Cargo or container ship docked for unloading

White House says “Easing of supply chain problems to start with backed-up seaports”

(Missouri Independent) – The first seaport to improve its facilities following passage of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill could be in Savannah, Ga., a senior Biden administration official said Tuesday. President Joe Biden has yet to sign the measure, which Congress sent to Biden’s desk late last week, funding improvements in highways, transit, ports, waterways, airports, […]

Gavel and Law book news graphic

Corizon loses challenge to Missouri prisoner medical care contract award worth $1.4 billion

(Missouri Independent) – The company providing health care to state prisoners failed to prove a competitor misled state purchasing officers to win the $1.4 billion contract, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled Thursday. Corizon Health, which has been the state’s vendor for prisoner medical needs since 1992, accused the state Purchasing Division of giving the contract […]

Grundy County Commission Sign

Grundy County Commission approves cost of living pay raise for county employees; Commission accepts bids for vehicles

The Grundy County Salary Commission on October 26, 2021, approved a two percent cost of living adjustment increase for county employees. The adjustment is pending the outcome of the county budget for 2022. All elected officials at the meeting voted in favor of the proposal, except for Sheriff Rodney Herring who abstained. Herring said he […]

MoDOT Website

Missouri Department of Transportation accepting proposals on Shoal Creek bridge in Livingston County

The Missouri Department of Transportation is accepting proposals until the end of this year for the reuse of the Pony Truss, Warren alternating vertical bridge on Livingston County Route C over Shoal Creek, currently located 1.4 miles northwest of Dawn. The Shoal Creek Bridge is a 1933, rigid-connected, 178-foot long bridge with a 100-foot Warren […]

Sunnyview Nursing Home

Grundy County Nursing Home District Board of Directors accept proposal for new phone system

The Grundy County Nursing Home District Board of Directors voted October 19, 2021, to accept a proposal for a new phone system. Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments Administrator Jerry Doerhoff reports the accepted proposal was from Green Hills Communications for a Voice Over Internet Protocol system. He says it will cost $600 to integrate it with […]

Trenton Utility Committee

Trenton Utility Committee reviews qualifications of two firms for water and sewer rate studies

The council committee that oversees Trenton Municipal Utilities on Tuesday evening reviewed the qualifications of two companies interested in doing studies on Trenton water and sewer rates. TMU staff reviewed the qualifications of Toth and Associates and for Raftelis. Utility director Ron Urton said the staff recommends using Toth and Associates based on good experience […]

Spickard School

Spickard Board of Education declines the use of “Test to Stay” COVID protocol

The Spickard R-2 Board of Education voted October 18, 2021, to DECLINE the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education COVID-19 Test to Stay option for students and staff. The board accepted a bid from Ace Roofing for cafeteria roof repairs for $11,172. A Princeton bus mechanic proposal was approved. Superintendent Erica Eakes reports the Princeton […]

Photo of Kansas City, Missouri Metro area (Photo Courtesy of Pixabay)

Feds seize property of Kansas City area companies accused of COVID relief fraud

(Missouri Independent) – The federal government has seized two vehicles and is threatening to seize a lake house, allegedly purchased illegally with COVID-19 relief money by a Kansas City-area businessman. The property was seized from several real estate companies incorporated in Kansas by Joseph Campbell, with most operating under a version of the name Titan […]

Power Plant via Unsplash

Missouri Attorney General joins 19 state coalition urging Congress to reject legislation that increases energy fees

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt joined a 19-state coalition urging Congress to reject burdensome legislation that would increase fees on energy producers and hit American consumers with even greater price hikes. The two bills in question are the Methane Emissions Reduction Act in the Senate and a provision of the Build Back Better Act in […]

American Rescue Plan Act Graphic with Missouri Seal

State of Missouri creates American Rescue Plan Act spending toolkits for local governments

 The State of Missouri has created and made available spending toolkits to help local governments identify allowable uses for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) local funds.  “We want to assist our local partners in making strategic, responsible investments that will serve Missourians for generations to come,” Governor Mike Parson said. “Our first priority is to ensure taxpayer […]