Brian Hauswirth, Author at Missourinet

Former Missouri House Education Committee chair laid to rest; described as statesman and champion (AUDIO)

January 22, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s education commissioner and a number of current and former state lawmakers traveled to southern Missouri’s Ava for Thursday’s funeral for former State Rep. Maynard Wallace, R-Thornfield.

Former State Rep. Maynard Wallace, R-Thornfield, speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on April 8, 2010 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

An obituary from Clinkingbeard Funeral Homes says Mr. Wallace died suddenly at his home on Sunday. He was 77.

The Thornfield Republican served in the Missouri House for eight years, from 2003-2010. He chaired the powerful Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee during his final two years.

State Sen. Karla Eslinger, R-Wasola, describes Wallace as a champion for public education.

“He would find an opportunity for folks to understand that we have some really good schools out there,” Eslinger says. “He was very proud of the work of the schools in his (southern Missouri) district, and so he was able to share those success stories to folks who may not have that perception of public education.”

Wallace also served as a school superintendent in Ava and in southwest Missouri’s Forsyth. Eslinger served as assistant superintendent under Wallace, at Ava.

She tells Missourinet that Wallace was a statesman.

“The difference between a politician and a statesman is that a politician is worried about the next election, a statesman is worried about the next generation. And I think that is definitely Maynard Wallace,” says Eslinger.

After leaving the Legislature, Wallace also served three years on the State Board of Education. He also served six years on the Missouri State Tourism Commission.

Senator Eslinger also describes him as a devoted husband, grandfather and a man of faith.

Former State Sens. David Sater, R-Cassville, and Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville, were among the many former and current lawmakers who attended the funeral.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full five-minute interview with State Sen. Karla Eslinger, R-Wasola, which was recorded on January 21, 2021:

UPDATE: One southeast Missouri jail escapee captured in New Mexico; two others at large and considered dangerous

January 21, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

The U.S. Marshals Service says one of the men who escaped Saturday from southeast Missouri’s Iron County jail has been captured in New Mexico. While the other two suspects remain at large, the Marshals have arrested some of their family members.

U.S. Marshals, Iron County Sheriff’s deputies, Ironton Police and others work at a command post at the Iron County Courthouse in Ironton (January 16, 2021 photo courtesy of Ironton Police Facebook page)

The Marshals say escapee Tracy Brown and his girlfriend were arrested late Wednesday night at a gas station in Carrizozo, New Mexico. The arrests were made by the U.S. Marshals Southwest Investigation Fugitive (SWIFT) team.

The Marshals in St. Louis learned earlier that Brown and his girlfriend had left Denver and were heading to New Mexico. The SWIFT team made the arrests, when Brown and his girlfriend pulled into the gas station. New Mexico State Police were involved in the arrests as well.

According to U.S. Marshals, after being arrested, Brown and his girlfriend told authorities that Brown and the other two escapees, Dwight Abernathie and Samuel Gillam, drove to Colorado together after escaping from the jail in Ironton. Brown told police that the three split up in Denver.

The Marshals confirm that information obtained from interviewing Brown and his girlfriend developed additional leads, leading to arrests of family members of Abernathie and Gillam. It’s unclear tonight who else was arrested and what federal or state charges they could be facing.

Brown, Abernathie and Gillam were jailed in Iron County on local charges. While Brown was jailed on a burglary charge, Gillam was jailed for kidnapping and Abernathie for sodomy and assault.

The U.S. Marshals Service in St. Louis has been in contact with Marshals in Colorado, regarding Gillam and Abernathie. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to their arrests.

The Marshals have been leading the search for the three, and emphasize that Gillam and Abernathie should be considered dangerous.

U.S. Marshals say the three moved a block wall to escape. Marshals say the inmates escaped at about 4:30 on Saturday morning, and the Iron County Sheriff requested assistance from the Marshals at about 1 p.m. Saturday.

U.S. Marshals and Iron County Sheriff’s deputies had been searching in southeast Missouri, including the heavily-wooded Mark Twain National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service and numerous other agencies had been assisting in the search in southeast Missouri.

New $42 million hospital opens Friday in southern Missouri; rural residents urged to support local hospitals (AUDIO)

January 21, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A ceremony is scheduled for Friday evening in southwest Missouri’s Monett for a new state-of-the-art $42 million hospital. Monett, which has about 9,000 residents, is located between Joplin and Springfield.

