(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt officially jumped into the GOP primary for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, making him the second major Republican hopeful seeking to replace Roy Blunt. Schmitt’s decision comes after former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens jumped into the race earlier this week. Both made their announcements on Fox News. “Washington, D.C., needs more […]
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Abortion amendment puts bill to finance Missouri Medicaid program in limbo
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Senate leadership pulled a bill vital for funding the state’s Medicaid program from floor debate Tuesday after adopting an amendment barring the use of public money for common contraceptive treatments. The amendment, sponsored by Republican Sen. Paul Wieland, could endanger the state’s entire Medicaid program by eliminating a health care service required by federal […]
Missouri man pulls 20-year prison sentence for distribution of methamphetamine
A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine. Richard G. Wacker, 61, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 20 years in federal prison without parole. On Jan. 10, 2020, Wacker pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy […]
Missouri man sentenced to 24-years in prison for distributing 12 pounds of methamphetamine
A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed at least 12 pounds of methamphetamine in the Joplin area, as well as for illegally possessing numerous firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Mark E. Burdge, 50, of Joplin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. […]
Audio: Lawmakers to question Missouri DSS chief about boarding school abuse investigations
The head of the Missouri Department of Social Services is scheduled to appear before a panel of lawmakers Wednesday about the agency’s handling of abuse investigations within boarding schools. The Missouri House Special Committee on Government Oversight has called a Wednesday afternoon hearing to question the department’s acting director, Jennifer Tidball. The Kansas City Star has […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees approve tuition, fees and room and board rates
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees March 23rd approved tuition and fees as well as room and board rates for the 2021-2022 academic year. The majority of tuition and fees increased by $5 per credit hour. The student development, facility, and technology fees increased by $1 per credit hour. Dual credit increased by […]
Trenton City Council sets salaries and adopt budgets at Monday meeting
Without discussion, the Trenton City Council on Monday night adopted budgets for the city and Trenton Municipal Utilities for the year beginning May 1st. Members of the finance committee have met several times with city officials in recent weeks in developing the two budgets. Salaries have been established by city ordinance for the 2021-22 fiscal […]
Gilman City Board of Education accepts resignations and offers contracts to staff
The Gilman City Board of Education has received staff resignations and offered contracts for the next academic year. Resignations were submitted by Aaron Moser as a history instructor and Andrea Walton from part-time art. Contracts were offered to all non-tenured staff at Gilman City School including Melody Prescott, Rebecca Taggart, Kaitlyn Eoff, Keely Waddle, Hailey […]
Women’s wage gap correlates with retirement gender gap
This Wednesday is Women’s Equal Pay Day, the average date it would take a woman working full-time to earn what a man did in 2020. Most women earn less than men throughout their careers, which translates to less financial security in retirement. According to the National Institute on Retirement Security, median household retirement incomes for women are […]
Candidates for Trenton R-9 Board of Education answer questions on recruiting and retention of teachers, and what is expected of board members
One question posed to the five Trenton R-9 Board of Education candidates at March 18th’s forum was what their plans were to address recruiting, and retention in the district and not let Trenton be a stepping stone. Michael Voorhies said teachers coming and going each year was a major issue, and any business does not […]
Agenda for next meeting of Trenton City Council includes budgets and ordinances
Next week, the Trenton City Council will consider ordinances that would adopt the budgets for the City of Trenton and Trenton Municipal Utilities. The council will meet at the Trenton City Hall on March 22nd at 7 p.m. Residents who wish to do so can watch the meeting on Zoom at us02web.zoom.us/j/86137547626. The ordinances involving […]
Mega COVID-19 vaccination site in St. Louis announced for Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Governor Mike Parson announced that the state will host a Mega Vaccination Site in St. Louis at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park on Thursday, March 25, and Friday, March 26, 2021. “The additional vaccine doses this Mega Vaccination Site will provide to Region C will continue to alleviate some of the backlog that […]
Groundbreaking for Caldwell County’s Little Otter Creek Reservoir set for March 19, 2021
The final permits to begin construction on Little Otter Creek Reservoir 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 hard work of present and past Commissioners, as well as elected officials […]
Man who drove pickup that struck Harvest Moon building arrested; Milan man arrested on multiple allegations
The driver of a pickup truck that the Trenton Police Department reported hit the Harvest Moon building on Ninth Street on February 13th was arrested on March 10th and posted bond. The Grundy County Sheriff reports 36-year-old Braden Mark Spicher of Trenton has been charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident–property damage exceeded […]
Audio: Circle of Hope owners in Missouri, charged with 102 felonies, plead “NOT guilty” in court appearance
The owners of the now-defunct Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in southwest Missouri’s Humansville remain jailed without bond on Thursday morning, after pleading NOT guilty in Cedar County Court. Boyd and Stephanie Householder are from Nevada, near Humansville. Attorney General Eric Schmitt had to stop speaking at one point during his Wednesday press conference, to […]
Missouri man sentenced to 15-years in prison without parole for child pornography
A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for receiving and distributing child pornography. Brian M. Turner, 38, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 15 years in federal prison without parole. On Sept. 14, 2020, Turner pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography. The investigation began in December […]
Owners of Christian reform school in Missouri charged with more than 100 counts of abusing girls
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced in a press conference that his office has filed a total of 102 criminal charges against Boyd and Stephanie Householder, who were the owners and operators of the now-defunct Circle of Hope Girls Ranch and Boarding School. Boyd and Stephanie Householder have been arrested and are in custody. […]
Trenton Board of Education tackles huge agenda including approval of salary schedule for next school year
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education March 9th approved salary schedules for the 2021-2022 school year. One thousand dollars will be added to the base for the certified salary schedule, making the base salary $34,000. This was estimated to cost the district $119,591. Superintendent Mike Stegman noted the base salary for certified staff was “pretty […]
North Mercer Board of Education approves addition to base salary schedule; senior trip to Florida approved
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education approved items related to the salary schedule on March 8th. Seven hundred fifty dollars was added to the base salary schedule, and each teacher will receive steps on the salary schedule. After the increase, North Mercer’s base salary will be $30,250. Other personnel will receive a two-point-five percent […]
Twelve Months Later: Despite pandemic, Missouri moved forward
Since the first presumptive positive COVID-19 case was detected in Missouri one year ago, Governor Mike Parson and his administration have worked continuously to combat the virus, keep Missourians safe, and move Missouri’s economy forward. “Since COVID-19 struck Missouri one year ago, we have worked nonstop to take a balanced approach, fight the virus, and […]