A Washington man pleaded guilty to defrauding Tyson Foods Inc. (Tyson) and another company (Company 1) out of more than $244 million by charging them under various agreements for the purported costs of purchasing and feeding hundreds of thousands of cattle that did not actually exist. According to court documents, Cody Allen Easterday, 49, of […]
A state senator from Kansas City wants to see a task force study school bus safety, particularly the effectiveness of seat belts. Kansas City State Senator Greg Razer will testify today (Tuesday) before the Missouri Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee. His bill would establish the Joint Task Force on School Bus Safety […]
The Justice Department announced today that Sonia Tabizada, 36, of San Jacinto, California, was sentenced to 15 months and 13 days for intentionally obstructing persons in the enjoyment of their free exercise of religious beliefs by threatening to bomb Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C. In May 2019, school officials announced that Visitation Prep, […]
State Senator Greg Razer says minds are shifting about changing the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act. The Kansas City Democrat has filed legislation that would ban discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identity for things like housing, financial help, employment, or the use of public restrooms. Razer, who is openly gay, says he has talked to […]
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Mazie K. Hirono (Hawaii), Susan Collins (Maine), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Tammy Duckworth (Ill.) announced that they have introduced the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2021. The bipartisan bill would close a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA), which has prevented internationally-adopted children, who are […]
Fire Saturday afternoon in Chillicothe extensively damaged the Ted and Norma Blankenship residence at 1308 Maple Street. A carport was destroyed and a car was a total loss; however, both residents were able to safely exit the home and vehicle. According to Chillicothe Fire Chief Eric Reeter, Norma Blankenship was planning to leave the residence […]
The Highway Patrol reports the arrest of a Dawn man in Livingston County on March 27th on multiple drug-related allegations. Sixty-year-old William Schneiter was accused of the felonies of unlawful possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a controlled substance—diazepam. He was also accused of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated—drugs, unlawful possession of drug […]
Firefighters in northeast Missouri’s Hannibal say three people are now dead from that horrific house fire, including two small children. Missourinet Quincy affiliate WGEM reports the fire killed 42-year-old Jason Carpenter, along with five and six-year-old brother and sister Logan and Summer Shanks. Neighbor Candiss Clement tells WGEM she can’t believe the victims are gone. […]
Just after 5 pm on Wednesday, the Chillicothe Fire Department responded to a garage fire at number seven, East Bridge Street. The owner of the property was listed as Jeanette Lawson. Upon arrival, firefighters found the garage fully involved in fire with two nearby vehicles also on fire. A spokesman said the fire was coming […]
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) could be required to report annually about the number of K-12 students with limited or no access to high-speed internet at home. During a House committee hearing, Representative Louis Riggs, R-Hannibal, said he is proposing to require the department to include the total number of students […]
(Missouri Independent) – The House Budget Committee will submit its revisions to Gov. Mike Parson’s $34.1 billion state operating budget to the full House this week without the benefit of clear guidelines for spending new infusions of federal cash. The committee must also decide whether and how it will use a record general revenue surplus. The fund’s cash balance […]
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged the U.S. Senate to immediately pass legislation to close loopholes on background checks for guns and to ban assault weapons, following a mass shooting that killed 10 at a Colorado supermarket. “This should not be a partisan issue,” Biden said. “This is an American issue.” Biden’s […]
The Highway Patrol arrested two area residents in area counties on March 19th on various allegations. Thirty-seven-year-old Amanda Ayer of Lancaster was arrested in Putnam County. She was accused of the felonies of possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance—alprazolam. Other allegations were driving while revoked, speeding, and failure to register […]
A Missouri man whose lost cell phone containing child pornography was found at a truck stop was sentenced in federal court. Christopher Lee Caven, 40, of Belton, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Caven to 12 years of supervised release […]
(Missouri Independent) – Legislation creating a path to citizenship for undocumented people brought to the U.S. as children face a new border crisis and old partisan objections, diminishing the chances it will become law despite full Democratic control of Congress and the White House. On Thursday, the U.S. House is poised to pass the American […]
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education on March 15th approved paying $575.08 toward employee health insurance plans. Insurance will continue through the Ozark Schools Benefits Association. Superintendent Lucas McKinnis reported that the district offers seven plans, and insurance costs are less than last year. Employees can upgrade to a PPO plan, but they may have […]
The Grundy County R-5 Board of Education has approved a health insurance plan and a four-day week calendar. The district will work with Missouri Educators Trust for the insurance. The plan will provide all full-time staff a $3,000 health savings account for $549.91. Staff will have an option to buy up to three other plans […]
Webmasters note: This article is a commentary by Tim Gibbons of the Missouri Independent. Tim Gibbons is communications director for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, a statewide farm and rural organization dedicated to preserving family farms and promoting stewardship of the land and environmental integrity. The comments in the article are those of the author, […]
Fire damage was described as major to the engine compartment and cab of a semi-truck Sunday afternoon in Trenton. The Trenton Fire Department was dispatched to the parking lot east of Hoover Drive, where crews found heavy fire with the vehicle. Firefighters deployed a one and three-quarter line to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters used a […]
Three former students of Trenton Junior College or North Central Missouri College were recognized as distinguished alumni at the NCMC Foundation Pirates Ball on March 13th. The Distinguished Alumni Class of 2020 included Doctor Jamie Hooyman, John Sturdevant, and Donovan Thompson. Jamie Hooyman attended TJC from 1981 to 1983 and received her Associate in Arts […]
