RIVER RADIO NEWS 031115
HIGHWAY PATROL INVESTIGATING SHOOTING INVOLVING A MALDEN POLICE OFFICER
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating a Tuesday shooting involving a Malden police officer.
At around 5:18 pm, officers responded to the area of Frisco Park in regards to a reported suicidal subject. The man was found with a handgun that he had allegedly flourished at a citizen near a business.
The man did not drop the weapon when ordered to by officers. He then pointed the gun at a police officer and was shot by another officer.
The subject was taken to an area hospital for treatment. His identity was not released.
MAN FACING CHARGES AFTER REPORTEDLY TRYING TO GRAB OFFICER’S WEAPON
A man allegedly attempted to grab an officer’s stun gun Monday at a Mississippi County facility.
According to KFVS, 48 year old Larry Banks, of Charleston, was in the intake process early Monday morning when he became combative and unsuccessfully attempted to grab an officer’s stun gun.
He was secured following a brief struggle. Banks is facing a charge of attempting to disarm a correctional officer.
NEELYVILLE MAN FOUND IN POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
A Neelyville man is facing two felony charges following his arrest Tuesday night.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 37 year old Larry Brown was taken into custody shortly before 8 pm in Butler County on charges of possession of a controlled substance for hydrocodone and tramadol.
AREA RESIDENTS GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT TELEHEALTH
Area residents will be given the opportunity to learn about Telehealth today at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.
The “Telehealth Education Delivered” vehicle will be at the medical center from 11 am to 3:30 pm today. VA Public Affairs Officer, Angela Smith says that this is a unique opportunity for Veterans and community members to witness the level of technology offered to telehealth patients.
Demonstrations will be available for free and are open to the public.
MOBILE OFFICE TO BE HELD THURSDAY IN POPLAR BLUFF
Staff members of United States Senator Roy Blunt will be in Poplar Bluff tomorrow to speak with area residents.
The Mobile Office meeting is scheduled for 1:30 to 2:30 pm Thursday at the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
Mobile Offices are opportunities for Missourians to discuss their questions or concerns with the federal government one-on-one with members of Senator Blunt’s staff.
THREE SOUTHEAST MISSOURI POLICE DEPARTMENTS FAIL TO FILE REQUIRED RACIAL DISPARITY DATA
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster says three Southeast Missouri Police Departments failed to submit annual racial disparity data to his office by March 1st, as required by Missouri law.
The three agencies were in Lilbourn, Morley, and Naylor. Koster said his office sent four written notices and called every law enforcement agency that had not yet submitted their data to remind them of their filing obligations under the law.
The annual vehicle stops report provides racial disparity data relating to law enforcement traffic stops. A total of 17 departments statewide failed to submit their data by the required date.
BRIDGE REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY IN WAYNE COUNTY
Highway 49 in Wayne County will be reduced today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge repairs.
The work zone is located from County Road 349A to County Road 347.
Work is scheduled to be performed between 8 am and 3 pm.
DUNKLIN COUNTY BRIDGE CLOSED FOR REPLACEMENT
A Dunklin County bridge is closed until August so it can be replaced.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, contractor crews are replacing the Route 53/62 bridge over the Union Pacific railroad in Campbell.
The bridge is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, August 1st.
MISSOURI PROJECTED TO SEE MORE BAD BRIDGES OVER NEXT DECADE
(AP) - The number of Missouri bridges in poor condition is expected to increase dramatically over the next decade as state funding declines.
State transportation commissioners were told Tuesday that Missouri currently has 600 bridges on state highways that are rated in poor or critical condition but are not in Missouri's five-year plan for improvements.
State Bridge Engineer Dennis Heckman says that number is projected to rise to 1,000 within five years and 1,500 by 2024.
That comes as funding for highway and bridge construction contracts is expected decline sharply.
The state already has closed five bridges because of poor conditions. That includes one that was shut down last month in Macon County over the Thomas Hill Reservoir after a heavy vehicle cracked a hole in the deck.
MISSOURI SENATE ENDORSES MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUIT CAPS
(AP) - The Missouri Senate has moved forward a measure that would reinstate limits on noneconomic awards in medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors or hospitals.
The Senate gave initial approval Tuesday to limits on noneconomic damages, including pain and suffering, in medical malpractice cases.
The state Supreme Court overturned $350,000 limits in a 2012 case.
Business and health care industry groups have called for new caps since. They warn that without limits, insurance costs will rise and doctors will leave.
The limits are $400,000 in most cases with $700,000 for catastrophic injuries or death. The caps increase 1.7 percent each year.
The measure was a compromise between Democrats and Republicans. Senate Democrats have opposed previous efforts to reinstate caps.
The bill faces another vote in the Senate before going to the House.
MISSOURI HOUSE GRANTS INITIAL APPROVAL TO $26 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET
(AP) - A spending plan to increase money for Missouri K-12 public education has won initial House approval.
The House spent hours Tuesday tweaking a package of bills that outline a roughly $8.8-billion general revenue budget for next fiscal year.
Combined with federal and other funds, that plan would allow the state to spend more than $26 billion in the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The House budget plan includes roughly $74 million more in basic aid for K-12 schools than this year. But that's still well short of what's called for under a school funding formula.
Lawmakers also approved an amendment Tuesday shifting $1 million previously slotted for the Parents as Teachers program, which provides resources for early childhood development. That money instead would go to the Teach for America program.
