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Bill Moves To Stop Lawsuits Against Businesses Involving COVID 19 Making Progress

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Missouri Governor Mike Parson could soon see a bill on his desk that would stop lawsuits against businesses accused of exposing people to COVID-19.

State Senator Tony Luetkemyer is sponsoring the bill that now needs only final approval from the Missouri House.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce says more than 58-hundred COVID-related complaints have been filed around the nation, and they’re concerned that number will rise as trial attorneys recruit plaintiffs who think they were infected by a given business.

The Chamber says all but one of the Missouri’s neighboring states have passed some kind of legislative protection against these lawsuits.

Governor Parson Announces Impressive Jobs Numbers For The Show Me State

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Governor Mike Parson has some numbers on the Missouri economy.

Those include a COVID-19 job-loss-recovery of 70-percent and a current unemployment rate of 4.2-percent.

“We are now 1st in the nation for Small Business wage growth. We are 2nd for the lowest change in employment rate, year over year. We are 2nd in the nation for apprenticeships. We are 4th in the nation for new manufacturing facilities” says Governor Parson.

He also says Missouri is 7th in the U-S in migration and 10th in the nation in new business expansion, all because of they way the state has handled everything from working, building and COVID 19 “we have taken a balanced approach to how we dealt with the crisis, and everything we did prior to the crisis. That’s why we are at where we are today.”

Earlier this week Parson announced all COVID-19-related unemployment programs will end June 12th.

Discussions Continue With City Of Lebanon And Laclede Electric

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The City of Lebanon and Laclede Electric Cooperative are talking about unifying electric service in the city.

“Many streets we have power poles and power lines in the same area. One is owned by the city, the other by the Co-op” says City Administrator Michael Shoemaker, “it just makes sense to have a conversation about….are we doing what’s best for our customers?”

He tells KRMS News current city employees working in electric service won’t be affected “Laclede Electric readily agreed there would be zero job losses in this, so we’re going to make sure our team is taken care of no matter what direction this heads.”

Shoemaker says the talks are in the early stages and he has does not have a time frame for how long they’ll take or on what the outcome will be.

Shoemaker was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

More Federal Money Is Coming For Camden County

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Camden County’s been notified by the Fed there’s money coming in the near future from the American Rescue Plan of 2021.

“Camden County is going to get a Ball Park $9 Million dollars from the Department of the Treasury to handle this ongoing health crisis that we have” says Presiding Camden County Commissioner Greg Hasty ,“since we received a direct guidance earlier this week, by e-mail from the Federal Government, I am anticipating that since they’re sending that out that sometime in the very near future we will be receiving those funds.”

He tells KRMS News guidelines for spending that money have been given to the Commission, and they’ll have a limited time to spend it “we’re going to have to be looking at water or sewer projects, or bridge projects…things that are “shovel ready” that are ready to go and we can spend money in those areas.”

Hasty says broadband infrastructure is also an area where some of the money can be spent.

He says the money has yet to arrive.

Governor Parson Ends Extended Federal Unemployment Benefit Participation

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The extended unemployment benefits in Missouri are officially coming to an end in June as a statewide labor shortage continues.

“Despite our economy’s strong comeback, many business owners and employers across the state are still struggling. Not because of COVID 19, but because they can’t find people to fill the jobs” says Governor Mike Parson during a briefing on Tuesday, “to help address this labor shortage, I have directed the Missouri Department of Labor to end participation in all Federal Pandemic related unemployment benefits….effective Saturday June the 12th.”

He says these programs were only meant to be temporary “it’s time that we end these programs, that have incentivized people to stay out of the workforce. This is an important step towards returning to normalcy and strengthening our economy. While these federal benefits providing necessary financial assistance during the height of COVID 19, they were only meant to be temporary. Continuing these programs would only worsen the workforce issues we’re currently facing.”

The benefits for regular pre-pandemic unemployment benefits will remain available after June 12th.

 

****Additional Details***

Governor Parson Announces Missouri to End All Federal Pandemic-Related Unemployment Benefits

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – In order to address workforce shortages across the state, Governor Mike Parson today directed the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) to notify the U.S. Department of Labor that Missouri will end participation in all federal pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs effective Saturday, June 12 at 11:59 p.m.

“From conversations with business owners across the state, we know that they are struggling not because of COVID-19 but because of labor shortages resulting from these excessive federal unemployment programs,” Governor Parson said. “While these benefits provided supplementary financial assistance during the height of COVID-19, they were intended to be temporary, and their continuation has instead worsened the workforce issues we are facing. It’s time that we end these programs that have ultimately incentivized people to stay out of the workforce.”

“As I travel the state, from Sarcoxie to Hannibal and all points in between, over-arching concerns from business owners is the shortage of employees,” Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe said. “Across every industry, businesses cannot compete against federal largesse. Our economy is built upon an active and vibrant workforce, and we should be cultivating job-creation and employment rather than inhibiting them. The jobs exist and the demand exists, and I applaud the governor for taking this bold and decisive action.”

The termination announced today applies to the following programs:

  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance;
  • Emergency Unemployment Relief for Government Entities and Nonprofit Organizations;
  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation;
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation;
  • 100 Percent Reimbursement of Short-Time Compensation Benefit Costs Paid Under State Law; and
  • Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation.

“We know that one of the last remaining hurdles to full economic recovery is addressing this labor shortage. Even with unemployment at only 4.2 percent, there are still 221,266 known job postings across the state,” Governor Parson said. “The solution to close this gap is not the excessive spending of taxpayer dollars by the federal government, but rather getting people back to work and to a sense of normalcy for themselves and their families. Today’s action ensures that we will fill existing jobs as well as the thousands of new jobs coming to our state as businesses continue to invest and expand in Missouri.”

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Anna Hui gave notice of Missouri’s intention to terminate all federal pandemic-related unemployment programs. To view the letter, see attachment.

“During the last recession in 2008, the federal government contributed $25 per week to supplement state unemployment benefits. During the latest economic downturn, Washington poured in $600 per week in addition to Missouri’s weekly benefit of up to $320,” said Director Hui.

“Even after the original $600 supplement expired, it was replaced by a federal supplement that provides an extra $300 per week on top of Missouri’s existing state benefit, meaning thousands of claimants continue to receive $620 per week or more,” Director Hui continued. “The unemployment system is designed to provide a temporary safety net as workers look to reenter the job market. Leaving the level of benefits artificially high would prevent a return to full employment in our state.”

Today’s action follows steps taken last July to require claimants to again conduct weekly work searches in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits. This work search requirement had originally been waived in March of 2020 as part of an agreement with the federal government to receive funds under the CARES Act.

Under Missouri’s law, claimants are required to perform and report three work search activities per week. Qualified work search activities include filing an application (online or in-person) with an employer or through job posting sites or attending a job fair, job interview, reemployment service, or skills workshop.

Missouri Job Centers are available to assist unemployed workers with these requirements by providing customized job searches through jobs.mo.gov , job fairs, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) appointments, workshops, and other training programs. Employers are encouraged to post job openings on MoJobs. For more information about services available through the Missouri Job Centers, visit jobs.mo.gov.

For questions regarding Missouri unemployment, please utilize the Division Employment Security’s virtual assistant at labor.mo.gov and visit labor.mo.gov/coronavirus.

2021-5-11 Dir Hui to USDOL - Termination of Program Agreement

Final Week Of Legislative Session Underway In Jefferson City

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They’re headed down the home stretch of the legislative session in Jeff City.

One lawmaker says anything can happen between now and Friday.

“We could walk out of here with a budget that I think really did a lot of good and some school choice stuff, and some infrastructure and a whole host of other things” says State Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden of Columbia.

A Democrat in the state Senate’s looking at other areas as Friday’s deadline closes in.

“Talking about billions of dollars that the state needs to adequately to run healthcare in the state. I don’t know anything that’s more important than that” says Minority Floor Leader John Rizzo of Kansas City.

The first regular session of the 101st General Assembly closes at 6 pm Friday night.

Lawmakers finished the budget for Fiscal Year 2022 last week.

Longtime Lake Ozark City Administrator Dave Van Dee Retires

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The City of Lake Ozark will soon be looking for another City Administrator.

Dave Van Dee is announcing his retirement after 12 years with the city.

He offered a letter of resignation to the mayor and board of aldermen at the end of April.

Van Dee previously served as City Administrator in Hiawatha, Iowa and also served in Iowa communities of Dyersville and Waterloo.

***Press Release***

After 37 years in public office, Lake Ozark City Administrator Dave Van Dee is retiring from public service.

Van Dee, who has been with Lake Ozark 12 years, announced his resignation and retirement in a letter to the mayor and board of aldermen April 28. His resignation is effective Oct. 29.

“I have enjoyed my tenure in public service and more specifically my time serving as the city administrator for the City of Lake Ozark,” he said in his letter of resignation. “It has been a unique experience.”

Van Dee moved here from Hiawatha, Iowa, where he was city administrator. He also served the Iowa communities of Dyersville and Waterloo having started his career in city government in 1984.

“I have made an effort to develop Lake Ozark organizationally to accommodate the growth I am confident the city will experience in the future,” he added. “I am leaving the city on a path that will provide for growth in utility infrastructure as the city will soon become debt free in both the water and sewer funds.”

Van Dee was also instrumental in starting the city on a path to resolve its need for improved streets, especially Bagnell Dam Blvd. and The Strip. Two significant ballot issues were approved in the last year that ultimately will help finance construction projects.

He lauded the support and vision of the boards of aldermen he has served over the last dozen years as the city has moved from a contentious environment to one that is united for the betterment of Lake Ozark.

“With the assistance of prior and current board members, and current and former city staff, the city now has a solid financial foundation upon which to build while maintaining and growing the community. I am confident the city has a bright future as it has a well-qualified and dedicated group of employees,” he offered. “It has been an honor to serve the city of Lake Ozark.”

If it is the desire of the board of aldermen, Van Dee said he will assist in the transition and in securing someone to fill his position.

 

Sunrise Beach Resident Launches Recall Effort For SBFPD Board Member Bob Heman

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There’s a recall effort right now in Sunrise Beach.

“Right now we’re trying to get director Bob Hemen recalled from the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District” says Stephanie Kerhbiel of Sunrise Beach, who’s the one putting the recall petition together “we have a few petitions out at a number of local business and we will be starting a door knocking campaign as time goes on.”

She tells KRMS News the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District can’t function with Hemen sitting on the Board “He’s putting not only the lives of the Firefighters at risk, but also the lives of the community at risk…by failing to approve the budget. Right now we have no operating budget, so we can’t move forward with getting the equipment or the improvements we need, that was laid out in the 5 year plan by Fire Chief Joseph LaPlant.”

Kerhbiel says the goal of the petition is to get the recall on the November ballot and around 790 signatures are needed to do it.

KRMS News has reached out to board member Bob Hemen and he has agreed to a future interview.

We’ll feature that discussion as soon as possible.

Kerhbiel was interviewed on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

City Of Lake Ozark Receives Clean Bill Of Financial Health At Latest BOA Meeting.

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The City of Lake Ozark has a clean bill of financial health for fiscal year 2020.

Lindsay Graves of Graves and Associates presented her findings at the end of April.

The report shows the city has four to six months of operating budget funds available.

Dale Hicks has now been sworn into office as Alderman of Ward 2 – he was unavailable when other elected officials were sworn in April 13th.

 

***Press Release***

For Immediate Release

5/4/2021

 

The City of Lake Ozark has received a clean bill of financial health for the fiscal year 2020.

Lindsay Graves, CPA, of Graves and Associates, presented the annual audit during the regular board meeting April 27.

She noted that the city had sound accounting and financial practices and meets most recommendations for communities of Lake Ozark’s size. One of the most important objectives which the city meets is having between four and six months of operating budget funds available in the various accounts.

She also commented that 2020 was “a good year” for the city financially despite the challenges communities and residents faced last year.

For a detailed look at the 2020 audit on the city’s website, click on https://bit.ly/3eYudw6.

 

Appointments

The board of aldermen also approved Mayor Dennis Newberry’s scheduled appointments to various committees as follows:

  • Planning & Zoning

Reappointed Margaret Davis and Mark Maples.

  • Utility Commission

Reappointed Mike Kolar, Dave Gardiner, Kristina Malloy, Ethan Shackleford, Pat Thompson, Dennis Klautzer, and Keith Vance to fill a vacancy.

  • Budget Committee

Appointed Joseph Gibbs, Chris Wagner and Matt Wright.

  • Joint Sewer Board

Appointed Dale Hicks.

The board also approved the reappointment of several staff members as follows:

Kathy Vance, city clerk

Gary Launderville, chief of police

Karen Hughes, treasurer

Trisha Kane, collector

Christopher Rohrer, city attorney/city prosecutor

Richelle Christensen, municipal judge.

 

Other business

  • City Clerk Kathy Vance also administered the oath of office to Ward 2 Alderman Dale Hicks who was not available when the other elected officials were sworn in April 13.
  • The board discussed possible solutions to trash dumpsters being located on the sidewalks or in public view on The Strip. The challenging topography surrounding Bagnell Dam Blvd. (The Strip) does not allow dumpsters to be placed behind most businesses.

Camden County Commission Protest Planned For Saturday Afternoon

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There’s a protest against the Camden County Commission scheduled for Saturday afternoon in the Camdenton Square.

