Fentanyl Graphic

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 […]

Jessie Ingraham and Domanic Ratkovich Booking Photos version two

One Trenton man arrested, another turns himself into authorities, with both facing a felony drug charge

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Department reports one Trenton man was arrested and another turned himself in on March 30th. Both were charged with felony possession of a controlled substance. Thirty-five-year-old Jessie Lee Ingraham was already in custody when he was arrested. Thirty-three-year-old Domanic James Lee Ratkovich turned himself in. Bond was set at $10,000 cash […]

Timothy Nguyen courtesy Grundy County Law Enforcement Center

Trenton man ordered to court on “failure to obey a judges order”

A Trenton man is scheduled next month for Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court on a warrant alleging he failed to obey a judges’ order. Thirty-eight-year-old Timothy Nguyen was to be picked up on Monday, March 21, 2022,  from the Missouri Department of Corrections and returned to the Grundy County Detention Center. Bond is […]

A gavel and a name plate with the engraving Lawsuit

Missouri Attorney General files suit against Missouri School Boards Association for alleged Sunshine Law violations

To kick off Sunshine Week, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed suit against the Missouri School Boards Association for alleged violations of the Sunshine Law. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office previously requested records from the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) related to their role in the October 4, 2021 memo from the Biden Administration and […]

Life in Prison News Graphic

Judge sentences man to life in prison for being the leader of a large-scale fentanyl distribution conspiracy

Gerald Hunter, 56, of Los Angeles, appeared before United States District Judge John A. Ross and was sentenced to life in federal prison.  Hunter was convicted of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, […]

Gavel and Law book news graphic

State judges across the U.S. face growing GOP pushback against rulings in election cases

Missouri Independent) – In mid-December, Texas’ highest criminal court revoked the state attorney general’s ability to use his office to prosecute election-related cases without the request of a district or county attorney. In an 8-1 opinion, the all-Republican court weakened Attorney General Ken Paxton’s power to independently go after perpetrators of voter fraud, a problem he says […]

Court News

News for the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court for Tuesday, February 8, 2022

In the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, two felony counts against Jeffrey Scott White were reduced to misdemeanors. White pleaded guilty to the amended counts and to a third misdemeanor stemming from an arrest on November 27th last year. The amended charges are fourth-degree assault of a special […]

Figure of Justice holding the scales of justice

Missouri company ordered to pay restitution and civil penalties after misleading investor

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s securities division issued a final cease and desist order awarding civil penalties, restitution, and costs against a St. Louis start-up company, Fango, LLC, and its founder Imani Butler. Missouri Securities Commissioner David Minnick issued the order following a contested hearing in October 2021. The commissioner found that between August 2015 […]

Corporal Jim Farmer Promoted at MSHP

Missouri State Highway Patrol promotes Trooper Jim Farmer to Corporal

Captain Clark N. Stratton, commanding officer Troop H, is announcing the following promotion effective February 1, 2022. Trooper Jim D. Farmer, Troop H, has been promoted to the rank of corporal and remains assigned to Troop H, Zone 6, which serves the citizens of Andrew and Buchanan counties. Farmer was appointed to the Patrol on […]

Medical Marijuana

Reversing state’s decision, Missouri panel awards marijuana license to jilted applicant

(Missouri Independent) – In a rare move, a Missouri commission granted a medical marijuana license to an applicant after discovering irregularities with how state regulators evaluated applications. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) decided to forgo appealing the ruling, announcing Tuesday that it had reached a settlement with the jilted applicant to […]

Sunnyview Nursing Home

Grundy County Nursing Home District Board of Directors announces salary for new Sunnyview administrator

The Board of Directors has announced the salary of the new administrator of Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments in Trenton. The salary is $80,000 per year for Trish Smith, who began the position on January 25, 2022. The Grundy County Nursing Home District Board of Directors hired her at a special meeting on January 24th. […]

Prison Sentence

Judge sentences Missouri man to 15 years in prison for child exploitation crimes

United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Nicholas M. Ray to a term of 15 years in federal prison. Ray previously pleaded guilty to attempting to persuade or coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity and distribution of child pornography in a court appearance held in October 2021. In 2014, Ray was convicted […]

MSHP Best Cruiser Contest Photo 2021

Four Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers stationed in Macon to receive promotions

Captain Erik A. Gottman, commanding officer of Troop B, Macon, announces the following promotions and transfer effective February 1, 2022. Corporal Terrance B. Ritter will be promoted to sergeant and designated the zone supervisor of Zone 2, serving the citizens of Macon and Shelby counties. Ritter was appointed to the Patrol on January 7, 2007. […]

Prison Sentence

Missouri woman sentenced to 9 years in federal prison without parole for illegal firearm

A Missouri woman who was arrested with 19 firearms and quantities of illegal drugs in her home was sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm. Robin A. Graham, 38, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to nine years in federal prison without parole. On June 22, 2021, Graham […]

Jobs Report or unemployment

December jobs report shows Missouri unemployment rate drops to 3.3 percent

Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from November 2021 to December 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 16,700 jobs over the month, with job gains in both goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in December 2021, […]