(Missouri Independent) – More than 70 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine — and along with that shot, a small paper card with the CDC’s label detailing the timing and manufacturer of the dose. Those paper cards at the moment are the only proof readily available to Americans of […]
Tag: last month
States question whether new federal stimulus law rules out tax cuts
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden’s massive pandemic stimulus law pumps a welcome infusion of federal aid into state and local government coffers — but one brief section is raising questions about whether states are barred from cutting their own taxes if they accept the federal help. The Senate added language to the COVID-19 relief package […]
Jay Nixon comeback? Democrats lining up for shot at open Missouri Senate seat
(Missouri Independent) – Roy Blunt’s announcement that he won’t seek a third term certainly shook up Republican politics in Missouri, sparking nearly every GOP elected official in the state to publicly mull jumping into the campaign. Democrats aren’t immune from the speculation. While any Democrat would face an uphill fight, the chance of a messy […]
Trenton Board of Education tackles huge agenda including approval of salary schedule for next school year
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 […]
Grundy County Commission appoints second individual as interim Public Administrator
The Grundy County Commission on March 9th appointed a rural Trenton resident as the interim Grundy County Public Administrator. Adria Moore will start the position on March 10th. Presiding Commissioner Phillip Ray reports Moore has been working at EverCare Pharmacy in Trenton and has a financial background. She will hold the interim position until the […]
Trenton City Council approves purchase of equipment and software regarding utility meters
Two ordinances were adopted and a bid was accepted during Monday night’s meeting of the Trenton City Council. One ordinance allows Anixter Incorporated of Glenview, Illinois to provide equipment and software regarding the installation of the two-way communication system with utility meters and other devices in Trenton. A bid involving the meter reading system was […]
Audio: Missouri House passes bill about 46,000 Missourians mistakenly given virus unemployment benefits
Missourians who were mistakenly paid coronavirus unemployment benefits might not have to return the federal portion, but they still might owe the state’s share. The Missouri House has passed a bill affecting roughly 46-thousand Missourians who received the benefits in error and have been told by the state to pay up. During debate, Nixa Republican […]
Missouri House committee votes to forgive federal unemployment debts
(Missouri Independent) – Thousands of Missourians facing repayment of mistakenly paid unemployment benefits would get some relief under legislation passed with a bipartisan vote Wednesday in a Missouri House committee. The bill, which will likely be debated on the House floor next week, would forgive debts due to overpayments from federal coronavirus relief programs but would not […]
While tackling busy agenda, Trenton R-9 Board of Education hears concerns regarding Kids Wrestling Club
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education were provided with information on various topics the evening of February 9th. Spring parent-teacher Conferences are scheduled for March 11th. School will be dismissed early that day, and the conferences will be held virtually. There will be no school March 12th or 15th. Superintendent Mike Stegman reported the dates […]
Reptiles and snow removal main topics of Trenton Administrative Committee meeting
Trenton’s Administrative Committee has instructed the city attorney to prepare a draft document that modifies a current ordinance regarding the existence of reptiles. This followed a request from Adam Clear who noted differences exist between the city code and state statutes regarding the length of a snake that can be kept. His thoughts were presented […]
Harrison County Health Department receives 350 doses of COVID-19 vaccine
The Harrison County Health Department has obtained about 350 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. It has followed the governor’s vaccination plan, prioritizing vaccine for Phase 1A, Phase 1B Tier 1, and Phase 1B Tier 2, and been giving vaccine throughout the week to individuals in those phases. The health department reports it started a waiting list […]
Missouri Department of Higher Education releases report on response of postsecondary institutions during COVID-19
The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) released an addendum to its third COVID-19 After-Action Report, which was published in December 2020. Much like last December’s report, the addendum focuses on the initial institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As colleges and universities quickly transitioned to online courses, three major problems […]
Missourians who receive food stamps to have 15% increase through June
Missourians who get food stamps will have their benefit amount increased through June. The state Department of Social Services says federal legislation signed into law last month includes a 15% increase in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit. The chart below shows the new maximum monthly SNAP amount, including the 15% increase Missouri households […]
Governor Parson announces activation of first Tier of Phase 1B of Missouri’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
Governor Mike Parson has announced the activation of Phase 1B – Tier 1 of Missouri’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. Federal partners have informed the state that they plan to significantly increase vaccine supply next week and that individuals 65 and older and those with the presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions should be […]
Feds tell states to give COVID-19 vaccine to anyone 65 and older in bid to speed rollout
(Missouri Independent) – The Trump administration on Tuesday directed state officials to expand who is getting vaccinated for COVID-19, and announced that all available doses will be distributed to states instead of holding back a reserve of follow-up doses. Under the policy changes outlined by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, states should begin […]
Audio: Trenton Municipal Utilities facing $2.5 million in upgrades to aging water treatment plant
Trenton Municipal Utilities is facing issues involving its aging water treatment plant in West Trenton. Preliminary plans are being formed to make upgrades to the two clarifier basins. TMU Director Ron Urton spoke more on the issue. Urton spoke of an issue at one basin that developed last month but was resolved. […]
Audio: Federal judge blocks execution of Lisa Montgomery, sentenced to death for gruesome killing in Skidmore, Missouri
A federal judge said that the Justice Department broke the law when it rescheduled the execution of the only woman on federal death row last month, potentially pushing her execution into President-elect Joe Biden’s new administration. Her execution had originally been scheduled for December 8, but Moss agreed last month to delay after […]
Hy-Vee donates nearly 1 million pounds of food to food banks across the Midwest
Hy-Vee, Inc. is partnering with dozens of national and regional food manufacturers and suppliers to help provide more than 1 million pounds of food to 17 food banks across its eight-state region for the holiday season. Hy-Vee collaborated with many of its supplier partners to fill more than 20 truckloads with food and supplies for […]
Audio: Five Points Alive helps brighten downtown Trenton with new Christmas lights
The community group, Five Points Alive, played a role in providing Christmas lights and decorations for the downtown Trenton vicinity. A spokesperson for the group, Cindy Jennings, recognized the work of Billy Wilson of Trenton who put up the energy-efficient Christmas lights. Mrs. Jennings also recognized the work of Kathy Brewer and Venna […]
Audio: Missouri Senator proposes to limit county-wide shutdown orders
State Senator Andrew Koenig (KAY-nig) wants to limit Missouri’s local leaders on their power to mandate and enforce county-wide shutdowns. On the Missouri Senate floor, Koenig, a Republican from the St. Louis suburb of Manchester, says he has pre-filed legislation in response to restrictions issued last month by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page. The […]