A drone photo above the new Cox Monett hospital in southwest Missouri (December 2020 photo courtesy of Springfield-based CoxHealth)

Springfield-based CoxHealth broke ground on the facility in 2019, and it’s taken about two years to finish. Cox Monett President Darren Bass is grateful to be part of the CoxHealth system, noting other rural Missouri hospitals have closed.

“That really affords us the ability to streamline and centralize and have a lot of the nonpatient function areas covered by a system,” Bass says.

Bass says being part of a system allows the Monett hospital to focus their revenues on infrastructure, growth and on employee retention.

The Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) says ten rural Missouri hospitals have closed, since 2014. The new 70-thousand square foot Monett hospital will replace the current facility, which opened in 1953.

Bass says patient transition to the new hospital will begin Friday at 6 p.m.

“We’ll actually open our emergency department in our new hospital at 6 pm and we will maintain the emergency department at our old hospital until the last patient is moved out,” says Bass.

COVID-19 patients will be the last to move, and Bass says they’re working closely with the local ambulance district. CoxHealth says the new facility is part of their mission to ensure that rural Missourians have access to health care, especially critical, time-sensitive situations.

Mr. Bass tells Missourinet that rural health care is critical. He’s urging rural Missourians across the state to support their local hospitals and health care providers.

“Just be thinking about what happens if you’re not using your local health care services, your neighbor probably isn’t either. And there’s only so long that that hospital or health system can manage if they don’t have the volume coming in the doors to stay afloat,” Bass says.

Friday’s ceremonies will start at about 5 p.m. There will also be a moment of silence for the current hospital.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with Cox Monett President Darren Bass, which was recorded on January 20, 2021:

Missouri senators hear testimony about Second Amendment Preservation Act

January 20, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Legislation establishing a Second Amendment Preservation Act had support from rural Missourians during a Tuesday Senate committee hearing in Jefferson City.

State Sen. Eric Burlison (R-Battlefield) represents southwest Missouri’s Greene and Christian counties

State Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Battlefield, the bill sponsor, testified before the Senate General Laws Committee, predicting that President-Elect Joe Biden’s administration will push for gun control.

“Gun bans directly, magazine bans, attacks on private gun manufacturers, red flag laws and restrictions on individual citizens from buying firearms,” Burlison testifies.

Burlison’s Senate Bill 39 declares that it’s the duty of the courts and law enforcement agencies to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. Senator Burlison also emphasizes that his bill does not try to prevent the federal government from enforcing federal gun laws in Missouri.

No one testified against the bill at Tuesday’s hearing, although there was written testimony submitted against it. While some who testified for the bill share Burlison’s concern about the Biden Administration, others are more concerned about their own personal protection.

Chuck Marley of eastern Missouri’s High Ridge traveled to Jefferson City to testify for the Burlison bill, saying his son was shot to death in September 2018 while giving a ride to a man who requested one. Marley urges senators to help law-abiding citizens to protect themselves.

“Alex’s killer was a felon on parole from federal prison. He should never have had a gun,” says Marley. “It was illegal for him to have a gun but guess what, he had a gun. No amount of laws is going to keep criminals from having a gun.”

Another person who testified lives in western Missouri’s rural Benton County. She tells senators that she needs a gun to protect herself from drug dealers and motorcycle gangs there.

“I live way in the country (in Benton County). I’ve had meth heads down the road break into my place. I’ve recently got where my life is at stake, one of the head guys down there wants to take me out to join a motorcycle gang,” the woman testifies.

Burlison’s bill declares as invalid all federal laws that infringe on the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment. The sheriff of northeast Missouri’s Lewis County, David Parrish, has concern with some of the bill’s language. He testified for informational purposes only, emphasizing the importance of protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Former State Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, a former judge, has read the bill and says it’s “unconstitutional on its face.”

As for Senator Burlison, he says all Missouri gun laws would remain in effect, under his bill. Burlison sponsored a similar bill in 2013, which was vetoed by then-Governor Jay Nixon (D). An override attempt that fall failed by one vote.

Burlison also testifies that Missouri shelves are almost bare now, regarding ammunition.

Senate General Laws Committee Chairman William Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, indicated Tuesday that the committee will vote on the bill at their next hearing.

Legislation appointing Missouri House and Senate marshals to be heard on Monday

January 19, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A Missouri House committee will consider legislation to appoint House and Senate Marshals, to help provide physical security and perform other duties at the State Capitol in Jefferson City.

