RIVER RADIO NEWS 050914
BUTLER COUNTY FIREFIGHTER ACCUSED OF ARSON
A volunteer firefighter in southeast Missouri is facing accusations that he set fire to his own home, with his son inside.
The Poplar Bluff Daily American Republic reports that firefighters responded to a home fire Tuesday morning at the home of a Butler County volunteer firefighter. A state investigator was called to the scene after firefighters determined it was suspicious.
The homeowner told authorities he was asleep with his 6-year-old son on the living room couch when he was awakened by a barking dog and smoke. The man said he got his son out.
After questioning, police detective Scott Phelps says the man admitted starting the fire, saying he had been struggling with issues.
Formal charges have not been filed and the man is undergoing mental health evaluation.
BOMB SQUAD CALLED TO SCENE OF CAPE GIRARDEAU BANK ROBBERY
The FBI is on the scene and a Cape Girardeau bank has been evacuated after a bank robbery this morning.
Authorities say a man entered the Bank of Missouri on Broadway just after 9:30 am, placed a device on the counter, grabbed several items and fled on foot.
Police evacuated the bank and called on the bomb squad to evaluate the device. No details have been released at this time as to what they determined.
The suspect has been described as a black male, medium build wearing brown coveralls.
WOMAN REPORTED MISSING OUT OF POCAHONTAS
A Silver Alert has been requested for a missing Pocahontas woman.
According to the Arkansas State Police, 67 year old Mary Carolyn Waddell reportedly left her residence on Tuesday at around 4 pm. She left a note saying that she was having financial problems and was going away for a couple of days.
The Arkansas State Police says that Waddell is being treated for depression and the only family she has outside of Arkansas is in Illinois. They say she has not contacted them.
She may be travelling in a Blue 2002 Dodge Caravan with an Arkansas license plate of 592 OHX.
Anyone who has information about Waddell’s whereabouts should contact the Pocahontas Police Department at 870-892-3295.
WINONA MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE WITH POISONED KOOL-AID
A Winona man is in custody after being accused of killing his wife with poisoned Kool-Aid.
Authorities say 35 year old Jason McClurg told a witness that he had mixed a large amount of blood pressure medicine into his wife’s drink in an attempt to “get rid of her.”
According to accounts, McClurg first unsuccessfully attempted the poisoning with motion sickness pills on Saturday. When that did not work, he tried again on Sunday using blood pressure medication.
32 year old Stephanie McClurg was found dead on the family’s couch Sunday.
Authorities say McClurg admitted to the crime Tuesday. He has been charged with first degree murder.
SHOOTING IN WALNUT RIDGE DEEMED JUSTIFIED
Officials have determined that a shooting that involved two Walnut Ridge police officers last month was justified.
Elijah Waltman was shot by Police during an incident on April 23rd. Waltman had shot a female before being shot by police.
According to KAIT, Prosecuting attorney Henry Boyce says that the officers were justified in shooting Waltman and that criminal charges are not warranted.
ONE ARRESTED IN OREGON COUNTY ON DRUG CHARGES
An Alton female was arrested Wednesday morning on drug charges in Oregon County.
According to the Highway Patrol, 39 year old Ladonna A. Asher, is facing charges of possession with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and child endangerment.
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH IN DEXTER
Officials in Dexter are planning to hold a checkpoint in the near future.
According to Dexter Police Chief Sammy Stone, the Dexter Police Department will conduct a sobriety checkpoint sometime in June. The operation will be done in cooperation with other local law enforcement agencies.
MISSOURI GOVERNOR HAS KNEE SURGERY
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon is recovering after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee.
Nixon spokesman Scott Holste said Thursday that the governor has remained on the job by holding staff meetings at his residence instead of the Capitol.
He said Nixon had the surgery Tuesday morning in Columbia. That's about the same time that the Missouri House was voting to enact an income tax cut by overriding Nixon's veto of the bill.
Nixon has had other knee procedures in the past. Holste said the latest surgery was not the result of any new injury.
LAWMAKERS SEND NEW BUDGET TO GOVERNOR NIXON
Missouri lawmakers have passed a budget that would restore Medicaid benefits cut a decade ago and boost spending on public education.
The $26.4 billion budget approved Thursday now goes to Governor Jay Nixon. It would take effect July 1st.
The budget would restore dental care and occupational, speech and physical therapies for hundreds of thousands of adult Medicaid recipients. Those benefits were eliminated in 2005 under cuts enacted by the Republican-led Legislature.
The 2015 budget also would provide at least a $114.8 million increase in the state's $3.1 billion of basic aid for public schools.
Colleges and universities would get an average performance-based funding increase of 5 percent.
The budget also increases funding for college scholarships and authorizes bonding for a new building at the Fulton State Hospital.
FORMER MISSOURI GOVERNOR PASSES AWAY
A son of former Missouri Governor Joseph Teasdale says his father has died at age 78.
The former Democratic governor's eldest son, Bill Teasdale, tells the Associated Press that his father died of complications from pneumonia shortly after 5 pm Thursday at a Kansas City hospice center. He says his father was surrounded by family when he passed away.
Joe Teasdale defeated Republican Governor Christopher S. Bond in 1976 and served as Missouri's governor until 1981, when Bond took back the seat.
