MAN INDICTED FOR FRAUD SCHEME THAT INVOLVED POPLAR BLUFF PROPERTY
A man has been indicted in connection to a multi-million dollar loan fraud scheme that involved property in the Poplar Bluff area.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Ronald L. Roberts was indicted on three felony counts of wire fraud and one felony count of mail fraud.
The indictment alleges that Roberts solicited personal loans for a fictitious real estate transaction involving property in or around Poplar Bluff.
According to the indictment, there was no such real estate transaction pending, the property in question was worth substantially less than Roberts represented and the funds provided by lenders were instead diverted to Roberts’ personal use.
If convicted, each count of mail and wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. APPROXIMATELY 75 EMPLOYEES TO BE LAID OFF FROM AREA BUSINESS
Approximately 75 employees are set to be laid off from an area business.
Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation announced on Tuesday that they are planning to reduce their workforce by approximately 190 employees and contract workers.
A press release states that the workforce reduction plan includes approximately 75 employees in the Company's Primary Aluminum business. Noranda’s primary aluminum smelter is located in New Madrid. TWO ARRESTED IN SIKESTON BURGLARY
Over $1450 worth of Jewelry items was reportedly burglarized from a Sikeston business.
According to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, two people have been arrested in connection to the burglary at the JC Penny’s in Sikeston.
45 year old Joe Nathan Williamson and 41 year old Paul Wayne Williamson, both of Sikeston, are facing charges of 2nd degree burglary and stealing. Police say that about a third of the property was recovered. MAN CHARGED IN 2012 SHOOTING DEATH
Nearly 20 months after a southeast Missouri man was shot to death, charges have been filed.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 24-year-old Zachary Clampitt of Park Hills is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and first-degree burglary in the April 25, 2012, killing of 57-year-old Thomas Espy.
The Reynolds County sheriff is also seeking second-degree murder and burglary charges against another suspect.
Espy was a retired St. Louis sheet metal worker. He was sleeping on a couch at a family retreat near the Black River when a bullet came through the window and struck and killed him.
Clampitt is already serving a seven-year sentence for assault on law enforcement and property damage.
Police got a tip that the two were involved in the case. JONESBORO MAN FACING STALKING CHARGE
A Jonesboro man has been arrested on a stalking charge.
According to authorities, 18 year old Joshua Michael Brooks has been accused of stalking a young girl. The girl’s father reportedly told authorities that Brooks had exposed himself to the girl.
Brooks was taken into custody on Monday. MORE CHARGES FOR MAN ARRESTED IN ATTEMPTED CAPE GIRARDEAU BANK ROBBERY
A man who was taken into custody Monday following an attempted bank robbery in Cape Girardeau is facing additional charges.
According to authorities, 50 year old David C. Dawson, of Cape Girardeau, is facing a charge of 1st degree attempted robbery.
Patrolman Darin Hickey, with the Cape Girardeau Police Department, tells KWOC News that Dawson has also been charged with felony property damage for his alleged role in the damaging of an ATM. TEENAGER MISSING OUT OF INDEPENDENCE COUNTY, ARKANSAS
Authorities in Northeast Arkansas are looking for help in finding a missing teenager.
According to KAIT, The Independence County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in finding 15 year old Kourtney Shiver. The girl has black hair and brown eyes and is 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds.
Shiver was last seen on Friday, December 13th in the area of Spring Valley. Anyone with information about Shiver’s location is asked to call 870-793-8838. MAN CHARGED IN SIKESTON CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERY
One man has been taken into custody following a robbery at a Sikeston convenience store.
According to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, a man entered a Break Time early Monday morning and allegedly ordered the clerk to the register and demanded money. The man then fled from the business with the money and two packs of cigarettes.
Following an investigation, officers arrested 24 year old Collin Lester Mosley, of Sikeston. Mosley has been charged with 2nd degree robbery. LISTENING POST MEETING TO BE HELD THURSDAY IN ELLINGTON
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt’s staff will host a Listening Post Meeting Thursday in Ellington.
Listening Posts are opportunities for Missourians to discuss their questions or concerns with the federal government one-on-one with members of Senator Blunt’s staff.
The meeting will be held from 10:30 am to 11:30 am tomorrow at the Ellington City Hall. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DOWN IN MISSOURI
Missouri's unemployment rate declined in November while payrolls expanded by 15,000 jobs.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development reported Tuesday the jobless rate fell to 6.1 percent in November from 6.5 percent in October.
The leading gainer was educational and health services, which added 5,200 jobs last month. The construction sector grew by 2,300 and professional and business services increased by 2,000 jobs. The information, leisure and hospitality sectors each declined by 200 jobs.
Missouri's civilian labor force was about 3 million, which is down 244 from October. The labor force includes people with jobs and those who are on unemployment but looking for work. MISSOURI AUDITOR LOOKS AT MISSOURI WELFARE BENEFITS
A new audit questions whether hundreds of Missouri welfare recipients are living out of state or using benefits for alcohol, tobacco and gambling.
The report released Tuesday by State Auditor Tom Schweich looks at about $96 million of benefits paid through electronic cards in 2012 for a program known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
The audit found 366 cases in which recipients used a total of $461,000 of benefits exclusively out of state for at least three months. Although nothing prohibits out of state use, the report says that may indicate the welfare recipients no longer live in Missouri.
The audit also found about 1,600 cases in which $261,000 of benefits were used at locations appearing to be associated with alcohol, tobacco, gambling or adult entertainment.