State Rep. Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on February 26, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The Missouri House Crime Prevention Committee will hold a hearing next Monday on legislation from State Rep. Lane Roberts, R-Joplin. He’s a former state Department of Public Safety (DPS) director and a former Joplin police chief. Roberts also chairs the Crime Prevention Committee.

Under House Bill 784, Missouri House and Senate marshals would be able to wear a concealable firearm and make arrests based upon state law. They would have to have at least five years’ experience as a law enforcement officer and have a peace officer license.

Under the two-page bill, the House and Senate marshals would aid the sergeant-at-arms in their respective chambers. They would help oversee the physical security of the areas in the Missouri Capitol under control of the House and Senate.

Any marshals authorized under the bill would be in addition to Capitol Police officers or other law enforcement personnel.

U.S. Marshals: three southeast Missouri jail escapees should be considered dangerous

January 18, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

The U.S. Marshals are now leading the search for three jail escapees in southeast Missouri’s Iron County, and the Marshals emphasize the three should be considered dangerous. A unified command post has been established at the Iron County Courthouse in Ironton.

Missourinet Cape Girardeau television partner KFVS reports authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information on the escapees: Tracy L. Brown, Dwight Abernathie and Samuel Gillam. The Marshals say all three were jailed on local charges. Gillam was jailed on a kidnapping charge, while Abernathie was jailed for assault and sodomy. Brown was in jail for a burglary charge.

U.S. Marshals, Iron County Sheriff’s deputies, Ironton Police and others have set up a command post at the Iron County Courthouse in Ironton (January 16, 2021 photo courtesy of Ironton Police Facebook page)

U.S. Marshals say the three moved a block wall to escape. Authorities are urging residents to lock their doors and to remain vigilant.

Marshals say the inmates escaped at about 4:30 on Saturday morning, and the Iron County Sheriff requested assistance from the Marshals at about 1 p.m. Saturday. The Marshals have sent personnel from Cape Girardeau and St. Louis to the area.

U.S. Marshals and Iron County Sheriff’s deputies are being assisted by Ironton Police, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Pilot Knob Police and by the U.S. Forest Service, Missouri State park rangers and the Missouri Department of Corrections.

The search area includes the heavily-wooded Mark Twain National Forest.

MLK Day is a federal and Missouri holiday

January 18, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is a federal, Missouri and county holiday.

Missouri Capitol

Most federal, Missouri, county and city offices are closed on Monday, with the exception of emergency services such as the Missouri State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies.

Banks and financial institutions are closed for the holiday, and there is no regular mail delivery.

The Missouri Legislature will not be in session on Monday in Jefferson City, because of the holiday.

Dr. King was a leader in the civil rights movement, protesting racial discrimination. He advocated non-violence and was assassinated in 1968, in Memphis.

In 1983, then-U.S. Rep. Katie Hall (D-Indiana) proposed legislation to create a federal holiday in January honoring Dr. King. It passed in the House 338-90 and was signed that fall by then-President Ronald Reagan at the White House.

The holiday was first observed in January 1986.

The holiday is also considered an official day of service.

UPDATE: Blizzard warning remains in effect for far northwest Missouri through 6 pm; southbound I-29 reopens (AUDIO)

January 15, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A blizzard warning remains in effect for far northwest Missouri until 6 p.m. on Friday. The warning includes heavily-traveled I-29 and covers four rural counties: Atchison, Nodaway, Andrew and Holt.

The National Weather Service’s blizzard warning in far northwest Missouri remains in effect until 6 p.m. (January 15, 2021 graphic courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter)

National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Brad Temeyer says blowing snow and 45 mile-per-hour winds have made travel very difficult today.

“We’re still continuing to see very low visibilities up there with the strong northwest winds that are continuing. Fortunately, the snow is starting to taper off up there,” Temeyer says.

The blizzard caused a crash Friday morning in northwest Missouri’s Atchison County, causing southbound I-29 to close for a few hours. It has since reopened.

Crews from the state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) have been working around the clock in northwest Missouri, trying to clear roads.

“But with those strong northwest winds gusting currently to 40 to 45 miles an hour, we’re still seeing visibilities well below a mile in that far northwestern corner of Missouri,” says Temeyer.

Truckers and other motorists are being urged to avoid travel in those four counties, until the warning expires. Towns in the blizzard warning area include Tarkio, Fairfax, Maryville and Mound City.

