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Missourinet

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Eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination in Missouri? Here is what you need to know

January 20, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Missourians who are first responders, 65 years or older, or have certain serious health problems are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccination. But state Health and Senior Services Department Director Dr. Randall Williams tells Missourinet there’s not enough vaccine to immunize all the people who fall into this category.

Eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination in Missouri? Here is what you need to know

“We are getting about 80,000 vaccines a week and we have about two million people to vaccinate who are now eligible for the vaccine,” says Williams. “Of the two million people, 1.9 (million) are going to get an answer that we don’t have vaccine this week.”

Obviously, that means many Missouri vaccination sites don’t have the vaccine. Williams says vaccinators should get notified about one week in advance of their shipment.

“We only find out every week how much we have available to us,” says Williams. “They put in their order. We find out how much we. We allocate it. Then Moderna and Pfizer communicate with them directly through UPS and Federal Express and let them know when it’s coming in.”

The Pfizer vaccine comes in shipments of 975 doses. He says there’s also more work involved in getting the drug to rural parts of the state than the metro areas. But Williams says Gov. Mike Parson has been insistent on reaching all areas of the state.

“We have been incredibly purposeful about redistributing the Pfizer (vaccine),” says Williams. “So we’ve gotten into an area and then broken them down – 200 here, 300 here, 400 here. And that’s hard to do because when the second dose comes, the federal government won’t send it to the second place. It has to go to the first place and we have to do the same thing over again and keep track of it. If I send 10,000 doses to Barnes Jewish Hospital, I don’t worry about it anymore. They got it. They vaccinate. The people are in the hospital. They just have an appointment. They come get it. They report it. It’s done. If I send 3,000 doses down to Poplar Bluff, then I have to get it down to Kennett, I have to get it to Dunklin County. That’s what we’ve been doing.”

To look for a vaccination site, go to MOSTOPSCOVID.com and click on “Map”. Pick a site and get in touch with them.

“Interact with them to find out if they have vaccine, if they are eligible, are they giving it to them, and how do they make an appointment. But just understand that if you did that tomorrow, that of the two million people, 1.9 (million) are going to get an answer that we don’t have vaccine this week,” says Williams. “It is up to the vaccinator to inform them in whatever way they think they want to do, whether it’s a voicemail or a link on their computer to say, ‘We are a vaccinator. At this moment in time, we do not have vaccine. Or we do have vaccine. If you are in a prioritized group, this is how you get a vaccination.’ That’s how the system works. And that will depend on who the vaccinator is. Barnes Jewish Hospital may say, ‘We are only vaccinating our employees at this moment.’ Cole County may say, ‘Go to this link. Fill out the information and schedule your appointment.’”

Check with the provider to also learn how to get registered.

Missouri is largely using the honor system for the COVID-19 vaccination process. Williams says those getting immunized will need a photo ID and your health insurance information. You will be required to fill out a consent form.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: COVID-19, Dr. Randall Williams, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

U.S. Marshals: three southeast Missouri jail escapees should be considered dangerous

January 18, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

The U.S. Marshals are now leading the search for three jail escapees in southeast Missouri’s Iron County, and the Marshals emphasize the three should be considered dangerous. A unified command post has been established at the Iron County Courthouse in Ironton.

Missourinet Cape Girardeau television partner KFVS reports authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information on the escapees: Tracy L. Brown, Dwight Abernathie and Samuel Gillam. The Marshals say all three were jailed on local charges. Gillam was jailed on a kidnapping charge, while Abernathie was jailed for assault and sodomy. Brown was in jail for a burglary charge.

U.S. Marshals, Iron County Sheriff’s deputies, Ironton Police and others have set up a command post at the Iron County Courthouse in Ironton (January 16, 2021 photo courtesy of Ironton Police Facebook page)

U.S. Marshals say the three moved a block wall to escape. Authorities are urging residents to lock their doors and to remain vigilant.

