RIVER RADIO NEWS 040715
POPLAR BLUFF MAN STRUCK AND KILLED BY VEHICLE
A Poplar Bluff man was struck and killed by a vehicle Sunday night in St. Francois County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 65 year old Raymond Taylor was walking on Highway 67 when he was hit by the vehicle. The Highway Patrol says Taylor was in the lane of traffic when he was struck.
The driver of the vehicle was uninjured.
TEENAGER CHARGED WITH MURDER IN CONNECTION TO NORTHEAST ARKANSAS SHOOTING
A teenager is facing a murder charge in connection to a shooting in Northeast Arkansas.
According to KAIT, the 17 year old Blytheville male has been charged with first degree murder in the death of 49 year old Lawless Kennedy.
Kennedy was reportedly shot last week. He later died at an area hospital. The name of the suspect has not yet been made available.
BENTON MAN FACING CHARGES AFTER SETTING FIRE TO HOME WITH FAMILY INSIDE
A Benton man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly set fire to a house with several people inside.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, 25 year old Thomas R. McDonald has been charged with felony first degree arson, four counts of felony first degree domestic assault and felony endangering the welfare of a child.
Sheriff Walters says his department and fire fighting personnel were called to the scene of a house fire on County Road 333, outside of Benton on Sunday.
Deputies spoke to the homeowner, who said she believed McDonald intentionally set the fire because he had been in an altercation with the homeowner’s daughter the day before.
Sheriff Walters reports that several witnesses told him McDonald had admitted that he had set the fire, knowing the family was inside.
YEAR LONG SEARCH LEADS TO ARREST OF TWO MEN
A year long search has lead to the arrest of two men on a financial exploitation charge.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, 63 year old Harry Marks and 22 year old Brandon Parker-Marks, of St. Peters Missouri, were arrested early Monday morning for financial exploitation of the elderly.
Sheriff Walter states that in May of 2014 his office received information of a local business owner who had fallen victim to an elaborate scam involving the sale of more than $160,000 of heavy equipment to the Marks for a much lower price.
Detectives investigating the crime found that the Marks were part of the Roma Gypsy family, with a long list of properties spanning across the United States. While attempting to check these properties, detectives found the Marks had used fake names and false business information as a part of an ongoing scam.
Sheriff Walter says that during the investigation several potential victims have been discovered in neighboring states.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGE
A Poplar Bluff man is facing drug charges following his arrest Monday afternoon.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 35 year old Donald Forsythe was arrested in Butler County on charges of possession of a controlled substance, xanax; possession of marijuana; and driving while suspended.
KENNETT MAN ARRESTED ON STALKING CHARGE
A Kennett man is facing a stalking charge in connection to an incident over the weekend.
According to the Kennett Police Department, Sunday afternoon officers were dispatched to an area of Legion Street in reference to a male reportedly harassing and attempting to entice a child. When officers arrived, the man had already fled on foot.
Officers were dispatched to the area again, less than two hours later. 36 year old Travis McGowin, of Kennett, was then taken into custody for aggravated stalking.
MISSOURI GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD TODAY
Missourians will be heading to the ballot box today to cast their vote for a variety of local issues.
Some seats to be decided in the General Municipal Election today include the Poplar Bluff City Council seat for Ward 4 along with two seats on the Board of Education for Poplar Bluff R-1.
There will also be proposition and bond issues decided in Neelyville and Bernie.
PEMISCOT COUNTY ROAD TO BE CLOSED FOR RAILROAD REPAIRS
Route J in Pemiscot County will be closed for the rest of the week as Railroad crews perform railroad crossing repairs.
The work zone is located between County Roads 405 and 408.
Work is set to take place today through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
MISSOURI SUPREME COURT SEEKS INPUT ON MUNICIPAL COURTS
(AP) - The public is getting a chance to weigh in on potential changes to Missouri's municipal court policies and procedures.
The Missouri Supreme Court asked Thursday for public input about experiences with municipal courts and suggestions for changes that could improve that experience.
Missouri's municipal courts have come into focus following the shooting death of black, 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer in Ferguson sparked sometimes violent protests.
A Department of Justice report found the city operated a profit-driven municipal court system that heightened tensions among black residents for years.
The report harshly criticized the functioning of the court, prompting the Supreme Court to replace the judge in Ferguson.
However, residents have cited problems with other area courts.
The Supreme Court says comments should be mailed by May 1st.
FOSTER KIDS, SENIORS AFFECTED IN MISSOURI BUDGET PROPOSAL
(AP) - Governor Jay Nixon's top budget official says a Senate proposal would cut funding and hurt services for seniors, those with mental disabilities and foster kids.
The Senate is expected to debate the budget starting Tuesday. The current proposal includes cuts from House recommendations to the three departments that account for nearly half of the state's total budget.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Senator Kurt Schaefer says the social services, mental health and health and senior services departments need to be more efficient.
But budget director Linda Luebbering says the departments are dealing with increased caseloads and costs and need more money to provide services.
MISSOURI LAWMAKER PROPOSES TAX ON MARIJUANA, ILLEGAL DRUGS
(AP) - A Missouri Republican lawmaker is trying to tax marijuana and illegal drugs.
A proposal to require a tax stamp for drugs advanced in the Legislature last week. A vote of approval from a second House panel is needed before the bill can go before the full chamber for debate.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports at least 20 other states now tax drugs.
For example, Nebraska taxes marijuana at $100 an ounce. Dealers face additional fees if caught selling without a tax stamp.
Last year, the NCSL reported Nebraska has collected at least $544,588 in fines since adopting the tax in 1991.
Missourians could anonymously purchase tax stamps under Republican Representative Shawn Rhoads' proposal. The bill would not legalize possession of marijuana or other drugs.
