Monthly Archives: November 2022

Weekend Wrap (November 5 & 6)

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Investigators: Body in southwest Missouri is missing pregnant Arkansas woman, Ashley Bush

MCDONALD COUNTY, Mo. – Authorities say human remains found in southwest Missouri are those of Ashley Bush, who was reported missing out of Benton County, Arkansas. Because this case crosses state lines, the FBI has joined the investigation. Click here to learn more.

Joplin Police Detectives investigate, two dead at residence

JOPLIN, Mo. — Cpl Tim Hudson of the Joplin Police Dept tells us about 9:20 p.m. Monday evening, October 31, 2022 they responded to the 2200 block of Annie Baxter to unknown trouble. Click here to learn more.

Man turns himself in after Pittsburg hit-and-run injures woman

PITTSBURG, Kan. – A Cherokee, Kansas resident turns himself in to Pittsburg police following Friday’s hit-and-run involving a pedestrian. Click here to learn more.

Webb City Police close roads surrounding police station, bomb squad summoned

WEBB CITY, Mo. – About 11:27 a.m.  Wednesday morning, November 2, 2022 Chief Don Melton of the Webb City Police Dept says a citizen brought what appears to be an old rusty bomb to the police department. Click here to learn more.

Neosho teen killed in motorcycle crash south of town

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — About 3 p.m. Monday, October 31, 2022 reports of a motorcycle crash on State Route AA, over I-49 alerted Newton County Central Dispatch. Click here to read more.

COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Couple transferred to Federal Custody, charged Kidnapping and Murder of Pregnant Ark. Woman

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Full Press Conference, Benton Co. Ark. Sheriff’s office, Nov 3, 2022.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Missouri) — A Pineville, Mo., couple has been charged in federal court for their roles in the kidnapping and murder of a pregnant Arkansas woman.

Amber Waterman, 42, and her husband, Jamie Waterman, 42, were charged in separate criminal complaints signed on Thursday, Nov. 3, and filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield Friday, November 4, 2022. The Watermans remain in federal custody pending detention hearings, which have not yet been scheduled.

Amber Waterman is charged with one count of kidnapping resulting in death. The federal criminal complaint alleges that, between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, 2022, Amber Waterman kidnapped Ashley Bush, who was approximately 31 weeks pregnant, in order to claim her unborn child as her own. She allegedly transported Ashley Bush from Maysville, Arkansas, to Pineville, resulting in her death.

| BREAKING NEWS STORY >>Body of missing pregnant woman found

| BREAKING NEWS STORY >> Court papers reveal Missouri couple burned and moved body of missing Arkansas woman Ashley Bush

| RELATED COURT PAPERS FILED >> Probable Cause Statements: click here. (warning, graphic detail)

Jamie Waterman is charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact to kidnapping resulting in death. The federal criminal complaint alleges that he assisted Amber Waterman, in order to hinder and prevent her apprehension, trial, and punishment, knowing she had committed the offense of kidnapping resulting in death.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaints, Amber Waterman adopted the false on-line persona of “Lucy” in order to meet Ashley Bush, then lured her to meet a second time to give her a ride to a purported job interview. Instead, the affidavit says, Amber Waterman killed Ashley Bush.

Amber Waterman allegedly led Jamie Waterman to the body of Ashley Bush, who was clothed and lying face down next to a boat near their house, covered in a blue tarp. Amber Waterman removed a ring from Ashley Bush’s finger and rolled her body onto the blue tarp, the affidavit says, which Jamie Waterman then dragged to a fire pit behind the residence. The Waterman’s allegedly burned the body, moved it onto the bed of Jamie Waterman’s blue GMC pickup, and drove a short distance from their residence to hide the body.

Ashley Bush was reported as a missing person on Monday, Oct. 31. Her fiancé told law enforcement that he saw her being driven as a passenger in a pickup truck by a woman he knew as “Lucy.” They had originally met “Lucy” at the Gravette, Ark., public library a few days earlier, at which time “Lucy” was driving the same pickup truck. During this meeting at the library, “Lucy” and Ashley Bush had discussed employment opportunities, and later that day, “Lucy” offered to drive her to meet her supervisor at a Bentonville, Ark., company.

| RELATED PREGNANT MISSING MOTHER >>Investigators: Body in southwest Missouri is missing pregnant Arkansas woman, Ashley Bush

On Oct. 31, Ashley Bush’s fiancé drove her to meet “Lucy” at a Handi-Stop convenience store in Maysville, Ark. He later received a message to pick her up at the same Handi-Stop store, but while he was waiting for her to arrive, he saw “Lucy” and Ashley Bush drive past without stopping. He attempted to contact Ashley Bush by phone, but his calls went to voice mail. He later found her phone on the side of the highway.

