POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE DRUG CHARGES
A Poplar Bluff man is facing multiple drug related felonies along with a firearm charge following his arrest Wednesday night.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 31 year old Dale D. Fry was taken into custody shortly before 8 pm in Wayne County.
Fry is facing felony charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance – hydrocodone, possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
Fry is also facing a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.
DOCTOR ACCUSED OF TAKING NUDE PHOTOS OF PATIENTS ARRESTED
A Paragould doctor has been arrested on charges of video voyeurism.
According to KAIT, 68 year old Paul Becton Jr., of Paragould, was taken into custody Wednesday in Newport.
A warrant was issued earlier this week for Becton’s arrest.
Authorities reportedly found numerous pictures of nude women on a cell phone that was taken from Becton during a search.
The warrant says that the pictures appeared to have been taken in a medical office during examinations. The search was prompted after a woman told police that she became suspicious after an examination that she may have been photographed.
BICYCLE TRAIL NEAR POPLAR BLUFF CLOSED TO TARGET SHOOTING
A bicycle trail near Poplar Bluff has been closed to all recreational shooting and target practice.
According to the Mark Twain National Forrest, the order is for the Wolf Creek Bicycle Trail area north of Poplar Bluff and is effective immediately to address public safety concerns.
A map of the affected area is available at the Poplar Bluff Ranger District Office on Maud Street.
ALLEY SPRING TO HOST JUNIOR RANGER DAY NEXT MONTH
Students will have a chance to learn more about nature at the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger Day on May 9th.
Local schools are invited to bring their 2nd through 5th graders to the free event at Alley Spring on Friday, May 9th starting at 10:00 am. The general public is also invited.
Schools and large groups should RSVP by calling Bill O’Donnell at 573-323-8093.
MESSIAH CONCERT TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND AT TINNIN FINE ARTS CENTER
Audience members will get to participate in a sing along concert this weekend at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center.
The performance of Handel’s “Messiah” will feature soloists from Kennett, Poplar Bluff, and Williamsville. Audience members will be able to purchase a score and participate along with the music.
“Messiah” is one of the most famous and most frequently performed pieces of choral music in the world and is best known for its “Hallelujah” chorus.
The performance will begin at 7 pm on Saturday, April 19th.
ARREST MADE IN NEW MADRID COUNTY AS A PART OF ICE ROUND UP
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested 24 men in Missouri and Illinois for what officials call "egregious" immigration violations, including individuals who entered the country illegally and committed crimes.
The arrests, made in a five-day roundup last week, were announced Tuesday. Arrests were made in New Madrid and St. Charles Counties in Missouri along with four counties in Illinois.
ICE says 15 of those arrested were criminals with convictions that include sexual misconduct, felonious restraint and other charges. Others arrested were fugitives with outstanding deportation orders.
ICE says 14 of the suspects are from Mexico, nine from Guatemala and one from India. An immigration judge will determine whether the suspects should be deported.
GOVERNOR NIXON BLASTS TAX CUT BILL
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon is describing a tax-cut bill passed by the Legislature as a "reckless fiscal experiment."
The Democratic governor indicated Wednesday that he likely will veto the income tax cut, just as he did a similar bill passed last year by the Republican-led Legislature.
Nixon convened a news conference to denounce the legislation a mere hour after the House gave it final approval on a 104 to 48 vote.
The legislation would gradually cut Missouri's top individual income tax rate and phase in a new deduction for people who report business income on personal tax returns. The tax cuts would begin in 2017, but only if state revenues keep rising.
Nixon says the tax cuts would "drastically slash the income of our state" and harm education funding.
RENEWAL OF DRUG BENEFIT ENDORSED BY MISSOURI SENATE
The Missouri Senate has endorsed legislation to renew an expiring prescription drug benefit for over 200,000 low-income and disabled seniors.
The Missouri Rx Program is scheduled to expire in August, but the measure endorsed on Wednesday would extend the benefit until 2017.
State officials estimate more than 9 million prescription drug claims will be filed for 230,000 Missourians during the current budget year. Governor Jay Nixon has called on lawmakers to renew the program.
The bill would also allow doctors to write epinephrine prescriptions to some locations, including restaurants and amusement parks. Those places could then keep an emergency supply of the drug that treats severe allergic reactions.
It needs one more vote before moving to the House.
