Agricultural producers in Missouri who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after planting should make an appointment with their U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) office before the applicable deadline. “Many USDA programs require producers to file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Jeremy Mosley, State Executive Director […]
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education this week adopted new certified and support staff salary schedules and amended the policy on unused sick leave compensation. Superintendent Erika Eakes reports the certified base salary was raised to $28,125. Support staff hourly wages were raised based on position and years of service. The dollar amounts per day […]
Governor Mike Parson signed HB 271 into law, which establishes greater accountability for local leaders when imposing public health orders and prohibits local COVID-19 vaccine passports. “This legislation I am signing today requires local leaders to be more transparent in their reasoning and accountable for their decisions when it comes to public health orders,” Governor Parson said. “It […]
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education approved budget amendments for 2020-2021 and adopted the 2021-2022 budget on June 14th. Secretary Jennifer Wilson reports revenues for 2020-2021 were down $9,396 at $3,159,279. Expenditures were up $38,609 at $3,169,588. That left a deficit of $10,309. The board approved the transfer of $100,000 from Fund 1 to […]
The Livingston County Library’s Lillian DesMarias Youth Library will begin a summer reading program next month. “Tails and Tales” is the theme, and the program will include animal-themed stories and activities. Youth Department programs are open to children up to age 12. There will be special projects and programs for teens. The summer reading program […]
In response to catastrophic aquaculture losses due to major winter storms that hit states along the U.S. Gulf Coast in February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced a policy change that makes food fish, and other aquatic species eligible for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised […]
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education on May 17 approved an addition to the 2021-2022 student handbook involving out-of-school suspension. The addition says that when a student has OSS as a consequence, he or she is not eligible for any after-school events on the same day as the OSS. The student must remain off of school […]
As the school year ends, you can expect young people to start applying for summer jobs. For agricultural employers, these young workers can provide extra capacity at a time when farms and agribusinesses often have more work than they have employees to get that work done. “Labor is tight as the economy picks up steam […]
The Mercer County Health Department will hold a Wellness Challenge for individuals who live or work in Mercer County. The six-week program will go from June 6th through July 17th. Registration will be at the health department in Princeton on June 3rd and 4th from 8 o’clock to 4:30. Registered Nurse Amanda Snow says registrants […]
The Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture is coming back to Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo., this fall for its 49th celebration of agriculture. The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced the conference dates have been set for Nov. 18-19, 2021. “As Governor and a farmer, I’m excited to see this conference back on the calendar,” […]
The Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education on April 13th approved increasing pay. Non-certified staff wages will go up by 50 cents per hour, and extra-duty contracts will increase by four percent. Base pay for all certified staff will increase by $1,000, which will make the base pay $31,500 for the 2021-2022 school year. The […]
The Jamesport Tri-County R-7 Board of Education approved an increase in the health insurance contribution, increased some extra duty payments, and accepted multiple bids April 8th. The health insurance contribution was increased from $500 to $525 for 2021-2022. Recommendations were approved to increase extra duty payments for assistant varsity basketball and softball umpires. Superintendent David […]
The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announces it has partnered with the MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Division, to launch a free app to aid retail employees and other users in verifying the authenticity of IDs simply by scanning the ID with the camera on a mobile phone or tablet. The “Show-Me ID” app […]
A use tax will be on the City of Trenton ballot on April 6th. If approved, the use tax would be 2.625%, which is the same amount as the city’s sale tax. Trenton Third Ward Council Member Cathie Smith explains the use tax is a sales tax that would be applied to internet sales. It […]
Large government payments helped 2020 Missouri net farm income match or exceed the 2014 record of $3.4 billion, according to Abigail Meffert, senior research associate with the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). Missouri’s outlook falls in line with the U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook, a summary of 10-year baseline projections presented […]
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 […]
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education has accepted a letter of resignation from the superintendent; however, no reason was given for Kristi Weldon’s resignation. Weldon says the board will begin the process of looking for another superintendent. The board hired her in June. The board also approved the 2021-2022 school calendar. No specific calendar dates […]
The Grundy County R-5 Board of Education on Thursday evening, February 11th approved the district moving to a four-day week schedule beginning next school year. This came after a report from High School Principal Matt Rayl regarding a parent survey on a four-day week proposal. The school calendar and class schedules will be reviewed at […]
Laredo R-7’s Board of Education has voted to extend the contract by two years for the school principal, putting Misty Foster on a four-year contract. Next years’ school calendar has been adopted with classes at Laredo beginning August 24th. The board held a discussion on co-oping with Pleasant View R-6 school for the seventh and […]
