RIVER RADIO NEWS 072314
PREPAY NOW REQUIRED AT POPLAR BLUFF GAS STATIONS
The Poplar Bluff City Council approved an ordinance Monday night that requires prepayment or preapproval before buying gasoline or diesel.
According to the Daily American Republic, the ordinance was passed by a unanimous 7 to 0 vote.
If a business owner does not comply with the ordinance, they could face up to a $500 fine and/or a 90 day jail sentence. They could also risk a non-renewal of their business license.
MURDER SUSPECT COULD BE IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
A suspect in an Illinois murder could possibly be in Blytheville.
According to authorities, 30 year old Micah Hopkins is wanted in connection to the shooting of a man last month. Hopkins has family in Northeast Arkansas and they reportedly told authorities that Hopkins had been in Blytheville, but he might have left.
Anyone who has information about Hopkins is asked to call 870-763-4411.
ORAN AREA MAN FACING SEX CHARGES
An Oran area man is facing charges in connection to alleged crimes against a child.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, 37 year old Jesse John Branson has been charged with sexual misconduct involving a child and first degree statutory sodomy.
An investigation was started after a complaint was made on Monday that a young child had been sexually assaulted. Walter says that evidence believed to support the criminal case was seized from Branson’s home.
MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MORLEY BANK ROBBERY
A Missouri man has pleaded guilty in federal court to a May bank robbery.
The Southeast Missourian reports 31 year old Alexander Trotter, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty in Cape Girardeau on Monday to a federal bank robbery charge. He was arrested with two others in connection with the May 20th robbery of the First Commercial Bank in Morley.
Trotter faces up to 20 year in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is at the discretion of a U.S. district judge.
The alleged robbers were arrested after being compared to bank surveillance video.
39 DOGS RESCUED IN CARTER COUNTY
39 Chihuahuas and other small mixed breed dogs were rescued from an owner in Carter County earlier this week.
According to the Humane Society of Missouri, an animal cruelty investigator visited the property and found the dogs’ owner putting all of the dogs into one crate and stating she intended to load them in a truck and dump them at the side of the highway.
The owner voluntarily surrendered the animals to the Humane Society. The incident is under investigation by the Humane Society and the Carter County Sheriff’s Office.
BABYSITTING BASICS COURSE TO BE OFFERED AT RIPLEY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Area students will be able to learn some of the basics of babysitting later this month.
The Babysitting Basics Short Course will be held from 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm on Thursday, July 31st at the Ripley County Health Department in Doniphan. The course is being offered for $6 and students should bring a sack lunch.
For more information, or to enroll in the course, call 996-2921. The deadline to register is Friday, July 25th.
CITY OF JACKSON TO GET ADDITIONAL GRANT MONEY FOR TORNADO SAFE ROOM
Officials with the City of Jackson have been notified that FEMA has approved Phase II funding for the Tornado Safe Room portion of the new Jackson Community Center project.
The total amount of the grant award has been increased from $2.4 million to over $3.3 million dollars.
The city remains optimistic that it can issue bids for construction in August and award a contract by late September. A tentative date for a groundbreaking ceremony could take place at the end of October.
BRIDGE MAINTENANCE ONGOING IN STODDARD COUNTY
Highway 51 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane through next week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge maintenance.
The work zone is located between Greason Street and the Stoddard County line.
Weather permitting, work will performed through Thursday, July 31st from 7 am to 3:30 pm daily.
SIX THOUSAND COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR DEGREES IN ARKANSAS AND NOT KNOW IT
Arkansas higher education leaders are searching for about 6,000 people in the state who have earned or almost earned their associate degree and don't know it.
The Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges has launched a statewide campaign to locate nearly 6,000 people who have completed at least 75 percent of associate degree requirements.
The Degree Matters campaign will try to locate people through direct mail, public service announcements and the degreematters.org website.
The group can review transcripts and likely award degrees to many who don't know they qualify. Those who have completed the required coursework will be awarded an associate degree, and those almost qualifying will be given information on the steps needed to complete the degree.
Arkansans can also search for their name on the Degree Matters website.
