RIVER RADIO NEWS 080713
RAINS CAUSING POSSIBLE FLOODING IN SOUTHERN MISSOURI
A wet August could get even wetter across much of Missouri in the coming days, raising new flooding concerns.
National Weather Service hydrologist Mark Fuchs says an unstable weather pattern is expected to continue for at least the next week or so, potentially causing more rivers and creeks to rise above their banks.
Downpours Monday night and Tuesday morning caused flash flooding in south-central Missouri, hitting hardest in Waynesville. Much of southern Missouri is under flood or flash flood watches or warnings.
Even larger rivers could spike, including the Missouri. Fuchs says the Missouri River could rise as much as 15 feet in parts of central and eastern Missouri, though because it is currently low, it isn't expected to rise above flood stage.
GOVERNOR NIXON DISCUSES SALES TAX VETO DURING STOP IN POPLAR BLUFF
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was in Poplar Bluff to discuss his recent veto of a bill which would eliminate a sales tax exemption on prescription drugs.
During a stop at Key Drugs, Nixon said that House Bill 253 would result in an additional estimated tax of $200 million dollars a year on prescription medication. Nixon vetoed the bill in June.
Missouri law has exempted prescription drug costs and co-pays from state sales taxes since 1979.
SIKESTON FARM AWARDED $24,000 GRANT
A Sikeston farm will be receiving $24,000 dollars in grant money according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
The funding will go to Heckemeyer Farms, of Sikeston, to assist them in the growing of their sweet sorghum business.
The money was awarded by The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority as a part of the Missouri Value-Added Grant Program, which provides grants for projects that advance the development of Missouri agricultural products while aiding the economy of a rural community.
NEW MADRID FLOODWAY PROJECT MOVING FORWARD
A long-delayed project to close a huge levee gap and improve drainage in southeast Missouri is moving forward.
The Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday announced plans for public meetings to discuss a proposed environmental impact statement for the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway project. Meetings will be held August 27th in East Prairie, and August 28th in Cairo, Illinois.
The levee holds back the Mississippi River from agricultural land in the Bootheel, but it has a 1,500-foot gap.
A $100 million project that also includes drainage improvements in Charleston, East Prairie and Sikeston was given the go-ahead in 2006 but halted a year later over concerns raised by environmentalists. A federal judge agreed to put the project on hold.
STEELE TEENAGER FACING ROBBERY CHARGES
A Steele teenager is facing robbery charges following an incident earlier this month.
According to Missouri Case Net, 19 year old Marquel Lawless has been charged with felony first degree robbery. The charge stems from an incident on August 1st. Lawless was arraigned on Monday and had his bond set at $100,000.
His next hearing was scheduled for Monday, September 16th.
MAN ACCUSED OF VIDEO TAPING WOMEN IN OFFICE BATHROOM
A man is facing felony charges after allegedly videotaping women in an office bathroom.
According to the Southeast Missourian, 52 year old Frank F. Fuchs, from Cedar Hills, was arrested by the Cape Girardeau Police Department after he was reportedly found inside a women’s bathroom at an area office complex with a video-recording device.
Police reportedly later found the camera to contain multiple clips of females in a restroom. Fuchs has been charged with invasion of privacy.
MEETING TO BE HELD TO DISCUSS UPCOMING RAIL CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
A state commission is taking comments on a proposal to improve rail crossings in four Southeast Missouri counties.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission is considering a proposal to improve existing railroad crossings in Perry, New Madrid, Scott and Pemiscot Counties. More information about the improvement proposal is available online at MoDot.org.
Comments can be submitted through September 7th.
PARAGOULD POLICE TO PARTICIPATE IN CRACKDOWN ON DRUNK DRIVERS
Paragould Police will be participating in a drunken driving crackdown beginning later this month.
The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign will run from August 16th to Labor Day on September 2nd. According to Paragould Police, in 2011, there were 9,878 fatalities on America's highways in which drunk drivers or motorcycle riders were involved.
CHANGES GOING INTO EFFECT FOR CDL TESTING
Changes for commercial driver’s license testing are set to go into effect later this month.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, currently drivers applying for a commercial vehicle driver’s license are required to pass a written test and then pass a skills test to obtain the appropriate class of license. Under current law the skills test can be taken on the same day the permit is received.
However, beginning on August 28th, after passing the required written tests, commercial drivers must obtain a permit, and maintain the permit for 14 calendar days before they will be allowed to take the skills test, which includes the pre-trip, basic, and road tests.
