The Greene County Commission approved a larger 2017 budget during a signing ceremony Jan. 30. Following a line-by-line presentation from Greene County Budget Officer Jeff Scott, above, commissioners Bob Cirtin, Harold Bengsch and Lincoln Hough signed the $147.6 million budget. The budget still fell $9 million short of addressing critical unmet needs submitted by county leaders.

SBJ photo by WES HAMILTON

Gov. Eric Greitens introduces the state’s fiscal 2018 budget Feb. 2 at the Nixa Public Schools Early Learning Center. He says cuts in excess of $700 million are needed in the next 18 months to fix a “broken budget.” A full budget conference was held in Jefferson City later that day.

SBJ photo by ERIC OLSON

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth raised more than $1.8 million last year setting a new record – again. The total is up 9.2 percent over last year’s record of $1.7 million. The funds are used to buy life-saving equipment and provide financial assistance, education and health care services, such as the Special Needs Fund and Family Care Grants. All money donated to the organization stays local.

Photo provided by COXHEALTH