RIVER RADIO NEWS 060314
INQUEST IN CASE OF FATAL BUTLER COUNTY SHOOTING POSTPONED
A coroner's inquest to look into a fatal shooting involving a Butler County deputy has been postponed.
The inquest into a shooting that occurred May 25th was originally scheduled for Wednesday. Names of the man killed and the deputy have not been released. The man who died was from Harviell, Missouri, and the shooting occurred on his property.
Sheriff Mark Dobbs says the deputy was dispatched after a call about a possible trespasser or prowler, and someone shot at him. Dobbs says the deputy returned fire, killing the man.
The deputy remains on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquest.
FOUR DEAD IN GREENE COUNTY, ARKANSAS CRASH
Four Paragould residents were fatally injured Monday morning in a single vehicle crash in Greene County, Arkansas.
According to the Arkansas State Police, the wreck occurred around 4:30 am Monday near Browns Chapel Baptist Church on County Road 765. Authorities say 20 year old Michael Martin lost control of his vehicle while cresting a hill, causing it to hit a tree and split into two pieces.
Martin, 20 year old Barry Weyer Jr., 19 year old Sarah Bean and 20 year old Nathan Swafford were all pronounced dead at the scene.
FIERY NORTHEAST ARKANSAS CRASH CLAIMS LIFE OF MAN
A fiery single vehicle crash in Northeast Arkansas has claimed the life of a 21 year old man.
According to authorities, the accident happened early Sunday morning when Blake Allen Morgan lost control of the vehicle he was driving and ran off of County Road 451 into a wooded area in Clay County. The vehicle caught fire on impact.
Authorities say witnesses attempted to rescue Morgan, but were unable to do so.
MAN ARRESTED ON ATTEMPTED RAPE CHARGE
A Sikeston man is facing an attempted rape charge in connection to an alleged incident last week.
According to authorities, Charles W. Bell has been charged with first degree attempted rape, unlawful possession of a firearm, first degree assault, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
Bell is alleged to have assaulted a woman, as well as attempting to sexually assault her.
SUSPECT IN HOME INVASION AND ROBBERY TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Authorities in Charleston have arrested a suspect in a May 17th home invasion and robbery.
20 year old DeCarlos Clemons, of Charleston, is facing charges of first degree robbery, first degree burglary, armed criminal action, felonious restraint, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Clemons allegedly attempted to flee when he was approached by police on Sunday. He was taken into custody following a short chase.
GRANDIN MAN ARRESTED ON POSSESSION OF METH CHARGE
A Grandin man is facing a felony charge following his arrest on Sunday.
According to the Highway Patrol, 51 year old Douglas R. Wells is charged with felony possession of methamphetamine.
Wells was arrested shortly before 7 pm Sunday in Carter County.
MOBILE OFFICE TO BE HELD THIS WEEK IN POPLAR BLUFF
Staff members of United States Senator Roy Blunt will be in Poplar Bluff this week to meet with area citizens.
The meeting is a part of the Senator’s Mobile Office program, which gives Missourians the opportunity to discuss their questions or concerns with the federal government one-on-one with members of Senator Blunt’s staff.
The mobile office will be held on Thursday from 11 am to noon at the Mark Twain National Forest Service Office on Maud Street.
HAZARDOUS MOVING OPERATION TO BE HELD IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI THIS MONTH
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced an operation to target vehicles that are not being used safely.
Captain George Ridens tells us that at some point in June, troopers in Southeast Missouri will be participating in a hazardous moving vehicle operation, as well as a DWI Saturation operation.
The hazardous moving operation is designed to target vehicles that are being operated in a hazardous manner. The driving while intoxicated saturation is a mobile operation in which troopers saturate a specific area in an effort to arrest intoxicated drivers.
The Highway Patrol will be conducting the operations in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies.
NEW SURVEY SUGGEST ECONOMIC GROWTH IN MIDWEST
A monthly economic index for nine Midwestern and Plains states has inched up to hit another three-year high, suggesting more economic growth over the next three to six months.
A report issued Monday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 60.5 in May from 60.4 in April, which also was a three-year high.
Looking six months ahead, the business confidence portion of the overall index dropped to 62.5 from 64.2 in April.
The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.
The survey covers nine states including Arkansas and Missouri.
GOVERNOR NIXON VOICES CONCERNS ON TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon says a proposed sales tax increase is "neither a fair nor a fiscally responsible" solution to pay for transportation needs.
State lawmakers approved a three-quarters-of-a-cent sales tax increase for transportation. It would require voter approval, and Nixon last month referred it to the August ballot. The ballot measure says the tax is projected to raise $534 million annually for 10 years starting in 2015.
On Monday, Nixon criticized the tax proposal and said it would fall disproportionately on working families and seniors. He contrasted it with other tax cuts passed by the 2014 Legislature, including several sales tax breaks that Nixon estimates could cost state and local governments $776 million.
TRANSPORTATION PROJECT LIST TO BE RELEASED ON JUNE 13TH
State transportation officials plan to release a list of projects by June 13th that could be funded if Missouri voters approve a sales tax increase.
The proposed three-quarter-cent sales tax for transportation is to appear on the August ballot. If approved, the tax is projected to generate about $534 million annually for the next 10 years.
The Missouri Department of Transportation says its project list will include roads and bridges as well as other modes of transportation.
There will be a weeklong public comment period until June 20th. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission is to vote on the final project list on June 26th.
State lawmakers referred the transportation tax to the ballot. Governor Jay Nixon set it for the August election.
