COVID-19 presented considerable challenges to Missouri schools, staff, and students in 2020, including closures, cancellations, remote learning, and more. The pandemic also presented challenges to schools and instructors teaching the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) hunter education courses. “Many schools were closed for much of the year, which reduced the number of kids who could […]
The Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge south of Sumner will open to the public on March 6th. The refuge is closed annually from late October to the first Saturday of March to allow for undisturbed habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl. The visitor center will be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Only the main office […]
Contractor crews working with the Missouri Department of Transportation will begin pavement repairs soon on Interstate 35 between Route 116 and Shoal Creek. Iowa Civil Contracting was awarded the $2,835,743.79 contract to repair sections of I-35 between mile markers 41 and 49 in both directions. The contractor intends to begin, Monday, March 1, on the […]
(Missouri Independent) – Last spring, as Missouri businesses shed hundreds of thousands of jobs, Gov. Mike Parson warned that the state was headed for the worst financial crunch since the 2008 recession. Ten months later, Parson presented a budget plan that anticipates a $1.1 billion surplus on July 1, the biggest in state history. And if the $1.9 trillion pandemic […]
With the prospect of having a potential buyer, the Trenton Building and Nuisance Board on Monday evening voted to release one property from restrictions and the board chose not, at this time, to release another property from its control. Building Inspector Wes Barone said title searches on both locations revealed the existence of a dangerous […]
Seven Trenton High School choir students have been selected to the Northwest Missouri All-District Choir. Trager Leeper, Caleb Johnson, Mari Atup, Jaica Clark, Jonin Villacampa, Trent Villacampa, and Victor Johnson auditioned virtually. Vocal Music Instructor Tyler Busick says that in a typical year, the students would have a concert with All-District Choir students from area […]
The Missouri Veterans Homes have fought their way out of a COVID outbreak – with patient cases down to ZERO. The Veterans Commission now must find additional ways to fund the homes – as they struggle with the number of patients down due to COVID restrictions, and other sources drying up. Terressa Sherlock the commission’s […]
Today begins a special three month enrollment period for consumers to obtain health insurance through the federal marketplace. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid determined that the COVID-19 emergency presents exceptional circumstances in accessing health insurance and provides the special enrollment period through May 15th. Consumers who are eligible to apply and enroll are in […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that his Office and a coalition of attorneys general from 47 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories have reached a $573 million settlement with one of the world’s largest consulting firms, McKinsey & Company. The settlement resolves investigations into the company’s role in working for opioid […]
Saint Luke’s top priority is to care for patients and staff and keep everyone as healthy as possible. As the continued spread of COVID-19 has slightly declined in the region, Hedrick Medical Center and Wright Memorial Hospital have revised their visitor guidelines to allow level 4 visitation, starting February 4. Hedrick and Wright Memorial were […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determined that the COVID-19 emergency presents exceptional circumstances for consumers in accessing health insurance and will provide a Special Enrollment Period for individuals and families to apply and enroll in the coverage they need. This SEP will be available to consumers in the 36 states served by Marketplaces […]
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 […]
The candidates for the 2021 North Central Missouri College Homecoming and Alumni Appreciation Day have been announced. Festivities will be held on February 27th when NCMC men’s and women’s basketball take on Region 16 foe Metropolitan Community College. Nominees for king and queen had to be current NCMC sophomores in good standing, nominated by their […]
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on Monday evening, January 25th approved two ordinances authorizing engineering service contract agreements. City Clerk Hattie Rains reports one with Finley Engineering Company involves upgrading the 2400 electrical system. The other agreement is for electric cost of service and standard rate design with Toth and Associates and involves an electric rate […]
The Missouri Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a law enforcement package. During a public hearing, Bill sponsor Brian Williams says the legislation would include restrictions for when officers could use force. Officers would not be allowed to use force against a person already restrained and chokeholds would be banned. Williams, a Democrat from […]
Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased again in December 2020, but a large increase in the civilian labor force sent unemployment higher. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 10,400 jobs over the month, and over-the-year job losses from COVID-19 shutdowns fell below 100,000. However, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 1.3 percentage points from November […]
Public-interest groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency over the agency’s re-approval of products containing dicamba, a herbicide controversial for its tendency to drift into neighboring fields and damage farmers’ crops and homeowners’ gardens. Last fall, the EPA green-lighted dicamba use for five years, the third time the agency registered dicamba products. George Kimbrell, legal director at […]
After approximately 30 years of hard work and persistence, Little Otter Creek Reservoir is becoming a reality. The final permits to begin construction were issued in late October 2020. Bud Motsinger, Presiding Commissioner of Caldwell County credits the success of this endeavor to the patience and support of the Citizens of Caldwell County and the […]
There will be two opportunities in Trenton on Friday, January 15, for private pesticide applicator training. Sessions begin at 10 o’clock Friday morning or at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, with both sessions at the Grundy County Extension office located in the basement of the NCMC Alexander Student Center. Other dates and locations are to be […]
Through its Community Improvement Grant Program, GRM Networks has donated $500 to fire departments located in its coverage area. Final presentations of the grants are being made as they were delayed due to the restrictions implemented from COVID-19. Grants were recently awarded to departments in the Missouri communities of Galt, Laredo, Linneus, and Meadville. Fire […]