“So this protest is about raising awareness, letting people know what’s going on…in case they haven’t heard yet…and hopefully educate people on some of the issues” says Neal Gist, organizer of the planned protest.

He tells KRMS News Commissioners Greg Hasty and Don Williams are the main focus of the protest, but he offers support for newly elected commissioner James Gohagan.

Gist says he thinks there’s corruption happening on the commission, and he says the reasons for the gathering include what he calls a misuse of public funds, favoritism and the illegal banning of some Camden County residents from county property.

He also agrees that social media is driving public opinion more and more these days “but at the same time now, we have this ability to stay in touch with people who are acquaintances who have helpful information and pretty much everyone can shoot video on their phone, so many times were able to just go directly to the source most of the time.”

KRMS News has reached out to Commissioners Hasty and Williams for comment.

We’ll pass along more details on this developing story here on KRMS.

Camden County Commission To Meet Tuesday For Jam-Packed Session

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The Camden County Commission will be meeting this morning for a jam-packed session.

Some of the items on their agenda include a bid appraisal, a bail bonds agreement for the Sheriff, a tax sale publication discussion, a certified copy of order and a closed session.

The meeting will start at 10AM, however it’s expected to continue through 1PM with a discussion on the Macks Creek water district.

It takes place at the old courthouse and it’s open to the public.

You can read the full agenda below.

AGENDA(21)

Camdenton Board Of Alderman Set To Meet Tonight At 6PM

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The Camdenton Board of Alderman meet this evening.

Items on their agenda include the swearing in of some newly elected officials, additional ordinances for the continued work on the Airport’s runway, a new liquor license for a local Mexican restaurant and selecting a new President of the board.

The meeting starts at 6PM at City Hall….it is open to the public and will be streamed live on Facebook.

You can view that agenda here: https://towncloud.io/go/camdenton-mo/agendas/206

Missouri 101st General Assembly Must Finish The 2022 State Budget By Friday

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State lawmakers have until Friday to turn in Missouri’s Fiscal Year 2022 operating budget.

It’s due by 6 pm to the desk of Governor Mike Parson.

“Obviously being in the Minority, we play a lot more defense, but we’re ready to work with the Majority” says Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, a Democrat from Kansas City.

In addition to the operating budget, Medicaid expansion is another topic being discussed.

But one lawmaker says money’s always going into Medicaid without the expansion.

“We’ve added a considerable amount of money to the Medicaid budget, without the expansion” says Republican State Senator Dan Hegeman.

We’re now less than two weeks away from the end of the first regular session of the 101st General Assembly.

Camden County 1st District Commissioner James Gohagan Reacts To HR Recommendations

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One of three Camden County Commissioners is reacting to recommendations made by an independent HR firm after an altercation in January.

“I don’t agree with the findings” says First District Commissioner James Gohagan, “the audio alone has the public outraged! You can hear what happened on that audio…it was definitely contentious…it was definitely inappropriate.”

He tells KRMS News an attorney with the firm told him it seemed likely other people were involved in the staging of the argument, but it’s unclear who that was “here’s what she said to me…quote “If we didn’t have any other players, I think it would be stronger. If it was just those two acting a lone, nobody else got involved…I think were I see kinda a balancing act, that there were others that facilitate, or failed to deescalate, or some combination of both.”” 

Gohagan says he has filed charges against two county workers, both of which have been on paid leave since January.

This is a developing story and we’ll pass along more details as they become available here on KRMS.

Below is a copy of a press release sent out by Camden County Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty and 2nd District Commissioner Don Williams.

 

Camden County Commission

Press Release

The results of the independent investigation by Jackson Lewis P.C. regarding the January 7, argument that took place between maintenance employees and 1st District Commissioner James Gohagan, were presented to the Camden County Commission on Monday, April 26, 2021, by Camden County Human Resources.

The firm of Jackson Lewis P.C. is an independent professional firm specializing in Human Resources investigations. and were contracted by Camden County through the sealed bid process.  They collected evidence and interviewed everyone involved.

As usual, the reality of situation is far from the fabrications created on Facebook. This situation was triggered by social media posts from a small group of individuals, for political purposes. These Facebook posts are not based in truth. The truth is, no one was surrounded by ten maintenance employees (there are only five maintenance employees and only two were involved in the argument), no one was ever being “held hostage”, there was no physical assault, there was no conspiracy, and no crimes were committed.  It was merely a disagreement.

In closed session, the recommendation of Jackson Lewis P.C. was discussed and was for a 5-day suspension, without pay for the two maintenance employees involved, and for conflict resolution training for the members of the commission.  Commissioner Gohagan revealed that he had already spoken with Jackson Lewis P.C., and that he therefore had prior knowledge of their findings.  He then refused to undergo any training.  He left the meeting, breaking a door in the process, cursing, and was not present for any votes.

Commissioner Don Williams made a motion to accept the recommendations of the independent investigation. Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty Seconded the motion. The vote among the remaining commissioners was unanimous in favor of accepting the recommendations of Jackson Lewis P.C.

Commissioner Williams made a motion to authorize the HR Administrator to set up the Commission training regarding conflict resolution and to invite all elected officials to participate if they wish. Presiding Commissioner Hasty seconded the motion. Commissioner Gohagen was not present for this vote. The motion then passed by unanimous vote of the remaining members of the commission.

Much has been stated on social media regarding this incident without any knowledge of ALL of the facts. The independent professional firm doing this investigation are experts in their field. They had access to ALL of the facts, and the testimony of everyone involved. This investigation was professionally done, in accordance with state and federal law. The commission has accepted their findings, and will implement their recommendations.

The employees involved are aware of the results and recommendations, and are reviewing their legal options.

We are hoping this matter can now be put behind us and we can move forward serving the citizens of Camden County in a positive manner.

Camden Sheriff Tony Helms Requests Quarter Cent Sales Tax Increase For Deputies

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The Sheriff of Camden County wants to pay his deputies more money, and Lake Area voters will be deciding on that in August.

“If my good citizens choose to pass this tax, it’s one quarter of one percent, about a $1 per $1000 so if you buy a new car for $10,000…you’ll pay $10 extra” says Sheriff Tony Helms.

He tells KRMS News right now it’s easy for a Camden County Sheriff’s Deputy to find a better paycheck in another jurisdiction “why would a deputy want to work for me for $31 or $32 thousand, when he can go across the street for $36! So, we’re trying to get that up, we are trying to start our deputies at $42,000 a year. Right now they’re making about $31,000.”

Sheriff elms tells KRMS News he’s losing deputies to other jurisdictions for a higher salary at a time when calls for help are increasing “you gotta have money to give money. It’s not a thing that the commission just won’t do, they can’t if they don’t have the money.”

Lake Area voters will decide on the quarter-cent sales tax increase August 3rd.

Helms was interviewed on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

Camden County Workers To Get 5 Days Off Without Pay Following Altercation 3 Months Ago

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Two Camden County Workers involved in an argument with newly elected First District Commissioner James Gohagan will be keeping their jobs.

At a Closed Session meeting on Monday, the County Commission heard the findings of the independent H.R. firm Jackson Lewis PC.

The county says, in a release, the firm found fault on both sides of the argument.

The firms recommending that County employees Melvin Miller and Dean Duran get five days off work with no pay for their role in the argument January 7th.

The two employees have been on paid leave since then.

County Commissioners Greg Hasty and Don Williams voted to accept the recommendations.

Commissioner Gohagan declined to vote on whether or not to accept the recommendations.

Lake Representative Vicky Hartzler Responds To Joe Biden’s Address To Congress

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A U-S Representative from the Lake Area is responding to Joe Biden’s joint address to Congress Wednesday night.

Missouri Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler says Biden’s time in office has closed school’s for children while opening U-S borders to illegal immigration.

Hartzler also says gas prices are going up and jobs are being lost due to the cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline.

Hartzler also adds Biden is taking undue credit for COVID-19 vaccines.

 

***Press Release***

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) issued the following statement regarding this evening’s joint address to Congress by President Biden:

“This evening, President Biden addressed Congress regarding the first 100 days of his administration. But in his speech, he failed to understand the gravity in which his partisan proposals have been a detriment to the American people — while also taking undue credit for a coronavirus vaccine he inherited from the previous administration’s unprecedented efforts.

During his time in the White House, his administration closed our children’s schools while opening our borders to illegal immigration, raised gas prices by cancelling the Keystone Pipeline which employed thousands, proposed tax increases which would result in one million jobs lost for hardworking Americans, and attacked our institutions with plans to pack the Supreme Court.

To call this platform a disappointment would be an understatement.

America is the land of freedom and opportunity — not of big government and restrictive mandates. I implore President Biden to spend his remaining term in office working for the American people by  providing real solutions to the crisis on the border and resisting the urge to dramatically reshape and damage our nation with the socialist policies from the far-left of his party.”

Residents Across The Ozarks Are Reacting To The Possible Raise Of The Gas Tax

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Residents across the Ozarks are reacting to a bill that’s moving through Jefferson City, aiming to increase the Gas Tax for the first time in 25 years.

“It’s ridiculous!” says one woman. One man says “you can’t plan for it, you wake up and there it is” while another man says “I don’t want no taxes…but if you gotta pay them, then you gotta pay them.”

The proposal up for consideration would raise the state’s gas tax 2.5 cents per gallon, every year for the next four years.

That would generate a total of $450 million dollars for the state’s road and bridge departments, with an option to get a yearly rebate of the tax money you spend on fuel.

Speaking with our news partner KY 3 TV, Ozarks Transportation Organization Director Sara Fields says their biggest issue has been keeping up with the change in inflation “Between inflation and increased efficiency in fuel economies, we just don’t have spending power that we once did. Our big issue is that the fuel tax hasn’t kept up with the inflation. We don’t want a big money influx, we just want to keep up with what we have been able to do in the past.”

While the bill has passed a committee in the House and passed in the Missouri Senate, the legislative session only has 2 weeks left before recess and a final vote on the bill has not been scheduled as of yet.

State Senators Are Looking At Bills Related To The 2nd Amendment

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black semi automatic pistol on black textile

Photo by Thomas Def on Unsplash

State Senators in Jeff City are talking about the Second Amendment to the U-S Constitution.

Senator Eric Burlison of Battlefield brought Senate Bill 39 to the floor of the Missouri Senate, his proposal would create the Second Amendment Preservation Act “Governments too often turn to tyranny and they attack individual rights, when their Governments grow to large. This results in the loss of individual rights and lives.”

Supporters say their idea comes because of executive actions from Washington, D.C.

Senator Karla May of St. Louis mentions she does not see the need for this legislation “I think that we take an unrealistic look to the 2nd Amendment. And I really think this is a solution, in search of a problem.”

Senate Bill 39 has been laid over for future consideration.

Next up for lawmakers will be the operating budget for Missouri’s next fiscal year. By law, the budget has to be complete by 6 p.m. on Friday, May 7. Fiscal Year 2022 will start on July 1.

Missouri To Keep Eight Seats In US House After US Census Shows 2.8% Population Growth

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The Lake Area and Missouri can expect the same number of seats in the U-S House of Representatives after the Census Bureau released numbers Monday.

The report says the Show Me State grew in population by 2-point-eight-percent over the last decade.

That means there are now over 160-thousand more people in Missouri than there was 10 years ago.

With a total of just over 6-million people in the state, Missouri will retain its eight seats in the U-S House.

Caleb Cunningham Officially Set As Camden County Prosecutor

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There is now a permanent prosecutor in Camden County.

Caleb Cunningham’s getting the nod from the office of Governor Mike Parson ,“The Governor makes his decision and makes his appointments, and their team called me and let me know I was fortunate enough to win” says Cunningham, “It’s a complicated process. They have significant background check and a 200 questionnaire that you have to fill out…that they obviously follow up on and investigate you.”

Before Friday, Cunningham had been serving as the interim prosecutor for Camden County since Heather Miller left the position “I’ve been the interim since she vacated. I’ve been acting that way since the end of February, but now that I got the full time appointment, whenever the Governor’s proclamation takes affect, I’ll be the elected prosecutor until the next election.”

The Camden County Prosecutor job opened up when Heather Miller was appointed Associate Circuit Judge for the 26th Judicial Circuit.

Miller moved into that position after the election of Aaron Koeppen to Circuit Judge.

 

***Press Release***

Governor Parson Appoints James Caleb Cunningham as Camden County Prosecuting Attorney 

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed James Caleb Cunningham as Camden County Prosecuting Attorney. He will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Heather Miller to Associate Circuit Judge in the 26th Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Cunningham, of Camdenton, currently serves as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Camden County. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and information sciences from the University of Alabama and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law.

Mark McCloskey Indicates A Possible Run For Roy Blunt’s US Senate Seat

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Daniel Shular/Twitter

The St. Louis attorney who gained national attention for brandishing a firearm at a group of protestors, who were illegally entering his private residence, is now considering a run for public office.

In an interview with Politico, Mark McCloskey indicated that he is considering a run for the US Senate Seat that’s being vacated by Republican Roy Blunt, who is not seeking re-election.

McCloskey says he can “confirm it’s a consideration” but he has yet to release a timetable for making his decision about running.

Several others are considering a run for the seat, including former Republican Missouri Governor Eric Greitens and Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

Existing COVID Mandates Continue To Drop Across The Ozarks And People Are Reacting

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COVID-19 restrictions and mandates are falling back around Missouri and the Lake Area, and Ozarks This Morning host Guy Wehman is asking residents and visitors what they think about masks no longer being required in the Camdenton R-3 School District.

