Health experts remind residents to follow COVID-19 precautions

NEOSHO, Mo. – As COVID-19 cases remain high, its important to continue taking steps to protect yourself and others from the virus.

Newton County Health Director Larry Bergner says you should remain vigilant about washing your hands, social distancing and wearing masks when recommended. He also says cleaning surfaces regularly can help stop the spread.

“Certainly those disinfectants are effective,” said Bergner. “And so making sure that all of our services are clean, plenty of sanitizer, your hand sanitizer. So at the hand sink in those establishments, the food service establishments, and others restrooms.”

So far around 43 percent of people in Newton County have gotten at least one dose of a COVID vaccine.

Man sentenced for molesting family member in SW Missouri

NEOSHO, Mo. – A Kentucky man will spend 10 years behind bars for molesting a child family member in Southwest Missouri.

According a release from to the Newton County, Missouri prosecuting attorney, John E. Hartle, 71, of Williamstown, Kentucky entered a guilty plea to one count of Child Molestation in the 1st degree. A judge sentenced Hartle to 10 years in prison.

The crime happened in the summer of 2020. The juvenile victim gave a discloser to a forensic interviewer at the Children’s Center in Joplin, Missouri that Hartle rubbed the victim’s genitals through the victim’s pants pockets. Family members confronted the defendant about the disclosure, at which time Hartle fled the state to attend a sexual addiction treatment center in Kentucky.

“Finding justice for juvenile sexual assault survivors in a way that doesn’t further their trauma is difficult to balance,” said Newton County Prosecuting Attorney William Lynch. “This plea allows justice to be served without requiring the child to testify repeatedly throughout the process. Given the age of the defendant, he may very well spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Newton County ceremony honors fallen officers

NEOSHO, Mo. – Area law enforcement agencies gathered Tuesday night to honor their brothers and sisters lost in the line of duty.

A special service was held at the courthouse lawn in Neosho, Missouri. The service was conducted by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office chaplains.

I know the families of fallen officers appreciate it, as well across the United States,” said Newton County Sheriff Chris Jennings. “They need to be remembered, because most have given their life to the line of duty, and it means a lot to them I’m sure, as well as their families and those of us remaining.”

All Newton County police departments and city officials were invited to the ceremony.

Honoring fallen officers from the Four States

NEOSHO, Mo. (KODE) — Law enforcement agencies in Newton County are remembering fallen officers.

Tuesday evening, they held a service at the courthouse lawn in Neosho for Law Enforcement Fallen Officers Week.

During the ceremony, they read the names of all the fallen law enforcement officers from Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas.

Last year, they had to postpone the event because of coronavirus, so they read more names this year.

“This year, it has special meaning due to the gun fight my deputies were in last week. We’re thankful they weren’t added to this list of fallen officers. I’m very proud of them and just happy they’re still with us,” said Chris Jennings, Newton County Sheriff.

As a gift of gratitude, each law enforcement officer was presented a book, pertaining to the inside look of life in law enforcement.

3rd suspect sentenced for shooting at Seneca officer

NEOSHO, Mo. – A judge sentences a third man for his part in shooting at a Seneca, Missouri police officer.

Kenneth Cecil Nelums, 61, of Picher, Oklahoma, entered an Alford plea this morning in Newton County Circuit Court. Judge Gregory Stremel sentenced him to 18 years for first degree assault and 15 years in prison for unlawful use of a weapon. Nelums will serve the sentences at the same time, spending 18 years in prison.

The courts dismissed a count of armed criminal action as part of the plea.

The Alford Plea entered by the defendant allows him to plea guilty and admit there is sufficient evidence to convict without admitting guilt.

The 2020 Crime

On September 12, 2020, a Seneca, Missouri police officer tried to make a traffic stop. That’s when he saw a back window open and a flash come from the vehicle, followed by bullets hitting the officer’s patrol vehicle.

Three suspects were in the vehicle. It drove off through a fence and into a field where the occupants were able to evade pursuit.

Authorities later found the suspect vehicle. They recovered numerous weapons, spent bullet casings and bullet holes in the tailgate of the vehicle.

Police arrested three suspects.

The Seneca Police Department investigated the case and William Lynch and Sarah Crites, of the Newton County Prosecutor’s Office, prosecuted.

Sentencings

In addition to Nelums’s sentencing, the courts have sentenced two other co-defendants in the case.

Bradley Ray Holms, Jr. pleaded guilty on February 1, 2021. Tony Lucian Helm pleaded guilty on March 5, 2021. A judge sentenced each to 15 years in the Department of Corrections.

“Police are under fire both on the streets and in the media every day. We stand by our officers and we will serve out harsh penalties for those that endanger them,” said Newton County Prosecuting
Attorney William Lynch. “These large sentences should send a message to anyone who would hurt a police officer: it will not be tolerated in Newton County.”

