(Missouri Independent) – Last spring, as Missouri businesses shed hundreds of thousands of jobs, Gov. Mike Parson warned that the state was headed for the worst financial crunch since the 2008 recession. Ten months later, Parson presented a budget plan that anticipates a $1.1 billion surplus on July 1, the biggest in state history. And if the $1.9 trillion pandemic […]
A fire at the Circle H Car Wash on Harris Avenue in Trenton on February 18th caused major fire and smoke damage to the control room. Firefighter Derek Hert reports heavy smoke was coming from the car wash control room upon the fire department’s arrival to the structure, owned by Gary Moulen. A one and […]
North Central Missouri College has earned the 2021-2022 Military Friendly ® School designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly ® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey with 747 earning the designation. The 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Schools list will be […]
The Chillicothe Fire Department reports smoke was seen coming from the eves of a residence early Tuesday evening at 1130 Webster Street. Lieutenant Rob Williams said fire was found in the attic of the residence and said the department used approximately 700 gallons of water and foam solution to extinguish the fire. The structure was […]
Today begins a special three month enrollment period for consumers to obtain health insurance through the federal marketplace. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid determined that the COVID-19 emergency presents exceptional circumstances in accessing health insurance and provides the special enrollment period through May 15th. Consumers who are eligible to apply and enroll are in […]
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of two Trenton residents on February 11th on probation violations. Thirty-two-year-old Domanic James Lee Ratkovich was arrested on a capias warrant. His original charge was felony possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid. His bond is $5,000 cash only. […]
Sentencing was held in Daviess County on February 10th for a former Coffey city clerk who pled guilty in November to felony stealing and forgery charges. Online court information shows Mary Lou Browning was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for five years each on stealing $750 or more and two counts of forgery. She […]
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education continued a two-year contract for Preschool through 12th Grade Principal Wes Guilkey the evening of February 10th. The final salary is to be determined. Science Teacher Dan Martin was offered a contract to coach the academic team. A contract was offered to Preschool Teacher Joanne Fisher to be […]
The Chillicothe City Council approved ordinances authorizing an agreement with a financial advisor and adopting a health insurance opt-out policy the evening of February 8th. City Administrator Darin Chappell reports the agreement is with McLiny and Company pursuant to getting funds for the street department and street projects for this year. The health insurance opt-out […]
Grundy County rural firefighters were dispatched Monday night to a reported structure fire west of Trenton. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a chimney fire was in progress at the residence of Ed and Pam Johnston at 398 Southwest Elm Lane of rural Trenton. Firefighters observed light smoke with smoldering embers inside the living room […]
Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of the Missouri Vaccine Navigator, a secure registry tool to assist Missourians in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. “Although vaccine supply nationwide is still quite limited, this registration process will help connect Missourians with more avenues to receive a vaccine,” Governor Parson said. “This will not only provide support for […]
Bond was reduced February 4th for a Polo woman charged with second-degree felony involuntary manslaughter after her mother’s death in November 2019. Online court information shows 42-year-old Rachel Nichols made an oral motion for bond reduction, and the court reduced the bond to $50,000 cash only with 10% allowed with the same special conditions as […]
The Missouri House Speaker is asking a fellow GOP House member to resign her seat after she was indicted by a federal grand jury in Springfield for an alleged stem cell fraud scheme. The indictment was unsealed and made public on Monday. House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, announced Wednesday that he’s removed State Rep. Tricia Derges, […]
A Polo woman has been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter—second degree after her mother’s death in November 2019. Online court information shows 42-year-old Rachel Nichols’s bond was set at $100,000 cash only with a special condition of bond supervision by Supervision Services. A probable cause affidavit from Sergeant Tony Kirkendoll of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determined that the COVID-19 emergency presents exceptional circumstances for consumers in accessing health insurance and will provide a Special Enrollment Period for individuals and families to apply and enroll in the coverage they need. This SEP will be available to consumers in the 36 states served by Marketplaces […]
The Mercer County Health Department has received its first shipment of 200 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The office will be closed during its first vaccine clinics on February 2nd and 4th. The health department has compiled a list of names and phone numbers of residents interested in receiving vaccines. Those residents will be contacted […]
A Lawson man has been charged in Caldwell County with first-degree murder following a shooting in Polo the morning of January 27th in which a woman died from her injuries. Thirty-five-year-old Kevin Lynn Barnett Junior has also been charged with assault—first degree or attempt, armed criminal action, robbery—first degree, unlawful possession of a firearm, and […]
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees approved several personnel items on Tuesday evening, January 26th. Former Board Clerk/Secretary Vicki Weaver was granted emeritus status. She was an employee of NCMC for 36 years. She retired at the end of December. President Doctor Lenny Klaver noted in a nomination letter that Weaver “guided NCMC […]
An arraignment has been scheduled for a man from Iowa who faces multiple felony charges in Caldwell County after what was described as a road rage incident by law enforcement in December. Forty-two-year-old Ty Matthew Vaughn of Morning Sun, Iowa is scheduled in Division One of Circuit Court on February 9th. Vaughn has been charged […]
(Missouri Independent) – Seven U.S. Senate Democrats on Thursday urged the chamber’s ethics panel to look into Sen. Josh Hawley’s unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in connection with the deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol earlier this month. The Democrats also want a similar probe of Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz’s actions and the Jan. […]
