Missouri flag with money

Audio: Missouri’s Senate President Pro Tem to review report recommending pay increases for lawmakers

A bipartisan committee is recommending a five percent pay increase for Missouri lawmakers AND for statewide elected officials. The Citizen’s Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials has made the recommendation. While he hasn’t seen their report yet, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz says the commission’s work is independent.     The “Springfield News-Leader” reports […]

Gallatin City Hall

Gallatin Board of Aldermen, with lengthy agenda, approve ordinance related to commercial structures billed for utility cost

The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance on November 23rd establishing rules related to multiple-unit commercial structures to be billed for utility cost of service. City Clerk Hattie Rains explains the ordinance provides a definition and acknowledges that multiple units within the same commercial structure would have to adhere to additional cost of service […]

City of Trenton Website

Trenton City Council approves wage increase for police department; approves preparing ordinance calling for “Use Tax” vote

The Trenton City Council Monday night voted to have an ordinance prepared to call for a public vote on a proposed local use tax within the city of Trenton. The council also approved recommended wage increases for the Trenton Police Department in an effort to attract candidates for police officer. Both topics had gone to […]

Budget news graphic

Missouri House gives initial approval to $1.2 billion supplemental budget

The Missouri House voted Tuesday to give preliminary approval to a proposed $1.27 billion supplemental budget, a supplemental that is the reason for the special session. The supplemental budget includes funding for school nutrition programs, job training grants, $1 million for witness protection funding, and money for child support payments. Governor Mike Parson (R) called […]

Amendment 3: Missouri with checkmark graphic

Voters repeal Clean Missouri redistricting plan they enacted in 2018

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri voters on Tuesday repealed a constitutional amendment they enacted in 2018 that would have required legislative districts be drawn to ensure partisan fairness. They replaced it with one that critics contend could forgo the use of total population to draw districts and instead exclude all non-voters, specifically children and non-citizens — tilting the political […]

City of Chillicothe Website

Chillicothe City Council addresses light agenda including accepting bid to demolish structure on Jefferson Street

The Chillicothe City Council accepted a bid to demolish a structure and approved a purchase of a salt spreader Monday, October 26th. Chillicothe City Administrator Darin Chappell reports Perkins will demolish the structure at 823 Jefferson Street for $7,500. He says the city had taken over ownership of the property, and the structure needed to […]

Grundy County Courthouse Trenton Missouri

Grundy County Commission approves snow removal bid; participates in conference call regarding design of 911 system

The Grundy County Commission on Tuesday, October 27th approved a bid for snow removal and Coronavirus Relief Fund allocations. Chris and Danny Gott will provide snow removal services at the courthouse, prosecuting attorney’s office, and law enforcement center. The bid included $500 per occasion of snow removal and $125 when the ice melt application is solely […]

Fatal Crash

Audio: Missouri reports 800 traffic-related deaths so far this year – an increase of nearly 100

Missouri has had 800 traffic-related deaths so far this year. During the same period last year, Missouri had 711. During a Missouri Chamber of Commerce Transportation Summit, MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna says the spike in traffic deaths have occurred despite fewer drivers on the roadways.     During a Missouri Chamber of Commerce Transportation Summit, […]

Grundy County Courthouse Trenton Missouri

Grundy County Commission tables approval of snow removal bids; ten firms announce interest in designing 911 system

The Grundy County Commission on Tuesday morning, October 20th tabled approval of snow removal bids until further details can be acquired from the two parties who submitted bids. Chris and Danny Gott’s bid included $500 for snow removal and ice melt application at the courthouse, prosecuting attorney’s office, and law enforcement center as well as […]

City of Chillicothe Website

Chillicothe City Council addresses lengthy agenda, including budgets, bids and airport board

The Chillicothe City Council approved ordinances the evening of Monday, October 12th amending the police department budget and accepting a bid for a wood stove/boiler for the street barn. City Administrator Darin Chappell reports the police department budget amendment recognized the increase in revenue from the new sales tax of a quarter of a cent […]

Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission website

Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to require annual de-escalation and implicit bias training

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 […]

Grundy County Courthouse Trenton Missouri

Grundy County Commission approves additional CARES Act funding; enrolls in cost-share program

The Grundy County Commission approved CARES Act funding Tuesday morning. The funding included $37,955.59 for the City of Trenton, $15,682.27 for Grundy County, and $2,600 for the Newtown-Harris School District. The commission voted to enroll in a Missouri Department of Transport cost-share program in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service Streambank Stabilization Program to […]