Jobs Report or unemployment

Missouri’s unemployment rate drops two-tenths of a percentage point in November to 3.5%

Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from October 2021 to November 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 7,600 jobs over the month, with job gains in both the goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in November […]

Indictment graphic with gavel and file folder

Missouri man who contacted hundreds of children through a teen dating website indicted on child sexual exploitation charges

A Missouri, man who contacted hundreds of children through a teen dating website was indicted by a federal grand jury on child sexual exploitation charges. Kody Ryan Kelso, 30, Springfield, was charged in a five-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. The superseding indictment replaces the original indictment that was […]

Coronavirus or COVID-19 Death

Four health departments report on new cases of COVID-19; Grundy County Health Department reports two COVID-related deaths

The Grundy County Health Department reports two additional COVID-19-related deaths. That brings the total to 56. Fifty-seven cases have been added since December 1st, making that total 1,904. There are 44 active cases. The Putnam County Health Department reports it has been made aware of 17 new COVID-19 cases since December 2nd. Two of those […]

Deer and Turkey together

Missouri Department of Conservation sets deer and turkey hunting dates for upcoming seasons in 2022

At its December 10 open meeting in Jefferson City, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved the following recommendations by the Missouri Department of Conservation for upcoming turkey-hunting and deer-hunting season dates. 2022 SPRING AND FALL TURKEY HUNTING DATES Spring Youth Portion: April 9 and 10 Regular Spring Turkey Season: April 18 through May 8 Fall Firearms […]

Crime and Courts

Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court news for Thursday, December 9, 2021

Several defendants received prison sentences or probation on Thursday in Grundy County Circuit Court. Mercer County Associate Judge Matthew Krohn was appointed to preside during the proceedings in Division One of Circuit Court. Princeton resident James LeRoy Houk saw his probation revoked on two drug-related counts and was sentenced to four years with the Missouri […]

Coronavirus or COVID-19 Death

COVID-related death reported for Mercer County; Two health departments report on new cases of COVID-19

A COVID-19-related death has been added for Mercer County. The health department reports 13 deaths total.  Confirmed cases increased four since December 7, bringing that total to 257. Probable cases increased by five to 293. There are 23 active cases for Mercer County. The Sullivan County Health Department confirms one COVID-19 case since December 7th, […]

Dairy Cows

USDA opens 2022 signup for Dairy Margin Coverage program, expands program for supplemental production

As part of the ongoing efforts to support dairy farmers and rural communities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened signup for the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded the program to allow dairy producers to better protect their operations by enrolling in supplemental production. This signup period – which runs from Dec. 13, 2021, to […]

Guilty Plea news graphic

Missouri doctor pleads guilty to making false statements to obtain insurance coverage for fentanyl prescription

A Missouri, physician pleaded guilty in federal court to making a false statement to Medicare to obtain insurance coverage for a fentanyl prescription and to conspiring with others to use his DEA registration number to issue Schedule II controlled substances to patients in his absence. Randall Halley, 65, Nixa, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate […]

Planning and zoning

Chillicothe Planning and Zoning Board approve conditional use permit application and a subdivision plat

The Chillicothe Planning and Zoning Board approved a conditional use permit application and a subdivision plat on December 6th. The conditional use permit application was by Michael and Melody Willard to operate a meal delivery service at 302 West Harvest Drive in Chillicothe. Zoning Administrator Kevin Shira says the meal delivery service would involve Asian-American […]