Marshals say the inmates escaped at about 4:30 on Saturday morning, and the Iron County Sheriff requested assistance from the Marshals at about 1 p.m. Saturday. The Marshals have sent personnel from Cape Girardeau and St. Louis to the area.

U.S. Marshals and Iron County Sheriff’s deputies are being assisted by Ironton Police, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Pilot Knob Police and by the U.S. Forest Service, Missouri State park rangers and the Missouri Department of Corrections.

The search area includes the heavily-wooded Mark Twain National Forest.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, News, Outdoors, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Cape Girardeau, Dwight Abernathie, Iron County Courthouse in Ironton, Iron County Sheriff's Department, Ironton Police, jail escapees, Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri Department of Corrections, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri state park rangers, Pilot Knob Police, Samuel Gillam, southeast Missouri's Iron County, St. Louis, Tracy Brown, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Marshals

Conservative publisher to roll out Hawley’s book

January 18, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Missouri

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, has a new publisher for his upcoming book. Conservative publishing company Regnery has announced on Twitter today that Hawley’s book, “The Tyranny of Big Tech” will come out in the spring.

Simon & Schuster publishing company dropped its agreement with Hawley after Trump rioters tore through the U.S. Capitol on January 6, killing five people and vandalizing the place. Hawley, who has been largely silent since the attack, accused the publisher of “assaulting” his First Amendment rights, which only applies to the government – not to private companies.

My statement on the woke mob at @simonschuster pic.twitter.com/pDxtZvz5J0

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) January 7, 2021

Hawley led an effort to challenge the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory. He cited voter fraud allegations that several courts have struck down.

Since the attack, Hawley has lost some key supporters, including Missouri megadonors David Humphreys of Joplin and Sam Fox of St. Louis. At the same time, he has plenty of people still on his side.

Over the weekend, Loews Hotels announced it would not be hosting Hawley’s fundraiser next month in Florida:

“We are horrified and opposed to the events at the Capitol and all who supported and incited the actions. In light of those events and for the safety of our guests and team members, we have informed the host of the Feb. fundraiser that it will no longer be held at Loews Hotels,” the statement says.

In the book, Hawley argues that big tech companies like Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple wield enormous market power and regulate and influence the news. Hawley says they organize, manipulate, and direct the conversations that Americans are having. He has been focusing on the work of big tech companies since his short time as Missouri Attorney General.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Elections, News, Outdoors, Politics / Govt, Science / Technology Tagged With: David Humphreys, President-Elect Joe Biden, Regnery, Sam Fox, Simon & Schuster, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley

MLK Day is a federal and Missouri holiday

January 18, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is a federal, Missouri and county holiday.

Missouri Capitol

Most federal, Missouri, county and city offices are closed on Monday, with the exception of emergency services such as the Missouri State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies.

Banks and financial institutions are closed for the holiday, and there is no regular mail delivery.

The Missouri Legislature will not be in session on Monday in Jefferson City, because of the holiday.

Dr. King was a leader in the civil rights movement, protesting racial discrimination. He advocated non-violence and was assassinated in 1968, in Memphis.

In 1983, then-U.S. Rep. Katie Hall (D-Indiana) proposed legislation to create a federal holiday in January honoring Dr. King. It passed in the House 338-90 and was signed that fall by then-President Ronald Reagan at the White House.

The holiday was first observed in January 1986.

The holiday is also considered an official day of service.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Business, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, former President Ronald Reagan, former U.S. Rep. Katie Hall, Missouri legislature, Missouri State Highway Patrol, official day of service

Missouri Congressman wants financial companies to stop serving U.S. Capitol rioters

January 15, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver is requesting that banks and other financial services companies stop processing transactions for rioters and organizations who were part of last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol. The pro-Trump mob waged violence and destruction on January 6 that left five people dead.

In a letter to a trade group called the Electronic Transaction Association, Cleaver says several groups like the Proud Boys, Booglaoo Bois, and the last Sons of Liberty, have been identified as participating in the event. The group’s members include more than 500 companies worldwide, such as Mastercard, Visa, PayPal and American Express.

Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver

“As some mainstream financial services providers have refused to provide products and services to domestic terrorists, these extremist groups have sought out relationships with intermediary organizations with questionable terms of service. These organizations often act as go-betweens for extremist groups and financial services providers. For example, if a financial services provider refuses to process payments on the website of an extremist group, these nefarious actors have historically looked to platforms that have payment relationships with mainstream financial services providers to help process transactions for them. Crowdfunding site GiveSendGo which is currently helping Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for legal defense is but one example,” the letter says.

Cleaver, a Democrat from Kansas City, is also calling on the institutions to suspend services to anyone raising funds off the January 6 events.

He serves on the U.S. House Financial Services Committee and is chairman of its subcommittee on national security. His district includes Kansas City, Marshall and Higginsville.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Business, Crime / Courts, Elections, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Electronic Transaction Association, Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, U.S. House Financial Services Committee

UPDATE: Blizzard warning remains in effect for far northwest Missouri through 6 pm; southbound I-29 reopens (AUDIO)

January 15, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A blizzard warning remains in effect for far northwest Missouri until 6 p.m. on Friday. The warning includes heavily-traveled I-29 and covers four rural counties: Atchison, Nodaway, Andrew and Holt.

The National Weather Service’s blizzard warning in far northwest Missouri remains in effect until 6 p.m. (January 15, 2021 graphic courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter)

National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Brad Temeyer says blowing snow and 45 mile-per-hour winds have made travel very difficult today.

“We’re still continuing to see very low visibilities up there with the strong northwest winds that are continuing. Fortunately, the snow is starting to taper off up there,” Temeyer says.

The blizzard caused a crash Friday morning in northwest Missouri’s Atchison County, causing southbound I-29 to close for a few hours. It has since reopened.

Crews from the state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) have been working around the clock in northwest Missouri, trying to clear roads.

“But with those strong northwest winds gusting currently to 40 to 45 miles an hour, we’re still seeing visibilities well below a mile in that far northwestern corner of Missouri,” says Temeyer.

Truckers and other motorists are being urged to avoid travel in those four counties, until the warning expires. Towns in the blizzard warning area include Tarkio, Fairfax, Maryville and Mound City.

Mr. Temeyer emphasizes to Missourinet that blizzard warnings are rare in Missouri.

“We only issue these for the worst of conditions when we expect visibilities to be well below a half-a-mile,” Temeyer says.

Our Missourinet Cameron affiliate KMRN reports more than 20 schools in the region canceled classes today, because of the blizzard.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Brad Temeyer, which was recorded on January 15, 2021:

https://cdn.missourinet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/bh-NWSJanuary2021.mp3

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Business, Education, Health / Medicine, News, Politics / Govt, Transportation, Weather Tagged With: Andrew County, Atchison County, blizzard warning, Fairfax, Holt County, I-29, Maryville, Missouri Cameron affiliate KMRN, Missouri Department of Transportation, Mound City, National Weather Service, Nodaway County, northwest Missouri, Tarkio

Missouri K-12 community waits its turn to get COVID-19 vaccination

January 15, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The state is not quite there yet in offering the COVID-19 vaccination to Missouri’s K-12 school workers. It is working on a plan to get them vaccinated when it is their turn. During a state Board of Education meeting this week, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Spokeswoman Mallory McGowin said supply continues to be an obstacle.

“The number of vaccines we have gotten into the state has not been what we were hoping at this point,” she said. “And so, that is affecting the timeline obviously for our K-12 audience.”

Missouri K-12 community waits its turn to get COVID-19 vaccination

Member Mary Schrag of southern Missouri’s West Plains said the medical community in rural Missouri is also lacking vaccine.

So far, the immunizations have been offered to Missouri’s health care workers as well as long-term care staff and patients. On Thursday, the state began offering them to first responders and remaining health care workers. Beginning Monday, individuals 65 and older and those with an increased risk of severe illness can get vaccinated.

