Nineteen defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $1.2 million insurance fraud conspiracy that involved false claims of injuries suffered in car accidents. Lawrence Courtney Lawhorn, 32, and Latoya Marie Brown, 35, who resided in Columbia and in the Kansas City area; Lauren Courtney Luque, 34, Michael Jadon […]
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education on November 16th voted to stay with the same health insurance for 2021. Secretary Kelli Girdner reports the insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield will increase $3,000 total for a monthly premium. The superintendent was appointed as the district English Language Learner coordinator and district foster care point of […]
The Grundy County R-5 Board of Education the evening of November 11th discussed modifications for home basketball games in regard to COVID-19. Attendance will be allowed only with a ticket. About 150 tickets will be issued per game. Each Grundy R-5 player, coach, and cheerleader will receive five tickets. Visiting teams will receive two tickets […]
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education adopted policies Monday evening involving virtual instruction, English Language Learners, and transgender students. The 2019-2020 audit was approved. Superintendent Lucas McKinnis reported Newtown-Harris is setting up a virtual program for students. Arrangements are being made, so after school activities can continue. Virtual platforms will be used as necessary. Ceiling […]
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education Tuesday evening, November 10th approved a policy involving searches of students and hard surface bus routes in case of inclement weather. Superintendent Mike Stegman reported the policy involving searches of students was actually split in two, and part was adopted at the last board meeting. He explained he discussed […]
Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri has been recognized as a national leader in digital technology best practices. The Center for Digital Government (CDG) released its 2020 Digital States Survey, which showed that Missouri received a grade of “A,” one of the top grades among all 50 states. The grade A demonstrates very strong innovation […]
At Trenton, Gabe Chrisman, a property owner presented what she called a revised plan last night to the city council involving a proposed outdoor theater on land she owns at 22nd and Stature. After questions and discussions, the council voted to return the request for a conditional use permit back to the Planning and Zoning […]
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s performance on economic policies has placed him among some of the top governors in the nation in a new report. In a first-of-its-kind report, the American Legislative Exchange Council, a right-wing group of lawmakers and business people, ranked Parson 13th overall among states’ governors. Report co-author Donna Arduin said Parson’s corporate […]
The Trenton Utility Committee will recommend to the Trenton City Council conditional approval of TMU policies on water and sanitary sewer service connections. The three-member committee met Tuesday evening to discuss the draft of the two policies, agreed to a couple of additional clauses, and will recommend them for final approval at a meeting of […]
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday evening, October 13th approved, on a split vote of six to one, a school calendar update involving converting student days to all staff workdays. Board Member Corey Leeper was the only opposing vote. Students will not be in class on October 26th and December 7th, but staff […]
About 96% of people incarcerated in Missouri eventually return home to our communities. More than 15,000 Missourians are released from state prisons each year. To help boost their chances of success, the Missouri Department of Corrections partners with fellow state agencies and community nonprofit organizations to build a network of support in areas such as […]
The Trenton Administrative Committee to the Trenton City Council Tuesday evening approved three motions and discussed three other topics during a one-hour meeting. Committee members are Dave Mlika, Danny Brewer, and Glen Briggs. Also attending were Councilwoman Cathie Smith, Administrator Ron Urton, and Clerk Cindy Simpson Mayor of Trenton, Linda Crooks, was among persons participating […]
During a time when the economy was notably strong, Missouri saw a significant increase in the number of children without health coverage. An annual report released today by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families reveals in 2019, roughly 95,000 kids in Missouri were uninsured, a nearly 34% increase from 2016. Lindsey Baker, research director for […]
The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission has voted to require annual training in de-escalation techniques and recognizing implicit bias for all Missouri law enforcement officers. Missouri officers will take a one-hour course in each area as part of their required 24-hours of annual continuing education training. “At its June meeting, I challenged the […]
Following recent developments in Missouri Veterans Homes, Governor Mike Parson has ordered an external review of all seven Missouri Veterans Homes and their COVID-19 operations. Data presented yesterday in a briefing with the Governor raised concerns regarding how well Missouri Veterans Homes are uniformly and systematically operating to prevent and, if necessary, contain COVID-19 outbreaks […]
The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers Association have announced their new slate of officers, the appointment of recently elected board members, and national committee assignments. The election of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council officer team took place during an August board meeting. Leaders assumed their new roles Thursday, October 1st. Those officers […]
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released an audit of Jackson County government that found a lack of transparency in how the county spent millions of taxpayer dollars on legal, lobbying, and other professional services. The audit identified $2.7 million in contracts that were not competitively bid and another $1.3 million in contracts that went years […]
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education Tuesday, September 15th approved increasing substitute pay from $70 per day to $75 per day. Substitute teachers were also approved. The tuition rate was approved at$13,500 per year, along with other items that included the 2020-2021 testing calendar, after school contracts, the Local Compliance Statement, and hiring Sally Schroeder […]
The University of Missouri has expelled two students and suspended three for violating COVID-19 safety policies. In a press statement, the actions were described as “flagrant…willful and knowing actions that threatened the safety of the campus and the broader Columbia community” including requirements that COVID-positive individuals isolate and comply with social distancing requirements. Mun Choi, […]
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education the evening of Thursday, September 10th approved an increase in substitute teacher pay from $75 per day to $90 per day. The increase is primarily due to a substitute teacher shortage. A tuition waiver request was denied. North Mercer’s stance of no longer approving tuition waivers was reaffirmed. […]
