(Missouri Independent) – Monday marks the first day of school for thousands of students across Missouri and it’s also when schools can begin enrolling in a new federally-funded testing program aimed at helping facilitate a safe return to the classroom. The Department of Health and Senior Services announced Friday evening that Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., a […]
Tag: social
Missouri Attorney General obtains preliminary injunction against mask mandate in St. Louis County
The Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt won another favorable ruling in his lawsuit against St. Louis County. The circuit court entered a preliminary injunction against the County, preventing them from enforcing the mask mandate in St. Louis County. “The people prevailed yet again against County Executive Page and his health department for attempting to impose […]
Masks optional in school buildings for students and staff, mandatory on school buses in Grundy R-5 School District
The Grundy R-5 Board of Education has approved a resolution for COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Masks will be optional in all school buildings for students and staff. Masks will be required for students and the driver to ride on school buses. Other strategies include social distancing when possible, extra cleaning of all surfaces, and assigned seats […]
Highway Patrol provides a summary of new laws related to public safety, transportation, watercraft, & protection of children
The abbreviated descriptions below are intended to make the public aware of some of the new legislation enacted by the Missouri General Assembly, which is related to crime and motor vehicles. The listed legislation has been signed into law. Unless otherwise noted, these laws will go into effect on August 28, 2021. SB 26 PROVISIONS […]
Afghan evacuees to arrive in the U.S. through Virginia and Wisconsin military bases
(Missouri Independent) – The first U.S. stop for the nearly 2,000 Afghan interpreters and other refugees evacuated so far amid the collapse of the Afghan government has been central Virginia’s Fort Lee military base. Tapped for its East Coast location and its ability to quickly ramp up to serve as a temporary host installation, the Army […]
Tax rate set by Newtown-Harris Board of Education; meal prices increased by ten cents
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education set the tax rate and approved meal prices on August 13th. The tax rate was set at $6.6331 per $100 of assessed valuation. That is $.0726 higher than last year’s. Meal prices were increased by 10 cents for all categories. Prices for breakfast will be $1.70 for kindergarten through […]
Northwest Missouri Steam and Gas Engine Association to hold annual show near Hamilton
The Northwest Missouri Steam and Gas Engine Association will hold its 58th Annual Show near Hamilton next weekend. Daily exhibits and demonstrations, a flea market, and live music will be at 834 Northwest Osage Drive from August 20th through 22, 2021. Exhibits and demonstrations will include sawmills, blacksmiths, threshing, gas engines, draft horse fieldwork, historical […]
Plans continue for the annual Trenton High School Alumni Reunion
Plans continue for the annual Trenton High School Alumni Reunion, and the 2021 edition of the “Alumni News” is now in the mail to hundreds of alums. Board members of the Association/Foundation Trust for THS have voted to continue with plans on hosting a Friday night hospitality meet and greet, a Saturday Open House, and […]
Miss Rosie Lenz crowned 2021 Missouri State Fair Queen
Miss Rosie Lenz was named the 2021 Missouri State Fair Queen in a ceremony held Thursday, Aug. 12. Miss Lenz received the highest score of 34 contestants vying for the title in the two-day competition, held in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Miss Lenz will reign over the remaining State Fair events and be an ambassador […]
Carroll County Memorial Hospital recognizes employees with awards ceremony
Carroll County Memorial Hospital honored employees with a special event, highlighting memorable moments throughout 2020 and 2021. Samantha Schlueter, Amanda Riley, Karlie Reynolds, and Misty Kemble-Williams were each selected as Employee of the Quarter over the course of 2020. After an all-staff vote, Misty Kemble-Williams was named 2020 CCMH Employee of the Year during the […]
Jamesport Community Association to sponsor fish fry
The Jamesport Community Association will sponsor a fish fry to support the upkeep of the Spillman Event Center and other community projects. Dine-in and drive-through will be available at the Spillman Event Center on August 27th starting at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Fish, potatoes, hush puppies, slaw, beans, and dessert will be served. Attendees […]
Missouri to accept Medicaid expansion applications; DSS to begin processing applications on October 1
(Missouri Independent) – Missourians who qualify for benefits under Medicaid expansion can begin enrolling. Still, it may take up to two months until they will find out if their eligibility has been verified and their application has been approved. In a news release Wednesday, Gov. Mike Parson announced that in response to a Cole County […]
Mercer Homecoming to celebrate Missouri Bicentennial beginning September 2
Mercer Homecoming will celebrate Missouri’s Bicentennial this year. Activities in Mercer will be held from September 2 through 5, 2021. Thursday evening will include a cakewalk, Miss Mercer at 6:15, teen games, and a cornhole tournament at 7 o’clock. The Silverado Band will perform at 8 o’clock. That Friday’s activities will include a kiddie parade […]
Lawmakers say special session likely unneeded to fund Missouri Medicaid expansion
(Missouri Independent) – Legislative leaders of both parties said Tuesday that a special session is likely not needed to appropriate additional funds following a court order to begin covering Missourians who are eligible under voter-approved Medicaid expansion. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, and Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis and […]
Judge orders state to immediately allow Missourians to enroll in expanded Medicaid
(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri Department of Social Services must allow newly eligible residents that qualify for benefits under voter-approved Medicaid expansion to enroll and cannot impose greater restrictions on them, a Cole County judge ruled Tuesday. Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem sided with the plaintiffs who urged him to allow Medicaid expansion to take […]
Trenton Board of Education discusses COVID-19 protocols during lengthy meeting
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on August 10th discussed COVID-19-related matters for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Mike Stegman began by going over a list of protocols. They included staff and students attending school in person and using social distancing. Masks will be optional for staff and students inside district facilities. It is “highly […]
Spickard Board of Aldermen set tax levy; “Fun Day” planned for September 11
At meetings Monday evening, the Spickard Board of Aldermen approved setting the tax levy at nearly $1 (.9917) on the 100 dollars of assessed valuation. The 99 cent tax levy is the same rate as last year in the town of Spickard. During the regular meeting, aldermen voted to table the water user agreement until […]
Audio: St. Joseph School District to require students to wear masks when they return to the classroom on August 23
Students in Pre-K-12, staff, and visitors will be required to wear masks indoors in the St. Joseph School District beginning August 23, 2021, the first day of school for the district, regardless of vaccination status. Masks will not be required outdoors. Following presentations and discussion, the St. Joseph Board of Education voted 5 […]
Audio: Hatfield expects decision in Missouri Medicaid expansion lawsuit case in a few business days
Missouri’s Solicitor General says the state Department of Social Services needs two months to implement voter-approved Medicaid expansion. D. John Sauer made his comments Friday to Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem, saying DSS needs more employees and computer upgrades for implementation. Attorney Chuck Hatfield, who represents the three low-income women suing Missouri, disagrees. […]
Missouri agency begins implementation of new law to regulate unlicensed boarding schools
(Missouri Independent) – Unlicensed youth residential facilities across Missouri are expected to submit materials notifying the state of their existence by mid-October, but background checks for facility staff required under a new law likely won’t be completed by that time. That’s because the Department of Social Services (DSS) is still working to make hires in […]