Local Emergency Planning Committee

Grundy County Local Emergency Planning Committee approve appointments

The Grundy County Local Emergency Planning Committee approved appointments for positions Tuesday. Glen Briggs was appointed chairperson, Alan Barnett vice-chairperson, and Kelli Hillerman as secretary. A listing of individuals was approved for the 2020 membership listing. They represent elected officials, firefighting, law enforcement, community groups, public health, hospital, and facilities. The committee also approved the […]

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Mexican national pleads guilty to illegally entering the United States eight times

A Mexican national pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to illegally entering the United States for the eighth time. Jesus Vargas-Melendez, 40, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer to unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously deported. By pleading guilty, Vargas-Melendez admitted that he illegally entered the United States […]

Melissa Fike

Missouri math teacher presented national Milken Educator Award

Oakland Middle School eighth grade math teacher Melissa Fike was presented the national Milken Educator Award today by Milken Educator Awards Senior Program Director Greg Gallagher and Missouri Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Dr. Margie Vandeven. The recognition comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize for winners. Only one teacher from each participating state […]

Generic City Water

Free water testing to be offered for Missouri produce growers

MU Extension is offering free microbial water testing to Missouri produce growers through a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The tests, which meet water testing requirements for FSMA and Good Agricultural Practices certification, are conducted by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Sample bottles and forms are […]

Firearms (Gun) Background Check with application

Jury convicts Missouri man of providing false information in two attempts to purchase firearms

A Jefferson City, Missouri, man has been convicted by a federal jury of providing false information in two unsuccessful attempts to purchase firearms. Joshua Michael Lehman, 35, was found guilty on Monday, December 9, of two counts of making false statements in a federal record provided to a licensed firearms dealer. Lehman attempted to purchase […]

Gavel and Law book news graphic

Jury convicts Cuban national of Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearms

A Raytown, Missouri, man was convicted by a federal jury of drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms. Victor Rodriguez Kessel, 63, a Cuban national, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, attempting to manufacture crack cocaine, possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, […]