RIVER RADIO NEWS 042315
MAN SOUGHT IN CONNECTION TO INCIDENT AT BUTLER COUNTY COURTHOUSE
A woman in custody received some help Tuesday during an attempted escape at the Butler County Courthouse.
According to authorities, Travis O’Barr allegedly attempted to help his girlfriend, Shekeena Liau, escape from custody at the courthouse. They managed to get partially through the building before a deputy got to them.
O’Barr then allegedly assaulted the deputy before running from the building without his girlfriend, who was apprehended.
Anyone with information on O’Barr’s location is asked to contact the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.
MISSING SCOTT CITY TEENAGER FOUND IN ALABAMA
A Scott City teenager who was reported missing Wednesday has been found.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the endangered person advisory was cancelled for the missing 15 year old after he was located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The teen had last been seen by family at 1:00 am on April 21st. He was also seen later in the day walking west along the railroad tracks leaving Scott City, carrying two backpacks.
The teenager had made statements that he wanted to die and has had a history of harming himself.
POPLAR BLUFF WOMAN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
A Poplar Bluff woman is facing multiple felony charges following her arrest Wednesday in Butler County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 33 year old Erin Bass was taken into custody on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, prescription pills; and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
SCOTT CITY WOMAN ARRESTED FOR DRUGS AND TRESPASSING
A Scott City woman was taken into custody Tuesday on trespassing and drug charges.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, on Tuesday a deputy responded to a field on N Highway after the property owner reported a vehicle in the field.
The deputy found a metal smoking pipe with burnt residue inside of it in the vehicle. The pipe field tested positive for marijuana.
While the deputy was on the scene, 31 year old Jennifer Niswonger approached the vehicle. She admitted to driving the vehicle and leaving it on the property.
Niswonger was arrested. At the jail, she reportedly admitted to having prescription pills, which were controlled substances, in her wallet.
Niswonger has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and second degree trespassing.
NO INJURIES REPORTED AFTER CAR CRASHES INTO BUSINESS
No injuries have been reported in connection to an incident in which a car crashed into a Cape Girardeau business.
According to KFVS, the vehicle ran into the Check into Cash business on Wednesday. The driver of the vehicle said the car seemed to malfunction.
MOBILE OFFICE TODAY AT BUTLER COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Staff members of United States Senator Roy Blunt will be in Poplar Bluff today to host a Mobile Office.
The meeting is scheduled from 3:00 to 4:00 pm at the Butler County Courthouse.
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.
MISSOURI HOUSE APPROVES CHANGES TO MUNICIPAL COURT RULES
(AP) - A measure that aims to address criticisms of Missouri's municipal courts voiced by protesters and activists in the wake of the fatal shooting of 18 year old Michael Brown in Ferguson is advancing.
The Missouri House on Wednesday approved a measure 131 to 19 that would lower the amount of money local governments could collect from minor traffic violations. Ferguson protesters voiced concerns about predatory, revenue-generating practices of some municipalities in the St. Louis area.
The bill would also require alternative payment options, limit detainment and eliminate charges for failing to appear in court for such violations.
The measure would also require cities in St. Louis county to meet minimum standards including police services, a balanced budget and insurance.
The bill now returns to the Senate to work out differences between the two versions.
MISSOURI HOUSE ADVANCES CELLPHONE CHARGE FOR 911 SERVICES
(AP) - Emergency 911 systems in Missouri would get a new funding stream under a measure that supporters say is needed to enhance outdated services across the state.
The Missouri House voted 123 to 32 Wednesday to pass a bill that would allow local governments to collect a maximum $1.50 monthly fee on cellphones with voter approval.
It would also impose a statewide 3 percent charge on sales of prepaid phones.
Supporters say that as landline use declines, a new source of revenue is needed to fund 911 services.
The money collected on prepaid phones would be distributed as grants by the state to encourage consolidation, implement services in areas without them and provide emergency texting capabilities. A portion would also go to the poison control center.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
MISSOURI HOUSE OKS LIMITING ACCESS TO POLICE CAMERA FOOTAGE
(AP) - Public access to footage from police cameras in Missouri would be restricted under a measure moving forward in the Legislature.
The Missouri House gave initial approval Wednesday to a measure that would exempt such footage from the state's open-records laws.
Activists have rallied around encouraging police departments across the country to use body cameras to record interactions with the public after last year's fatal shooting of 18 year old Michael Brown by a Ferguson policeman. There was no video of that shooting.
But Missouri lawmakers are reluctant to require police cameras because the state constitution prohibits unfunded mandates.
The legislation would allow agencies to block access to footage and require court action to override that decision.
Supporters say they want to balance privacy concerns of individuals with the public's right to know.
