A cost-share program established by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon approved more than 3,700 applications for water projects throughout the state.

The program, which closed for applications on Monday, was opened to provide assistance to farmers in need of water during this summers drought.

The Governor signed an executive order on July 23rd to make funding available for the program. To be eligible, the projects had to provide immediate and material relief. On the same day, the Governor signed a separate order declaring a State of Emergency.

“Agriculture is the backbone of Missouri’s economy, and we are working quickly to provide emergency relief for farmers and producers who are facing critical water shortages as a result of this historic drought,” Gov. Nixon said. “This emergency program is helping our livestock producers and farmers protect their livelihood and uphold a vital pillar of our economy.”

3,712 applications were approved in the program. It covers 90 percent of the cost of a project, such as digging or deepening a well or connecting a farm to rural water. The producer must pay the remaining 10 percent. The state would match up to $20,000.

Funding came from unallocated reserve funds provided by the State Soil & Water Districts Commission and through House Bill 8. That bill gives the Governor the authority to direct funding during a declared emergency.

 

 

A bank in Jamesport was robbed Wednesday afternoon.

The Daviess County Sheriff’s office has confirmed a suspect robbed the Home Exchange Bank around 2:00 pm.

The suspect got away and is described as a male wearing a motorcycle helmet and a trench coat, possibly in his 20’s or 30’s  and 5’8″ to 5’10.”  The Missouri Highway Patrol Description states he was wearing motocross gloves.  The helmet did not have a face shield and he was wearing dark sunglasses.

Police say the man may be armed with a pistol. Authorities are investigating the incident as an armed robbery.

The suspect left the area on a motorcycle and authorities are unsure what direction he may have went.

Jamesport is in Daviess County, about 10 miles from Gallitan.

A fire and explosion caused a scare this morning at the Iatan 1 Power Plant near Weston.

The explosion happened around 9:30 this morning and was contained quickly, according to Kansas City Power and Light spokeswoman Courtney Hughley.

All approximately 250 employees were accounted for and no one was injured.

The fire occurred in what’s called the “B Coal Bunker” at the coal powered plant.

The power plant was able to continue operations. The Iatan Generating Station is comprised of two coal-fired power plants. Iatan 1 opened in 1980, and has a 651 megawatt generating capacity. Iatan 2 opened in 2010 and has generating capacity of over 850 megawatts.

 

 

 

 

 

A Livingston County man died when a truck overturned in a pasture early Wednesday morning.

The Missouri Highway Patrol says 33-year-old Patrick Kinsella of Wheeling was killed when he was thrown out of the truck and the truck rolled on top of him.

The accident happened on private property around 1:15 Wednesday morning at Livingston County road 216. The Patrol says he was driving the 1984 Chevy truck in an unsafe manor when the accident occurred.

 

 

 

 

All lanes on Interstate 29 are open near mile marker 32 after a fatality accident closed traffic north and southbound this morning.

The St Joseph Police Department announced all lanes of traffic  opened around 12:30 pm.  The passing lane both directions will remain closed until the clean-up and investigation is complete.

The accident happened just a couple miles north of Dearborn, between Dearborn and Faucett. The rollover accident occurred just before 9 am.

Witnesses reported emergency vehicles on both sides of the interstate and more than one ambulance responded.  One victim was killed in the accident and has not been identified.

In Statewide races from Tuesday night’s primary, Local state senator Brad Lager lost his challenge to be the republican candidate for Missouri Lieutenant Governor.

Incumbent Peter Kinder beat out Lager by roughly 15,000 votes.  Kinder will face locally known democratic candidate Susan Montee in November.

Meanwhile Incumbent Gov. Jay Nixon handled the other lesser known democratic candidates, getting more than 260,000 votes.

Dave Spence took the republican nod for Gov. and will go on to face Nixon in November.

In the republican primary for the US senate seat currently held by Claire McCaskill,  Todd Akin became the winning candidate and will face McCaskill in November.

Akin had more than 200,000 votes and beat-out candidates Sarah Steelman and John Brunner. Steelman and Brunner both conceded to Akin and vowed to support his campaign.

 

Doniphan County Kansas Hosted a five-candidate republican primary race for Sheriff.

Candidate Chad Clary came out on top with 610 votes.   He was followed by Duston Hansen who took 575 votes. The other three candidates, Mark Allen, Gary Frump and Brandon Whestine, split 584 combined votes.

Clary, who has served as the under sheriff for current Sheriff Jerry Dubach, will face the democratic candidate who ran unopposed in his primary.

Jason Liechti will face Clary in November.

 

 

 

In Nodaway County Ron Wilson will face Bob Stiens for South District Commissioner, Bob Westfall ran unopposed and will run against David Smith in the general election.

Wilson received 1,052 votes while Westfall received 643 votes. Wilson will go on to face the democratic candidate David Smith, who ran unopposed.

The school bond proposed for the Jefferson C-123 school district failed 210 to 187. It needed to pass by a 4/7th approval. The tax would have been used to construct a new gym and remodeling to the school.

Incumbent Sheriff Darren White ran unopposed in the democratic primary and picked up 742 votes. He will face his former deputy Michael Galbraith. Galbraith ran unopposed in the republican primary and came away with 1,492 votes.