K-12 school employees are next in line. Some board members, including President Charlie Shields, said the education community should be higher on the priority list.

“The faster we get the education community immunized, the faster we get back to in-person learning, which we have said as a board is a huge priority,” said Shields. “The more kids we have in school, the more parents we have able to re-enter the workforce, the faster the economy recovers.”

School nurses could help to vaccinate fellow employees. Some workers might end up going to a nearby Walgreens or CVS Pharmacy. Shields said hospitals “stand ready to help.”

“What we would do is set up in a large space be it a gymnasium or a cafeteria, have several people doing the immunizations, doing the registration, things like that. Then we need to be able to watch people for 15 minutes to make sure they don’t have a reaction,” he said. “So, it takes a lot of manpower to do these. But when you set them up right, you can do hundreds if not thousands a day. So, you can imagine it wouldn’t take very long to do an entire school district.”

Shields, of northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph, is the CEO of Truman Medical Center in Kansas City and serves on the Missouri Hospital Association Board.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine tracker shows more than 528,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been delivered to Missouri’s hospitals, health care providers, local health departments, or pharmacies. Gov. Mike Parson says Missouri has administered at least 190,000 doses of the immunization.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Education, Health / Medicine, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Charlie Shields, COVID-19, governor mike parson, Mallory McGowin, Mary Schrag, Missouri Board of Education, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Rural northern Missouri county leads state in wind generation capacity, as Ameren closes on major project

January 15, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Ameren Missouri has announced that they’ve closed on the acquisition of its second wind energy center, a 300-megawatt (MW) project in northwest Missouri’s Atchison County.

Ameren Missouri has
closed on the acquisition of its second wind energy center, a project in northwest Missouri’s Atchison County (photo courtesy of Ameren Missouri)

St. Louis-based Ameren made the announcement on Thursday, saying that renewable energy from the facility is reaching customers, as construction continues on some other project turbines.

About 100 MW are already in service, and Ameren Missouri expects an additional 50 to 75 MW by the end of March with more becoming operational this year.

Ameren says the new Atchison Renewable Energy Center and the separate High Prairie Renewable Energy Center in northeast Missouri will add 700 MW of in-state wind generation to the grid. The company says total investment in the two projects is about $1.1 billion.

The High Prairie facility is near Kirksville.

“Ameren Missouri is taking major steps forward in our transformation to clean energy, with the addition of these two large facilities. We’re planning for the long term with deep carbon reductions to achieve our goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Ameren Missouri President Marty Lyons says, in a written statement.

He says Ameren will invest about $4.5 billion in 3,100 MW of renewable generation by 2030, including Atchison and High Prairie.

Ameren says part of the Atchison Renewable Energy wind project is being built by Invenergy.

Atchison County is in far northwest Missouri, near the Nebraska border. It’s a rural county, with some of the most productive farmland in the state. This is the fourth utility-scale wind energy facility in Atchison County, which will soon have a combined wind generation capacity of 800 MW, more than any of Missouri’s 114 counties.

There are several other wind farms in northwest Missouri.

Ameren also emphasizes it believes in supporting communities where it operates. They’re donating to the re-opened Tarkio Technology Institute, to support its wind energy technician training program.

The former Tarkio College closed in 1992, after more than 100 years as a four-year liberal arts school. It reopened in January 2020 and is focusing on three fields: wind energy, plumbing and welding.

Ameren Missouri has 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in Missouri. The utility serves the St. Louis region, southeast, northeast and mid-Missouri. It also serves part of northwest Missouri.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Agriculture, Business, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Ameren Missouri, Atchison Renewable Energy Center, High Prairie Renewable Energy Center, Invenergy, Kirksville, northwest Missouri's Atchison County, Tarkio Technology Institute, the former Tarkio College, wind turbines

Calling Missouri first responders, other health care workers: next COVID-19 vaccination phase underway

January 14, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri’s first responders and remaining healthcare workers can now get the COVID-19 vaccination. The state has activated its second phase of the vaccine plan, Phase 1B – Tier 1.