One man says it’s a personal preference: “I think that they should just open it up….if you want to wear a mask, wear a mask…if you don’t, then don’t”

Another man believes the masks were hindering kids from learning: “Uh, it’s kind of a double edged sword. One, the masks? Getting rid of them well allow them (Camdenton School Children) will actually allow them to focus more on their class…rather than wearing the mask and breathing through it and everything.”

Two ladies say it’s really a personal choice, it shouldn’t be the Government’s requirement: “I think the Government doesn’t need to tell us how to take care of themselves. I think that’s what America is all about….the Government not up in everything”….”Isn’t it? I think we’re forgetting that!”

Two new members of the school board were sworn into office April 12th, those two members include new president Gail Griswold and Brian Butts.

Two Bills In Jefferson City Aim To Protect People And Police Against Violent Protestors

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Two bills some lawmakers say would protect people and police against violent protestors could pass in Missouri this month.

The two bills would expand penalties for protestors who block traffic or vandalize monuments or property.

One of the bills also stops some cities from decreasing their law enforcement budgets by more than 12-percent relative to proposed budgets in other departments, a move some see as a response to the ‘defund police’ movement in other parts of the U-S.

Both bills now wait for action in the state legislature.

Political Activist Nathan Rinne Shares More About New Federal Lawsuit Against Camden County Commission

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A Federal lawsuit’s now filed by a Lake Area man against the Camden County Commission.

Nathan Rinne says he’s filed the lawsuit because he got a letter in March from the Commission saying he’s banned from county property for a year without due process.

“It doesn’t site any state statute, it doesn’t site any incidents…it’s not specific at all, and that’s a problem” says Rinne, “I didn’t have a hearing, I didn’t have an opportunity to plead my case…Nobody said come to court, we’re going to question you or get your side of the story…There was none of that.”

Rinne tells KRMS News he thinks getting banned is retaliation from the Commission because they don’t like his posts on Facebook “social media? I’ve definitely been outspoken about the Commission. That’s what it boils down too….I mean there are videos of Presiding Commissioner Hasty mentioning me and Facebook.”

Rinne says there’s some irony in the Commission’s decision “the hilarious part is the commission passed an ordinance, that was the last meeting I was at in fact, but they passed an ordinance saying that they respect and uphold the first amendment. So, this is a violation of my free speech as well as due process.”

KRMS has been told the Camden County Commission cannot comment on the pending Federal Lawsuit filed by Rinne.

We’ll pass along more details as they become available here on News / Talk KRMS.

Former Camden Commission Candidate Nathan Rinne Sues County In Federal Court Over Banning

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A Camden County resident who challenged Commissioner Don Williams in the 2020 Election is now suing the County in Federal Court.

Nathan Rinne says the County has banned him from entering the courthouse, commission office or the public library, and the decision by the commission he says is unconstitutional.

Rinne says his involvement as a concerned citizen, frequently calling out the county Government in person or on videos posted to Facebook is likely the cause, however he claims he’s broken no laws.

The lawsuit is claiming that the county’s ban comes under a false pretense, that he displayed “disruptive and harassment conduct.”

Rinne was the first to discover issues involving what’s being dubbed “Gravel Gate”, which has led to an investigation by the Highway Patrol.

Missouri House Committee On Redistricting To Hear Testimony From Lake Residents Today

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A Missouri House committee on congressional redistricting will hear public testimony today (Thursday) from Lake Area residents who live in Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District.

Both in person and written testimony will be taken from the 24-county district, which includes all of the Lake of the Ozarks as well as Fort Leonard Wood, Columbia, Sedalia and Whiteman Air Force Base.

The committee is looking for information about the district’s characteristics, both positive and negative.

Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartlzer currently represents that district and has done so since 2011.

Camden County Presiding Commissioner Says Gravel Parking Lot Cost Taxpayers Nothing

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Photo By Lake Resident Jerry Palmer

A gravel parking lot in Camden County is the target of criticism on social media, but the Presiding Commissioner is defending work done to the property that he says cost taxpayers nothing.

“Basically what they’re saying is we are wasting county taxpayer dollars with this parking lot, but the reality is what we’ve created…at very minimal cost…a valuable piece of property for the residents and citizens of Camden County” says Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty.

He tells KRMS News that new parking lot across the street from the Ozarks Amphitheater is ready right now to help out with parking for this week’s event.

Hasty also says each car that arrives in the Lake Area for the weekend is worth around a thousand dollars.

The parking lot offers 200 parking spaces, and that could mean close to a quarter-million dollars for Camden County each time it’s filled up.

Hasty will appear as a guest during the KRMS Morning Magazine on Wednesday at 9 o’clock.

Camden County Prosecutor Explains Issues With Federal ATF

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black semi automatic pistol on black textile

Photo by Thomas Def on Unsplash

The interim prosecutor in Camden County is aware of the ATF announcing it will not assist the county after an ordinance to preserve the 2nd Amendment was passed.

“In the past we’ve worked very closely with them. They have access to resources and specializations that we don’t have locally. Right now, they’re just not providing those resources to us and if they do, they’re very selective on what they will or will not do” says Iterim Camden County Prosecutor Caleb Cunningham.

He gives KRMS News an example of how the ATF’s decision could affect the future of Lake Area public safety “we had a very recent case where there was an IED, an improvised explosive device…it may have been a hand grenade. Usually we call the ATF with something like that, but this time we weren’t able to. This is clearly outside of our expertise to deal with and it use to be we’d rely on the ATF for that, but they’re simply not there anymore.”

Cunningham says in that case the Missouri State Highway Patrol was able to step in for assistance on that case.

He also says the coming season of tourism means lake area local law enforcement is significantly outnumbered “we’ve used our federal partners in the past for law enforcement issues, as you know with out Summer Tourism season we’re greatly outnumbered. But, until they make their decision on what they’re going to do…they’re simply not there. That’s part of the puzzle piece of law enforcement that’s missing now.”

Cunningham says ordinances passed in other parts of Missouri might be a bigger concern for the Fed than ours “all these ordinances are different and I think it’s Newton county specifically that has authorized they would be arrested for even being there, so I think that the ATF’s position was to “take a step back” and not assist ANY of these counties, until they’ve consulted with their legal team.”

Miller and Benton Counties have also passed ordinances to protect gun rights that were similar to Camden County’s.

Lake Area Representative Luetkemeyer Concerned Over Biden Gun Actions

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Executive actions taken by Joe Biden have one Lake Area U-S Representative concerned.

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer thinks taking gun from someone because of a mental health issue has to be done through a process “to have an arbitrary individual off the street, or even a family member, to say something and cause those guns to be taken away without due process is WRONG.”

Luetkemeyer tells KRMS News he thinks Biden is trying to infringe upon your right now own a gun in the U-S “you have to have due process, that’s the secret to all of these things that these folks want to do. They just want to arbitrarily allow law enforcement, or whomever, to go in and do whatever they are trying to impose. Whether that be taking away guns or trying to institutionalize somebody.”

He also says there’s a socialist agenda going on and the U-S Constitution is an obstacle for some who support it “the crutch of the problem is the media protects these people, it empowers these people. The Media is as much to blame here as the far left, because they’re empowering the far left with what they do and what they don’t do.”

Luetkemeyer was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

 

****Additional info:

 

Luetkemeyer on President Biden’s Unlawful Executive Order to Violate Second Amendment Rights

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) released the following statement regarding President Joe Biden’s executive order to infringe on law-abiding Americans’ rights to possess firearms.

 

“Villainizing and defunding the police, completely ignoring border security, and now infringing on Americans’ ability to defend ourselves without any chance of preventing crime. This reckless agenda may satisfy the political left, but it continues to threaten the livelihoods of people in Missouri and around the country. Our Founding Fathers felt the right to bear arms was so important they made it the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Today’s announcement from the Biden Administration is yet another reminder that they view our founding principles and documents as nothing more than an inconvenience they will simply ignore when they don’t fit their narrative.”

Newly Elected Candidates For Camdenton School Board Are Ready To Get To Work

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On Monday, there will be two new members of the school board in the Camdenton R-3 School District.

One of those new members is Gail Griswold “about a year ago I went to a school board meeting, and students were complaining about classes being cut, issues with the budget and they weren’t being heard. I just noticed a real big disconnect between the school board and the community.”

Griswold tells KRMS News the first area she wants to work on is finances in Camdenton R-3 “we do annual audits that are required for a political subdivision, for the state to come in and really look at our procedures…even the one that we get annually says we have issues with our procedures, so I think that would be a good start.”

Griswold says she’s also concerned about the pay scale for entry-level employees in the Camdenton school district and also a policy forcing kids to wear masks at times during the school day “I spoke about that a lot during my campaign…it’s a big deal for me. You can get a job at Wal-Mart right now for $11 dollars an hour pushing carts, but an entry-level job as a custodian at the district is less than that. So, I think we need to understand our market.”

Brian Butts is the other new member of the Camdenton school board.

Missouri Senate Joins Governor Parson In Saying No To Vaccine Passports

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Missouri Governor Mike Parson is on record saying he does not support vaccine passports, and now the state Senate sending a similar message.

On Wednesday, a bill was passed by a vote of 26-7 to ban the idea that you need a COVID-19 shot to take public transportation, shop, take a taxi or fly.

The bill now heads to the State House of Representatives for consideration.

According to the state health department, cases of COVID-19 are dropping in Missouri.

For the week of March 29th, 21-hundred cases of COVID were recorded, and that was down 3-percent from the week before.

ATF Strikes Back Against Lake Area 2nd Amendment Ordinances

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black semi automatic pistol on black textile

Photo by Thomas Def on Unsplash

One elected official in the Lake Area says the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will not service Camden County, and possibly others that have passed Second Amendment ordinances since President Trump left the White House.

Camden County Commissioner James Gohagan confirms the news “according to the Prosecutor (Caleb Cunningham) he’s tried to get them to work with him on certain cases, they have refused specifically citing the 2nd Amendment ordinances…they will not service Camden County.”

Commissioner Gohagan says they’re also telling Sheriff Tony Helms they will not assist the County Sheriff’s office either.

A few counties in the Lake Area, including Miller and Benton, have passed ordinances that aim to guarantee gun rights will not be infringed upon at the local, state and Federal level.

This is a developing story and we’ll pass along more details as they become available here on News / Talk KRMS.

Numerous School Board Candidates Win Their Respected Elections Tuesday

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Numerous School Board Candidates Win Their Respected Elections Tuesday

Here are their unofficial wins:

For the Camdenton R-3 District, Candidates Brian Butts and Gail Griswold won their race.

For Richland R-4, Candidates Ira Moss and and Jerry Pemberton won their race.

For Stoutland R-2, Candidates Shawn Henson and Dustin Britzman won their race.

For Crocker R-2, Candidates Joey Mendez and Joseph Ament won their race.

For Morgan County R-1, Candidates Brad Belt and William Black won their race.

For Miller R-3, Candidates Debra Rogers and Wendy Rains won their race.

For Iberia R-5, Candidates Iva Nelson and Dusty Russel won their race.

For St. Elizabeth R-4, Candidates Valarie Kesel and Alysha O’Neil won their race.

For Warsaw R-9, Candidates Amber Campbell and Michael Schockmann won their race.

For Cole Camp R-1, Candidates Darin Harms and Jordan Kyle won their race.

We’ll bring you more as they come in……

Camdenton Re-elects Mayor John McNabb By 76 Votes

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Mayor McNabb presents certificate to Tish Sims

The City of Camdenton re-elects Mayor John McNabb.

“I’m just excited for the opportunity to serve the people for another two years. When I started out with this, I did think….man, it would really be neat to be Mayor for 10 years” says Mayor McNabb.

He tells KRMS News he’ll reach exactly ten years by the time his next term is complete “Camdenton’s been real good to me and the opportunity to give something back is what’s important.”

McNabb beat out second-place finisher Daniel Ousley by 76 votes during Tuesday’s voting.

Steve Eden, Matt Gray and Kristopher Keeth were also running for the seat.

Sunrise Fire Board Welcomes Preator And Butler Following Tuesday’s Elections

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We now know the two individuals who’ll be joining the Sunrise Beach Fire District Board, helping to finally bring quorum to a board that’s been gridlocked for several months.

Following the election results, Fire Chief Joseph LaPlant congratulated winners Laurie Preator and Rick Butler.

According to LaPlant, some news media outlets were calling John Smiley as the second-place winner, however KRMS and the local election officials confirm the actual second-place winner was Butler.

LaPlant says he’s ready for Preator and Butler to join the team, so that a decision on the missing board seat and other budget issues can finally be resolved.

City Of Lake Ozark To See New Faces In Government Following Elections

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The City of Lake Ozark will soon have a new mayor after Tuesday’s voting around the Lake Area.

Write-in candidate Dennis Newberry scored 229 votes in Miller County to beat out incumbent Gerry Murawski.

Newberry tallied just over 50-percent of the vote in Miller County and also came away with a dozen votes in Camden County.

Former Mayor Johnnie Franzeskos was running to be mayor again, but scored fewer than a hundred votes in Miller County.

Incumbent Alderman Larry Giampa was beaten by Dale Hicks by a margin of 16 votes.

Another Alderman, Vernon Jaycox, was beaten by Matthew C. Wright.

