RIVER RADIO NEWS 032415
MAN ARRESTED AFTER DROPPING METH ON CONVENIENCE STORE FLOOR
Two Northeast Arkansas men are facing charges after one of them reportedly dropped a bag of methamphetamine on the floor of a convenience store.
According to the Izard County Sheriff Department, 33 year old Robert Hobbs, of Floral, was at a Melbourne convenience store when he allegedly dropped a small bag of methamphetamine on the floor while purchasing items. The bag was located by a store employee and Hobbs was identified on an in store video.
Hobbs was located on a construction site in Melbourne on March 18th and arrested for possession of methamphetamine.
During Hobbs arrest, another worker was observed disposing of a bag of meth and a smoking device.
The worker, 36 year old Timothy Swaim, of Batesville, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia for the purpose to use methamphetamine, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of marijuana.
MICHIGAN MAN ARRESTED IN NEW MADRID COUNTY ON DRUG CHARGE
A Michigan man is facing drug related charges in connection to his arrest Sunday night in New Madrid County.
According to the Highway Patrol, 23 year old Demarcus Baber, of Saginaw, Michigan, was arrested on a felony charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Baber is also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
POLICE SAY NO CLEAR MOTIVE IN MISSOURI AUDITOR’S SUICIDE
(AP) - Police investigating the suicide of Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich say law officers have no clear motive for why he shot himself.
Clayton Police Lt. Don Bass told KMOX radio that detectives have been conducting interviews and searching through Schweich's text messages, emails and voicemails.
Schweich shot himself at his Clayton home February 26th, just minutes after telling a reporter that he wanted to go public with allegations that the chairman of the Missouri Republican Party had been telling people Schweich was Jewish.
Schweich, who was Christian, also had expressed angst to friends over what he perceived to be an anti-Semitic whispering campaign.
Bass says "there's nothing to indicate a clear motive" and "there's no substance to the whispering campaign" based on evidence brought to the attention of police.
JEFF SHAWAN STEPS DOWN AS BUTLER COUNTY EMA DIRECTOR
Jeff Shawan announced Monday that he would be leaving the position of Butler County Emergency Management Director.
Shawan says he resigned to pursue a new business opportunity. He had served since 2012 and said he could stay on as director until April 24th.
BERNIE HIGH SCHOOL TAKES TOP HONORS IN BATTLE OF THE BELT CHALLENGE
A local high school received top honors with a 100 percent seat belt usage during the 2014 Battle of the Belt Challenge.
Bernie High School was one of eight schools across the state to hit 100 percent seat belt usage and the only one in Southeast Missouri.
An assembly was held earlier this month where the school was awarded a Gold Banner and $500 check.
Participating schools launched two surprise seat belt checks at each school to measure student seat belt usage before and after an educational campaign. In addition, schools had the opportunity to submit a 30 second video spot to encourage their peers to buckle up.
Seven other Southeast Missouri schools recorded at least 90 percent seat belt usage.
SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE FOR WEDNESDAY EVENING AND NIGHT
We could be looking at possible severe weather this week.
According to the National Weather Service, a vigorous system is expected to pass across the area Wednesday and Wednesday night.
The system could bring severe storms Wednesday evening and night with large hail and damaging winds being the primary threat.
DEXTER POLICE SAY HOLIDAY ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN WAS A SUCCESS
Dexter police say that their St. Patrick’s Day holiday enforcement campaign was a success.
From March 14th to 17th, the Dexter Police Department reported at least one drunk driving arrest, three minor in possession of alcohol violations and 65 citations were made.
Nearly 10,000 law enforcement agencies across the country participated in this year’s St. Patrick’s holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS UNDERWAY IN BUTLER COUNTY
Highway 67 in Butler County will be reduced to one lane this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The work zone is located at Route 158/160 extending north and south one-mile.
Weather permitting, work will be performed through Thursday from 7 am to 4:30 pm daily.
MISSOURI REPUBLICAN PROPOSES FIX TO FELON GUN RIGHTS PROBLEM
(AP) - A Missouri Republican lawmaker says a legislative fix is needed to ensure the state's prohibition on felons carrying guns won't be thrown out.
Representative Kevin Austin, of Springfield, says the Legislature should move quickly to remedy a problem created by a court ruling involving Amendment 5, which expanded Missouri's constitutional protections for gun rights.
The measure also gave legislators the ability to limit gun rights for "convicted violent felons."
A St. Louis judge said in a ruling last month that's being challenged that Missouri's law barring all felons from possessing guns was unconstitutional because it was too broad.
Austin now is sponsoring a bill that would define the list of crimes included as a "violent felony." He says that could ensure guns remain banned for at least some felons.
