State Rep. Kent Haden (R-Mexico) says there’s a “food fight” between the Missouri Department of Conservation and the state Department of Transportation (MODOT) over which agency should pay to remove dead deer and large dead animals from roads. Haden has filed legislation that requires MoDOT to remove and bury dead wildlife on a road, highway or shoulder that is large enough to impede traffic. The Missouri House Transportation Accountability Committee has heard testimony on Haden’s bill. House Bill 404 would require MoDOT to remove the dead deer, with Conservation paying those expenses. Conservation would also be required to bury the dead deer on Conservation land that’s three feet deep. Representative Haden tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this is an issue in both urban and rural Missouri:
Suspected Chinese balloon spotted in Columbia and central Missouri; Missouri’s governor frustrated
Numerous mid-Missouri residents say they spotted what could be a suspected Chinese spy balloon on Friday afternoon. 939 the Eagle News fielded calls from Columbia residents and in residents in other parts of central Missouri.
The National Weather Service (NWS) tweeted earlier today that the large balloon seen earlier in northwest Missouri is not a NWS weather balloon. That’s apparently the same balloon seen later in the Columbia area.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) tweeted Friday that he’s received “zero communication” from the Biden administration regarding the suspected spy balloon.
“We have heard no explanation or plan to remove it. Why has this been allowed to reach our heartland? Why had it not been eliminated? We will remain in contact with our Missouri National Guard, law enforcement and security partners to monitor the safety of Missourians,” Parson tweeted Friday.
Numerous Zimmer Communication employees saw the object Friday afternoon, which at one point was almost directly above the radio stations on Columbia’s Lemone Industrial drive. A Boone County Sheriff’s deputy tells 939 the Eagle that he saw the balloon too, but didn’t have any other information.
Fox News reported on Friday afternoon that U.S. officials are disputing claims from China that a Chinese balloon seen over the United States was a “civilian airship” that had blown off course. A senior official is quoted in the Fox report as saying it was intentional. Fox also reports the balloon is currently flying at 60,000 feet, which is higher than most U.S. military planes can fly.
State employee pay raise is a top priority for Missouri’s governor
Missouri’s governor is confident that state lawmakers will approve his proposed 8.7 percent pay increase for state employees by March 1.
Governor Mike Parson (R) unveiled his plan during his January State of the State address. He tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that this is an effort by state government to stay competitive with the market.
“You can’t ask state employees just to take it on the chin year in and year out. You know we want to retain good people just like private business does out there,” Parson says.
The governor says his proposed cost of living adjustment (COLA) is based on the increase given to Social Security recipients this year and the Consumer Price Index. Parson says it’s critical for state employees, noting there are currently 7,000 open positions across state government.
“That creates a real problem when you talk about early childhood, when you talk about Children’s Division, mental health, corrections. I mean, those are just high-demand areas and not everybody wants to do those jobs,” says Parson.
The governor is optimistic that lawmakers will approve his pay increase proposal by March 1, adding it’s the minimum the state must do to support state employees and Missourians.
Click here to listen to the full “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” interview with Governor Parson.
UPDATE: Hallsville animal rescue destroyed by fire sets Saturday clean-up day
Boone County firefighters say electrical issues caused Sunday morning’s horrific kennel fire near Hallsville, a fire that killed 26 dogs.
Boone County Fire Protection District assistant chief Gale Blomenkamp tells 939 the Eagle that electrical malfunction inside the building caused the fire. He says damage to the Little Rays of Sunshine animal rescue southeast of Hallsville is about $30,000.
The Little Rays of Sunshine website describes the fire as their “worst nightmare.” The organization says the 26 foster pups were treated like Little Rays’ own, noting that it’s been difficult to say good bye.
Little Rays of Sunshine is currently removing the building and cleaning the area around it. They plan a clean-up day for tomorrow, and would appreciate any help from volunteers.
UPDATE: Suspected Jefferson City bank robber taken into custody
Jefferson City Police have arrested a 28-year-old local man for the January 19th armed robbery at River Region credit union on West Truman.
Criminal charges are pending against the suspect, who was taken into custody Thursday evening after Jefferson City’s SWAT team served a search warrant in the 3800 block of Candlelight drive. Candlelight drive is just a few blocks away from the credit union, which is also near a Fairfield Inn and Hy-Vee.
The suspect’s name has not been released by JCPD, and we likely won’t know his identity until Cole County prosecutor Locke Thompson files charges in the case.
Jefferson City Police are thanking the FBI for its assistance, along with community members who provided information to authorities. There were no injuries in the robbery.
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