Missouri
Activists grab attention of Missouri Attorney General’s Office in effort to end human trafficking in KC
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – More efforts are being made to fight human trafficking around Kansas City. Tactics by local activists are now getting the attention of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. To raise awareness and show how this crime is a bigger problem around Kansas City than many realize.
Activists with Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery have labeled Independence Ave. a hot spot for human trafficking across the Kansas City Metro. But now they’re working to free every victim by expanding the resources of their outreach recovery center.
The facility is managed by Michelle Newton of Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery. Newton sees victims of all ages come through their door.
“We’ve had some teenagers but mostly early 20s all the way up to women still in trafficking situations that are approaching 70 years old,” Newton explained. “This thing does not discriminate.”
Because of geography, those who fight human trafficking have seen Kansas City become a popular area for traffickers.
“It’s a lot easier to traffic a girl out of Kansas City to New York or anywhere in the country it’s going to be cheaper,” Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery Operations Manager Stephanie Wiley said. “Jump on a plane like the international airport or the Interstates that run through.”
Newton is also a survivor of human trafficking herself. Through experience, she uses supportive and gentle tactics to convince women to seek help. She urges everyone to do the same.
“If you would let them know that you care and you want to help without telling them what to do,” Newton recommends. “But you want to help. Ask them what they’d like to do.”
When any victim of human trafficking shows up to Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery they can get fed, showered, and counseling. But Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center has also stepped in to teach them how to find jobs and skills for a better life.
“Some workforce development helping to give them the skills and training they need to access good paying jobs,” John Fierro, President and CEO of Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center, said. If you or someone you know trying to escape human trafficking wants to seek shelter here at the Relentless Pursuit Outreach & Recovery Center, they always have security on duty with locked doors, and only women are allowed inside to ensure your protection.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Missouri
Date set for Missouri basketball vs Kansas in Border War game
The date for the last matchup in the current Border War series is set.
Missouri men’s basketball will face Kansas in the Border War game on Dec. 6 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, according to a post from the Jayhawks’ official X/Twitter account Tuesday. The tipoff time and TV designation for the matchup will be released at a later date.
Kansas released its full nonconference schedule Tuesday, including the sixth and final game against Mizzou on the current competition contract.
The historic rivals have not yet signed a contract to renew the series beyond this season, according to a recent batch of competition contracts obtained by the Tribune through an open records request.
Missouri is yet to announce its nonconference schedule for the 2026-27 season, but there are three other known or reported games for this upcoming season.
Mizzou will face Howard at Mizzou Arena in the last leg of a three-game series, which will take place on a still-to-be-determined date.
The Tigers also have three more neutral-site games on their schedule. The annual Braggin’ Rights matchup against Illinois likely will fall in mid- or late- December at Enterprise Center, and Mizzou has agreed to a Nov. 15 trip to United Center in Chicago to face Marquette. Missouri also reportedly will face Saint Louis on Nov. 6 at Enterprise Center, according to Jon Rothstein at CBS Sports and College Hoops Today.
This season’s Border War matchup will include the first direct transfer between the two schools when Bryson Tiller suits up for Missouri after spending last season, his freshman year, at Kansas.
KU has won four of the five games since the series was renewed in 2021, including an 80-60 win in Kansas City last season. Missouri won the 2024-25 season matchup at Mizzou Arena, but has not beaten Kansas outside of Columbia since 2003.
Missouri
Patrol reports 11 arrests across north Missouri May 29-June 1, 2026
Click the + Icon To See Additional Sharing Options
The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested eleven people in north Missouri between May 29, 2026, and June 1, 2026. The arrests involved a variety of alleged offenses, including driving while intoxicated, felony drug possession, resisting arrest, and outstanding felony warrants. Arrests were reported in Grundy, Clinton, Caldwell, Shelby, Marion, Ralls, Monroe, Clark, and Macon counties.
It is important to note that, while all the individuals listed below have been reported as arrested, they may not have been physically transported to a detention center. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a summons, which includes a court date. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol issues a summons with a court date, it is considered an arrest, even if the individual is not physically transported to a detention center.
Diego G. Gavilanes-Tigse, 31, of Trenton, was arrested in Grundy County at 6:36 p.m. on May 29, 2026. He was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and failure to signal. Gavilanes-Tigse was held at the Grundy County Law Enforcement Center and was placed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.
Heather S. Starchman, 37, of Kansas City, was arrested in Clinton County at 7:52 p.m. on May 29, 2026. Authorities reported she was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of a synthetic narcotic, felony tampering with evidence, felony resisting arrest, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with a prior offense, cutting in on an overtaken vehicle, failure to yield, failure to register a motor vehicle, no insurance, no valid driver’s license, and failure to wear a seat belt. Starchman was taken to Cameron Regional Medical Center and later released.
Alcides Blazimiro Sagastume Gonzalez, 52, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, was arrested in Shelby County at 6:50 p.m. on May 29, 2026. He was charged with driving without a valid license and driving while intoxicated. He was held in Shelby County before being released.
Ernesto J. Carames Lopez, 27, of Kansas City, was arrested in Clinton County at 4:03 a.m. on May 30, 2026. Troopers reported he was wanted on a Clarke County, Iowa, felony warrant for larceny and was also charged with careless and imprudent driving resulting in an accident. He was held in Clinton County and was listed as bondable.
Mariah R. Vandervelden, 31, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, was arrested in Marion County at 2:56 p.m. on May 30, 2026. She was charged with driving while intoxicated and was held in the Marion County Jail before being released.
Chad A. Woolfolk, 46, of Hannibal, was arrested in Marion County at 3:50 p.m. on May 30, 2026. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while revoked, and no insurance. Woolfolk was held in the Marion County Jail and later released.
Jo A. Kennedy, 62, of Louisiana, Missouri, was arrested in Ralls County at 5:35 p.m. on May 30, 2026. Troopers charged her with driving while intoxicated involving alcohol and failure to drive on the right half of the roadway. Kennedy was held by the Ralls County Sheriff’s Office before being released.
Ethan Z. White, 25, of Huntsville, was arrested in Monroe County at 5:40 p.m. on May 30, 2026. He was charged with felony resisting arrest, two counts of speeding 26 mph or more over the limit, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, driving on the left side of the roadway when the view was obstructed, driving while intoxicated involving alcohol, and consumption of alcohol while driving. White was taken to the Randolph County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold.
Brian D. Brooks, 66, of Keokuk, Iowa, was arrested in Clark County at 9:53 p.m. on May 30, 2026. He was charged with felony driving while intoxicated as an aggravated offender, no valid license, and failure to comply with ignition interlock requirements. Brooks was held by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office on a 12-hour hold.
Justus Garway, 30, of Altoona, Iowa, was arrested in Macon County at 11:30 a.m. on May 31, 2026. He was charged with felony driving while intoxicated as an aggravated offender, failure to comply with an ignition interlock system, failure to secure a child younger than 8 years old, and speeding. Garway was held in the Macon County Jail on a 24-hour hold.
Justin L. Bittiker, 44, of Independence, was arrested in Caldwell County at 8:22 a.m. on June 1, 2026. Troopers charged him with felony possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, and turning from a direct course when unsafe. Bittiker was held at the Caldwell County Detention Center on a 24-hour hold.
Post Views: 1
Related
Click the + Icon To See Additional Sharing Options
Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri, police investigating Monday evening homicide near 12th, Askew
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred Monday evening.
The incident happened near 12th Street and Askew Avenue just after 6:40 p.m.
No word on what led to the violence.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
—
If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
-
New Mexico4 minutes agoDeb Haaland Wins New Mexico Democratic Primary For Governor
-
North Carolina11 minutes agoGreenville Police Department Join Effort Promoting Safe Firearm Storage
-
North Dakota14 minutes agoToday in History, 1971: Rugby repeats as North Dakota sand greens golf champion
-
Ohio19 minutes agoU20 World Team decided at U20 World Team Trials in Geneva, Ohio – WIN Magazine
-
Oklahoma26 minutes agoOklahoma data center boom sparks backlash as Yukon leaders, residents raise concerns
-
Oregon29 minutes agoTimeline video traces SB 1008’s impact on Oregon juvenile justice, viewers can watch now
-
Pennsylvania34 minutes ago1 dead, 2 hospitalized after crash in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, police say
-
Rhode Island41 minutes ago
RIIL title-game spots were on the line Tuesday. Here’s who earned them.