An accident involving a 2012 Honda Odyssey occurred on Highway 36 westbound, approximately one mile west of Bevier, on the morning of April 23, 2024, at 7:25 a.m. The driver, James A. Busick, 35, of Macon, Missouri, lost control of the vehicle, which then veered off the left side of the highway and struck a […]
Category: State News
Tuesday morning crash in West Quincy sends one to hospital
Two people were involved in an early morning collision on Highway 24 in West Quincy, Missouri, resulting in minor injuries and vehicle damage. The accident occurred at 6:35 a.m. on April 23, 2024, and involved a 2015 Volkswagen Passat and a 2017 RAM 1500. The Volkswagen, driven by 18-year-old Gage M. Dawson of La Belle, […]
Missouri House passes increased penalties for sexual offenses involving children
The Missouri House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed legislation to place a measure before Missouri voters aimed at enhancing the safety of the state’s children and curbing the crime of sex trafficking. This initiative seeks to strengthen penalties for sexual offenses involving children. The resolution, HJR 132, sponsored by State Representative Wendy Hausman, seeks to […]
Missouri 4-H to host crop field day at MU Bradford Farm
Missouri 4-H and the University of Missouri Extension will host a Crops Field Day on Wednesday, July 10, at MU Bradford Farm near Columbia. Youths and volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about common Missouri crops, insects, diseases, disorders, and weeds, as well as pesticide safety. The event will provide state-level opportunities for youths […]
Missouri’s senior property tax freeze still dogged by unanswered questions
(Missouri Independent) – Last year, the Missouri General Assembly scrambled to act on an issue popular with voters who turn out in large numbers: property tax cuts for seniors in the form of a tax freeze. Lawmakers passed a vague directive letting counties freeze property tax bills for seniors, without defining what “senior” meant, who was […]
Missouri State Auditor begins audit of Ripley County
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick announced a regularly scheduled audit of Ripley County, located in southeast Missouri. The audit officially commenced with an entrance meeting with county officials on Friday, April 19. The State Auditor’s Office last released an audit of Ripley County in 2016. That audit gave the county a rating of “fair” and identified areas […]
Felon from University City pleads guilty to illegal firearm
A convicted felon from University City, Missouri on Monday admitted being caught with a gun after a shooting in 2022. Sheltkeem Brown, 31, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted that on June 25, 2022, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers heard gunshots coming from […]
Republic man pleads guilty to fentanyl trafficking, illegal firearms
A Republic, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing fentanyl to distribute and several firearms following two instances in which he fled from law enforcement officers. Tonikko Fewell, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to two counts of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of […]
Therapy dog Rasta and owner win Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award
Teresa Moore, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, presented the annual Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award to Rasta, a courtroom therapy dog, and the golden retriever’s handler and owner, Jennifer Vernon. The award, presented annually during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 21 to 27), honors the memories of Ali […]
Trussworks Mid-America invests $5 million for new Jackson facility
Trussworks Mid-America LLC, a leading truss manufacturer, announced today that it will establish a new facility in Jackson, investing $5 million and creating 70 new jobs. The company’s facility will enhance its production capabilities while enabling it to meet growing demand for its products. “Trussworks’ decision to locate its new facility in Jackson speaks to […]
University of Missouri hosts 72nd MSHSAA State Music Festival
The University of Missouri campus in Columbia will host the 72nd Annual Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) State Music Festival Thursday to Saturday, April 25 to 27. The festival will feature 4,200 individual and group performances from 358 schools. Events will be held at various locations across the university, including the Fine Arts […]
Apply now for Missouri hunting permits, bear and elk season dates set
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer 400 permits for the taking of a maximum of 40 black bears during the 2024 Missouri black-bear hunting season this fall, Oct 21-30. MDC will also offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners that […]
Senate battle over taxes that fund Missouri Medicaid leaves state budget in limbo
(Missouri Independent) – On Jan. 18, the ninth day of the 2024 legislative session, a bill essential to balancing the state budget was placed first in line on the Senate’s calendar for debate. On the same day, a bill expanding an education scholarship program was also put on the calendar, second in line. Last week, the education bill narrowly passed the Missouri […]
Missouri safety expert highlights importance of ATV precautions
Spring and riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) seem to go hand in hand. However, according to Karen Funkenbusch, a health and safety specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, ATV accidents can lead to tragedy when precautions are not followed. Funkenbusch notes that ATVs can provide hours of enjoyment in the days ahead if riders adhere […]
Jason Sumners selected as new head of Missouri Department of Conservation
The Missouri Conservation Commission has selected Jason Sumners as the next director of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), effective June 1, 2024. Sumners currently serves as the deputy director of resource management for MDC and will succeed Sara Parker Pauley, who will retire this spring after 30 years of public service, as director. “The […]
Missouri AG files suit to shut down illegal casino in Dunklin County
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed suit against T.J. Entertainment, an illegal casino operating in Dunklin County, for acting as a public nuisance to Missourians. The suit comes after his office received investigative referrals from local law enforcement surrounding the facility. Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain filed criminal charges against the operator of the […]
Missouri State Auditor releases monthly reports on municipalities and special districts
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick recently issued monthly reports detailing the compliance of municipalities and other political subdivisions with financial reporting laws. One report addresses cities, towns, and villages, while the other pertains to political subdivisions such as water, fire protection, and other taxing districts. According to state regulations, these entities must submit annual financial […]
Driver injured after Ford Escape overturns in Clark County
A two-vehicle accident early Sunday morning on Highway 136, one mile west of Wayland, resulted in minor injuries for one driver. At approximately 12:50 a.m., a 2009 Ford Escape, driven by Kaliegh J. Hale, 29, of Keokuk, Iowa, was involved in a collision when an unidentified vehicle swerved to avoid a deer, causing a chain […]
Teen driver injured in Route C crash near Ewing
On April 19, 2024, at approximately 9:15 a.m., an accident occurred on Route C, 5.5 miles east of Ewing, Missouri, involving a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the truck was traveling westbound when it veered off the right side of the roadway and struck the ground. The impact caused total […]
Sam Graves backs bills boosting defense aid to Israel, Taiwan, Ukraine
Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) voted in support of critical legislation to secure the southern border and provide additional lethal aid to our allies in Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine while voting to cut funding for economic assistance to Ukraine. “President Biden has shown unprecedented weakness to our allies and adversaries around the globe,” said Graves. “His […]