Press Release from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department

This afternoon a potentially very serious incident took place at Chula School during school hours. An adult female was allegedly inside the school and began yelling and screaming at a school official. A second school employee checked on the loud acts and then called 911. It is alleged the parent was asked to leave school property and refused then elevated her anger and pulled the telephone being used to call 911 from the wall and rendered it useless. The same person allegedly attempted to strike the principal in the face, was threatening to kill people and have someone else kill school employee(s). The school staff acted properly and in accordance with the training they have received and worked together in restraining the allegedly violent person as she reportedly continued her screaming, yelling, threats, and attempts of assault.

Deputies arrived on the scene and took custody of the female who was allegedly still behaving in the same reported manner. The female allegedly resisted arrest, assaulted a deputy, and continued in her foul and violent manner even threatening to shoot one of our deputies in the head.

We arrested Jennifer R. Graves, 34, Chula, for alleged Assault on School Property, Trespassing, Property Damage, Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. We have spoken with Livingston County Prosecuting Attorney Adam Warren about this incident and reports will be in his office Friday morning for consideration of any/all charges.

Ms. Graves is now being housed in the Daviess Dekalb County Regional Jail pending formal charges being filed. Remember an arrest is public information but every person is innocent unless and until proven guilty in a Court of Law.

Photograph courtesy of www.pushacrossamerica.org

He is pushing his racing wheelchair the equivalent of two to three marathons in 71 days.

Ryan Chalmers set out to travel across the United States from Los Angeles to New York City to motivate and encourage those with physical disabilities.  The 24 year-old athlete was born with Spina Bifida and has never had full use of his legs.

Chalmers left L.A. on Apr. 6 and he is expected to arrive in New York City on June 15.  His journey has taken him to Norborne where he will be arriving around 3:30 p.m. Thursday.  He will continue on to Carrollton where he will stop for the evening.  Chalmers will then leave from Norborne at 7:30 a.m. Friday.

It’s the first time anything like this has ever been attempted in a racing wheelchair. The goal of the cross country ride is to bring attention to the organization, Stay Focused, a nonprofit group that works with teens and adults with physical disabilities.

Follow Chalmers on Facebook , Twitter , Website.

Update (1:45 p.m.) – According to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page, the man may be driving a vehicle with Montana license plates.

Linn and Livingston County residents are on high alert after a suspicious person claiming to be with a satellite television company attempted to gain access to several homes in the area.  The suspect was last spotted Wednesday in the Wheeling area.  Laclede resident Josh Bowerman believes the unidentified man was in his neighborhood three days prior to the Wheeling sightings.  Click to hear KMZU’s Chelsea Wade talk with Bowerman:

Josh Bowerman

The suspect is described as a white male, about 5’7″.  Bowerman said the man had a slender build and believed he was in his 20s.

Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox said in a press release Thursday morning that the television company did not have anyone working in the Wheeling area at the time of Wednesday’s incidents. Cox believes the man may have been casing the area for future crimes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Press Release from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office

We recently received information from a Wheeling resident that yesterday there was a man walking around Wheeling described as a white male, about 5-07” tall, wearing colored shorts and a T-Shirt with “Dish Network” on it. The man was carrying a folder with “Dish Network” on it also.

Citizen reported the individual was allegedly inquiring about satellite service and certain other questions. The citizen said the man continued walking and was not seen with a vehicle. Allegedly DISH did not have anyone in the Wheeling area doing this type of activity.

We are concerned that someone may have been casing locations for a burglary or seeking an opportunity to commit a criminal act. We are asking anyone with information on this person to please share that with our office so we can further investigate the matter. If you have information to share then please call us at 660-646-0515.

IRSScandal-2

Federal authorities have launched a criminal investigation.  An inspector general’s report this week criticized the agency for using “inappropriate criteria” in evaluating advocacy groups seeking tax-exempt status.  The IRS is accused of targeting groups with the words “tea party” and “patriot” in their names.

Citing the report, Blunt called for firings earlier in the week.  “IRS Commissioner Steve Miller needs to step down or be removed,” Blunt said. “He knows if these reports are true or not.”  Miller resigned late Wednesday amid the controversy.

In addition to Sen. Blunt, U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., have condemned the agency’s actions.  “People should be fired for this serious breach of public trust,” McCaskill said Monday.  “We don’t do this in America.”

Congressional Republicans are also furious. In an earlier news conference, GOP House Speaker John Boehner asked — “Who’s going to jail?”  In a House hearing, Attorney General Eric Holder vowed to “follow the facts” and said those responsible will be held accountable. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell accused the Obama administration of an “abuse of power.” He said the federal government should not be used to “quiet the critics” of the administration. Utah Republican Orrin Hatch argued that the IRS instills “more fear in the hearts of people” than any other federal agency. Hatch said the issue will be thoroughly investigated in Congress. South Dakota Republican John Thune insisted that the administration has a credibility gap that is “growing at an alarming rate.”

President Obama has pledged to work with Congress to reform IRS rules so similar problems do not occur in the future.  He is expected to have more to say on the matter during a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday.

