Rep. Patricia Pike’s Weekly Report

Jefferson City, MO - What a beautiful site it has been at the Missouri Capitol! The trees have been filled with pink and white blooms around the building and the guests have been enjoying sunny weather for their Capitol visits. We had a busy week in the House discussing many legislative topics.

House Moves to Strengthen Senate Ethics Reform Bill (SB 11)
The members of the Missouri House returned from their annual Spring Break to discuss and pass legislation that would strengthen the state’s ethics laws. The House took up a bill already approved by the Senate that would limit lobbyist gifts and restrict lawmakers from becoming lobbyists. After lengthy discussion and several amendments, the House built on the work of the Senate and created an even tougher bill that contains stricter provisions.

Eagles take in Mizzou baseball game over the weekend

On Saturday April 4 Coach Anderson and a large group of the Miami Eagles baseball squad traveled to Columbia Mo to take in a University of Missouri Baseball game.

Missouri won the game 10-1.

bcl420

-submitted

Missouri House Moves to Strengthen Senate Ethics Reform Bill (SB 11)

from Representative Patricia Pike

The members of the Missouri House returned from their annual Spring Break to discuss and pass legislation that would strengthen the state’s ethics laws. The House took up a bill already approved by the Senate that would limit lobbyist gifts and restrict lawmakers from becoming lobbyists. After lengthy discussion and several amendments, the House built on the work of the Senate and created an even tougher bill that contains stricter provisions.

Supporters said the bill represents an important step toward increasing the people’s trust in their elected officials. The bill now has to return to the Senate where the other chamber can either accept the changes made in the House and send them to the governor, or send it to a conference committee where selected members will try to iron out any differences between the two chambers.

Missouri House to Consider Municipal Court Reform (SB 5)
House Speaker John Diehl held a press conference Wednesday to outline his plan to protect Missourians from excessive fees and fines sometimes levied by municipalities around the state. Diehl said the House will move quickly to pass legislation that will shut down these so-called “speed traps” by limiting the amount of revenue municipalities can generate from traffic violations. Current law caps the amount of revenue that can be generated from traffic tickets at 30 percent. House Speaker Diehl anticipates the House version will lower that amount to 20 percent, or possibly 10 percent.

Bates County Sheriff’s Office Activity Report 3/30 - 4/5 - 2015

Bates County Sheriff’s Office Activity Report

MARCH 30, 2015 to APRIL 5, 2015

MARCH 30, 2015

HARASSMENT – BUTLER

ASSAULT – ADRIAN

DFS ASSIST – URICH

ANIMAL CALL – RICH HILL

ANIMAL CALL – ADRIAN

LOST DOG – BUTLER

FRAUD – ADRIAN

MISSING PERSON – URICH

GAS LEAK – RICH HILL

CIVIL STANDBY – BUTLER

MARCH 31, 2015

WANTED SUBJECT – BUTLER

AGENCY ASSIST – ADRIAN

RESIDENCE CHECK – RICH HILL

TRAFFIC HAZARD – AMSTERDAM

BRUSH FIRE – AMSTERDAM

CIVIL STANDBY – BUTLER

AMBULANCE REQUEST – RICH HILL

AMBULANCE REQUEST – BUTLER

CHECK WELL BEING – BUTLER

MVA – AMORET

EXTRA PATROL – AMORET

Stealing reports taken in St. Clair County

Missing bull calf on NW 1150 Road

On April 5, a St. Clair County deputy took a report from Matt Stephan in reference to a missing yellow Charolais bull calf from a field on NW 1150 Road, Montrose. Stephan said the calf is a couple days old has a white tail and a yellow ear tag with the number ## on it. The value of the calf was estimated at $700.

Chainsaws reported stolen

On April 2, a St. Clair County deputy took a stealing complaint from Thomas O'Neill on NE 1142 Private Road, Deepwater. O’Neill reported he discovered a padlock cut on the door to a shed behind his house and two Stihl chainsaws were missing. He said one saw has an 18 inch bar and the other a 14 inch bar. The total value of the saws was estimated at $875.00.

Television reported stolen

On April 2, a St. Clair County deputy took a stealing complaint from Zackary Sommer in reference to a television stolen from his residence on NE 601 Road, Osceola. The television was described as a 32-inch Emerson. The value was estimated at $200.

The investigations in these cases are ongoing. Sheriff Keeler urges those with any information related to these cases to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.
scl420

Weather Update: Cloudy Today- T-Storms Possible Tonight

Cloudy skies will remain in place today, with periods of drizzle this morning. Temperatures should warm into the 60s and lower 70s for any afternoon activities you may have planned. By tonight, a few thunderstorms may develop. A couple of these storms could be strong, but the overall severe weather threat remains low tonight. 

