APRIL 3, 2014

RIVER RADIO NEWS 040314  

ARMED ROBBERY REPORTED IN JONESBORO

 

Authorities in Jonesboro are investigating an armed robbery that reportedly took place last night.

 

According to KAIT, the robbery was at a Dollar General on Highland Drive. No information has been released about a possible suspect or if there were any injuries.

 

 

THREE INDICTED FOR ALLEGEDLY FILING FRAUDULENT INCOME TAX REFUND CLAIMS

 

Three Osceola residents are charged in federal court with running a scheme in which they're accused of filing fraudulent claims for $91,000 in income tax refunds.

 

A 14 count grand jury indictment handed up Wednesday charges 39 year old Christopher Minor, 60 year old Annie Watkins and 50 year old Roosevelt Oliver with filing and conspiring to file false claims for federal income tax refunds.

 

The indictment alleges that the three used personal information from unemployed individuals and filed fake tax returns in their names and without their consent.

 

Prosecutors say the group filed 29 false income tax returns. They allegedly accepted refunds by checks or debit cards, and the persons whose names they used didn't get any of the money.

 

Prosecutors say the scheme operated from January 2010 through February 2011.

 

 

RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND TORNADOS TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

 

Southeast Missouri is at risk for severe thunderstorms and Tornados today.

 

According to a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service, scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms are likely today and tonight. The thunderstorms will bring with them a risk of very heavy rainfall.

 

The storms will also have a chance of producing large hail, damaging winds, and tornados.

 

 

MOBILE OFFICE SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK IN POPLAR BLUFF

 

Staff members of United States Senator Roy Blunt will be in Poplar Bluff next week to meet with constituents.

 

The meeting is a part of the Senator’s Mobile Office Program, which gives Missourians the opportunity to discuss their questions or concerns with the federal government one-on-one with members of Senator Blunt’s staff.

 

The Mobile Office will be held Wednesday, April 9th, from 9 am to 10 am at the Mark Twain National Forest Service Office on Maud Street.

 

 

HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCE TEST TO BE HELD IN SIKESTON

 

A High School Equivalence test has been scheduled for this month in Sikeston.

 

The HiSET High School Equivalence test, hosted by Three Rivers College, will be administered at the Three Rivers Center in Sikeston on Saturday, April 12th, from 8 am until 4 pm. The registration period for the test closes on April 8th.

 

The HiSET has replaced the GED test and covers writing, essay, math, science, social studies and reading. Those interested in taking the exam should go to hiset.ets.org to register, pay and schedule the test.

 

 

MODOT TO HOST FUN RUN/WALK TO KICK OFF NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK

 

The Missouri Department of Transportation will be hosting a fun run/walk this weekend to help kick off National Work Zone Awareness Week.

 

The event will be held this Saturday, with the race starting at 9:30 am at the Willow Springs High School Football Field.

 

Registration will begin at 8:30 am and is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10. Participants may choose to take part in a 1-mile fun run/walk or 5K.

 

More information is available online at modot.org.

 

 

SAFETY OPERATION TO BE HELD THIS MONTH IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has scheduled a Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Project for this month in Southeast Missouri.

 

The project will see troopers and officers from the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division concentrating their efforts on locating commercial vehicles being operated in an unsafe manner, as well as drivers committing hazardous moving violations.

 

Enforcement efforts will be focused on high crash corridors and in high risk areas, such as rural roads or highway work zones.

 

 

BILL WOULD LET CASINOS EXTEND LINE OF CREDIT TO GAMBLERS

 

High stakes gamblers could find Missouri more alluring if legislation passed by the Senate becomes law.

 

A bill approved Wednesday would let Missouri casinos extend a line of credit to gamblers willing to put up at least $10,000.

 

Supporters said the bill would free big bettors from having to carry large quantities of cash to casinos.

 

Casino officials also hope to attract more high rollers from other states, like professional athletes who may be traveling to Missouri to play in a game.

 

The Senate sent the bill to the House by a 24 to 9 vote.

 

 

MISSOURI REVENUES UP 1.7 PERCENT OVER LAST YEAR THROUGH MARCH

 

A new report shows Missouri revenues were up slightly as the state heads toward the last few months of its fiscal year.

 

State figures released Wednesday show the state's net general revenue increased 1.7 percent through March compared with the same point last year.

 

State Budget Director Linda Luebbering says the revenue numbers show Missouri is on pace to meet this year's budget projections set by Governor Jay Nixon's administration. But she added that sales tax receipts are currently coming in below projections.

 

Missouri also borrowed $200 million this month. Luebbering says the state routinely borrows cash this time of year because of increased tax refunds, which are up 4.4 percent from last year.

 

The state's current budget year began last July and runs through June 30th.