Information from the Office of U.S. Senator Roy Blunt

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement Wednesday evening after President Barack Obama announced that Acting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Steven Miller has resigned:

“I’ve repeatedly called for Steven Miller’s departure and I’m glad he finally stepped down. However, this is only a start. I’ll keep demanding that President Obama work with Congress to fully investigate the IRS scandal, restore transparency and accountability in the government, and prevent these types of shameful activities from happening again.”

Click here to view Senator Blunt’s statement and click here to watch his remarks from the leadership press conference calling for removal of Acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Mo., said Wednesday that the growth in farm income has slowed this year because farmers and ranchers are dealing with higher costs.

Bankers expect farm income to weaken further in the region over during the second quarter.

But land values continued to increase in the first quarter on top of several years of significant growth. Cropland values rose 20 percent over 2012, and ranchland values grew 14 percent.

The 10th Federal Reserve District covers Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado, northern New Mexico and western Missouri.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

“Stealing and damaging pedestrian signals at interstate crossings can compromise safety for people who rely on these devices to help them navigate busy intersections on foot,” Redline said.

MoDOT estimates that it will take about three weeks to replace the stolen signs.  The Kansas City Police Department is investigating.  Anyone with information is being asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Press Release from the Missouri Department of Transportation

KANSAS CITY – Thieves stole 11 pedestrian signal poles, bases and heads along Interstate 70 at The Paseo Monday, causing about $30,000 in damage.

“Stealing and damaging pedestrian signals at interstate crossings can compromise safety for people who rely on these devices to help them navigate busy intersections on foot,” said Assistant District Engineer Chris Redline. “The only people authorized to access these signals are MoDOT employees or our contractors. We encourage the public to call 9-1-1 immediately if someone spots what they believe to be suspicious activity alongside our highway system.”

Until the new signals are installed, pedestrians should proceed with caution, crossing the street in the same direction as the flow of motorized traffic. Motorists should be also be vigilant and watch out for pedestrians in the area.

A report has been filed with the Kansas City Police Department. It will take approximately three weeks, weather permitting, to replace the stolen signal equipment.

Patrick Courtney

A Galt resident appeared in a Grundy County Courtroom Wednesday afternoon.  Patrick Courtney, 34, is charged with murder and armed criminal action.  He is accused of shooting and killing Christopher Molloy, 32, following an altercation in September 2012.

A four-day jury trial was scheduled in the case on Wednesday.  Legal teams are slated to present evidence starting on Jan. 28, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.  A pre-trial conference will be held on Dec. 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Courtney remains behind bars without bond.

Gov. Nixon attributed part of the employment increase to a gain in tech industry jobs.  He cited a report released by TechAmerica, which ranked Missouri the third best state when it came to adding tech jobs in 2012.

“We’ve been successful in fostering a stable, pro-business economy that is helping companies of all sizes invest in our state, create jobs for our outstanding workforce, and ensure that Missouri remains a place attractive to live and work,” Gov. Nixon said.

In addition, a number of corporations and businesses announced major expansions in Missouri during the month of April, according to the state economic department.  Monsanto led the pack (675 new jobs created, $400 million capital investment in Chesterfield).  It was followed by Yanfeng USA Automotive Trim Systems (263 new jobs created, $45 million capital investment in Riverside) and the CertainTeed Corporation (100 new jobs created, $100 million capital investment in Jonesburg).

Press Release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development

JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri employers added thousands of new jobs while the state’s unemployment rate fell during April, according to data released Tuesday by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED). The state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a point to 6.6 percent for the month, the 44th consecutive month Missouri’s rate was lower than the national unemployment rate, while payroll employment grew by 12,100 jobs.

In comparison, the U.S. seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for April stood at 7.5 percent. Missouri’s current rate of 6.6 percent has now fallen three full points since its peak (9.6) in August 2009. The last time Missouri’s unemployment rate was lower than this month was in October 2008.

Industries that showed the largest gains in April included leisure and hospitality (+4,800); trade, transportation and utilities (+2,500) and manufacturing (+1,400).

In addition, a number of corporations and businesses announced major expansions in Missouri during the month of April, led by Monsanto (675 new jobs created, $400 million capital investment in Chesterfield), Yanfeng USA Automotive Trim Systems (263 new jobs created, $45 million capital investment in Riverside) and the CertainTeed Corporation (100 new jobs created, $100 million capital investment in Jonesburg).

Press Release from the Office of Governor Jay Nixon

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon says the April jobs report released Tuesday shows Missouri’s economy continues its momentum in the right direction. The April jobs report showed that Missouri employers created more than 12,000 new jobs during the month, while the state’s unemployment rate fell to 6.6 percent, lower than the U.S. unemployment rate for the 44th consecutive month.

The Governor also said the gain in tech industry jobs – highlighted in a report released from the TechAmerica Foundation – demonstrates how the technology and science sectors continue to grow in the Show-Me State, with Missouri posting the third highest percentage increase in tech industry jobs last year in the nation.

“We continue to see the strong, positive indicators for our economy, both in the jobs report and in this national tech industry study,” Gov. Nixon said. “Those indicators can be seen in announcements by companies as large as Monsanto, Ford and IBM, and in the growth of small businesses in towns across the state. We’ve been successful in fostering a stable, pro-business economy that is helping companies of all sizes invest in our state, create jobs for our outstanding workforce, and ensure that Missouri remains a place attractive to live and work.”