Harry and late wife Alice Bratton final

Harry Bratton invests in North Central Missouri College Foundation

Harry Bratton’s appreciation for North Central Missouri College, formerly Trenton Junior College, is apparent to anyone who calls him a friend or an acquaintance.  The same appreciation and admiration are felt for Harry, an NCMC Distinguished Alumni Class of 2016 Honoree, Missouri Community College Association 2017 Distinguished Alumni, and active NCMC Foundation Board member.  Harry […]

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Missouri man sentenced to 13 years in prison, without parole, for drug trafficking meth, illegal firearms and carjacking

A Missouri man was sentenced in federal court for distributing methamphetamine, carjacking, and illegally possessing firearms after leading officers on three high-speed vehicle pursuits. Charles V. Bai, 29, of Independence,  was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 13 years in federal prison without parole. On Oct. 13, 2021, Bai pleaded guilty to […]

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Obituary: Thomas Shane Grooms

Thomas Shane Grooms, born May 10th, 1972, unexpectedly passed away at his home in the early hours of April 4th, 2022. He was 49 years old, one month shy of his 50th birthday. Shane was born in Hood River, Oregon with his twin sister, Sonja, to Annis and Edward Grooms, the 6th and 7th children of the […]

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Pause on federal student loan repayments extended by Biden through August 31

(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration Wednesday announced its plans to extend the pause on federal student loan repayments until the end of August. “I recognized in recently extending the COVID-19 national emergency, we are still recovering from the pandemic and the unprecedented economic disruption it caused,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.  “If loan […]

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DEA warns of increase in mass-overdose events involving deadly fentanyl

The Drug Enforcement Administration sent a letter to federal, state, and local law enforcement partners warning of a nationwide spike in fentanyl-related mass-overdose events. Administrator Anne Milgram outlined the current threat and offered DEA support to law enforcement officers responding to these tragic incidents. “Fentanyl is killing Americans at an unprecedented rate,” said DEA Administrator […]

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University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine tracking the spread of bird flu, one test at a time

Throughout the country, an extremely infectious disease called highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been circulating rapidly among flocks of chicken and turkeys. While the disease poses little risk to humans, it presents a serious threat to infected birds as well as the nation’s poultry industry, which is already facing supply chain disruptions. At the […]

Chine Garden Buffet Fire Chillicothe 4-5-22

China Garden Buffet in Chillicothe destroyed by fire

A Chillicothe business was destroyed by fire on Tuesday. Firefighters responded to the China Garden Buffet Restaurant at 1023 South Washington. Flames were visible inside the business as firefighters arrived. While en route, Chillicothe dispatch advised everyone inside the restaurant had been evacuated. At approximately 4:40 pm Tuesday, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming […]

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Missouri House signs off on $46.2 billion budget, leaves most of huge state surplus untouched

(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri House gave first-round approval Tuesday to a package of budget bills spending $46.2 billion, with Republicans defeating repeated Democratic efforts to tap the state’s record surplus. The budget includes boosts to higher education funding, both for institutions and scholarships, as well as funding one of last year’s most controversial issues, Medicaid […]