RIVER RADIO NEWS 012715
THREE FACING MURDER CHARGE FOLLOWING HAYTI HEIGHTS SHOOTING
Three people are facing a murder charge in connection to the shooting death of a man on Sunday.
According to authorities, 29 year old Arthur Liddell and 18 year old Demario Mitchell, of Hayti, along with 25 year old Samuel Jones Jr., are each facing charges of second degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.
The charges stem from the shooting death of 20 year old Cedriceon Stewart.
MISSING MAN FOUND DEAD IN WAYNE COUNTY
The body of a missing man was discovered over the weekend in Wayne County.
The body of 53 year old Kenneth Willard was found Saturday morning near the Markham Springs Recreation area of Black River. According to authorities, Willard died of a gunshot wound and foul play is suspected.
Willard was last seen in October in the Zalma area.
MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AND ARMED CRIMINAL ACTION IN CONNECTION TO INCIDENT IN MALDEN
A man is facing charges following an alleged assault.
According to KFVS, William Landen has been charged with first degree assault, resisting arrest, and armed criminal action.
Landen reportedly hit another man multiple times with a shovel in the head and face on Sunday. After Malden Police arrived, Landen attempted to run and was subdued with a stun gun.
The victim was taken to a Memphis hospital.
TWO ARRESTED IN WAYNE COUNTY ON METH CHARGES
Two people are facing a meth related charge following their arrest Monday afternoon.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 47 year old Stacy Melton, of St. Louis, and 34 year old Kallen Russom, of Silva were each arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
Melton and Russom were taken into custody shortly before 3:30 pm in Wayne County.
BRIDGE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK IN WAYNE COUNTY
Bridge maintenance has been scheduled for today and tomorrow in Wayne County.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, Highway 67 in Wayne County will be reduced to one lane at the junction of Route A.
Work is scheduled to be performed today and tomorrow from 8 am to 2 pm each day.
INTERSTATE REPAIRS THIS WEEK IN PEMISCOT COUNTY
Northbound I-55 in Pemiscot County will be reduced this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The work zone is located at mile marker 18.5.
Work will take place today through Friday, from 7 am to 5 pm daily.
MISSOURI STATE AUDITOR RELEASES REPORT ON TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS
(AP) - A state audit shows Missouri has spent $376,000 flying commissioners to meetings across the state.
A report released Monday by state Auditor Tom Schweich notes the state could have saved $294,000 reimbursing conservation and transportation commissioners for driving instead in 2012 and 2013.
The transportation and conservation departments responded in the audit that the flights are necessary to get commissioners to meetings in a timely manner.
The Department of Transportation plans to continue flying commissioners on state planes despite Schweich's recommendation to drive.
The audit also notes the fleet of 19 planes is unnecessarily large and consequently is underused. The report notes Missouri's six passenger planes on average were used to capacity only about 10 percent of the time they were available to fly.
BUSINESS LEADERS EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR REVIEW OF MISSOURI TAX CODE
(AP) - Business groups say they support a proposed multi-year review of Missouri's tax code by a panel of experts.
Republican Senator Bob Dixon, of Springfield, said an in-depth study of the tax code was desperately needed during a Senate committee hearing on the measure.
He says officials, tax attorneys, accountants and business owners, would study the code and produce a report as a starting point for an update of the code.
Dixon's proposal would also create an independent office to advocate for taxpayers and outline a right to fair and equal application of the tax code.
Lobbyists for business groups say those changes would help protect taxpayers.
The Senate committee has not voted on the proposal.
PROPOSAL EXEMPTS BANKS FROM MISSOURI CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW
(AP) - Lobbyists for banks and credit unions say an exemption from a state consumer-protection law is needed to prevent excessive lawsuits against financial institutions.
Missouri Credit Union Association lobbyist David Kent said during a Monday legislative hearing that without a change, there could be a chilling effect on loans in Missouri.
The bill the banks support would exempt them from lawsuits from the state attorney general and from civil lawsuits seeking compensation for fraud, deceptive advertising or other violations.
An official from the attorney general's office says that without the authority to enforce this state law, individual consumers would have little recourse and banks would have no incentive to work with the state to mediate disputes with consumers.
