The Grundy County Commission unanimously adopted a deficit budget for 2021 the morning of January 26th. The budget estimates total revenues of $5,736,634 and expenditures of $6,928,813. A balance deficit of $1,192,179 is expected for 2021. The county begins the year with carryover funds of $3,910,220.81. The projected ending balance is $2,718,041.81. Grundy County Clerk […]
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education approved a resolution at a meeting Tuesday evening, January 18th adopting the Grundy County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Superintendent Doctor Kristi Weldon reports Jennifer Wyckoff with the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission spoke on hazard mitigation planning. The board approved the 2019-2020 audit. Alexis Sturgeon and Glen Wilson were appointed […]
Two ordinances were adopted and authorization was given to purchase a used truck when the Trenton City Council met Monday night. The council also approved the employment of a new policeman subject to Police Officer Standards certification. A recommendation was advanced by the Police Personnel Board. Per an agreement between the city of Trenton and […]
The Missouri House on Wednesday elected the first Speaker in state history from eastern Missouri’s Arnold. House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, was elected Speaker on his 44th birthday, with his wife Amanda and their five children in the chamber in Jefferson City. Education was a primary theme during Vescovo’s address to the House. He says he was […]
St. Joseph schools will scrap a learning model adopted to adjust to the coronavirus pandemic. Van Zyl says students will return to full-time classroom study on January 14th, the first day of the new semester. The decision does NOT affect those students enrolled in the district’s Virtual Academy.
Farmers who fear they are falling behind in farm technology might not be as behind as they think. Kansas State University cropping system economist Terry Griffin explains that a recent Kansas Farm Management Association study of farm technologies dispels the myth that all farmers use all of the latest technology. Griffin was one of the […]
A corporate executive has been ordered to serve 20 years in prison after his conviction related to falsely telling thousands of patients with long-term incurable diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, they had less than six months to live and subsequently enrolling them in hospice programs. A federal jury in McAllen, Texas, convicted Rodney […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
(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) – 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 […]
