One year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, people have stepped up to address the emotional needs of families reeling from the coronavirus and 2020’s record-breaking disasters. For nearly 80 years, U.S. presidents have proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to recognize people giving back through its lifesaving mission — which is […]
Tag: increased
Defendant sentenced to 36-years in prison on multiple counts of sex and drug trafficking
Prince Bixler, 41, of Lexington, Kentucky, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Wier to 36 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $333,100 in restitution to three sex trafficking victims. In September 2020, a federal jury convicted Bixler of 15 federal felonies related to his […]
Safer Streets Initiative leads to over 500 charges in first two years
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that, to date, his Safer Streets Initiative, which was launched in early 2019, has resulted in 516 charges against 289 defendants across the state. Additionally, 356 firearms have been taken off the streets as a result of the initiative. “Since taking office, prosecuting violent crime in Missouri’s major […]
Missouri cities, counties in line for millions from federal COVID relief bill
(Missouri Independent) – The plan for distributing money directly to Missouri counties in the current version of the $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief bill is pretty simple – each gets $195.44 per person. But for cities, instead of a formula based on population, Congress divvies up the money using the method for determining Community Development Block Grant allocations. […]
Audio: Missouri Senate puts off vote on giant K-12 education package
After about twelve hours of debate, the Missouri Senate refrained from voting overnight on a contentious K-12 public education package. There was some confusion towards the end that appeared to ultimately lead to the plan getting shelved – at least for now. Several changes were made over the course of the day and night. As […]
One of the nation’s largest chicken producers pleads guilty to price fixing and is sentenced to $107 million criminal fine
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a major broiler chicken producer based in Greeley, Colorado, has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to pay approximately $107 million in criminal fines for its participation in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products, the Department of Justice announced today. According to the plea agreement entered […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve motion regarding electric rates; update provided regarding freezing water meters
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved a motion regarding electric rates on Monday evening, February 22nd. The motion was to clarify that any business outside of a commercially zoned area that is required to possess a valid business license will be required to pay a commercial electric rate for the property that is used for […]
Missouri in line for $4.5 billion from federal stimulus bill
(Missouri Independent) – Last spring, as Missouri businesses shed hundreds of thousands of jobs, Gov. Mike Parson warned that the state was headed for the worst financial crunch since the 2008 recession. Ten months later, Parson presented a budget plan that anticipates a $1.1 billion surplus on July 1, the biggest in state history. And if the $1.9 trillion pandemic […]
Natural gas customers in Princeton may end conservation efforts and return to normal usage
The city of Princeton reports natural gas customers can resume their usage at normal levels. The city previously requested during the recent extreme cold weather, that customers conserve on natural gas usage. The city of Princeton wants to thank customers for their energy conservation efforts. Governor Mike Parson says his office has been contacted by […]
Baltimore improvement project in Kirksville awarded by commission
The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission recently awarded a contract to Krupp Construction, of Ellisville, Missouri, for an improvement project on Baltimore Street in Kirksville. The project consists of resurfacing, American with Disabilities (ADA) improvements, and drainage improvements. The project will run from just north of Illinois Street to just south of Patterson Street. The […]
Grundy County Health Department reports COVID-19 related death bringing total to 40
The Grundy County Health Department reports another COVID-19-related death since February 11th, bringing the total to 40. Active cases dropped by 10 to five. Total cases increased by four to 1,050. Eight hundred nine cases have been confirmed. Health Department Administrator Elizabeth Gibson notes the health department will continue its second dose COVID-19 vaccine clinics […]
Missouri Department of Natural Resources sells out to foreign factory farms
(Missouri Independent) – I’m an independent Missouri farmer and livestock producer, and JBS, the largest meatpacker in the world and a Brazilian corporation, is attempting to put a 10,500 head hog operation next to my community and the Poosey Conservation Area in Livingston County. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is in the process of giving Missourian’s […]
Trenton Municipal Utilities asking customers to conserve electrical usage
Trenton’s Utility Director Ron Urton is asking for TMU customers to conserve on their power usage today and again on Tuesday due to extreme cold. For the first time in his tenure of more than four years as city administrator and utility director, Urton stated TMU is operating diesel generators to assist in making power […]
Audio: Missouri could soon require online retail businesses from out-of-state to pay state sales tax
Missouri could soon require online retail businesses from out-of-state to pay state sales tax. State Senator Andrew Koenig, a Republican from eastern Missouri’s Manchester, is sponsoring a so-called Wayfair bill. He tells Missourinet his goal is to make the state’s businesses more competitive. Koenig says his bill could bring in roughly 80 to […]
Harrison County Health Department administers 1520 doses of COVID-19 vaccine; Grundy County reports 5 new cases of COVID-19
The Harrison County Health Department has vaccinated 1,520 individuals at COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the last two weeks with the help of community partners. About 770 of those individuals were from Harrison County. The health department will continue to order vaccine and vaccinate individuals as the vaccine is available. The total number of COVID-19 cases […]
Cases of COVID-19 increase by 19 in Livingston County and one in Mercer County
The Livingston County Health Center reports two new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 1,412. Active cases dropped by six to 20. Fourteen of the active cases are in the community, and six are facility actives. There are seven current COVID-19-related hospitalizations and 50 deaths reported for Livingston County. Confirmed COVID-19 cases have increased by […]
Missouri Attorney General joins coalition calling on President Biden to reinstate Keystone XL pipeline permit
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and a coalition of 13 other attorneys general urged President Biden to reconsider his unilateral revocation of the 2019 Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL pipeline and advised him that the states that signed on to the letter are reviewing available legal options to protect their citizens and interests. “The […]
Audio: Missouri bill would boost gas tax but offer rebates to drivers
A proposed fuel tax increase could come with a rebate option for drivers who fill up in Missouri. State Representative Becky Ruth, R-Festus, has filed legislation that would increase the fee by two cents annually for five years to help to pay for Missouri’s underfunded highway system. She tells Missourinet if drivers turn in their […]
Livingston County reports 9 new cases of COVID-19; Harrison County 1 new case
The Livingston County Health Center on February 5th reported nine new COVID-19 cases since Monday for a total of 1,398. Active cases increased by two to 34. Thirty-one active cases were in the community, and three were facility actives. Ten current COVID-19-related hospitalizations and 49 deaths were reported for Livingston County. One additional COVID-19 case […]
Putnam County reports COVID-19 related death; 12 new cases reported over three counties
The Putnam County Health Department reports another COVID-19-related death as well as four additional cases since February 1st. That brings the totals to 12 deaths and 464 cases. The Putnam County Health Department and Putnam County Memorial Hospital have provided 565 COVID-19 vaccine doses to individuals who qualify. The health department continues to request doses […]