraud and abuse.
 

Major Changes to Missouri Criminal Code Approved by House (HB 210)

It has been more than 30 years since our state’s criminal code was comprehensively updated and revised. It was an ambitious undertaking then, as it was again this year as my colleagues in the House worked diligently to once again revise the code. Their efforts culminated this week as we approved a bill that would make much-needed changes to the code in order to make it reflect the realities of the world we live in today.

The truth is the criminal code we have today is too voluminous and too confusing.  We have 700 sections of statute that have many areas that are either conflicting or duplicative, and penalties that are inconsistent. To help bring some order to the chaos, the Missouri Bar Association spent the last several years working with legislators and private citizens to clean up the code and make our criminal laws more easily understood by the general public.

The bill we passed this week would create a new class of misdemeanor, as well as a new class of felony. The class “D” misdemeanor would be used for low-level, high-volume, first-time offenses. It’s a change meant to provide a penalty more severe than a simple infraction, but to be disposed of by means of a fine only.

The new class “E” felony would help address the gap that currently exists between class “B” and “C” felonies. The change would give Missouri what has been a missing rung on the felony offense ladder, and would allow for punishment to appropriately correspond with increasing levels of severity of criminal activity. In addition, the change is one that would give prosecutors more flexibility in the charging and disposition of criminal cases.
 

While these represent just a few of the changes in the bill, the overall impact of the legislation would be to modernize Missouri’s criminal code to reflect the realities of today’s society and to better allow the criminal justice system to effectively and appropriately punish and deter crime. It has been a collaborative effort on the part of the lawmakers, prosecutors and defense attorneys who worked closely together to clean-up and update the statutes that make up the code. It now moves to the Senate where our colleagues there will have to work quickly to pass the legislation before session ends May 17.
 

As always, please do not hesitate to call or write me anytime with your questions or thoughts on these or any other issue.  My Capitol office phone number is 573-751-3971 and my email is wanda.brown@house.mo.gov.

BATES COUNTY PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE COALIATION

Called to order at 11:37am.

Members Present: Richard Miller

Vicki Kershner

Jamie Oberly

Jody Welston

Minutes for March:

Motion made by Richard Miller to accept the minutes.

Vicki Kershner seconded

Committee Reports: There are no current committees.

Drug Take-Back: Will be April 27^th from 10am – 2pm at the Bates County Health Center. Jody cannot be there that day. Vicki said she could be there and will pick up the key from Jody the Friday before.

There was discussion about advertising. Jody will contact Paula at the paper regarding an article in the News Express. Also discussed changing the location but decided against it.

There was some discussion about where the pinwheels are that we need to put out for Child Abuse Awareness month. Vicki called Deborah Kirk and left voicemail. Jody stated that when we find the pinwheels, Sonic and Citizens Bank said we could plant some at their businesses.

EEZ: Richard stated that he had spoken with Larry Berry about the EEZ and that Adrian, Butler, and Rich Hill will all pitch in to hire a coordinator. As there was no other information regarding the EEZ, discussion was tabled until Larry can tell us about the status.

Fundraising:

Someone brought up the funds that we have available and the money raised at last year’s BBQ contest. It was discussed and decided that we need to add to the agenda an item regarding accountability of funds and what they are spent for.

New Business:

Richard inquired if we have a banner yet. Tabled until next meeting.

Jody said that Sheriff Anderson plans to start coming and wants to pitch an idea about the grant he has to purchase a hearse. This vehicle would have safety messages on it and he needs partnership to help with the project. It was agreed to put this on the agenda for the next month.

Jamie shared information about the Poverty Summit with the group.

There was much discussion regarding membership expansion and several names were mentioned as possibilities to invite. Vicki agreed to work up a new contact list and bring it to the next meeting and will contact Curtis Vail II and Doug Mager from Bates County Live to participate.

It was discussed and agreed to revamp the agenda to include agency reports so that everyone can share what their organization is doing or involved in.

Rich Hill has a new Optimist Club Charter. They are having a steak dinner Saturday night with the cost being $20.00.

Vicki and Jamie talked about the “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World” workshops that will be starting at the end of May.

Jody Welston moved to adjourn the meeting. Vicki Kershner seconded. Next meeting will be May 21^st.

From Osage Valley

Good Morning! And here we go again. We are experiencing outages in several areas. Crews are out working on the problems and will restore power as quickly as possible. Please call 800-889-6832 to report your outage.

Sheldon Missouri to get law enforcement

The Residents in the city of Sheldon will have law enforcement protection thanks to an agreement between the city and the Vernon County Sheriff's Office.

Vernon County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a contract between the city and county that will allow the sheriff's office to provide limited law enforcement services in the city.

The contract has long been a "dream" of Sheldon Mayor Jerod Lamb, who said he had "tried to get this done before," but things just didn't work out.

The country still needs the Sheldon City Council's approval, but Lamb said he was certain the board of aldermen would accept the contract during its next meeting May 9.

Under the terms of the contract, one deputy would be available within the city limits a total of 12 hours per week. The deputy must be certified in Missouri and have "no less than 470 hours" of post certification training"

The deputy working in Sheldon will have a responsibility to patrol, investigate, take reports and enforce city ordinances and still be available to respond to calls outside the city if the need arises. The city will fund the position, but will not be billed for any calls made outside the city limits.

The deputy also will be working out of the old police station, so residents can go there to speak with him or her or file a complaint.

Having a local office will cut down on travel for the sheriff's office as well as residents of the city. It will also provide the deputy with a place to complete reports and perform other administrative duties.

Northern Commissioner Neal Gerster questioned where any money generated in the city would go. Mosher told him those funds will go into the general fund as part of the sheriff's budget.

Southern Commissioner Everett Wolfe was curious to know if some of the other smaller cities in the county would want the service. Mosher said he was "not sure," but he thought the contract would benefit Sheldon and the county. The sheriff told the commission he doesn't expect to profit from the arrangement, but he doesn't want it be a burden for the county or cost the county any money.

Lamb said the contract will benefit the city in more ways than one. The presence of a deputy at unknown hours will deter vandalism and should help with speeding, which can be a problem near the school.

Lamb also said that he would like to see a deputy spend more hours in Sheldon in the future, but it is going to take a while before anyone knows if that is possible.

As a part of Vernon County, the sheriff's office already provides law enforcement to Sheldon, but that also is shared with other cities and towns that don't have their own police force, as well as the unincorporated communities and rural areas.

Lamb also said that any revenue that comes as a result of the contract would be a big help to the city. He said that the city aldermen and mayor have foregone their salaries for several years so the city could operate in the black, and it does. Lamb said he is glad to finally have some protection for the residents of his town.

Accident Last Night cause by weather

Missouri State Highway Patrol along with the Cass County Sheriff responded to a 2 vehicle accident last night around 9:20pm on Route O and Route A Highways in rural Cass County.  The accident occured when 2002 Dodge driven by Wayman K. Cumpton 21, of Adrian Missouri slid through a stop sign on the icy roadway and struck a 2013 Ford driven by Daniel L. Boydston 35, of Drexel Missouri. Both drivers was wearing a seat belt. A passenger in Boydston vehicle Jessica N Boydston 32, also from Drexel was taken to the hospital by private vehicle. The vehicles recieved extensive damage and was towed from the scene.