Network cables (RJ45 ) connected to a switch

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 […]

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri website 2021

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri receives Rural Business Development Grant

The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, Inc. has received a Rural Business Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas made the award announcement, Friday, October 8th, 2021. The grant, in the amount of $53,863 will be used to assist with technical assistance and program delivery throughout the […]

Trenton R-9 School District

Trenton Board of Education approves after school tutoring pay rate, hear presentation on Summer School program

The Trenton R-9 Board of Education approved an adjustment to after-school tutoring pay on October 12, 2021. The pay rate was changed from $25 to $30 to match the quarantine tutoring program. Trenton Middle School Principal Daniel Gott said teachers select students to be tutored in the after-school program. Superintendent Mike Stegman reported there were […]

Higher Education (college)

Free online learning now available to Missourians

The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development and the Office of Workforce Development are expanding their partnership with the online learning platform Coursera, to offer free, online education opportunities to Missourians. Coursera partners with more than 200 of the world’s leading university and industry educators to offer courses teaching job-relevant skills in fields […]

Grants News Graphic

USDA invests more than $1 million to support rural Missouri businesses

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced 19 organizations statewide are being awarded a total of $1,006,698 to create jobs and increase economic opportunities throughout the state. “USDA Rural Development has worked tirelessly to support rural Missouri businesses throughout the pandemic,” said Thomas. “The Rural Business Development Grants […]

Student Loan Application (Photo by Nick Youngson via Creative Commons)

Democrats’ vision for free community college would boost undocumented students

(Missouri Independent) – The massive economic policy package Democrats are trying to muscle through Congress could open the door to free community college for undocumented immigrants. But that lifeline for many people now denied access to higher education could also reignite controversies in Republican-leaning states over immigration and federal overreach. The provision on immigrants was […]

USDA Sign

USDA to launch loan guarantee initiative to create more market opportunities, strengthen food supply chain

As part of the Administration’s efforts to address food systems challenges arising from the pandemic as well as those going back decades, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA plans for another $100 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding would leverage hundreds of millions more in […]

Drug Enforcement Agency or DEA Website

DEA launches “One Pill Can Kill” campaign

The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. DEA’s Public Safety Alert, the first in six years, seeks to raise public awareness of a significant nationwide surge in counterfeit pills that are mass-produced by criminal […]

Allen Knoll, who was sent to Agape Boarding School in Missouri, testifies during a committee hearing on Feb-10-2021, about abuse he endured. (Photo by Tim Bommel - House Communications)

Prosecutor files felony charges against five Agape staffers accused of abuse

(Missouri Independent) – Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither announced Tuesday that five staffers members of Agape Boarding School will be charged with a combined 13 counts of third-degree felony assault — a fraction of what Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt recommended. In March, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson directed the attorney general’s office to assist Gaither […]

MSHP Lieutenant Joseph Veasman

Missouri State Highway Patrol announces promotion of Sergeant Joseph Veasman to Lieutenant

The superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the following promotion effective October 1, 2021, Sergeant Joseph A. Veasman, Troop F, Zone 14, commercial vehicle enforcement, is being promoted to the rank of lieutenant and assigned to the Professional Standards Division, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO. Veasman began his career with the Patrol on […]

Unemployment Rate

Livingston, Mercer, and Worth counties among those in Green Hills region with lowest unemployment rates

Missouri Division of Employment Security figures indicates Livingston, Mercer, and Worth counties are among those with the lowest unemployment rates for August 2021, the most recent month available. Worth County has the second-lowest unemployment rate for Missouri at two percent. Only Osage county has fewer unemployed, a one-point nine percent. Mercer County’s rate is two […]

2021 City of Chillicothe website 2021

Chillicothe City Council amends city code, authorizes agreement for architectural services and amends storage container ordinance

The Chillicothe City Council on September 23rd passed ordinances to amend the city code, authorize an agreement for architectural survey services, and amend the storage container ordinance. A section of city code amended was “Eating Places, Drinking on Premises, Retail Packaged Sales, License Required” regarding alcohol and setting an effective date. The section now says […]