RIVER RADIO NEWS 010515
MAN SOUGHT IN CONNECTION TO INCIDENT IN JONESBORO
Authorities in Jonesboro are searching for a man in connection to an incident Friday morning.
According to KAIT, a woman told officers that Mario Barber had broke into her home, choked her and knocked her to the ground.
Barber, who is the victim’s ex-boyfriend, also allegedly said that he was going to kill the woman. Another person saw the incident and alerted police.
Barber reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle.
AUTHORITIES REPORTEDLY FIND METH DURING A TRAFFIC STOP IN KENNETT
A Dora man was reportedly taken into custody during a traffic stop in Kennett.
According to the Kennett Police Department, Kevin R. Smith was arrested for possession of a controlled substance after officer's located an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine and several prescription pills which the suspect had thrown out of the vehicle window.
Smith was arrested shortly before 1 am Saturday.
MAN REPORTS ATTEMPTED ROBBERY IN JONESBORO
A man reported an attempted robbery in Northeast Arkansas on Saturday.
According to KAIT, the victim said that two men tried to force their way into his home at a Jonesboro apartment complex.
The victim was able to push the two men out of the apartment, they then fled the scene. The victim said one of the men had a gun. No arrests have been made in connection to the incident.
DEXTER WOMAN ARRESTED IN STODDARD COUNTY
A Dexter woman was recently taken into custody in Stoddard County.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 25 year old Cassandra Hunsaker was arrested on a warrant for possession with intent to distribute.
The sheriff’s department did not release what substance Hunsaker was arrested for.
VOTING IS OPEN FOR BUTLER COUNTY EXTENSION COUNCIL
Voting has begun for six open spots on the Butler County University of Missouri Extension Council.
Twelve candidates have applied for the election which will run through the end of January. Council members are volunteers responsible for maintaining the University of Missouri Extension Center and for planning programs with the professional and paraprofessional MU Extension staff in Butler County.
More information about the candidates including how to cast your ballot is available online at extension.missouri.edu/butler.
ARCTIC AIR BRINGS FREEZING TEMPERATURES TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
A rather mild December is giving way to a colder January according to the National Weather Service.
In a Special Weather Statement, the NWS says that while an initial surge of arctic air brought temperatures into the teens this morning, colder air is set for later this week.
Gusty northwest winds will cause temperatures to fall to single digits and possibly to zero Wednesday night and early Thursday. Wind chill values will drop below zero, as well.
Area residents are strongly encouraged to limit any outdoor activities on Wednesday and Thursday. Everyone should also take precautions to keep water pipes from freezing and make sure that outdoor pets have adequate shelter.
DRAINAGE WORK SET FOR THIS WEEK IN BUTLER COUNTY
Crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation will be in Butler County this week for drainage work in the Median of US 60.
During the repairs, US 60 will be reduced to one lane from County Road 410 to west of the Cane Creek Bridge west of County Road 411.
Weather permitting, work will begin this morning at 7 am and the lane will reopen at 3 pm Friday, January 9th. Work zone will be set-up for 24-hours a day.
OVER 30 BILLS TO BE FILED IN MISSOURI LEGISLATURE STEMMING FROM SHOOTING OF MICHAEL BROWN
The fatal police shooting of Michael Brown has led lawmakers in his home state to propose a flurry of legislation attempting to address concerns that have fueled nationwide protests.
When Missouri lawmakers convene Wednesday, nearly five months will have passed since Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson shot the unarmed black 18 year old after a scuffle in suburban St. Louis.
Three dozen bills stemming from Brown's shooting already have been filed. Some address when police officers can use deadly force and whether special prosecutors must be appointed when police kill people.
Others would require uniformed police to wear video cameras.
Still others attempt to address underlying racial tensions by requiring cultural diversity training for police and limiting the amount of money cities can reap from traffic fines and court costs.
ETHICS LEGISLATION TO BE DISCUSSED THIS YEAR BY MISSOURI LAWMAKERS
Missouri's legislative leaders say 2015 is the year they'll rein in lavish gifts from lobbyists and unchecked campaign donations.
But political scientists are skeptical ethics bills will pass after years of failure.
Interest in ethics gained momentum after an October New York Times article claimed Attorney General Chris Koster was influenced by lobbyist gifts and campaign contributions.
Lawmakers so far have filed 28 bills addressing current ethics laws, which currently allow limitless lobbyist spending on gifts and campaign contributions.
Proposals also include "cooling-off" periods to prevent lawmakers from going into lobbying immediately after leaving office.
But ethics legislation is introduced regularly and hasn't gone far in the past two previous sessions.
Missouri State University political scientist George Conner says smaller bills on ethics might pass, but meaningful reform is unlikely.
