Tar Spot on corn leaf public domain version

Tar spot found in northeast Missouri cornfields

Missouri corn growers should scout for an emerging crop disease, tar spot, in 2021, says University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette. She identified tar spot in four far northeastern Missouri counties: Scotland, Lewis, and Clark in 2019 and Marion in 2020. She expects it to spread in the northern half of Missouri and […]

Stop the Human Trafficking

17 illicit massage businesses in Missouri shut down for alleged sex and human trafficking

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced an update to his office’s efforts to evict illicit massage businesses through the Hope Initiative. Since launching the initiative, 10 additional illicit massage businesses have either been evicted, are in the process of being evicted, or their eviction is likely.  “Human trafficking is a global scourge that affects millions […]

Crime and Courts

Grundy County, Division One, court news for Thursday, December 10, 2020

Several defendants received a sentence with others receiving probation following appearances Thursday in Division One of the Grundy County Circuit Court. Trenton resident Christopher James Warren pleaded guilty to felony drug possession/synthetic cannabinoid as of November 20th. Warren was sentenced to five years with the department of corrections. Another charge was dismissed. Polo resident Julie […]

Jeremiah Searles Final

Denver, Missouri man admits murdering woman during court appearance, sentenced to 30-years in prison

A Denver, Missouri man was sentenced December 10th to 30 years in the Department of Corrections on felony murder—second degree. Worth County Prosecuting Attorney Janet Wake Larrison reports 39-year-old Jeremiah Searles was sentenced after pleading guilty to killing Melissa Chapman. A news release says Searles admitted to striking Chapman in the head with part of […]

Court News graphic

Additional cases in the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court on Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Among additional cases processed Tuesday in the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court, a Galt resident, Ryan Mitchell Hutcherson was placed on probation after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated persistent offender. He was sentenced to six months at the Grundy County Detention Center which was then suspended by the court and replaced with […]

Court News graphic

Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court news for Tuesday, December 9, 2020

Among cases, Tuesday in the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court, Galt resident Shandon Levi Gann, charged with first-degree assault on a Trenton man, appeared for a bond hearing before Special Judge Matthew Krohn from Princeton. The court received evidence and heard arguments regarding setting a bond, and afterward, Judge Krohn denied any change […]

Child Sex Crimes news graphic

Unionville man charged with three counts of sodomy against children bound over to Division One of Putnam County court

A preliminary hearing was held on Monday for a Unionville man, Ralph Saavedra, who faces three felony counts of statutory sodomy or attempt involving alleged deviate sexual intercourse. He also faces four felony counts of child molestation in the second degree. A probable cause statement from Unionville’s Police Chief says the two victims are girls […]