Erica Williams, the founder of a nonprofit urban agriculture program in North St. Louis County, had a vision of how to reclaim a community that had suffered through disinvestment and neglect. Across the state in Clay County, Smithville’s mayor hoped amenities like a farmers market would help reinvigorate the small city 20 miles north of […]
Tag: tool
USDA announces funding available to assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency announces the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The funding was made possible by USDA’s new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, an effort to distribute resources more broadly and to put greater […]
Death of man in 2004 now ruled a homicide after case is re-examined; FBI offering $100,000 reward
The death of a Kansas man whose body was found in a creek in La Cygne, Kansas, in 2004 was a homicide, according to a new report by a federal forensic examiner. As part of a continuing federal investigation of Alonzo Brooks’ death, his body was exhumed and transported to Dover Air Force Base for […]
New app from Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control allows retail cashiers to verify authenticity of IDs with their phones
The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announces it has partnered with the MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Division, to launch a free app to aid retail employees and other users in verifying the authenticity of IDs simply by scanning the ID with the camera on a mobile phone or tablet. The “Show-Me ID” app […]
Missouri State Treasurer to host free webinar about saving and paying for higher education
In partnership with Sallie Mae and the MOST 529 Education Plan, Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick will host a webinar focused on providing information about saving for higher education and finding scholarship opportunities. How to Find Free Money and Save for College will take place on Wednesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. “Helping Missourians make […]
Trenton City Council, in special meeting, rejects proposed amended budget
Citing possible public perceptions, and not wanting to see a budget document that has a $600,000 spending deficit for the next year, the Trenton City Council Tuesday evening voted to reject the proposed amended budget and requested another revision that can be voted on at the next meeting. On a separate matter, approval was given […]
Governor Parsons signs Executive Order 21-06 establishing Show Me Strong Recovery Task Force
Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 21-06 establishing the Show Me Strong Recovery Task Force. “COVID-19 had an overwhelming impact on businesses and communities across the state, but our economy continues to come back strong,” Governor Parson said. “We have made great progress in a short amount of time, and we must remain vigilant in our efforts […]
Daughter of Mexican cartel leader pleads guilty to criminal violation of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act
A dual U.S.-Mexican citizen pleaded guilty today to willfully engaging in financial dealings with Mexican companies that had been identified as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). According to court documents, Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez, 34, of Guadalajara, Mexico, violated the criminal penalties of […]
Missouri State Auditor issues latest report on Missouri’s use of stimulus dollars received through CARES Act funding
State Auditor Nicole Galloway released her ninth monthly report detailing the state government’s use of federal stimulus dollars intended for the COVID-19 response. Last year, Auditor Galloway announced that her office would examine the state’s distribution and spending of funding received under the CARES Act and other federal assistance programs passed by Congress. The most […]
Senator Hawley along with lawmakers from Arkansas, Tennessee and Nebraska introduce bill imposing sanctions on drug cartels
U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) introduced the Significant Transnational Criminal Organization Designation Act, legislation that would subject certain foreign criminal organizations like drug cartels to sanctions, including immigration, financial, and criminal penalties. The process would be similar to the system used for designating entities as […]
Serve Mercer County scheduled for April 17, 2021
Serve Mercer County will take place this year on Saturday, April 17, with a rain date of Saturday, April 24, if needed. It is an opportunity for neighbors to help neighbors with civic groups, and school groups of all ages are encouraged to participate. Those interested in helping should register online by Friday, April 9. […]
Missouri adds county-level antigen test data to online public health dashboard
On its online public health dashboard, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) began posting county-level data showing “probable” COVID-19 cases detected by antigen testing. Last fall, DHSS began reporting statewide numbers of reported negative and positive antigen tests. DHSS will follow the guidance of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) […]
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 […]
State agriculture officials recommend enhancements to USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers to Families Food Box program and recommend adjustments to improve the program’s effectiveness. “The Farmers to Families Food Box program has been a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic […]
After outrage over unused vaccines at rural clinics, Parson vows more KC, STL events
(Missouri Independent) – Last week, multiple mass vaccination events in rural areas neared the end of the day with hundreds of doses still on hand — prompting health departments to take to social media and encourage anyone to come for fear doses would be wasted. “We have ample vaccine still available that needs to be […]
March 15 last day to complete enrollment for 2021 Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage Programs
Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2021 must do so by March 15. Producers who have not yet signed a 2021 enrollment contract or who want to make an election change should contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office […]
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issues order for Janssen COVID-19 vaccine administration
Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services signed the standing order for Janssen Biotech, Inc. COVID-19 vaccine administration after a review of preliminary recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “We are incredibly appreciative to be receiving additional vaccines in Missouri, and we remain committed […]
Two charged with stealing pickup in Gallatin
Two Kansas City residents face stealing charges in Daviess County after a Ram truck was reported as stolen from Gallatin last week. Thirty-one-year-old Mallory June Shomaker and 27-year-old Clint Edward Vinzant have been charged with felony stealing—motor vehicle/watercraft/aircraft and misdemeanor stealing. Their bonds have been denied. Probable cause statements from Riley Christensen with the Daviess […]
Lawmakers reintroduce Kelsey Smith Act to assist law enforcement with locating kidnap victims
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) joined U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (Kan.) and Deb Fischer (Neb.) in introducing the Kelsey Smith Act. The bill, named for 18-year-old Kelsey Smith who was abducted and murdered in 2007, would strengthen law enforcement’s ability to lawfully and quickly access cell phone location information, or ping information when a person […]
Brutal weather leads to early pothole season on Missouri roads
Missouri Department of Transportation crews are focusing on pothole repair through April. When you see a MoDOT crew making repairs, motorists should slow down and move over a lane to give them room to work. Crews started working to address the pesky potholes as soon as there was a break in the weather last week. […]