Josh Duggar child porn trial continued to November; TLC cancels 'Counting On'

ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) — A five-month extension has been granted for Josh Duggar’s child pornography trial, according to documents from the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Arkansas Fayetteville Division.

A jury trial has been ordered to begin Nov. 30 at 9 a.m., with a pretrial conference on Nov. 18 at 9 a.m.

“The court grants this continuance based on its finding that the ends of justice served by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial,” the court order stated.

Duggar, 33, was charged in a two-count indictment alleging receipt and possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty to both counts and was granted release from the Washington County Detention Center in early May. He remains in the custody of a third-party custodian in Washington County.

If the former reality star faces up to 40 years in prison and a $500,000 fine if convicted of both charges.

According to a report from Us Weekly, TLC confirmed that the show “Counting On” has been canceled:

“TLC will not be producing additional seasons of Counting On,” the network said to Us Weekly. “TLC feels it is important to give the Duggar family the opportunity to address their situation privately.”

Right before the announcement of Duggar’s federal indictment, he and his wife announced her pregnancy, their daughter is expected in the fall.

Judge to decide if Missouri owes wrongfully-convicted man $840K in restitution

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – DNA cleared Johnny Briscoe of a crime he didn’t commit after he served 23 years in prison. Now, the courts are deciding if the justice system owes him for its mistake.

FOX 2 was the only media outlet in the courtroom for Tuesday’s arguments.

It’s Missouri law – if the courts declare a person “actually innocent,” they are to be paid restitution of $100 for every day they were wrongfully imprisoned. Everyone agrees the man at the center of today’s argument spent 23 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, but the Missouri Attorney General’s Office argued in court that Briscoe waited too long to ask for his money.

DNA evidence exonerated Briscoe in 2006 after he’d been convicted for a rape and robbery he did not commit. No one knows why he waited 15 years to ask for his restitution, but his attorney pointed out Tuesday that his delay only benefits the state.

Here’s why.

Under Missouri Revised Statute Chapter 650, restitution for those found actually innocent is paid out by the Missouri Department of Corrections in yearly installments of $36,000. Briscoe’s attorney, Mitchell Johnson, explained that it would take 23 years to pay Briscoe’s restitution of $840,000. Plus, state law says those payments end with someone’s death and Briscoe would be 90 before the restitution could be paid out completely.

The Missouri AG’s Office doesn’t deny Briscoe is innocent but argued in court that a statute of limitations applies and that Briscoe is too late.

St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell’s office argued the opposite, saying the statute of limitations is for civil cases and not a criminal case like Briscoe’s. https://fox2now.com/news/fox-files/fox-files-no-one-disputes-he-was-wrongfully-convicted-but-does-the-justice-system-owe-him-anything/

Bell spoke to FOX 2 about the case last week, saying, “I think the statute is clear that if the legislature intended for there to be a statute of limitations to be placed on it, then they could have done that. As a matter of fact, they did the opposite. Initially, there was a year requirement to file within a year, but that was removed by the legislature.”

Judge Michael Burton said he may make a quick decision. He asked for written arguments by noon Wednesday and said he might issue a ruling by July 1.

ATF: Man illegally making fireworks led to Kansas City blast

RAYTOWN, Mo. – Federal investigators say a man illegally making fireworks in his basement led to an explosion that leveled part of a suburban Kansas City duplex, killing him and injuring at least three others.

A spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tells the Kansas City Star that investigators came to that conclusion after sifting through the rubble Tuesday at the explosion site in Raytown. Officials found the body of the man in the basement of the duplex hours after the explosion and fire Monday night.

Authorities have not released the man’s name.

Joplin Chamber President Toby Teeter steps down

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce (JACC) announced Wednesday morning Toby Teeter is stepping down as president and CEO effective Friday, July 30.Teeter will continue to support and advise the JACC staff through a brief transition period.

Teeter was hired in December of 2018. Upon joining the JACC team, he focused on furthering economic development, attracting and retaining talent for Joplin, building a strong regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, and expanding benefits for Chamber members.

“Serving as the Joplin Chamber’s President has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Now it’s time for me to step down and allow a new Chamber leader to emerge with the skills required to navigate Joplin’s next chapter,” says Teeter.

“Toby has done a tremendous job of leading the Chamber through a time of unprecedented uncertainty and change in addition to his focus on economic development, talent attraction, EDI, and regional branding,” says Jeremy Drinkwitz, Board Chair of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. “We thank him for his leadership and wish him the best of luck in his next chapter.”

Over the course of his tenure, Teeter has spearheaded many projects for the benefit of the Joplin business community and the overall area. These include instituting several talent and business attraction projects, developing new resources for startups and entrepreneurs, strengthening the Joplin brand through ChooseJoplin.com, creating a new online business journal with JoplinBusinessOutlook.com, establishing Ideas on Tap networking events and e-Commerce Meetups, and helping start the Joplin chapter of 1 Million Cups. Under his leadership, the business incubators in the Advanced Training & Technology Center and the Joseph Newman Innovation Center have been brought to full capacity.

“I am grateful for the various positions I have served in, and for the opportunity to make a positive impact in my hometown,” concludes Teeter. “I truly love Joplin.”

