KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Barge traffic is making a slow but steady comeback on the Missouri River, although proponents acknowledge the industry is still swimming upstream against a perception that the river is not reliable enough to be a profitable transportation corridor.

Some private barge and tow companies never stopped using the river. But public ports along the 760-mile span from Sioux City, Iowa, to St. Louis virtually disappeared by the early 2000s due to a combination of drought, recession and political infighting. Improved conditions allowed Port KC to reopen the first public port on the Missouri River since 2007 and a public port about an hour north in St. Joseph is undergoing renovations.

Proponents of the ports say barge shipping is cheaper, more environmentally friendly and eases stress on the nation’s highways and rail transportation systems.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater today (Monday), issued his weekly report on arrests. Sunday night, 40-year old Joseph Michael Greathouse, of Massena, was arrested on an Adair County felony warrant for Theft in the 2nd degree. His bond was set at $5,000.

Friday night, 26-year old Alyssa Janeen Carroll, of Greenfield, was arrested by Greenfield Police, for Theft in the 2nd degree and Possession of drug paraphernalia. The theft charge is with regard to her allegedly taking from a residence in Greenfield, a 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup that did not belong to her. Her bond was set at $5,000.

And, as we have mentioned in previous reports, 21-year old Keith Raje Franklin, of Florissant, MO., was arrested in Stuart, Sunday, May 22nd, on two felony and three serious misdemeanor charges associated with a shots fired incident, in Stuart at around 1:30-a.m. that same day. The felony charges included Intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and Possession of weapons by a felon. Franklin was released Thursday on $10,000 bond.

The incoming executive director of the Iowa Police Chiefs Association is open to changes in the state’s marijuana laws. However, Sam Hargadine says his group won’t be backing or fighting any plans that would clear the way for the use of marijuana as medicine in the state. “We decided to leave that to the medical experts,” Hargadine said. “We certainly recognize that there are some illnesses and conditions that marijuana may be resource for them…but we’ve stayed out of that.”

Sam Hargadine

The 57-year-old Hargadine has been the police chief in Iowa City for nearly 11 years. He’ll be leaving that job at the end of June to become the Iowa Police Chiefs Association’s first paid executive director. He’s suggesting state law be changed so possession of marijuana would be reduced from a serious to a simple misdemeanor. It would mean people arrested for possession of pot would receive a ticket on sight, rather than be transported to jail, fingerprinted, and then released.

“It’s one of those things that, depending on where you go throughout the state, not everybody agrees on that,” Hargadine said. “When you’re debating whether to legalize it (marijuana for recreational use), I think we’re all in agreement that would be a mistake. However, it should be lowered from a serious misdemeanor down to a simple.”

The Iowa Police Chiefs Association just recently presented Hargadine with its “Police Chief of the Year” award. He’s a native of Columbia, Missouri.

(Radio Iowa)