With the start of 2010, a new census now begins. The Census Bureau relies on an accurate count of residents to determine how federal and state money is spent for services, infrastructure, schools and more.

Commissioner of the Office of Administration Kelvin Simmons says the state push begins now.

The information the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion of federal funding is spent each year.

Simmons says the Missouri Complete Count Committee is working with the U-S Census Bureau in making sure everyone gets counted in Missouri. He says the Missouri Complete Count Committee recognizes that reaching homeless and indigent folks presents an obstacle to getting everyone on the tally sheet. But, he says, networking with local municipalities who have a better handle on where homeless people are and how to get in touch with them helps. And, he says, those populations tend to trust their local officials and outreach organizations more than state or federal government employees.

The first year of the Census was in 1790. There were just under 4 million people in the U.S. Today, there are more people than that just in the city of Los Angeles.

For more, visit the Missouri Census online at http://oa.mo.gov/mocensus/

The eldest daughter of former Governor Warren Hearnes has died in a car wreck.

The State Highway Patrol reports that Lynn Cooper Hearnes died in a one-car accident about 10 miles from Charleston, her hometown. She was the eldest daughter of Hearnes and former State Representative Betty Hearnes. The patrol says the accident occurred Thursday. Hearnes was southbound on Highway 77 when her car left the pavement coming out of a curve. Hearnes apparently over-corrected, skidded back across the highway and crashed into an embankment. The car overturned. She was ejected. [Read more...]