RIVER RADIO NEWS 022415
MAN CHARGED WITH 2ND DEGREE MURDER IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS DEATH
A Harrisburg man has been charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Jeff Foster over the weekend.
Foster was found shot to death Saturday in Poinsett County after a report of shots being fired. Authorities later arrested 58 year old Charles Davis.
According to KAIT, Davis was charged on Monday with second degree murder and possession of a weapon by a certain person.
CHAFFEE MAN FACING CHARGES OF BURGLARY AND THEFT
A recent investigation has lead to a warrant being issued for a Chaffee man.
According to authorities in Perry County, 45 year old Will Mosely is facing two counts of felony theft and second degree burglary. Mosely is also charged with second degree property damage.
Mosely is in custody in Cape Girardeau County.
METH DEALER SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
A Stoddard County man was sentenced last week to almost 15 years in prison on a drug charge.
According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver, John Kacy Jones was sentenced to 14 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. In January, Jones was found guilty of distribution of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
Due to Jones criminal history, he will be required to serve his sentence without the possibility of parole.
BUSINESS DAMAGED DURING FIRE IN PARAGOULD
A restaurant in Paragould was damaged Monday due to a fire.
The Burger King in Paragould caught fire Monday evening. Fire crews were dispatched and subdued the fire.
The severity of damage done to the business was not available.
MDHSS IS LOOKING FOR ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP FEED CHILDREN DURING THE SUMMER
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is looking for organizations to help feed children over the summer.
The Summer Food Service Program reimburses organizations for meals they serve to children who are at risk of not having enough to eat. The program provides nutritious meals to children under the age of 18 during the summer months when school breakfast and lunch programs are not operating.
Organizations eligible to participate in the program include schools, faith-based organizations, camps, private nonprofit agencies, and local governments. The sites are required to be located in areas where at least half of the children are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.
For more information, go online to health.mo.gov/sfsp.
MISSOURI SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO LIMIT WELFARE BENEFITS
(AP) - A measure to limit the lifetime cap for welfare benefits to four years has Missouri Senate approval.
Senators on Monday voted 25 to 8 in favor of the legislation, which would cut a year off the current limit of five years.
The bill would affect recipients of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which gives money each month to low-income families.
The legislation also would eventually cut access to benefits if parents don't look for work or participate in other work-related activities. Department of Social Services workers would be required to meet with those at risk of falling out of compliance.
Lawmakers voted close to party lines, and Senator Jason Holsman of Kansas City was the only Democrat voting for the bill.
The bill now heads to the House.
BILL WOULD STOP CITIES FROM BANNING PLASTIC BAGS
(AP) - A Missouri lawmaker is bucking national trends toward reducing use of plastic bags and instead is pushing legislation to prevent local restrictions on plastic.
The measure by Republican Representative Dan Shaul, who is also state director of the Missouri Grocers Association, would stop Missouri cities and towns from banning or issuing fines for use of plastic bags.
Columbia is considering banning them and charging 10 cents for paper bags.
Shaul's bill also comes months after California became the first state to ban single-use plastic bags in grocery stores in hopes of reducing litter and protecting marine life.
Washington, D.C., Seattle and Chicago are among cities that have opted to ban plastic bags.
Shaul says it should be up to grocery stores and consumers to choose.
MISSOURI HOUSE PANEL TO CONSIDER MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROPOSAL
(AP) - Montel Williams is joining a Missouri Republican in efforts to allow patients with specific ailments access to medical marijuana with a state-monitored distribution program.
A House committee on Monday will consider a bill that would set up a process for patients to register for access to marijuana for cancer, HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder and other medical conditions.
Republican Representative Dave Hinson's bill would not allow recreational use of marijuana. It would require growers and distributors of medical marijuana to be licensed and follow certain security procedures.
Williams, a TV personality with multiple sclerosis, uses marijuana to treat some of his symptoms and will testify in support of the bill.
He says Missouri could be a model for other states.
Twenty-three states have comprehensive medical marijuana laws.
