(Missouri Independent) – Two minutes into our interview, I counted five yawns as the young teacher from southwest Missouri caught herself, and apologetically assured me that my questions weren’t dull. “I just feel like I am working all the time,” she added. “I don’t know how I am going to keep doing this for the […]
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced during the regularly scheduled State Board of Education meeting the creation of an Office of Early Learning. This change is part of DESE’s ongoing focus on early learning and early literacy, one of the department’s four priority areas in the Show-Me Success strategic plan. Earlier this year, DESE […]
Governor Mike Parson has called another special session – this time to focus on getting extra federal coronavirus funding made available to the state. The federal aid includes funding for school meals, grants for homelessness prevention and job training, child support payments, among others. “COVID-19 has had an overwhelming impact on our state, and while […]
Scott Hoad was at a low point this spring, trying to piece together a decent living after being laid off from a job painting commercial aircraft. Then Hoad crossed paths with Amy Patillo, a University of Missouri Extension labor and workforce development specialist based in Springfield. Hoad’s brother owns the ranch where Patillo boards her […]
Governor Mike Parson announced $5 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to be divided among Missouri’s six regional food banks to help citizens who continue to rely on food assistance. The food banks serve the needs of more than 1,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and […]
A Hamilton man accused of breaking into someone’s home in Hamilton in September has been charged in Caldwell County with felony burglary—second degree and misdemeanor property damage—second degree. Online court information indicates 26-year-old Daniel Eskridge’s bond was set at $7,500 cash only with bond supervision by Supervision Services. He is not to have contact with […]
A Gallatin teen has been charged in Daviess County with the felonies of statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy, deviate sexual intercourse, with a person less than 12 years of age, and child molestation, second degree. Online court information shows 17-year-old Joshua Reuben Schmidt’s bond is $5,000 cash only with supervision by Supervision Services. He is […]
The Missouri Board of Education discussed Tuesday the obstacles and additional workload that teachers and other school workers are dealing with this year. Member Don Claycomb said he expects a much greater number of teachers to leave the profession due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Apparently some feel pushed to the wall,” he said. Missouri already […]
For the second year in a row, Missouri ranks second in the nation for completed apprenticeships. Missouri saw 3,388 Registered Apprenticeships completed in FY 2020, more than any other state except California. Missouri currently has more than 13,560 active apprenticeships, participating in 489 registered programs. Through Registered Apprenticeships, workers obtain on-the-job training through a paid […]
A Georgia man has been charged in Adair County following Kirksville police responding to the Budget Host Motel the morning of Saturday, October 17th in reference to a report of gunshots fired. Online court information shows 32-year-old Markeyon Ricardo Rogers of Columbus, Georgia faces the felonies of unlawful use of a weapon—while intoxicated—loaded weapon and […]
Remedial education rates continue to decline at Missouri’s public colleges and universities, potentially reducing the amount of time and money it takes for many students to earn a degree. The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development recently published its Annual Report on the Condition of College and Career Readiness, showing the number of […]
Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday announced winners in contests offered for the Missouri Day Festival. In residential yard decorating, first place went to Joyce Wilcox at 20-03 Haddox Street. Second place was won by Jim and Bonita Price at 808 West 11th Street. In the business category, first place was won by American […]
Oak Grove High School won the Buddy and Karla Hannaford sweepstakes award for overall top performance at the Missouri Days Virtual Marching Festival. Instead of the normal practice of having in-person competition in Trenton, videos submitted by the participating schools were judged in the areas of Parade, Field Show, and the indoor categories of auxiliary […]
A former Missouri business owner was sentenced in federal court for a series of fraud schemes totaling more than $30 million. “This white-collar thief maintained his lavish lifestyle by stealing millions of dollars from his clients, partners, and lenders to build expensive homes, buy luxurious cars, and take numerous vacations,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison. […]
The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says about 200,000 Missouri students do not have broadband internet access. Many Missouri students are learning remotely during the ongoing pandemic. During a ceremony Thursday evening, Misty Grandel, a high school English teacher in southwest Missouri’s Fordland, says only 35 percent of students in her school have […]
Missouri K-12 public and private schools who want rapid COVID-19 tests must request them by next Wednesday, October 21st at noon. Applications should be submitted to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education). The department will then work quickly to get the BinaxNOW antigen testing to schools. The tests are not as uncomfortable as […]
Missouri’s Teacher of the Year is a PE teacher at Crestwood Elementary in St. Louis. Darrion Cockrell says he hopes his story of surviving a troubled childhood, getting adopted at 14 years old, and getting a college education will inspire his students. Cockrell, known as “Mr. DC”, says PE was his happy place growing up […]
A Chillicothe woman has been charged in Livingston County with felony burglary—second degree after allegedly unlawfully entering the Chillicothe Animal Shelter. Online court information shows Haley Louise Graves entered a plea of not guilty in the Associate Division of Circuit Court this week. She was referred to a public defender for representation. The court amended […]
The Laredo R-7 Board of Education approved policy updates on the evening of Wednesday, October 14th. There was a second reading of a Missouri School Boards Association Title 9 policy update. Other topics discussed included snow removal bids, building and grounds improvement, transportation, an eighth-grade trip on April 30th, and Laredo graduation on May 10th. […]
The Trenton Convention and Visitors Bureau elected officers Wednesday, October 14th. City Clerk Cindy Simpson reports Cara McClellan was elected as president, Micah Landes as President-Elect, Megan Taul as secretary, and Jordan Ferguson as treasurer. President-Elect is what an ordinance called the vice president. The bureau set the regular meeting time as the second Wednesday […]