A better chance for t-storms is expected Wednesday evening into the overnight, when severe weather is possible for much of the area.
bcl420

Stuck in Egypt for six years, Cass County man seeks help to return home

John E. Forsythe

At the start of the 21st century, Pleasant Hill native John E. Forsythe saw the world as his to lift into the information age.

Business deals overseas and a few Arab uprisings later, Forsythe says he is broke and barred from leaving Egypt.

For six years, the information technologist has been fighting the Egyptian legal system, with little help from the U.S. government, after authorities in Cairo grew suspicious of the high-tech gear in and around Forsythe’s home.

He said in phone interviews with The Star that he did nothing wrong and his own ignorance led to his troubles.

“One of the lessons is if you’re overseas and ever think you may be in trouble, leave,” he said. “Run out of town as fast as you can.”

Cleared of allegations of spying by Egyptian courts, Forsythe was fined the equivalent of about $35,000 for “misdemeanors” stemming from his work with companies seeking wireless access to the Internet, according to court records.

In January, a court ruled it lacked authority to rescind Forsythe’s fines or allow him to leave Egypt for good. With his case now bumped to a higher court, the country still has not issued a work permit to Forsythe so he might begin paying off the fines, the records show.

“Instead of throwing me in prison, they fined me for being stupid,” said Forsythe, who lives in the tourist city of Hurghada. “They think I have $50,000 stuffed in a mattress.”

Forsythe, a 1982 graduate of Pleasant Hill High School, said he wants to reunite with his 6-year-old daughter in Russia and return with her to the United States.

Obituary - Bruce Shirky

Bruce Edgar Shirky, 63, completed his journey here on earth on March 30, 2015. He was born in Columbia, Missouri, the eldest child of Max Shirky and Lois Edgar Shirky Horn. He grew up in Sedalia, Missouri, and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre from Central Missouri State University. He married Sherrie Diehl Shirky, the love of his life, in 1976, and shortly after, they moved to San Antonio, Texas.

Bruce had a 34 year career working for the US Army's Entertainment Branch, most of that time spent as the Artistic Director for the Harlequin Dinner Theatre at Fort Sam Houston, TX. He was an accomplished theatrical designer and director for live stage productions, and was selected as the Technical Director for the Army Soldiers Touring Show, in 1985, to coincide with President Ronald Reagan's second inauguration. He was honored with numerous US Army FORSCOM and ATAC Globe awards.

In addition, he and his wife Sherrie enjoyed training and exhibiting AKC Chihuahuas, and were the proud breeders/owners/handlers of many champions, including CH. Kachina Hot Ticket, the #2 Smoothcoat Chihuahua female in the country in 1989. Bruce was an officer and member of the Texas Chihuahua Club and the Chihuahua Club of America, and served as President for both clubs. In later years, he became a licensed AKC Chihuahua judge, and was honored to judge for the Chihuahua Club of Greater New York, held in conjunction with the prestigious Westminster Dog Show in 2007.

Bruce was blessed with a wonderfully twisted sense of humor, laughed often and easily, and lived life to the fullest. He was a loyal friend and mentor to many, approaching every task and responsibility assigned to him with a passion and a drive to excel. His happiest moments were spending quality time with family and friends.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, niece Melinda Shirky, and sister-in-law Vickie Diehl Bangs. He is survived by his beloved wife Sherrie; sister Diane (D.) Bockelman; brothers Brett "Pete" (Monica) Shirky and Gary (Teresa) Shirky; brothers-in-law J.C. (Billie) Diehl, Jim (Debbie) Diehl, and John Bangs; sisters-in-law Shirlie (Larry) West, Julie (John) Peterson, and Jackie (Alan) Nieder; nephews John (Meghan) Shirky, Shad (Jordyn) Shirky, Stetson Shirky, Grant (Marcie) West, Miles Nieder, and Jacob Diehl; nieces Christina (Nathan) Arbuckle, Andrea (M.C.) Thierfelder, Kallie (Derek) Castle, Kathy (Casey) Hill, Vanessa West, Ashley Bangs, Allison Nieder, Amy Bangs, Amanda Peterson, Kristina Diehl, Elizabeth Peterson, and Emily Nieder; grand nephews Nathan Bergstrom, Colin and Ethan West, and Brady Hill; grand nieces Elizabet, Lauren, Madalynn, and Gwyneth Bergstrom, Lillian and Josie Arbuckle, Peighton Hill, Khloe West, and Annabelle Peterson; and close friends Allynid "Lynnie" Bunten, Florence Bunten, and Chris Champlin.

Grateful appreciation is extended to the medical teams at Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, especially his ICU nurses Jenna Zamora and Steve Deleon for the loving kindness and comfort they bestowed on Bruce during his final days.

Celebrations of Bruce's life will be held later in San Antonio, TX and Sedalia, MO. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bruce's name to the AKC Canine Health Foundation or Chihuahua Rescue & Transport.

bcl420