News

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — For the last several days, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center has been working collaboratively with the Missouri Department of Health and the health departments in surrounding counties after two patients presented on separate accounts to its emergency room...

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Monday afternoon, there are 1,031 confirmed COVD-19 cases in Missouri with 13 deaths. According to those numbers, locally, there are 13 cases in Cape County, five cases in Scott County, six in Dunklin County, two in Stoddard County, two in Pemiscot County, and none so far in New Madrid County or Mississippi County...

BLOOMFIELD — The Stoddard County Commission has drafted a stay-at-home order for the county effective at 12:01 a.m. Thursday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 10 a.m. Monday, three cases of the virus had been reported by the Stoddard County Health Department, administrator Ben Godwin told the commissioners during a conference call...

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — As the coronavirus rages across the United States, mainly in large urban areas, more than a third of U.S. counties have yet to report a single positive test result for COVID-19 infections, an analysis by The Associated Press shows...

SIKESTON — Some area school districts announced on Friday the possibility of returning to school as early as April 14 but noted the issue will be re-evaluated on April 6. “The Scott-Mississippi County Area School Superintendents have met and made the decision to extend the school closure up to and including April 13,” said Dr. ...

JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) — A tornado ripped through northeast Arkansas on Saturday, leaving six people hurt after hitting commercial and residential areas in the college town of Jonesboro. The six people reported injured were taken to a local hospital with minor juries, Jonesboro E-911 Director Jeff Presley said. The tornado did major damage at the Mall at Turtle Creek and Jonesboro Municipal Airport...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bracing the nation for a grim death toll, President Donald Trump on Sunday extended the voluntary national shutdown for a month, bowing to public-health experts who told him the coronavirus pandemic could claim over 100,000 lives in the U.S., perhaps significantly more, if not enough is done to fight it...

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — The death of a person in St. Charles County from the coronavirus is the 10th in Missouri, and as the number of confirmed cases escalates, some of the state's biggest hospitals are being forced to "examine what all our options are" to maintain enough protective equipment...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — The pace was steady. Hands worked rapidly making sandwiches, packing paper bags and filling coolers. In just a few short hours, 2,800 meals were on their way across the New Madrid County R-1 School District Monday morning. It was the first day of what school officials dubbed “NMCR1 Operation Feed the Children.”...

SIKESTON, Mo. — The bus driver spotted them as he pulled up to the bus stop on March 18, the first day Scott County Central delivered meals to families following the halt of classes due to the coronavirus. Grinning, the students said they got up early — a quarter of seven — so they wouldn’t miss the bus’s arrival...

SIKESTON — During a recent conversation with her daughter, who is a nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, Scott County resident Tricia Selby decided she wanted to help protect not only her daughter and those in the healthcare industry but anyone else who wanted it...

SIKESTON, Mo. — As of Friday, Scott County has three confirmed positive cases for coronavirus, the Scott County Health Department posted on its Facebook page. No details were provided. The health department said: “Please stay home as much as possible right now, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”...

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an unprecedented $2.2 trillion economic rescue package into law Friday, after swift and near-unanimous action by Congress to support businesses, rush resources to overburdened health care providers and help struggling families during the deepening coronavirus epidemic...

SIKESTON — While the coronavirus pandemic is having a huge impact on health across the country, it is also having an impact on local business. During the social distancing order, many local businesses are being forced to reduce hours, adjust policies due to social distancing or close altogether, with many business owners being cautious in an uncertain time...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting swiftly in an extraordinary time, the House rushed President Donald Trump a $2.2 trillion rescue package Friday, tossing a life preserver to a U.S. economy and health care system left flailing by the coronavirus pandemic. The House approved the sweeping measure by voice vote, as strong majorities of both parties lined up behind the most colossal economic relief bill in the nation’s history. ...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is poised to approve an unprecedented $2.2 trillion economic rescue package that will provide one-time checks for most Americans and significant enhancements to unemployment benefits. Both will provide much-needed help to those recently laid-off and to financially stressed households as the coronavirus shuts down much of the economy...

SIKESTON — Local law enforcement and emergency personnel have the communities’ best interest in mind. That was the message on Thursday evening, as local police officers and firefighters gathered near the back entrance at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds. There, they displayed a “Thank You” sign as the police cars signaled red and blue lights, with an overall purpose being appreciation...

The 60-something husband works in the food industry and still insists upon leaving every day for work, saying he needs to keep his business afloat. His frightened wife desperately wants him to stay home. For another couple, in the midst of a separation, the bitterly fought issue is the kids and whether they can safely see friends. One parent is allowing it in an effort to be the "fun parent"; the other bitterly opposes it...

CINCINNATI (AP) — In the battle to keep their New York City restaurant going despite sharp restrictions during the coronavirus outbreak, the owners of Il Posto Accanto tried something Beatrice Tosti di Valminuta would have considered sacrilege in normal times...

NEW YORK (AP) — In New York City, they've started dismantling basketball hoops to prevent people from gathering in parks and playing. In Lakewood, New Jersey, police broke up a wedding being held in violation of a ban on large gatherings. And in Austin, Texas, officers are encouraging people to call a hotline to snitch on violators of the city's orders for people to stay home...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. —Gov. Mike Parson has signed an executive order to begin mobilizing the Missouri National Guard to assist in the state’s COVID-19 response efforts. This will increase the amount of coordination among state government partners in combating the spread of COVID-19...

SIKESTON — As the number of coronavirus cases continue to climb in the area, the Missouri Delta Medical Center has released home care instructions for those who who feel they have symptoms and are not hospitalized, as well as those who care or come in contact with someone who has symptoms...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Local Catholic schools will continue to be closed until at least late April. In a letter to pastors, deacons and principals Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Gene Aug, interim superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, a decision was made to keep all Catholic schools closed until April 24. The letter said the diocese will determine, on that date, whether or not there is any need to suspend the educational programs longer...

SIKESTON — Despite rumors, the City of Sikeston does not have a curfew in place. According to a statement from the City, officials have received calls about a curfew but “there is absolutely no such curfew in place.” However, one change does involve city parks. A statement from the City said, “Due to groups continuing to violate the Governor’s orders regarding social gatherings over 10 people, basketball courts at all city parks are closed effective immediately.”...

SIKESTON — With a ‘social distancing’ order beginning in Missouri on Monday, many area churches are continuing to adapt. In many cases, churches are increasing the use of the internet, whether through Facebook Live videos or YouTube. Last Sunday, