A state appeals court has upheld another employee discrimination case against the Missouri Department of Corrections. The case could potentially cost taxpayers more than $700,000. The St. Louis Post Dispatch says it’s the latest in a series of big-ticket judgments against prison system administrators revolving around an employee’s concern about an attempt to […]
Category: News
Audio: Mask requirement in school triggers Pleasant Hill School Board meeting to turn violent
To mask or not to mask is a question that many local leaders have had to decide, including Tuesday night in Missouri, where that question fueled a rowdy response from some parents. Fights broke out, and one person was handcuffed after a school board meeting in western Missouri’s Pleasant Hill. KMBC-TV in Kansas City reports […]
Oregon County receives rating of “good” from Missouri State Auditor
State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued an audit of Oregon County, located in south-central Missouri. The report, which made recommendations to improve the efficiency of several county offices, gave a rating of “good.” “By implementing the recommendations of an audit, local governments can be more efficient and effective with taxpayer dollars,” Auditor Galloway said. “I encourage […]
Missouri woman sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole for meth conspiracy
A Missouri woman was sentenced in federal court for her role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine. Cassidy R. Clayton, 25, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole. On Oct. 31, 2019, Clayton pleaded guilty to participating in the drug-trafficking […]
Grundy R-5 Board of Education to meet September 13
The Grundy County R-5 Board of Education will receive a COVID-19 update and discuss essential employees next week. The board will meet on September 13, 2021, at 6 p.m. The agenda includes bus routes, setting a graduation date, a building improvement update, and flu shots. A closed session is also planned to discuss personnel records, employees, […]
Man from Chula charged with sexual misconduct after exposing himself to restaurant employee
Chillicothe Police Chief Jon Maples says officers located a suspect vehicle on September 7th regarding a call on September 3rd about someone in a restaurant drive-through exposing himself to an employee. The alleged incident happened in the 1000 block of South Washington Street. Maples says a 37-year-old man was arrested for sexual misconduct after officers […]
Leadership Northwest Missouri recruiting for 2022 class
While life is anything but typical right now, we understand the importance of continuing to offer opportunities to lead, connect and grow within the Northwest Missouri region. Leadership Northwest Missouri is looking for the right men and women to fill its 2022 class, promising those who join an experience they’ll never forget. Eight days over […]
High school students can prepare for college through the Upward Bound program at NCMC
“I am so thankful for this program and all they have done for all of my children that have completed it. They know all of those hard college questions, and what they don’t know, they help you figure it out. They are also amazing when your student enters college, and they are overwhelmed and have […]
Maximize Northwest Missouri to hold events during September
Maximize Northwest Missouri will hold events this month involving rural broadband and regional media. Eighth District State Representative Randy Railsback of Hamilton and other state representatives from Northwest Missouri will host a rural broadband town hall for internet service providers. It will be held at the University of Missouri’s Hundley-Whaley Research Center of Albany and […]
Grundy County Commission accepts resignation of a paramedic
The Grundy County Commission accepted the resignation of a paramedic on September 7. Hollie Anderson’s resignation was to go into effect immediately. Presiding Commissioner Phillip Ray reports Anderson took a job with Chillicothe Emergency Services. Ray says Grundy County is always recruiting and looking for paramedics, especially part-time ones.
Deadline extended for vendors to submit proposals for radio system for Grundy County
The deadline has been extended for proposal submission in response to a request for proposals for a digital simulcast radio system for Grundy County. Emergency Management Director Glen Briggs reports the deadline was originally September 7th, but potential vendors now have until September 24th to submit proposals to the Grundy County Clerk. He says two […]
36th Annual Chautauqua in the Park kicks off Saturday in Chillicothe
The 36th Annual Chautauqua in the Park will be held September 11 and 12, 2021, at Simpson Park in Chillicothe. This annual event, sponsored by the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce and the Chillicothe Area Arts Council, and presented by Hedrick Medical Center, has various entertainment, activities, artists, crafts, and food. “We have well over […]
Trenton Board of Adjustment approves request from El Nopal
The Trenton Board of Adjustment, on September 7, 2021, approved a variance request from El Nopal Mexican Restaurant. The business sought a 12-foot variance on the front yard setback requirement to construct an outdoor dining area on the property at 1100 East Ninth Street. Trenton Deputy City Clerk Tracy Maberry reports no one from the […]
White House seeks at least $24 billion to aid states struck by natural disasters
(Missouri Independent) – The White House is urging Congress to approve at least $24 billion — and likely more — for disaster relief costs, saying that the aid should be included in a short-term spending bill expected this month. That tally includes $14 billion for recovery costs related to extreme weather events, including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires during […]
Judge orders no change – for now – in Missouri’s prisoner health care contractor
(Missouri Independent) – Work to bring a new contractor for prisoner health care services online in Missouri can continue, but the actual transition from Corizon, the current provider, won’t occur until at least early November, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ordered Tuesday. Green issued a temporary restraining order blocking the state from canceling its […]
Virginia’s black farmers push lawmakers to provide debt relief, end lawsuits delaying USDA loan forgiveness
Farmers of color are urging Congress to end a slew of lawsuits delaying a loan-forgiveness program designed to make amends for years of loan discrimination against minority farmers. White farmers are claiming in court Congress’s $4 billion debt relief for Black farmers, part of a COVID-19 stimulus package, amounts to reverse discrimination. John Boyd Jr., president of […]
Better pay and community trust linked to school bus driver shortage
School districts in Iowa and Missouri are reporting bus driver shortages as the academic year gets underway. Transportation officials said more earning potential and a broader appreciation of the job could help address the lingering issue. In a new national survey from a trio of industry groups, 51% of coordinators described the driver shortage as “severe” or […]
New report indicates pandemic will cause Social Security funding shortage
The pandemic presents some future funding challenges to benefits for older Americans, according to the 2021 Social Security and Medicare Trustees’ Reports. Walt Dawson, assistant professor in the School of Public Health at Oregon Health and Science University, said the programs are foundational to Americans’ health and economic security as they age. While the reports are […]
Audio: Congressman says every agribusiness in Missouri is dealing with worker shortages
Southeast Missouri Congressman Jason Smith says every agribusiness in the state is dealing with worker shortages. Smith, a Republican from Salem, says the biggest problem with the worker shortage is the government is paying more people to stay home than it is for them to get a job. Federal pandemic unemployment insurance ended […]
Mercer County reports a COVID-related death; area health departments report 25 new cases of COVID-19
The Mercer County Health Department reports is has been notified of a COVID-19-related death, which was the first one for 2021. That brings the total number of deaths to 10. The health department notes there has been an influx in cases in the last couple of weeks. The number of confirmed cases rose by two […]