BREAKING: Write In Candidate Dennis Newberry Unofficially Wins Lake Ozark Mayor Race

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The polls are closed and results are in, with a whopping 241 unofficial votes, write In Candidate Dennis Newberry has taken the Lake Ozark Mayor Race by storm. Current Mayor Gerry Murwaski was second with 107 votes.

Voters have also overwhelmingly said no to extending Lake Ozark Mayor and Alderman to four year terms.

See the full numbers here: KRMS Election Coverage

April 6th Election Results On KRMSRADIO.COM

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Here’s the latest information on the current elections taking place across the Lake of the Ozarks.

 

In Camden County:

Camden PDF 3

 

In Miller County:

Miller Final

 

In Morgan County:

 

In Benton County:

Benton Final

 

 

 

Election Results on KRMSRADIO.COM are Presented By R Veterinary at the Lake.

Election Day Underway Across The Lake – Sample Ballots On KRMSRADIO.COM

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It’s election day across the Lake of the Ozarks and Polls are open until 7PM.

Numerous races are on the ballot including Mayor for Lake Ozark, Camdenton and Versailles.

There are several board of alderman positions on the ballot as well.

Residents will also be choosing members of the school board for Camdenton R3, Morgan R1, Cole Camp R1 and Warsaw R9.

Live updates will start at 7PM on KRMS and our sister stations 935 ROCKS, Classic Country 104.9 and 98.7 The Cove.

See the full sample ballot below for your County.

 

Camden County:

Camden County Sample Ballot 04062021

Miller County:

Miller County Sample Ballot 04062021

Morgan County:

Morgan County Sample Ballot 04062021

Benton County:

Benton County Sample Ballot 04062021

 

Election Day Is This Tuesday – KRMS Will Have Live Updates

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Election day is this Tuesday across the Lake of the Ozarks.

Numerous races will be decided, including Mayor of Lake Ozark, Camdenton and Versailles, as well as Alderman in those cities and the city of Eldon.

There are several School Board races being decided as well, including Camdenton and Warsaw.

KRMS will provide live updates 3 times an hour starting at 7PM until 9PM.

You can learn more about some of the candidates by watching the candidate forum below.

Governor Parson Says No Vaccine Passports For Missouri

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Governor Mike Parson says there will be no vaccine passports in Missouri.

“We will never do that mandated. If the private sector wishes to do that, I’m fine with that, but as far as the state goes….we will never mandate it” says Governor Parson at a press briefing in Jeff City.

Some Republican lawmakers in Missouri are expressing concern over the vaccine passports as the Governor tries to convince more people to take the new COVID shots.

Parson says COVID cases around the state remain low “our seven day positivity rate remains steady at 4% and our hospitalizations have dropped below 800 for the first time since early August.”

Governor Parson also says Missouri is lowest in the nation in seven-day P-C-R case rate and eighth lowest in combined P-C-R and antigen case rate.

Race For Camdenton Mayor Coming Down To The Wire

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The race for Mayor of Camdenton will be decided in less than a week.

Current mayor John McNabb talked about why he should deserves another term at a Lake-wide Candidate Forum in Linn Creek.

“In my time as Mayor we’ve issued 291 business licenses. We have raised the average Police Officer’s salary, that person is now making almost $6,500 a year more than when I became Mayor” says McNabb.

He also points to the success of a groundbreaking ceremony for a new, 13-thousand square-foot Veteran’s clinic for Camdenton.

Camdenton Mayoral candidate Matt Gray is running on his commitment to limited government “when people start saying the Government needs to do this, to get business, and I think the Government needs to stay out of business owner’s way. If they want to come, they’ll come.”

Camdenton mayoral candidates Dan Ousley and Steve Eden were also at the forum held at Seven Springs Winery in Linn Creek.

Candidate Kristopher Keeth did not attend.

Masks Are Top Of Mind For Candidates Running For Camdenton School Board

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School board candidates for the Camdenton R-III School District have different points of view as we get closer to Election Day next Tuesday.

At a candidate forum in Linn Creek, the subject of mask-mandates in school and mandatory vaccines came up.

“I do not think masks should be mandatory for our students. I think it should be the option for the family, and I think the fact that we currently still have masks on our children in our schools…when many other districts have already walked it back, and the fact we’re still allowing this right now is appalling” says Candidate Gail Griswold, who also indicates she’s against mandating students take the new COVID-19 vaccine shots.

Paula Brown is another candidate for the Camdenton school board “what we have to do as a school board, we have to decide to keep our students safe…so I’d have to say that we should require masks.”

Candidate Brian Butts believes that decision should follow what the area’s recommendations are “my personal position is that the school should mirror whatever standards are current in the community.”

School board member Laura Davis says the decision to require masks wasn’t really the school board’s to begin with “we did it to just kinda back the teachers and the administrators, so yeah…I think it was a good decision.”

The candidates vying for the school board include Gail Griswold, Paula Brown, Brian Butts, Laura Davis and Diane Peck.

Numerous Candidates Compete For Your Vote In Camdenton R-3 School Board

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The race for Camdenton School Board is heating up just days before the election.

The candidates include Diane Peck, Paula Brown, Laura Davis, Brian Butts and Gale Griswold.

At Wednesday night’s Candidate Forum all 5 debated on what role the State should have in making decisions about our school and it’s district.

Candidate Gail Griswold says she’s upset with how the State handled the COVID 19 reopening “I was pretty disappointed that the State mislead our local community on what they could do to re-open at the beginning of our school year…and I think we have to be a little bit tough, and to challenge them to make sure our kids are getting the best education they can.”

Candidate Brian Butts says the State should focus on setting Academic Goals, but it’s up to the community to solve them “the state should determine where the students should be at when they are done and along their way in their education, and it should be up to the local level and the community to decide how best to do that.”

Candidate Laura Davis says the state is willing to listen to the community, unlike the Federal Government when it comes to academic changes in the system “they have been very much revamped over the past couple of years, when people were concerned with maybe too much of the Federal Government weighing in on that. I guess that’s one good example of how the State actually reached out to local people and we got a weigh-in from this community, so that’s really exciting.”

You can watch the full forum on our website by clicking on the candidate forum section.

Two Out Of Three Candidates For Lake Ozark Mayor Fail To Attend Final Debate

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Two of the three candidates running for Mayor of Lake Ozark fail to show up for the final mayoral debate ahead of Tuesday’s election.

At last night’s candidate forum in Linn Creek, incumbent Mayor Gerry Murawski was the only one who showed up for the debate, broadcasted live here on KRMS.

“The biggest challenge TODAY is the election on Tuesday. And I mean that honestly, that’s normally not would I say…But…I think this election may be the most important election that the city of Lake Ozark has had in it’s history” says Murawski.

Invitations were sent to both former Mayor Johnnie Franzeskos and write-in candidate Dennis Newberry.

Murawski says one of the reasons this election is critical, is the potential to finally re-develop the Lake Ozark Strip, something he says his team is close to completing “you know that sounds like pie in the sky, and I know that everybody has talked about that since 2005. But, I can guarantee that we’re closer to that than we’ve been since, well 2006. Just imagine Branson on steroids…and that’s all I can say about that.”

You can watch the full video of the candidate forum on KRMS TV, as well as our Facebook page or our KRMS Radio and TV YouTube channel.

KRMS TV Candidate Forum Starts Wednesday Night At 5PM

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A Lake-wide Candidates Forum is happening tonight at Seven Springs winery in Linn Creek starting at 5 pm.

News / Talk KRMS will be hosting the event with Professor Jim Pasley and Christian Blood moderating the event.

The race for Mayor in Lake Ozark, Camdenton and Versailles will be covered, several alderman positions, as well as the school board in the Camdenton R-III School District.

The forum will be broadcast live on News / Talk KRMS on AM 1150, FM 97.5 and 103.3, streaming online and on the KRMS APP, as well as KRMS TV.

Election day is next Tuesday.

Lake Wide Candidate Forum Will Be Live On KRMS At Seven Springs Winery Wednesday

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A lake-wide candidates forum is happening Wednesday night in the Lake Area, and News / Talk KRMS is hosting the event.

Candidates for the April 6th city and school board elections will be at Seven Springs Winery in Linn Creek starting at 5 pm.

You can hear the forum on the radio at 1150 AM / 103.3 FM / or 97.5 FM, or by downloading the KRMS Radio app from the app store.

KRMS TV will be streaming live video at http://krmsradio.com.

The public is invited to attend.

Fort Leonard Wood Soldiers Address Violent Extremism In New Training From Department Of Defense

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Col. Jeff Paine, Fort Leonard Wood Garrison commander, addresses garrison Soldiers and civilians on policies regarding extremism March 17 at Lincoln Hall Auditorium. Units here — in line with a Department of Defense initiative announced in February by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin — are ensuring every Soldier and Army civilian has an understanding of their roles in eliminating extremism from the military. (Photo by Dawn Arden)

 

Soldiers at Fort Leonard Wood are getting trained in the fight against Extremism.

Officials say all this Month trainings have focused on helping Soldiers identify what extremism is, and how to object or report individuals involved in those activities.

One of the trainings specifically focuses on social media and how to identify troubling posts.

It’s all part of the Department of Defense’s new strategy in tackling extremism’s.

 

***Press Release***

Fort Leonard Wood units stand-down to address violent extremism

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (March 26, 2021) — Fort Leonard Wood service members and civilians are getting training on their roles regarding the elimination of extremism from the Department of Defense, in line with an initiative announced in February by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

“There is not a single doubt in my mind that you take seriously your oath to the Constitution; and that you serve this country with honor, dignity and character; and that you believe in, and uphold, our core values each and every day,” Austin said in a video played at the beginning of each training session. “We need your help. I’m talking, of course, about extremism and extremist ideology — views and conduct that run counter to everything that we believe in, and which can actually tear at the fabric of who we are as an institution.”

Stand-down briefings taking place in person and virtually through March 31 here are meant to remind every service member and employee of their duty to reject and report participation in extremist organizations and activities, including those that advocate — among other things — racial intolerance or discrimination; use of force to deprive individuals of their constitutional rights; and advocating or teaching the overthrow of the U.S. government.

Army Training and Doctrine Command senior leaders and staff facilitated a discussion March 10 on the Army Profession with command teams and leaders.

Maj. Gen. James Bonner, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, attended TRADOC’s session and stressed its importance.

“Along with our headquarters, we are re-training the entire team — military and civilian — in the values we have always held,” Bonner said. “DoD places the highest importance on treating every person with dignity and respect, in an inclusive environment, free from discrimination and extremism. Service members and civilians alike must report and reject any part of these activities. We are part of the world’s greatest profession and must hold ourselves to the highest standards of character and conduct.”

In a virtual briefing Tuesday, Col. Jeff Paine, Fort Leonard Wood Garrison commander, said it’s important for service members and employees at all levels to “be trained and educated on appropriate actions when we see indicators of extremism.”

Paine said prohibited actions in support of extremist organizations or activities include, but are not limited to, participating in a public demonstration or rally; attending a meeting or activity with knowledge that it involves an extremist cause; fundraising; and recruiting, training or organizing members of extremist organizations.

In addition to explaining policies, the briefings also included vignettes of on- and off-duty situations meant to spur discussion. Cyber activities, such as posting, liking and sharing ideas and information on social media, were also addressed in the briefings.

Paine said personnel are responsible for the content they publish on all personal and public internet domains, and participation in internet sites sponsored by extremist organizations and activities is inconsistent with the responsibilities of military service. Army personnel are urged to speak up if they notice any violations and self report if involved in extremist activities, intentionally or not.

An uptick in peaceful and legal domestic protests and demonstrations over the past several years has “provided opportunities and emboldened violent extremist groups to take a more aggressive approach in their actions,” Paine said.

“These groups are known to actively target current and former military personnel,” he added. “Based on the oath that we took and based on what we signed up to defend, even one (extremist in the DoD) is too many if it’s something that prevents us from doing our job of protecting our nation.”

Personnel should report threats, extremist behavioral indicators and other counterintelligence matters to their chain of command, law enforcement or through Army programs such as iSalute. Visit https://www.inscom.army.mil/isalute or call 1.800.225.5779 to make a report.

Letter Sent To EPA From MO Republicans Asks Them To “Re-Think” Their Impaired Waterway Designations

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The battle over an EPA designation for the Lake of the Ozarks and Truman lake continues.

A number of Republican representatives, including Blaine Luektemeyer, are asking the EPA to rethink their recommendation to add both bodies of water to their “impaired waterways” designation.

In a letter sent to the EPA, Luektemeyer states that the designation is being done with “Old and unverified data” and the incorrect information could cost Lake of the Ozarks over $1 Billion dollars in revenue.

He’s calling for the EPA to update their data and work with the Department of Natural Resources before making a final decision on the waterways.

Ameren officials have told the KRMS Morning Magazine that the issue at hand is rich nutrient levels that affect the fish population, which was measured shortly after flooding had occurred, causing the levels to be higher than usual.

 

***Press Release***

 

Luetkemeyer Leads Letter to EPA Regarding Misinformed Missouri Water Listing

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) led a letter signed by the Missouri Republican Congressional delegation to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the agency to reconsider its decision to list over forty bodies of water as “impaired,” including Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Reservoir.

“Unfortunately, the EPA used old and unverified data and failed to work with Missouri officials prior to making this decision, and we are working with them to get this corrected. Not only was this listing misinformed, but it could potentially cost our communities $1.7 billion in local revenue at a time when our economy is still recovering and small businesses are working to get back on their feet. The EPA must evaluate the updated data and work with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and local leaders to get a more accurate assessment of the situation.”

