Linn County Health Department has received notification from the state of Missouri that the Indian variant of COVID-19 is circulating in Linn County. Both variants are highly contagious. B.1.617.2-Indian is labeled a variant of interest by the CDC, seems to take a smaller viral load to infect and may be up to 50 percent more […]
Livingston County Health Center has announced lab confirmation from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services of both U.K. and Indian variants of COVID-19 circulating in Livingston County. B.1.1.7-UK is labeled a variant of concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has shown to be 50 percent more contagious than […]
It was a somewhat complicated weather story in the month of May. Trenton officially had measurable rainfall on 17 of the 31 days including 14 straight days from May 15th through May 28. The amount of precipitation on several of those dates was very little or relatively small. As a result, rainfall for the entire […]
Chillicothe firefighters responded to a house fire at mid-day Sunday on Route U, northwest of Chillicothe. Upon arriving at 9327 Route U, firefighters found heavy smoke at the structure. A spokesman noted the main fire was found in the kitchen with an extension to the attic space. Approximately 1,250 gallons of water were used in […]
A Missouri man was charged in federal court with setting the arson fire of an apartment building in which several residents were injured. Rodney Boyles, 35, of Kansas City, was charged with one count of arson in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. Boyles remains in federal custody […]
(Missouri Independent) – In the last week of April, the Linn County Health Department signaled that the COVID-19 pandemic had cooled enough that it could discontinue weekly reports on new cases. With only three active cases on April 21, the urgency for frequent updates seemed to have passed. But the coronavirus came roaring back this […]
The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in North Missouri for the week of May 31 – June 6. All road closures and planned roadwork may be viewed on the Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/map/. Inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some […]
The Chillicothe Fire Department responded to a semi-truck fire on Highway 36 east of Chillicothe on May 26th. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a Peterbilt truck and its flatbed lowboy trailer on fire. The lowboy had a dozer on it, but it was not on fire. The fire was contained to the running […]
(Missouri Independent) – From statehouses to Congress, Republicans have launched into a fight against the teaching of “critical race theory,” which just a year ago was a niche academic term. Experts in critical race theory say it’s about acknowledging how racial disparities are embedded in U.S history and society, and the concept is being mischaracterized […]
(Missouri Independent) – The lawsuit seeking to force Missouri to expand Medicaid coverage under a voter-approved constitutional amendment will go to trial June 18 in Cole County. On Wednesday morning, Circuit Judge Jon Beetem met in a conference call with Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office and attorneys for the three people suing for coverage. In an online notation with […]
The 30×30 initiative, also called the “America the Beautiful” campaign, aims to preserve 30% of the nation’s lands and water by 2030. But its pledge to fight the climate crisis could face hurdles. Announced by the Biden administration earlier this year, the initiative acknowledged what’s called a tipping point in damage done to the natural world and […]
Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick announced he has joined a coalition of 15 State Treasurers to speak out against apparent attempts by the Biden Administration to pressure banks and other large financial institutions to divest from coal, oil, and natural gas companies. “While the pursuit of more renewable sources of energy is a noble cause, […]
A Missouri man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in leading a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in southwestern Missouri. Nathen D. Libertus, 31, of Stella, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 21 years in federal prison without parole. On May 20, 2020, Libertus pleaded guilty to participating […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency published the first notice of funding availability announcing loan payments for eligible borrowers with qualifying direct farm loans under the American Rescue Plan Act Section 1005. The official NOFA will be published in the Federal Register early next week and USDA expects payments to begin in early […]
The North Central Missouri Board of Trustees received a consolidated budget update on May 25, 2021. The 2021-2022 budget projection includes total operating revenue of $11,111,547. With auxiliary operations of $12,151,045, the total consolidated income is projected at $13,262,592. Revenues include $7,433,078 for tuition and fees and $2,939,169 in state appropriations. The budget projection also […]
The Chillicothe Fire Department responded to a sport utility vehicle fire in Chillicothe on Tuesday evening, May 25. Firefighters arrived and found the SUV fully involved in a side yard of the residence at 453 Vine Street. Water and foam were applied to the interior of the vehicle and engine compartment. About 2,000 gallons of […]
The Branch of Weldon Fork Creek Bridge on Mercer County Route BB will close soon for a bridge deck replacement project. The Missouri Department of Transportation contracted with Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. to replace the bridge’s deck. This bridge, located northwest of Mercer, is included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, […]
A man who was a leader of a $56 million criminal enterprise was sentenced in federal court for his role in the conspiracy that distributed more than 2,600 kilograms (5,732 pounds) of cocaine in the metropolitan area. Jose Luis Armendariz-Rascon, Kansas City, Kansas, also known as “Uncle” or “Rambo,” 40, was sentenced by U.S. Chief […]
A Kansas City, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy. He sold more than 14 kilograms of methamphetamine and 30 firearms to an undercover federal agent. Jose Alvarado, 28, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to one count of conspiracy to […]
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports a Lathrop resident died Saturday evening at Liberty Hospital after being seriously injured early Saturday when he fell from a UTV. Thirty-two-year-old Robert Downs was pronounced dead approximately 18 hours after the accident, three miles south of Lathrop on Route V. Downs was not wearing safety equipment when he […]
