RIVER RADIO NEWS 010914
FIRE RESULTS IN DEATH OF DEXTER WOMAN
A woman has died following a fire at her home in Dexter.
According to the Dexter Daily Statesman, 78 year old Reta Vanmatre was found dead Wednesday.
Authorities believe Vanmatre died from smoke inhalation from a fire that was started by a cigarette.
SCOTT CITY MAN CHARGED WITH DISTRIBUTING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
A Scott City has been taken into custody in connection to an undercover narcotics operation.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, 49 year old Jimmy Simms has been charged with the distribution of a controlled substance.
Simms allegedly sold hydrocodone to two undercover officers near his Scott City residence in June of 2013.
TWO ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY SELLING MARIJUANA TO UNDERCOVER DETECTIVE
A rural Benton couple has been placed under arrest for allegedly selling drugs to an undercover detective.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, 24 year old Steven Patrick and 19 year old Jennifer Carpenter are each facing a felony charge of distribution of a controlled substance.
Sheriff Walter states that while working undercover, a detective purchased an ounce of Marijuana from the couple in September of 2013 at a location near Benton.
MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG AND FIREARM CHARGES IN LAWRENCE COUNTY
A sex offender was arrested Tuesday in Lawrence County Arkansas on multiple charges.
According to authorities, 63 year old Allen Wayne Batson was arrested on Tuesday. Batson had reportedly been staying at a residence in Strawberry, but did not register. When deputies arrived at the residence to arrest Batson they allegedly found multiple firearms, along with methamphetamine and marijuana.
Batson was arrested on charges of failure to register as a sex offender, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
WEATHER FORCES RESCHEDULING OF RIVERWAYS MEETINGS
The recent winter weather has prompted the rescheduling of a public meeting that was originally planned for earlier this week.
The public meeting for the Draft General Management Plan has been rescheduled for Tuesday January 21st at the Van Buren Youth and Community Center.
Acting Ozark National Scenic Riverways Superintendent Russel Runge said that the poor condition of many roads was the reason for the delay.
The draft plan can still be viewed online at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/ozar.
EVENT TO POSTPONE MOTORCYCLE SKILLS TEST IN POPLAR BLUFF
Those looking to take the motorcycle skills portion of the testing process at the Poplar Bluff Driver Examination Station will not be able to take the test on January 24th.
According to the Highway Patrol, the motorcycle skills test will not be held that day due to another event at the site. Motorcycle skills testing will resume in Poplar Bluff on Monday, January 27th.
TRAFFIC FINES COULD BE CAPPED AT $50 IN MISSOURI
A Missouri House member wants to cap fines at $50 for traffic offenses that don't add points to a driver's license.
Republican T.J. Berry, of Kearney, has filed his proposal for the annual legislative session that was starting Wednesday.
Berry says the measure targets automated speeding cameras that assess fines but don't affect a driver's standing. Current law allows speeding cameras to be posted in school, work and designated "Travel Safe" zones.
Berry says traffic offenses serious enough to carry heavy fines should also carry points. He added that his measure could also affect red light cameras and other parking tickets.
APPOINTMENT OF FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM ADVANCE TO BE BLOCKED BY SENATE
Republican senators plan to block the gubernatorial appointment of a former Missouri GOP lawmaker to the state parole board because of his vote against an income tax cut.
Several Republican senators told The Associated Press that they won't allow the chamber to confirm the appointment of former Representative Dennis Fowler to the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole.
Fowler served as a lawmaker from the southeast Missouri town of Advance. He was one of 15 House Republicans who broke ranks and voted in September to sustain Democratic Governor Jay Nixon's veto of an income tax bill.
Nixon appointed Fowler to the parole board in December. Fowler resigned from the House and already is working in the new, higher paying job. But he cannot remain in the job without Senate confirmation.
RENEWAL OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM TO BE INCLUDED IN NIXON’S BUDGET PROPOSAL
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon wants to continue a prescription drug program that is due to expire later this year.
Nixon traveled to Springfield on Wednesday to announce that his budget proposal will include nearly $24 million to continue providing prescription drug coverage for some low-income seniors and the disabled.
The Missouri Rx program is due to expire Aug. 28 - less than two months after the new state budget takes effect.
The state program pays half of the out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses for people covered through the federal government's Medicare Part D plan. To qualify, individuals must have an annual income of less than $21,660, or $29,140 for married couples.
More than 227,000 people are enrolled in the program.