Read the full letter below:

epa_missouri_2020_303dlist_decision

Bill To Limit Local Health Department Powers During Pandemics Fails In Missouri

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Some law makers in the state capitol want to put checks on the powers some local health officials have during a pandemic.

A bill that would have done that failed Wednesday night when State Senators voted 19-11 to defeat the bill.

A number of Republicans joined the Democrat minority in voting against the bill.

Senator Dave Shatz is on record saying he thinks a compromise is still possible.

Bill To Extend PPP Introduced By Lake REP Blaine Luetkemeyer Heads To President Biden’s Desk

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A bipartisan extension of the Paycheck Protection Program was passed in the Senate on Thursday and is heading to President Biden’s desk to be signed.

The bill introduced by Lake Area Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer and three other members of congress, passed the house on Tuesday.

It provides an extension until May 31st for the existing Paycheck Protection Program which targets relief for small business owners across the country.

 

***Press Release***

 

Luetkemeyer’s Bipartisan Bill to Extend the PPP Deadline Passes the Senate

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate passed the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Extension Act of 2021, sending it to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. This bill was originally introduced by House Committee on Small Business Ranking Member Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39), and Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07) and passed the House with bipartisan support last Tuesday. This critical legislation provides a commonsense extension to the Paycheck Protection Program and targeted relief for small businesses across the country who need it most.

 

The Paycheck Protection Program is set to expire on March 31, 2021. The bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act of 2021 extends that deadline by two months and provides an additional 30 days for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to process loans submitted prior to the new May 31, 2021 deadline.

 

“As jobless claims fall to their lowest since the beginning of the pandemic and unemployment claims dip substantially, it is clear that all states must safely reopen their economies,” said Ranking Member Luetkemeyer. “The PPP Extension Act provides small businesses who need it most with targeted assistance in order to open their doors and give their employees a paycheck once again.”

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt Announces Run For Senate Seat Held By Roy Blunt In 2022

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There may be a front-runner to replace Republican Missouri U-S Senator Roy Blunt next year.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced Wednesday he’ll be running for the U-S Senate in 2022 and the announcement comes after Blunt decided not to run for re-election.

“I am proud to announce that I am running for U.S. Senate, where I will continue the fight to preserve the conservative policies championed by President Trump that built the strongest economy in American history” said Schmitt via Twitter.

Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens has also announced he’ll run for the U-S Senate seat held by Blunt for the last ten years.

Other high-profile Republicans, like Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, have bowed out of the race.

Lake Ozark To Amend Ordinance Banning Pedestrian Vehicles On Bagnell Dam BLVD Sidewalks

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black segways parked beside gray wall

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

The City of Lake Ozark has an ordinance in place right now that restricts the use of bicycles, skate boards and scooters on sidewalks on Bagnell Dam Boulevard.

But more pedestrian vehicles might soon be added to the list.

“We realized that a few different types of vehicles have emerged in the last few years that are not addressed in the original ordinance, such as Hoverboards and Segways, which are becoming more popular. So we just wanted to freshen up and modernize this existing ordinance” says Harrison Fry, the Community Development Director in Lake Ozark.

He tells KRMS News the expanded ordinance is there to keep people of all ages safe when lots of people are lining up on The Strip.

Residential streets are not included in the ordinance on pedestrian vehicles in the city.

 

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***PRESS RELEASE***

The City of Lake Ozark has taken yet another step to help ensure the safety of visitors and residents along Bagnell Dam Blvd.

The board of aldermen approved first reading of an amended ordinance that prohibits the use of any motorized or non-motorized pedestrian vehicles in a commercially zoned district including, but not limited to, bicycles, skateboards, scooters, Segways and hoverboards. Second reading is expected at the next regular board meeting April 13.

The city installed hand sanitizing stations in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared as another safety measure for residents and visitors.

The primary focus of the ordinance is The Strip, which has seen an increase in the use of the small, motorized pedestrian vehicles as the area becomes more and more popular. Residential streets are not included in the new restrictions.

“The Strip is a very busy place and we don’t allow skateboards currently,” City Administrator Dave Van Dee explained. “We were recently asked about hoverboards and we thought for safety reasons we needed to address the trend and expand our ordinance and include the other types of motorized vehicles.”

Police Chief Gary Launderville said he found that several cities have similar ordinances in place to help protect the safety of not only pedestrians but also riders. He noted that there have been incidences where one or more individuals have been seen riding hoverboards after dark, which poses additional safety issues.

Van Dee said signs will be erected to inform the public once the ordinance is approved next month. Signs are currently in place prohibiting skateboards.

The ordinance excludes medically prescribed motorized pedestrian devices needed for a person to navigate the streets.

Missouri Senators Are Looking To Permanently Extend To-Go Alcohol Sales

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Missouri Senators are giving first round approval to a bill that would extend the temporary rule on to-go alcohol sales statewide.

Monday afternoon and evening saw time spent on Senate Bill 283.

Sponsor, Senator Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg, says this measure seeks to modify provisions relating to liquor sales “This bill seeks to just permanently extend the drinks to-go order that was issued by the Governor.”

Some rules regarding alcohol sales in Missouri were changed after COVID-19 safeguards began and carryout became more the rule than the exception.

During discussion, Senator Barbara Anne Washington of Kansas City joins other senators in asking for more information about this legislation “and I’m not saying this couldn’t be a good thing….it could be a good thing, I just think we need the voice of those that are most effect before we can move forward with it.”

Senate Bill 283 now has preliminary Missouri Senate approval. Another “yes” vote would send it to the Missouri House of Representatives for similar consideration.

Kehoe – Ashcroft Not Entering Race For Blunt’s Senate Seat In 2022

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At least two top Missouri Republicans will not be running for the U-S Senate in 2022.

Current Missouri U-S Senator Roy Blunt, a Republican, has announced he will not be running for re-election next year.

But Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe has announced he will not be vying for the Republican nomination for Blunt’s Senate seat so he can focus on running for Governor of Missouri in 2024.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft took his name out of contention for the Senate seat March 10th.

Some GOP members of the U-S House who might be in the mix to replace Blunt include Representatives Jason Smith, Ann Wagner and Billy Long.

Three Democrats will be running for Blunt’s seat in 2022, and they include former State Senator Scott Sifton, activist Jason Kander and U-S Marine veteran Lucas Kunce.

Newberry Enters Race For Lake Ozark Mayor

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Another person is throwing their hat in the ring for Mayor of Lake Ozark.

In a statement, real estate broker Dennis Newberry indicated that he will run after receiving a large amount of support from the community.

Because Newberry was not able to enter before the election deadline, he will be a write-in candidate only.

Newberry is challenging former Mayor Johnny Franzeskos and current Mayor Gerry Murawski.

Missouri Joins Federal Government In Extending Tax Deadlines

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Governor Mike Parson is announcing the Missouri Department of Revenue will extend the state tax filing and payment deadline from April 15 to May 17, 2021.

The extension falls in line with an extension offered by the IRS nationwide.

Filers will also have the ability to extend any payments due to the IRS until May as well.

 

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Governor Parson Announces Individual Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Extended to May 17, 2021

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson announced that the Missouri Department of Revenue is extending the state individual tax filing and payment deadline for the 2020 tax year from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021.

“As our state continues recovering from COVID-19, we understand that many Missourians are still feeling the effects of the past year,” Governor Parson said. “Extending the filing and payment deadline by one month will provide additional relief to Missouri families and tax professionals as they work to meet their obligations during what has already been a challenging tax season.”

This decision mirrors Wednesday’s announcement by the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that individual taxpayers would receive automatic extensions to file and pay federal income tax for the 2020 tax year. The IRS has said it will issue formal guidance in the coming days.

The Department of Revenue will automatically provide this filing and payment relief, so filers do not need to take any action to qualify.

Guidance on extension to file and pay individual income tax:

  • Filing deadline extended: The deadline to file individual income tax returns has been extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021.
  • Payment relief for individuals: The deadline to pay taxes owed on individual income tax returns with a due date of April 15, 2021, has been extended until May 17, 2021.
  • This relief applies to individual taxpayers, including those who pay self-employment tax. However, it does not apply to estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021; that deadline has not changed.
  • Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of May 17, 2021. Individuals that file their return and pay their balance by May 17, 2021, will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the tax paid by May 17.
  • Customers may still ask for an extension of time to file their individual income taxes. With that extension, the return will not be due until October 15, 2021. However, any payments must still be made by May 17, 2021.

Earlier this year, the IRS announced that the nation’s 2021 electronic tax filing season would begin on February 12. On that date, the IRS began accepting and processing e-filed 2020 tax year returns. Since e-filed state returns are first sent to the IRS, the Department also began accepting and processing e-filed returns for the 2020 tax year on February 12.

“With a delayed start and recent tax code changes, this tax season is a particularly complicated one,” said Director of Revenue Ken Zellers. “For Missourians who have yet to file, we strongly encourage you to file electronically and use direct deposit, as it will result in the most accurate return and the fastest refund. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this tax season together, and we stand ready to assist you in any way we can.”

Department of Revenue online services and resources:

  • The Department’s Tax Return Status Tracker allows customers to enroll in automatic text and email alerts that are sent each time the status of their return is updated. Customers need their Social Security number, filing status, and anticipated refund or balance due to enroll and must re-enroll each year.
  • Get answers 24/7 by reviewing the Personal Tax FAQs or with the help of the Department’s chatbot, DORA, a virtual assistant programmed to respond to common taxation, motor vehicle, and driver licensing questions.
  • Email questions to income@dor.mo.gov.

Mo Senator Roy Blunt Worried About Bill Backed By Democrats To Give Feds More Control Over Elections

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One U-S Senator from Missouri is now speaking out against a bill backed by Democrats that he says would give the federal government too much control over elections.

Republican Senator Roy Blunt says his concerns include the expansion of ballot harvesting, which is illegal in some states “That’s a process where one person could collect and submit as many ballots as they can collect and submit. In recent elections, we’ve seen ballot harvesting as a real problem for elections and frankly one of the problems always with ballot harvesting is, maybe a person who knows voters pretty well would collect 20 and put just 18 in the mailbox or just take 18 to the vote count area and the other 2 just “somehow” don’t get there.”

But Blunt decided not to object to the certification of electoral votes after the controversial 2020 Presidential Election in November.

Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley did.

 

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, spoke on the Senate floor today to outline several of the significant problems with the massive, 800-page election legislation, S.1, Senate Democrats have just introduced. Blunt, who previously served as a state and local election official for 20 years, said the bill would impose a one-size-fits-all federal takeover of elections that would make elections more chaotic and less secure. The Rules Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the legislation next week.

 

Following Are Blunt’s Remarks:

 “I want to talk today, Mr. President, about a draft I just received, a bill we’re actually going to have a hearing on next week—S.1, the so-called For the People Act. This bill is a companion act to the Senate version of H.R.1. I actually think it’s even longer than H.R.1, which I would have thought impossible. It’s over 800 pages. I think they’ll be introducing the final version in the next day or so. And that’s a good thing, since we’re supposed to have a hearing on it in the middle of next week. It packs a lot of what I consider bad changes relating to election administration, campaign finance, redistricting, and so much more into those 800 pages. But there’s a lot of space there to pack things in. It’d take a lot more time than I’ve got today to talk about all the things in the bill that I have concerns about.

“But I’d say to start with, this idea that one-size-fits-all, this federal takeover of elections, can’t be in the interest of voters in our country. It would force a single, and I believe a partisan, view of elections and how they should be run in 10,000 different jurisdictions in the country. I don’t know how you do that. I don’t know how you take 10,000 jurisdictions and try, at the Washington, D.C. level, in legislation to determine changes like how they would register voters—every state under this bill would do it exactly the same way, which voting systems they would use, how they’d handle early voting and absentee ballots—no matter how long they’d been doing it one way that worked for voters in their state, and how they maintain their voter lists—whether you go in and verify whether people on the voter list were still there. We used to think that was a critically important protection in the election system, that you knew that the voters that had registered to vote in a jurisdiction actually were still in that jurisdiction. It was actually, in every state, a bragging point of responsible election administration. That would largely go away in this bill.

“This bill would require states to make ballot drop boxes available for 45 days prior to the federal election. Those are boxes that even designates the locations and tells the local jurisdiction how they need to handle those ballots as they come out of the boxes and would be processed. Remember, these would be not mailboxes. They would be ballot drop boxes all over the jurisdiction if you could find one.

“It would mandate unlimited ballot harvesting. That’s a process where one person could collect and submit as many ballots as they can collect and submit. You know, in recent elections, we’ve seen ballot harvesting as a real problem in these elections. Not only does one person have your ballot and get that ballot to where it should be, frankly, and one of the problems always with ballot harvesting is maybe a person who knows voters pretty well would collect 20 and put 18 in the mailbox or take 18 to the vote counting area, and the other two just somehow don’t get there. Unlimited ballot harvesting, prohibited in many states, and in fact in recent years, the Democrat House of Representatives failed to seat an elected representative in North Carolina because that person had used ballot harvesting.

“The bill would require states to allow felons to vote in federal elections. If you didn’t like that, in this case, you can have two sets of voter registration—one for federal elections and one for all other elections. And by the way, if you did that, you’d also have to have two different sets of ballots for an election day that had both local and state and federal issues on the ballot. And this bill would require, Mr. President, that all of these changes be made quickly.

