A performer at a Branson, Missouri, theater pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing more than $85,000 from hundreds of his own audience members who donated to his non-existent charity for foster children. “For several years, this performer took advantage of his own audiences by pulling at their heartstrings while stealing from their pockets,” said […]
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education on March 15th approved paying $575.08 toward employee health insurance plans. Insurance will continue through the Ozark Schools Benefits Association. Superintendent Lucas McKinnis reported that the district offers seven plans, and insurance costs are less than last year. Employees can upgrade to a PPO plan, but they may have […]
The Grundy County R-5 Board of Education has approved a health insurance plan and a four-day week calendar. The district will work with Missouri Educators Trust for the insurance. The plan will provide all full-time staff a $3,000 health savings account for $549.91. Staff will have an option to buy up to three other plans […]
The Laredo R-7 Board of Education accepted health insurance through the Ozark Schools Benefits Association on March 8th. The district will pay $530 for 2021-2022 plus vision and life insurance. The board approved field trips. They included the eighth grade to Kansas City, kindergarten through second grade to Shatto Dairy, and third through eighth grades […]
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education March 9th approved salary schedules for the 2021-2022 school year. One thousand dollars will be added to the base for the certified salary schedule, making the base salary $34,000. This was estimated to cost the district $119,591. Superintendent Mike Stegman noted the base salary for certified staff was “pretty […]
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education approved items related to the salary schedule on March 8th. Seven hundred fifty dollars was added to the base salary schedule, and each teacher will receive steps on the salary schedule. After the increase, North Mercer’s base salary will be $30,250. Other personnel will receive a two-point-five percent […]
The Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education on the evening of February 16th approved extending COVID leave days through the end of the school year. Each employee is given 80 hours to use for the 2020-2021 school year. An update was presented on construction in the third, fourth, and fifth grades. Work was completed in […]
Today begins a special three month enrollment period for consumers to obtain health insurance through the federal marketplace. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid determined that the COVID-19 emergency presents exceptional circumstances in accessing health insurance and provides the special enrollment period through May 15th. Consumers who are eligible to apply and enroll are in […]
Laredo R-7’s Board of Education has voted to extend the contract by two years for the school principal, putting Misty Foster on a four-year contract. Next years’ school calendar has been adopted with classes at Laredo beginning August 24th. The board held a discussion on co-oping with Pleasant View R-6 school for the seventh and […]
You could be voting in 2022 on a proposed constitutional amendment in Missouri, requiring health insurers to cover preexisting conditions. House Joint Resolution 50 is a two-page proposal. It’s sponsored by State Rep. Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, the powerful House Majority Floor Leader. He says the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn the Affordable Care Act this year. […]
The Jamesport Tri-County Board of Education took action on several items at a meeting on February 9th. The board moved to seek bids for a financial audit for the 2021-2022 year. Membership was renewed in the Ozarks School Benefits Association Health Insurance Consortium. A certificate of deposit investment was approved of $150,000 for eight months […]
The Chillicothe City Council approved ordinances authorizing an agreement with a financial advisor and adopting a health insurance opt-out policy the evening of February 8th. City Administrator Darin Chappell reports the agreement is with McLiny and Company pursuant to getting funds for the street department and street projects for this year. The health insurance opt-out […]
Missouri’s transportation director says more than 600 of his employees currently have the coronavirus. State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) director Patrick McKenna testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight on Monday in Jefferson City, delivering MoDOT’s annual report. “As of this moment (Monday afternoon), we’re at about 645 cases of COVID within MoDOT, MoDOT alone,” McKenna […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determined that the COVID-19 emergency presents exceptional circumstances for consumers in accessing health insurance and will provide a Special Enrollment Period for individuals and families to apply and enroll in the coverage they need. This SEP will be available to consumers in the 36 states served by Marketplaces […]
The Chillicothe City Council on January 25th approved 2021 COBRA rates and a resolution adopting the Hazard Mitigation Plan. City Administrator Darin Chappell explains if someone leaves the employment of the city, he or she is entitled to have COBRA coverage on health insurance for 18 months with the city insurance company. The city has […]
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is testing for new troopers. The Patrol is encouraging qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply and will offer testing at nine different locations in Missouri. Those who successfully complete testing will be eligible to continue in the selection process for the 112th Recruit Class, scheduled to begin training on […]
The Chillicothe City Council will consider three ordinances next week regarding a bid, an engineering contract, and a purchase agreement. The council will meet in the Chillicothe Municipal Utilities meeting room on the evening of December 28th at 6:30. One ordinance would accept a bid for a new asphalt paver. Another would accept an engineering […]
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 North Mercer R-3 Board of Education approved a resolution at a special meeting the night of December 14th related to COVID-19. Superintendent Dan Owens reports $750 will be paid to each district employee for additional work and expenses due to the pandemic. The board also voted to keep the health insurance benefit the same […]
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education will hold a special meeting to discuss district health insurance and a COVID-19 resolution. Millemon Math Award winners will also be discussed the night of December 14th at 8:30.