Detectives with the Benton County, Ark., Sheriff’s Department examined the phone and found the Facebook account for “Lucy.” Detectives located a public posting on the account that read “I have a bunch of baby items if any moms to be need them.” Detectives traced the Facebook account to Jamie Waterman, and learned from examining Amber Bush’s Google records that she had traveled to Pineville, approximately .15 miles from the Watermans’ residence.

When investigators questioned the Watermans on Tuesday, Nov. 1, they were initially told that Amber had a miscarriage. Detectives noticed what appeared to be blood stains on the inside of a pickup truck that matched the description of the vehicle given by Ashley Bush’s fiancé. The vehicle was seized by law enforcement and search warrants obtained on Thursday, Nov. 3, for the vehicle and residence.

Detectives questioned Jamie Waterman again on Thursday, Nov. 3. According to the affidavit, he told detectives that, after they had questioned them and left their residence, Amber Waterman told him she had killed Ashley Bush and then quickly changed her story and said “Lucy” had killed her. She then led him to the body, which he assisted in disposing.

The charges contained in these complaints are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie L. Wan and James J. Kelleher. They were investigated by the FBI, the Benton County, Ark., Sheriff’s Department, and the McDonald County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Arkansas and the Benton County, Ark., Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

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Food Trucks gather at local church for some post-service lunch

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CARTERVILLE, Mo. – Some local food trucks hit the road today and gathered at Carterville Christian Church to provide food for some post-service fellowship.

According to C3’s Facebook post, several food trucks were open to church-goers and members of the public alike for both the 9:00 and 10:00 A.M. services.

The ministry is also hosting a night of prayer at 6:00 P.M. at the C3 auditorium at 0123 Gravel Road in Joplin.

Watch KOAM & Fox 14 tonight to see the whole story live or check back later for additional content.

Click here to learn more.

COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

6-year-old Jay girl dead, man missing after vehicle swept away in flood waters

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STILWELL, Okla. – A 6-year-old Jay girl has died and a 43-year-old Jay man is missing after their vehicle was swept away in flood waters near Stilwell, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The juvenile and the man along with a 14-year-old male and a 9-year-old female were all in the same vehicle, the patrol said.

The patrol has not released any names but did say the 43-year-old man was driving a 2008 Subaru Forrester on County Road 4643 which is around five miles north of Stilwell.  The patrol believes the driver was northbound on the road around 8:45 p.m. on Friday evening and tried to cross a flooded low-water bridge and was swept into the water.

The two juveniles were taken to Siloam Springs Hospital in a private vehicle where they were treated and released, the patrol said.

The 6-year-old died at the scene, the patrol said.

PSU professor listed as one of the top 2% of scientists in the world

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — A PSU professor has been recognized as being a top mind, but this educator’s influence goes further than just the classroom.

“Without the students we are nothing. So it feels amazing and the support from the university and support from the students we get that is the key to this achievement,” said Dr. Ram Gupta, Associate Professor, at Pittsburg State University.

That’s what Pitt State Associate Professor Dr. Ram Gupta says about being named as one of the top two percent of scientists in the world according to a list from Stanford University. Something his students say inspires them.

“Just seeing somebody like that, who was able to have the presence of the inspirations and kind of know what’s going on that really inspired me to kind of double down on my track and maybe even pursue higher education,” said Allen Davis, PSU Graduate Student.

“I would describe him in a few words as hardworking, very dedicated, and caring for his students and his fellow co-workers,” said Teddy Mageto, PSU Graduate Student.

Dr. Gupta says his goal is to make sure his students are prepared for life after college.

The most important part of our University program is that we provide not only education but we get hands-on experience. So that’s the reason most of our students in their last semester get a job offer,” said Gupta.

And that type of success is helping the Pitt State Science Department grow.