“Even jurisdictions that recently have changed their processes and spent a lot of time talking to people about those changes over maybe two years or four years would suddenly be told, ‘no, you have to change them one more time.’ And maybe it’s a day here, a day there, but that makes a big difference if you’ve already got in your mind how far before an election you have to register to vote or transfer your address or things that election administrators work on all the time.

“You know, my first elected job was as the county clerk in Greene County, Springfield, Missouri, where I was the chief election authority. We had a county with about 180,000 people in it and lots of registered voters. But you had to take that very seriously. Later, I was the chief election authority in our state for eight years as the Secretary of State. And I know how much planning goes into the elections. I know how seriously local officials take it. I also know how difficult it could be if every change you made had to be cleared some way with somebody in Washington, D.C. You know, states can often take years to transition to a new ballot system or transition to a new way they do things. They also can do it very quickly if they need to, and we saw that happen in a number of states last year. I think this bill, if it did pass, really doesn’t allow the time you need for planning.

“The diversity of our election system is one of the great strengths of our system. There’s bipartisan agreement on that. I’ve quoted President Obama on this before. But he said in 2016, ‘there is no serious person out there who would suggest somehow that you can even rig America’s elections, in part because they are so decentralized in the numbers of votes involved.’ This bill would undo that decentralized strength. It would undo that local and state responsibility for having laws that voters who vote for you understand you need to apply in the fair and best way you can. The bill would make our system less diverse, less secure.

“Unfortunately, this bill doesn’t just stop at election administration. It takes the campaign finance system and changes it dramatically. You know, when the Federal Election Commission was created in the early 1970s, it was a six member commission. It was to be bipartisan. This turns it into a five member commission, with whoever is the president being able to appoint the third member on one side to always out vote, if they need to, the two members on the other side. There have been many times, obviously, in the history of the Federal Election Commission when the vote has been three to three or two to two, whatever the makeup was at the time. This would do away with that and basically turn the commission from a bipartisan commission into a prosecutorial body where one side always has the majority if they want it. I think voters should and would be very concerned about that. It would allow the chair of the FEC to make key staffing changes. It would allow judges to review cases even when the commission found no violation of the law.

“In addition, the bill would create a system of public financing for political campaigns by matching certain contributions with federal dollars. The match would be six to one. So in the matchable, low dollar—whatever you define that to be—contributions, if you raise $100,000 of those contributions, Mr. President, you’d have $700,000. $600,000 of those dollars could have been used by the federal government for other things rather than to finance politicians in a campaign. Now, I understand why politicians would like that. I’ve raised as much money as most people in this body have raised. And the idea that just the federal government would come in at some point and give me $6 for some percentage of those that I raised might be pretty appealing, but I think it would be wrong.

 

“It takes jurisdiction away from the states in how to draw congressional districts. Now, this is going to be inconvenient if it passes because the Constitution specifically says the state legislatures decide how to draw congressional districts. It doesn’t say the Congress of the United States tells the state legislatures how to draw congressional districts. But this bill would do that. The bill requires redistricting commissions. It dictates who would serve on the commissions. It sets the criteria and the procedures for how you draw the maps. It lays out how the commissions have to take public input. And if that wasn’t bad enough, it doesn’t stop there. It even determines which courts act on all redistricting cases.

“And this would be a dramatic change where again, you have a one-size-fits-all system in a country that clearly is not a one-size-fits-all country. Since very few states currently have commissions like that, it would set a lot of deadlines that we don’t currently have. Districts drawn using 2020 census data would all but be guaranteed to be drawn by federal courts just because of the time that this bill sets out. … We’ve never thought that power belonged in Washington, D.C. before, but this bill does.

 

“It’s an unprecedented power grab by the federal government at the expense of the states. I think it’s a transparent attempt to stack the elections in favor of one party. Election law should not be about a single party. If this bill were to pass, it would do nothing, in my view, to bolster public confidence in elections. In fact, I suspect most election officials around the country would begin to say, ‘I’d like to be able to do something about that problem, but we’ll have to clear that with Washington, D.C. first.’ I think the divisions in the country would be worse, not better.

“Successful election laws are passed on a bipartisan basis. We did that with the Help America Vote Act after 2000. We provided assistance and some direction with finances, but we didn’t change a single state law after 2016. We left that up to the states.

“We created bipartisan impact when we did that. We should continue to put the strength and the security of the country’s elections before party. We should continue to oppose the efforts of a single party to make sweeping partisan changes in our election system. …

 

“I encourage my colleagues to look carefully at S.1, and I think if you do, a majority in the Senate will not support this bill.”

Versailles Continues To Work Towards Biking And Pedestrian Crosswalk Improvements

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person riding bicycle near grass in sunset

Photo by Jay Kudva on Unsplash

Biking in the city of Versailles is about to get safer.

City officials are continuing to work on a plan to upgrade numerous bike and pedestrian crossings across the city.

Some concerns have been raised by MODOT over curb drainage issues for these locations, and that could require the city to increase the project budget from $329,000 to $347,000 in order to make the necessary adjustments…making it $18,000 over budget.

City Mayor Terry Silvey indicated to the board of alderman that the bids would likely go out soon and it’s still possible that a contractor could come in under the increased estimate.

In addition to these repairs, the city is still hoping for the possibility of the new Rock Island Trail, which is still in limbo with the State over taking control of the former Ameren owned railway from Kansas City to St. Louis that travels through Versailles as well as Eldon.

Sales Tax Revenue Is Up For The City Of Camdenton

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Sales tax revenue continues to climb for the city of Camdenton…

“This month, year to date, we were up 30%…30.85…over last year same month and year to date we are now up 19.06%” says city clerk Rene Kingston.

At the previous Board of Alderman meeting, she indicated that the 30% equals out to more than $39,000 dollars over March of 2020.

The city is anticipating that sales tax revenues will continue to remain high as another season of record-breaking tourism is expected for the region.

Real Estate sales are also continuing to break records, with some homes bringing in 3 to 5 times their value over 2019.

Homes on the market continue to remain in short supply and realtors indicate that even vacant lots are selling higher than usual.

You can watch the full meeting on the Camdenton City Facebook page.

 

Lake Chamber Announces Paige Jones As New Director

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The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is announcing a new director.

Paige Jones will be replacing KC Cloke on March 19th and she’s been with the Chamber for two years.

But Paige also comes with 23 years of experience in Hospitality and Event Sales Management.

Cloke is set become the new director at the Camdenton Chamber of Commerce.

 

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Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Announces New Executive Director

LAKE OZARK, MO. — The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Mrs. Paige Jones as the new Executive Director of the chamber.   Jones, a longtime resident of the Lake area, has over 23 years in Hospitality and Event Sales and Management experience and has served on several non-profit organizations/Board of Directors including Missouri Travel Alliance and the Society of Government Meeting Professionals.

“Paige and her husband Jasen live in Kaiser with their two children whom are currently attending School of the Osage. Paige began visiting the Lake when her Grandmother retired here in 1975 from Jefferson City. She speaks to the one stoplight town and the growth of the area we know as the Lake Area today. Paige has been a permanent resident of the Lake since 1995 and is very knowledgeable with both the Lake area and business community.  She is going to be a great fit for our chamber, our members and the community we all love”, noted Angie Schuster, President of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

Paige has been with the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for two years and has been engaged with our Members, Visitors, and the Events our Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosts. We look forward to supporting Paige as she assumes the role of Executive Director on March 19, 2021.

The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to improve the economic and community prosperity in the Lake of the Ozarks area by providing services to and advocating for businesses.

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Governor Parson, LT Governor Kehoe, Among Others To Be At Eldon Eggs And Issues Friday

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The 20th annual Eggs and Issues Breakfast is happening Friday in Eldon, and several familiar faces are going to be there.

“We’re very excited to announce this year that Governor Mike Parson, along with Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe will be here, along with Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer, State Senator Mike Bernskoetter, State Representatives Rudy Veit, Aaron Hailey and Lisa Thomas, along with Eldon Mayor Trevor Vernon and Miller County Presiding Commissioner Tom Wright” says Mary Oberreither, Executive Director at the Eldon Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is our 20th year hosting this event and we are excited to have so many in attendance.”

Each year, the Eldon Eggs and Issues event invites elected officials to talk about issues that affect people in Missouri.

For ticket information you can contact the Eldon Area Chamber of Commerce.

Senator Roy Blunt Says He Will Not Seek Re-election Next Year

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Republican U-S Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri will not be a candidate for re-election next year.
“I wanna thank my family, the great team that came together to help me to work for you. Most importantly, thanks to Missourians, whether you voted for me or not, for the opportunity to work for you and a better future for our state and our country.”
Senator Roy Blunt says he might not have been right on every vote he made, but he also says he voted based on the information he had at the time.
Blunt says his focus now is to finish strong as he finishes his last term in the U-S Senate.

Transcript:

“My mom and dad used to milk cows in this dairy barn. It’s a long way from here to the United States Capitol, but the things I learned here continue to shape how I work for our country and for our state.

“One of the main lessons was to always finish the work that could get done that day. You also understood that you had to use the tools and resources you had, not the ones that you wished you had.

“That practical sense of getting the job done, combined with great staff and good legislative partners from both sides, has advanced health research on cancer and Alzheimer’s — and on diseases you may only know about if someone in your family has it.

“It’s made mental health more likely to be treated like all other health.

“It’s strengthened how we gather intelligence on our adversaries and focused on national defense as the number one priority of the federal government.

“That focus on getting the job done has also helped me understand what it takes to help create an environment of opportunity.

“I’ve worked for things that can produce a better prepared workforce. And where we live — when you combine that with transportation systems that work, utility bills families can pay, and no more government regulations than we have to have — good, family-supporting jobs follow.

“In every job Missourians have allowed me to have, I’ve tried to do my best. In almost 12,000 votes in the Congress, I’m sure I wasn’t right every time, but you really make that decision based on the information you have at the time.

“After 14 General Election victories — three to county office, seven to the United States House of Representatives, and four statewide elections — I won’t be a candidate for reelection to the United States Senate next year.

“I want to thank my family and thank the great team that came together to help me work for you.

“Most importantly, thanks to Missourians, whether you voted for me or not, for the opportunity to work for you and a better future for our state and our country.

“There is still a lot to do, and I look forward to every day this year and next year as I continue to work for you in the Senate.

“Another lesson I learned here: FINISH STRONG, and I intend to.

“Thanks for giving me the chance to work for you.”

Miller County Votes To Approve 2nd Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance

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Another Lake Area county is serving notice the Second Amendment will be protected.

Now Miller County’s making the same statement made earlier this year by Camden and Benton Counties.

“It’s good when multiple counties start doing this. It sorta gets the word to Jefferson City that it’s something the whole state wants, not just us” says County Clerk Clinton Jenkins.

He tells KRMS News the Gun Sanctuary topic is nothing new for Miller County.

“We actually started the ball about a year ago. We were actually wanted to be the first county, but we just don’t have the resources that Camden County did.”

Jenkins says the proposal is not intended to create an expansion of gun laws, but to protect gun ownership rights that already exist.

The proposal was passed unanimously by Commissioners Tom Wright, Don Abbett and Travis Lawson.

More than 25 area residents were attendance for the vote.

Camdenton BOA Give Green Light To Covered Parking Project

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The Camdenton Board of Alderman are giving the nod to construct a covered parking area at City Hall’s police facility.

Construction of the project will start in May and the cover is designed to protect the police vehicles from the elements, allowing them to last longer.

It will also protect 3 city owned vehicles.

The cost to build the project was originally thought to be near $70,000, but the new design by Hostetler Sales and Construction has brought the cost down to just $32,000.

Camdenton Board Of Alderman Reschedule Tuesday Night Meeting

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The Camdenton Board of Alderman meeting scheduled for this Tuesday the 16th has been cancelled due to the ongoing weather conditions.

Officials say the next board meeting will be held on March 2, 2021 at 6:00 PM.

That meeting will be open to the public, as well as streamed live on Facebook, and the agenda is up on the city’s website.

Senators Josh Hawley & Roy Blunt Vote To Acquit President Donald Trump

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Missouri U-S Senators Josh Hawley and Roy Blunt vote to acquit President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial.

In a statement, Blunt said he thinks the impeachment process is to remove a President from office, but not to punish him afterwards.

The vote total was 57-43 in favor of impeachment, but a two-thirds majority, or 67 votes, were required.

 

Sen . Blunt released the following statement after voting against the conviction of Trump:

“I said before this trial started that I believe the constitutional purpose for presidential impeachment is to remove a president from office, not to punish a person after they have left office. None of the arguments presented changed my view that this was an unconstitutional proceeding. Impeachment is not a tool that should be used to settle political scores against a private citizen.”

Luetkemeyer Co-Leads Letter To SBA Over Misuse Of PPP Funds To Abortion Clinics

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Lake Area Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer is co-leading a letter urging the Small Business Administration to prevent misuse of PPP funds.

The letter asks the SBA to provide information regarding the PPP loans given to ineligible abortion organizations.

It also asks the SBA how they plan to get the money back and prevent this from happening in the future.

 

Luetkemeyer Co-Leads Letter Urging SBA to Prevent Misuse of PPP Funds

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) co-led a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) requesting information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that were given to ineligible abortion providing organizations and to inquire about how SBA plans to prevent them from receiving loans from the second round of PPP. Excerpts and the link to the full letter can be found below.