In a press release today from Gov. Mike Parson’s Office, it says the federal government has also informed Missouri that the feds plan to “significantly increase” vaccine supply next week to prioritize individuals 65 and older and those with health conditions that put them at higher risk of catching COVID-19.

Calling Missouri first responders, other health care workers: next COVID-19 vaccination phase underway

In response to this news, the state will roll out the next phase of its vaccine plan, , 1B – Tier 2, on Monday. This phase will cover individuals aged 65 and older and any adult with cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, or intellectual and/or developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, heart conditions, a weakened immune system due to organ transplant, severe obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, or Type 2 Diabetes.

“We recognize and appreciate that there are a variety of individuals on the frontlines who have a greater risk of exposure each day they go to work,” says Parson. “We are grateful for the tireless and selfless efforts of our health care providers and first responders who risk their own safety to protect the health and well-being of Missourians.”

Missouri’s vaccination team says there are currently not enough vaccines for everyone included in these groups, but more will become available over time.

Individuals in Phase 1A and Phase 1B – Tier 1 should work through their employer and/or association to access the vaccine. Individuals in Phase 1B – Tier 2 should contact their local pharmacy or health care provider or visit MOStopsCovid.com to learn when vaccines may be available and how to receive them.

A list of vaccinators and regional vaccine implementation teams will be made available at MOstopsCovid.com on January 15.

Missouri is not quite there yet on launching Phase 1B Tier 3, which includes the education community and childcare workers. A projected roll out date is up in the air.

“We know one of the most common questions among Missourians right now is when it will be their turn to be vaccinated, and we are greatly encouraged by the interest in the vaccines from the public,” says Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams. “Each day, our team is monitoring the amount of vaccine available and making sure it is distributed so that people can receive the vaccine as quickly as possible. We are so thankful to our hundreds of clinical partners throughout the state who are making that happen.”

Missourians began receiving first doses of COVID-19 vaccines last month. The state says more than 160,000 individuals have received an initial dose, and more than 22,000 have now been fully vaccinated with the 2-dose series.

Based on reporting from providers, the state says at least 27% of Phase 1A has received the first dose of the vaccine. This includes residents and staff of long-term care facilities and health care workers, including dentists, EMS, school nurses, and those working in hospital or clinic settings, among others.

The state says vaccine supply continues to be the rate-limiting factor for vaccine administration throughout the state. State vaccine allocations are determined by Operation Warp Speed – a national effort to launch and distribute the vaccine.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine tracker shows more than 528,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been delivered to Missouri’s hospitals, health care providers, local health departments, or pharmacies. Parson says Missouri has given at least 190,000 doses of the immunization.

Missourians are not required to get the COVID-19 immunization. With that said, health experts say getting the two-dose vaccination is critical in reaching widespread COVID-19 immunity.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: COVID-19, governor mike parson

Missouri National Guard heads to Washington, D.C. to help with safety efforts

January 14, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Gov. Mike Parson is sending members of the Missouri National Guard to Washington, D.C. to help with potential safety problems in the run-up to the presidential inauguration. They will help with security, medical evacuation, and logistics.

Missouri National Guard heads to Washington, D.C. to help with safety efforts

The move follows an internal FBI memo warning of possible “armed protests” at all state capitols, the U.S. Capitol, state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings in the days leading up to the inauguration.

The Guard tells Missourinet the current authorization allows them to help up to 31 days, but the length could change depending on the need. Due to operational concerns, the number of soldiers involved is not being released.

Security has also ramped up around the Missouri Capitol after the FBI bulletin was leaked. Multiple law enforcement agencies are helping with the efforts in Jefferson City.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Legislature, Military, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: FBI, governor mike parson, Missouri Capitol, Missouri National Guard, U.S. Capitol

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