“Well university program is growing we started a new program in polymer chemistry that in the first year, like a few students, now we have many graduate students in this program,” said Gupta.

“We got with the US Economic Development Administration we got another $1,600,000 with a $400,000 max from the university so we got another $2,000,000 to put all new equipment. If you get a chance to go around and take a look at the laboratories’ all-new state-of-the-art testing equipment in here,” said Tim Dawsey, Director of the National Institute for Material Advancement.

"Guided Bison Saunter" in honor of National Bison Day

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MINDENMINES, Mo. — To celebrate National Bison Day, dozens of people gathered at Prairie State Park for a tour and a chance to see bison in their natural habitat.

About four years ago bison were designated the “National Mammal”.

Currently, it’s estimated there are roughly 500,000 bison in North America.

Around 40 of those are located at the Prairie State Park, on 3,000 acres.

“So since it’s our national mammal now, we honor it. Since we do have bison here at the park, we do ‘Bison Saunter’ every month except for October. And National Bison Day we do two of them because we’ve had quite a bit of demand over the past two years to do so,” said Dana Hoisington, Naturalist.

Over the years the number of bison has decreased from nearly 30,000,000 to less than 1,000,000.

Encouraging citizens to vote with a "Democrat Day of Action"

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JOPLIN, Mo. — A group of Southwest Missouri Democrats took the initiative to go out into the community to encourage people to get out and vote.

Local Democrats are participating in the second statewide “Democratic Day of Action”.

Volunteers, candidates, political groups, and unions gathered at the Laborer’s Union Hall in Joplin and then went out in the community to knock on doors, encouraging people to get out and vote.

Their goal this weekend before the upcoming election is to knock on 1,500 doors in the area.

“Today and tomorrow what we’re reminding them is here’s it’s time to vote. Do you know where to vote? If you need to know your polling place, we can tell you where your polling places are, what time the polls are open, and what you need to take with your photo ID. How to comply with the new voter restriction laws in Missouri. We can provide that information also talking to people about why is your vote important because elections are often decided by very small majorities,” said John Hicks, Chairman of SWMO Democrats.

“Voting is super important for young people in this upcoming election because we are deciding our future and we’re deciding the people that are going to represent us in the US government. And this upcoming election is especially important for young women and women’s rights and minority rights. So get out there and vote,” said Elizabeth Seely, Executive Assistant of SWMO Democrats.

Early voting is already underway in Missouri.

Election day is Tuesday with polling places opening at 6 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m.

Reconstructed Lime Kiln Rocky Slope Dam ribbon cutting

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NEOSHO, Mo. — A Newton County area prone to deadly drownings is now safer thanks to a project three years in the making.

This morning the City of Neosho, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Missouri Department of Conservation cut the ribbon for the reconstructed Lime Kiln Rocky Slope Dam.

The area has been closed since June of last year two people drowned.

At least five people have drowned in Shoal Creek below the Lime Kiln Dam in the last seven years.

Past conditions at the dam also created a hazardous undercurrent and prevented fish from passing through it.

But now thanks to many organizations and construction companies the area is much safer for people to enjoy again.

“Swimming will just be like any other creek that you’ll go to, I mean you’ll swim at your own risk. What we have eliminated is the undercurrent that existed prior to the rocky slope dam,” said David Kennedy, City Manager of Neosho.

The dam itself hasn’t had any work done since its construction in the 1940s.

10 words Americans often mispronounce, according to a new study

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(NEXSTAR) — It’s not just you; almost no one knows how to pronounce “acai.”

That’s the major takeaway from a recent study conducted by Unscrambled Words, which sought to determine the words, terms, or names that Americans are often struggling to pronounce.

It wasn’t just “acai,” of course. The analysts at Unscrambled Words — an online resource for players of word-based games like Scrabble or Words With Friends — have found nine other tongue-twisting terms that Americans seemingly don’t know how to say, based on the average number of monthly Google searches for “How to pronounce [X].”

“This data might show that some people may have been mispronouncing words for years without realizing,” a spokesperson for Unscrambled Words stated in a press release. “However, it also shows that there is no shame in wanting to know correct pronunciations, with thousands of people across the U.S. also wanting to find out every single month.”

In addition to “acai” (a species of palm tree that bears a berry of the same name, and is pronounced “ah-sah-EE” or “ah-sye-EE,” per the Merriam-Webster dictionary), the top-searched pronunciations on Google included a number of other food-related words, such as “gyro,” “charcuterie” and “pho,” among others.

