RIVER RADIO NEWS 091914
GOVERNOR NIXON APPOINTS NEW BUTLER COUNTY COLLECTOR
Governor Jay Nixon has appointed a Poplar Bluff businessman to be the new Butler County Collector.
Mark Christopher Michel will fill the position which has been vacant since the death of Brenda Fox last month. Michel is a licensed independent insurance agent for Aflac and also has owned and operated Snap Shot Studios.
TWO IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING JONESBORO SHOOTING
Two men are in custody following a shooting in Jonesboro.
According to authorities, 19 year old Caleb Andrew Perry, of Jonesboro, was shot multiple times Wednesday night.
Police have arrested 20 year old Daniel Blalock-Gibson and 19 year old Nicholas Weems, both of Jonesboro, on charges of first degree burglary and aggravated robbery.
NAME OF NORTHEAST ARKANSAS STABBING SUSPECT RELEASED
The name of an arrested suspect has been released in connection to a stabbing incident on Sunday in Northeast Arkansas.
According to KAIT, 26 year old Nicholas Cortez Addison, of Marked Tree, has been arrested for the stabbing of Fred English Sr. Addison is facing charges of felony aggravated assault, terroristic threatening, and battery of a police officer.
TWO FACING CHARGES FOR EAST PRAIRIE BURGLARY
Two people are facing charges for the burglary of a home in East Prairie on Sunday.
According to the East Prairie Police Department, Thomas Reece and Jamie Reece were arrested on Monday. They are each facing charges including first degree burglary and possession of a controlled substance.
The suspects allegedly stole a 9mm pistol, knives, a sword and various household items during the burglary.
TWO ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES IN WAYNE COUNTY
Two Arnold, Missouri residents are facing drug charges following their arrest in Wayne County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 45 year old Joseph Peterson and 36 year old Mary Dames were arrested shortly after 10:30 am Thursday.
They are each facing felony charges including attempt to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
CAPE GIRARDEAU NEUROSURGEON INDICTED IN ALLEGED KICKBACK SCHEME
A southeast Missouri neurosurgeon and his fiancee are facing federal indictment in an alleged kickback scheme.
The U.S. Attorney's office in Cape Girardeau on Thursday announced the indictment of 46 year old Dr. Sonjay Fonn and 44 year old Deborah Seeger. Both face four felony counts.
Fonn and Seeger operate DS Medical LLC, which distributed medical devices and supplies to Fonn and his neurosurgery practice. Fonn and Seeger are accused of demanding exorbitant commissions from manufacturers of devices and supplies needed for spinal fusion surgeries.
The indictment also alleges that once DS Medical began operation, Fonn began using more spinal implants and performing more surgeries. Federal authorities say the couple used the profits to buy a home, boat and airplane.
Fonn's attorney, Jim Martin, calls the allegations "unsupportable."
DOGS STOLEN FROM HUMANE SOCIETY HAVE BEEN RECOVERED
Two dogs that were stolen from an area humane society in early August have been recovered.
According to the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the dogs have been returned to the Humane Society. Officers from the Cape
Girardeau Police Department have identified and made contact with two suspects.
Police say that charges have been submitted to the Cape Girardeau County Prosecutors office for review.
INTERIM THREE RIVERS COLLEGE PRESIDENT ACCEPTS THREE YEAR CONTRACT
Dr. Wes Payne has accepted a contract to become President of Three Rivers College.
The Three Rivers College Board of Trustees offered Payne the three year contract on Wednesday, according to the Daily American Republic.
Payne had served as interim president since the resignation of Dr. Devin Stephenson earlier this year.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS COUNTY TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE CHANGE TO COUNTY SEAT
Leaders in northeast Arkansas will consider a resolution next week on whether Mississippi County should eliminate one of its two county seats and only have one courthouse.
The county now has county seats and courthouses in Blytheville and Osceola. Next week, the Mississippi County Quorum Court will discuss whether the county should shut down one of the courthouses or pick an entirely new location for the county seat.
A proposed resolution says the county can't afford maintaining two county seats and two courthouses, which both need repairs.
A change to the county seat would have to be approved by voters. Mississippi County is one of 10 in Arkansas that has dual county seats.
MISSOURI AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN INCOME GROWTH
A new report ranks Missouri among the national leaders in the growth of household income, even though it remains below the national average.
Figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau show Missouri's median household income was $46,931 based on a 2013 survey, a 2.2 percent increase over the previous year.
That growth rate ranked Missouri seventh among states, well ahead of the national rate of 0.6 percent.
But Missouri's median household income still trails the national average of $52,250.
Other Census Bureau figures show the percentages of Missouri residents in poverty and without health insurance both declined slightly in 2013 survey. The poverty rate was 15.9 percent, about the same as the national rate. There uninsured rate was 13 percent, a little better than then 14.5 percent national rate.
