COVID-19 Fraud graphic

Man pleads guilty to obtaining over $700,000 in COVID-19 relief using fraud scheme

A Washington man pleaded guilty today to perpetrating a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s […]

Handcuffs and Key with Arrest graphic

Grundy County Sheriff reports the arrest of two

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Spickard man on a parole violation and a Wyaconda man on a probation violation. Fifty-two-year-old Vance Gannon’s alleged parole violation involved laws, drugs, and reporting and directives. His original charge was assault—second degree. Gannon is to be held on no bond and will be returned […]

Spickard School

Spickard Board of Education adopts Grundy County Hazard Mitigation Plan; approves audit

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 […]

Vaccine Distribution or Covid-19 or Coronavirus

Health departments in Missouri fighting a lack of vaccine as new tiers open up on state COVID-19 plan

Wondering where to go to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Missouri? On Friday, the state launched an interactive map detailing where over 1,100 providers are located across the state. But not all locations identified on the map as providing the vaccine, actually have vaccines on hand to administer. And reports that the federal government has already exhausted its […]

Dicamba

Public interest groups sue EPA for re-approving controversial herbicide dicamba

Public-interest groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency over the agency’s re-approval of products containing dicamba, a herbicide controversial for its tendency to drift into neighboring fields and damage farmers’ crops and homeowners’ gardens. Last fall, the EPA green-lighted dicamba use for five years, the third time the agency registered dicamba products. George Kimbrell, legal director at […]

Grundy R-5 School

Grundy County R-5 Board of Education approves extension of COVID Response Act; approves purchase of new math curriculum

The Grundy County R-5 Board of Education approved an extension of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on Wednesday evening, January 13th. The act provides employees 80 hours of paid sick leave if the employee is quarantined with COVID-19. The board approved the purchase of a new curriculum for the elementary school. Math Expressions will […]

Vaccine Distribution or Covid-19 or Coronavirus

Feds tell states to give COVID-19 vaccine to anyone 65 and older in bid to speed rollout

(Missouri Independent) – The Trump administration on Tuesday directed state officials to expand who is getting vaccinated for COVID-19, and announced that all available doses will be distributed to states instead of holding back a reserve of follow-up doses. Under the policy changes outlined by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, states should begin […]

Evergy Website

Evergy electric customers to see monthly bills increase beginning February 1, 2021

The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved requests filed by Evergy Missouri West and Evergy Metro to adjust the demand side investment mechanism charge on customer bills. The charge allows Evergy to recover demand-side management program costs and incentives under the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act. An Evergy Missouri West residential customer using 1,000-kilowatt hours […]

Trenton R-9 School District

Trenton Board of Education approves COVID-19 leave policy; teachers and admin now considered “essential”

The Trenton R-9 Board of Education at the latest meeting on Tuesday, January 12th approved two motions regarding COVID-19 leave. Another motion did not pass. On a vote of four to three, the board voted to consider teachers and administration essential. Voting yes were Vice President Brandon Gibler and board members David Whitaker, Corey Leeper, and […]