A draft 2022-2026 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program that focuses on taking care of the state’s existing transportation system was presented today to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. A 30-day public review and comment period began on Wednesday, May 5) Missouri Department of Transportation Planning Director Eric Curtit told commissioners the draft STIP includes 1,417 […]
Tag: SEC
Less pollution, lower bills: Missouri, Kansas move ahead on utility securitization
(Missouri Independent) – Utility providers across Kansas and Missouri may soon be able to retire coal-fired power plants faster as the energy sector accelerates its transition to renewable energy sources. Kansas already passed legislation that allows companies to shutter coal plants, which release considerable amounts of carbon dioxide, without the financial hit that would otherwise come […]
Lawmakers send letter to Biden administration urging promotion of leadership on international religious freedom
Senator Roy Blunt joined Senator James Lankford and six other colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden on the pressing need for a nominee to the position of Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. The Members emphasized the importance of America remaining a world leader in defending and promoting religious liberty for all […]
Trenton Park Board members review staffing needs at swimming pool
The Trenton Park Board discussed pool staffing at a meeting on Wednesday, May 5th. Board President Duane Helmandollar reported six applications have been submitted for lifeguards this season for the Trenton Family Aquatic Center. Park Superintendent David Shockley announced there were three applications for assistant manager, and Taylor Richman has been hired as pool manager. […]
Princeton Board of Education to meet on May 10, 2021
The Princeton R-5 Board of Education will review health insurance premiums and proposals next week. The board will meet on May 10th at 5:30 in the evening. Other items on the agenda include a United States Department of Agriculture grant resolution, a campus security camera proposal, and summer campus improvement. A closed session is listed […]
Two men charged with heroin trafficking; Kansas City officers seize nearly 24 pounds of heroin at bus terminal
Two men traveling through Kansas City, Missouri, were charged in federal court for possessing nearly 24 pounds of heroin aboard a bus en route from California to New York. Darwin G. Morales-Sagastume, 23, and Cristian J. Lopez-Catalan, 28, were charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., with […]
Former paraprofessional at Blue Springs High School pleads guilty to producing child pornography
A former paraprofessional at Blue Springs High School pleaded guilty in federal court to producing and distributing child pornography. Steven B. Allen, 45, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to two counts of producing child pornography and one count of distributing child pornography over the internet. Allen, who has been […]
Missouri man changes his plea to guilty at the beginning of his trial on child porn charges
A Missouri, man who was scheduled to begin his criminal jury trial instead pleaded in federal court to receiving child pornography over the internet. Scott James Wells, 55, of Springfield, withdrew his plea of not guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool in order to enter a nolo contendre, or “no contest,” plea, neither […]
Missouri man pleads guilty to meth trafficking on the day of his trial
A Union, Missouri, man who was scheduled to begin his criminal jury trial instead pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing six pounds of methamphetamine to distribute. Felix Franz Forjan, 71, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. According to the plea […]
City of Parma, Missouri making progress on state auditors recommendations after $115,000 discovered misappropriated
A report from State Auditor Nicole Galloway says progress is being made in the city of Parma after an audit last year discovered more than $115,000 was misappropriated through payroll overpayments and improper payments and purchases. The audit, which also found that meeting minutes and financial reports were falsified to conceal the misappropriations, led to criminal charges against […]
Missouri company, Healthy Home & Family, Inc, settles Medicaid fraud case for $300,000
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that on April 27, 2021, Healthy Home & Family, Inc., an in-home health care provider, and its owners, Belinda Bivens and Mary Stockson, have entered into a civil settlement agreement totaling $302,127 in restitution and penalties, with his office for submitting 114 false claims to Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet). […]
Missouri Attorney General’s office secures conviction in 2015 assault case in Scott County Jail
On Friday, April 30, 2021, a jury convicted William Henry, AKA William Henry Applewhite III, of three counts of Assault on a Corrections Officer in the First Degree and three counts of Armed Criminal Action in the First Degree. The defendant was housed in the Scott County Jail awaiting trial on murder charges when the […]
Jury trial scheduled for teenager accused of inappropriately touching child at daycare center
A two-day jury trial has been scheduled in Linn County for a Meadville resident accused of inappropriately touching a child less than 12 years old at a Meadville daycare. The trial will begin on November 16th for 18-year-old Leeroy Nickell. A pre-trial conference is set for October 5th. Nickell waived formal arraignment and entered a […]
Missouri FFA Association announces winners of proficiency awards at State FFA Convention
The Missouri FFA Association has released names of the winners of numerous proficiency awards at the state convention held at Sedalia late last week. Ninety-two students won either first or second place in 46 proficiency areas. After a review of the list, first place winners among those in area FFA Chapters include Kale Campbell of […]
Boil advisory issued for portion of Mercer County
A precautionary boil advisory has been issued for an area of Mercer County following repairs on Tuesday to a water line. Mercer County Public Water Supply District lists the advisory for customers on Route C between the intersections of Route C and Florence Street and Route C and Foghorn Street. The advisory also includes those […]
Unionville man charged with domestic violence and armed criminal action after threatening woman with samurai sword
A Unionville man faces two felonies after he allegedly threatened a woman with a samurai sword on South 22nd Street in Unionville on May 1st. Thirty-year-old Mark Anthony McCree has been charged with second-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action. Bond was set at $20,000 cash only and McCree is next scheduled for court on […]
Governor Parson’s office releases names of those pardoned on Friday
On Friday, April 30, Governor Mike Parson granted 13 pardons and approved one commutation pursuant to Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Missouri. Official pardon documents have been filed with the appropriate government agencies and are being sent to the individuals. Pardons: Donald Halpin David Cruzan Patricia Riefle Richard McKinney […]
Brylee Williams of Princeton FFA Chapter named Area 2 Star in Agribusiness
The Missouri FFA Association recognized Brylee Loren Williams of the Princeton FFA Chapter as the Area 2 Star in Agribusiness and one of four finalists at the 93rd Missouri FFA Convention. Her parents are Bryan and Joni Williams of Princeton. Her advisor is Bryan Williams. Area Stars in Agribusiness are selected based upon outstanding work […]
Keagan Valbracht from Chillicothe places second in agricultural mechanics repair
Keagan Valbracht of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter received the second-place Missouri FFA Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award at the 93rd Missouri FFA Convention. Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees, or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Agricultural mechanics repair and maintenance entrepreneurship is one of 46 proficiency […]
Ryan Smith of Milan FFA Chapter named Area 3 Star Farmer
The Missouri FFA Association recognized Ryan P. Smith of the Milan FFA Chapter as the Area 3 Star Farmer at the 93rd Missouri FFA Convention. His parents are Bradley and Jenny Smith of Harris. His advisors are Jarred Sayre and Cassie Cowles. Area Star Farmers are chosen based upon outstanding production agriculture in the student’s […]