RIVER RADIO NEWS 042114
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE CHARLESTON MAN’S DEATH
Authorities in Charleston are investigating the death of an area man.
According to the Charleston Department of Public Safety, at about 3 pm on Friday, the agency began receiving 911 calls of shots fired on North Elm Street, near Mark Twain Park. Responding officers found a male gunshot victim inside a vehicle at the intersection of Elm and Lafayette Streets.
The victim, 44 year old Anthony Fisher, of Charleston, was taken to an area hospital where he later died.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Charleston DPS at 573-683-3737.
TWO PUXICO RESIDENTS ARRESTED FRIDAY NIGHT
Two Puxico residents were arrested Friday night on multiple felony charges.
According to the Highway Patrol, 32 year old Rebecca L. Burkman and 29 year old Dale E. Burkman, were each arrested on felony charges of possession of precursors with intent to distribute, tampering with physical evidence, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
SIKESTON MAN FACING COCAINE CHARGE
A Sikeston man was arrested Friday night on felony drug charges for cocaine and marijuana.
According to an arrest report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 27 year old Christopher J. Hicks-Berry was arrested in Mississippi County on felony charges of resisting arrest by fleeing, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
He was also charged with driving while suspended, speeding, and failure to drive on the right half of the roadway.
ILLINOIS MAN ARRESTED IN WAYNE COUNTY ON MULTIPLE DRUG RELATED CHARGES
An Illinois man was taken into custody over the weekend in Wayne County on multiple drug related charges.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 24 year old Joseph J. Prislin, of Columbia, Illinois, was arrested shortly after 2 pm Saturday afternoon.
Prislin is facing felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, Xanax and possession of a controlled substance, Hydrocodone.
He has also been charged with misdemeanor boating while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
CURFEW IMPLEMENTED FOR WEST END OF CHARLESTON
Recent violence has caused Charleston officials to implement a curfew.
According to a post made Saturday on the Charleston Department of Public Safety Facebook page, the city council has made an emergency declaration implementing a curfew for the west end of Charleston from 11 pm until 6 am.
PEPSI FRANCHISE TO BUILD CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER IN CAPE GIRARDEAU
A Pepsi franchise is planning to build a new customer service center in Cape Girardeau that could create 74 jobs.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development said Friday that Pepsi MidAmerica would complete the $3.1 million project.
The state is offering incentives of up to $1.3 million through community development block grants and the enhanced enterprise zone program.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS SET FOR THIS WEEK ON I-55 IN PEMISCOT COUNTY
Northbound I-55 in Pemiscot County will be reduced this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The work zone is located between mile markers 17.4 and 18.4.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through Wednesday, from 6:30 am to 5 pm each day.
INTERSTATE 155 TO BE REDUCED THIS WEEK FOR PAVEMENT REPAIRS
Northbound I-155 in Pemiscot County will be reduced to one lane this week for pavement repairs.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, work is scheduled to take place from 6:30 am to 5 pm daily through Wednesday.
The work zone will be located between the 5.2 mile marker and the 6.2 mile marker.
PRESCHOOL PROPOSAL PASSED BY MISSOURI HOUSE
Missouri lawmakers are moving to put more support in preschool and early childhood programs.
House members this past week passed legislation that would allow public schools to begin counting some children attending early childhood education programs toward the basic state funding they receive. The measure is heading to the Senate where lawmakers have debated their own proposal.
Under the House measure, districts could count preschool students eligible for free and reduced price lunch. Unaccredited districts would have the option next school year, and those that are provisionally accredited could start in 2015-2016.
Accredited districts would need to wait until Missouri's school formula is fully funded.
Supporters say preschool can prevent children from falling behind early.
ARKANSAS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UNDER 7 PERCENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 5 YEARS
State officials say Arkansas' unemployment rate has dropped below 7 percent for the first time in more than five years.
The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services says the state's unemployment rate dropped to 6.9 percent in March, down from 7.1 percent in February. Agency spokeswoman Becky Heflin says it's the first time Arkansas' jobless rate has been below 7 percent since January 2009.
All major industry sectors posted gains in March. Jobs in leisure and hospitality rose by 3,200, while employment in trade, transportation and utilities increased by 3,000.
Construction added 1,900 jobs and government employment increased by 1,200.
The national unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in March.
