Month: March 2021

The popular Christian summer camp Kanakuk near Branson is the subject of a scathing new report by journalists David and Nancy French, alleging that the leadership of the camp covered up for sexual abuse of campers by a former staffer that took place a decade go on a much larger scale than previously believed by observers.

The abuse of campers is connected to former Kanakuk director Pete Newman, who pleaded guilty to seven counts related to his sexual abuse of campers. He was sentenced to two life terms plus 30 years on the most severe of the charges and is currently in the Jefferson City Correctional Center.

However, the new article cites a civil case that claims there are at least 57 victims of Newman’s, and legal experts close to the case believe it could be in the hundreds.

The investigation by David and Nancy French began after Gretchen Carlson of Fox News reached out to them because she had spoken with the sister of a victim and discovered the number of Non-Disclosure Agreements that had been signed in connection with the incident. The pair then found one family who refused to sign a NDA and shared their son’s story who said his abuse began when he was ten.

The French article says that while the head of the camp, Joe White, said in a videotaped deposition the actions of Newman weren’t “even on our radar” but one victim called “John Doe IX” said in a civil complaint that those running the camp knew what was going on.

Doe-IX-From-French-Story

The article lays out a case that non-disclosure agreements the camp had victims who filed suit sign is hiding the extent of the abuse, and that founder Joe White has not been held accountable for his actions in covering the abuse.

“Non-disclosure agreements force survivors into perpetual silence, unable to share their own pain with those closest to them and unable to warn others of danger,” Gretchen Carlson told the Frenches. “They must be eradicated so that we, as a society, can have an honest discussion about the toxicity they were designed to hide.”

This weekend, a website called “Facts About Kanakuk” launched a petition for the camp to agree to waive the non-disclosure agreements to allow all the victims to come forward and speak freely to the media and the public.

Kanakuk has on their website a statement about the abuse:

Tragically, more than 12 years ago, one of our staff members was accused and convicted for abusing campers. We were devastated by the deceptive practices of this individual, and continue to grieve with the victims and their families. We’ve said it before and will continue to say it again and again, we are forever sorry for the pain inflicted on victims and their families.

Any act of abuse is absolutely deplorable and stands counter to Kanakuk’s beliefs. Although there were many measures in place to prevent such a tragedy that were consistent and compliant with then-current industry recommendations, this individuals’ deception of family, friends, Kanakuk, and our camp families was deep.

Our comprehensive Child Protection Plan was created as a result of this tragedy, and has been rigorously followed each summer since. It has more than 340 identifiable and measurable protective elements that make it more complete, inclusive and reliable than the background checks that are often relied upon in summer camp hiring practices. The CPP goes beyond the background checks to prevent, detect and respond to physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse in children’s programming, and has been shared with over 600 youth serving organizations across the country.

Investigations following the events of 2009 have determined that no one at Kanakuk knew that any criminal activity was being committed, and no charges for failure to report were ever filed against any Kanakuk staff. Detecting warning signs and educating campers and staff on appropriate behavior and the consequences of misconduct is now the foundation of Kanakuk’s Child Protection Plan.

We believe victims of abuse should never have to endure secrecy, cover ups or dismissal, so we have taken the approach of listening and responding to families as our utmost priority. The Kanakuk name is not more important than the hearts and lives of individuals. Forgiveness and healing are not immediate things, and thus we will say it again, we are forever sorry.

The camp also has “conduct guidelines” given to staff and campers:

KanakukConductGuidelines

To read the Frenches full investigation into the Kanakuk situation, follow this link to The Dispatch.

Here is the recording of the 2021 Springfield Mayor’s debate between incumbent Mayor Ken McClure and challenger Marcus Aton.

Here is the recording of the 2021 Springfield City Council debate between General Council Seat A candidates Justin Burnett, Alex Aton, Randy Allen, and Heather Hardinger.

Here is the recording of the 2021 Springfield City Council debate between General Council Seat B candidates J. Michael Hasty, Brent Brown, and incumbent Craig Hosmer.

Here is the recording of the 2021 Springfield City Council debate between Zone 4 candidates Craig Kauffman and incumbent Matthew Simpson. (A third candidate, Jean Kalapathy, was out of the state and unable to participate.)

Here is the recording of the 2021 Springfield City Council debate between Zone 1 candidates Angela Romine and Isabelle Jimenez Walker.

A cold front will move through the Ozarks Saturday afternoon, bringing a chance for some strong to severe thunderstorms.

The National Weather Service says the primary location for storms to develop remains along and south of I-44.

Areas south of I-44 and generally east of Highway 65 are in the Storm Prediction Center’s yellow “slight risk” area, while locations west of 65 are in the green “marginal risk” area.

Forecasters say the window for severe weather looks to be between 4 and 10 p.m. with lingering showers and some thunderstorms continuing into the overnight hours.

Hail as large as half dollars and damaging winds as high as 60 miles per hour will be the primary concerns.

The Springfield Police Department has announced an arrest in the murder of a man at the Welcome Inn on March 25.

Matthew Carl Borg, 32, of Springfield, has been charged with second degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to a probable cause statement, investigators say that a 911 call came in around 12:45 a.m. stating a male had been shot in the leg at the Welcome Inn, room 214. As officers were responding to the call, Borg called 911 and told the dispatcher that he had shot someone in the leg. Borg claimed the victim had broken into and charged into his room. He said that he told the person to stop before shooting him, and that he had left the gun on the bed.

When officers arrived, they detained Borg, and found Dylan Hill, 26, dead in room 314 with a gunshot wound to the head. A gun and knife were located on the bed.

Surveillance video showed Hill arriving at the motel in a blue Pontiac Sunfire. Borg, who had been outside room 314, went inside when the car was parking. Hill exited the car and walked straight into Borg’s room, and a short time later a “puff of smoke appeared off a pillar which was consistent with a bullet.”

Two individuals exited the Pontiac after the shooting, one carrying what appeared to be a baseball bat or similar weapon, and Borg pointed a gun at them before moving back into the room and barricading the door.

The people who arrived with Hill, along with others, pounded on the door of room 314 attempting to gain access but were unsuccessful. Those people were observed moving between room 314 and room 318.

Investigators then said residents of room 318 reported before the shooting having seen Borg point a gun at the back of someone’s head inside that room in front of a child. When Borg saw the child looking at him, he lowered the gun and left the room.

Borg later told investigators post-Miranda that he had pointed a BB gun at someone when he was being him in room 318. Police did not find a BB gun during their search. He claimed that while he was getting some drugs from a bag for another man that he looked up and saw Hill coming toward his room and charging in. Borg said he pulled a gun from under the pillow on his bed and told Hill to stop, but that Hill made fists with his hands and began to approach Borg, so Borg fired “three times.”

Borg said he called 911 after the shooting because people were trying to break into his room.

Police say they are still investigating the incident and anyone with information is asked to call 864-1810.

If convicted on the second degree murder charge, Borg could face life in prison. As of Friday afternoon, he has no attorney of record, and no court date has been set for his next appearance.