RIVER RADIO NEWS 081413
MORE DETAILS RELEASED IN SIDNEY RANDALL’S DEATH
An autopsy report says a 14-year-old Walnut Ridge girl found dead in the Black River died of blows to the head with a heavy object.
The report released by Arkansas State Police says Sidney Randall was hit more than once in head and that her DNA was found under the fingernails of her now-dead stepfather - John Cornell.
State Police Sergeant Scott Pillow told The Jonesboro Sun that all evidence points to Cornell as the killer.
Randall was last seen alive March 9th. Her mother awoke to find Randall and Cornell missing from their home. Cornell arrived shortly afterward and told his wife he would file a police report.
Cornell was found dead March 11th of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Randall's body was found in the river May 18th.
TWO INDICTED ON FEDERAL CHILD ENTICEMENT CHARGES
Two people were indicted last week on federal child enticement charges.
According to United States Attorney Christopher Thyer, 21 year old Kenneth Wayne Thompson, of Bradford, and 19 year old Benjamin Cade Vardell, of Jonesboro, were each indicted by a federal grand jury on August 7th on one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct.
The two were reportedly arrested based on messages found on a runaway juvenile’s cell phone last December. Their trials were set for September 16th.
ARMED ROBBERY REPORTED IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Jonesboro authorities are investigating an armed robbery.
According to KAIT, the 73 year old woman said that a man with a gun forced his way into her home on Forrest Hill Road and took phones and her purse before fleeing. The incident reportedly happened after 6 pm on Monday.
CHARLESTON MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO NUMEROUS VEHICLE BREAK-INS
Police in Charleston have arrested a man who is allegedly responsible for numerous vehicle break-ins in the area.
Authorities say 23 year old Kody Riley, of Charleston, was taken into custody last week. Investigators say that when they found Riley, he was in possession of several electronic items and a purse that they believe were stolen.
Riley is being charged as a prior and persistent offender.
THREE ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES IN BOLLINGER COUNTY
Three Marquand men were reportedly arrested on drug charges Monday night.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 60 year old Andrew J. Buesking, 38 year old Michael S. Buesking, and 40 year old Andrew J. Buesking were each arrested on charges including felony possession of chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance.
The men were arrested shortly after 6 pm Monday in Bollinger County.
CONVICTION AFFIRMED OF VAN BUREN MAN ON DEATH ROW
The Missouri Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of a southeast Missouri man who was sentenced to death for the ambush killing of a state trooper in 2005.
Lance Shockley of Van Buren was convicted of first-degree murder for killing Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Carl Dewayne Graham Jr., who was shot in the back of the head just as he had returned home from work. Graham had been investigating Shockley for a fatal traffic accident.
Shockley has been on death row since 2009. His appeal cited a litany of alleged procedural errors at trial, claimed a juror was tainted and said the sentence didn't fit the crime. The Supreme Court disagreed in a unanimous ruling.
POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL YEAR TO BEGIN TOMORROW
Students will be heading back to school tomorrow in Poplar Bluff.
The 2013-2014 Poplar Bluff school year is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Parents can find more information about the Poplar Bluff School District online at www.poplarbluffshcools.net.
WEATHER FORCES RELOCATION OF UPCOMING THREE RIVERS GROUNDBREAKING
The upcoming groundbreaking of Three River College’s Eastern Campus is being relocated due to the recent heavy rains.
The groundbreaking will now be held at the Family Life Center at Life Church in Sikeston on Thursday. The event will begin at 10 am.
STATE TROOPERS TO SATURATE SEVEN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI COUNTIES
Seven Southeast Missouri counties will see an increased presence of state troopers as a part of a DWI Saturation.
The operation will be held sometime this or next month, according to Captain George Ridens. The counties included in the operation are Butler, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard, Dunklin, Pemiscot, and New Madrid.
INTERSTATE 55 REPAIRS TODAY IN SCOTT COUNTY
Missouri Department of Transportation crews will be in Scott County today for bridge repairs on Interstate 55.
Work is scheduled to be performed today from 7:30 am to 5 pm between Route PP and Route M at Scott City.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS PROPOSAL CHALLENGED IN LAWSUIT
A retired Missouri investment executive who has given millions of dollars to campaigns has filed a lawsuit challenging a proposed ballot measure seeking to establish campaign contribution limits.
The Kansas City Star reported Tuesday that Rex Sinquefield argues in his lawsuit that contribution limits would infringe on constitutional rights to free speech and free association. The suit contends the proposed limits are so low that they inhibit effective advocacy, particularly as political campaigns become more costly.
The ballot measure is sponsored by the Missouri Roundtable for Life. It could go on the 2014 ballot if sufficient signatures are gathered from registered voters. It would cap donations at $2,600 for candidates for statewide office or the Legislature. Missouri repealed its limits on campaign contributions in 2008.
