(Missouri Independent) – As the state of Missouri battles its second year of the novel coronavirus’ spread, lawmakers on Wednesday sent to the governor’s desk a bill that aims to rein in local public health orders and ban vaccine passports. The provisions were included in House Bill 271, which deals with local government transparency. It grew […]
Tag: plea
Princeton High School is North Central Missouri College “Show-Me Your Hometown” winner
North Central Missouri College recently held the Show-Me Your Hometown – Dual Credit High School Video Contest to celebrate Missouri’s Bicentennial. Students were asked to create a two-minute video showcasing their hometown. Princeton High School Dual Credit Seniors, who were also members of the PHS Multimedia class, won grand prize for their entry. The […]
Annualization of salaries within the school district tops discussion at Trenton R-9 Board of Education meeting
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday, May 11, discussed non-certified payroll annualization with district Bookkeeper Mona Loyd and Administrative Assistant Susan Leeper. Loyd started by saying she had been willing to try annualization at the time the board originally voted to implement it for non-certified staff. She did not have the forethought to […]
Audio: North Central Missouri College to see huge infusion of funding from state budget
The state legislature voted Friday, May 7, to give final approval to a $34 billion state operating budget; however, the budget has not been signed by the governor. North Central Missouri College President Doctor Lenny Klaver says he is pleased where the college is in the process. He explains that, in the budget, community colleges […]
Governor Parson announces Missouri to end all pandemic-related unemployment benefits
To address workforce shortages across the state, Governor Mike Parson directed the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to notify the U.S. Department of Labor that Missouri will end participation in all federal pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs effective Saturday, June 12 at 11:59 p.m. “From conversations with business owners across the state, we know […]
Former Missouri corrections officer sentenced to 12 years in prison without parole for transporting child pornography
A Missouri man was sentenced in federal court for transporting child pornography over the internet. Kevin Michael Downey, 35, of Fulton was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 12 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Downey to pay a total of $30,000 in restitution to 10 of his victims. […]
City of Trenton to save over $650,000 by refinancing long term debt
The city of Trenton and its municipal utility expect to save money on interest costs with the re-financing of three long-term debts. It was announced the savings amounts to $658,000 over the length of the loans. Two involve 2012 issued bonds and the 2014 issued bonds for Trenton Municipal Utilities projects done at the water […]
Nation pays tribute to service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers during National Police Week, May 9 through May 15, 2021
The service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local law enforcement are recognized during National Police Week. This year, the week is observed from Sunday, May 9 through Saturday, May 15, 2021. Acting U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said, “National Police Week provides an opportunity to express our gratitude and to honor the memories of law […]
Former Tina-Avalon physical education teacher pleads “Not Guilty” to rape, sodomy and sexual contact
A former Tina-Avalon R-2 physical education teacher accused of having sexual contact with a student entered a plea of not guilty in the Associate Division of Carroll County Circuit Court Wednesday. Twenty-five-year-old Preston McMullen of Smithton was continued to June 16th. McMullen has been charged with the felonies of sodomy or attempted sodomy—first degree, statutory […]
Missouri man sentenced to 12 years in prison without parole for transporting a minor for illegal sexual activity
A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for transporting a Kansas minor across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity. Nathan Roger Belcher, 31, of Carl Junction, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 12 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Belcher to serve 20 years on […]
Missouri man sentenced to 12 years in prison without parole for distributing more than 13 kilograms of meth
A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri. Stephan D. Samons, 31, of Camdenton, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 12 years in federal prison without parole. On Aug. 28, 2019, Samons pleaded guilty to participating in […]
Jury convicts Missouri man of $1 million conspiracy to steal 1,400 cell phones in dozens of burglaries
A Missouri, man has been convicted in federal court for his role in a $1 million conspiracy to steal more than 1,400 cell phones in dozens of commercial burglaries across several states, as well as for obstruction of justice. Bryan C. Kirkendoll II, of Kansas City, also known as “B Boy” and “Blockboy,” 31, was […]
Central Missouri man pleads guilty to $500,000 CARES Act fraud
A Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently obtaining more than $500,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Brian Ruth, Sr., 44, of Deepwater, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to federal information […]
Seven area schools to hold graduation on Friday evening
Several area schools are scheduled to hold graduation ceremonies on May 7th. Sixth eighth-graders will graduate from Pleasant View R-6 in the school gym at 6 o’clock in the evening. Former teacher Cassie Cordray will speak. Thirty-three seniors will graduate from Gallatin R-5 at the stadium at 6:30. Former teacher Ryan Beenken will speak. Eight […]
Trenton Board of Education to meet on Tuesday, May 11
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education next week will discuss non-certified payroll disbursement and extra duty schedule adjustments. The board will meet at the district office on May 11, 2021, at 5:30 in the evening. Other items on the agenda include recognition of retirees, an escrow deposit agreement for 2010B bonds, a Pleasant View R-6 cooperative […]
Trenton man facing charges after alleged DWI incident on Highway 6
A Trenton man faces multiple charges after an alleged incident on Highway 6 in Grundy County on May 4th. The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports 40-year-old Cole Wright was arrested May 5 and has been charged with the felonies of aggravated driving while intoxicated, aggravated, driving while revoked/suspended, and resisting/interfering with an arrest for a […]
Missouri meat and poultry processors awarded nearly $17 million toward food supply expansions
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has awarded $16,716,406 million in CARES Act funding to nearly 150 small and medium-sized businesses. As a direct result of the reimbursement grant, more than 40 businesses were assisted in initiating or expanding their level of meat processing through a new grant of inspection or custom exempt inspection status. “As a […]
Audio: Missouri Senate-House bill boosts protections for police, punishment for protests
The House and Senate will soon confer on a bill to boost protections for police officers and to boost penalties for repeated protesting in public streets. Senate Bill 26, deemed “the public safety bill of the session” by supporters, also comes with an array of amendments tacked on by the House Tuesday. The […]
Lehman-Wilson team selected to design, build 31 bridges in northern Missouri
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today selected the Lehman-Wilson team for the design-build contract to replace 31 weight-restricted and poor condition bridges in northern Missouri over the next two and a half years through the Fixing Access to Rural Missouri Bridge Program. It was made possible by the 2019 receipt of a $20.7 million […]
Former paraprofessional at Blue Springs High School pleads guilty to producing child pornography
A former paraprofessional at Blue Springs High School pleaded guilty in federal court to producing and distributing child pornography. Steven B. Allen, 45, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to two counts of producing child pornography and one count of distributing child pornography over the internet. Allen, who has been […]