KIRX News

A Northeast Missouri case is being moved following a mistrial. According to court records, the mistrial was declared last week in Macon County Circuit Court in the trial of 29-year-old Bradley Turner of Queen City. He was on trial for manslaughter for a fatal crash in Schuyler County that killed three teens in November 2016, and severely injured a fourth. Turner was driving a pickup truck that crashed, ejecting several occupants. Turner pleaded not guilty to first degree manslaughter charges. After the mistrial, proceedings have been rescheduled for October. The case has also been moved to Shelby County.

The Shelbina Fire Protection District responded to a couple of recent natural cover fires.

On Friday morning just after 11, fire crews responded to a natural cover fire located north of Shelbina on Shelby 3531. A controlled burn had gotten out of control and spread into a wooded area. Approximately 40 acres burned before being brought under control. Shelbina firefighters were assisted by the Shelby Community Fire Department and Shelby County E911.

The night before, Shelbina firefighters responded to a natural cover fire located on Shelby 482. A controlled burn was getting out of control and threatening some structures. The fire was brought under control and a back burn was done to protect the structures. Firefighters were on the scene for about 2 hours.

La Plata R-II High School conducted a Secure Building Drill on Friday. The Princicpal says the drill is part of the school’s continued effort to provide the safest environment possible for students and staff. During the Secure Building Drill, the La Plata Police Department K-9 Unit did a walk through of the school and parking lots. All was clear in the school. The Principal called the service valuable to the district and lhanks Officer Bunch, Officer Henderson, Officer Taylor and their K-9 Aaron.

Both the Brookfield and Bucklin FFA chapters received top awards at the 90th Missouri FFA
Convention. Karen Johnson has the story.

Brookfield FFA placed 18th out of 343 chapters in the state, earning a Top Chapter Award at the Convention. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive a top chapter designation each year. Chapter activity awards, are given to chapters achieving excellence in student, chapter and community development. Chapter development activities included hosting Food For America during FFA Week. In addition, officers gave a presentation about FFA to eighth graders to encourage membership. The Bucklin FFA placed fifth out of 343 chapters in the state, earning a Top Chapter Award at the FFA Convention. The Bucklin FFA student development activities included participating in career development events. Chapter development activities included a junior high recruitment program. Community development activities included implementing a recycling project. Throughout the year, members collected and recycled various materials used in the Bucklin agriculture program and high school, including steel, aluminum metals and paper. I’m Karen Johnson.

Gov. Eric Greitens is remaining defiant in the face of a new felony charge. Karen Johnson reports.

St. Louis prosecutors are charging the governor for his use of a charity donor list for his 2016 political campaign. On his Facebook page, Greitens released the following statement: “Two months ago, a prosecutor brought a case against me. She claimed she had evidence of a crime-but she’s produced none. She said her investigator would find the truth. Instead, her investigator lied under oath and created false evidence. She is wasting thousands and thousands of taxpayer dollars to do all of this. And when I have my day in court, I will clear my name. People will know the truth. The latest charge is about my work at the Mission Continues. When I came home from Iraq after service as a Navy SEAL, I started the Mission Continues to help veterans. In the seven years I ran that organization, we helped thousands of veterans, won national awards for excellence, and became one of the finest veteran’s charities in the country. I will have my day in court. I will clear my name. This prosecutor can come after me with everything she’s got, but as all faithful people know: in time comes the truth. And the time for truth is coming.” I’m Karen Johnson

Mayor Amy Turpin says they will stage a “mock tornado” in the western part of the city. Originally scheduled for this weekend – the operation has been postponed. A date has yet to be determined, but we will be updated and let you know. Turpin says the plan will be for the simulated tornado to take place in portions of a residential neighborhood, the business district and in the senior housing area. Volunteers will portray storm victims, and emergency personnel and city crews will rehearse how they would deal with a tornado if one occurred. a call for volunteers will be made once a date for the drill is set. Turpin says the event will be a good training exercise for everybody. Emergency personnel who will be participating include the Western Lewis County Fire Protection District, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, the Lewis County Ambulance Service, first responders and various city employees.

Governor Greitens and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt announced the locations of 161 “Opportunity Zones” in Missouri. The purpose of the program is to spur investment in distressed communities throughout the country Two census tracts in Sullivan County were selected, comprising over half of the county and including the East Locust Creek Reservoir. As a result, tthose areas, and their businesses, will see added incentives for investment. Chris May, presiding commissioner for Sullivan County, says the program will have far-reaching impact on job creation.

The City of LaPlata reports that their Amtrak station will be getting upgrades to make it Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. The project It will give the train station newly redone bathrooms, platform, sidewalk, floors and lighting. The construction crew is also working hard to keep the Art Deco theme and the look just like you walked into the station in 1948. Modern conveniences with historical charm will be the plan. Once construction is completed, there will be an open house to show off the facility to the community and train enthusiasts.

One person was sent to a hopsital following a crash in Macon County yesteday. According to a report from the Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on Route T around 10:20 Wednesday night. A vehicle driven by 24-year-old Wilson J. McGowan was eastbound and crossed the center line. A westbound car driven by 60-year-old Robin G. Cross,s struck McGowan’s pick-up truck. McGowan was not injured. Cross received minor injuries in the crash and was treated at Samaritan Hospital.

Truman State University will host the 21st annual True Men alumni concert at 7 p.tomorrow in Baldwin Hall Auditorium. Founded in 1997, True Men is an acapella group made up of students from various majors. The group performs songs from genres ranging from gospel to alternative rock. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will feature performances by both the current True Men and returning members. Nearly 50 alumni members are scheduled to attend.