RIVER RADIO NEWS 021214
WORKER DIES IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
An employee of a business in Northeast Arkansas was killed Tuesday.
According to authorities, a worker at Nucor Steel died early Tuesday morning.
The employee, whose name was not released, reportedly suffered a head injury after the train he was riding on appeared to have derailed.
OVER ONE THOUSAND TRAFFIC CRASHES INVESTIGATED OVER TWO DAYS LAST WEEK IN MISSOURI
Troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated over one thousand crashes over a two day period last week due to the hazardous weather conditions.
According to Colonel Ron Replogle, preliminary statistics for February 4th and 5th showed that troopers investigated 1,054 traffic crashes over the two days, which resulted in 96 injuries and two fatalities statewide.
In addition to the crashes, troopers also answered over three thousand calls for assistance during the two days. These calls included vehicles breaking down, sliding off the roadway, or vehicles being left on the side of the road impeding snow removal.
EVENTS CONTINUING FOR NATIONAL SALUTE TO VETERANS WEEK AT VA MEDICAL CENTER
Events are continuing today at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center for Salute to Veterans Week.
At 1 pm today, the music group Nuthin’ Fancy will be providing entertainment, with refreshments provided by the Poplar Bluff Federal Credit Union.
On Thursday, students from the Sears Youth Center will be bringing cards to the Medical Center. Salute to Veterans Week will wrap up on Friday, when the VFW and Auxiliary Department of Arkansas will have snacks and roses in the lobby for the veterans.
23RD ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL STARTS TOMORROW AT THREE RIVERS COLLEGE
The Tinnin Fine Arts Center will be filled with jazz music starting tomorrow night as a part of the 23rd Annual Jazz Festival at Three Rivers College.
The festival will feature two shows, one on February 13th and a second on February 15th. Both shows will be at 7 pm and admission is free.
Performing both nights of the Festival will be the Three Rivers College Jazz Band, and guest clinician Steve Williams, Director of Bands at Windsor High School in Imperial, Missouri.
Performing on February 13th will be the Poplar Bluff Junior and Senior High School bands, the Dexter High School band, the Sikeston High School band, the Jefferson R-7 Junior and Senior High bands, and the Charleston High School band.
The Saturday, February 15th performance will feature the Southeast All-District Jazz Band, which consists of the best high school jazz musicians in Missouri Music Educators Association District 10.
For more information, call the Three Rivers College Music Department at 573-840-9639.
2014 CAPE GIRARDEAU REGIONAL AIR FESTIVAL CANCELLED
The 2014 Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival has been cancelled.
Bruce Loy, Airport Manager at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and Director for the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival announced yesterday that the headliner for the event, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, have cancelled all of their U.S. air show appearances for this year due to budget cuts.
The festival had been scheduled for mid-may.
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR MULTIPLE ROAD RESURFACING PROJECTS IN STODDARD COUNTY
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission have awarded an almost $2 million contract for resurfacing projects in Stoddard and New Madrid Counties.
The just over $1.7 million contract went to Apex Paving Company. The contract includes resurfacing Routes Z, E, and AF in Stoddard County, along with Route H in New Madrid County.
A timetable for the projects was not released.
LAWMAKERS GIVE FIRST APPROVAL TO BILL THAT WOULD CONSIDER MORE SUBSTANCES AS SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA
Missouri House members have given first-round approval to legislation taking aim at synthetic drugs.
The bill would add several specific substances to what is considered synthetic marijuana.
It was endorsed by a voice vote Tuesday and needs a second vote before moving to the Senate.
In recent years, Missouri has tried to keep pace with evolving synthetic drugs and twice has approved legislation targeting them. Sponsoring House member Shawn Rhoads says the current bill is needed to stay ahead in the effort.
Lawmakers in 2010 barred spice cannabinoids sold as incense known as K2. A year later, the definition of marijuana in state drug laws was expanded to cover synthetics. The 2011 measure also barred substances marketed as incense or "bath salts" that mimic the effects of cocaine and marijuana.
WORKERS TESTIFY FOR HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE
Supporters of a higher wages are urging Missouri lawmakers to let voters decide whether to increase the state's minimum wage to $10 an hour.
Missouri's minimum wage currently is $7.50 an hour - 25 cents higher than the federal minimum wage.
Several low-income workers testified Tuesday before a Missouri Senate committee in support of a proposed ballot measure increasing the minimum wage. The workers said they often must skip meals because they don't earn enough to pay all the bills for food, housing, utilities and transportation.
A Webster University economist said a minimum wage increase would help the economy, because workers likely would spend the additional money.
Lobbyists for several business groups testified against the measure, citing concerns that it could squeeze low-skill workers out of jobs.
MISSOURI HOUSE COMMITTEE ENDORSES RIGHT TO WORK
A Missouri House committee has endorsed a measure, known as "right to work," that would bar labor contracts from requiring that all employees pay union fees.
The House Workforce Development and Workforce Safety Committee also voted on Monday to advance legislation that would change how unions can collect fees. It would require unions to get annual written authorization to collect fees that are automatically deducted from a worker's paycheck.
If they clear the Legislature, both measures would go on a statewide ballot. The Republican sponsors say sending the bills to voters would get around a likely veto by Democratic Governor Jay Nixon.
"Right to work" is a top priority of Republican House Speaker Tim Jones, of Eureka.
