Gallery View of Missouri Senate

Missouri Senate passes $4.6B spending bill with pay raises, federal school funds

(Missouri Independent) – With a deadline looming that could cost Missouri almost $2 billion in federal education aid, the bill to distribute the money passed the state Senate on Wednesday after Democrats slammed a zero-dollar funding line as a partisan attack on Planned Parenthood. The $4.6 billion spending bill approved on a 25-7 vote is the first legislation requiring […]

Espionage News Graphic

Wife of nuclear engineer pleads guilty to espionage-related offense; will serve 3-years in federal prison

A woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to communicate Restricted Data related to the design of nuclear-powered warships. Her husband pleaded guilty to the same offense on Monday, Feb. 14. Diana Toebbe, 46, of Annapolis, Maryland, was arrested on Oct. 9, 2021, for knowingly and voluntarily joining a conspiracy with her husband, Jonathan Toebbe, to communicate […]

Burglary Graphic

Three face felony burglary charges in Harrison County

Three individuals face charges after a burglary investigation by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department. Forty-one-year-old Mark Bottcher of Ridgeway has been charged with nine felony counts of stealing a firearm, explosive weapon, or ammonium nitrate and one felony count of stealing $750 or more. Thirty-eight-year-old Chad Service and 46-year-old Harlon Lee, both of Bethany, have […]

Planned Parenthood

Missouri state health agency seeks control of Title X funds that go to Planned Parenthood

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri’s state health department has applied to oversee federal family planning funds, a move reproductive health advocates fear would give the state power to cut off funding for providers who refer patients for abortion services. During his confirmation hearing late last month, former Department of Health and Senior Services Director Donald Kauerauf’s […]

Police Line or Crime News Graphic

Audio: Missouri man arrested for reportedly threatening people with a flamethrower

A Missouri man is looking at three federal felonies after being accused of posting video messages threatening people with a flamethrower on Facebook.     Authorities say they discovered several weapons, including an AR-15 style rifle, in 19-year-old Levi McCrorey home, He’s accused of multiple charges including illegal firearms possession During their investigation, The Kansas […]

Arson News Graphic

Pattonsburg woman faces multiple felonies after allegedly setting her house on fire and firing weapon at individual

A Pattonsburg woman faces multiple felonies after she allegedly set her house on fire and shot a gun at someone who stopped to help on January 6th. Online court information indicates 31-year-old Jessica Reid has been charged with first-degree assault or attempt, first-degree arson, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon involving exhibiting. […]

Crime and Courts

Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court news for Thursday, December 9, 2021

Several defendants received prison sentences or probation on Thursday in Grundy County Circuit Court. Mercer County Associate Judge Matthew Krohn was appointed to preside during the proceedings in Division One of Circuit Court. Princeton resident James LeRoy Houk saw his probation revoked on two drug-related counts and was sentenced to four years with the Missouri […]