Missouri adults are less educated today than nationally. That’s what state House Budget Committee members learned Wednesday during a hearing about Governor Parson’s next state budget proposal for Missouri’s colleges and universities. Higher Education and Workforce Development Department Commissioner Zora Mulligan says there have been many efforts to change this trend. Mulligan says […]
Tag: Veterans
Audio: Veterans homes working to keep covid down; now allowing indoor visits
Getting the state’s Veterans HOmes to ZERO Covid cases was not easy – says Veterans Commission Director Paul Kirchoff. He says the staff is working hard to keep it that way. The homes lost 162 patients in a COVID outbreak in the fall. An independent investigation ordered by the governor revealed the need […]
Audio: Missouri veterans’ homes stop spread of COVID-19, now struggling with revenue
The Missouri Veterans Homes have fought their way out of a COVID outbreak – with patient cases down to ZERO. The Veterans Commission now must find additional ways to fund the homes – as they struggle with the number of patients down due to COVID restrictions, and other sources drying up. Terressa Sherlock the commission’s […]
Veteran events announced for February
Veterans events have been announced for February 2021. A veterans service officer will help with VA paperwork and answer questions at Trenton VFW Post 919 February 1st from 9 to 1 o’clock. Attendees are asked to bring a copy of their DD-214. A counselor and a veterans service officer will be at the Trenton VFW […]
Former Veterans Affairs doctor sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexual abuse of veterans
A former doctor of osteopathic medicine who previously worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia, was sentenced for depriving veterans of their civil rights under color of law by sexually abusing them. U.S. District Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Jonathan Yates, 52, of Bluefield, Virginia, to 300 months in prison and […]
Governor Parson makes five appointments to various boards and commissions; fills seven county office vacancies
Governor Mike Parson announced five appointments to various boards and commissions and filled seven-county office vacancies. Governor Parson also named the new Acting Director of the Division of Professional Registration. Samuel Adams, of Ferguson, was appointed to the State Board of Mediation. Mr. Adams has served as business representative and organizer for the St. Louis – Kansas City […]
Onsite review of Cameron Veterans Home finds facility failed in many areas relating to COVID-19 outbreak
A report released from Armstrong Teasdale regarding COVID-19 at Missouri veterans homes provided overviews of Pathway Health’s on-site facility infection control and COVID-19 evaluation reports for veterans homes. An on-site review of the Cameron Veterans Home took place on October 26th and 27th. A summary indicates the home failed to plan for sufficient isolation and […]
Audio: Noonan says Missouri Veteran Commission report reveals “fault lines everywhere”
A detailed report on a coronavirus outbreak at the state’s veterans’ homes further shows breakdowns in leadership and confusion over command structures. Chairman Tim Noonan resigned the day the report was released on Thursday saying he did not think the commission had the governor’s support in making reforms. He says the report shows that there […]
Audio: Veterans Commission Chairman resigns, detailed report released on COVID outbreak in veterans’ homes
The Missouri Veterans Commission on Thursday released the detailed report on a Covid outbreak in veterans’ homes. To date, 158 veterans have died since September. Soon after – Chairman Tim Noonan resigned as chairman of the commission. He told Missourinet that he took issue with the governor’s statement that he QUOTE “is not going to […]
Veteran service events announced for January 2021
Area veterans events have been announced for January 2021. A veterans service officer will be at the Trenton VFW on January 4th from 9 to 1 o’clock to help with VA paperwork and answer questions. Attendees are asked to bring a copy of their DD-214. A veterans service officer and a counselor will be at […]
Audio: Missouri Senator wants full report released about COVID-19 deaths within veterans homes
State Senator Jill Schupp wants the full report released about the COVID-19-related deaths within Missouri’s veterans’ homes. An independent, external investigation was launched in October into the roughly 154 veterans who have died so far from the coronavirus. Investigators from Armstrong Teasdale law firm were charged with reviewing what COVID-19 safety measures have […]
Audio: Senator Hawley says changes must be made at Missouri veterans homes
A Missouri senator who serves on the Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill says changes must be made at Missouri veteran’s homes, following a recent COVID outbreak. At least 138 veterans living at state veterans’ homes have died from the coronavirus since September. Senator Josh Hawley has read Armstrong Teasdale’s report, which says the Missouri […]
Audio: Governor Parson reacts to investigative report into recent COVID deaths at Missouri veterans homes
Missouri’s governor said Thursday in Jefferson City that he wants some answers, after reading a 53-page independent investigation into recent COVID deaths at Missouri veterans homes. Governor Mike Parson ordered the investigation, which was conducted by St. Louis-based Armstrong Teasdale. The governor emphasizes that he’s limited in what he can say because he doesn’t know […]
Audio: Independent 53-page report on Missouri Veterans Homes shows failure of leadership, response and planning
An independent investigation into the COVID-19 deaths at Missouri veterans homes has found that the Missouri Veterans Commission headquarters failed to recognize the outbreak. Armstrong Teasdale’s report says MVC should have recognized the presence of an outbreak in the Cape Girardeau veteran’s home by September 2. MVC Chairman Tim Noonan says a tremendous amount of […]
Veteran service events announced for month of December, 2020
Area veterans events have been announced for December. A veterans service officer and a counselor will be at Trenton VFW Post 919 on December 4th. The veterans’ service officer will be there from 8 to 2 o’clock to help with VA paperwork and answer questions. Veterans are asked to bring a copy of their DD-214 […]
Audio: Wayne Kleinschmidt offers advice to veterans needing assistance with filing VA claims
Veterans Service Officer Wayne Kleinschmidt helps veterans file VA claims and appeals and says having a copy of VA and civilian medical records helps when filing those claims. Kleinschmidt sometimes speaks on behalf of veterans and families about conditions they cannot express themselves. He knows what to ask when dealing with claims. He […]
109 veterans have died of COVID-19 in Missouri veterans homes since September 1
The Missouri Veterans Commission’s Veterans Homes continue to fight COVID-19, and according to spokesman Jamie Melchert, they are continuing daily testing using PCR and antigen testing; training on the proper use of PPE and enhanced PPE; cleaning and disinfecting and enhanced training in these areas; infection control inspections and additional training; additional supervision, including from […]
2020 was a bloodbath for Missouri Democrats. Will 2022 be any better?
(Missouri Independent) – There’s no point trying to spin it: While the 2020 election was a mixed verdict nationally, with Republicans gaining congressional seats and minimizing Senate losses even as Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump, the Missouri verdict was unequivocal. It started atop the ticket with Trump’s dominance. He and Gov. Mike Parson set […]
Audio: Missouri construction sector seeking military veterans to fill jobs
Missouri’s construction industry is busy, and getting busier, but companies don’t have enough skilled employees. Contractors and the state are now reaching out to veterans to join their ranks. Len Toenjes represents hundreds of contractors with Missouri AGC. Toenjes says salaries in construction are well above the median in Missouri. A new grant of […]
North Mercer Board of Education informed that health insurance rates to increase by almost 20 percent
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education was notified on November 9th that health insurance rates will go up 19.9% for a cost nearing $800. The district previously set a cap of $600 per employee for health insurance. The new rates would become effective in January. Superintendent Dan Owens will discuss the matter with teachers […]