Syringes on table (Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash)

Bill that would decriminalize needle exchange programs passes Missouri Senate committee

(Missouri Independent) – A bill that would decriminalize needle exchange programs that aim to reduce the spread of infectious diseases was voted out of the Senate General Laws Committee Tuesday. Needle exchange programs allow drug users to swap out used syringes with clean, new ones in an effort to decrease the chances of contracting or […]

North Central Missouri College Website V1 (NCMC)

North Central Missouri College scholarship recipients recognized at reception

The 2021-2022 North Central Missouri College Scholarship Reception was held on Wednesday, February 16th, in the Jeanette Hoffman Robison Auditorium at the Ketcham Community Center. Over 260 students were recognized for receiving an NCMC Foundation, Athletic, SSS, or other institutional scholarships. The North Central Missouri College Foundation hosts this annual event. Phyllis Jackson, NCMC Foundation […]

North Central Missouri College Website V2 (NCMC)

North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees hear reports, work continues on former US Bank building

Multiple reports were given at the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees meeting February 22nd. Vice President of Student Affairs Doctor Kristen Alley reported NCMC’s graduation rate is 42%, and the withdrawal rate is 39%. NCMC is the only community college in the state to have a higher graduation rate than a withdrawal rate. […]

Gavel and Law book news graphic

State judges across the U.S. face growing GOP pushback against rulings in election cases

Missouri Independent) – In mid-December, Texas’ highest criminal court revoked the state attorney general’s ability to use his office to prosecute election-related cases without the request of a district or county attorney. In an 8-1 opinion, the all-Republican court weakened Attorney General Ken Paxton’s power to independently go after perpetrators of voter fraud, a problem he says […]

Espionage News Graphic

Wife of nuclear engineer pleads guilty to espionage-related offense; will serve 3-years in federal prison

A woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to communicate Restricted Data related to the design of nuclear-powered warships. Her husband pleaded guilty to the same offense on Monday, Feb. 14. Diana Toebbe, 46, of Annapolis, Maryland, was arrested on Oct. 9, 2021, for knowingly and voluntarily joining a conspiracy with her husband, Jonathan Toebbe, to communicate […]

Gavel and Missouri Flag

Governor Parson makes four judicial appointments

Governor Mike Parson announced four judicial appointments to the 3rd, 11th, and 20th Judicial Circuits.  Anthony Horvath, of Linn, was appointed as Associate Circuit Judge for Putnam County in the 3rd Judicial Circuit. Mr. Horvath currently serves as the Deputy Judge Advocate General for the Missouri National Guard. He earned a Bachelor of Science in justice systems from […]

Art on Mosaic Foundation Wall in Albany, Missouri

Mosaic Medical Center in Albany debuts “The Art Experience”

Mosaic Foundation in Albany is supporting the Mosaic Medical Center with the addition of an art experience. Twenty pieces of artwork are on display at 705 N. College Street with the art inspired by the region’s health care heroes. Students from Albany R-III elementary and high school submitted the artwork. Katie Dias, DO, and administrator […]

NCMC or North Central Missouri College Foundation

NCMC Foundation Scholarship Reception set for February 16

The North Central Missouri College Scholarship Reception to honor 2021-2022 scholarship recipients will be held on February 16, 2022, in the Jeanette Hoffman Robison Auditorium in the Ketcham Community Center. This annual event is hosted by the North Central Missouri College Foundation to highlight NCMC Foundation scholarship recipients and all NCMC institutional scholarship recipients for […]

Prison Sentence

Judge sentences Missouri man to 15 years in prison for child exploitation crimes

United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Nicholas M. Ray to a term of 15 years in federal prison. Ray previously pleaded guilty to attempting to persuade or coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity and distribution of child pornography in a court appearance held in October 2021. In 2014, Ray was convicted […]

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas.)

Appeals court orders St. Louis Circuit Attorney to turn over Eric Greitens case records

(Missouri Independent) – A circuit judge will determine whether St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is entitled to claim privilege for her communications with political donors and key figures in the 2018 investigation of former Gov. Eric Greitens, the Eastern District Missouri Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. The court affirmed a 2020 decision by St. Louis […]

Unemployment Benefits Graphic

Missouri Senate hears bipartisan push to forgive mistakenly overpaid unemployment benefits

(Missouri Independent) – Tracie Engelmeyer was among hundreds of bus drivers who were furloughed in St. Louis County in March 2020 because of the pandemic. School-district authorities told them that even though drivers are contracted labor, they would qualify for unemployment benefits and urged them to apply. Engelmeyer recalled the conversation she had with a […]

Show Me Strong Recovery Task Force

Show-Me Strong Recovery Task Force releases final report of recommendations

Governor Mike Parson announced that the Show-Me Strong Recovery Task Force has released its final report of recommendations to support small businesses across the state. In the report, the Task Force summarizes its findings and provides potential solutions related to workforce, supply chain, access to resources, broadband, and support for minority- and women-owned businesses. “As […]

Child Sex Crimes news graphic

Brookfield man facing child sex crime charges in Linn County, now facing child sex crime charges in Livingston County

A Brookfield man charged with felony first-degree rape or attempted rape in Linn County faces felony charges in Livingston County. Twenty-four-year-old Timothy David Marles II has been charged in Livingston County with two counts of enticement or attempted enticement of a child. No bond is allowed. A probable cause statement says Marles began an online […]

2021 City of Chillicothe website 2021

City of Chillicothe re-opens search for City Administrator

The City of Chillicothe has reopened its city administrator search. Information provided by City Clerk Roze Frampton says the city administrator will oversee operations of six departments, including police, fire, and emergency medical services, airport, streets, parks and recreation, and codes and zoning. The ideal candidate must be able to establish and maintain harmonious relationships […]

Hall, Janorschke and MOFB President Garrett Hawkins

Jacob Hall and Jessica Janorschke named Missouri Farm Bureau Ambassadors

Four judges selected Jacob Hall, of Marshall, and Jessica Janorschke, of St. Joseph, as 2022 Missouri Farm Bureau Ambassadors during the organization’s 107th annual meeting on Dec. 5 at the Lake of the Ozarks. The MOFB Ambassador Program selects a male and female student 17-to-22 years of age to represent agriculture and Farm Bureau for […]

Micha Rounkles representing Sonoco Plastics with NCMC President, Dr. Lenny Klaver

Sonoco Plastics receives Missouri Community College Distinguished Business Award

Sonoco Plastics located in Chillicothe, Missouri was recently recognized by the Missouri Community College Association for outstanding support of Missouri Community Colleges. Sonoco Plastics received the 2021 Distinguished Business/Industry Award at the statewide MCCA convention held in Branson, Missouri. This prominent award is given annually to businesses that go above and beyond to show their […]

Farm Tractor in field with ag implement

Audio: Missouri to get federal money to strengthen crops

The Missouri Department of Agriculture says nine projects across Missouri will receive grant funding.     The money is from the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program.  It’s to strengthen the market for Missouri-grown specialty crops. More than $428,000 in federal funds will be used to build relationships between Missouri schools and local farmers.  The […]