(Missouri Independent) – Hundreds of thousands of Missourians are struggling to get by during our coronavirus public health emergency, including children, according to the recently released U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey. While 40.8 percent of Missouri households report losing income since March, families with children under 18 have been especially impacted, with 51.4 percent reporting […]
Tag: cost
Evergy customers to see small adjustment on monthly billing
Evergy Missouri West and Evergy Missouri Metro have filed applications with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking to adjust the demand side investment mechanism charge on customer bills. The charge appears as a separate line item on customer bills and allows the companies to recover demand-side management program costs and incentives under the Missouri Energy […]
34-year-old man pleads guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS
Thirty-four-year-old Kristopher Sean Matthews (aka Ali Jibreel) admitted to conspiring to provide material support to the designated foreign terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham/Syria (aka ISIS), announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer for the Western District of Texas, and FBI Special Agent in Charge […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen, with lengthy agenda, approve ordinance related to commercial structures billed for utility cost
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance on November 23rd establishing rules related to multiple-unit commercial structures to be billed for utility cost of service. City Clerk Hattie Rains explains the ordinance provides a definition and acknowledges that multiple units within the same commercial structure would have to adhere to additional cost of service […]
Trenton City Council approves wage increase for police department; approves preparing ordinance calling for “Use Tax” vote
The Trenton City Council Monday night voted to have an ordinance prepared to call for a public vote on a proposed local use tax within the city of Trenton. The council also approved recommended wage increases for the Trenton Police Department in an effort to attract candidates for police officer. Both topics had gone to […]
December 11th is the deadline for dairy producers to enroll in the 2021 Safety-Net program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds dairy producers that the deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for the calendar year 2021 is Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened DMC signup in October to help producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities. “2020 has been […]
Animal licenses for 2021 now available at Trenton City Hall
The Trenton Police Department advises that 2021 animal licenses are now available at the Trenton City Hall. Animals in the city are required to have an annual license purchased for them. Owners must have a certificate from a duly licensed veterinarian showing animals have been inoculated for rabies. Owners must also pay a $5.00 fee […]
Trenton Finance Committee to recommend raising pay of Trenton police officers and dispatchers
The Trenton Finance Committee on Tuesday evening, November 17, 2020, approved recommending to the city council raising the pay of police officers and dispatchers. City Administrator Ron Urton says raises are needed to help attract and retain officers. He reports the recommendation involves raising officers’ pay $3.00 per hour and dispatchers $1.00 per hour. It […]
Seven charged in connection with COVID-relief fraud scheme involving at least 80 fraudulent loan applications
Seven individuals across two states were charged in an indictment unsealed for their alleged participation in a scheme to obtain approximately $16 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Amir Aqeel, 52, and Pardeep Basra, 51, both of […]
When price is right, wheat middlings are good cattle feed
At the right price, wheat middlings are a good source of protein, fiber, and phosphorus for livestock says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Kendra Graham. Wheat middlings, or midds, are lightweight feeds used in mixes. The middlings are a byproduct of the wheat milling industry that is not flour. Flaky and loose, they are […]
Grundy County Commission approves COVID-19 relief funds; receive four proposals for 911 radio design
The Grundy County Commission approved COVID-19 Relief Fund allocations for five entities on November 17th. Laredo R-7 was approved for $5,641 and the health department for $46,372.03 both for payroll for public health and safety employees, Pleasant View R-6 for $5,201.05 for distance learning and disinfecting supplies, the Grundy County Senior Tax Board for $3,343.76 […]
Economic Development Committee to recommend public vote on “use” tax for Trenton
A committee composed of four members of the Trenton City Council has voted to recommend a public vote on enacting a local “use” tax for the city. The Economic Development Committee on Monday evening discussed the possibility before voting to send a recommendation to the full city council to put the issue on next April’s […]
Budget group calls for stimulus payments for struggling Missourians
Some Missouri policy experts say federal COVID-19 relief money should be allocated to help struggling Missourians and spur local economies. The current supplemental appropriations bill under consideration at the Missouri Statehouse would use federal COVID relief funds to replenish the state’s unemployment trust fund. It would happen at the same time the state decreased the unemployment tax […]
Summit Natural Gas customers to see rate changes effective November 16th
Customers of Summit Natural Gas of Missouri, Incorporated will see rates change under a filing taking effect on November 16, 2020. The change will reflect estimated changes in the wholesale cost of natural gas as well as a change in the company’s actual cost adjustment factor. The ACA factor is a mechanism that tracks any […]
Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court news on November 10, 2020
William Nicholas Griffin of Trenton, during a hearing, admitted violating the terms of probation on original charges from 2016 of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and third-degree assault. On a plea agreement, Griffin was ordered to serve an additional 30 days in the Grundy County Detention Center for the DWI charge and then that case will […]
Missouri education official calls substitute teacher shortage a crisis
Missouri schools continue to struggle with having enough teachers available to educate kids in traditional classrooms this year. The Show-Me State has had a chronic problem with teacher shortages, but COVID-19 has made the can of worms open even more. Missouri has about 70,000 pre-K through 12 teachers instructing roughly 900,000 public school students. Many […]
Trenton High School Drama Club to perform “Hallmark of Horror” on November 20th
The Trenton High School Drama Club will perform a play, making fun of things that happen in horror movies. Drama Teacher and Director Tashyana Dowell said “Hallmark of Horror” will be performed in the Rissler Elementary School gym on the evening of November 20th at 6 o’clock and 7:15. The show is anticipated to last […]
Trenton Board of Education review policies for inclement winter weather; board presented updates on COVID-19
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education Tuesday evening, November 10th approved a policy involving searches of students and hard surface bus routes in case of inclement weather. Superintendent Mike Stegman reported the policy involving searches of students was actually split in two, and part was adopted at the last board meeting. He explained he discussed […]
“Downtown Dollars” promotion, starting November 23rd, to feature eight Trenton merchants
Discounts and offers from eight locally-owned businesses in Trenton will be featured on Downtown Dollars cards that can be used the week of November 23rd through 28th. Participants in the promotion are Lucky Dog Embroidery, Howard’s, Vintage Vines, the Main Street Mercantile, Chumbley’s, Pet Central, Fueled Up Nutrition, and Grand River Press and Design. Main […]
North Mercer Board of Education informed that health insurance rates to increase by almost 20 percent
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education was notified on November 9th that health insurance rates will go up 19.9% for a cost nearing $800. The district previously set a cap of $600 per employee for health insurance. The new rates would become effective in January. Superintendent Dan Owens will discuss the matter with teachers […]