RIVER RADIO NEWS 040115
ANOTHER ARREST MADE IN MURDER FOR HIRE SCHEME
An additional arrest has been made in connection to an alleged murder for hire plot in northeast Arkansas.
According to the Blytheville Courier News, Calvin Aldridge was taken into custody Tuesday for a scheme to kill the ex-girlfriend of Tylon King.
Aldridge was allegedly a part of a phone conversation with King where they apparently spoke in code about a paid “hit” on King’s ex-girlfriend.
SIKESTON MAN FACING DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND DRUG CHARGE
A Sikeston man is facing multiple charges following a domestic assault incident.
The victim told police that 29 year old Justin Kane Holland had pulled her off the bed, punched her in the mouth, and grabbed her throat.
Holland was later located and arrested. During the arrest, he was found in possession of a controlled substance.
Holland has been charged with felony domestic assault and possession of a controlled substance.
TWO ILLINOIS WOMEN ARRESTED ON HEROIN CHARGE IN NEW MADRID COUNTY
Two Illinois women are facing felony drug charges following their arrest Tuesday morning in New Madrid County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 33 year old Tiffany Shawtell, of Chicago, Illinois, and 31 year old Jasmine Sokic, of Ingleside, Illinois, were each arrested on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, heroin; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Shawtell is also charged with possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility.
POPLAR BLUFF STUDENT COUNCIL ADVISOR ELECTED TO STATE BOARD
A Poplar Bluff High School student council advisor has been elected to serve on a state board.
Hope Conover was recently elected to serve a three-year term representing the Southeast District of the Missouri Association of Student Councils.
Conover, who is also a math instructor at Poplar Bluff High School, attended her first meeting last month during the annual
MASC state convention.
MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST OPEN HOUSE TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK IN POPLAR BLUFF
Mark Twain National Forest will be holding an open house next week in Poplar Bluff as a part of a study of the forest’s road system.
Every national forest will complete the road study by the end of 2015. The study will analyze all forest system roads for their existing use and characteristics, need for management, activities and public access, benefits, environmental risks and maintenance costs.
The open house will be held on April 8th from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff.
RAILROAD REPAIRS TO CAUSE CLOSURE OF PEMISCOT COUNTY ROAD THIS WEEK
Route 164 in Pemiscot County will be closed this week as railroad crews make repairs to the crossing.
The work zone is located between Railroad Street and Route 61.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through Friday from 6 am to 5 pm daily.
INTERSTATE 55 IN NEW MADRID COUNTY REDUCED FOR GUARDRAIL REPAIRS
A portion of southbound Interstate 55 in New Madrid County will be reduced to one lane as contractor crews perform guardrail repairs.
The affected section of roadway is located between Route 80 and Route 162.
Work is scheduled to be performed from 7 am to 4:30 pm daily through Wednesday, April 8th.
CREWS TO BE IN NEW MADRID COUNTY TODAY FOR RAILROAD REPAIRS
Route W in New Madrid County will be closed today so railroad crews can repair a railroad crossing.
Route W will be closed between Route 62 and Route D from 8 am to 5 pm.
MISSOURI HOUSE PANEL OKS ADDED FUNDS FOR MEDICAID DRUG COSTS
(AP) - Despite concerns from Republican lawmakers about Democratic Governor Jay Nixon's withholding money from programs this year, most of his 2015 supplemental budget request is moving forward.
A Missouri House panel on Tuesday approved additional spending for 2015, including $120 million in general funds.
Republican lawmakers have previously criticized the request while the governor's office continues to withhold about $451 million from other priorities this year.
State budget director Linda Lueberring says the additional money is for bills that have to be paid.
About $82 million of that is for increased costs in the state's Medicaid pharmacy program, primarily from the high cost of providing new Hepatitis C drug Sovaldi.
The measure must be approved by the full House before going to the Senate.
ARKANSAS LAWMAKERS GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM BILL
(AP) - Arkansas lawmakers have given final approval to a religious-freedom bill that has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who say it opens the door to state-sanctioned discrimination against gays and lesbians.
The House voted Tuesday to approve the measure, which prohibits the state and local governments from infringing on a person's religious beliefs without a "compelling" interest. The measure now heads to Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson, who has said he will sign it into law.
If enacted, the move will make Arkansas the second state to enact such a law this year. Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed a similar bill last week, and 19 other states have comparable measures on the books.
Hundreds of protesters filled the Arkansas Capitol urging Hutchinson to veto the bill.
MISSOURI SENATE VOTES TO RAISE CAPS FOR SOME TO GET MEDICAID
(AP) - Missouri's Republican-controlled Senate has advanced a bill that would expand eligibility for persons with disabilities to receive Medicaid.
Senators advanced the bill in a voice vote Tuesday and will vote a second time before it moves to the House.
Currently single Missourians can't have more than $1,000 in assets to qualify for the federal health care program, with married couples capped at $2,000.
Republican Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey's bill would increase that to $2,000 and $4,000 respectively, with those caps to increase yearly.
The legislation spurred debate between two GOP lawmakers over a larger expansion of the federal health care program.
Republican Senator Ryan Silvey of Kansas City is one of a few GOP members in support of larger expansion. Party leaders have called it a nonstarter.
