Joe Gamm reports on social services, health and religion, also covering legislation in the Missouri House of Representatives. He is now based in Jefferson City, but the trip from his Lake Ozark hometown was a long one. He has worked in restaurants and in construction. In 1991, he went to the West Coast, where he became a buckaroo (meaning he sat in a saddle following cattle all day) and learned to snow ski. He returned to the lake and eventually opened and ran a contracting business. But he left again to begin to learn to write. After graduating from the University of Washington, having double-majored in journalism and political science, he took a writing job in Oregon. Reporting has taken him to Texas and North Carolina. He decided to return to his home state in December. He has received awards from press associations in Washington, Oregon, Texas and North Carolina.
Cole County vaccination site prepared to serve 4,000 per week
The Cole County Community Central Vaccination Site is prepared to offer 4,000 COVID-19 vaccinations per week.
Apr. 9 2021 @ 12:05am
Organizations offer guide to help developmentally disabled people identify abuse
Three disability-related organizations collaborated to produce the Abuse Awareness and Prevention Guide in April — Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Apr. 8 2021 @ 12:05am
Miller County overwhelmingly votes for law enforcement support
The tax will provide funds for the Miller County Sheriff's Office to pay for operating expenses and law enforcement facilities' capital improvement projects.
Apr. 6 2021 @ 10:40pm
Communities in Miller County have a lot to decide today
Miller County voters decide sales tax, several racesFor many Miller County voters, the foremost issue on today's ballot is the tax question.
Apr. 6 2021 @ 12:05am
Lincoln University, Missouri River Regional Library lecture series begins to grow
The fledgling Lincoln-MRRL Lecture Series suffered a blow when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, but it went online — and actually grew its audience.
Apr. 4 2021 @ 12:05am
Architect helps MRRL leadership picture library's future
There's something interesting at the end of the block.Or, maybe it will be something more interesting in the future.
Apr. 2 2021 @ 12:05am
State leaders anticipate about 1.2 Missourians being vaccinated in April
Missouri continues to see improvements across the board in its fight against COVID-19, Gov. Mike Parson said Thursday afternoon.
Apr. 2 2021 @ 12:05am
Protesters allege Missouri bills would silence voters' voices
Lawmakers went through the biggest partisan fight of the year Tuesday, Rep. Crystal Quade told listeners gathered late Wednesday morning at the steps on the north side of the state Capitol.
Apr. 1 2021 @ 12:05am
11-year-old's portrait of Rosa Parks wins annual contest
In Jefferson City, an 11-year-old girl's pencil drawing of Rosa Parks won voters' hearts.The portrait earned Trinity Howard first-place honors in the fifth annual U.
Mar. 31 2021 @ 12:05am
Missouri House passes bill to regulate faith-based residential care
Over the past four decades, reform schools have found homes in Missouri, one of only two states that don't require licensing or regulation of faith-based boarding schools.
Mar. 30 2021 @ 12:05am
FEMA to begin reimbursements for COVID-19-related funeral expenses
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse many COVID-19-related funeral expenses.Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress has funded the financial assistance, which will be available for funeral expenses incurred from Jan.
Mar. 30 2021 @ 12:05am
Cole County Emergency Management buys weather radios for rural communities
Cole County Emergency Management has purchased weather radios for households in rural Cole County communities where warning sirens can't be heard.
Mar. 30 2021 @ 12:05am
Woman's first job brings hefty responsibility
The United Way of Central Missouri has a new administrative coordinator — Hannah Gerard. She started her career with the nonprofit March 8, just three weeks ago.
Mar. 29 2021 @ 12:05am
Mid-Missouri churches gathering their flocks for Easter celebrations
Although area churches haven't entirely resumed the Easter traditions they developed over time, a semblance of the past will show next Sunday.
Mar. 28 2021 @ 12:05am
Cole County preparing permanent COVID-19 vaccination site
The Cole County Commission is finalizing discussions on a lease for a site that will act as a permanent COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
Mar. 26 2021 @ 12:05am
Survivors group calls on Jefferson City bishop to seek out abuse victims
Representatives from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests presented a letter Wednesday to the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City, asking that Bishop W. Shawn McKnight take more steps concerning the diocese's list of credibly accused clergy.
Mar. 25 2021 @ 12:05am
Disability rights advocates reach out to Missouri lawmakers
Hundreds of activists lobbied Missouri lawmakers to support their communities Tuesday during Missouri Disability Rights Legislative Day.
Mar. 24 2021 @ 12:05am
MRRL offers virtual meeting room for Cole, Osage counties
Missouri River Regional Library has created a virtual meeting room that is available for use in Cole and Osage counties.
Mar. 24 2021 @ 12:05am
St. Mary's Hospital welcomes Alabama man during COVID-19 recovery
Sixty-two-year-old Larry Hall was worried.In January, he started feeling sick. Having just gone through bypass surgery in 2018, he knew he was at high risk should he come down with COVID-19.
Mar. 21 2021 @ 12:05am
Multiple factors push health care providers to offer outpatient procedures
Two Jefferson City health care providers will complete construction of multi-million-dollar outpatient surgery centers around spring 2022, as skyrocketing demand for outpatient surgeries pushes changes in the way they deliver services.
Mar. 21 2021 @ 12:04am