RIVER RADIO NEWS 080615
ADVANCE MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY WARRANT
An Advance man has been taken into custody on a child pornography related warrant.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 30 year old Darrell Dewayne Meador Jr. was arrested for possession/control of child pornography.
Meador reportedly admitted to officials that he had downloaded the pornography.
FEDERAL AGENCY SAYS 33 INJURED IN NORANDA EXPLOSION
(AP) - A federal agency says molten aluminum hitting water is the apparent cause of explosions that injured more than 30 employees at a southeast Missouri aluminum plant.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration says it's investigating two explosions that occurred Tuesday at the Noranda Aluminum plant in New Madrid County.
OSHA says the preliminary cause of the explosions appears to be the result of molten aluminum contacting water. The agency says it also investigated the facility in June after a worker was burned, and that investigation is ongoing.
OSHA said in a release that preliminary information shows 33 employees were injured in the Tuesday explosions, with most suffering eye and throat irritation, and ringing of the ears.
TWO FACING ARSON CHARGES FOLLOWING STEELE FIRE
Two Steele residents are facing arson charges following a Tuesday house fire.
According to Steele Police Chief Billy Joe Stanfield, 49 year old Terry Partain and 32 year old Melissa Wade have been charged with two counts of second degree arson in connection to the fire on Liberty Street.
Stanfield says that Partain is also charged with five counts of burglary in a separate investigation into several burglaries in the city.
CITY OF OSCEOLA AT RISK OF LOSING HISTORIC COURTHOUSE
(AP) - The city of Osceola has retained former Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel to look into the actions of Mississippi County over the city possibly losing its historic courthouse.
County Judge Randy Carney and several quorum court members are leading an effort to consolidate the county's two courthouses, located in Blytheville and Osceola, into one larger courthouse in Blytheville.
According to the Jonesboro Sun, the county has purchased land intended for a new courthouse, and has hired an architectural firm to begin drafting plans.
State law mandates the consolidation or move of a county seat be approved by county residents. McDaniel, who now practices law privately, says the county has spent too much money and resources on a project that hasn't even been approved.
POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOLS TO ADD PRESCHOOL PROGRAM THANKS TO GRANT MONEY
The Early Childhood Center in Poplar Bluff will be adding a preschool program thanks to a state grant.
The Missouri Preschool Program has awarded Poplar Bluff Schools $250,000 for the program. The center will be able to enroll 60 students ages three to five, and employ six staff members to manage three classrooms.
Enrollment will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis. The preschool is planned to be in operation by September 20th. For more information, call 573-785-6803.
MOBILE OFFICE TO BE HELD FRIDAY IN KENNETT
Staff members of United States Senator Roy Blunt will be meeting with area citizens Friday in Kennett as a part of the Senator’s Mobile Office program.
The event will be held from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Dunklin 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.
BUTLER COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 16TH
This year’s Butler County Fair will begin on Wednesday, September 16th.
Multiple events will be held over the four day fair at Ray Clinton Park and the Black River Coliseum including agriculture exhibits, a silent auction, the tractor and truck pull, and the beauty pageant.
Fair books and schedules will be available soon. For more information, go online to www.butlercountymissourifair.com.
COMPLETION DATE OF DUNKLIN COUNTY BRIDGE PROJECT EXTENDED TO MID SEPTEMBER
The Missouri Department of Transportation has extended the end date for an ongoing bridge project.
The Route 53/62 bridge in Dunklin County has been closed since March 10th so contractor crews could replace the bridge. The bridge is located over the Union Pacific railroad in Campbell.
MoDot says that the project is now anticipated to be completed by Tuesday, September 15th.
