Generic City Water

Experts say federal funds for lead pipe replacement needed in Missouri

Missouri has roughly 330,000 lead service lines, the pipes connecting water mains to buildings including people’s homes, and federal funding could help speed up the process of removing and replacing them. The bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by Congress last year includes $15 billion for lead-pipe replacement, building on funds from the American Rescue Plan. Erik D. Olson, senior strategic director at […]

Kyle Ray Graves Booking Photo

Trenton man arrested on three drug-related charges

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Department reports the arrest on Friday of a Trenton man on three drug-related counts from 2021. Thirty-eight-year-old Kyle Ray Graves has been charged with possession of a controlled substance listed as methamphetamine and two counts of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use. The meth possession charge and one […]

Medical Marijuana

Criticism of Missouri medical marijuana system seeps into initiative petition debate

(Missouri Independent) – A handful of Republican lawmakers lashed out at the state’s medical marijuana industry Thursday, lobbing accusations of corruption into a Missouri House debate over whether to make it harder to amend the state’s Constitution.  On a mostly party-line 98-53 vote, the Missouri House signed off on legislation Thursday that would require a two-thirds […]

House Fire news graphic

Fire damages home at Leisure Lake

A house fire on Saturday at Leisure Lake caused moderate damage to a portion of the attic at 73220 Catalina Drive. Firefighters from the Grundy County Rural Fire Department and Trenton Fire Department arrived to find light smoke showing from the eaves of the structure. According to a report from firefighter Derek Hert, firefighters gained […]

Timothy Nguyen and Tommy Brittain Booking Photo

Two Trenton residents arrested during Division One of Grundy County court

Two Trenton residents were arrested in Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court on January 13th on capias warrants on alleged probation violations. The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports 38-year-old Timothy Nguyen’s original charges were felony possession of a controlled substance and felony unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia involving amphetamine or methamphetamine. Court documents accuse […]

USDA Logo

USDA invests more than $288 million to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in Missouri

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri State Director Kyle Wilkens announced that USDA is investing $288,302,000 to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in Missouri. “Infrastructure is more than just laying pipes in the ground and wires on poles,” said Wilkens. “By investing in modern infrastructure, Rural Development is investing in the lives of […]

Assault News Graphic

Princeton man facing felony assault and peace disturbance charges for incident on the Princeton square

The Mercer County Sheriff reports an individual allegedly waving a pipe and threatening people sent officers to the west side of the Princeton square on Friday night. Officers with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol detained a male. The sheriff’s office said further investigation revealed that an assault had occurred. The […]

Patrick McKenna Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation

Billions headed to Missouri transportation fund from gas tax hike, infrastructure bill

(Missouri Independent) – With $6.5 billion on the way from the federal infrastructure bill and a newly increased gas tax, Missouri is ready to take a big bite out of $4.5 billion in unfunded highway needs, Patrick McKenna, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, said this week. But that doesn’t mean the state is ready to tackle […]

Spire Natural Gas Company Van

Critics say Spire Missouri’s warning of natural gas outages a “manufactured crisis”

(Missouri Independent) – As federal energy regulators prepare to decide the fate of a St. Louis natural gas pipeline, Spire Missouri is warning customers their gas service could fail this winter.  Business industry groups and the utility maintain their responsibility to keep customers informed. But environmental groups and some local elected officials — who note federal regulators seem […]

Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson touts benefits of moving to, living in and doing business in Missouri

Governor Mike Parson celebrated Missouri’s strong economic position as the number of Missourians on unemployment decreases, businesses continue to invest and expand in Missouri, and the state earns several economic recognitions.  “Throughout the pandemic, we took a balanced approach that protected the health and safety of Missourians without sacrificing their livelihoods,” Governor Parson said. “We didn’t […]

Lead Hazard News Graphic

New funds and strategy may boost “massive task” of reducing lead exposure for Missouri kids

(Missouri Independent) – It’s clear that lead exposure is a problem for Missouri’s children. An estimated 4.5% have elevated levels of lead in their blood, more than almost any other state in the country. What’s far more difficult is figuring out where children are getting exposed to lead, said Carlton Waterhouse, President Joe Biden’s pick for […]