RIVER RADIO NEWS 010714
ONE ARRESTED IN ALLEGED MURDER FOR HIRE PLOT
Authorities in Reynolds County have arrested a woman in an alleged murder for hire plot.
According to the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office, Cassandra Rayfield has been charged with attempted murder 1st degree.
On January 3rd, an undercover deputy met with Rayfield where a discussion ensued about paying for the murder of her ex-boyfriend.
During the meeting, money was exchanged, as well as photographs of the victim and directions to his residence. Rayfield stated that she wanted the ex-boyfriend killed because of an ongoing custody dispute.
Rayfield was arrested after leaving the meeting area.
WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO FLEE FROM POLICE WHILE HANDCUFFED
An employee at a Jonesboro business is facing charges for allegedly stealing almost $3000.
According to a report from KAIT, Shanekwa Taylor is facing charges of theft of property through credit card information, fleeing, and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Taylor had allegedly been using customer’s credit card numbers to make transactions and then requested cash back. Officers were alerted to the crime and arrested her at her workplace. When officers were walking Taylor out to the patrol car, she reportedly ran from officers while still handcuffed.
She was later found and taken back into custody.
UP TO $30,000 IN REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT YEAR OLD ARSON CASE
Up to $30,000 in reward money is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible in a year old arson case.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, leads are still being sought in an ongoing investigation of an intentionally set fire at the Crop Production Services in Portageville on January 1st, 2013.
Individuals with information about the fire are urged to call Sergeant William T. Cooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol at (573) 225-1050, Investigator Danny Ware at the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department at (573) 748-2516, or the Missouri Arson Hotline at 1-800-39-ARSON.
WARMING CENTERS OPEN THROUGHOUT BUTLER COUNTY
Extreme cold has prompted the opening of several warming centers throughout Butler County.
Butler County Emergency Management Director Jeff Shawan says those in Poplar Bluff who need a place to warm up can go to the United Gospel Rescue Mission on South Broadway, across from Missouri Natural Gas; Second General Baptist Church at 5th and Pine; or Fellowship General Baptist Church at 3581 North Westwood.
Warming stations are also open at the Nutrition Centers or Community Centers in Neelyville, Fisk and Qulin.
CARDINALS CARAVAN TO INCLUDE STOP IN CAPE GIRARDEAU AND JONESBORO
The 2014 Cardinals Caravan will include stops in both Jonesboro and Cape Girardeau.
On Monday, January 20th, Cardinals players Seth Maness, Keith Butler, and Randal Grichuk, along with alumni Al Hrabosky, Andy Benes, and Kerry Robinson will be at the Mall at Turtle Creek in Jonesboro and the Osage Center in Cape Girardeau.
Both events will be emceed by Rick Horton. The Jonesboro event will begin at noon, with the Cape Girardeau event following at 6 pm. There will be autographs for kids, Cardinals prize drawings and more at each event. More information is available at the Cardinals website, stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/.
CARDINALS CARAVAN TO INCLUDE STOP IN CAPE GIRARDEAU AND JONESBORO
The 2014 Cardinals Caravan will include stops in both Jonesboro and Cape Girardeau.
On Monday, January 20th, Cardinals players Seth Maness, Keith Butler, and Randal Grichuk, along with alumni Al Hrabosky, Andy Benes, and Kerry Robinson will be at the Mall at Turtle Creek in Jonesboro and the Osage Center in Cape Girardeau.
Both events will be emceed by Rick Horton. The Jonesboro event will begin at noon, with the Cape Girardeau event following at 6 pm. There will be autographs for kids, Cardinals prize drawings and more at each event. More information is available at the Cardinals website, stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/.
EXTREME COLD CHALLENGES MODOT CREWS
Missouri Department of Transportation crews have been working around the clock on roads in Southeast Missouri; however the extremely cold temperatures continue to provide challenges.
According to MoDOT Southeast District Maintenance Engineer Jeff Johnson, bitterly cold temperatures have greatly reduced the effectiveness of the salt and other snow-melting materials.
Many of the major routes in the Southeast District are currently considered partly covered, with some areas considered covered.
Johnson says that we should start seeing more progress today when the temperature starts to rise, however travelers should be extremely cautious for their morning commute.
FIRE OFFICIALS ASK FOR PEOPLE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN HEATING THEIR HOMES
Fire officials are urging Missourians to be careful when using space heaters and fireplaces to heat their homes.
The state fire marshal's office says flammable objections should be kept at least 3 feet away from portable space heaters, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and furnaces. Portable heaters should be turned off when leaving a room or going to bed.
Ovens should never be used to heat a house, and people should not burn in their fireplaces Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper.
The National Fire Protection Association says space heaters account for about one-third of home heating fires and 80 percent of home heating fire deaths each year.
EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY FOR VACANT ARKANSAS STATE SENATE SEAT
Early voting is set to begin to fill a vacant state Senate seat from northeast Arkansas.
Early voting begins Tuesday in the race between Democrat Steve Rockwell and Republican John Cooper for the District 21 state Senate seat left vacant by the resignation of former Senator Paul Bookout.
Bookout resigned in August after the state Ethics Commission found that he had spent money from his re-election bid on clothing, home theater equipment and dozens of other personal items.
The election is scheduled for January 14th.
The Jonesboro Sun reports that early voting will be available through January 13th from 8 am to 5 pm at the Craighead County Election Annex in Jonesboro and at the courthouse in Lake City.
