Graduation with cap and rolled up diploma

Schools graduating seniors on Friday, May 14, 2021

Students will graduate from area schools on May 14th. Four seniors will graduate from North Daviess R-3 in the gym at 6:30 in the evening. Agriculture teacher Ray Ann Armstrong will be the speaker. Three seniors will graduate from Newtown-Harris in the gym at 7 o’clock. Former teacher Josie Hinkle will address the class.

Missouri State Capitol courtesy of WikiMedia

Parson vows to veto crime bill if it includes penalties for lying under oath to Missouri legislature

(Missouri Independent) – The fate of a wide-ranging crime bill was called into question on Tuesday over a provision that would stiffen penalties for lying under oath to the legislature or obstructing a legislative investigation. During a conference committee on Tuesday morning convened to work out differences on Senate Bill 53, House members said the bill […]

Preston McMullen Facebook Photo

Former Tina-Avalon physical education teacher pleads “Not Guilty” to rape, sodomy and sexual contact

A former Tina-Avalon R-2 physical education teacher accused of having sexual contact with a student entered a plea of not guilty in the Associate Division of Carroll County Circuit Court Wednesday. Twenty-five-year-old Preston McMullen of Smithton was continued to June 16th. McMullen has been charged with the felonies of sodomy or attempted sodomy—first degree, statutory […]

Missouri Department of Social Services

Furious lawmakers demand answers from Missouri DSS for undercount of abuse reports

(Missouri Independent) – Lawmakers slammed the Department of Social Services on Thursday for underreporting the number of substantiated cases of abuse and neglect at youth residential facilities during a previous legislative hearing. For nearly an hour-and-a-half on Thursday, the House Special Committee on Government Oversight pressed DSS officials on why the number of findings of […]

Graduation caps

Seven area schools to hold graduation on Friday evening

Several area schools are scheduled to hold graduation ceremonies on May 7th. Sixth eighth-graders will graduate from Pleasant View R-6 in the school gym at 6 o’clock in the evening. Former teacher Cassie Cordray will speak. Thirty-three seniors will graduate from Gallatin R-5 at the stadium at 6:30. Former teacher Ryan Beenken will speak. Eight […]

Meat and Poultry Processing Grants

Missouri meat and poultry processors awarded nearly $17 million toward food supply expansions

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has awarded $16,716,406 million in CARES Act funding to nearly 150 small and medium-sized businesses. As a direct result of the reimbursement grant, more than 40 businesses were assisted in initiating or expanding their level of meat processing through a new grant of inspection or custom exempt inspection status. “As a […]

Child Porn

Former paraprofessional at Blue Springs High School pleads guilty to producing child pornography

A former paraprofessional at Blue Springs High School pleaded guilty in federal court to producing and distributing child pornography. Steven B. Allen, 45, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to two counts of producing child pornography and one count of distributing child pornography over the internet. Allen, who has been […]

Chillicothe Missouri Police Department

Livingston County Sheriff’s Department and Chillicothe Police Department to operate from same building

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and Chillicothe Police Department have announced plans to operate out of the same building. Sheriff Steve Cox and Police Chief Jon Maples brought the plans to the city administrator and county commission, and the plans are moving forward. The goal date for moving is May 10th. The Chillicothe Police Department […]

Dr. Randall Williams

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 […]