Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released the audit of the Greene County Commission that included the involvement of a former Greene County commissioner in a 2017 sales tax ballot measure campaign. Among its findings, the audit found that taxpayers paid more than $25,000 in legal invoices sent to the personal address of now-former Presiding Commissioner […]
Tag: counsel
Climate funds in infrastructure bill aimed at drought, wildfires, floods
(Missouri Independent) – The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill isn’t just about roads and bridges — it also spends billions to address wildfire, drought, flooding, and other effects from climate change, Interior Department officials said Wednesday. The $1.2 trillion measure, which is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after the House cleared it last week, includes pay […]
Critics say Spire Missouri’s warning of natural gas outages a “manufactured crisis”
(Missouri Independent) – As federal energy regulators prepare to decide the fate of a St. Louis natural gas pipeline, Spire Missouri is warning customers their gas service could fail this winter. Business industry groups and the utility maintain their responsibility to keep customers informed. But environmental groups and some local elected officials — who note federal regulators seem […]
Jamesport Tri-County Board of Education sets filing dates for April election; approves policy updates from Missouri School Boards Association
The Jamesport Tri-County R-7 Board of Education on November 10 set the dates for filing for the board election on April 5, 2022. Filing can be done from December 7 through 28 from 7:45 in the morning to 3:45 in the afternoon Monday through Friday. The office will be closed on days school is not […]
Corizon loses challenge to Missouri prisoner medical care contract award worth $1.4 billion
(Missouri Independent) – The company providing health care to state prisoners failed to prove a competitor misled state purchasing officers to win the $1.4 billion contract, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled Thursday. Corizon Health, which has been the state’s vendor for prisoner medical needs since 1992, accused the state Purchasing Division of giving the contract […]
After cold snap upended markets, natural gas could be pricey this winter
(Missouri Independent) – After a historic cold snap depleted natural gas reserves in February, prices for heating could be as much as 30% higher this winter, prompting concerns about increasing bills for Kansas and Missouri customers. Kansas is already grappling with the $1 billion fallout from this winter’s cold snap when natural gas prices rose by […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees hear reports, accept resignations, approve hiring new staff members
Multiple reports were given at the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees meeting October 26th. President Doctor Lenny Klaver gave updates on what are considered three key strategies for success in the college’s Plan 2025: accreditation, expansion, and funding. Regarding accreditation, Klaver called the Higher Learning Commission’s 10-year review last month a “major milestone.” […]
Grundy County Commission approves cost of living pay raise for county employees; Commission accepts bids for vehicles
The Grundy County Salary Commission on October 26, 2021, approved a two percent cost of living adjustment increase for county employees. The adjustment is pending the outcome of the county budget for 2022. All elected officials at the meeting voted in favor of the proposal, except for Sheriff Rodney Herring who abstained. Herring said he […]
Missouri State Auditor releases closeout report for Coronado Drive Transportation Development District in Blue Springs
State Auditor Nicole Galloway today issued the closeout audit of the Coronado Drive Transportation Development District (TDD), located in Blue Springs. State law requires an audit of a TDD prior to moving forward with dissolution. The Coronado Drive TDD was established in 2009 by a vote of qualified voters in the district. The TDD was […]
Events for veterans announced for the month of November
Area veterans events have been announced for November 2021. A veterans service officer will help with VA paperwork and answer questions at Trenton VFW Post 919 on November 1, 5, 8, and 19tfrom 9 to 2 o’clock each time. A veterans service officer will be at the Trenton Hy-Vee on November 11 from 6:30 to […]
Screening encouraged during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, outside of skin cancers. About 1 in 8 (13%) women in the US will develop […]
Governor Parson doubles down on push to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site
(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson escalated his war with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday when his political operation published a video doubling down on his attack against a reporter who informed the state that a state website revealed teacher Social Security numbers. The video is produced by Uniting Missouri, a political action committee created by […]
Audio: Missouri is offering free help with Medicare open enrollment
Medicare open enrollment is open through December 7. Part D drug coverage and Medicare Advantage plans can be changed during this time. Scott Miniea, the executive director of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, says it offers free help to eligible residents and their caregivers. Questions can be asked and one-on-one counseling can […]
Increasing access to counseling services for military families is goal of new bill by lawmakers
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) introduced the bipartisan COMFORT Act to solve the current shortage of Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) and increase access to counseling services on military installations. The senators’ bill allows for license portability for MFLCs, so counselors can work outside of the state in which they are licensed. “Families […]
Man from Moberly facing 9 counts of child molestation in Linn and Randolph counties
A Moberly man faces sex-related charges in Linn County after investigations in Marceline and Randolph County regarding allegations of sexual abuse. Online court information shows 39-year old David Aaron Hart has been charged in Linn County with the felonies of first-degree statutory rape, first-degree statutory sodomy, and first-degree child molestation. Bond was set at $500,000 […]
Audio: 2021 School Counselor of the Year is from Missouri
Olivia Carter is the 2021 School Counselor of the Year, Missouri School Counselor of the Year, and the school counselor at Jefferson Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Carter, who has been a counselor for ten years, says she thinks she was chosen for the national award after helping her elementary school reduce in-school discipline […]
Lawmaker urges Missouri governor to finally appoint cybersecurity commission
(Missouri Independent) – A day after Missouri Gov. Mike Parson garnered national criticism for his push to prosecute a newspaper reporter who discovered a security flaw in a state website, a Democratic lawmaker is urging the governor to appoint members of a cybersecurity commission created by a bill he signed in July. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch informed […]
Grundy County Health Department Board of Trustees discusses “Test to Stay” and updated COVID guidelines
Updated Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Department of Health and Senior Services guidance was discussed at the Grundy County Health Department Board of Trustees on October 13th. The board also accepted a draft audit report for 2019 and 2020. Other than board members, a few health department employees and community members attended. […]
Trenton Board of Education approves after school tutoring pay rate, hear presentation on Summer School program
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education approved an adjustment to after-school tutoring pay on October 12, 2021. The pay rate was changed from $25 to $30 to match the quarantine tutoring program. Trenton Middle School Principal Daniel Gott said teachers select students to be tutored in the after-school program. Superintendent Mike Stegman reported there were […]