A former firefighter in Christian County has plead guilty to charges of having child porn after he was being investigated for touching an 8 year old girl at a birthday party. Michael Benson must also plead guilty to more state charges including statutory sodomy and child molestation according to Federal authorities. Investigators found over 600 disturbing images of children on his computer. Benson will spend 15 years in prison with no chance for early release.
They're accused of killing 29-year-old Ian Monaghan in a field near the Oak Hill trailer park in Pittsburg Monday night.
The Sheriff's Department says they're turning over prosecution of the case to the state. Assistant Attorney General Steve Karrer will handle the trial.
Kansas Taxes Up, Collections Are Down
The latest numbers show Kansas tax collections in July were $424,000 below expectations. Kansas raised its sales tax to 6.3 percent from the previous 5.3 percent with the start of the new fiscal year July 1. But even with the increase, today's report shows sales tax collections for the month $2.3 million lower than anticipated.
Local School Reconsiders Ban On Book
The American Library Association is asking a southwest Missouri school board to reconsider its decision to ban a novel from the high school.
The Stockton School Board in April voted to remove ``The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian'' from the school library after a parent complained about its content.
The award-winning novel by Sherman Alexie deals with an adolescent American Indian's experiences after enrolling in an all-white school.
Superintendent Shannon Snow says a committee of administrators, board members and citizens is looking into the ban. The panel will present its report in mid-August to the School Board, which is expected to set a date for a special meeting to vote on whether to keep the ban in place.
Carthage Police Frustrated by Vandals
Police in Carthage are frustrated as they try to catch vandals that are causing thousands of dollars in damage at area parks.
"We're investigating them very diligently and hope to have the cases solved rather quickly," says Carthage Police Capt. Randy Kaiser.
Kaiser says they don't have any suspects yet, but no one's being ruled out.
The pool, the Golf Course, and the ball
Power Usage Okay Despite Extra Heat
While most of us have our air conditioners cranked, that's not causing concerns for local power companies.
"We have plenty of energy out there for the folks to use," says Empire District Spokesperson Amy Bass.
Bass tells NewsTalk KZRG that's a good thing because it means they don't need to build any new power plants, which will keep your rates lower longer.
Two Arrested for Drugs
A couple in Carthage is arrested after cops found drugs in their car during a traffic stop. Shawn Hency and Tara Adamson are both charged with felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $3,500 each.
Auditors Race Heats Up
The race for Missouri Auditor is heating up. Rep. Allen Icet is taking on fomer State Department official Tom Schweich for the GOP nomination in Tuesday's primary.
Icet says it's getting down and dirty now.
But Icet tells the NewsTalk KZRG Morning Newswatch, that's just not true. He claims Schweich's given money to Democratic campaigns and called the Obama
Rural Crimes Task Force Saves $2M
Investigators say crimes outside of city limits are getting easier to solve thanks to a new task force from the Missouri Highway Patrol.
The Rural Crimes Task Force started about a year ago when they received a $3.5 million dollar federal grant.
Since last August, the task force reports they've solved 241 cases and returned nearly $2 million in stolen property
A Missouri ballot measure Tuesday will challenge President Barack Obama's top policy accomplishment by attempting to reject its mandate that most Americans have health insurance.
Buffalo Run to Air ESPN Fights
Some national attention is coming to the town of Miami, Oklahoma. A major boxing event is coming Friday night.
"We're so excited to bring ESPN back to the area. Not only is it good for the casino, it's good for the four-states and Miami ," says Steve Bashore with Buffalo Run Casino.
Bashore says they'll be hosting ESPN's Friday Night Fights in the Show Room as top
The commissioner of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, Jim Johnson, will be introduced as the new athletic director.
Johnson will begin the job on Aug. 23.
Rapist Sentenced
A Duenweg man accused of raping two teenage girls a couple of years ago will see four years in prison from the crime.
20-year-old Brandon Pliler allegedly took advantage of a group of girls that had passed out at a party in Joplin. Pliler was able to enter a plea agreement that limited the time he could be assesed for each crime.
Parsons Man Pleads Guilty
A Parsons man has plead guilty for his role in the death of Michael Henninger who was found shot to death on his front porch on June 1st.
Twenty-three-year-old Justin Cooper entering the plea on charges of voluntary manslaughter and manufacturing meth.
Witnesses say they heard an argument at the home where the drugs were being made before a single shot gun blast sounded.
Parks crews still trying to clean up some of the damage this morning. Four greens were dug up, a couple of tee boxes destroyed and several signs and benches vandalized.
Authorities believe the incidient happened early Thursday morning.
No one's been arrested but police say there are several "persons-of-interest" in the case.
RES to Reopen
An odor-causing plant may soon be reopening.
Rumors swirling now in Carthage that the former RES plant may return to opertions within the coming weeks. They're searching for funding now and there's no start date set.
Plant operators say they've got a new way of processing that produces no smell. RES was the target of several DNR probes into foul odors around the city.
The Sheriff's department identifying the body as 20-year-old Matthew Laurin, who was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for the stabbing deaths of Bob and Ellen Sheldon in 2008.
The Crawford County Drug Task Force arresting Christal Berry and Cody Burris for manufacturing meth, possession of drug paraphenalia and possession of marijuana. They raided the apartment in the 100 block of North Broadway just before midnight.
The investigation continues today.
Ruestman Honored by Farm Bureau
A state farmer's organization is awarding a local politican for her work on agriculture issues.
Rep. Marilyn Ruestman honored by the Missouri Farm Bureau this morning in Neosho. "It was a suprise," Ruestman said, "I got the Friends of Agriculture award for supporting agriculture and my work on legislation that helps farmers and their needs in this area."
The school district said the coaches will be on probation though for the next year. In a news release, the district claimed the coaches had no knowledge of the hazing prior to or during the incidents.
Seventeen freshmen were beaten with plastic miniblind rods
Victim ID'd, Three Charged in Pittsburg Murder
The victim in a Pittsburg homicide is ID'd. The Crawford County Sheriff's Department says 29-year-old Ian Monaghan died Monday night in a field behind the Oak Hill trailer park outside of Pittsburg, Kansas.
Crawford County Prosecutor Michael Gayoso tells NewsTalk KZRG about the suspects. "We currently have three individuals in custody
Joplin Police have arrested two women in connection with a murder.
Lieutenant Michael Hobson says Sharon Huddleston and Rhonda Pischel are being held on felony fugitive charges until authorities from Kansas can come retrieve them for the homicide case.
The taped confession of a man from McDonald County accused of raping and killing his step daughter may be thrown out if the defense can prove that David Spears wasnt aware of his rights. On the tape Spears confesses to what happened to 9 year old Rowan Ford the night she died and where her body was hidden. Because of the challenge to the damning evidence the trial has been delayed until August of next year. Spears is facing charges of first-degree murder and rape along with his friend Chris Collings who is expected to be in court next January.