Arrest made in robberies spree

In Joplin, Mo Paul D. Shoumake, 42, was arrested for burglary charge for an attempt to rob a Carie Parish at her home east of Carterville. Shoumake went to the door of Parishs home on a Monday afternoon and asked to use her phone. He then forced himself through the door to gain entry to her home and demand money from her. When she told him she had none, he forced her outside the house with her 3 year old child in her arms, Shoumake intent was taking her to the bank to obtain money from an account. Perish tried to run from him with her child once they got outside, but he tried to grab her with a struggle causing him to flee without obtaining any money. Shoumake has also been charged with the robbery of the Great Southern Bank on East 32^nd Street and is suspected of three more robberies, or robbery attempts, dating back to Nov. 21.

I’m glad this man was caught since he is known to be aggressive and it may have been a matter of time before a victim would have been harmed. It’s scary that this could have happened to anyone at any time.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x622291115/Arrest-made-in-robberies-spree

Joplin woman charged in baby-for-sale scam

In Joplin, MO, Alice H. Sims, 29, allegedly offered an unborn baby for sale on Craigslist. She has been arrested and accused for accepting a $200 down payment on the imaginary baby from two undercover police officers. Police say Sims placed an ad on the Internet site Craigslist and advertised an unborn baby for sale. Sims wanted a $200 down payment and $100 per month until the due date on May 18 of the supposed baby. Two Joplin undercover officers posed as a couple and was sent to meet Sims at her vehicle in a McDonald’s parking lot. They met and discussed the purchase of the baby and then exchanged $200. She agreed to accept $200 more at the time of the child’s birth instead of the $100 per month that she had been expecting. Soon after, Sims was stopped as she was leaving the parking lot and then was taken in for questioning.

Wow I think crazy what people will do for money but in my opinion why would you advertise an unborn baby on the internet, she should know it’s illegal. Obviously the girl is not very bright on how to scam people very well and good thing she got caught, so she can’t actually do it to someone who desperately wants a child.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x1312703632/Joplin-woman-charged-in-baby-for-sale-scam

Judge tosses out federal charges in Gary Hall tobacco case

In Witcha, Kansas a federal judge threw out an indictment against Gary Hall a Kansas tobacco wholesaler and business associates who were charged with trying to avoid paying $25 million in cigarette taxes to the state of Oklahoma and Indian tribes. U.S. District Judge Monti Belot had ruled out the defendant’s indictment because the case against them was unconstitutionally vague and should be dismissed. Belot stated the government’s case was based on the government’s opinion and not by federal for Kansas or Oklahoma statute. The decision clears all charges against Gary Hall, Discount Tobacco Warehouse Inc, and Rebel Industries Inc. Prosecutors could seek another indictment because charges were dismissed without prejudice. They also could appeal Belot’s decision, but the judge strongly discouraged prosecutors from seeking reconsideration. Hall’s companies stamped cigarettes for sale at smoke shops in lower tax rate areas when they actually were sold at shops with higher tax rates. Belot said the cigarettes had tax stamps and records were accurately made and maintained. The investigation started in 2006 after a Kansas Highway Patrol officer had stopped a vehicle in Coffeyville that was allegedly carrying cigarettes worth more than $200,000 without appropriate tax stamps. In May 2007 federal and state agents raided Rebel Industries. Belot ruled out the evidence of Kansas Highway Patrol officer had no reason to suspect the driver of a U-Haul van that was found to be loaded with cigarettes was violating any laws, and the search was illegal. The 43 count indictment filed in October 2008 included charges of conspiracy to divert cigarettes, mail and wire fraud, and record keeping violations of the Cigarette Trafficking Act, interstate transportation in aid of racketeering, transporting contraband cigarettes, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.

In my opinion it sounds like Gary Hall paid off the Judge because the judge ruled out most of the evidence against him, which he evidently committed fraud. If this was to be anyone else who doesn’t have money would be prosecuted and sent to prison for life if that person didn’t pay $25 million in cigarette tax. I think by law everyone should be treated equally the same but in this day in age money talks for almost anything.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x1853594621/Judge-tosses-out-federal-charges-in-Gary-Hall-tobacco-case

Suspect in stabbing turns self in

Donnie R. Wilson, 22, was taken to St. John’s hospital of Joplin on a Saturday night for treatment of a stab wound during a fight with another man and required surgery for the wound to his lower back. A steak knife was believed to have been the weapon used in the stabbing and was recovered at the scene, but the 19 year old suspect who fought with Wilson was gone before the arrival of police. The alleged 19 year old suspect came to the police station on a Sunday night in the company of a bondsman and turned himself in. Police were seeking a charge of first-degree assault against the man, but the charge has yet to be filed.

