A Missouri man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in leading a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in southwestern Missouri. Nathen D. Libertus, 31, of Stella, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 21 years in federal prison without parole. On May 20, 2020, Libertus pleaded guilty to participating […]
Tag: deputy
Former Harrison County deputy sheriff sentenced to jail time and probation on tampering charge
A former Harrison County deputy sheriff has been sentenced in Harrison County after he entered a plea of guilty to misdemeanor tampering with a public record. Forty-four-year-old Kevin Lawson of Gilman City was sentenced to six months in jail. The court suspended the execution of the sentence, and he was placed on probation for two […]
Wheeling man charged with multiple felonies after assaulting and threatening to kill neighbor
A Wheeling man has been charged with three felonies after an incident on May 17, 2021, where he allegedly physically assaulted a female neighbor and threatened to kill her. Fifty-year-old Robert Wayne Renshaw faces charges of third-degree assault, first-degree harassment, and resisting arrest, detention, or stop by fleeing. Bond was set at $10,000 cash only, […]
Missouri Department of Conservation Protection Branch to launch new canine unit this summer
The Missouri Department of Conservation is set to launch a new canine unit through its Protection Branch this summer. The new unit, consisting of five dogs and their conservation agent-handlers, will be stationed around the state and used as necessary to work throughout Missouri. According to MDC, the capabilities of canines are extensive in conservation-related […]
Bill to speed Evergy and Ameren’s move to clean energy wins Missouri legislative approval
Legislation that would allow Missouri utility companies to speed their transition to renewable energy is on its way to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk just a day before the General Assembly’s session ends. The Missouri House voted 146-1 Thursday in favor of a policy — also adopted earlier this year in Kansas — that would allow utility providers, like […]
Coalition of Attorneys General urge Zuckerberg to halt plans for kids’ Instagram
Tennessee’s attorney general is part of a group that wants Facebook to stop its plans to create a kids’ version of Instagram. The group contends using social media can be detrimental to children’s health and well-being, and that kids aren’t equipped to navigate the challenges. Tennessee AG Herbert Slatery signed the letter, along with more than […]
Missouri man pleads guilty to meth trafficking on the day of his trial
A Union, Missouri, man who was scheduled to begin his criminal jury trial instead pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing six pounds of methamphetamine to distribute. Felix Franz Forjan, 71, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. According to the plea […]
Trenton Planning and Zoning Commission recommends ordinance be drawn up for Downtown Historic Preservation District
The Trenton Planning and Zoning Commission May 3rd denied a request regarding a conditional use permit for construction of a 150-foot monopole at 212 East Seventh Street for wireless coverage. It also voted to recommend an ordinance be drawn up for a proposed Downtown Historic Preservation District. Deputy City Clerk Tracy Maberry reports the commission […]
Evergy to shutter Kansas coal plant, speed transition to renewable energy
(Missouri Independent) – Evergy, an electric supplier to about 600,000 customers in western Missouri, will retire its coal power plant in Lawrence, Kansas, by the end of 2023, the company announced on Friday. The utility revealed its plan to regulators in a filing with the Missouri Public Service Commission. The “integrated resource plan” lays out Evergy’s next […]
High speed chase ends in arrest of Illinois man in Linn County
A vehicle pursuit that started west of Wheeling on April 24th resulted in the arrest of an Illinois man in Linn County. Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox reports 30-year-old Terrence Turner of Country Club Hills, Illinois has been charged in Livingston County with felony resisting arrest, detention, or stop by fleeing and creating a substantial […]
Missouri to honor law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during memorial service on Capitol grounds
The Department of Public Safety announced details of two ceremonies to be held on April 30 and May 1 at the Law Enforcement Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol to honor Missouri law enforcement officers who paid the ultimate price for protecting their communities. DeKalb County Sheriff Andy Deric Clark will be one […]
Three from Georgia charged with hate crimes and attempted kidnapping in the death of Ahmaud Arbery
Three Georgia men were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia and charged with hate crimes and the attempted kidnapping of Ahmaud Arbery. The indictment also charges two of the men with separate counts of using firearms during that crime of violence. Travis McMichael, 35; Travis’s father, Gregory McMichael, 65; […]
USDA invests $35 million in rural water, energy, and biofuel infrastructure in Missouri
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced the agency is investing $35,046,000 in critical infrastructure that will help rural Missouri communities build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for […]
Milan man charged with rape and sodomy in case regarding 16-year-old girl at a party
A Milan man accused of raping a 16-year-old girl at a party earlier this month has been charged with four felonies. Twenty-four-year-old Zakaria Zouon faces charges of second-degree statutory sodomy, first-degree rape or attempted rape, second-degree rape, and second-degree statutory rape. Bond was set at $75,000 cash only. A probable cause statement from Sullivan County […]
Audio: Missouri House Health Committee Chairman says former DHSS Director Williams “Did a fine job”
Two key Missouri lawmakers from opposite parties view Tuesday’s resignation of state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director, Dr. Randall Williams, very differently. Missouri House Health and Mental Health Policy Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Stephens (R-Bolivar) praises Dr. Williams, while House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) says the resignation was long overdue. Chairman Stephens says Williams […]
Audio: Head of Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services resigns
Missouri’s director of the Department of Health and Senior Services has resigned. A press release from Governor Parson’s office says the governor has accepted a letter of resignation from Dr. Randall Williams. Parson’s deputy chief of staff, Robert Knodell, will serve as the acting director of the state health department. The governor says […]
Governor Parson names Robert Knodell as Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Governor Mike Parson named Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Knodell as Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services effective immediately. Mr. Knodell has served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Parson since 2018. Over the past year, he has played an integral part in the state’s COVID-19 response efforts and […]
Founding member of the Oath Keepers pleads guilty to breaching Capitol on January 6
Jon Schaffer, 53, of Columbus, Indiana, admitted that he breached the Capitol on January 6, 2021, wearing a tactical vest and armed with bear repellent, and pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol to obstruct Congress’ certification of the U.S. presidential election results. “On this 100th day since the horrific January 6 assault on […]