 

“These organizations applied for and received about $80 million in funding meant for small and struggling businesses… In the interest of protecting American businesses and American tax dollars, we write to ask what the SBA will do to get PPP funds back from PPFA and other abortion providers and what measures the SBA is taking to deny PPP funding to these ineligible businesses. We look forward to your response.”

 

Link to the full letter can be found HERE.

Camden County Prosecuting Attorney Named Associate Circuit Judge For 26th Circuit

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A Camdenton resident is being appointed to a high position in the Show Me State.

Governor Parson appointed Heather Miller as Associate Circuit Judge for the 26th Judicial Circuit.

She will fill the Associate Circuit Judge vacancy created by the election of the Honorable Aaron Koeppen to Circuit Judge.

Miller has been serving as the Camden County Prosecuting Attorney.

 

Governor Parson Appoints Heather Miller as Associate Circuit Judge for 26th Judicial Circuit

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed Heather Miller as Associate Circuit Judge for the 26th Judicial Circuit. She will fill the Associate Circuit Judge vacancy created by the election of the Honorable Aaron Koeppen to Circuit Judge.

Ms. Miller, of Camdenton, currently serves as the Camden County Prosecuting Attorney. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Alaska and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law.

Lake Ozark Alderman Larry Giampa Speaks About Term Limits

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Voters in Lake Ozark will decide between 2-year terms and 4-year terms for elected officials on April 6th.

“Right now we’re proposing Alderman and Mayor. It should be that way so they’re working hand and hand, and they’re better off if they’re not changing every minute.”

Alderman Larry Giampa tells KRMS News four-year terms give an elected official three years to get established before the final year is spent campaigning for re-election.

“When it’s two years, you’re working your butt off for the first year and then you’re looking over your shoulder again. Let us do our job!”

Giampa says he served four-year terms as an elected official for 25 years in Glendale Heights, Illinois before coming to the Lake Area.

Police Body Cameras And Two Proclamations Are On Tap For Tuesday’s Camdenton BOA Meeting

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The Camdenton Board of Aldermen will meet tonight (Tuesday.)

Items on the agenda include a resolution establishing specific requirements for Police Officers to follow when using their body cameras.

The Mayor will also be issuing two proclamations; one for Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and another in support of the Ronald McDonald House Share a Heart Campaign.

That establishes February 8th through the 14th as Ronald McDonald House Week.

The meeting starts at 6PM at City hall; it is open to the public and it will be livestreamed to Facebook.

 

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Miller County Follows Camden County In Becoming A “Constitutional Preservation County”

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Miller county is following in the footsteps of Camden County by declaring themselves a “Constitutional Preservation County” in Missouri.

A resolution was passed by County Commissioners that states that Miller County “declares its support for the Constitution” and that the county “Supports and respects the First and Second Amendment rights” offered by the Constitution.

Commissioners say at this time the resolution is simply a statement, but officials are working on additional legislation for stronger ordinances soon.

The Constitutional Preservation County resolution passed by a vote of 3-0.

 

Luetkemeyer Reintroduces Legislation Against The Sale Of Infant Body Parts

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Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer is re-introducing legislation that targets trafficking of infant body parts for profit.

The Protecting Life and Integrity In Research Act prohibits the Secretary of Health And Human Services, who authorizes the National Institutes of Health research programs, from conducting or supporting research using human fetal tissue obtained from an induced abortion.

Luetkemeyer calls the sale of infant body parts “deeply disturbing and absolutely disgraceful” and indicates that this bill “ensures taxpayer monies will never be used for it.”

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) reintroduced the Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act which targets the practice of trafficking infant body parts for profit and ensures taxpayers never have to foot the bill for the endangerment of human life.

“The fact that an organization has profited from the sale of infant body parts is deeply disturbing and absolutely disgraceful. As a member of Congress, it is my responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us and be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars,” said Congressman Luetkemeyer. “My bill ensures taxpayer funded research will never be used for the horrific practice of trafficking infant body parts for profit and the endangerment of human life.”

 

Background:

This bill will prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who authorizes National Institutes of Health research, from conducting or supporting any research involving human fetal tissue that is obtained pursuant to an induced abortion. This prohibition will not prevent research on stillbirth and miscarriage tissue.

The United States has a long history of unethical experiments in the name of medical research involving human test subjects, aborted but still-living ex-utero infants, and more recently aborted fetal body parts commonly referred to as fetal tissue. These practices are highly unethical and quite often paid for with taxpayer funds. Planned Parenthood officials have admittedly changed abortion procedures to procure intact fetal baby parts for sale. These aborted baby parts are then purchased by tissue procurement business and sold “on demand” to researchers, some of which are federally funded. This disturbing business model has allowed abortion providers to profit from federally funded research.

Pro-Life groups supporting the legislation are the Susan B. Anthony List, March for Life Action, Family Research Council, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Eagle Forum, Heritage Action, Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.

Benton County Looks To Camden County As A Template For Freedoms

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The Benton County Commission is eying legislation passed in Camden County as to how to protect 2nd Amendment rights in the county.

According to the Benton County Enterprise, Commissioners heard from residents involved with the Benton County Republican Women’s group about what Camden County’s ordinance means for the Lake area.

The report indicates that Commissioner Larry Berry’s wife, Peggy Berry, along with BCRW Vice President Martha Foster have been speaking with officials and media in Cole Camp, Lincoln and Windsor as well as Sheriff Eric Knox about the Second Amendment Preservation Act passed last week by Camden County.

Benton Commissioners indicated that they would investigate further and are reaching out to the town attorney for more input on the matter.

Camden Commission Changes Meeting On Thursday To 1PM – Adds New Agenda Items

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The Camden County Commission is changing the time of Thursday’s meeting from 11 am to 1pm.

Items on the agenda have expanded to include a ‘Reassertion Ordinance and also a Modification of the HepA Ordinance.

A Sheriff Grant is also listed on the agenda,.

The meeting is inside the old courthouse and it is open to the public.

AGENDA(16)

Osage Beach Election Filings Completed – No Challengers

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Municipal Election Day in the Lake Area is April 6th, and candidates in Osage Beach are identified.

Incumbents Aldermen Bob O’Steen, Tyler Becker and Richard Ross are running for re-election.

The deadline for candidate filing has passed and you’ll be able to vote at one of two locations depending on the county you live in.

In Camden County it’ll be Church of Osage Hills on Osage Beach Parkway.

In Miller County, votes for Ward I will be taken at Faithbridge United Methodist Church on Hwy 42.

Hawley Strikes Back At DEMS Ethics Investigation

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Missouri Senator Josh Hawley is striking back at those who are seeking an ethics investigation into his objection to the Electoral College results.

Hawley is filing a counter-complaint against seven Senate Democrats involved in this ethics investigation.

Last week Democrats asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate actions by Hawley and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, to “fully understand their role” in the so-called insurrection at the Capitol by supporters of then President Donald Trump.

Hawley says this action is an “Historic abuse of the Senate ethics process” and he wants the committee to take any disciplinary action deemed appropriate.

Inspection Of Camden County Offices Completed

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More details are expected soon after an inspection on the new Camden County Commission office building.

      NEWS-01-21-2021 BUILDING INSPECTION 1 - 21st January 2021

Camdenton City Administrator Jeff Hooker tells KRMS News the inspection happened Tuesday morning.

      NEWS-01-21-2021 BUILDING INSPECTION 2 - 21st January 2021

Hooker says when the report is finished he’ll make sure Commissioners Greg Hasty, Don Williams and James Gohagan have each had time to review it before releasing details publicly.

Photos inside the building later posted online triggered comments from some people in the Lake Area via social media.

A confrontation between Gohagan and several county maintenance workers followed.

Two of those workers are facing charges.

SKM_458e21012201350

Laclede County Public Administrator Resigns After 20 Days On The Job

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Laclede County is on the hunt for a new Public Administrator, that after newly sworn-in Administrator Zane McCaslin resigns abruptly.

Officials say McCaslin had only been on the job since January 1st and submitted a letter of resignation that was deemed “Confidential” citing health issues.

An emergency meeting was held on Tuesday to determine how to fill the vacancy.

McCaslin was elected to the position in August.

Lake Ozark Residents Will Get To Vote On 2 or 4 Year Terms

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Right now, mayors and aldermen in Lake Ozark serve two-year terms, but that could change in April when voters decide on extending those terms to four years.

      NEWS-01-20-2021 LO TERMS 2 - 20th January 2021

But Mayor Gerry Murawski tells KRMS News two years might not be enough time, especially for new Aldermen.

      NEWS-01-20-2021 LO TERMS 3 - 20th January 2021

Murawski has filed to run again for Mayor and municipal elections will be happening in August.

New Camden County Ordinance Protects 2nd Amendment Rights

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black and silver semi automatic pistol

Photo by steve woods on Unsplash

Camden County Commissioners have passed an ordinance they say will protect the Second Amendment to the US Constitution.

      NEWS-01-20-2021 GUN SANCTUARY 3 - 20th January 2021

First District Commissioner James Gohagan.

He tells KRMS News the ordinance was passed due to local concerns about possible overreach at the Federal level over the right to bear arms.

Gohagan also says the Commission’s seeking more input on another resolution that would bring other protections.

      NEWS-01-20-2021 GUN SANCTUARY 4 - 20th January 2021

Gohagan says more discussions will be happening Thursday, we’ll keep you caught up with the details here on KRMS.

 

ORDINANCE SAPA/SECOND AMENDEMNT/GUN SANCTUARY

 

All federal acts, laws, orders, rules, and regulations, whether past, present, or future, which infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution shall be invalid in this county, shall not be recognized by this county, are specifically rejected by this county, and shall be considered null and void and of no effect in this county.

            (2) Such federal acts, laws, orders, rules, and regulations include, but are not limited to:

            (a) The provisions of the federal Gun Control Act of 1934;

            (b) The provisions of the federal Gun Control Act of 1968;

            (c) Any tax, levy, fee, or stamp imposed on firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition not common to all other goods and services which could have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;

            (d) Any registering or tracking of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition which could have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;

            (e) Any registering or tracking of the owners of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition which could have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;

            (f) Any act forbidding the possession, ownership, or use or transfer of any type of firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition by law-abiding citizens;

            (g) Any act ordering the confiscation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition from law-abiding citizens

Camdenton Mayor McNabb To Face 4 New Challengers

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Mayor McNabb presents certificate to Tish Sims

There are now numerous people signed up to run for Mayor in the city of Camdenton.

According to the city clerk, Mayor John McNabb will face challengers Daniel Ousley, Steve Eden, Matt Grey and Kristopher Keeth.

At this time all 3 Alderman’s up for re-election face no challengers, nor does the position for the Special Road District “R” seat.

 

MAYOR – Two Year Term

*John D. McNabb

Daniel Ousley

Steve Eden

Matt Gray

Kristopher Keeth

 

ALDERMAN WARD I – Two Year Term

*Eric Faes

 

ALDERMAN WARD II – Two Year Term

*Brenda Weir

 

ALDERMAN WARD III – Two Year Term

*Mark B. Anderson

 

SPECIAL ROAD DISTRICT “R” – Three Year Term

*William O Jeffries

 

*Indicates incumbent

Camdenton Board Of Alderman To Meet Tuesday Night

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The Camdenton board of alderman are set to meet tonight (Tuesday) for their regular session.

Items on their agenda include accepting a deed for a Habitat for Humanity property on Hidden Creek, A lease agreement, numerous reports and a closed session at the end of the meeting.

It starts at 6PM at city hall and it will be open to the public as well as live streamed on Facebook.

Camden County Commissioners To Debate “Sanctuaries” For The Lake Area

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Camdenton County Commissioners might be talking about a proposed ordinance that could prevent the federal government from infringing on several freedoms.

      NEWS-01-19-2021 GUN SANCTUARY 1 - 19th January 2021

First District Commissioner James Gohagan tells KRMS News the goal would be to prevent the Fed from shutting down Camden County.

      NEWS-01-19-2021 GUN SANCTUARY 2 - 19th January 2021

Gohagan says the ordinance was written after mandatory shutdowns around Missouri and the United States in 2020.

The agenda for Tuesday morning’s commission meeting shows the term ‘proposed ordinance’ as part of the discussion.

Other items on the Agenda include a discussion on the Sheriff’s Security systems and bids, HR personnel matters, Tax and Budget Abatements as well as an inspection of the Commission Offices.

The meeting starts at 10AM and is open to the public.

AGENDA(14)

 

City Of Lake Ozark Votes To Extend Elected Official Terms From 2 to 4 Years

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If you live in Lake Ozark, you might be deciding between four-year terms or two-year terms for elected officials.

The Board of Aldermen has voted to amend the city’s ordinance to allow four-year terms and that decision will be finalized by voters in April.

If approved, the change wouldn’t go into effect until the municipal elections in 2022.

For Immediate Release

1/15/2021

Lake Ozark voters will consider when they go to the polls April 6 if the terms of elected officials should be extended to four years.

The board of aldermen recently voted to amend the city’s ordinances to allow for four-year terms rather than the current two-year terms for aldermen and mayor if approved by voters. If voters agree, the change will not take effect until the Municipal Elections in April 2022. It would not affect any of the positions open in the April 6, 2021, election.

