RIVER RADIO NEWS 110414
PUXICO MAN KILLED IN SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK
A Puxico man is dead following a single vehicle wreck in Stoddard County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred Thursday night five miles south of Puxico.
A vehicle driven by 35 year old Jacob Hemby reportedly ran off of Route J and struck a ditch. Hemby was pronounced dead the next morning.
SIX ARRESTED FOLLOWING TWO MONTH INVESTIGATION
A two month joint investigation between the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department and the New Madrid Police Department has lead to the arrest of six people on drug charges.
On Sunday officers found what appeared to be a sophisticated marijuana grow operation while serving a search warrant at a residence in Catron. Approximately 15 marijuana plants, in various stages of growth, were found during the search.
Six people were taken into custody, 42 year old James McCain and Angela McCain, of Catron, 31 year old Nicholas Rhodes and 21 year old Erica Clement, of New Madrid, and 25 year old Shanna Matkin and 21 year old Kenneth Steele, of Piedmont.
They are each facing a charge of distribution/manufacturing of a controlled substance with intent. Rhodes and Clement are also facing a charge of first degree endangering the welfare of a child.
ONE ARRESTED ON BURGLARY AND STEALING CHARGES
A Jackson man is facing charges in connection to a reported burglary.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, the victims told authorities that 20 year old Alex Ressel allegedly entered their residence while the family was on vacation and stole jewelry valued at an estimated $8000.
Ressel turned himself in and admitted to stealing the jewelry and selling it at an area pawn shop. Ressel was arrested on charges of stealing and second degree burglary.
THREE RIVERS OFFERING NEW TESTING SERVICE FOR STUDENTS
Three Rivers College is now offering a test for students completing their four-year education degree.
The MEGA test will be offered in January, with test dates following in March, June, August, and October of each year. The length and cost of the test varies depending on the subject area of the test.
Area students had to previously go to Cape Girardeau or Jonesboro in order to take the exam, according to Diane Patterson, Testing Coordinator at Three Rivers.
OVER 18 THOUSAND DEER CHECKED DURING YOUTH FIREARMS SEASON
Young hunters checked over 18,000 deer during the firearms early youth portion of the deer hunting season this past weekend.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, hunters between the ages of 6 and 15 checked a total of 18,091 deer. Antlered bucks accounted for about 63 percent of deer harvested. Button bucks accounted for almost 10 percent and does accounted for about 27 percent.
181 deer total were checked in Butler County.
FOUR PROPOSED CHANGES TO MISSOURI CONSTITUTION ON BALLOT
Missourians have been weighing in on an unusually large number of proposed changes to the state constitution this year.
Tuesday's ballot features four proposals, including an amendment to base teacher evaluations largely on student performance data. Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3 is opposed by public education groups, and the sponsors have quit campaigning for it.
Proposed constitutional amendment 6 would create a six-day, no-excuses-needed early voting period for general elections, but only if the state provides funding.
Proposed constitutional amendment 2 would allow allegations of past criminal acts to be used against those facing sex-related charges involving victims under 18 years old.
Proposed constitutional amendment 10 would allow lawmakers to override a governor's decision to freeze or slow spending on items in the state budget.
40 PERCENT OF VOTERS EXPECTED TO CAST BALLOTS DURING MIDTERM ELECTION
Missouri's local election authorities are expecting about 40 percent of registered voters to cast ballots in Tuesday's elections.
The voter turnout predictions are compiled by the secretary of state's office from figures submitted by local clerks and election officials. They are based on rolls showing more than 4 million registered voters in Missouri.
The predictions range from a low of about 15 percent in some counties to more than 60 percent in other counties.
ECONOMIC INDEX FALLS IN OCTOBER
A monthly economic survey index for nine Midwestern and Plains has dropped again.
A survey report issued early Monday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index fell in October to 51.8 from 54.3 in September. The figure was from 57.2 in August.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says sharp declines in grain and crude oil prices drove down the overall index for the month. He says the index figure points to slow economic gains ahead.
The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth, while a score below that suggests decline.
The survey covers nine states including Arkansas and Missouri.
APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURE GRANTS
The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority is now accepting applications for grants to assist farmers with business planning expenses for projects that develop, process, or market agricultural goods.
The individual grants are for a maximum of $200,000 and applicants are required to provide a 10 percent cash match toward eligible expenses.
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and applications will be scored based on a variety of factors. The deadline for submissions is December 29th. For more information, go online to agriculture.mo.gov.