Quick, how do you say “GIF”?(Getty Images)

Others from the list include: “Omicron,” currently the name of the predominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus; “Nguyen,” a common Vietnamese surname; and “GIF,” a word for a specific kind of image file format that linguists and software engineers still debate the pronunciation of.

The complete top-ten list is below, alongside the average monthly number of Google searches for those pronunciations, according to Unscrambled Words. Each term is also hyperlinked to pronunciation at Merriam-Webster, unless where otherwise indicated.

  1. Acai – 20,400 monthly searches
  2. Gyro – 17,660 monthly searches
  3. Omicron – 15,530 monthly searches
  4. Charcuterie – 15,140 monthly searches
  5. Nguyen (pronunciation via Heritage-Line) – 14,990 monthly searches
  6. Gnocchi – 11,350 monthly searches
  7. GIF – 11,230 monthly searches
  8. Worcestershire – 8,880 monthly searches
  9. Dogecoin (pronunciation via Benzinga) – 7,540 monthly searches
  10. Pho – 7,270 monthly searches

The folks at Merriam-Webster, meanwhile, would like to remind us that we’re fools to think there are only 10 words we commonly mispronounce. In both June and October of 2022, the editors of the tome have released their own lists of the most mispronounced words in the English language, which include such whoppers as “victuals,” “awry,” “epitome” and, yes, “acai.”

“This famous berry is harvested in Brazil, but it’s featured on menus and in recipes read by English speakers aplenty,” an editor for Merriam-Webster writes of the oft-mispronounced word. “Even if you’re not throwing it into your morning smoothie, you might want to be sure you’re saying acai right.”

Will SCOTUS reject affirmative action? Expert says it’s unlikely

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TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) — As the conservative-led Supreme Court weighs a case on affirmative action in college admissions at two prestigious universities, some legal experts say a rejection of the practice is unlikely. 

The case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court focuses on admissions practices at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. Both schools consider the race of applicants, as one of many criteria, to achieve diversity. 

Cheryl Nelson-Butler, an Associate Attorney at a law firm in Texas, who teaches Race and the Law as a visiting Professor at Washburn University in Topeka, weighed in on the case in an interview Friday. 

Nelson-Butler said while a rejection of affirmative action could have a ripple effect into employment practices, it’s unlikely that it will have to get to that point. She argues that affirmative action is a “constitutional right.”

“The plaintiffs in the case incorrectly argue that the Constitution says you can’t take race into account at all. And, that’s a misconception, because under the fourteenth amendment of the United States Constitution, you can take race into account to remedy past discrimination,” Nelson-Butler said. “This case may come down to the limited issue of whether Harvard and University of North Carolina are correctly applying race in their admissions process.”

It’s “unclear” how a decision on affirmative action in college admissions at the two schools could impact Kansas universities. 

In a statement, Matt Keith, a spokesman for the Kansas Board of Regents, said that state universities work differently than those involved in this case. 

Public state universities in Kansas guarantee admissions for students who meet minimum GPA or ACT requirements. Board policy also requires that student admissions be made without regard to factors like race. 

“The admissions process for state universities in Kansas is significantly different from that of the institutions involved in the cases you mentioned. While those universities admit a small percentage of their applicants, state universities in Kansas guarantee admission for students who meet minimum GPA or ACT requirements. Further, Board policy requires that ‘all decisions with reference to student status, i.e. admission, academic achievements and discipline, be made without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, physical handicap or disability, status as a Vietnam Era Veteran, sexual orientation or other factors which cannot be lawfully considered.’ State universities are committed to recruiting and serving students from traditionally underserved populations, but the nature of qualified admissions makes their circumstances substantially different.”

Matt Keith, Kansas Board of Regents spokesman

However, state universities do have “comprehensive affirmative action plans” for employment practices, since they are federal contractors, Keith explained. He said, as of now, it’s not clear how the Supreme Court’s decision could impact those practices.

“…As federal contractors state universities have comprehensive affirmative action plans to provide equal employment opportunity,” he stated. “However, it is unclear at this point how or if the cases before the Supreme Court would impact those. In any case, state universities will continue to follow all applicable federal and state laws.”