The idea was first officially discussed at a board of aldermen workshop last fall. While none of the current elected officials would be affected, the basis for the change is that four-year terms would allow aldermen to gain a better understanding of the complexities of city government.

Alderman Dennis Klautzer has noted several times that it takes two years to understand how city government functions.

Alderman Judy Neels wondered if it would be more difficult to find residents who would want to commit to four years.

“At end of day, let’s face it, it’s the voters that decide,” Alderman Mark Maples noted. Let’s put it out there and let the voters decide.”

There would be no financial impact on the city if approved.

 

Other news

  • Mayor Gerry Murawski noted that Beaver’s at the Dam, closed for about two years, has been sold and should be open by spring. Along with Beaver’s reopening, the Lake Race will be coming back to Lake Ozark and the lake after a one-year absence due to COVID-19. According to the OPA (Offshore Powerboating Association) online schedule, the race will be held June 3-5.
  • Mayor Murawski also noted that he has spearheaded an effort to bring mayors who represent the Lake of the Ozarks together in a coalition to represent the lake as a unified voice.

Names Of Camden County Workers Involved In Gohagan Altercation Released Via Sunshine Request

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We now know the names of two individuals involved in the altercation with Camden County First District Commissioner James Gohagan two weeks ago.

According to a Sunshine Release, county workers Melvin Miller and Dean Duran were suspended with pay, until further investigation.

The two workers were allegedly heard on a viral video saying threatening words towards Mr. Gohagan, as he attempted to enter the commission office buildings to begin his day at work.

      NEWS-01-18-2021 NAMES RELEASED 2 - 18th January 2021

Gohagan says after that, he yanked his hand back and ended up cutting it on the wall.

The argument was apparently over photos taken inside the new office buildings, showing several safety hazards.

That prompted the City of Camdenton to reach out to the Commission, to offer a safety inspection and to remind the Commissioners that they need permits to do any construction.

Now, a special prosecutor has been requested as Mr. Gohagan has decided to press charges.

      NEWS-01-18-2021 NAMES RELEASED 1 - 18th January 2021

Camden County Sheriff Tony Helms says their investigation into the altercation continues and they’re awaiting details on who that special prosecutor will be.

City Of Camdenton Reaches Out To County Commission Over New Offices

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The City Administrator in Camdenton’s reaching out to Camden County Commissioners after complaints from some people about the new Commission Offices.

      NEWS-01-14-2021 CAMDENTON BUILDING 1 - 15th January 2021

City Administrator Jeff Hooker tells KRMS New those letters were given to Commissioners Greg Hasty, Don Williams and James Gohagan.

Hooker says the letter asks the county to let them know if they plan to do any construction on the building that would require a permit within the next several days.

      NEWS-01-14-2021 CAMDENTON BUILDING 2 - 15th January 2021

Hooker says he nobody from the city’s been inside the building, but he’s offering to help set up an inspection for the new commission building or any other buildings in question.

 

Commissioner letter Hasty

Big Corporations Continue To Cut Donations To MO Senator Josh Hawley

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Big corporations continue their attack on Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, following his decision to reject the electoral college votes due to fraud in the election.

In addition to Hallmark who reported earlier this week, Ameren Missouri, health care IT firm Cerner Corp and Edward Jones say they are suspending their campaign contributions immediately.

Additionally, former Republican politician Steve Schmidt, the founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, says his group plans to purchase full-page ads in Missouri newspapers listing all of Hawley’s donors who are demanding their money back.

They also plan to put a spotlight on those who are still financing Hawley.

The Kansas City based Hallmark company has already indicated they wanted the donations returned.

 

Here are some of the comments from the Corporations halting donations.
Health care IT firm Cerner Corp: Spokeswoman Misti Preston says “We plan to suspend contributions to any candidate or official who took part in or incited violence last week in Washington, D.C.”
Ameren: The company indicated that Jan. 6 was “a profoundly sad day in American history” and that those “troubling events” are part of the reason it was suspending all federal PAC contributions.
Edward Jones: “Our PAC has a long history of bipartisan advocacy, and we want to ensure that any elected officials we support share the values and the views of the firm. We strongly condemn the violence in our nation’s capital, and join with other CEOs, government and civic leaders and members of the business community in calling for a peaceful transition of power, which is a hallmark of our democracy.”

Sheriff’s Office Offers Update On Charges Filed In Altercation With County Commissioner And County Employees

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The Camden County Sheriff’s Office is offering details on charges being filed after an altercation between County Commissioner James Gohagan and several county maintenance workers.

      NEWS-01-14-2021 CHARGES 1 - 15th January 2021

Camden County Sheriff Tony Helms tells KRMS News details on charges against a second maintenance worker will be finalized soon and that the coming special prosecutor may or may not recommend additional charges.

      NEWS-01-14-2021 CHARGES 2 - 15th January 2021

Gohagan recorded more than an hour of the exchange between himself, the maintenance workers and two Camden County Commissioners last week.

Representative Vicky Hartzler Calls Out Pelosi Over Impeachment – Stands With Senator Hawley

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Lake Area Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler says the country can do without California Democrat Nancy Pelosi’s political vendetta against President Donald Trump.

In a statement, Hartzler says the House Speaker’s actions are self-serving and they provide a disservice to the country.

Pelosi wants to use the 25th Amendment to the Constitution to remove President Trump in another attempt at impeachment.

Hartzler also stated that she stands with Missouri Senator Josh Hawley as many Democrats and other Republicans are calling for him to step down, following his vote against the electoral college results.

She says he shouldn’t be punished for questioning fraud in any Presidential election and that she appreciates his push to see that future elections are “more secure.”

 

Hartzler Statement on Speaker Pelosi’s Efforts to Remove the President from Office
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) made the following statement regarding Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s intent to bring legislation to the floor calling on the Vice President to invoke the 25th amendment followed by articles of impeachment to remove the President:

“The forced removal of the President with less than a week remaining in his term is a political theater that the nation can do without. America is struggling to come together following the riots and violence at the Capitol, and this friction will grow worse because of Speaker Pelosi’s political vendetta. The nation should not be subjected to more animosity simply because Speaker Pelosi seeks to settle a score. I will not be supporting her efforts.

Next week, Joe Biden will be sworn in as President of the United States. We should be focused on bringing our nation together, not tearing it further apart. The Speaker’s actions are self-serving and do nothing other than provide a great disservice to our country.”

Camden Commissioner James Gohagan Speaks Out About Recent Altercation

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Camden County Commissioner James Gohagan is giving his side of what happened during an altercation with several county maintenance workers on Thursday.

Gohagan tells KRMS News the workers were waiting when he got to work that morning.

      NEWS-01-12-2021 GOHAGAN TALKS 1 - 12th January 2021

Gohagan says that’s about the time he started recording the exchange with another device and he thinks the trigger might have been a tour he gave of the new commission office building where it all happened.

      NEWS-01-12-2021 GOHAGAN TALKS 2 - 12th January 2021

But Gohagan says after he gave the tour, photos were taken inside the building and then posted online.

Audio of the altercation was later posted to social media and on Friday the Camden County prosecutor’s office confirmed in a release a special prosecutor was being called.

The investigation is ongoing and we’ll keep you posted on the latest details here on KRMS.

 

Listen to the full interview with Commissioner Gohagan and Christian Blood on the Ozarks Today.

      01-11-2021 Gohagan Ozarks Today Segments - 12th January 2021

1,000 Political Scientists Including 6 In Missouri Call For Trump Removal

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Over 1,000 political scientists across the country have signed an open letter calling for President Trump to be removed from office immediately.

That includes Political Science Professor Bryce Reeder at the University of Missouri in Columbia, as well as a professor from UM St. Louis and four others from Northwest Missouri State University.

The professors say Trump’s actions shows he was unwilling or unable to fulfill his oath to protect and defend the constitution following the peaceful protest at the nation’s Capital, that turned violent when outside instigators attacked the building and entered the hallways.

Video of the group breaking through the crowd and destroying windows showed several citizens telling them “stop this” and “this isn’t how we are!” and asking the individuals “who are you?” with some screaming “Antifia, go away!”

Additional videos showed DC Police allowing the protestors access to the stairway, encouraging people to come up.

The political scientists are requesting the President be removed using the 25th amendment or an impeachment process.

As of yesterday, Vice President Mike Pence rejected these requests by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others.

Five Of Missouri’s Congressional Representatives Join Senator Hawley To Object Electoral College Vote

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Five of Missouri’s eight congressional Representatives joined Missouri Senator Josh Hawley in objecting to the electoral college vote.

That includes both of the Lake Area’s Representatives, Blaine Luetkemeyer and Vicky Hartzler.

Joining them was Representatives Sam Graves, Jason Smith and Ann Wagner.

Senator Josh Hawley was the only Missouri Senator to object and was one of only 6 Senators nationwide to do so.

Senator Roy Blunt and Representatives Cori Bush, Emanuel Cleaver the 2nd and Billy Long voted against the objection.

Long had originally stated that he would object.

Stop The Steal Rally Planned For Wednesday Morning At Jefferson City

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Numerous state Capitols are expecting to see similar “Stop the Steal” rallies nationwide, including our capitol Jefferson City.

That rally is expected to start at 10AM.

According to the JC Police Department, the organizers were not given a permit and cannot march through the streets, so attendees can only march on the sidewalks.

A number of statewide politicians have indicated they will attend, including Representative Dean Dorman and State Senator Mike Moon, as well as former gubernatorial candidate Saundra McDowell.

 

Here are a few additional details on the protest at the State Capitol:

10:00 a.m. National anthem and opening prayer

10:30 a.m. Opening remarks from hosts; congratulations to those that are being inaugurated

11:00 a.m. Missouri 51st District Representative and author of “Insidious Changes” Dean Dohrman

11:30 a.m. Business Owner & Fabricating Specialist Mike Hudson

11:45 a.m. Farmer & Business Owner Mike Kimmell

12:00-1:30 p.m. Live Stream of Washington DC Protest Rally

1:30 p.m. Former State Rep. & New Missouri state Senator for the 29th District, Mike Moon

1:45 p.m. Missouri 107th District Representative Nick Schroer

2:30 p.m. Former Missouri governor candidate, Air Force Veteran & attorney Saundra McDowell

3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks

 

MO Senator Josh Hawley’s Family Harassed At DC Area Home

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Photo Of Hawley Protest From Shutdown DC Twitter

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley is striking back following attacks on his Washington DC home Monday night.

In a post to Twitter, Hawley indicated that the group “Shutdown DC” went to the home and threatened his family.

Hawley says they vandalized his home and threatened his wife and newborn child while he was in Missouri.

The group “Shutdown DC” says they came with “Candles” and a “Copy of the Constitution” in order to show Hawley his decision to challenge the electoral college vote is “wrong.”

Here’s a link to a Twitter post by Congressman Ken Buck showing video of the “peaceful protest”: https://twitter.com/i/status/1346468744827006988

Missouri 2021 Legislative Session Set To Begin This Wednesday

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They’re getting set for a new legislative session in the state capitol, and COVID-19 is expected to remain a primary focus.

Some lawmakers think some local decisions made in response to the pandemic have been controversial.

      NEWS-01-05-2021 NEW SESSION 1 - 5th January 2021

Missouri Senate President Dave Shatz of Sullivan.

Other elected officials say some mayors and county commissions made necessary local decisions.

      NEWS-01-05-2021 NEW SESSION 2 - 5th January 2021

Missouri Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo of Kansas City.

The First Regular Session begins Wednesday at noon.

Camden Commission To Meet Monday Morning

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The Camden County Commission will meet this morning.

Items on their agenda include tax abatement and road petitions.

The commission has been facing harsh criticism over a decision in which the county road and bridge department proceeded to lay a gravel road into private property.

While the commission indicates the road has “always been there”, local residents have shown the area was a “private drive” and has never been a part of the road system.

The meeting is set to start at 10AM inside the old courthouse on the square in Camdenton and it is open to the public.

AGENDA(13)

Ozark Congressional Leaders To Object To Electoral College Results January 6th

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Several Congressional members from the Ozarks will be objecting to the Electoral College results in the race for the Presidency on January 6th.

Congress will be certifying the Presidential Election results when the new session begins.

The members opposing the results including Representative Billy Long, Representative Jason Smith and Representative Vicky Hartzler.

Additionally, Representative Sam Graves from northern Missouri will also join the group.

Their announcement came as part of a letter posted to Jason Smith’s website.

There has been no word from Lake Area Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer on if he will join in the call or not.

Senator Josh Hawley mentioned earlier this week that he would also be objecting the results in the Senate.

Missouri’s “State of the State” Address To Happen On January 27th

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Missouri Governor Mike Parson will give his annual State of the State address on Wednesday, January 27th.

The presentation will begin at 3 pm in the Missouri House Chamber at the State Capitol.

 

Governor Parson to Deliver 2021 State of the State Address

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Governor Mike Parson will deliver the 2021 State of the State Address on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

 

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Governor Parson to deliver 2021 State of the State Address

          When:     3:00 p.m.

          Where:    Missouri House Chamber 

                           State Capitol 

Senator Josh Hawley To Object Electoral College Vote – Gets Backlash From Wal-Mart

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One Senator from Missouri plans to object on January 6th when Congress counts the votes from the Electoral College.

The 2020 Presidential Election remains contested with numerous lawsuits having been filed.

      NEWS-12-31-2020 HAWLEY OBJECTS 1 - 31st December 2020