(Missouri Independent) – The dispute over the $1.4 billion contract to provide prisoner health care in Missouri is moving into the courts. Corizon Health, which has held the Department of Corrections contract since 1992, filed a lawsuit Monday in Cole County alleging that unfair treatment and improper scoring gave the contract to Centurion Health, a Virginia subsidiary of […]
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Jamesport man wanted by Daviess County Sheriff taken into custody on rape and assault charges
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office reports a Jamesport resident wanted by the sheriff’s office has been taken into custody and is currently being held in the Greene County Jail in Springfield, Missouri. Thirty-three-year-old Matthew Eason has been charged with the felonies of first-degree domestic assault involving serious physical injury and first-degree rape or attempted rape. […]
Attorneys argue Missouri is violating federal law, courts on Medicaid expansion delays
(Missouri Independent) – Attorneys who successfully sued to force Missouri to enact voter-approved Medicaid expansion argued in a letter to state officials Thursday that delays in implementation violate not only the court order but also federal law. The plaintiffs’ attorneys, Chuck Hatfield and Lowell Pearson joined with Joel Ferber, director of advocacy for Legal Services […]
Mexican national sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole for drug trafficking and illegal firearms
A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court today for illegally selling more than a dozen firearms and a large amount of methamphetamine and heroin to undercover federal agents. Heladio Lezama-Palma, 36, a citizen of Mexico who was residing in Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 15 years […]
Chillicothe man pleads not guilty to armed criminal action and assault after stabbing incident
A Chillicothe man faces two felonies after he allegedly stabbed another man earlier this month. Thirty-one-year-old Colbi Dillion Stottlemyre has been charged with first-degree assault or an attempt involving serious physical injury or a special victim and armed criminal action. No bond is allowed. He entered a plea of not guilty on August 25, and […]
Vaccinated Missourians win $10,000 in first round of state’s vaccine incentive program drawings
Governor Mike Parson announced the winners of the first drawing of the MO VIP. At the time of the August 13 drawing, a total of 495,296 MO VIP entries were received. The MO VIP incentivizes vaccination for those who have not yet been vaccinated, as well as provides an opportunity for rewards for the more […]
Nine area schools report student enrollment on first day of school
Multiple area schools have begun classes for this academic year. Milan C-2 began August 23rd with a first-day enrollment of 662 in kindergarten through 12th grade. That is made up of 355 students in the elementary school and 307 at the high school. Green City R-1 began August 23rd with an opening day enrollment of […]
New Missouri “to-go” alcohol sales law takes effect August 28
The waiver that allowed Missouri restaurants to sell “to-go” alcoholic drinks beginning on April 14, 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, will become permanent when Senate Bill 126 takes effect on August 28, 2021. The administrative waiver was granted because many restaurants were severely strained as business dropped off or shifted to take out […]
Finalists announced for the Missouri National Guard Hall of Fame
The new Missouri National Guard Hall of Fame was formed by a group of Missouri Veterans in 2020. The new Hall of Fame will be physically located in Kirksville, MO. Missouri National Guard Hall of FamChairman John J. Sastry, Esq., CFP® announces a list of 10 Finalists for the Hall of Fame inaugural class. From […]
Audio: One Missouri city’s vaccination rate has topped 50%
One city in Missouri has crossed the threshold of having half its population fully vaccinated. The city of Joplin is the only place in Missouri with more than 50% of the population fully vaccinated. Nine jurisdictions in the state are at least 40% fully vaccinated: Boone, St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, Atchison, Jackson, […]
Deadline for entries for second “MO VIP” drawing is Wednesday
To date, more than 540,000 vaccinated Missourians have entered the MO VIP, Missouri’s COVID-19 vaccine incentive program, for a shot at $10,000. Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of the statewide program on July 21. Approximately 45,000 Missourians have entered to win since the date of the first drawing–winners of this drawing will be announced Wednesday, […]
FDA gives full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
The U.S. has its first fully approved vaccine against COVID-19, with federal health officials announcing Monday the approval of Pfizer-BioNTech’s two-dose vaccine. The green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to move Pfizer’s vaccine from emergency use to full approval is a milestone in the national pandemic response, and one that comes as the […]
Audio: Mosaic Hospitals in northwestern Missouri to require staff to be vaccinated
St. Joseph’s Mosaic Life Care will require all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. CEO, Dr. Mark Laney, made the announcement in a news conference at the hospital. The vaccination requirement will be implemented incrementally with the target of having all staff vaccinated by the end of the year. Mosaic has 4,500 hundred […]
Audio: Missouri legislative committee to hold hearing today about ‘Critical Race Theory’
The Missouri Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education is holding another hearing today (Monday) about critical race theory. Critical Race Theory refers to a 40-year body of academic study that says racism and inequity are embedded in American institutions and legal systems. It is taught largely in higher education, but some opponents of the teaching, especially […]
Governor Parson announces $400 million plan to improve broadband infrastructure in Missouri
During a press conference at the Missouri State Fair hosted by the Missouri Farm Bureau, Governor Mike Parson announced plans to deploy more than $400 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to increase broadband internet access, adoption, and assistance statewide. “Investing in our broadband infrastructure is critical to unlocking our full economic potential […]
A dozen northwest Missouri counties experience drought conditions
More than a dozen northwest Missouri counties are experiencing slight drought conditions, according to the drought monitor map released Thursday, August 18, 2021. The map is developed based on soil conditions as of Tuesday. Each of the counties mentioned is in the category called abnormally dry. The only county within the Green Hills Region that […]
Biden mandates nursing homes require COVID vaccine or lose Medicare, Medicaid funds
(Missouri Independent) – Nursing homes will be required to ensure their staffers are vaccinated against COVID-19, or risk losing federal Medicare and Medicaid dollars, the Biden administration announced Wednesday in a major move on vaccinations as the Delta variant sweeps many states. Under the new nursing home policy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human […]
Jamesport man faces domestic assault and rape charges
A Jamesport man faces two felonies after an alleged assault on a domestic partner on August 17 that caused a woman to have a possible broken jaw. Thirty-three-year-old Matthew Allen Eason has been charged with first-degree domestic assault involving serious physical injury and first-degree rape or attempt. Bond has been denied. A probable cause statement […]
U.S. House Democrats unveil new voting rights bill named for John Lewis
(Missouri Independent) – At the base of the bridge in Selma, Ala., where the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia almost died while marching for civil rights, congressional Democrats announced Tuesday the introduction of legislation that aims to protect voting rights across the country. Rep. Terri Sewell, an Alabama Democrat, unveiled what will be […]
North Central Missouri College to hold Open House and ribbon cutting for new residence halls
North Central Missouri College will be having an Open House and ribbon cutting on Wednesday, August 18th for the new Residence Halls constructed at 309 E Crowder Rd. The public is invited to attend at 1:00 p.m. to view and tour Residence Hall Anchor 1. The public should be aware construction is still underway on […]