(Missouri Independent) – Patients who arrive at an abortion clinic in Overland Park, Kansas, have often traveled long distances. Many began their journeys in Missouri, sometimes driving hours to their appointment. “We’ve heard these stories from Missourians and other people in our region for years,” said Emily Wales, interim president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. “They […]
Tag: Illinois
USDA invests $222 million in rural community infrastructure
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is investing $222 million to build and improve critical community facilities (PDF, 729 KB) in 44 states, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico. This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 2.5 million people in rural communities. It also […]
Billions headed to Missouri transportation fund from gas tax hike, infrastructure bill
(Missouri Independent) – With $6.5 billion on the way from the federal infrastructure bill and a newly increased gas tax, Missouri is ready to take a big bite out of $4.5 billion in unfunded highway needs, Patrick McKenna, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, said this week. But that doesn’t mean the state is ready to tackle […]
Critics say Spire Missouri’s warning of natural gas outages a “manufactured crisis”
(Missouri Independent) – As federal energy regulators prepare to decide the fate of a St. Louis natural gas pipeline, Spire Missouri is warning customers their gas service could fail this winter. Business industry groups and the utility maintain their responsibility to keep customers informed. But environmental groups and some local elected officials — who note federal regulators seem […]
Woman arrested at Chicago O’Hare Airport for conspiring to kill her mother and placing body in suitcase
An Illinois woman was arrested when she arrived at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, for allegedly murdering her mother on Aug. 12, 2014, while on vacation in Bali, Indonesia. Heather Mack, 26, is alleged to have conspired with her boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, 28, to kill her mother, Sheila Von Weise, while Mack and Von Weise […]
USDA to make up to $1.15 billion available to help people living in rural communities access high-speed internet
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health care, and educational services for millions of rural Americans nationwide. Today’s announcement continues to move forward President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda by prioritizing economic growth in rural America and investing in the backbone of our country […]
Report says millions to lose abortion access if Roe v. Wade overturned
As the new U.S. Supreme Court session gears up, a new report found more than 36 million women in 26 states, including Missouri, could lose access to abortions if the court overturns Roe v. Wade. Missouri has only one clinic where abortions are performed, the result of laws that, for instance, require providers to have admitting privileges at […]
‘A nightmare’: Missouri schools adapt as labor shortages upend school meal supply chain
(Missouri Independent) – Shawndra Taylor had just 12 hours notice when the first truck canceled. The truck contained food to help prepare the 3,000 meals served each day in her school district in Eldon — including items she needed to make dinner for students. Her supplier, Kohl Wholesale in Quincy, Illinois, was too short-staffed. Taylor, […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve bid for work at old water plant, address numerous agenda items at Monday meeting
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved a bid for cleaning out the old water plant backwash basin and an animal abatement permit request on September 27, 2021. The bid for cleaning the backwash basin was from Red Rock for $25,000 and was the only one received. The animal abatement permit request was from Matt Pottorff […]
Charges filed against Illinois man in Harrison County after stealing vehicle and fleeing from law enforcement
An Antioch, Illinois resident faces multiple charges in Harrison County after he allegedly took a vehicle without permission and fled from law enforcement on September 11. Ninteen-year-old Elkanah Gahima has been charged with the felonies of possession of burglary tools, first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, and resisting arrest, detention, or stop by fleeing. He […]
Tricia Burkhardt announced as Executive Director of Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation
The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Tricia Burkhardt as the executive director of the nonprofit devoted to advancing the conservation and appreciation of Missouri’s natural resources, including fish, forest, and wildlife. Burkhardt replaces Kevin Roper, who retired June 30, 2021, after serving as executive director for five years. […]
Missouri Highway Patrol reports the arrest of two on Saturday
The highway patrol reports a 19-year old Antioch, Illinois teenager was arrested early Saturday evening, September 11, 2021, in Harrison County. Elkanah Gahimaand was accused of felony counts of resisting arrest by fleeing creating a substantial risk of injury, tampering with a motor vehicle, and possession of burglary tools. Gahima also was accused of misdemeanor […]
Patrol arrests Illinois man on alleged drug offenses in Linn County
The Highway Patrol reports a late-night arrest of an Illinois resident in Linn County. Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Wilkins of Rantoul, Illinois, was taken into custody at 11 pm and accused of alleged felonies of delivery of a controlled substance listed as marijuana, resisting arrest, an attempt to escape, and bribery. Wilkins also was accused of unlawful […]
USDA invests $464 million in renewable energy infrastructure to help rural communities, businesses and ag producers reduce energy costs
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Department is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and help rural communities, agricultural producers, and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico. “USDA continues to prioritize climate-smart infrastructure to help rural America build back better, stronger and more […]
Big rig overturns injuring driver from Illinois
On Friday evening, the Highway Patrol reports a Springfield, Illinois man sustained serious injuries when a semi-truck overturned one mile south of Omaha, Missouri. An ambulance took 72-year-old Russell Wake to the Northeast Regional Medical Center of Kirksville. The truck traveled north on Highway 149 before running off the right side of the road, overcorrecting, […]
House reconciliation package would provide path to citizenship for millions
(Missouri Independent) – A provision tucked in the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package would direct Congress to chart a path for citizenship for millions of undocumented people. If passed, the House provision would provide a pathway to citizenship for those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, often referred to as Dreamers, farmworker workers; those […]
Trenton Park Board discusses installation of permanent cornhole boards
The Trenton Park Board September 1st discussed the possibility of concrete cornhole boards being installed at Eastside Park. Park Superintendent David Shockley said he had received several requests for cornhole boards. Park Board President Curtis Crawford said cornhole is a popular game, and boards could be put near the horse shoe pitching area at Eastside […]
Multi-state human trafficking operation, originating in Missouri, rescues 47 victims including 2 minors and leads to 102 arrests across 12 states
A 12-state human trafficking operation led by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol has led to 102 arrests and the rescue of 47 victims and sex workers including 2 minor victims. Operation United Front entailed simultaneous state-level human trafficking operations throughout the night on Thursday and into the early morning […]
Charges filed in homicide investigation of Northwest Missouri State University student and her daughter
Charges have been filed regarding a homicide investigation involving the death of a Northwest Missouri State University graduate student and her daughter. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office reports 45-year old J. T. McLean, the long-term boyfriend of 43-year-old Allison Abitz, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the murder of Allison and […]
Fourth judge announced for Missouri Days Marching Festival
The latest judge to be announced for the 2021 Missouri Days Marching Festival is a midwest resident with experience in many states as a director, educator, facilitator, musician, and experienced festival judge. Kehan Knapp is a member of the Central States Judges Association and a judge for numerous competitions, including Winter Guard International, Drums Corps […]