Related Articles

Joplin man pleads guilty in 2019 murder of Sarah Tyminski

PINEVILLE, Mo. – A Joplin man pleads guilty to the 2019 murder of his son’s longtime girlfriend.

(Previous articles: Loved ones hold celebration of life to remember Sarah TyminskiFamily of fatal shooting victim speaks about their loved one)

Rickey Lee Lamb, 63, of Joplin, Missouri entered the plea in front of Judge Kevin Selby of the 40th Judicial Circuit in Newton County on Thursday, April 15, 2021, to Murder in the Second Degree.

The court dismissed counts of Domestic Assault First and Armed Criminal Action.

On June 17, 2019, Rickey Lamb went to the residence of his son and his son’s girlfriend Sarah Tyminski on Eloise Lane just south of Joplin. According to the defendant’s own statements, included in the probable cause document filed with the case, Lamb went to the home to scare his son over a custody dispute over his son’s children. At the residence, a firefight ensued, and Rickey Lamb admitted to shooting Sarah Tyminski, telling detectives he believed she was trying to get a weapon. EMT’s pronounced Sarah Tyminski dead at the scene.

“This plea will offer closure and some amount of justice to the family of Sarah Tyminski,” said Newton County Prosecuting Attorney William Lynch. “The decision to proceed as we have is not
one I take lightly. After full discovery was completed in this case, considering the availability of some witnesses and the risk associated with a jury trial, this is a just and certain outcome.” Lynch
stated that the defendant taking responsibility for his actions and the plea limiting the scope of the defendant’s appeals were important factors in his decision.

A sentencing hearing is set for June 17, 2021. At that hearing, the state and defense will have the opportunity to make argument as to what sentence the defendant should receive. The range of
sentencing for the A felony of Murder in the Second Degree is 10 to 30 years, or life, in the Missouri Department of Corrections. No plea agreement was made limiting the range of punishment the
judge can consider.

The case was investigated by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by William Lynch, J.D. Hatcher, and Sarah Crites, of the Newton County Prosecutor’s Office

Authorities look for couple in vehicle posing as officials

 

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. – Authorities ask the public to call 911 if they see a vehicle suspected in a scam. Two people are allegedly demanding to enter homes under false pretenses.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a white four-door sedan with what appears to be a black and yellow badge logo. The vehicle also has the phrase “Newton County Judicial” written on the front doors.

Chief Deputy Geller posts that the vehicle is occupied by two people, a white male and a white female. He states the couple are approaching homes and demanding to enter the residence on the pretense of “looking for someone.”

Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance. If you see this vehicle, call 911 immediately or the Newton County dispatch at 417-451-8333 with location and/or license plate number.
The Sheriff’s Office tells residents to not make contact with them.

Newton County authorities say endangered missing person has been found

UPDATE — As of 10:58pm Tuesday, Silva is no longer missing. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office says he was found safe.


Original story:

GRANBY, Mo. (KSNF/KODE) — The Newton County Sheriff is looking for an endangered missing person.

Ryan Silva was last seen in the Granby area near Fortune Teller Road and Hebron Road.

He is a person with autism. Authorities say he also has a nervous twitch and snaps his fingers.

The clothing he is wearing is unknown at this time.

Anyone with information should contact the Newton County dispatch center immediately at 417-451-8333.

News to know (2/22)

DENVER, Colo. – Federal Investigators say Saturday’s emergency landing of a United Boeing 777 shortly after takeoff from Denver are looking at photos and videos from the harrowing event. United says it’s voluntarily and temporarily removing twenty-four 777’s that have Pratt and Whitney series four thousand engines from its schedule.

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. – The Newton County Sheriff’s Office says it’s investigating a homicide after a body is found in a ditch. Newton Sheriff Chris Jennings says the incident occurred along state line road. Sheriff Jennings says the office received a call about a body in the ditch along the side of the road. The office is investigating it as a homicide and the body has been identified and the office is in the process of notifying next of kin. Sheriff Jennings says the investigation is ongoing

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The state of Missouri hit a milestone late last week as it surpassed one million Covid-19 vaccines administered. The state has used 85% of it’s supply. Governor Mike Parson took to social media saying “As supply continues to increase, more and more Missourians will have an opportunity to receive a vaccine, but it’s important to remain patient and understand that demand for vaccines will still far outweigh supply for some time.”

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A report from the Missouri Highway Patrol says the state experienced it’s highest number of traffic fatalities since 2007. 989 lives were lost in traffic crashes in 2020 up from 881 in 2019. That number includes 126 pedestrian deaths, the highest number in state history. All this, despite a lower number of cars on the highway due to the pandemic. The report says there were notable increases in unbuckled and speed related fatalities.