(Missouri Independent) – U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland made history on Monday when she became the first Native American to ever be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to hold a position in a president’s Cabinet. In a narrow 51-40 vote, senators confirmed Haaland, a New Mexico Democrat, to serve as secretary of the interior, where she […]
Three former students of Trenton Junior College or North Central Missouri College were recognized as distinguished alumni at the NCMC Foundation Pirates Ball on March 13th. The Distinguished Alumni Class of 2020 included Doctor Jamie Hooyman, John Sturdevant, and Donovan Thompson. Jamie Hooyman attended TJC from 1981 to 1983 and received her Associate in Arts […]
A 20-year chapter ends today for Missouri Supreme Court Judge Laura Denvir Stith. After serving on the high court for two decades, Stith is retiring. The photos have come down off her office walls. Stith has packed up her certificates and awards she proudly showcased in her third-floor office along West High Street in Jefferson […]
The University of Missouri Extension will offer a webinar series to help beginning home gardeners grow a vegetable garden. The Zoom course covers the basics from planning and seed starting to diseases and insects. Sessions are 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays, March 25-May 27. Live sessions include lectures followed by question-and-answer periods with MU Extension horticulture specialists. […]
(Missouri Independent) – The eyes of the nation turned to U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley over the holidays when he became the first senator to announce an objection to the certification of presidential electors. But the eyes of local politicos turned instead to his home-state colleague, Missouri’s senior senator. How would Roy Blunt — up for […]
(Missouri Independent) – About 137,700 registered voters in Missouri did not have a state-issued identification in 2017, according to an analysis from the Secretary of State’s Office. Another 140,000 voters had expired IDs, and 2,000 more voters had forfeited their driver’s licenses. Under a bill passed Wednesday in the Missouri House, those registered voters would either have to […]
(Missouri Independent) – The plan for distributing money directly to Missouri counties in the current version of the $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief bill is pretty simple – each gets $195.44 per person. But for cities, instead of a formula based on population, Congress divvies up the money using the method for determining Community Development Block Grant allocations. […]
After about twelve hours of debate, the Missouri Senate refrained from voting overnight on a contentious K-12 public education package. There was some confusion towards the end that appeared to ultimately lead to the plan getting shelved – at least for now. Several changes were made over the course of the day and night. As […]
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a major broiler chicken producer based in Greeley, Colorado, has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to pay approximately $107 million in criminal fines for its participation in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products, the Department of Justice announced today. According to the plea agreement entered […]
The Bishop Hogan Memorial School in Chillicothe is accepting donations for its annual fundraising auction. Merchandise, certificates, and services can be made for the event on April 17th. The “Together We Rise”-themed event will be held virtually for the safety and well-being of participants. Online bidding will be accessible via computers or smartphones. Bishop Hogan […]
Twenty-one participants raised more than $8,400 for Special Olympics athletes at the Polar Plunge at Simpson Park in Chillicothe on Saturday. Spokesperson Melody Prawitz reports awards went to Emily Braun for the individual with the most money raised at $1,000 and the Braun Family for the group with the most money raised at $1,425. The […]
The Grundy County Commission appointed a county health officer and participated in a conference call with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) representatives regarding a Streambank Stabilization project the morning of February 23rd. Presiding Commissioner Phillip Ray reports Elizabeth Gibson was reappointed as the county health officer. The commission, Marty Comstock and Dennis Speichenger of NRCS, […]
A suspect died following an officer-involved shooting near Highway 36 east of Chillicothe on Friday evening, February 19th, after attacking a deputy. That according to Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox, who reports the incident happened after a one-vehicle accident. The deputy responded to the accident at approximately 6:30 in the evening and found the vehicle […]
Missouri’s governor says he and First Lady Teresa Parson have received their first COVID vaccination shot. Governor Parson tells Capitol reporters the shots were administered in Jefferson City. The governor praised the dedication of Cole County health employees, saying they are doing an outstanding job. He says he’s had a sore arm, but […]
(Missouri Independent) – The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office in a report Monday found a gradual increase to a $15 federal minimum wage by 2025 would reduce poverty, add $54 billion to the deficit over a decade and increase pay for millions of low-income workers. The report could help Democrats make a strong case for including a […]
The Grundy County Commission Tuesday morning, February 6th, accepted the resignation of Public Administrator Jill Eaton and heard from the Grundy County Industrial Development Corporation regarding a Natural Resources Conservation Service Streambank Stabilization project. Presiding Commissioner Phillip Ray reported the commission would pursue an appointee for Eaton’s position in the next 14 days. That person […]
Missouri’s transportation director says more than 600 of his employees currently have the coronavirus. State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) director Patrick McKenna testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight on Monday in Jefferson City, delivering MoDOT’s annual report. “As of this moment (Monday afternoon), we’re at about 645 cases of COVID within MoDOT, MoDOT alone,” McKenna […]
Missouri Senate President Dave Schatz wants drivers to pay a little more when they get fuel. A Missouri Senate committee is considering whether to ask voters to increase the fee by two cents per year over a five-year period. During a public hearing, Schatz says an increase is necessary to pay for repairs to the […]
Trenton’s Administrative Committee has instructed the city attorney to prepare a draft document that modifies a current ordinance regarding the existence of reptiles. This followed a request from Adam Clear who noted differences exist between the city code and state statutes regarding the length of a snake that can be kept. His thoughts were presented […]
Justin and Stephanie Oaks, along with their three boys, are proud to call their Harris, Missouri farm diversified, to say the least. On their 200 acres in Sullivan County, the Oaks family raises cattle, hogs, row crops, and hay. Justin, a fifth-generation farmer, is also a local seed salesman, adding more diversity to their operation’s […]
