(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 […]
Tag: Expense
Trenton City Council table “right of way” agreement with MoDOT, discuss generation of power at Monday meeting
The Trenton City Council on Monday night tabled an ordinance, approved a resolution, accepted a bid, and agreed to buy a riding lawnmower locally. More details also were presented on TMU’s use of diesel generators during the cold weather. The council voted to table a “right of way” agreement between the city of Trenton and […]
Audio: Missouri prison system could move officer training from classroom to real-world setting
In 2019, Gov. Mike Parson closed a prison in northwest Missouri’s Cameron. Most staff and inmates transferred to the other prison in town – Western Missouri Correctional Center. Now, Parson wants to reopen the Crossroads Correctional Center and turn it into a training academy for correctional officers. During a House Budget Committee hearing, Trevor Foley […]
Trenton to activate Emergency Snow Route Ordinance at midnight
The city of Trenton will activate its emergency snow route ordinance at midnight to help the street crew clear snow from designated routes. This is the first activation of the snow route ordinance since January 27th. So far this month, Trenton has collectively received a total of ten and four-tenths inches of snow. Measurable snow […]
Woman first in the nation charged with misappropriating monies designed for COVID medical provider relief
A Michigan woman was indicted on allegations that she intentionally misappropriated government funds that were designed to aid medical providers in the treatment of patients suffering from COVID-19 and used them for her own personal expenses. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin of […]
Florida man lies to obtain $3.9 million in federal loans; spends money on Lamborghini
A Florida man pleaded guilty for fraudulently obtaining approximately $3.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans and using those funds, in part, to purchase a $318,000 Lamborghini sports car for himself. Federal investigators linked the sports car to Hines after he was involved in a hit and run on July 11, the Miami Herald reported. […]
Audio: Governor’s budget proposal underfunds school transportation by $185 million
Missouri can fund up to 75% of school bus transportation costs, which currently total about $278 million. Under the governor’s and the Education Department’s new budget proposal, Missouri underfunds these expenses by about 185 million dollars. During a House Budget Committee hearing, St. Louis Democrat Peter Merideth asked the department’s Kari Monsees why 93 million […]
While tackling busy agenda, Trenton R-9 Board of Education hears concerns regarding Kids Wrestling Club
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education were provided with information on various topics the evening of February 9th. Spring parent-teacher Conferences are scheduled for March 11th. School will be dismissed early that day, and the conferences will be held virtually. There will be no school March 12th or 15th. Superintendent Mike Stegman reported the dates […]
Princeton Board of Education accepts resignation, presented reports on COVID-19 funding and grant applications
The Princeton R-5 Board of Education heard reports on COVID-19 funding and grant applications on Monday evening, February 8th. It was reported the Consolidated Appropriations Act involves a COVID-19 relief package, which includes $81.9 billion to governors, state and local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education to address COVID-19-related expenses and costs. That funding […]
Missouri State Auditor issues latest monthly report on Missouri’s use of federal stimulus dollars received through CARES Act funding
State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released her eighth monthly report detailing the state government’s use of federal stimulus dollars intended for the COVID-19 response. In March, Auditor Galloway announced that her office would examine the state’s distribution and spending of funding received under the CARES Act and other federal assistance programs recently passed by Congress. […]
Trenton Job Center offers a multitude of supportive services
The Trenton Job Center offers information for young adults and dislocated workers interested in schooling and/or job training. Young adults are listed as persons from 16 years old up to 24. Services offered by the office in downtown Trenton include tuition assistance, supportive services, on the job training, paid work experience, and expenses related to […]
Man charged with $1.9 million COVID-relief fraud after seeking forgivable loans
A Nevada man was charged in an indictment Wednesday for his alleged participation in a scheme to defraud multiple financial institutions by filing bank loan applications that fraudulently sought more than $1.9 million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Nicholas L. […]
Grundy County Commission adopts deficit budget for 2021
The Grundy County Commission unanimously adopted a deficit budget for 2021 the morning of January 26th. The budget estimates total revenues of $5,736,634 and expenditures of $6,928,813. A balance deficit of $1,192,179 is expected for 2021. The county begins the year with carryover funds of $3,910,220.81. The projected ending balance is $2,718,041.81. Grundy County Clerk […]
Demolition of nine properties main topic of Trenton City Council meeting
Accepting recommendations from the Trenton Building and Nuisance Board, the City Council Monday night approved a list of nine houses to be demolished and the selection of a demolition contractor. Three companies submitted bids including Red Rock of Kidder who had the lowest bid for all nine structures at $42,000. His bid actually was $43,400 […]
Man pleads guilty to obtaining over $700,000 in COVID-19 relief using fraud scheme
A Washington man pleaded guilty today to perpetrating a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s […]
Grundy County Commission approves ballot measure for April election
The Grundy County Commission has approved placing a question on the April ballot asking if the county should enforce brush control adjacent to county roads. The measure involves a Missouri statute, which states the “brush shall be cut, burned, or otherwise destroyed as often as necessary in order to keep such lands accessible for purposes […]
Annual essay contest sponsored by Farmers’ Electric Cooperative now open for submissions
The 58th annual essay contest sponsored by Farmers’ Electric Cooperative in Chillicothe will look different this year. The Youth Tour trip to Washington, D. C. has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, however, area high school sophomores and juniors will still have an opportunity to win an all-expense paid experience this summer. Juniors will compete […]
North Grand River Baptist Association accepting donations for pastor Doug Crawford who is diagnosed with leukemia
The North Grand River Baptist Association is accepting donations for an area pastor who has been diagnosed with leukemia. A news release says Union Coon Creek Baptist Church Pastor Doug Crawford has been hospitalized for more than six weeks, originally for COVID-19 and then receiving the cancer diagnosis. His medical team has advised him to […]
Final Jackson County audit report highlights concerns with assessment procedures, other areas of county government
Jackson County needs to improve controls and procedures in its assessment department to ensure effective and efficient future reassessments, an audit released today by State Auditor Nicole Galloway says. Those were some of the recommendations in the final report of the Auditor’s independent review of Jackson County government finances. The county received a rating of “fair.” […]
Missouri State Auditor says Public Corruption and Fraud Division has produced results for taxpayers
Auditor Galloway outlined the successes of her Public Corruption and Fraud Division, which has contributed significantly to her office’s fight against public corruption. Auditor Galloway launched the division and announced efforts to direct increased resources towards investigations of fraud and abuse at the start of 2019. “I am proud of the work of my team and […]