The struggle is real for Missouri when it comes to a constant shortage of K-12 public school teachers. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) wants to ramp up its teacher workforce by seizing the opportunity in a relevant setting. Dr. Paul Katnik, the assistant commissioner of the Office of Educator Quality, says […]
The Chillicothe Kiwanis Club served 53 children during its annual “Shop With a Cop.” Chillicothe Police Chief Jon Maples reports children were not able to do the shopping this year due to the pandemic. Walmart employees did the shopping and had items ready for the children. Gifts were delivered to parents in a drive-through-style event. […]
The ability to meet basic needs is out-of-reach for many Missouri families because of the pandemic. The challenges facing households with children are detailed in a new national report. This week, the Annie E. Casey Foundation released findings for all states, using weekly Census survey data on such topics as food insecurity and housing instability. One […]
Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have been on the rise in Missouri and other states, and experts say the consequences of being unprepared for an infectious-disease outbreak have never been more apparent. Gov. Mike Parson has cited concerns about staffing levels with the demand hospitals are seeing from the crisis. His comments coincide with calls […]
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education approved a scholarship recipient and grant requests during a meeting on Google Meet the evening of December 8th. Carly Spencer was named as the John T. Belcher Scholarship recipient. Four essays were submitted for the $250 scholarship. She will go on to compete at a regional level for a […]
The Missouri Board of Education voted Tuesday to avoid using 2021 standardized test results for state and federal accountability. Members still want the state’s K-12 public school students to take statewide tests next year, but they do not want the results to count against schools for funding and accreditation purposes. The move might lower the […]
(Missouri Independent) – The head of Missouri’s medical marijuana program testified under oath that a grand jury subpoena his agency received late last year was likely connected to an FBI investigation in Independence. The revelation by Lyndall Fraker, director of medical marijuana regulation at the Missouri Department of Health and Seniors Services, is the first […]
A high-profile Missouri prisoner who was waiting for an execution date has died, from apparent natural causes. The Missouri Department of Corrections says 56-year-old Richard Davis died of natural causes this week, at a hospital. Davis was sentenced to death in 2007 for the separate gruesome killings of Marsha Spicer and Michelle Huff […]
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Galt man on felony assault charge first degree or attempts to cause serious physical injury or special victim. Sheriff Rodney Herring arrested 23-year-old Shandon Levi Gann at his parent’s home on December 2nd. He is to be held without bond, and he is scheduled for […]
The U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and six other federal law enforcement agencies announced the completion of the third annual Money Mule Initiative, a coordinated operation to disrupt the networks through which transnational fraudsters move the proceeds of their crimes. Money mules are individuals who assist fraudsters by receiving […]
A Festival of Trees and Christmas lighting will be part of Christmas on the Square in Mercer on December 5th. Santa will also be at the event that evening from 6 to 9 o’clock. There will also be hot chocolate, hot dogs, chips, and desserts. Admission is free, but non-perishable food items and toys will […]
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a report on Jackson County government focusing on budgeting and funds transfers which found that more can be done to ensure transparency in county spending. The audit was completed at the request of the Jackson County Legislature and the recommendation of the county executive. “Jackson County taxpayers deserve […]
The Lillian DesMarias Youth Library will be providing “12 days of Christmas Grab & Go Crafts” Monday-Friday starting Tuesday, December 1st through Wednesday, December 16th. This yearly event looks a little different than in past years. With the COVID-19 restrictions still in place, the library will be providing Grab & Go Crafts instead of having […]
The North Central Missouri Mental Health Center in Chillicothe will offer free parenting classes via Zoom. The sessions will be held Tuesday mornings from 8 o’clock to 9:30 beginning December 1st. Topics will include an introduction to parenting, protective factors, why children misbehave and what to do, 123 Magic, and creative discipline. Participants can choose […]
The Pattonsburg R-2 School District will close from November 23rd through December 7th due to having a positive COVID-19 case in the building. Superintendent Bill Pottorff reports that, due to close contacts, there is not enough staff to provide services. Packets will be provided for students to continue the education process. Teachers will be in […]
Two people received minor injuries when one vehicle struck a parked car Saturday night near 22nd Street and Pleasant Plain. A police report released Monday morning shows a pickup truck was traveling on 22nd when it ran off the road, sideswiped a utility pole, and hit a parked car. Police quoted the driver, 23-year-old Billy […]
(Missouri Independent) – As state lawmakers mull the idea of restricting police use of chokeholds or no-knock warrants, they are facing pushback from law enforcement organizations who contend decisions should be made at the local level. The House Special Committee on Criminal Justice met for three hours on Monday to explore the possibility of passing […]
Governor Mike Parson and state education director Margie Vandeven have loosened the guidelines for making students and staff quarantine after exposure to someone with COVID-19 if both people were properly wearing masks. Vandeven explained at a press conference Thursday: “Under the updated guidance, proper mask-wearing may now prevent individuals from being identified as close contacts in […]
The Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education approved a bid for a 1,500-pound butcher steer the evening of November 10th. The bid was from Zane Jones for 95 cents per pound. Superintendent Rebecca Steinhoff reported the beef will be used for student lunches. An update was presented on water damage in the third through fifth-grade […]
The Missouri House voted Tuesday to give preliminary approval to a proposed $1.27 billion supplemental budget, a supplemental that is the reason for the special session. The supplemental budget includes funding for school nutrition programs, job training grants, $1 million for witness protection funding, and money for child support payments. Governor Mike Parson (R) called […]
