RIVER RADIO NEWS 120214
EAST PRAIRIE WOMAN KILLED IN CRASH LAST WEEK
An East Prairie woman is dead following a traffic crash last week in Mississippi County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 24 year old Deanna K. Davidson died when the vehicle she was driving ran off of Route B, south of County Road 415, struck a ditch, and overturned. Davidson was pronounced dead at the scene.
A passenger in the vehicle suffered minor injuries.
THREE ARRESTED IN BUTLER COUNTY IN CONNECTION TO COPPER THEFT
Three people were taken into custody last week in connection to the theft of copper wire from a Butler County farm.
According to the Daily American Republic, 28 year old Nathan Wombles, of Fisk, 26 year old Zachary Hicks, of Dexter, and 23 year old Michelle Odle, of Poplar Bluff are facing charges of second degree property damage and first degree trespassing.
The three were arrested after an alarm system alerted the farm owner that copper wires were being cut Thursday evening. Wire cutters, bolt cutters, and wire clips were also found during a search of the suspect’s vehicle.
NEELYVILLE MAN ALLEGEDLY PULLS GUN DURING TRAFFIC STOP
A Neelyville man is in custody after he allegedly pulled a gun during a traffic stop.
According to Steele Police Chief Billy Joe Stanfield, during a traffic stop Saturday night, 26 year old Demario Hendrix exited his vehicle and became hostile towards officers. Hendrix then reached behind his back and officers observed him remove a handgun from his backside.
An officer was able to knock the gun from Hendrix’s hand and subdue him. Hendrix has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest and possession of controlled substance.
MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY ATTACKING AND THREATENING A WOMAN
A Melbourne man is facing multiple charges in connection to the alleged attack of a woman on November 16th.
According to the Izard County Sheriff’s Department, 32 year old Stephen Cagle is accused of kicking the door in at a residence and assaulting a female, along with grabbing a gun and threatening to kill her and a small child.
Cagle was arrested Friday on charges of breaking and entering, first degree terroristic threatening, endangering the welfare of a minor, criminal mischief, and third degree domestic battering.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER REPORTEDLY CHASING THREE WOMEN WITH A KNIFE
A Kennett man is facing charges following an incident involving a knife.
According to the Kennett Police Department, the incident occurred on November 30th. Officers were dispatched in reference to a male subject armed with a knife chasing three females and attempting to stab them.
When officers arrived, they learned that the male subject, Shawn Utley, of Kennett, had fled the area. An article of clothing he had been seen wearing was found containing meth, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Utley was later taken into custody. He was arrested for second degree domestic assault, resisting arrest for a felony, unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOLLOWING ALMOST FOUR HOUR STANDOFF
One man has been taken into custody following a standoff with police in Blytheville.
According to authorities, Bobby Chappell barricaded himself in a motel room for almost four hours before agreeing to come out. Chappell was reportedly wanted for aggravated robbery.
He is also facing charges including resisting arrest and possession of a firearm by certain persons.
15 DIE IN MISSOURI CAR CRASHES OVER THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND
15 people were killed over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend during car crashes in Missouri.
According to the Highway Patrol, the deaths were from a total of 319 traffic crashes which also included109 people injured. This was an increase over the 2013 Thanksgiving holiday period, which had 299 traffic crashes and 11 fatalities.
HOLIDAY DWI CRACKDOWN CAMPAIGN TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 12TH
The Dexter Police Department will be participating in a nationwide Holiday DWI Crackdown campaign this month.
The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Dexter, will run from December 12th through January 1st.
Dexter Police said its officers will be aggressively looking for drunk drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving substance-impaired.
LAWMAKERS PROPOSE POLICE CAMERAS BILL
Two Democratic Missouri lawmakers who represent Ferguson are proposing that police wear cameras and undergo diversity training.
State Representative Sharon Pace and Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal proposed bills Monday after a week of sometimes violent protests over a grand jury's decision not to indict a white officer who fatally shot a black 18-year-old.
Both lawmakers want police to wear video cameras to record interactions with the public.
Chappelle-Nadal protested in Ferguson after the shooting. An early draft of her bill would ban police from verbally abusing protesters, require a special prosecutor to investigate police shootings and restrict the use of tear gas.
Pace wants required diversity and peaceful protest training for police, as well as psychological evaluations for officers every three years.
GOVERNOR NIXON REVERSES CUT ON PAYMENTS TO BLIND RESIDENTS
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has reversed plans to cut the amount of money paid by the state to blind residents.
Nixon said he ordered the Department of Social Services on Monday to drop plans to reduce the benefits paid under the blind pension program.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported earlier Monday that the department had told all 3,847 people receiving checks through the program to expect a $33-a-month reduction beginning in January.
The department had said the cuts were necessary because payments were exceeding the property tax revenues collected by the fund.
Nixon said he would instead ask the Legislature to approve a supplemental budget appropriation for the program when it convenes in January.
