A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for video recording his sexual abuse of a 15-year-old victim. Daren Watts, 28, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Watts will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison […]
Tag: lead
Missouri man who trafficked ‘Half the Town’ sentenced to 12-years for meth conspiracy
A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy that distributed more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine in southern Missouri. Eric Eugene Akins, 54, of Monett, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 12 years in federal prison without parole. On Jan. 21, 2020, Akins pleaded guilty […]
Trenton resident ordered to serve jail time in lieu of owing money to the court
A Trenton resident. William Edwards Grimes the fourth was ordered to serve time in jail in lieu of paying the balance of money owed to the court. Grimes is to serve 14 days at the Grundy county detention center to compensate for still owing $120.50 on a conviction of violating a protection order for an […]
Waterslide owner in Missouri faces a possible three-year prison term for making a false tax return
The owner of a Cassville, Missouri waterslide attraction has pleaded guilty in federal court to making a false tax return. Jerry Don Beebe, 67, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush on Monday, Oct. 26, to one count of making a false tax return. Beebe owned and operated Beebe’s Roaring River Waterslide in […]
Missouri ranks in top 3 in 2020 Digital States Survey; receives “Grade A” for data-driven government
Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri has been recognized as a national leader in digital technology best practices. The Center for Digital Government (CDG) released its 2020 Digital States Survey, which showed that Missouri received a grade of “A,” one of the top grades among all 50 states. The grade A demonstrates very strong innovation […]
EPA announces 2020 Dicamba registration decision
At the Cromley Farm, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced that EPA is approving new five-year registrations for two dicamba products and extending the registration of an additional dicamba product. All three registrations include new control measures to ensure these products can be used effectively while protecting the environment, including non-target plants, animals, […]
Initiative connects rural working families with valuable tax credit info
Starting in the 2020 tax season, more rural Missourians in need will be able to learn about their eligibility for the federal earned income tax credit (EITC), one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty tools targeting low- and moderate-income working families. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health has awarded $1.35 […]
Audio: U.S. Senate confirms Barrett to Supreme Court; Hawley praises her; Missouri Democratic Party Chair criticizes vote
Missouri’s junior senator is praising the newest U.S. Supreme Court Justice, who was sworn-in Monday after being confirmed by the Senate on a 52-48 vote. GOP Senator Josh Hawley, who serves on the Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, was impressed with Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s testimony at hearings. Senator Hawley describes Barrett as […]
Missouri sends initial shipment of COVID-19 antigen tests to schools statewide
State officials began shipping thousands of antigen test kits to public and private schools across the state today. Nearly 330 districts/schools applied to participate in Missouri’s BinaxNOW Antigen Testing Program for K-12 Institutions, requesting a total of nearly 583,000 test kits for use among symptomatic students and school personnel. These minimally invasive nasal swab tests […]
Missouri makes COVID data available to download, explains difference in positivity rate
(Missouri Independent) – For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the Department of Health and Senior Services made some — but not all — of its data on the coronavirus outbreak available to download this week. In a new tab on its website, DHSS now includes accessible data breaking down tests, cases, and […]
Missouri teachers work two jobs for the price of one
(Missouri Independent) – Two minutes into our interview, I counted five yawns as the young teacher from southwest Missouri caught herself, and apologetically assured me that my questions weren’t dull. “I just feel like I am working all the time,” she added. “I don’t know how I am going to keep doing this for the […]
Updated environmental impact statement for East Locust Creek Reservoir to be posted on Friday
According to Brad Scott, general manager for the North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission, an updated environmental impact statement for the East Locust Creek Reservoir in Sullivan County is to be posted Friday, October 22, 2020, to the Federal Register. The project team and the federal sponsor, Natural Resource Conservation Service, will have personnel at […]
Strip Trial Program seeks participants for fertilizer trials
The University of Missouri Extension is looking for farmers to participate in fertilizer trials as part of the “MU Certified” Strip Trial Program. MU Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory, who leads the program, said this year’s farmer panel approved trials focused on improving the management of fertilizer in corn and soybean rotations, wheat, and […]
Student leaders prepare for the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo
FFA members and supporters from across the country will log on to their smart devices next week to celebrate agricultural education and agriculture during the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo. The event, which is traditionally the largest student convention in the country, will be held virtually this year, allowing even more people to participate […]
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announces new office of early learning
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced during the regularly scheduled State Board of Education meeting the creation of an Office of Early Learning. This change is part of DESE’s ongoing focus on early learning and early literacy, one of the department’s four priority areas in the Show-Me Success strategic plan. Earlier this year, DESE […]
Parson calls special session on November 5th to access additional federal aid
Governor Mike Parson has called another special session – this time to focus on getting extra federal coronavirus funding made available to the state. The federal aid includes funding for school meals, grants for homelessness prevention and job training, child support payments, among others. “COVID-19 has had an overwhelming impact on our state, and while […]
Connecting to Careers: Helping veterans transfer value and skills to civilian life.
Scott Hoad was at a low point this spring, trying to piece together a decent living after being laid off from a job painting commercial aircraft. Then Hoad crossed paths with Amy Patillo, a University of Missouri Extension labor and workforce development specialist based in Springfield. Hoad’s brother owns the ranch where Patillo boards her […]
Missouri Board of Education talks about ongoing challenges schools are facing during pandemic
The Missouri Board of Education discussed Tuesday the obstacles and additional workload that teachers and other school workers are dealing with this year. Member Don Claycomb said he expects a much greater number of teachers to leave the profession due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Apparently some feel pushed to the wall,” he said. Missouri already […]