Car Fire

Car catches fire in Mercer County

The Mercer County Fire Protection District responded to Delta Street off Route P for a report of a vehicle fire early Wednesday morning. The vehicle slid off the roadway, became stuck, and caught fire. According to the fire department, the operator of the vehicle had to walk approximately one mile to a house to get […]

Unemployment Benefits Graphic

Missouri Senate hears bipartisan push to forgive mistakenly overpaid unemployment benefits

(Missouri Independent) – Tracie Engelmeyer was among hundreds of bus drivers who were furloughed in St. Louis County in March 2020 because of the pandemic. School-district authorities told them that even though drivers are contracted labor, they would qualify for unemployment benefits and urged them to apply. Engelmeyer recalled the conversation she had with a […]

United States Supreme Court (Phot credit Laura Olson - States Newsroom)

Supreme Court blocks Biden workplace vaccine rule, allows health care workers mandate

(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday dealt a blow to the Biden administration’s fight against the pandemic, blocking a federal mandate that workers be vaccinated or regularly tested for COVID-19 — though the court allowed a separate rule requiring vaccinations for some health care workers. The two rulings represented a split victory for Republican attorneys general […]

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Audio: Missouri man arrested for reportedly threatening people with a flamethrower

A Missouri man is looking at three federal felonies after being accused of posting video messages threatening people with a flamethrower on Facebook.     Authorities say they discovered several weapons, including an AR-15 style rifle, in 19-year-old Levi McCrorey home, He’s accused of multiple charges including illegal firearms possession During their investigation, The Kansas […]

Avery Mock Booking Photo Final

Spickard woman charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child turns herself in to authorities

A Spickard woman added to the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office’s Most Wanted last week turned herself into the authorities on January 10th. The sheriff’s office reports 30-year-old Avery Elizabeth Mock has been charged with three felony counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk.  Bond was set at $25,000 cash only, […]

TikTok logo with gun and school bag

Chillicothe authorities have plans in place should TikTok challenge to harm school students appear in Chillicothe

The Chillicothe Police Department has received information from a school resource officer about a nationwide TikTok challenge to make threats to harm students at school. Police Chief Jon Maples reports the Chillicothe Police work closely with schools, and school resource officers are in place for reasons like this. He notes the police have plans in […]

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (Photo Courtesy Missouri AG Office)

Missouri’s largest counties seek to appeal ruling overturning local health orders

(Missouri Independent) – Jackson and St. Louis Counties requested Monday that they be permitted to intervene and appeal a recent court ruling that they argue has “upended the longstanding public health framework” in Missouri. In a filing submitted Monday afternoon and obtained by The Independent, the two counties asked Cole County Circuit Court Judge Daniel […]