A Clinton, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for a $4.7 million investment fraud scheme in which he defrauded 92 investors who believed they were purchasing cattle for resale at a profit. Cameron J. Hager, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, to eight years […]
Tag: percent
Trenton city sales tax revenue down substantially across the board
Trenton City sales tax revenue is down more than two and one-half percent for general purposes and capital projects, down about three and three-quarters percent for fire department purposes, and down four percent for parks. Those figures are for the first eleven months of this fiscal year compared to the same period a year ago. […]
Net neutrality battle reignites in Washington D.C.
The battle over net neutrality is heating up again – as supporters in Congress have just introduced a bill to reinstate Obama-era consumer protections that were lost after the Federal Communications Commission repealed them in 2017. The “Save the Internet Act” would bring back rules that prevent Internet Service Providers from slowing down or blocking […]
Tax return preparer fraud makes IRS’ 2019 ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of tax scams
The Internal Revenue Service has included tax return preparer fraud on its “Dirty Dozen” list of common tax scams for 2019 and offered tips to help taxpayers avoid unscrupulous tax preparers. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the most sweeping tax reform legislation in more than 30 years now in effect, some taxpayers may […]
Use sound grazing practices to reduce overgrazing and weeds
Weed problems may explode this year thanks to the drought of 2018 and residual problems associated with overgrazing in parched pastures, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Valerie Tate. Last year’s extreme weather conditions created a forage shortage. As a result, many pastures were overgrazed. When pastures are overgrazed, there is little green leaf material […]
Missouri unemployment rate edges up slightly in January
Missouri’s unemployment rate edged up a tenth of a point to 3.2 percent in January, increasing slightly from 3.1 percent in the final two months of 2018, though the current rate is still three-tenths of a point lower than the year-earlier value. Missouri’s rate has now been at or below the corresponding U.S. rate, which […]
Trenton Finance Committee to reccommend borrowing of money from TMU to cover wastewater plant costs
The finance committee at a meeting Tuesday night decided to recommend to the full city council that money be borrowed from one department of Trenton Municipal Utilities to assist another department in paying costs of a major project. Such action is being recommended after the committee and council members were discouraged from doing so by […]
Applications for disaster loans due to drought need to be completed soon
Because of the federal disaster declaration stemming from the drought of last year, applications are due for economic injury disaster loans of up to two million dollars to help meet working capital needs that can be blamed on the drought. The loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll accounts payable and other bills that […]
Chillicothe Police Department releases results of “Click It or Ticket” operation
According to Rick Sampsel, Assistant Police Chief, the Chillicothe Police Department ticketed one motorist for not wearing a seat belt during the February 14 “Click It or Ticket“ Mobilization. Law enforcement agencies throughout Missouri participated in this statewide effort to get more motorists to buckle up—and save more lives. During the enforcement effort, officers issued […]
Missouri State Auditor releases compilation of Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act seizure reports for 2018
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway recently released a compilation of property seizures made under Missouri’s Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act (CAFA) in 2018. The Auditor’s report shows law enforcement officials seized an estimated $9.1 million worth of property in 699 seizures. Those were increases from 2017 when law enforcement officials seized approximately $7 million worth of […]
2018 drought report now available online
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources submitted the 2018 Drought Response Report to Governor Parson today. The report provides detailed information about 2018 drought conditions and the state’s response to the drought. “Shortly after taking office, we witnessed one of the worst droughts we have experienced in many years,” said Governor Mike Parson. “As a […]
Audio: Missouri House gives initial thumbs up to ending required vehicle inspections
The Missouri House has given initial approval to a bill that would end mandatory inspections for non-commercial vehicles. Bill sponsor J. Eggleston, a Republican from northwest Missouri’s Maysville, says Missouri is one of 15 states requiring the inspections. Republican Dave Muntzel of mid-Missouri’s Boonville is against the proposed repeal and says 25-percent of […]
Researchers use UAVs to track insect dispersal patterns
In a paper to be released soon, researchers tell how they used drones to track migration patterns of pests. “This research will help us quickly determine habitat preference and dispersal patterns for newly detected invasive insect species,” says University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice. That information can help farmers decide how to […]
Cattle farmers must guard against high nitrate in hay which causes cow deaths
On top of dealing with harsh winter weather in feeding cows, cattle farmers must guard against too much nitrate in poor-quality hay. “Just from cases we’ve confirmed, I know of 150 cows dying in the last month,” says Tim Evans, head toxicologist at the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. High nitrate, mostly concentrated in […]
Some area unemployment rates nudge up slightly in December
Some of the area counties have unemployment rates that are less than the statewide average of three point one percent. Figures are provided by the division of employment security for December – the most recent month available. Grundy County’s unemployment rate is above the state average at three point four percent in December. That’s based […]
Princeton Board of Education approves calendar for next school year
The Princeton R-5 Board of Education approved next year’s school calendar Wednesday evening with school scheduled to begin August 21st and end May 20th, 2020 for Princeton. The Annual Performance Report was presented. Princeton R-5 received 112 and a half points out of a possible 120 points overall for 2018, which equates to 93.8%. The […]
Jamesport Board of Education approves changes to current school calendar
The Jamesport Tri-County Board of Education has approved changes to the current school calendar. Presidents Day and the day after Parent/Teacher Conferences will now be used as makeup days for snow days for Tri-County. Conferences were also pushed back one week. Superintendent David Probasco says other makeup days were already built into the calendar and […]
Trenton R-9 Board of Education tackles lengthy agenda after approving calendar updates to school year
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education approved a request Tuesday evening to categorize two high school classes as weighted. Spanish Four was approved to be categorized as a weighted class on a unanimous vote and Desktop Publishing was approved on a vote of four to three. Trenton High School Principal Ron Franklin said the two […]
Chillicothe Police Department to mobilize for “Click It or Ticket” event
The Chillicothe Police Department will join statewide law enforcement for a high visibility “Click It or Ticket” mobilization February 14th. The purpose of the seat belt enforcement is to get more motorists to buckle up and save more lives. The Chillicothe Police Department reports 13% of Missouri motorists do not wear a seat belt. Sixty-three […]
Audio: Missouri Senate committee considers charging sales tax for some online purchases
A Missouri Senate committee is considering whether the state should be charging a 6.5-percent sales tax on out-of-state internet purchases. Missouri School Boards Association spokesman Brent Ghan says the tax could bring in additional money for the state. Ghan hopes lawmakers would not use the additional revenue to give tax cuts. […]