RIVER RADIO NEWS 071514
MAN TO BE SENTENCED TODAY IN STODDARD COUNTY ON KIDNAPPING AND RAPE CHARGES
A man is set to be sentenced today in Stoddard County on multiple charges including forcible rape.
According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver, Steven Rendleman was found guilty in May of kidnapping, forcible rape and forcible sodomy.
Rendleman was charged with kidnapping the victim from a bar in Advance and then forcibly raping her. His sentencing hearing is set for 1:30 pm this afternoon at the Stoddard County Justice Center in Bloomfield.
Oliver says that Rendleman faces the possibility of a life sentence without the possibility of parole, due to him having two prior convictions for rape.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING VEHICLE INTO RESIDENCE
A Charleston man is facing charges following a wreck Sunday night.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 35 year old Jeremy J. Butler turned his vehicle onto a private lane near Matthews and struck a residence. Butler suffered minor injuries in the wreck.
Later that night, Butler was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated, drugs and careless and imprudent driving.
TENNESSEE MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES IN SCOTT COUNTY
A Tennessee man is facing multiple drug charges after his arrest last week in Scott County.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, 19 year old John D. Foster of Union City, Tennessee has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
Walter says a deputy conducted a traffic stop Thursday, shortly after 10 pm. Based on his observations of the vehicle’s occupants, he requested assistance from the Sikeston canine unit, who gave a positive indication for narcotics in the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle revealed several illegal drugs and paraphernalia items, leading to Foster’s arrest.
ALABAMA MAN ARRESTED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO HIT SHERIFF’S DEPUTY
An Alabama man is in custody in Scott County after allegedly attempting to assault a law enforcement officer.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, 29 year old Channon L. Lowery of Millbrook, Alabama, is facing felony charges of assault of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.
Lowery was reportedly creating a disturbance early Monday morning in the parking lot of an area business. Lowery allegedly attempted to hit a deputy with his fist and then tried to flee. He was subdued with a taser and arrested.
SECTION OF HIGHWAY 49 TO BE CLOSED OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS IN WAYNE COUNTY
A section of Highway 49 will be closed over the next two days for bridge repairs.
The work zone is located between County Roads 349A and 347 in Wayne County. The section of Highway 49 will be closed today and tomorrow from 7 am to 5 pm each day.
PIPE REPLACEMENT TO CAUSE ROAD CLOSURE IN NEW MADRID COUNTY
Route M in New Madrid County will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a pipe under the roadway.
The work zone is located between County Road 412 and County Road 425.
Weather permitting, work will be performed from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
BRIDGE MAINTENANCE TO BEGIN TODAY IN CARTER COUNTY
Crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation will be in Carter County today for routine bridge maintenance on Highway 60.
During the maintenance both East and Westbound Highway 60 will be reduced to one lane at a bridge over Current River in Carter County. Weather permitting, work is set to take place today and tomorrow from 7 am to 5 pm each day.
CANNABIS EXTRACT TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SOME EPILEPSY PATIENTS IN MISSOURI
Missourians with epilepsy that cannot be effectively treated by conventional means will now be able to use a cannabis extract under legislation signed into law Monday by Governor Jay Nixon.
The legislation was sponsored by St. Louis County Republican Eric Schmitt, a state senator whose 9 year old son has the central nervous system disorder.
Patients wanting to use marijuana oil containing the chemical cannabidiol will be required to register with the state health department and also have a neurologist vouch that the patient's epilepsy hasn't responded to at least three other treatments.
The extract known as CBD contains little of the related marijuana compounds favored by recreational users.
In a separate action, Nixon also signed legislation allowing terminally ill patients to use investigational drugs not yet approved by the federal government.
GOVERNOR NIXON SIGNS EDUCATION BILL
A lawmaker-led effort challenging national education standards that evolved into a softer approach to revise Missouri's student achievement goals has won the backing of Gov. Jay Nixon.
The Democratic governor on Monday signed legislation that tasks groups of parents and educators with writing new standards to replace Common Core. For now, the contentious federal effort remains in place.
The Republican-led Legislature has fought the standards since state education officials adopted the benchmarks in 2010. Politicians in Indiana, Oklahoma and South Carolina have scrapped the Common Core amid similar concerns about overreaching federal programs.
Advisory groups will develop new school standards in Missouri for English, math, science and history to be put in place by 2016. The State Board of Education will hold several public hearings on the proposed changes.
ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE BILL VETOED BY GOVERNOR NIXON
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has vetoed legislation barring people younger than 18 from buying electronic cigarettes while also exempting the nicotine products from other tobacco sales restrictions.
Nixon called the Senate bill a "thinly disguised and cynical attempt" to exempt e-cigarettes from the state's 17 cent-per-pack cigarette tax as well as further public health restrictions. His rejection on Monday fell on the deadline for the governor take action on bills passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.
Nixon noted that the federal Food and Drug Administration plans to regulate the $2 billion e-cigarette market by banning underage sales and adding warning labels. The veto was Nixon's 32nd this year, the most in one year since he took office in 2009.
