RIVER RADIO NEWS 071714
FATAL SHOOTING INVOLVING BUTLER COUNTY DEPUTY RULED TO BE SELF-DEFENSE
A seven person southeast Missouri jury has cleared a Butler County sheriff's deputy of any criminal negligence in the fatal shooting of a 59 year old man in late May.
KFVS reports that the jury decided unanimously Wednesday that the deputy acted in self-defense when he shot and killed Frank Smody after responding to a burglary call after midnight on May 24th.
The deputy's name has not been publicly released. The officer was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the public inquest into the shooting.
The deputy testified that he heard a gunshot and then saw a muzzle flash before firing his weapon. The officer said he twice identified himself before firing.
ESCAPED INMATE POSSIBLY IN ROUTE TO JONESBORO
The Stone County Arkansas Sheriff’s Office says that an inmate has escaped from the jail.
Shane Lee Mitchell reportedly escaped at 4:15 pm Wednesday. He was being held for a probation/parole violation.
The report says that Mitchell was last seen heading towards the east end of Stone County and could be on the way to Jonesboro.
A photo of Mitchell is available on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/930KWOC.
WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER PUTTING INFANT CHILD IN JEOPARDY
A Sikeston woman is facing charges after getting into a physical altercation with a family member.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, an investigation into a reported assault on Tuesday determined that 22 year old Kasey L. Schrunk had allegedly placed her infant child in jeopardy of serious bodily harm during a physical altercation with a family member.
Schrunk was arrested and is charged with second degree domestic assault and second degree endangering the welfare of a child.
TWO ARRESTED IN STODDARD COUNTY ON WARRANTS FOR STEALING A MOTOR VEHICLE
Authorities in Stoddard County have arrested two people on stealing warrants.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 40 year old Michael Scott Davis of Bloomfield and 27 year old April Lynn Riddell, of Dexter, are each in custody on a warrant for stealing a motor vehicle.
Their bonds were each set at $30,000 cash.
SHOTS REPORTEDLY FIRED EARLY WEDNESDAY IN SIKESTON
Gunshots were reportedly fired Wednesday morning in Sikeston.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Wednesday morning at around 12:45. No one was injured however a house was hit.
Police are investigating the incident.
MULTIPLE TEENAGERS INJURED IN BONFIRE EXPLOSION
Multiple teenagers in Greene County, Arkansas, were injured Wednesday after a can of bug spray exploded in a bonfire.
According to KAIT, four teenagers were transported to burn centers with severe burns.
The incident occurred early Wednesday morning. Greene County Sheriff Dan Langston says alcohol may have been involved.
BABYSITTING BASICS COURSE TO BE OFFERED AT POPLAR BLUFF MUNICIPAL LIBRARY
Poplar Bluff teens and pre-teens will be able to learn some of the basics of babysitting later this month.
The Babysitting Basics Short Course will be held from 9 am to 4 pm on Thursday, July 24th at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library. The course is being offered for girls and boys ages 10 to 16 by the Butler County University of Missouri Extension Center and the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.
For more information, or to enroll for the course, call 686-8064. The deadline to register is Monday, July 21st.
MISSOURI UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS IN JUNE
A new report says Missouri's unemployment rate fell slightly in June to 6.5 percent from 6.6 percent the month before.
Tuesday's report from the Department of Economic Development says the arts, entertainment and recreation industries added 1,800 jobs. The professional, scientific and technical services industries also gained 1,100 jobs during the month.
The department says, however, that the state's nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 1,800 jobs in June.
Revised data for May also showed an employment increase of 8,200 jobs, up from the 3,700 new jobs originally reported.
EXPANSION OF A PLUS PROGRAM PLANED BY MISSOURI EDUCATION OFFICIALS
Missouri education officials plan to expand a scholarship program to some high school students who came to the US illegally before their 16th birthday.
The Missouri Department of Higher Education says those students will be eligible to participate in the A+ program, which gives qualifying students to receive two free years of tuition at a Missouri community college.
The Columbia Daily Tribune reports the program will be opened to students who have applied with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" status.
That status allows eligibility for work authorization but also makes the population eligible for education benefits because the students would be deemed "lawfully present" in this country.
Bill Thornton, education department attorney, says no timeline has been established for expanding the program.