Under the leadership of the Board of Directors, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce will continue to move forward with those initiatives as the search begins for a new Chamber President.

News to Know (06/30/2021)

Surfside, FL- In Surfside, Florida, rescue efforts continue six days after the collapse of a 12-story beachfront condo. The official death toll rose by 1 yesterday, with 149 people still unaccounted for.

Pea Ridge, AR- Officials have charged a second suspect in connection with the death of a Pea Ridge, Arkansas, Police Officer. 22-year-old, Shawna Cash, is charged with a number of crimes including capital murder, criminal mischief and aggravated assault. The other suspect 18-year-old Elijah Andazola is also charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Officer Kevin Apple. Authorities say the two ran over Apple, with a car.

Edna, KS- Authorities are investigating the cause of a mattress factory fire in Edna, Kansas. It happened around 9:30 Tuesday morning. Authorities say the factory is a complete loss. The nearby retail facility did not appear to be damaged. No one was hurt in the fire.

Grove, OK- Oklahoma, is taking action aimed at getting people back to work. Starting this week, the sooner state is offering a one-time incentive for Oklahomans returning to work following the end of State Unemployment Benefits. Anyone returning to work at least 32-hours a week is eligible to apply for a 12 hundred dollar payment. For an area that relies heavily on tourism like Grove, Oklahoma, getting more people to work is crucial. The Area Chamber says some Grove, businesses have only a fraction of the employees they need, and hope this incentive will help fix that

Wednesday Blog: Rain picks up again! -Doug

Happy Hump Day!  Almost halfway through the work week and heading into the holiday weekend.  Which by the way, is going to be a great holiday weekend.  We usually are well into the 90s on the 4th of July, but a little cooler in the 80s this weekend.  First, we need to get through a little bit more rain.  Once again today, scattered showers and thunderstorms are going to start to pop up, especially during the afternoon hours.  By mid to late morning, some scattered thunderstorms start to pick up.

Thunderstorms a little bit more widespread during the afternoon hours.

I still think we will warm into the mid 80s and it will be humid.  Some of these storms will be strong and even low grade severe.  If we had anything strong, we are looking at some gusty winds and small hail.  Scattered thunderstorms continue tonight and into Thursday.

Good news here is a cold front shifts through on Thursday.  This will do a couple of things for us.  One, it will shift all of this rain out of  here.  Two, it will drop the humidity and temperatures for a couple of days.  But we could still see some pretty good rainfall amounts over the next 36 hours.  I think on average, most of us will see 1-2″ of additional rainfall.  Now the map I am about to post is a model projection, it is far from exact, that is why I said most of us in the 1-2″ range.

Most of the rain will be out of here by Friday.  Great temperatures heading into the weekend and a pretty calm pattern across the lower 48.

I do want you to notice that heat dome building out west.  That does mean the heat and humidity return mid next week, also rain chances.  Long range forecast is below.

-Doug

Next Week:  The heat and humidity kick back in.  Pop up storms return as well Wednesday through Saturday.

July 11th- 17th:  A little cooler to start the week.  Rain chances on Sunday and Monday.  Heating up the second half of the week.  Rain chances sticking around.

July 18th-24th:  A warm start and hot finish once again.  Also rain chances each day again.

July 25th-31st:  Hot and mainly dry all week long.

Webb City’s Berry continues to rack up awards

WEBB CITY, Mo. – Webb City’s Haidyn Berry earned yet another award on Monday night for her senior year on the softball field.

“Jennie Finch announced my name. I thought that was awesome,” Berry says, “She’s always been a big role model in my life. I’ve watched her since I was little. I follow her, and she’s just a big inspiration to girl’s sports.”

“Nothing but proud of her,” says Webb City head softball coach Shauna Friend, “She’s very deserving and it couldn’t happen to a better person.”

Berry was named the USA Today Southwest Missouri softball player of the year Monday – with 2X Olympic medalist Jennie Finch making the announcement.

This award comes after being named the Springfield Sports Commission Player of the Year last week.

“Haidyn is a coaches dream,” Friend adds of Berry, “She does so much more than what she does on the diamond. She’s a great leader, she’s a great teammate. Obviously her talents show in her play, but she has so many other good characteristics that really define her.”

The 2X COC Player of the Year is now one of the most decorated players in Webb City softball history.

Now, she’ll put it all behind her and begin her college career at Central Missouri this fall.

“I can’t wait to put on a Jennies uniform. It’s going to be awesome playing in the MIAA,” Berry says, “I’m going to a program where I know there’s a lot of competitiveness. It’s just kind of my nature. I’ve always been there to compete. It’s going to be really good. The girls are awesome, and I’m going to have so much fun there.”

Berry was a 4X All-COC selection for Webb City, a 2X 1st team All-State selection and a 3X 1st team All-District pick.

Crash south of Fort Scott, Kansas kills two

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. – A crash on US 69 12 miles south of Fort Scott, Kansas kills two people.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says one of the cars involved in the crash crossed the center line – hitting the other car head-on.

Both drivers – 50-year-old David Ross from Fort Scott and 63-year-old George Danley from Mapleton – died.