I think the suspect who fought Wilson made the right decision by turning himself in but I think it’s stupid when guys bring weapons to fights, it’s a cheap way to fight and even worse it could kill someone. Wilson is very lucky that he did not get killed during the fight.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x622288902/Suspect-in-stabbing-turns-self-in

Man accused in sex-slave case facing gun charges

In St. Louis, Mo, Bradley Cook, 32, was accused of torturing and mutilating a runaway teen who was a sex slave for years, but he is facing a new felony charge because he possessed and transported firearms illegally in December last year. Cook is in federal custody on charges filed in Kansas City for the alleged sex slave case. Federal prosecutors in St. Louis are pressing an order against Cook to stay behind bars that’s pending trial on the weapons count, casting the man as a dangerous threat to the community, and a serious flight risk. Cook has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, sex trafficking, racketeering and weapons charges in the sex case. He faces a possible life sentence if convicted of the trafficking count. Edward Bagley, 43, is known as the victim’s “master” who went by the name Master Ed promised the 16 year old girl that she would become a model and dancer with a great life. Instead, the teenager was given drugs and sexually abused. When she turned 18, she was sexually tortured, persuaded to sign a sex slave contract and tattooed with several slave symbols. Bagley allegedly advertised online and in-person torture sessions, with Cook and three other men that are also accused of using cigarettes, computer hard drives, meat, and other items to take part in the sexual abuse and torture. Cook frequently visited Bagley’s home to have sex with the victim and would often jolt her with a crank-activated phone rigged with wires attached to parts of the woman’s body. Cook’s attorney, has portrayed Cook as a responsible member of the St. Louis community who had a real-estate business and restored old cars, who has no criminal record other than the unpaid tickets and was not a risk to flee.

I hope Cook stays behind bars! It’s sick that someone would want to do horrible things to a young girl, who was helpless. I feel sorry for the young girl it’s terrible that she had to go through torture by men, who are sick and twisted. I hope authorities will charge Cook with both charges, so he will go to prison for a long time for what he did and I hope the other men do too, especially Bagley. It makes me sick that Bagley made the young girl call him master and forced the poor girl to be a sex slave, when all she was looking for was a good home to grow up in.
http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x1199045050/Man-accused-in-sex-slave-case-facing-gun-charges

New York professor installs camera in head

Wafaa Bilal, a New York University professor had a camera surgically implanted into the back of his head, so he can be closer to reality and ideas that are unseen in everyday life. Bilal is a photography professor at the university's Tisch School of the Arts, had the procedure done at a piercing studio for an art project commissioned by a museum in Doha, Qatar. “A project like this is meant to establish a dialogue about surveillance," said Bilal. The project is called "The 3rd I," which is a posterior camera that is used to take snap-shot photographs each minute of Bilal's everyday activities for one year. The thumb-sized camera is mounted on a titanium plate inserted inside the back of his head. A cable runs from the camera to a computer that he carries in a custom-made shoulder bag, providing a real-time global positioning signal of his location. Bilal wants his artwork to examine broader ideas and realities. “I see myself as a mirror reflecting some of the social conditions that we ignore," said Bilal. University authorities have tried to prevent concerns of privacy by requiring a cover over the lens while Bilal is teaching on campus, since the school of arts takes the privacy issues of his project serious.

I think this is a neat idea, but I wonder how that would be comfortable to have a camera on your head and carry a computer in a shoulder bag for a year, that sounds like a lot of work. I want to see the results of this dialogue and understand more where he is coming from with this project. It would be interesting to know what people don’t see behind them in their everyday life.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/12/02/new.york.camera.head/index.html?npt=NP1

Ryan Gosling: 'fat and unemployed'

Actor Ryan Gosling says he was fired from the 2009 movie "The Lovely Bones" for getting too fat. In a new interview, the 30-year-old star reveals how he prepped to play the role of Jack Salmon, whose teenage daughter Susie is brutally murdered by packing on 60 pounds. The problem was Gosling never told the film director Peter Jackson of his plan. Gosling told reporters, "We didn't talk very much during the pre-production process. It was a huge movie, and there are so many things to deal with, Jackson just couldn't deal with the actors individually." When Gosling showed up on set, Jackson was shocked by his weight gain, which ultimately got him fired and was soon replaced by Mark Wahlberg for more of a muscular look. "We had a different idea of how the character should look. I really believed he should have been 210 pounds,” says Gosling.

