RIVER RADIO NEWS 072915
THREE MEMPHIS MEN ARRESTED AFTER STEALING TRUCK LOAD OF TOILET PAPER
A load of stolen toilet paper has led to the arrest of three Memphis men.
According to Captain J. McMillen with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, investigators received a tip last week about a possible theft at a local trucking company, which led officers to begin conducting surveillance.
Early Saturday morning, officers with the Sikeston DPS and Missouri State Highway Patrol witnessed a semi-tractor pull onto the parking lot, followed by a second vehicle. Three men exited the vehicles, hooked the semi-tractor to a fully loaded trailer, and left the location.
Officers initiated a traffic stop on both vehicles and placed the three men under arrest.
51 year old Jimmie Smith, 42 year old Markel A. Eskridge and 36 year old Eugene Pickens, all of Memphis, were each charged with felony theft/stealing of more than $25,000. Smith faces an additional charge of felony tampering with a motor vehicle.
Police learned the trailer was loaded with toilet paper with a wholesale value of approximately $70,000.
MAN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF ROBBERY AND ASSAULT
A man is in custody in connection to an alleged weekend home invasion in Poplar Bluff.
According to the Daily American Republic, 20 year old Brandon Head was arrested on suspicion of first degree assault and first degree robbery.
A victim was reportedly cut with a knife during the robbery. The victim was treated and released from an area hospital.
Police are also trying to identify a second suspect in the case who allegedly held multiple people at gunpoint during the robbery.
VICTIM SHOT IN THE BACK IN CAPE GIRARDEAU
A man was reportedly shot Tuesday night during an incident in Cape Girardeau.
According to the Southeast Missourian, a witness said that the victim was shot in the back by another man in the South Hanover and William Street area.
The victim was taken to an area hospital.
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY SENDS OUT FINAL BILLS FOR UNCOLLECTED FEES
(AP) - The Craighead County Election Commission has sent final bills to all but one of the cities and towns in the county for election fees that went uncollected since 2008.
The Jonesboro Sun reports the final bills total just more than $76,600 and range from $42.96 to the town of Egypt to $57,191.30 to Jonesboro.
It was revealed in February that election coordinator Sandra Taylor failed for several years to bill the state, cities, towns and schools for elections. She resigned February 13th.
New election coordinator Jennifer Clack estimated the county failed to collect about $260,000 in election fees during the past seven years. The commission has now sent bills for nearly $240,000.
The city of Bono has not yet been billed as the commission awaits undisclosed information from the city.
HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTS INCREASE IN DROWNING AND FATALITIES SO FAR THIS YEAR
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says that there have been more fatalities and drownings reported so far this year than last year.
Preliminary statistics indicate that Missouri has recorded 437 traffic fatalities so far in 2015, compared to 412 fatalities during the same time in 2014. Inattention, speed, and impaired driving continue to be the leading causes of traffic crashes in Missouri.
The Highway Patrol also says that in approximately 63 percent of fatalities, the victim was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Drownings are also up this year, with 30 drownings reported so far compared to 29 in all of 2014.
DORENA-HICKMAN FERRY REOPENS
A ferry that connects Missouri and Kentucky has reopened.
The Dorena-Hickman ferry had closed last month due to high water levels on the Mississippi River.
Ferry officials say that the ferry reopened Tuesday on the regular summer schedule. Anyone wanting more information can call 731-693-0210.
GOVERNOR CANDIDATE SAYS TO UP MISSOURI PENALTY FOR SALE OF FETAL ORGANS
(AP) - Republican candidate for Missouri governor Catherine Hanaway says the penalty for selling aborted fetal remains should be a felony, not a misdemeanor.
Hanaway called for ramping up state law Tuesday during an anti-abortion rally outside a Columbia Planned Parenthood.
The rally was in response to an undercover video released by anti-abortion activists showing Planned Parenthood's senior director of medical services discussing procedures for providing fetal body parts to researchers.
It's a misdemeanor in Missouri to offer or receive "valuable consideration" for aborted fetal tissue or organs. Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri has said it doesn't participate in such a program.
Hanaway is a former Missouri House speaker and U.S. attorney. She faces what could be a crowded GOP primary for governor.
GOVERNOR NIXON CALLS FOR ETHICS CHANGES FOLLOWING LAWMAKERS’ RESIGNATIONS
(AP) - Democratic Governor Jay Nixon says Missouri's ethics laws need to be revamped in light of accusations that led to the resignations of two state lawmakers this year.
Nixon on Tuesday criticized the culture in the Capitol during remarks at a school administrators' conference in Columbia.
His comments follow the announced resignation of Democratic Senator Paul LeVota amid accusations that he made unwelcome advances toward interns. Former Republican House Speaker John Diehl left office in May after admitting to exchanging sexually suggestive text messages with an intern.
Nixon said he would like to see an end to the state's trio of unlimited campaign contributions, unlimited lobbyist gifts and lawmakers' ability to immediately become lobbyists.
He also wants the legislative session to be shortened. It currently runs from January through mid-May.
