RIVER RADIO NEWS 012314
NAMES RELEASED OF TWO ARRESTED IN STABBING CASE IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
The names of the two people arrested in connection to the stabbing death of an Egypt, Arkansas man have been released.
According to authorities, David Nathaniel Ferguson and Elizabeth Agnes McKnatt, are each facing a charge of first degree murder for the stabbing death of Silva Joe Fry. Authorities say robbery was the motive for the killing.
MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER AND ARSON IN IZARD COUNTY
A jury in Izard County has found a man guilty of first-degree murder for the 2010 death of his wife, and recommended a sentence of life in prison.
Donald David Dickey was arrested after his wife, Mary Dickey, was found dead inside her Calico Rock home, which had been burned. The jury on Wednesday also found Dickey guilty of arson and recommended another life sentence.
The Baxter Bulletin reports that investigators found Donald Dickey at a marina on Norfork Lake, where first responders were treating him for a foot injury. Officers noticed Dickey had blood on his shoes.
Officers also said Dickey's clothing smelled like motor fuel and that a witness saw Dickey washing his clothes in the lake.
Dickey was facing domestic violence charges before the killing.
IRONTON MAN SENTENCED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE
An Ironton man has been sentenced to over five years in prison on a child pornography charge.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 60 year old Michael Floerchinger was sentenced to 65 months in prison, followed by supervised release for life on one felony count of possession of child pornography.
Floerchinger had pled guilty to the charge last September.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN SENTENCED ON ASSAULT CHARGE
A Poplar Bluff man has been sentenced on an assault charge in connection to an incident from 2012.
According to Missouri Case Net, on Tuesday, William Fanter was sentenced to 9 years incarceration on a charge of first degree assault. Fanter had entered an Alford plea to the charge on the 14th.
Fanter was taken into custody in June of 2012 following an incident where another man was cut with a box cutter after getting into an argument with Fanter.
MAN ARRESTED IN CARUTHERSVILLE ON GUN AND DRUG CHARGES
A man was taken into custody on Tuesday on gun and drug charges.
According to the Caruthersville Police Department, the 31 year old male was arrested during a traffic stop on charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
The name of the man arrested was not released.
THREE RIVERS LITERARY JOURNAL WINS NATIONAL AWARDS
A journal of poetry, essays, and short fiction submitted by Three Rivers College’s students and staff has won a national award.
The journal, titled “Confluence” won first place in the American Scholastic Press Association’s Scholastic Yearbook and Journal Awards for 2013.
The journal is published by the college’s English department every year, with a panel of student readers selecting the works to be used from submitted entries.
The publication also won an award for best theme.
US SENATOR’S STAFF TO BE IN CHARLESTON ON MONDAY
Staff members of United States Senator Roy Blunt will be in Charleston on January 27th to host a Mobile Office.
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.
The event will be held from 3 to 4 pm Monday at BANC Services Corporation on North Main in Charleston.
NEW LEGISLATION WOULD PUT 72 HOUR WAIT BEFORE AN ABORTION
Missouri women would have to wait 72 hours after seeing a doctor before an abortion could be performed under legislation being considered by the House Health Care Policy Committee.
The panel heard testimony from supporters Wednesday on how the bill would give women more time to think before terminating a pregnancy. Opponents argued the measure would just be a logistical delay designed to push women further into pregnancy before having an abortion, which can increase risk.
Under current law, a woman must wait 24 hours after seeing a doctor before an abortion can take place. Only South Dakota and Utah require 72-hour waiting periods.
The committee took no action on the legislation Wednesday.
GOVERNOR NIXON ASKS LEGISLATURE TO BAR DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon is asking the state's Republican-led Legislature to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.
But the measure's chances of passing are unclear. Some Republicans expressed caution Wednesday and criticized Nixon for championing the proposal while ignoring other policy initiatives.
Current state law prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex and disability. Legislation to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation passed the Senate on the last day of session last year, but never received a House vote.
