Farm in Winter

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 […]

Bridge Work

Mercer County bridge replacement project to begin soon

The Little Muddy Creek Bridge on Mercer County Route M will close soon for a bridge replacement project. The Missouri Department of Transportation contracted with Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. to replace the bridge’s deck. This bridge, located approximately 2.5 miles east of U.S. Route 65, near Mercer, is included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million […]

A partially melted tire hangs on a tree near Paradise, Kansas. The surrounding land was scorched by a wildfire in December 2021

December 2021 was the warmest on record in Missouri and Kansas – by a long shot

(Missouri Independent) – Kansas and Missouri logged their warmest average December temperatures on record last month, according to data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Average temperatures over the last half of 2021 were higher than they’ve ever been in either state — and across the country. Meanwhile, despite a devastating cold snap that forced […]

Newtown-Harris School Website

Newtown-Harris Board of Education approve personnel actions; five file for seats on the Board of Education

The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education approved personnel actions on January 12th. Mic Halferty was approved as a substitute and hired to fill the upcoming maintenance position in school year 2022-2023. Samantha Miller was hired to coach elementary basketball. The board approved transferring $50,000 from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund. Superintendent Doctor […]

Winter Weather News Graphic

Winter storm to roll through northern Missouri on Friday and Friday night

The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill has provided new information Friday morning on the upcoming storm that will track through northern Missouri Friday and Friday night. The weather service on Thursday had originally issued a Winter Weather Advisory for counties along the Iowa/Missouri border; however, on Friday morning the Winter Weather Advisory has shifted […]

Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson seeks Joint damage assessments in anticipation of requests for federal disaster declaration

Governor Mike Parson announced the state has begun the process to obtain federal disaster assistance for Missouri in response to severe storms and deadly tornadoes that swept across the state on December 10 leaving behind a trail of destruction, including extensive damage to electric power systems. Governor Parson is requesting the Federal Emergency Management Agency […]

SafeDefend Website

Trenton R-9 Board of Education hears presentation on implementation of SafeDefend system

The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on December 14th heard about the implementation of the SafeDefend system for the district. Superintendent Mike Stegman reported employee training for the system was December 6th. Law enforcement and fire and rescue members were also invited to participate. On-site employees were fingerprinted into the system, and it is now […]