The “Lovely Bones” was a really good movie, but is a chiller since it could happen to anyone. I think Mark Wahlberg was a good choice for the role of Susie’s Dad and Ryan Gosling would have been a good pick too but I don’t think the character would have look good being fat. Gosling should have confirmed it with the director first before gaining the weight, since the director is the boss of the set.

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/03/ryan-gosling-fat-and-unemployed/?npt=NP1

'Black Swan' goes to some dark places

The movie “Black Swan” is an idealized image of feminine purity, high art's version of Snow White or Cinderella. Natalie Portman is Nina, a dedicated dancer whose technique makes her the obvious candidate to replace the retiring prima ballerina in the forthcoming production of "Swan Lake." The character Nina lives at home with her mom (Barbara Hershey), and she has never been tempted by alcohol, drugs or men. It takes her friend Lily (Mila Kunis) to open her up to those trap doors. As Nina explores her dark side and her sense of reality, Portman reveals a more open and vulnerable actress than she has shown before. It's a risky, intensely physical performance that deserves an Oscar. The melodrama is the kind of chick flick guys are going to love exclaim producers.

I’m not a big fan of ballet but this movie looks really good and I think Natalie Portman is a great actress. I’m definitely going to go see this movie when it comes out to theatres!http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/03/black.swan.review/index.html?npt=NP1

Man charged with smuggling tarantulas into U.S.

Sven Koppler a German tarantula dealer has been recently charged with sending hundreds of tarantulas illegally to the United States through the U.S. mail. He was arrested right after he had just flown into Los Angeles, California after a nine-month investigation. Koppler faces one count of illegally importing wildlife into the United States, which he failed to receive permits and did not declare the spiders. Nearly 600 tarantulas were under question during the investigation, some were the Brachypelma Smithi species that are commonly known as Mexican red-kneed tarantulas. This species is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and can only be traded with special permits. Koppler failed to confess to the Fish and Wildlife Service that he had shipped the tarantulas and that is why they are considered smuggled. If convicted, Koppler could be sentenced to up to 20 years in federal prison and fined $250,000, prosecutors said. According to the criminal complaint, Koppler mailed more than 500 tarantulas, which many were wrapped in colored plastic straws. Koppler has received about $300,000 as a result of tarantula sales around the world.

Wow! That’s a lot of spiders to be sold in the U.S. but I don’t think the guy should serve 20 years for selling spiders. I think he should at least get a couple years since it is illegal without a permit and he knew that it was wrong to do but he probably got to greedy to do it in the right way.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/03/california.spider.importing/index.html?npt=NP1

Fans line up for latest ‘Harry Potter’ magic

November 18, 2010 In Joplin, MO, Jeremey Sailes waited nearly 14 hours in line on Thursday, Nov. 18 to be the first to see “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows,” premiere at midnight. Sailes said he had been waiting for this moment “for a long, long time before they ever started making the movies.” He arrived outside of the Hollywood Theaters North star 14 at 10:30 a.m. and was the first in line for the midnight showing. By noon, he was joined by a half-dozen comrades and by 3:15 p.m., there were more than a dozen people in line with sleeping bags and blankets, reading “Harry Potter” books, and playing card games.


I really want to see this movie too! I’m a bit jealous that I didn’t get to go see the midnight premier since I have been waiting to see this movie for a while but I will see it soon and I can’t wait! I hope the movie will be better than the last one.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x1897757646/Fans-line-up-for-latest-Harry-Potter-magic

Missouri panel studies Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia

November 17, 2010

In Jefferson, MO, a state report on Alzheimer’s disease was released Tuesday recommends that Missouri should focus on diagnosing cases early, making services available, and improve training for first responders and health care workers. Officials have estimated that more than 110,000 Missouri residents have Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, though that number is expected to increase to more than 130,000 in the next 15 years because people are living longer. The state recommends work to increase public attention and promote efforts to detect Alzheimer’s disease sooner. They also recommend improving the available information on the disorder and urge the state to ensure adequate training for health care workers and first responders in handling people with dementia.


