RIVER RADIO 051415
POPLAR BLUFF AGAIN WITHOUT CITY MANAGER
The city of Poplar Bluff is once again without a city manager.
Heath Kaplan is reportedly no longer in that position. Kaplan held the job for nine months after replacing Doug Bagby.
The city has not yet released any official details about the circumstances behind Kaplan’s departure.
We'll bring you more details on this story as they become available.
WOMAN KIDNAPPED IN CAPE, FBI SEEKS SUSPECT
Members of the FBI are in Cape Girardeau investigating the kidnapping and assault of a woman.
Authorities say the incident happened yesterday between 11 am and noon. The victim told police that she was sitting in her car in South County Park, when a man pulled her from her car and forced her into a red extended cab pickup truck. She said she was able to escape in Effingham, Illinois at around 6 pm.
The suspect is described as a heavy set white male, about 5'10" tall, in his late 30s, with a salt and pepper goatee. He was wearing a ball cap, a dirty long sleeve shirt and light blue jeans. He is possibly hard of hearing and a heavy smoker.
Pictures of a person of interest in the case are available on our Facebook page.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI.
MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO STEELE ARSON INVESTIGATION
One man is facing charges in connection to an arson investigation in Steele.
According to Steele Police, officers responded to a residence on May 9th in reference to a shed fire. It was later determined that the fire was deliberately set.
On May 11th, 28 year old Blake Allen Gist, of Steele, was arrested in connection to the arson.
Gist has been charged with second degree arson.
SCOTT COUNTY PRISONER ASSAULTS THREE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS
A man who was being held in the Scott County Jail on numerous charges has added assault on a corrections officer to the list.
According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, 28 year old William Henry Applewhite III, of Sikeston assaulted three jail officers over the weekend.
Sheriff Walter says Applewhite was causing a disturbance in the pod where he was being housed on Saturday. Three officers entered the pod, at which time, Applewhite was able to get a choke hold on one of the officers and take his taser.
Applewhite used the taser on each of the officers, as well as two other prisoners, before being restrained. One of the officers received treatment at a local hospital.
Applewhite was being held for first degree murder, armed criminal action, robbery, first degree assault and tampering with a witness. He now faces additional charges of armed criminal action and three counts of assault on a corrections officer.
BOLLINGER COUNTY AUTHORITIES LOOKING FOR SUSPECT IN RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY
Authorities in Bollinger County are looking for a suspect in a reported residential burglary.
According to the Bollinger County Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday afternoon a suspect entered a residence near Patton while the homeowner was there. The suspect quickly fled the scene when the homeowner discovered him in the residence.
The suspect is described as a white older male, skinny, with white hair wand a regular style men's cut. The suspect also possibly had several bruises and sores on his arms.
The suspect’s vehicle is described as a maroon Ford Ranger possibly late 80's or 90's model with no license plate on the front. The truck has rust on the passenger side, as well as on top.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact the Bollinger County Sheriff’s Office at 573-238-2633.
TENNESSEE MAN ARRESTED IN NEW MADRID COUNTY ON METH CHARGE
A Tennessee man is facing drug related charges out of New Madrid County.
According to the Highway Patrol, 44 year old Timothy Williams, of Dresden, Tennessee, was arrested Wednesday morning on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
TUITION REDUCED FOR SOME VETERANS AT THREE RIVERS COLLEGE
Three Rivers College has reduced tuition costs for some veterans.
The college’s Board of Trustees recently approved altering the college’s tuition policy to charge “in-district” tuition to all veterans, their spouses and children.
“In-district” tuition is the lower rate charged to residents of the college’s four-county taxing district. The revised policy will allow all veterans and their families to receive the lowest possible tuition rate regardless of where they live.
WILDFIRE CONTAINED AT MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FORREST
Firefighters have contained a wildfire that was burning in the Mark Twain National Forrest for around a week.
According to the Mark Twain National Forrest Service, it took more than 100 firefighters, an air tanker, a heavy helicopter, and about an inch of rain to contain the Carty wildfire near Black, Missouri.
Over 2,100 acres of the forest were burned during the fire, however no structures were damaged or burned. There were also no injuries or accidents reported.
The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation.
WAYNE COUNTY BRIDGE REPAIR PROJECT TO BEGIN TODAY
An almost three month long bridge project will begin today in Wayne County.
Route Z in Wayne County will be closed as contractor crews replace the bridge.
The bridge is located over McGee Creek between East and South County Road 513.
Work will be performed through Friday, August 7th from 6 am to 5 pm daily.
MISSOURI HOUSE SENDS EATING DISORDERS COVERAGE TO GOVERNOR
(AP) - A measure that would require insurers to cover eating disorders by following medical guidelines is headed to Governor Jay Nixon's desk.
The Missouri House approved the measure Wednesday by a vote of 148-6. It marks a personal victory for former Representative Rick Stream, whose daughter died of an eating disorder.
Stream, who left the House last year, returned to witness the passage of the measure that's been years in the making.
The bill would require insurers to cover eating disorders beyond the point of a person getting back to a certain weight by specifying they must follow medical guidelines.
Coverage for mental health treatment and specific treatment centers would be required.
RIGHT TO WORK BILL SENT TO GOVERNOR
(AP) - Missouri Republicans have used their large majorities to send a "right-to-work" measure to Democratic Governor Jay Nixon but appear to lack the support to override an expected veto.
The Missouri House gave final approval Wednesday to a bill that would prohibit workplace contracts that require union fees to be collected from nonmembers.
Supporters say the legislation would attract more businesses to the state and spur economic growth, while opponents assert that it would undermine unions and lead to lower wages.
Senate Republicans used a rare procedural move to cut off debate Tuesday evening and force a vote.
But both the Senate and House votes were short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed for a veto override.
Although Republicans hold supermajorities, some Republicans have joined Democrats opposing the bill.
MISSOURI LAWMAKERS OK OFFICE TO ADVOCATE FOR MILITARY BASES
(AP) - A measure that would create a new office to coordinate Missouri's efforts to retain military bases is headed to Governor Jay Nixon's desk.
The Missouri House Wednesday voted to approve the measure 138-15.
Supporters say a designated appointee would help ensure the state is successful in avoiding potential cuts.
Republican Representative Charlie Davis, of Webb City, says Missouri needs to keep military personnel in the state as they have a huge economic impact.
Lawmakers are concerned about potential cuts of 5,400 civilian and military jobs at Fort Leonard Wood that are part of an overall force reduction plan.
Next year's budget includes $200,000 for the office within the Department of Economic Development, whose head would be appointed by Nixon and confirmed by the Senate.
