RIVER RADIO NEWS 011514
MAN SENTENCED IN CONNECTION TO POPLAR BLUFF SHOOTING DEATH
A Hayti man has been sentenced on an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with the shooting death of a Poplar Bluff man.
According to the Daily American Republic, 20 year old Tommy West III was sentenced on Monday to seven years in prison. West was convicted of shooting Michael Gregory Clayborne in the parking lot of a Poplar Bluff convenience store in October of 2012.
TWO VEHICLE CRASH KILLS PARAGOULD MAN
A Paragould man has died after a two vehicle crash near Brookland, Arkansas.
According to the Arkansas State Police, 68 year old Robert Thomas, of Paragould, was fatally injured Friday afternoon.
Authorities say the crash happened when the driver of an 18 wheeler failed to stop at a stop sign, pulling into the path of the vehicle being driven by Thomas.
SECOND ARREST MADE IN DEATH OF 11 YEAR OLD IN MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, ARKANSAS
A second arrest has been made in connection to the death of an 11 year old girl last August.
A release from the office of Arkansas’ Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington says 29 year old Freddie Sharp III, of Gosnell, Arkansas was taken into custody Monday afternoon for the rape of 11 year old Jessica Williams.
17 year old Christopher Sowell, of Gosnell, was previously arrested in the case and has been charged with first degree murder.
Williams’ body was discovered in a floodway ditch near Big Lake on August 28th.
CITY WORKERS ACCUSED OF TAKING CITY PROPERTY
Four Cape Girardeau city employees are accused of recycling city property and splitting the proceeds for themselves.
City officials says the four, who worked for the public works traffic operations, allegedly sold metal and batteries to recycling businesses more than 20 times in 2013. They have been charged with misdemeanor receiving stolen property.
The Southeast Missourian reports the four include the city's former traffic operations manager, Robert H. Kutak Jr. He and two others, Austin C. Carver and Geoffrey C. Dial, no longer work for the city. The other worker, Travis K. Friga, is still employed by the city.
Court records do not indicate if Kutak, Carver and Dial have attorneys. Friga's attorney has filed a motion for a change of judge in his case.
SIKESTON MAN ARRESTED ON FIREARM AND DRUG CHARGES
A Sikeston man is facing charges following his arrest Tuesday in Scott County.
According to the Highway Patrol, 26 year old Eric T. Lawrence has been charged with felony unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING CHURCH BREAK IN
Authorities in Cape Girardeau are investigating a church break in.
According to KFVS, the Trinity Lutheran Church was broken into Friday night. Cash and an offering cup were among the things that were reported taken.
COOPER WINS NORTHEAST ARKANSAS STATE SENATE SEAT
Republican John Cooper has won a northeast Arkansas state Senate seat, giving Republicans an extra seat in the Legislature in a race that was viewed as an early bellwether for this year's general election.
Cooper defeated Democratic nominee Steve Rockwell and replaces Democratic state Senator Paul Bookout. Bookout resigned last year after he was fined by the Ethics Commission for spending thousands in campaign funds on personal items such as clothing and theater equipment.
Complete but unofficial reports showed Cooper winning 57 percent of the vote.
RAIDERS BASKETBALL GAME RELOCATED TO POPLAR BLUFF
Some extra basketball is going to be played tonight in Poplar Bluff.
According to Three Rivers College, the college’s men’s and women’s basketball games against St. Louis Community College today have been relocated to the Bess Activity Center in Poplar Bluff due to water damage to the STLCC gymnasium.
Admission to the games will be $5, with the women’s game beginning at 5:30 and the men’s game following at 7:30.
RETURNING THREE RIVERS STUDENTS GRANTED EXTENSION FOR REGISTRATION
Students returning to Three Rivers this semester have been granted an extension to register for classes.
Students who have previously completed the admissions process at Three Rivers may now continue to register for Spring semester classes through Friday, January 17th. On the additional days, the college’s campus and full service centers will be open from 8 am to 5 pm.
For more information go online to TRCC.edu.
US 60 TO BE REDUCED THIS WEEK IN CARTER COUNTY
Missouri Department of Transportation crews will be in Wayne County for the rest of this week for concrete work on Westbound US 60.
During the repairs, US 60 will be reduced to one lane from 7:30 am to 3 pm daily, through Friday. The work zone will be located between Route P and Route Y.
FOWLER TO MEET WITH SENATORS TO GAIN SUPPORT FOR HIS CONFIRMATION TO STATE BOARD
A former Missouri lawmaker is defending his appointment to the state parole board in the face of opposition from some senators.
Dennis Fowler was appointed to the Board of Probation and Parole in December by Governor Jay Nixon. But to remain in the job, his appointment must be confirmed by the Senate.
Several Republican senators have said they intend to block Fowler's confirmation. They note Fowler was one of 15 House Republicans who split from party leaders and voted in September to sustain the Democratic governor's veto of an income tax cut bill.
Fowler is defending his vote by highlighting flaws in the vetoed bill, such as a potential tax hike on prescription drugs.
Fowler says he is meeting with senators this week to try to gain support.
