RIVER RADIO NEWS 121114
POPLAR BLUFF POLICE LOOKING FOR PERSON OF INTEREST IN RECENT THEFTS
The Poplar Bluff Police Department is looking for a person of interest in multiple thefts.
Captain David Sutton tells us that Austin Million is wanted for questioning in connection with the thefts of firearms from vehicles and the thefts of several all terrain vehicles from residences in the Poplar Bluff area.
Anyone who has information on Million’s whereabouts is asked to call the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776.
43 YEAR OLD MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO TEEN PREGNANCY
A 43 year old Trumann, Arkansas man has been arrested in connection to a teen pregnancy.
According to KAIT, Andrew Marion Long is facing a charge of fourth degree sexual assault. The victim, who was younger than 16 years old when the investigation began, told authorities that she had intercourse with Long.
TWO EAST PRAIRIE RESIDENTS FACING BURGLARY CHARGE
Two East Prairie residents are facing multiple charges, including burglary.
According to authorities, 28 year old Lance Simmerman and 19 year old Christina Ray have been arrested in connection to a burglary in Mississippi County.
They are each facing charges of first degree burglary, receiving stolen property, and stealing a motor vehicle. Simmerman has also been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
KENNETT MAN ARRESTED FOR FLEEING FROM POLICE
A Kennett man was taken into custody after attempting to flee from police.
According to the Kennett Police Department, an officer attempted to stop a vehicle Tuesday night on a traffic violation. The driver failed to stop and fled at a high rate of speed.
The officer began a pursuit which ended when the vehicle crashed into a curb and then hit a patrol car. Cedric K. Bell was arrested for resisting by fleeing, driving while intoxicated and numerous traffic violations.
MOBILE VET CENTER TO MAKE STOPS IN MARBLE HILL AND PILOT KNOB
The Kansas City Mobile Vet Center will be making multiple stops next week in Southeast Missouri.
One of the stops will be on December 17th at United Methodist Church in Marble Hill from 8 am to 11 am. The center will also be at the Iron County Hospital in Pilot Knob on December 19th from 8 am to 11 am.
VA’s Mobile Vet Centers offer readjustment counseling services to Veterans and Service members who have served in a warzone or area of hostility and their families.
Vet Centers also extend services to family members who have experienced an active duty death and Veterans of any era who have experienced any form of military sexual trauma or harassment.
The services are available at no charge and Veterans do not need to be enrolled with VA to use the Vet Centers.
MULTIPLE BRIDGE PROJECTS PLANED IN BUTLER COUNTY
The Missouri Department of Transportation is currently planning multiple bridge projects to take place next year in Butler County.
The projects will involve replacing the existing bridges over Hart Ditch and a drainage ditch on Highway 158 near Route BB. The bridge over Long Slough Ditch will also be replaced with a culvert.
Construction of the new bridges is expected to begin in the summer of 2015 with work expected to be completed in approximately four months, weather permitting.
ARKANSAS ONE OF 18 STATES AWARDED PRESCHOOL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Federal education officials say Arkansas has been awarded a nearly $15 million grant from the Preschool Development Grants program.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the $14.9 million grant. Arkansas is one of 18 states awarded grants.
States receiving grants are to develop or expand high-quality preschool programs in regionally diverse communities from urban neighborhoods to small towns.
PROPOSAL WOULD GIVE PARENTS TIME OFF WORK TO ATTEND SCHOOL EVENTS
Missouri parents could be guaranteed time off work to attend a school event with their child if enough lawmakers support the proposal.
State Representative Karla May of St. Louis recently filed legislation that would allow parents and legal guardians to take off eight hours from work a year.
Parents could use that time to attend school events that overlap with work. They would first need to try planning any activities outside their work schedules.
Employers could deny the leave if it could cause unusual difficulty for the business.
Parents or guardians would get eight hours each academic year per child. Employers could limit that to three-hour increments and require proof from the school.
NEW BILL WOULD PROVIDE VOUCHERS FOR SENIORS FOR FRESH, LOCAL FOODS
Missouri seniors could be eating more fresh produce if a proposed bill gets lawmaker support.
Democratic state Representative Kim Gardner of St. Louis recently filed legislation to give seniors vouchers for farmers' markets. Under the measure, low-income seniors would receive vouchers for local markets or roadside stands in their county to buy fruit and vegetables.
The bill is intended to give seniors who are at least 60 years old greater access to fresh, local foods. The legislation also aims to increase demand for Missouri-grown produce and encourage more farmers' markets.
The bill requires the state to apply for a federal grant to fund the program.
