RIVER RADIO NEWS 011615
ONE IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO STOLEN VEHICLE
One person is in custody following a chase involving a stolen vehicle.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, the stolen vehicle was recovered Thursday on Herschel Bess Boulevard and PP Highway. The vehicle had crashed during a chase with police.
A person in the vehicle was taken into custody; however their name was not released.
Police say they were searching the area for a possible second suspect, as well.
MISSISSIPPI FUGITIVE ARRESTED IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
A fugitive from Mississippi was arrested Thursday in Northeast Arkansas.
According to the Baxter County Sheriff, authorities conducted a traffic stop early Thursday in Mountain Home. A person in the vehicle, 38 year old Dennis Tyrell Miller, was found to have an outstanding felony bench warrant for failure to appear in court on an original charge of murder in the first degree.
Miller is being held in custody pending his extradition back to Mississippi.
SIKESTON MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG AND ASSAULT CHARGES
Authorities say a Sikeston man was taken into custody early Thursday morning on multiple charges in Cape Girardeau County.
According to an arrest report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 31 year old James Baker was arrested shortly after 12:15 am Thursday.
Baker is facing felony charges of assault on a law enforcement officer; resisting arrest; and possession of a controlled substance, cocaine.
MAN SHOT IN THE SHOULDER IN CAPE GIRARDEAU
Authorities in Cape Girardeau are investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday.
According to authorities, a man was found with a gunshot wound in the shoulder. The man was taken to an area hospital and his injuries reportedly did not appear to be life threatening.
A pistol was also found in the area.
BUTLER COUNTY ROAD TO BE CLOSED TODAY FOR PIPE REPLACEMENT
Butler County motorists should try to avoid Highway 51 today due to a pipe replacement.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a portion of Highway 51 will be closed today from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. The work zone will be located between County Roads 629 and 659.
MULTIPLE CROSSING REPAIR PROJECTS SET FOR THIS WEEKEND
The Missouri Department of Transportation says that multiple Railroad repair projects have been scheduled for this weekend.
Route D in Stoddard County will be closed from 7 am to 6 pm Saturday as railroad company crews perform crossing repairs.
The section of roadway to be closed is located from Route 25 to County Road 717.
Crews will also be closing Route D in Dunklin County Sunday from 7 am to 6 pm to repair a railroad crossing between Route 25 and County Road 102A.
WEEK LONG DRAINAGE REPAIR PROJECT BEGINNING TODAY IN NEW MADRID COUNTY
Highway 61 in New Madrid County will be reduced to one lane over the next week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform drainage repairs.
The work zone is located from County Road 320 to Route 162.
Weather permitting, work will performed today through Friday, January 23rd from 8 am to 4 pm daily.
MISSOURI LAWMAKER PROPOSES BAN ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
(AP) - Proposed Missouri legislation would ban the use of spanking or paddling by educators in public schools.
Democratic state Senator Joe Keaveny of St. Louis this week filed a bill to prohibit corporal punishment in those schools.
Missouri is one of 19 states that allow teachers to hit children as a form of discipline.
Local school boards are responsible for deciding whether educators can use corporal punishment and whether parents must be notified if it's used. School boards also can determine whether parents can opt for an alternative form of discipline.
Similar legislation that also would have banned spanking in private schools failed last year.
ECONOMIC SURVEY SUGGESTS WEAK ECONOMY IN MIDWEST
(AP) - A monthly survey of bankers suggests the economy will remain weak in rural parts of 10 Midwestern and Western states because of low grain and oil prices.
The region's overall economic index improved slightly to 50.9 in January from December's neutral score of 50. The index ranges from 0 to 100. Any score above 50 suggests growth while a score below 50 suggests decline.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says growth is being restrained in rural areas because of low corn and fuel prices. But bankers say ethanol plants haven't slowed production much.
Despite the concerns, rural businesses have adding some jobs. The January hiring index was 52.8, down from December's 55.2.
Bankers from 10 states including Missouri and Illinois were surveyed.
NEW MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RULES AIMED AT INCREASING TRANSPARENCY
(AP) - The Missouri House will require most bills to go through two committees before moving to the full chamber this year.
The House adopted rules Thursday requiring bills to pass through a regular committee and then a select committee before being sent to the floor.
House Majority Leader Todd Richardson, of Poplar Bluff, says the process will bring better vetting of legislation, more single-subject bills and improved transparency.
Democratic Representative John Rizzo, of Kansas City, says the changes will improve the legislative process.
But Rizzo failed in an attempt to change the rules to allow lawmakers to draft amendments after a bill is brought up and introduce the amendment before it's fully distributed.
Richardson says distributing amendments in advance keeps the process transparent.
