RIVER RADIO NEWS 090513
SECOND DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY IN CONNECTION TO FATAL HOME INVASION
A second defendant has pleaded guilty in connection to an alleged murder during a home invasion in Paragould.
According to prosecuting attorney Scott Ellington, 19 year old Lavell Branch-Griffin, of Paragould, has pled guilty to a charge of first degree murder, two counts of aggravated robbery, and two counts of aggravated residential burglary.
The charges were in connection to a set of home invasions last November, one of which resulted in the death of 92 year old Clinton Mason. The other defendant in the case, 19 year old Rashon Webb, of Jonesboro, pled guilty to the same charges last month.
Both men have been sentenced to 92 years imprisonment.
TWO ARRESTED FOR REPORTEDLY MAKING THREATS AT BANK
Two people have been arrested in Carter County reportedly for making threats at an area bank.
Authorities say the couple entered a bank in Van Buren yesterday and demanded money. The two allegedly threatened to kill everyone inside. Police arrived at the bank and were able to arrest the pair following a struggle.
The names of the two people arrested have not yet been made available.
MAN ARRESTED IN STODDARD COUNTY ON METH CHARGE
Authorities arrested a man yesterday morning in Stoddard County on drug charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 36 year old Todd W. Younger, of Sturdivant, was arrested shortly before noon Wednesday on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
WAYNE COUNTY RECEIVES GRANT TO IMPROVE VOTING FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES
Wayne County has been selected to receive a grant of over $3500 so the county can improve voting for Missourians with disabilities.
The funds will be used to install a handicapped accessible door at the Wayne County courthouse, which serves as a polling place. Grant money will also be used to purchase materials to enhance parking accessibility at the courthouse.
Polling Place Accessibility grants, part of the Help America Vote Act, are used to make polling places accessible to individuals with disabilities in order to protect their right to vote with privacy and independence.
NEW MADRID AUTHORITIES HOLD SEX OFFENDER COMPLIANCE CHECK
Authorities in New Madrid County conducted a compliance check of registered sex offenders yesterday.
According to New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens, officers identified 21 of the approximately 80 registered sex offenders in the county as possibly being non-compliant.
Follow up investigations will be conducted and those that are confirmed as non compliant will likely face criminal charges.
MISSOURI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN BATTLE OF THE BELT CHALLENGE
High School students across the state will soon be participating in a challenge to increase seat belt use.
The 2013 Battle of the Belt Challenge will run from October 1st to November 8th. The program consists of two surprise seat belt checks at each high school to measure student seat belt usage before and after an educational campaign on the importance of safety belt use.
In addition, schools have the opportunity to submit a 30 second video spot aimed at encouraging their peers to buckle up. Prizes will be available to top performing schools.
More information is available online at savemolives.com.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS TODAY IN BUTLER COUNTY
Missouri Department of Transportation crews will be in Butler County today for pavement repairs on Highway 51.
Work is scheduled to take place today from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Highway 51 will be reduced to one lane between Highway 53 and Route B.
CREWS TO CLOSE DUNKLIN COUNTY ROAD TODAY
Highway 164 in Dunklin County will be closed today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can replace a pipe beneath the roadway.
The work zone will be located at the intersection of Highways 164 and 108. Work is scheduled to be performed today from 7 am to 4 pm.
TAX REVENUES UP IN MISSOURI
Missouri tax revenues rose slightly last month, thanks to solid growth in income tax collections.
The state Office of Administration said Wednesday that net general revenues were up 2.2 percent in August compared to the same month last year.
That includes a 4.6 growth rate in individual income taxes and 10.2 percent growth in corporate income tax collections.
Sales tax collections were down by 1.8 percent compared to August 2012.
State budget director Linda Luebbering says Missouri borrowed $150 million from its cash-reserve fund in August to ensure it had enough money to make school payments. The reserve fund must be replenished by mid-May.
GOVERNOR NOT PLANNING ON SPECIAL SESSION FOR TAX CUT
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has no plans to call a special legislative session to craft a new version of a bill cutting income taxes.
Nixon spokesman Scott Holste said Wednesday that trying to put together a new bill at the last moment would be an irresponsible approach to a complex issue.
Nixon vetoed a bill earlier this year that would cut income taxes. Lawmakers are to convene September 11th to consider overriding that veto.
Republican House member T.J. Berry was the sponsor of that bill. He had asked Nixon to call a special session to begin the same day as the veto session. Berry says lawmakers could correct problems Nixon noted in the legislation.
Holste says Nixon is willing to work on the issue during the 2014 session.
