Governor Parson is requesting 250 million dollars to help provide safe drinking water and wastewater. He wants another 150 million to enhance stormwater systems. It’s part of his 47 billion dollar state operating budget for the next fiscal year. The proposal is now in the hands of the Missouri Legislature to decide if […]
Tag: waste
Agriculture secretary pressed about pandemic relief funds for farmers
(Missouri Independent) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack faced questions on how his agency is doling out emergency pandemic aid and fostering collaboration with historically Black colleges during a Thursday hearing before the House Agriculture Committee. Committee Chairman David Scott, a Georgia Democrat, asked Vilsack for “critical updates on the implementation of pandemic relief programs, including […]
Department of Natural Resources to host six free pesticide pickups in 2022
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will provide six free waste pesticide collection events in 2022. All of the events will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and are open to all Missouri farmers and households. March 12 – Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center, 147 W. State Highway T, Portageville March 26 […]
With high fertilizer prices, are you better off buying fertilizer or supplemental hay?
Increases in fertilizer prices add to the cost of growing forage for grazing. This leads farmers to ask if they should buy hay or fertilizer, says University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory. Comparing the benefits of buying hay vs. applying fertilizer for better yields is complicated, but it is crucial to the […]
Five area health departments report on new cases of COVID-19
The Livingston County Health Center reports 10 COVID-19 cases have been added since January 10th, bringing the total to 2,729. There are 114 active cases. The Sullivan County Health Department on January 11th confirmed 10 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 1,429. There were 43 active cases. The Linn County Health Department reports it […]
Governor Mike Parson to be keynote speaker at Great Northwest Day at the Capitol event
Missouri Governor Mike Parson will kick off the Great Northwest Day at the Capitol event as the keynote speaker during a luncheon at the 20th Annual Great Northwest Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Tuesday, February 1. As legislators begin a new session in Jefferson City, citizens of Northwest Missouri have been preparing to […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen discuss 2022 budget and approve an agreement with Allstate Consultants
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on December 13th approved an ordinance involving an agreement with Allstate Consultants LLC. The ordinance authorized the city to enter into an engineering service agreement for street and drainage improvements. City Administrator Lance Rains reported the City of Gallatin has received notice that D. A. Davidson and Company is willing […]
USDA invests more than $288 million to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in Missouri
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri State Director Kyle Wilkens announced that USDA is investing $288,302,000 to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in Missouri. “Infrastructure is more than just laying pipes in the ground and wires on poles,” said Wilkens. “By investing in modern infrastructure, Rural Development is investing in the lives of […]
Trenton City Council members hear concerns regarding motorists near library, two trash routes to change pickup days
Members of the Trenton City Council Monday night heard about plans for Rapid Removal Disposal to change the collection date on two of its residential routes beginning in January 2022. A safety concern was expressed by the Jewett-Norris Library Director regarding motorists not halting for the 3 way stop at Main and Crowder, and the […]
Controversial bill would have aided Orscheln Products LLC, under scrutiny for contamination
(Missouri Independent) – Two years ago, a company led by an influential Republican businessman faced off with the state’s environmental regulators over whether it needed to do additional testing for a chemical that health officials worried could pose a cancer risk to the company’s workers. The Moberly manufacturing facility, Orscheln Products LLC, is owned by […]
First case of COVID Omicron variant found in Missouri
(Missouri Independent) – The omicron variant of COVID-19 has made its way to Missouri, with the first case announced Friday. In a news release, the Department of Health and Senior Services said it was notified by public health partners of a presumed positive case for the variant that came from a St. Louis resident who […]
Audio: Missouri Department of Health watching progress of Omicron variant
Officials with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services say they’re keeping an eye on the spread of the latest Covid-19 variant. So far, the Omicron variant has not made it to Missouri, but the first case in the United States has been detected in a man who flew into California from […]
Trenton City Council agenda for Monday meeting includes banned dog breed ordinance and trash service
The Trenton City Council will consider ordinances regarding a water main for the wastewater treatment plant and cost of service and rate design for the water and sewer departments. The council will meet at Trenton City Hall on November 22 at 7 p.m. The ordinance involving the water main would approve a contract with Earthworks […]
Billions headed to Missouri transportation fund from gas tax hike, infrastructure bill
(Missouri Independent) – With $6.5 billion on the way from the federal infrastructure bill and a newly increased gas tax, Missouri is ready to take a big bite out of $4.5 billion in unfunded highway needs, Patrick McKenna, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, said this week. But that doesn’t mean the state is ready to tackle […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen hold discussion on employee retirement system; police department to organize “Toys for Tots” program
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on November 8, 2021, discussed the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System. The various retirement options with the program were discussed. Administrator Lance Rains provided a report with the annual costs for the LAGERS program for the City of Albany for the last 10 years. Alderman Carl McBee moved to join […]
Agriculture Secretary: Biden Administration ‘protecting animal agriculture’ with methane reduction plans
(Missouri Independent) – Reducing the number of livestock will not be a priority for the Biden administration as it seeks to drastically cut methane emissions to stem climate change, according to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Instead, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “climate-smart” initiatives will focus on new types of animal feed and manure […]
Princeton City Council approves service contract and board member for Princeton Housing Authority
The Princeton City Council approved a service contract and a Princeton Housing Authority Board member on November 8. City Clerk Cory Willett reports the service contract was for $500 for the Princeton High School Band to play at a Christmas program on December 4. Debbie Goodknight was approved for a four-year term on the Housing […]
New funds and strategy may boost “massive task” of reducing lead exposure for Missouri kids
(Missouri Independent) – It’s clear that lead exposure is a problem for Missouri’s children. An estimated 4.5% have elevated levels of lead in their blood, more than almost any other state in the country. What’s far more difficult is figuring out where children are getting exposed to lead, said Carlton Waterhouse, President Joe Biden’s pick for […]
2021 Farm Service Agency county committee elections underway
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin mailing ballots this week for the Farm Service Agency county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs […]
Smithfield withdraws request for CAFO permits environmentalists criticized as too lax
(Missouri Independent) – The global meat producer operating some of Missouri’s largest industrial hog operations has withdrawn requests to convert 10 of its permits to what environmental groups say would be more lenient ones. Smithfield Foods Inc., which has a history of environmental violations in Missouri, operates some of the largest concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, in the […]