As 2020 comes to a close, Governor Mike Parson highlights the state’s many successes and accomplishments despite the challenges of the past year. “Although 2020 has brought many challenges, we remained committed to serving the people of this state and moving Missouri forward,” Governor Parson said. “We still made great strides in advancing Missouri’s economy, workforce, and […]
Governor Mike Parson announced $46 million in child care funding to ensure child care providers can support the needs of working Missouri families, especially those with low incomes during COVID-19. “In order for Missouri to be a strong and healthy state, we must deliver essential services and support the needs of our working families, especially […]
The struggle is real for Missouri when it comes to a constant shortage of K-12 public school teachers. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) wants to ramp up its teacher workforce by seizing the opportunity in a relevant setting. Dr. Paul Katnik, the assistant commissioner of the Office of Educator Quality, says […]
(Missouri Independent) – A Cole County judge on Monday threw out a lawsuit alleging limitations on the number of medical marijuana licenses issued by the state were unconstitutional. Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce ruled that the regulations at the heart of the lawsuit were “properly promulgated and are in compliance with Missouri’s laws and Constitution.” She […]
Attorney General William P. Barr announced the results of Operation Legend, which was first launched in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 8, 2020, and then expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 22, 2020; to Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 29, 2020; to St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, on August 6, […]
Missouri’s rural counties lack mental health services despite growing financial stress and suicide rates with all of Missouri’s 99 rural counties facing a shortage of mental health professionals; 57 of them have none. The University of Missouri Extension hopes to change that through a multistate project to help farmers, ranchers, and farm families find affordable […]
The Fixing Access to Rural Missouri Bridge Program will replace 41 bridges primarily in Northern Missouri. The $26 million design-build project was enabled by receipt of a $20.7 million federal grant under the Competitive Highway Bridge Program. The Missouri Department of Transportation reports design-build is a delivery method that includes hiring one contracting team to […]
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees heard various reports the evening of December 22nd. Multiple reports involved information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dean of Instruction Mitch Holder filled in for Vice President of Academic Affairs Doctor Tristan Londre. Holder reported students were appreciative of the on-campus experience during the fall semester. He is […]
A motion hearing was held in Johnson County on December 22nd for the Braymer man charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of two Wisconsin men. Twenty-six-year-old Garland Joseph Nelson’s motion for confidential contact visits was denied at this time. The state’s request for increased security levels for filings was granted, with […]
Governor Mike Parson granted pardons to 24 individuals who have demonstrated a changed lifestyle and desire to move on from past behaviors. “If we are to be a society that believes in forgiveness and second chances, then it is the next chapter in these individuals’ lives that will matter most,” Governor Parson said. “We are encouraged and […]
Missouri corn growers should scout for an emerging crop disease, tar spot, in 2021, says University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette. She identified tar spot in four far northeastern Missouri counties: Scotland, Lewis, and Clark in 2019 and Marion in 2020. She expects it to spread in the northern half of Missouri and […]
The old 17th Street Bridge in Trenton was torn down in the summer so the location would have a new one, but there have been delays in the construction project which is now not expected to be finished until next year. Trenton City Administrator Ron Urton provided an update on the situation. Delays […]
The bridge on Highway 190 over the Thompson River in Livingston County reopened to two-way traffic on December 18th. It was the 100th bridge opened through Governor Mike Parson’s Focus on Bridges Program created to repair or replace 250 of the state’s poorest bridges. It was the 21st bridge completed in the Missouri Department of […]
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released a report on the Jackson County government’s handling of payroll and personnel. The audit, part of an independent review of county government finances, found issues with the allocation of different funds to pay salaries and with the handling of vehicle allowances. The report gave a rating of “fair.” “Our […]
Gallatin Public Works Director Mark Morey reported at the Gallatin Board of Aldermen meeting on December 14th on repairs to two water leaks. He said one was located on East Berry Street, and the other was repaired on Cedar Street. Crews had tried to locate the leak on Cedar Street but were unsuccessful. Rural Water […]
In collaboration with the CARES Act, the Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri plans to present local senior centers with grants for $10,000. Eleven senior centers will benefit from the $10,000 grants, one each in Caldwell, Grundy, Harrison, Livingston, Mercer, Putnam, and Sullivan counties, and one grant for each of the two centers located […]
A Grant City woman has been charged with abandonment of a corpse related to the death of Melissa Lynn Chapman. 50-year-old Kimberly Sue Henry Tinkle also faces two felony counts of hindering the prosecution of a felony and one count of tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution. A probable cause statement from Highway […]
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education approved a scholarship recipient and grant requests during a meeting on Google Meet the evening of December 8th. Carly Spencer was named as the John T. Belcher Scholarship recipient. Four essays were submitted for the $250 scholarship. She will go on to compete at a regional level for a […]
The Grundy County Commission approved COVID-19 Relief Fund allocations for eight entities on December 8th. The Spickard R-2 School District was approved for $21,115.04, the Laredo R-7 School District $891.94, the Pleasant View R-6 School District $26,406.85, the Grundy County R-5 School District $30,720.28, Grundy County $8,162.46, the City of Trenton $1,845, North Central Missouri […]
The Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has voted largely along party lines in favor of decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level. Missouri’s Democratic members voted in support and Republicans voted against the plan. GOP Congresswoman Ann Wagner did not vote on the measure. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE Act, would remove […]
