RIVE R RADIO NEWS 080715
INVESTIGATION STARTED IN BLYTHEVILLE SHOOTING DEATH
A man is dead following a shooting in Blytheville.
According to Blytheville Police, 47 year old Joseph Anderson Jr. was found Wednesday with an apparent gunshot wound. Anderson was taken to an area hospital and later pronounced dead.
The shooting is under investigation and anyone who has information about the incident is asked to contact Blytheville Police.
MAN INJURED IN CAPE GIRARDEAU STABBING
A man suffered minor injuries Wednesday during a stabbing incident in Cape Girardeau.
The man told authorities that he was attempting to break up a fight when he was cut with a knife. According to authorities, he had injuries to the head and chest area.
The incident is under investigation.
ONE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO JEWELRY STORE ROBBERY
A Jonesboro man was taken into custody Thursday in connection to a jewelry store robbery.
According to authorities, 43 year old Kerry Kindred had been wanted for the robbery of Diamond Gems in Jonesboro on June 29th.
He was arrested on charges of theft of property valued at $25,000 or greater and aggravated robbery.
DRUG INVESTIGATION LEADS TO 12 ARRESTS IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Over 10 people were taken into custody following a two month long drug investigation in Northeast Arkansas.
According to Lepanto Police, 12 people were arrested Thursday during a warrant sweep.
Warrants had been issued for a total of 16 people as a part of the investigation.
CRAFT/VENDOR FAIR TO BE HELD AT LAKE WAPPAPELLO
A Craft and Vendor fair will be held Labor Day Weekend at Lake Wappapello.
The show will be hosted by VFW Post 3416 from 8 am to 4 pm on September 5th, 6th, and 7th. Anyone interested in a table and booth for the weekend can purchase one for $25. All booth fees will support local veterans.
In addition to the vendors, there will be also lunch specials at the event.
MOTORISTS ADVISED TO WATCH FOR STUDENTS
With the school year beginning soon, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to be alert and on the lookout for children, especially near school zones, playgrounds, and bicycle paths.
Motorists should remember to be cautious around school buses. In 2014, four people were killed and 374 people were injured in school bus crashes. Missouri experienced 936 traffic crashes involving school buses last year.
Parents are also encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner.
GOVERNOR NIXON ANNOUNCES POSSIBLE UPDATE TO POLICE TRAINING
(AP) - Governor Jay Nixon is directing a state commission and the Missouri Department of Public Safety to update the state's training standards for law enforcement officers.
The governor announced Thursday in Kansas City that he wants proposals for the new standards by December 1. The state's law enforcement training requirements haven't been updated since 1996.
The standards will focus on tactical training, fair and impartial policing, as well as the physical and mental health of officers.
Nixon appointed five new members to the Missouri's Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, which sets rules for law enforcement training, continuing education and instruction.
He says the shooting death of 18 year old Michael Brown in Ferguson last August sparked a national debate on police training and gave Missouri a chance to help lead the discussion.
ARKANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL APPROVES WORDING OF TERM LIMITS AMENDMENT
(AP) - Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has approved the wording of a proposal to impose stricter term limits on legislators, giving supporters an opportunity to place the measure on next year's general election ballot.
Rutledge's office on Thursday certified the proposed constitutional amendment which would reduce the maximum amount of time lawmakers can serve in the Legislature from 16 years to 10. The proposal would limit lawmakers to three two-year terms in the House and two four-year terms in the Senate.
Voters last year approved an amendment that allowed lawmakers to serve 16 years without a limit of how much of that time could be served in either chamber.
Rutledge's certification means supporters can begin gathering the more than 84,000 signature needed to qualify for next year's ballot.
LITTLE PROGRESS AFTER MISSOURI EARLY CHILDHOOD FUNDS REVIEW
(AP) - A new report shows a Missouri agency doesn't plan to recover what an audit described as about $1.5 million in overpayments for an early childhood development program.
An audit of the state fund for early childhood programs released in February said the Social Services Department overpaid about $1.5 million for Early Head Start.
A follow-up report released Thursday shows the agency isn't planning on recovering that money from nonprofits contracted to provide services.
The report notes the agency says the contracted nonprofits deserved the additional funding to train more staff and expand facilities.
Three other changes recommended by the auditor's office haven't been fully implemented. Work has been done to collaborate between agencies to more efficiently provide services and stop double billing.
