RIVER RADIO NEWS 100814
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SEXUAL ASSAULT
A Jonesboro man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 13 year old girl who became pregnant.
The Jonesboro Sun reports the 28 year old man took a deal with prosecutors Monday and pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree sexual assault. He will receive credit for 235 days spent in jail and will be eligible for parole in 10 years.
Authorities say he started assaulting the girl in 2012 when she was 13 years old. The girl's mother says the man was living with them when the assaults began.
The victim gave birth to a daughter last year. She tells authorities the man threatened to hurt her mother if she told anyone.
NEW MADRID WOMAN ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF CHILD MOLESTATION AND SODOMY
A New Madrid woman was arrested Tuesday afternoon on multiple sex related charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 22 year old Jaleesa Newson was arrested on felony charges of second degree child molestation and second degree sodomy.
Newson was arrested in New Madrid County at 2:30 pm Tuesday.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY FLEEING FROM POLICE
A man has been taken into custody after allegedly fleeing from authorities in Kennett.
According to the Kennett Police Department, on Monday, a patrolman observed a vehicle travelling on Russell Street at a high rate of speed.
The officer tried to stop the vehicle and after a short chase the driver fled on foot.
The driver, Cortez Hightower, was later found and arrested. He is facing a charge of felony fleeing. Hightower also reportedly had a felony warrant out of Wisconsin for probation violation.
PARAGOULD POLICE SEARCHING FOR WOMAN IN CONNECTION TO CREDIT CARD THEFT
Paragould Police are searching for a woman in connection to the theft of a credit card.
Police say that the woman is wanted for questioning in reference to the theft. A picture of the woman, along with information on how to contact the Paragould Police Department is available on our Facebook page.
ANNUAL POWER OF THE PURSE PARTY TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 9TH
The third annual Power of the Purse party will be held this week.
The event is hosted by the Designing Women Foundation and will feature designer purses, belts and other accessories. In addition, a diamond necklace valued at $375, which was donated by Whitworth’s Gift Chest Jewelry, will be raffled off.
Proceeds from the event will go to support the Foundation’s scholarships and programs.
The Power of the Purse Party will begin at 5 pm tomorrow at the Bloodworth House. Admission is $10 at the door or $5 plus a new children’s book (for pre-kindergarten to 6th grade) that will be given away by the Foundation at Christmas.
DRIVER EXAMINATIONS STATIONS TO BE CLOSED FOR COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY
Driver Examination Stations throughout the state of Missouri will be closed for an upcoming holiday.
According to the Highway Patrol, the stations will be closed in observance of Columbus Day on Monday, October 13th. Normal operations are set to resume the following Tuesday.
TODAY IS DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN UPCOMING ELECTION
Today is the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming general election.
According to Secretary of State Jason Kander, Missourians can register to vote at their local election authorities, as well as any Department of Motor Vehicles office or state agency that provides services to the public.
To be eligible to register, you must be 18 years of age by Election Day, a U.S. citizen and a Missouri resident.
The general election will be held on November 4th.
REPORT SAYS SOME ENTITIES ARE HAVING PROBLEMS COMPLYING WITH SUNSHINE LAW
Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich says too many public entities are violating state laws about closed meetings.
Schweich released a report Tuesday showing that about 15 percent the nearly 300 entities he audited over the previous two years had some of sort of problems complying with the state's Sunshine Law.
That's an improvement from the nearly 20 percent problem rate during audits conducted in 2010 and 2011. But Schweich says there is plenty of room for more improvement.
He says many of the problems related to closed meetings where governmental entities either failed to document the reason for meeting secretly, discussed topics they shouldn't have or didn't keep adequate minutes of the closed sessions.
