Court News

Court news from the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court for Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Three defendants have waived preliminary hearings on felony charges and were bound over to the January session of Grundy County Circuit Court. Robert Joe Singer of Hale is charged with a November 5th arrest for driving while intoxicated chronic offender, misdemeanor possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, and […]

Missouri Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson makes appointments to various boards; Cameron man appointed to Missouri State Fair Commission

 Governor Mike Parson announced five appointments to various boards and commissions and filled two-county office vacancies.  Robert Connell, of Troy, was appointed to the Amber Alert System Oversight Committee.  Mr. Connell has been with the City of St. John Police Department since 2002 and has continuously advanced through the ranks to his current position as Police Chief. […]

Todd Anthony McDowell booking photo

Gallatin man charged with burglary and domestic assault in Trenton

A Gallatin man has been charged in Grundy County after he allegedly unlawfully entered a residence in Trenton and assaulted an individual on November 21st. The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports 31-year-old Todd Anthony McDowell has been charged with the felonies of second-degree burglary and third-degree domestic assault. He also faces a misdemeanor violation of […]

DIY repair or home rehabilitation

USDA invests more than $350,000 to repair or rehabilitate homes in rural Missouri

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced the agency is investing $358,270 to improve equitable access to safe housing for rural Missouri homeowners. USDA Rural Development has long partnered with various organizations, together making a larger impact in rural Missouri, Thomas said. The Housing Preservation Grant Program is […]

Bright Futures Website

Audio: Bright Futures Trenton assists over 1500 students in 2020-2021 school year

Bright Futures Trenton plans to start new initiatives and restart others. Co-coordinator Terri Critten highlighted the services and programs to come at the group’s Celebration and Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on October 22, 2021. She explained Bright Futures has received five requests for beds in the district so far this school year. The group usually posts […]

Child Porn

Former paraprofessional at Missouri high school sentenced to 22 years in prison for producing child pornography

 A former paraprofessional at Blue Springs High School was sentenced in federal court for producing and distributing child pornography. Steven B. Allen, 46, of Independence, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 22 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Allen to spend the rest of his life on […]

Vehicle Fire news graphic

Chillicothe Fire Department responds to vehicle fire on Grandview Street

The Chillicothe Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire at 408 Grandview Street on September 8, 2021. Captain and Emergency Medical Technician Tracy Bradley says the caller reporting the fire did not believe anyone was in the vehicle. A Chillicothe Police officer on the scene said the fire was in the engine compartment. Upon arrival, […]

Lillian DesMarias Youth Library

Lillian DesMarias Youth Library to host “Toddler Stay and Play”

Parents of children ages four and under are welcome to join us for “Toddler Stay and Play.” Families are welcome to enjoy this self-guided come-and-go-style event.  The program will be open for puzzles, blocks, a ball pit, various learning activities, and stories for families to enjoy together.  For more information about this program and upcoming […]

Coronavirus or COVID-19 Death

Mercer County reports a COVID-related death; area health departments report 25 new cases of COVID-19

The Mercer County Health Department reports is has been notified of a COVID-19-related death, which was the first one for 2021. That brings the total number of deaths to 10. The health department notes there has been an influx in cases in the last couple of weeks. The number of confirmed cases rose by two […]

Car Seat Safety graphic

Child Passenger Safety Week is September 15 through 21

The Missouri State Highway Patrol joins the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Safety Council, Safe Kids Worldwide, and other safety advocates to commemorate National Child Passenger Safety Week which is September 15-21, 2021. The primary goal of this program is to remind all parents and other adults responsible for children traveling in motor […]

Group Photo of Missouri Public Safety Medals

Governor Parson awards Missouri Public Safety Medals to first responders and civilians for heroic actions in 2020

Governor Mike Parson awarded Missouri Public Safety Medals to a total of 15 first responders and 7 civilians for heroic and life-saving actions during 2020. The awards are Missouri’s highest recognition for first responders acting during critical incidents. The civilians, who include a 12-year-old boy who performed a life-saving rescue at age 11, were honored […]

Suicide Prevention

Wright Memorial Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions speaks about the importance of talking about suicide

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month. Wright Memorial Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program is working to raise awareness and educate the community on the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Talk of suicide should never be dismissed. If you, or someone you know, are thinking of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention […]

Hospital Bed (Photo by Frederic Köberl on Unsplash)

Missouri ICUs filling as Delta variant wave moves into northeast, southeast regions

(Missouri Independent) – New cases from the Delta variant wave that has killed more than 1,150 Missourians since June 1 have plateaued, but hospital ICUs continue to fill — and small, rural hospitals are among the hardest hit. There were 690 patients in ICU beds across the state on Tuesday, the most recent day reported by the state Department of Health […]

Todd McDowell

Trenton man charged with making a terrorist threat in Daviess County

A Trenton man has been charged in Daviess County with felony second-degree terrorist threat after he allegedly said he was a fugitive and would shoot any cops who tried to arrest him. The alleged incident involving 30-year-old Todd McDowell at the Southside Tavern of Gallatin happened on August 22. Online court information indicates McDowell has […]

Refugees News Graphic

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 […]

Bright Futures Trenton

Bright Futures Trenton “Back to School” event serves hundreds

Results have been announced in the recent Grundy County “Back to School” events hosted by Bright Futures Trenton. This was the fourth year for back-to-school activities, and the second year all Grundy County schools were invited to participate. Over 420 volunteer hours by community members on Thursday, August 12, 2021, were logged, with many more […]

Federal Income Tax Paperwork

Coalition of lawmakers urge Biden administration to drop proposed tax hike on farm families

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), along with the entire Senate Republican caucus, sent a letter to President Biden urging him to abandon his effort to impose a capital gains tax increase on family-owned businesses, farms, and ranches. Repealing this part of the tax code would have a devastating effect on multi-generation operations, which could lead […]