Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released a report on the Jackson County government’s handling of payroll and personnel. The audit, part of an independent review of county government finances, found issues with the allocation of different funds to pay salaries and with the handling of vehicle allowances. The report gave a rating of “fair.” “Our […]
The Grundy County Health Department and Health Officer Elizabeth Gibson have issued a Public Health Order requiring face coverings or masks to be worn to prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19. The order goes into effect on December 11th. Gibson notes the intent of the order is to create safer environments for all residents […]
North Central Missouri College’s Early Childhood Development program partners with regional non-profit organizations whose missions are to support, protect, and serve children and families in our area. This year, the money collected through program t-shirt sales was used to provide Christmas presents for three children in foster care through the FosterAdopt Connect of Northwest Missouri. […]
On what turned out to be a split vote, the Trenton City Council on Monday night defeated a request to have a mask or face covering mandate due to the spread of COVID-19 within Trenton. On a roll call, which is usual for an ordinance, there were three votes in favor and five votes against. […]
With the Trenton City Council scheduled to vote tonight on whether to enact a face mask ordinance within the city, a discussion is expected on how such an ordinance will be enforced. An announcement was made Friday that the proposed ordinance on wearing a mask will come before the city council. Since then, some of […]
Research findings from the University of Missouri show heavier drift damage from dicamba and 2,4-D is more likely when those herbicides are sprayed in stable air. MU Extension weed scientist Mandy Bish says those synthetic auxins tend to hang in the air when there’s no wind, “So what happens is, when you get these herbicides […]
Livingston County Health Center Administrator Sherry Weldon has provided more information about the mask mandate going into effect on November 20th to slow the spread of COVID-19. The executive order from the health center, Chillicothe Mayor Theresa Kelly, and Presiding Commissioner Ed Douglas requires persons at least seven years old to wear face masks or […]
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education on November 16th voted to stay with the same health insurance for 2021. Secretary Kelli Girdner reports the insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield will increase $3,000 total for a monthly premium. The superintendent was appointed as the district English Language Learner coordinator and district foster care point of […]
The Trenton Convention and Visitors Bureau tabled several items at a meeting on November 11th. One regarded changes and adjustments to the ordinance involving the 5% lodging tax for funding the visitors’ bureau. President Cara McClellan says the organization is seeking City Attorney Tara Walker’s guidance for clarification on the ordinance before adopting bylaws. There […]
Saint Luke’s top priority is to care for patients, staff, and community, and to keep everyone as healthy and safe as possible. With the continued increase of COVID-19 cases in the region, Hedrick Medical Center and Wright Memorial Hospital have revised visitor guidelines to “Level 5 No Visitors” effective Saturday, November 14, 2020, at 7:00 […]
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education adopted policies Monday evening involving virtual instruction, English Language Learners, and transgender students. The 2019-2020 audit was approved. Superintendent Lucas McKinnis reported Newtown-Harris is setting up a virtual program for students. Arrangements are being made, so after school activities can continue. Virtual platforms will be used as necessary. Ceiling […]
Farmers and crop specialists can hear updates from some of the nation’s leading agricultural researchers Dec. 1-2 at the 2020 University of Missouri Crop Management Conference. Due to Missouri COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s conference is offered live online, said MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley. Technology discussions lead the conference. Bradley tells about MU research […]
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education Tuesday evening, November 10th approved a policy involving searches of students and hard surface bus routes in case of inclement weather. Superintendent Mike Stegman reported the policy involving searches of students was actually split in two, and part was adopted at the last board meeting. He explained he discussed […]
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Missourians in the Southeast region of the state overcame these obstacles to ensure 418 children and youth have a forever family to call their own – an increase of 57 additional adoptions from last year’s numbers. The region as a whole and seven individual counties – Dunklin, Howell, Iron, New Madrid, […]
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri voters on Tuesday repealed a constitutional amendment they enacted in 2018 that would have required legislative districts be drawn to ensure partisan fairness. They replaced it with one that critics contend could forgo the use of total population to draw districts and instead exclude all non-voters, specifically children and non-citizens — tilting the political […]
(Missouri Independent) – State governments are unique political bodies that allow for experimentation in how rules and laws affect political outputs. As Justice Louis Brandies pointed out – states are laboratories of democracy. State governments have broad jurisdiction to “tweak” institutional rules and laws. Through this system of government, we can observe the aftermath of […]
(Missouri Independent) – Two minutes into our interview, I counted five yawns as the young teacher from southwest Missouri caught herself, and apologetically assured me that my questions weren’t dull. “I just feel like I am working all the time,” she added. “I don’t know how I am going to keep doing this for the […]
Missouri’s Teacher of the Year is a PE teacher at Crestwood Elementary in St. Louis. Darrion Cockrell says he hopes his story of surviving a troubled childhood, getting adopted at 14 years old, and getting a college education will inspire his students. Cockrell, known as “Mr. DC”, says PE was his happy place growing up […]
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday evening, October 13th approved, on a split vote of six to one, a school calendar update involving converting student days to all staff workdays. Board Member Corey Leeper was the only opposing vote. Students will not be in class on October 26th and December 7th, but staff […]
The Chillicothe City Council on Monday evening, September 28th accepted the 2019-2020 city audit and adopted a contract with 42 CARES to provide additional mental wellness services to first responders. City Administrator Darin Chappell reports the audit was “extraordinarily clean,” and the council is satisfied with the city’s financial position. Chappell says counseling is provided […]
