Chillicothe Police Officers are responding to reports of animals being "neglected" in the extreme heat wave striking the area this week. Officers this week responded to the Wal-Mart parking lot in Chillicothe, to a report of a dog locked in a vehicle, with no water and outside temperatures above 100 degrees.

Fire late Wednesday afternoon burned an estimate 100 yards of brush and timber piles at the edge of a field about one mile north of Trenton, on property belonging to John Kuttler. Trenton Fire Department Lieutenant Mike Moore said it is not known who started the fire, located in "a creek bed area" of a field approximately 1/4 mile from U.S. Highway 65.

A Green Castle resident was injured early Thursday morning southwest of Kirksville when the van she was driving traveled off Highway 11 and hit a fence. Sixty-one year old Brenda Walter of Green Castle was taken by private vehicle to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, with injuries described as MODERATE by the Highway Patrol.

The "Freedom Festival" scheduled for Chillicothe on Wednesday, July 4th has been cancelled. There is a ban on the use of fireworks throughout Livingston County, including Chillicothe, because of the dry conditions. The scheduled fireworks show on July 7th in the Simpson Park/Country Club area has been cancelled.

At a location two miles west of Novinger on Monday afternoon, the Highway Patrol said 60-year old Charles Downen of Kirksville received MODERATE injuries and was taken to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville for treatment.

Organizers of Independence Day activities in Milan says the events ARE STILL ON. They invite the public to join the Milan Elks celebration of the holiday.

An entertainer for children and families, Jim Cosgrove, presents a concert in Chillicothe on Wednesday, August 1st. Cosgrove, described as a singer, speaker, and writer, performs "interactive" concerts, concentrating on a message of "hanging on to the wonder of youth", and "loving yourself, your neighbors, and the earth".

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is taking the week of Independence Day to remind the public to "drive safely" to their destinations. Sergeant Brent Bernhardt is a Public Information Officer with the Highway Patrol:

Click here to listen to Brent Bernhardt

Six people were injured on Saturday afternoon when a car collided with a pickup truck, overturning both vehicles on a rural road northwest of Bethany.

Governor Jay Nixon HAS directed the Missouri Department of Agriculture, to request the USDA Farm Service Agency open Conservation Reserve Program lands to grazing in counties meeting requirements for shortages of hay/forage and
precipitation.

A Brookfield man, who escaped from the Livingston County Jail in Chillicothe on Wednesday night, was arrested early Thursday night in Brookfield. Forty-one year old Bobby Waddle was taken into custody. Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox said the other prisoner who escaped from the jail, 22-year old Tony Dawson of Brookfield, was arrested early Thursday morning hiding at a residence in the 200 block of Clay Street in Chillicothe. Dawson was taken into custody without incident.

Two Blue Springs residents were injured when a car hit a deer on Interstate 35 in Daviess County on Wednesday night.

Out of concern for public safety and properties, the city of Trenton and Grundy County have enacted burn bans effective at 12 noon Tuesday July 3rd and extending until further notice is given (or when a significant amount of rain has been received).

Two suspects, listed as "Most Wanted" fugitives from a Livingston County Sheriff's Department website, have been arrested thanks to "tips" given to law enforcement officials.

The Missouri Highway Patrol says an "injury accident" occurred on Monday morning nearly two miles east of Cameron, but the extent of injuries for the occupants was not provided to the news media.

Trenton will be among four sites in Missouri where meetings will be held this month to explain new permit regulations for concentrated animal feeding operations. The free sessions are sponsored by the University of Missouri Extension commercial agriculture swine focus team and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Green Hills Animal Shelter of Trenton, this coming Saturday afternoon (July 7th), will be offering reduced adoption fees on dogs and cats which have been at the shelter for six months to a year.

Independence Day will be observed in Gallatin with activities on Wednesday night at Dockery Park. There will be a barbecue, crafts, and games at 7 o'clock, a variety program at 8:30, and fireworks at dusk (about 9:45).

A precautionary boil water advisory has been issued for customers in Lock Springs. The advisory to boil water used for cooking and drinking went into effect at 12 Noon on Monday within Lock Springs' city limits.

Unincorporated areas of Grundy county have been added to the announcement by the communities of Spickard AND GALT that are publicly announcing a burn BAN, effective immediately.