RIVER RADIO NEWS 101413
CHARGES SOUGHT FOR HIT AND RUN SUSPECT
A Poplar Bluff man, who was allegedly involved in a fatal hit and run last week, will most likely face multiple charges, however none directly related to the death.
According to the Daily American Republic, the Poplar Bluff Police Department is seeking charges of leaving the scene of an accident, tampering with physical evidence, and driving while suspended against 20 year old Joseph Jack Dangerfield.
Authorities say 26 year old Jason Thomas Eppinette was fatally injured Monday morning when he was hit by a vehicle while attempting to cross West Pine Street. They say Dangerfield allegedly struck Eppinette and then fled the scene because his license was suspended.
Dangerfield was arrested Thursday in connection to the case.
The DAR reports that Butler County Coroner Jim Akers says Eppinette stepped into the path of the vehicle, resulting in his death. Because the death was the result of his own actions, no charges in relation to the death will be filed.
SILVA WOMAN FATALLY INJURED IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH
A Silva woman was fatally injured in a single vehicle crash last night.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened at 6 pm on County Road 205, approximately two miles north of Route M, when the vehicle being driven by 51 year old Katrina M. Graff, left the roadway and struck a tree. Graff was later pronounced dead at St. Louis University Hospital.
BODY OF MISSING MATTHEWS MAN RECOVERED
The body of a Matthews man, who had been missing since a boating accident last month, has been recovered.
Authorities say the body of 27 year old Christopher Wescoat was discovered Thursday in the Mississippi River, near Portageville. Wescoat had been missing since a September 16th incident, when a boat Wescoat was in collided with a barge.
An investigation into the death is ongoing.
JONESBORO “CONTORTIONIST” ARRESTED WITH DRUGS AND GUNS
Police in Jonesboro, Arkansas have arrested a man, who after telling them he was a contortionist, partially escaped the handcuffs they had just put him in.
Authorities say they responded to a call about a man with a gun who appeared to be looking for someone. When they arrived, they questioned and arrested Jeremy Cole. Cole told officers that he was a contortionist and then freed one of his hands from the handcuffs, forcing officers to cuff him again.
Officers searched Cole’s vehicle and discovered marijuana and two guns.
Cole faces charges of driving while under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence.
FAIRDEALING MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE DRUG RELATED CHARGES
A Fairdealing man was taken into custody over the weekend on multiple drug related charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 30 year old Bradley W. Brooks was arrested Sunday morning in Ripley County on a Ripley County warrant for amphetamine possession, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and failure to maintain financial responsibility. He faces additional new charges of felony possession of a controlled substance, Clonzepam and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, as well as several traffic related charges, including two charges of no child restraint.
BIRCH TREE MANE FACES DRUG CHARGES AFTER SATURDAY ARREST
A Birch Tree man is facing charges after a trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol discovered he was in possession of methamphetamine.
According to a report by the Highway Patrol, 32 year old Erik L. Yarber was arrested in Shannon County shortly before 5 pm Saturday. Yarber has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as driving while revoked.
FOG MAY HAVE LED TO SCOTT COUNTRY MULTI-VEHICLE PILE-UP
Officials say thick fog may have contributed to a multiple vehicle crash Saturday night in Scott County.
According to authorities, approximately 20 vehicles were involved in the pile-up on Interstate 55, near the 77 mile marker, shortly before 11 pm. The crash blocked both lanes of the interstate and forced a temporary detour onto Highway 61.
DEXTER HIT BY STRING OF VANDALISMS
Police in Dexter are investigating a string of vandalism cases.
According to authorities, ten, or more vehicles were damaged Friday night or early Saturday morning. They say the incidents, which all reported similar damage, occurred throughout the community.
BOATERS CAN FLOAT RIVERS, NOT STOP ON FEDERAL LAND IN MISSOURI
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways says people can float rivers that flow through federal park property in southwest Missouri but they can't set foot in closed parks until the partial government shutdown is over.
When the parks were closed October 1, officials indicated rivers in the area would be closed to floating. On Thursday, Riverways Superintendent Bill Black clarified that people can float the Current and Jacks Fork rivers, but they must stay off federal park land, including gravel bars in the rivers.
The Springfield News-Leader reports all park facilities are closed and boats can't be launched from park property. But Black says there are some places at Eminence and Van Buren, and some county roads, where boats can be put in.
ARKANSAS STATE GETS $4 MILLION FOR HUMANITIES FACILITY
Arkansas State University will finally be able to finish its Humanities and Social Sciences building, thanks to $17 million in bond money and an additional $4 million from the state.
Governor Mike Beebe announced the $4 million during a Saturday ceremony at the Jonesboro campus.
The Jonesboro Sun reports the school has been working for 12 years to design and build the facility.
Trustees in September approved a bond issue that will provide $17 million, which is in addition to an earlier $17 million that came from state general improvement funds.
The four-story, 121,000-square-foot facility is to open in 2015.
ARKANSAS GOVERNOR SAYS NUMBER OF FURLOUGHED EMPLOYEES EXPECTED TO INCREASE
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe says he expects the number of state employees furloughed because of the federal government shutdown to rise to 1,460 next week.
Beebe on Friday vented frustration with Congress over the shutdown that has idled hundreds of state employees whose positions are paid for with federal funds. Beebe said that number is expected to rise Monday if the shutdown continues.
Beebe earlier this week told state agency directors in a memo that any programs or employees dependent on federal funding are to be suspended until the end of the shutdown. The memo said that any federal employees or programs that continue beyond Friday must receive certification from the state's chief fiscal officer.
