The Livingston County budget had its first review recently in a public hearing. Presiding Commissioner Ed Douglas says this year's budget is up about 2.1 million dollars due to a USDA Levy project where the county will have that money come into their accounts, and they will send it back out, but they have to show it as part of the budget. Douglas says expenditures will be near $8 million this year. He says the county approved adding another employee in the Public Administrator's office, a deputy and a new vehicle were added for the Sheriff's office, and other equipment purchases. The county also switched to a partially self-insured health insurance program. A second public hearing will be held January 30th at 10:00 am in the commission room of the courthouse.
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Several local groups teamed up for the first time ever this year to send holiday greetings to soldiers to remind them they are supported all year, but especially during the holidays. Boy Scout Troop 120 members wrote personal letters, signed Christmas cards, made homemade Christmas ornaments and placed these along with other items into stockings. With the support of adult leaders and co-leaders, along with Girl Scout Troop 120 and other youth groups and organizations, donations came from friends and family as well as local businesses like Shoe Sensation, HyVee, Lowe's and Wal-Mart to help fill the stockings. Together the groups prepared 97 stockings which will be sent to active duty deployed troops with the help of Chillicothe's National Guard post.
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January 1, 2020, was the last night for the much-loved annual holiday tradition of Festival of Lights in Simpson Park. Barb Burton, Festival of Lights committee member, said crews will begin gathering at Simpson Park to start taking down the decorations beginning at 10 a.m. on January 2. Anyone wishing to help is encouraged to join the efforts. Community members enjoyed the dazzling display of lights and decorations which were turned on at 5:30 p.m. on November 23. Festival of Lights is made possible each year through the donations of Chillicothe and area individuals, businesses, and foundations. Donations may be dropped in the Festival of Lights donation box at Simpson Park or mailed to Festival of Lights, P.O. Box 1032, Chillicothe, MO.
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The Veterans Memorial Plaza on the south side of the Livingston County Courthouse now includes a black granite bench that has been dedicated in honor and in memory of all military veterans. The bench was the Eagle Scout project of Dalton Ripley who planned, organized, led, and managed the project from the initial concept to its dedication on Saturday, November 9, 2019. Ripley extended appreciation to the Livingston County Commission for working with him and allowing him to place the bench on the courthouse grounds and to the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars for permitting the placement of the bench adjacent to the Veterans Memorial. Ripley is a member of Boy Scout Troop 120 and a junior at Chillicothe High School.
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