Mr. Temeyer emphasizes to Missourinet that blizzard warnings are rare in Missouri.

“We only issue these for the worst of conditions when we expect visibilities to be well below a half-a-mile,” Temeyer says.

Our Missourinet Cameron affiliate KMRN reports more than 20 schools in the region canceled classes today, because of the blizzard.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Brad Temeyer, which was recorded on January 15, 2021:

Rural northern Missouri county leads state in wind generation capacity, as Ameren closes on major project

January 15, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Ameren Missouri has announced that they’ve closed on the acquisition of its second wind energy center, a 300-megawatt (MW) project in northwest Missouri’s Atchison County.

Ameren Missouri has
closed on the acquisition of its second wind energy center, a project in northwest Missouri’s Atchison County (photo courtesy of Ameren Missouri)

St. Louis-based Ameren made the announcement on Thursday, saying that renewable energy from the facility is reaching customers, as construction continues on some other project turbines.

About 100 MW are already in service, and Ameren Missouri expects an additional 50 to 75 MW by the end of March with more becoming operational this year.

Ameren says the new Atchison Renewable Energy Center and the separate High Prairie Renewable Energy Center in northeast Missouri will add 700 MW of in-state wind generation to the grid. The company says total investment in the two projects is about $1.1 billion.

The High Prairie facility is near Kirksville.

“Ameren Missouri is taking major steps forward in our transformation to clean energy, with the addition of these two large facilities. We’re planning for the long term with deep carbon reductions to achieve our goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Ameren Missouri President Marty Lyons says, in a written statement.

He says Ameren will invest about $4.5 billion in 3,100 MW of renewable generation by 2030, including Atchison and High Prairie.

Ameren says part of the Atchison Renewable Energy wind project is being built by Invenergy.

Atchison County is in far northwest Missouri, near the Nebraska border. It’s a rural county, with some of the most productive farmland in the state. This is the fourth utility-scale wind energy facility in Atchison County, which will soon have a combined wind generation capacity of 800 MW, more than any of Missouri’s 114 counties.

There are several other wind farms in northwest Missouri.

Ameren also emphasizes it believes in supporting communities where it operates. They’re donating to the re-opened Tarkio Technology Institute, to support its wind energy technician training program.

The former Tarkio College closed in 1992, after more than 100 years as a four-year liberal arts school. It reopened in January 2020 and is focusing on three fields: wind energy, plumbing and welding.

Ameren Missouri has 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in Missouri. The utility serves the St. Louis region, southeast, northeast and mid-Missouri. It also serves part of northwest Missouri.

NWS: Jan. 15 blizzard warning starts at midnight for far northwest Missouri (AUDIO)

January 14, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a blizzard warning for far northwest Missouri, saying that accumulating blowing snow and strong winds will make travel extremely hazardous.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has issued a blizzard warning for far northwest Missouri. It will take effect at midnight on January 15, 2021 (graphic courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter)

NWS Pleasant Hill meteorologist Brad Temeyer says the blizzard warning takes effect at midnight, and includes Maryville, Tarkio, Bethany and Craig.

“So basically for far northwestern Missouri, travel is going to be very difficult if not impossible,” Temeyer says.

The National Weather Service urges you to avoid any travel north of Highway 36 in northern Missouri from midnight until 6 p.m. on Friday. The blizzard warning area is expected to receive three to four inches of blowing snow, with strong winds.

The blizzard warning area includes heavily-traveled Interstates 29 and 35, which are used by truckers from across the nation.

“We’re looking at wind gusts probably of 40 to 45 miles an hour through at least much of the day tomorrow before that starts to let up. And you combine that with the snow that we’re expecting and it’s really going to make travel very, very difficult,” says Temeyer.

State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) crews will be working around the clock in northern Missouri, to get roads to mostly clear within a few hours after the blizzard ends. Whiteout conditions are possible.

Northern Missouri’s St. Joseph, Chillicothe and Kirksville are under a winter weather advisory, and those areas should receive two to three inches of snow.

“This is going to be a type of system where if you don’t have to travel, it’s best to get those errands and everything done ahead of time. Because once the snow starts, it’s just going to make visibility very difficult,” Temeyer says.

The NWS says the heaviest snowfall will be between 3 am and 3 pm on Friday.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Brad Temeyer, which was recorded on January 14, 2021: