Latest news with #BoardofAlderman
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor Spencer: Rams settlement funds eyed for tornado aid
ST. LOUIS – St. Louis City is finalizing plans on a six-month lease of a 140,000-square-foot warehouse to store large donations and supplies for tornado recovery efforts, Mayor Cara Spencer said Monday. 'We're very, very pleased that this will be a hub site that will allow us to receive very large-scale donations and then to distribute them to the smaller hubs throughout the community. That will really act as the point of contact for the community who is going to need these resources,' Spencer said. The mayor provided updates on the immediate and long-term plans of the tornado recovery during a news conference Monday. She also announced that the city is planning on using $5 million of ARPA funds for the tornado recovery. Daycare death case now in hands of special prosecutor 'We've obligated all of those funds at the end of last year. So, making sure that we are in full compliance and not changing anything of the allocations but rather working within those to ensure that we are targeting here the folks that were impacted by the tornado is really the goal,' Spencer said. The mayor said the city identified other funds they are potentially looking to use for the recovery, including Rams settlement money. 'When it comes to Rams funds, you'll see a proposal this week going to the Board of Aldermen that should get us through the summer. This is a very, very long recovery process and we want to be very thoughtful and deliberative in how we deploy the funds that are going to be required,' she said. Spencer did not release specifics but said the Board of Alderman is looking into how they can legally spend the funds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State to audit Humansville for the first time after residents petition amid turmoil
For more than a year, the city of Humansville has been embroiled in multiple controversies, including concerns about misused funds. Residents of the small Polk County town have now gathered signatures required to request the State Auditor's Office conduct an audit to ensure the city is operating properly. While the Board of Alderman had previously voted to initiate a state audit themselves, the action failed when Mayor Tracy Mason broke the tie by voting against it. Residents then gathered 170 certified signatures to request the audit, above the required 135 signature threshold, according to an Auditor's Office news release. "With the numerous issues that have occurred in the city over the last year, and with allegations of missing money, it's important that we shine the light of truth and transparency on the city's government," State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said in the release. "We will do our best to give taxpayers a better understanding of the financial health and operational effectiveness of their city. If necessary, we will also provide recommendations to improve the performance of their government." This is the first time, according to the release, that the city will be audited by the Missouri State Auditor's Office. Fitzpatrick asked for patience during the process and encouraged those with any information to reach out through the Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597, by email at moaudit@ or by visiting Two state investigations already have been conducted within the city government of Humansville. One, by the Missouri Secretary of State's Office, resulted in charges being filed against city employee Sophia Piper alleging election interference, although that case was dismissed right before a trial was set to begin in April due to witnesses failing to appear. The other investigation was conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol looking into misuse of public funds. While a representative from the MSHP confirmed in October the investigation was complete and forwarded to the Polk County Prosecutor's Office, no additional updates have emerged since. More: Stone County Developmental Disabilities Board didn't comply with state law, audit finds There is also plenty of other controversy involving former aldermen and city staff. In November, the city attorney sued former alderman Ashley Albright and two other women for defamation after Albright accused the attorney of sexual harassment. Prior to that, former alderman Robert Thomas filed a lawsuit against the city for alleged Sunshine Law violations. Both lawsuits are ongoing. Most recently, former Humansville police chief Ryan Snow filed a lawsuit against the city claiming his firing was illegal and the city still owed him wages. Snow played a role in initiating the state's investigations, which the lawsuit claims was a reason the city retaliated and dismissed him. Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@ This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Humansville to be audited amid turmoil after resident petition
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bartlett Board of Alderman says no to new mosque
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A proposal to build a new mosque led to a heated debate at Bartlett's City Hall meeting on Tuesday night. The proposal was shut down after residents said it would have been a traffic nightmare. It was a packed meeting as the Board of Alderman struck down a proposal from the Bartlett Muslim Society to build a mosque after a 5-1 vote. Mosque members were looking for a special use permit for a property bought back in 2023 on the east side of Broadway Road, just north of the Ellendale five-way intersection. 'I just don't feel like you were advised correctly,' Alderwoman Monique Williams said. White Station Middle School assistant principal accused of rape The 15,000-square-foot mosque was set to be built in three stages, starting this year and ending in 2028. It would've included a place of worship, 52 parking spaces and meeting rooms. The Muslim Society said the building could save Muslim residents' commute time to Memphis' other mosques. 'That is the reason we want this facility,' one member said. 'For the people that are committed, this is a huge hardship, a huge burden to drive 30 minutes in the morning and come back home. The main concern for Bartlett residents, if the mosque were to be built, is the potential increase in traffic. 'I'm not against any kind of worship group, be it (a) synagogue, mosque, church, whatever. Just not on Broadway Road,' a resident said. Memphis lawmakers push for new jail with tax to fund it 'I can't get out of my driveway most days,' another resident said. 'I've been in two wrecks there. I've been spun into my own driveway with my daughter sitting in the backseat.' WREG dug deeper to get a copy of the traffic study ordered by the City of Bartlett. The study supported the mosque at that location. However, the Board of Alderman said traffic study or not, they can't approve it. 'I just think it is a bad plan for that location,' Alderman Jack Young said. The American Civil Liberties Union is representing the Bartlett Muslim Society and warns that the denial could have legal ramifications. 'In this case, courts often require cities to consider half measures or other measures that can be done to mitigate traffic or mitigate those concerns before they deny the permit,' said Stella Yarbrough, the Legal Director of ACLU-TN. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
