USDA Reconnect Program

USDA accepting applications for loans and Grants to assist those in rural areas in obtaining high-speed internet access

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the Department has begun accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to help people in rural areas get access to high-speed internet. This announcement comes on the heels of the recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides another nearly $2 billion in additional […]

A gavel and a name plate with the engraving Lawsuit

Missouri Attorney General files lawsuit against Moberly Public Schools for public records on IEP recording policy

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit against the Moberly Public School District for alleged Sunshine Law violations for requests for public records from the Attorney General’s Office related to their policy on parents recording Individualized Education Plan meetings. “Parents have a right to know exactly what is being taught to the children and […]

Prison Sentence News Graphic

Former Missouri middle school teacher sentenced to 20 years in prison for illicit sex with her student

A former Missouri, middle school teacher was sentenced in federal court for charges related to enticing one of her students to engage in illicit sex. Amanda Ruth Schweitzer, 42, of Joplin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Schweitzer to 15 years of […]

Hy-Vee or HyVee pharmacy website

Hy-Vee now offering free COVID-19 booster vaccines to all individuals aged 18 and older

Hy-Vee, Inc. announces today that free Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are now available to all individuals ages 18 and older at Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations across its eight-state region. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a booster dose for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine recipients […]

Coronavirus News Graphic

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issues COVID “hot spot” advisory for 7 counties in NW Missouri

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has issued a COVID-19 hot spot advisory for seven northwest Missouri counties due to rising case totals from November 1st through 15th. Marshall Griffin files this report.     Thirty-eight cases were added in Harrison County in the two-weeks time. Forty cases were added in Gentry County. […]

Nurse assisting patient in wheelchair in nursing home

Missouri gives nursing homes a way to temporarily close in face of federal vaccine rule

(Missouri Independent) – With over 40% of Missouri’s nursing home staff still unvaccinated, the state health department is giving long-term care facilities a route to avoid losing their license if they shut down due to staffing shortfalls after a federal vaccine requirement kicks in next month. On Friday, the Department of Health and Senior Services […]

Plane or airplane fighting a wildfire

Climate funds in infrastructure bill aimed at drought, wildfires, floods

(Missouri Independent) – The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill isn’t just about roads and bridges — it also spends billions to address wildfire, drought, flooding, and other effects from climate change, Interior Department officials said Wednesday. The $1.2 trillion measure, which is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after the House cleared it last week, includes pay […]

Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Website

Audio: Missouri Recycling Association Executive Director speaks at annual meeting of Green Hills Regional Planning Commission

Missouri Recycling Association Executive Director Angie Powell spoke at the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission’s Annual Meeting at the Trenton Rock Barn on November 9, 2021. The meeting also included an award presentation and an election of officers. Powell said the Missouri Recycling Association has been around since the 1980s, is a 501(c)(3), and has […]

City of Trenton Website

Trenton City Council reviews problems with trash service; city health insurance premiums to decrease

All votes were unanimous Monday night when the Trenton City Council adopted four ordinances and approved a resolution. Faced with two dozen additional, documented complaints on trash service, at least two members of the council called for a change in trash hauling companies. The city of Trenton’s contract with Rapid Removal Disposal doesn’t expire until […]

Division One of Circuit Court News Graphic

Court news for Thursday, November 4, 2021 in Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court

Prison sentences were issued on four defendants Thursday in Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court. At a probation violation hearing, evidence was presented and the court found that Juan Gallegos of Spickard had violated conditions of probation. Gallegos was sentenced to eight years with the Missouri Department of Corrections on each of two counts […]