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 […]
Tag: force
Grundy County’s unemployment rate almost doubles in December
Grundy County’s unemployment rate has risen to four-point four (4.4) percent in December, up from the November rate of two point seven (2.7%). In December, the Missouri Division of Employment Security reported Grundy County had a civilian labor force of 4,361, with the number of unemployed listed at 191. That compares to 118 unemployed in […]
UPDATE: More details released in shooting death of woman in Polo
Law enforcement reports a 35-year-old man from Lawson was taken into custody following a shooting in Polo the morning of January 27th in which a female died from her injuries. Caldwell County Sheriff Mitchel Allen reports the suspect was taken into custody following a manhunt that involved officers from the Highway Patrol, Polo Police Department, […]
Video: Governor Parson delivers 2021 State of the State Address
Governor Mike Parson delivered the 2021 State of the State Address to the Missouri General Assembly. Governor Parson highlighted several accomplishments the state has made in combating COVID-19 as well as major successes in infrastructure and workforce development despite the challenges of the past year. Following a recap of 2020, Governor Parson’s speech focused […]
Missouri woman sentenced to 17-years in prison without parole for meth conspiracy and Illegal Firearms
A Missouri, woman was sentenced in federal court for leading a conspiracy that distributed more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in a three-county area. Christina E. Gauger, 39, of Springfield, Missouri was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 17 years in federal prison without parole. Law enforcement officers seized a total of […]
Missouri Department of Higher Education releases report on response of postsecondary institutions during COVID-19
The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) released an addendum to its third COVID-19 After-Action Report, which was published in December 2020. Much like last December’s report, the addendum focuses on the initial institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As colleges and universities quickly transitioned to online courses, three major problems […]
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 […]
Missouri State Highway Patrol announces promotion of Richard Stewart to sergeant
Captain Benjamin C. Jones, director of the Recruiting and Community Outreach Division, announces the following promotion effective February 1, 2021. Corporal Richard A. Stewart, Recruiting and Community Outreach Division, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO, is being promoted to sergeant and will remain in his current position as a full-time recruiter for the Troop A, Lee’s Summit, […]
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 […]
Audio: Missouri Senator proposes to let drivers use deadly force against some protesters
State Senator Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, wants to make it a Class E felony for any protester who interferes with or blocks a public road. Drivers would not be held liable for injuring the demonstrators who block traffic. A provision in the bill says the driver is still liable if they are found to be using […]
Hawley wants an ethics probe of U.S. Senate Democrats who filed complaint against him
(Missouri Independent) – Seven U.S. Senate Democrats urged the chamber’s ethics panel last week to investigate Sen. Josh Hawley’s role in the pro-Trump assault on the Capitol. Now Hawley is calling for an ethics probe of the Democrats. In a Monday letter, Hawley argued that the Democrats filed an improper complaint last week against him and Sen. […]
Audio: Four members of Gangster Disciples from Missouri arrested along with three from Kentucky and Illinois
Seven alleged members of the violent Gangster Disciples gang, including top national and state leaders, are in custody after multiple arrests this morning for their alleged participation in a years-long interstate racketeering conspiracy involving multiple murders, drug trafficking, and other crimes. The case was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District […]
Audio: Missouri Senate committee considers law enforcement use of force package
The Missouri Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a law enforcement package. During a public hearing, Bill sponsor Brian Williams says the legislation would include restrictions for when officers could use force. Officers would not be allowed to use force against a person already restrained and chokeholds would be banned. Williams, a Democrat from […]
Former Veterans Affairs doctor sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexual abuse of veterans
A former doctor of osteopathic medicine who previously worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia, was sentenced for depriving veterans of their civil rights under color of law by sexually abusing them. U.S. District Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Jonathan Yates, 52, of Bluefield, Virginia, to 300 months in prison and […]
Former KC Fire Department captain sentenced to six years in prison for illegally selling firearms to felons
A former captain in the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department was sentenced in federal court for illegally selling dozens of firearms over a five-year period, and to selling firearms to convicted felons. James Samuels, 55, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to six years in federal prison without […]
Wright Memorial Hospital CEO speaks at Trenton Rotary meeting
Wright Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Steve Schieber spoke to the Trenton Rotary Club on January 21st about the hospital’s response to the pandemic. He reported the number of individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 went from zero in the first and second quarters of 2020 to 141 at Wright Memorial and Hedrick Medical Center during the […]
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 […]