Bomb Threat

Bomb threat the cause of Trenton students evacuating building on Wednesday

Details have been released regarding a reported incident at the Trenton High School/Middle School campus on March 30th. The Trenton R-9 School District reports it received information concerning the sighting of a suspicious package at or near THS in the afternoon. The Trenton Police Department reports the communication center received a call about the suspicious […]

Drinking Water Fountain (Photo by Sean Musil on Unsplash)

Missouri House bill would cut down on poisonous lead in school drinking water

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri children would be better protected from lead poisoning under a state legislative bill to require schools to nearly rid their drinking water of the dangerous toxin. The bill, heard Monday by the House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee, would require schools to test drinking water, remove old coolers and filter water where […]

Stolen Vehicle graphic

Grundy and Mercer County authorities investigating stolen vehicles

Sheriff’s offices from Grundy and Mercer counties are investigating several vehicles recently reported as stolen. The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports a maroon-colored 2006 Chrysler Town and Country minivan was reported stolen from Tindall and was allegedly taken March 22nd in the early morning hours. The minivan has Missouri license plates of CU1 R1G. The […]

Brookfield Main Header Photo

Fire on Wednesday destroys two buildings in downtown Brookfield

Two downtown Brookfield buildings were among properties destroyed by fire on Wednesday. Joining Brookfield in fighting the blaze were fire departments from Marceline and Chillicothe. The fire was reported around 7:30 am at 305 North Main Street in Brookfield.  A space heater is suspected as the cause of the fire. One of the buildings was […]

EPA or Environmental Protection Agency website

EPA announces availability of $20 million to reduce lead in drinking water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $20 million in available grant funding to assist communities and schools with removing sources of lead in drinking water. This grant funding, and additional funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help make rapid progress on the goal of addressing lead and removing lead pipes across the country. “A […]

North Central Missouri College Website V2 (NCMC)

North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees hear reports, work continues on former US Bank building

Multiple reports were given at the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees meeting February 22nd. Vice President of Student Affairs Doctor Kristen Alley reported NCMC’s graduation rate is 42%, and the withdrawal rate is 39%. NCMC is the only community college in the state to have a higher graduation rate than a withdrawal rate. […]

Generic City Water

Experts say federal funds for lead pipe replacement needed in Missouri

Missouri has roughly 330,000 lead service lines, the pipes connecting water mains to buildings including people’s homes, and federal funding could help speed up the process of removing and replacing them. The bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by Congress last year includes $15 billion for lead-pipe replacement, building on funds from the American Rescue Plan. Erik D. Olson, senior strategic director at […]

R. Warren Roberts Photo

Livingston County Preservation Society announces next Chillicothe Hall of Fame inductee

The Livingston County Preservation Society has announced the next Chillicothe Hall of Fame inductee, R. Warren Roberts. Roberts was an architect and designed many buildings throughout Chillicothe and the state. Representative Rusty Black is the sponsor for this inductee. A ceremony is scheduled for February 18th in the courtroom (top floor) of the Livingston County […]

Screenshot of USDA or United States Department of Agriculture website

United States Department of Agriculture pledges $1B for ‘climate smart’ ag products

(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to spend up to $1 billion to foster the creation of climate-friendly agricultural and forestry products by offering grants to facilitate their production and the markets to sell them. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon in those industries. “Agriculture is such […]

FFA and 4-H logos

Director of Agriculture announces grants for 4-H and FFA service projects

Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn announced that 16 youth groups from across Missouri were awarded grants from the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s 2022 Building Our American Communities grant program. Eight local chapters of the National FFA Organization and eight Missouri 4-H clubs statewide have been awarded funds for their community service projects this year. “We […]

Governor Parson talks with lawmakers as he leaves House Chamber after State of the State address (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel - Missouri House)

Governor proposes record $47.3B Missouri budget as he taps surplus and federal aid

(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson proposed massive new spending on infrastructure and college buildings, and still found money to set aside for pensions and future revenue shortfalls, in the budget submitted Wednesday to lawmakers. Missouri will enter the new fiscal year with nearly $3 billion in surplus general revenue, an anticipation of record future tax collections, […]

Disaster Declaration

FEMA approves Governor Parson’s federal disaster declaration request for December 10 severe storms and tornadoes

Governor Mike Parson announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved his request for a major disaster declaration in response to severe storms and tornadoes in Missouri on December 10. Seven Missouri counties will receive federal assistance as a result of the Governor’s December 28 request, which included $27 million in identified qualifying disaster-related expenses. […]

Orscheln Headquarters Moberly (Photo by Rudi Keller - Missouri Independent)

Controversial bill would have aided Orscheln Products LLC, under scrutiny for contamination

(Missouri Independent) – Two years ago, a company led by an influential Republican businessman faced off with the state’s environmental regulators over whether it needed to do additional testing for a chemical that health officials worried could pose a cancer risk to the company’s workers.  The Moberly manufacturing facility, Orscheln Products LLC, is owned by […]

Immigration

Immigrants make last-ditch plea for deportation protections, work permits in “Build Back Better”

(Missouri Independent) – Undocumented workers and immigration advocates are pushing for Democrats to keep work permits and protections from deportations in the final version of the $1.85 trillion social spending and climate package that the U.S. House is set to vote on as soon as Thursday night. Those immigration provisions face elimination when the bill […]

City of Chillicothe Website

Downtown historic area survey to be discussed at Chillicothe Historic Preservation Commission meeting

A Chillicothe expanded downtown historic area survey is to be discussed during a meeting of the Chillicothe Historic Preservation Commission. Paula Mohr of Bettonsport Preservation LLC will give a presentation, and then will be available to answer questions. The informational meeting is Wednesday, November 17 at 6 p.m.in the Chillicothe Municipal Utilities meeting room, 920 […]