Screenshot of USDA or United States Department of Agriculture website

United States Department of Agriculture pledges $1B for ‘climate smart’ ag products

(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to spend up to $1 billion to foster the creation of climate-friendly agricultural and forestry products by offering grants to facilitate their production and the markets to sell them. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon in those industries. “Agriculture is such […]

Figure of Justice holding the scales of justice (Photo licensed via Envato Elements)

Missouri company ordered to pay restitution and civil penalties after misleading investor

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s securities division issued a final cease and desist order awarding civil penalties, restitution, and costs against a St. Louis start-up company, Fango, LLC, and its founder Imani Butler. Missouri Securities Commissioner David Minnick issued the order following a contested hearing in October 2021. The commissioner found that between August 2015 […]

White House plans speedy delivery to states of COVID vaccine for littlest kids

(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration is preparing to ship COVID-19 vaccines to the states as quickly as possible, should the Food and Drug Administration approve an emergency use authorization for kids under 5. White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients said Wednesday that approval of the specially formulated vaccine would make 18 million young […]

Missouri Secretary of State website

Missouri Securities Division Partners with CFTC and 26 states to stop $68 million precious metals scheme

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s Securities Division announced that it is participating in a consolidated enforcement action to stop a $68 million fraudulent precious metals scheme that, to date, has allegedly defrauded at least 450 investors nationwide, including eighteen investors from Missouri. A complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Central District […]

Vote Graphic with flag for Elections

Grundy County Clerk corrects information on election filing for Laredo Fire Protection District Board of Directors

The Grundy County Clerk’s Office has provided corrected information on the election filing for the Laredo Fire Protection District Board of Directors. Kevin Eckert filed for the open position. Information originally provided to the Grundy County Clerk’s Office contained a mistake. The Laredo Fire Protection District will forgo an election on April 5th because there […]

USDA website

USDA invests $1 billion to improve community infrastructure for people living in rural towns across the country

United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh today announced that USDA is investing $1 billion to build and improve critical community facilities in 48 states, Puerto Rico and Guam (PDF, 449 KB). This infrastructure funding will increase access to health care, education, and public safety while spurring community development and building sound […]

Car Fire

Car catches fire in Mercer County

The Mercer County Fire Protection District responded to Delta Street off Route P for a report of a vehicle fire early Wednesday morning. The vehicle slid off the roadway, became stuck, and caught fire. According to the fire department, the operator of the vehicle had to walk approximately one mile to a house to get […]

Missouri Governor Mike Parson delivers State address in Missouri House January 19, 2022 (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel - Missouri House Communications)

Governor Mike Parson touts Missouri’s COVID-19 response in annual State of State address

(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson praised his administration’s handling of the still-unfolding COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday, telling a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly that the state has emerged ready to make long-term investments in its future.  “The bottom line is Missouri’s economy is strong,” Parson said in his annual State of the State […]

Crime and Courts

Court news in Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court for Thursday January 13, 2022

Multiple court cases were processed Thursday at the Grundy County Courthouse. Associate Judge Matthew Krohn of Mercer County presided on behalf of Presiding Judge Thomas Alley in Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court. Trenton resident Devin Aaron Pierce pleaded guilty to the delivery of a controlled substance or synthetic cannabinoid from October 20th of […]

Court News graphic

Court news from the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court for Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Three defendants have waived preliminary hearings on felony charges and were bound over to the January session of Grundy County Circuit Court. Robert Joe Singer of Hale is charged with a November 5th arrest for driving while intoxicated chronic offender, misdemeanor possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, and […]