RIVER RADIO NEWS 112513
MAN KILLED IN FATAL MISSISSIPPI COUNTY WRECK
One man has died following a single vehicle wreck Saturday in Mississippi County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle driven by 21 year old Christopher M. Byassee, of East Prairie, ran off the side of a roadway Saturday and hit a tree. One of Byassee’s passengers, 25 year old Bobby J. Counts, also of East Prairie, was later pronounced dead at Missouri Delta Medical Center.
A second passenger suffered serious injuries and was taken by air to St. Francis Medical Center.
TWO ARRESTED ON METH CHARGES IN BUTLER COUNTY
Two men were taken into custody over the weekend in Butler County on meth charges.
According to the Highway Patrol, the arrests happened shortly after 4 am Saturday morning.
31 year old Jason R. Hall, of Poplar Bluff is facing charges of manufacture of a controlled substance, methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
26 year old Alexis P. Peters, of Puxico, was arrested on charges of manufacture of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; possession of methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia; 4 counts of possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility and 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance.
MAN REPORTEDLY FOUND WITH METH AND MARIJUANA IN JONESBORO
A man was taken into custody Friday in Jonesboro on a drug charge.
According to KAIT, police arrested 27 year old Cordarryl Coleman after allegedly finding bags which contained what authorities believed to be marijuana and meth in Coleman’s shoes.
Coleman is facing charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.
DEER BREAKS WINDOW AT POPLAR BLUFF POST OFFICE
An unlikely visitor stopped by the Poplar Bluff Post Office on Friday.
Officials say a deer broke out a window of the post office Friday morning, traveled through the business, and then went into the Missouri Natural Gas Warehouse.
The deer was held in the warehouse and later died. It was removed by conservation agents.
MISSOURI SEATBELT USE REMAINS STAGNANT
Law enforcement in Missouri will be out in force today to increase seat belt use.
Law enforcement agencies statewide will be participating in a quarterly Occupant Protection Enforcement today to increase seat belt use and reduce highway fatalities.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a recent survey shows that in Missouri, 79 percent of the general public, and 67 percent of teenagers, use a seat belt. This is well below the nationwide average of 86 percent.
As of November 17th, of the 668 fatalities in Missouri this year, 62 percent of those killed were unrestrained.
SURVEY SUGGESTS RURAL ECONOMY TO CONTINUE TO GROW, BUT SLOWLY
The overall index in a new monthly survey matches the previous index and also suggests the economy will continue growing at a slow pace in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states.
The report for the Rural Mainstreet Index was released Thursday and says the index remained unchanged at 54.3 in November.
The index is based on surveys of rural bankers in 10 states including Illinois and Missouri. It ranges from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. A score above 50 suggests growth in that factor in the months ahead.
The confidence index, which reflects expectations for the economy six months out, rose to a still weak 48.3 from 44.7 in October.
ARKANSAS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UP SLIGHTLY
State officials say Arkansas' unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.5 percent in October.
The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services says the increase mirrored a similar jump in the national unemployment rate.
The agency says five sectors added jobs last month, with the biggest gain coming in trade, transportation and utilities with the bulk of the increase coming from retail trade jobs. Education and health services rose by 1,700 jobs, while the government sector increased by 2,900 jobs - mostly in public school employment.
The agency says professional and business services posted the largest decrease of 700 jobs.
UNEMPLOYMENT TAXES ON BUSINESSES TO GO UP NEXT YEAR
Missouri businesses will pay higher unemployment taxes next year in order to pay down a state debt to the federal government.
Missouri began borrowing from the federal government in 2008 to pay jobless benefits after an economic downturn drained the state's unemployment benefits trust fund. That debt has remained outstanding for several years.
Businesses are paying a surcharge of $42 per employee this year to help pay down that debt. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry says businesses will have to pay $63 per employee in 2014.
The chamber says Missouri is one of 14 states being hit with a higher tax rate to help pay down its federal loan. The chamber says Missouri owes $308 million to the federal government.
THANKSGIVING DINNER COULD BE SLIGHTLY CHEAPER THIS YEAR
Thanksgiving dinner might cost you less this year than last year.
According to the Missouri Farm Bureau, the average cost for ingredients needed to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal for 10 people is a little over three dollars less this year, compared to last year.
The average cost comes out to $48.61 and this includes items such as a 16-pound turkey, bread stuffing and sweet potatoes among other items.
The Missouri average was just over 40 cents less than the national average.