I think this is a very good idea because Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease and I have experienced many cases working in different nursing homes. There is medicine for this disease but it only helps by preventing the disease from progressing. It’s sad how the disease makes people loss their minds and puts them back to a young age dwelling on things from the past or things that are just not real. I hope they find a cure or at least make medicine that will prevent people from getting Alzheimer, if they take it at an early age.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x1607700778/Missouri-panel-studies-Alzheimer-s-disease-dementia

Wichita police say grenade was rigged to explode

November 17, 2010
In Wichita, KS, police found a World War II-era grenade in an alley behind a bakery and was rigged to explode. Investigators say there’s no evidence that the Sara Lee bakery was targeted and are trying to figure out who left the grenade in the alley, and why. A bakery employee found the pineapple-style grenade around 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 and the Wichita Bomb Squad was called ASAP to detonate the device. Police said the live grenade could have caused damage if it had exploded and are asking the public’s help in finding out how the device ended up in the alley.


Wow that’s scary that someone would put a rigged grenade in a random alley! That could have seriously hurt someone or even worse kill an innocent person. There are crazy people in this world and obviously that person who rigged that device is dangerous.


http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x355876956/Wichita-police-say-grenade-was-rigged-to-explode 

New York man arrested in death of missing college student

Steven Pieper, who had a relationship with college student Jenni-Lyn Watson, was charged on Saturday with second-degree murder after the discovery of her body in Syracuse, New York. Authorities held a massive manhunt for the dance major, which has been missing since November 19. The discovery of what are believed to be her remains was found at 10:30 a.m. in Clay Central Park in North Syracuse. Pieper, 21, and Watson, 20, had dated on and off for 18 month. The indication leading up to the murder is believed that Watson desired their relationship to end in early October but apparently that message didn't get through to Pieper. Authorities said Watson was killed in her Liverpool home on the morning of November 19. Authorities later found her body dumped in a heavily wooded area a couple miles away. They believe that someone tried to conceal the body, but instead of finding the body buried, it was found behind a utility shed. Pieper is alleged to have been at Watson’s home on the morning of her disappearance and is believed to be the last to have seen her. He has been interviewed twice, but he has denied any involvement. Pieper has pleaded not guilty and will be held without bail.

It’s terrible that this girl’s life has been taken away at a young age, because of her jealous boyfriend. I think one of the scariest things in this world is how most people cannot be trusted now a days but it’s an unexpected action to have done by a love one. I hope whoever is guilty for this murder will pay for their actions and the victim’s family will get their justice.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/27/new.york.missing.student/index.html?npt=NP1

Oklahoma flu season has killed 1, sent 30 to hospital

In Tulsa, Ok, the flu has caused one death since September 1^st and has sent at least 30 people to the hospital. Last year there were 47 deaths in Oklahoma and 1,300 hospitalizations due to the flu. The health officials said there is some influenza going around in Oklahoma, but it the virus is low levels now. Influenza symptoms begin suddenly and typically include a fever of 100 degrees or higher, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, extreme fatigue and body aches. Most who contract the flu recover in one to two weeks, but some may develop pneumonia, or other potentially life-threatening complications. To avoid catching the flu you should avoid close contact with people who are sick, keep your hands clean, properly cover your cough, and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth because germs can be spread that way. To also prevent the spread of the illness is to get a flu shot urged by health officials.

I’m glad that I have my flu shot because I do not want to be sick this year. Last year I was so sick from the flu I couldn’t get out of bed for days. I hope everyone gets their flu shots or at least try to prevent from getting sick because the spread of the disease is becoming dangerous to others.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x1199045048/Oklahoma-flu-season-has-killed-1-sent-30-to-hospital

Joplin firefighter appeals firing in DWI case

A Joplin firefighter was fired in August after he was ticketed for driving while intoxicated, but he wants his job back. Jeff Lawless has appealed his termination to the city’s personnel board and held a hearing on the case Tuesday. In August, Lawless rear-ended a car while driving on Main Street near 32nd Street. The wreck caused little damage and no injuries but resulted in Lawless being tested for DWI. Lawless testified on Tuesday that he drank several beers, which he estimated to have 5 to 9 cans, while working on a car with a friend between noon and 6:45 p.m. after he had gotten off work. He said he did not feel impaired to drive on his way to buy some food at a fast-food restaurant. Lawless said that two other firefighters who were charged with DWI this year were not fired.


I think this guy was treated unfairly because he was off the clock while this happened, so his job had no right to fire him. Everyone makes mistakes, but a job should not fire someone for a DWI charge unless it’s done on the job or that person has gotten to many charges. If two other fire fighters have had the same charges and did not get fired, then Lawless should get his job back.
http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x713538421/Joplin-firefighter-appeals-firing-in-DWI-case