RIVER RADIO NEWS 090314
INVESTIGATION STARTED IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS MURDER SUICIDE
Authorities in Jonesboro say two people are dead following a murder-suicide on Tuesday.
According to KAIT, Jonesboro police say that 26 year old Kenneth Thomas fatally shot 17 year old Diamond Ebron Tuesday morning.
A short time later, Thomas was pulled over by police. The officer heard a gunshot and then found Thomas dead from an apparent self inflicted wound.
Thomas had reportedly been in a relationship with Ebron.
ARMED ROBBERY REPORTED IN PORTAGEVILLE
A Portageville business was reportedly robbed Monday night.
According to authorities, a man escaped with money after holding two cashiers at gunpoint at Fred’s Super Dollar. The man was wearing a mask during the incident, which is under investigation.
MISSING CLAY COUNTY MAN FOUND DEAD
A Clay County man who has been missing since the weekend has been found dead.
According to authorities, the body of 68 year old Johnie Schmidt was discovered near his home in a field. Foul play is not suspected in connection to Schmidt’s death.
UP TO 200 EMPLOYEES COULD BE LAID OFF AT NORANDA ALUMINUM
Noranda Aluminum is laying off employees and suspending an expansion project after Missouri regulators rejected its request for lower electricity rates.
Company officials announced the cutbacks Tuesday while saying they also intend to ask the Missouri Public Service Commission to reconsider its decision.
Noranda employees nearly 900 people at its aluminum smelter in New Madrid. The Franklin, Tennessee-based company says it already has begun the process of eliminating 125 to 200 jobs over the next six months.
Noranda also is suspending a $30 million expansion project in southeast Missouri and is considering whether to build a $45 million aluminum rod mill in a neighboring state.
Noranda had sought a 25 percent reduction in the electricity rates it pays to Ameren Missouri, which would have resulted in higher rates for other customers.
COMMUNITY ALLIANCE PROGRAM TO BE HELD THIS MONTH AT HIGHWAY PATROL TROOP E HEADQUARTERS
The Missouri State Highway Patrol will be hosting a Community Alliance Program beginning this month at the Troop E headquarters in Poplar Bluff.
The program will begin on Tuesday, September 16th and will meet on six consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. The curriculum will familiarize participants with many Patrol policies and procedures.
These sessions will cover traffic stops, traffic crash investigation, firearms familiarization, SWAT operations, and many other aspects of the Patrol. The program will conclude with an awards ceremony on October 28th.
Applications for the program are being accepted through September 5th. There is no cost to participate.
ACROBATS, BALLET, AND THE BEE GEES INCLUDED IN NEW PATRONS OF THE ARTS SEASON
The acts have been announced for the upcoming Patrons of the Arts season at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center.
The season will begin with Night Fever, a Bee Gees Tribute Concert on October 14th. Other shows for 2014 include “Bah! Humbug!” and Chinese Acrobats.
The 2015 portion of the season will include “the Emperor’s New Clothes,” “Robin Hood,” and the Russian National Ballet performance of “Cinderella,” before wrapping up with An Evening with Mark Russell.
More information on the shows plus performance dates is available online at trcc.edu/tinnin.
REPAIRS TO BEGIN TODAY ON BUSINESS 60 IN BUTLER COUNTY
Westbound Business 60 in Butler County will be reduced to one lane today and tomorrow as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The work zone is located between B Street and 2nd Street.
Weather permitting, work will be performed today and tomorrow from 10 pm to 6 am.
GROWTH SUGGESTED IN NEW ECONOMIC SURVEY
A monthly economic survey index for nine Midwestern and Plains states rose slightly in August, suggesting growth is ahead.
A survey report issued Tuesday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index inched up to 57.2 last month from 57.0 in July. The index had reached a three-year high of 60.6 in June.
Looking six months ahead, the business confidence portion of the overall index climbed to 60.4 from 60.0 in July. It had hit 63.6 in June.
The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers at Creighton University say any score above 50 suggests economic growth, while a score below that suggests decline.
The survey covers nine states including Arkansas and Missouri.
MISSOURI GRANT PROGRAM AIMS TO GET LOCALLY PRODUCED FOODS INTO SCHOOLS
Missouri is offering grants to help get more locally produced food into school meals and snacks.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced in a news release that applications will be accepted through October 31. To qualify for competitive grants of up to $200,000, applicants must purchase or process food from small farmers or produce food themselves.
Agriculture Director Richard Fordyce says the goal is increase the amount of Missouri-made food served to students and benefit Missouri farmers.
Legislation signed into law in July authorized the program.
The effort comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires schools to serve healthier meals, featuring more fruits and vegetables. Schools must meet the requirements to receive federal reimbursements for serving free and low-cost meals to low-income students.
