Stories from Thursday, March 8, 2012

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH SEMO News Service BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - The investigations into the recent armed robberies of two Taco Bell restaurants resulted in four Poplar Bluff, Mo., residents being charged in Stoddard County. Stephanie Nicole Parkison, 26, Brittany May Cannon, 20, were charged Tuesday with the Class A felonies of first-degree robbery and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action by Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver, who filed the same charges today against Milton Roy Taylor III, 22, and Tori Marie Taylor Flanigan, 18.. ...

From staff reports JEFFERSON CITY -- Gov. Jay Nixon today requested a federal major disaster declaration for the state of Missouri because of the tornadoes, hail, high winds and heavy rain that affected several parts of the state last week. The severe weather caused three deaths, numerous injuries and widespread destruction...

By NOREEN HYSLOP Managing Editor ESSEX, Mo. - After more than three years in the making, the city of Essex is ready to launch a $1,678,900 upgrade to their wastewater treatment system. Only half the amount of the project, however, will be the expense of the city, thanks to a $833,900 grant that was officially presented Tuesday at City Hall by members of USDA Rural Development...

By MIKE McCOY Statesman Staff Writer BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - The Stoddard County Commission met in special session Wednesday morning to discuss a request for financial information from the Missouri Committee on Legislative Research Oversight Division about the costs associated with making the county prosecuting attorney a full time position...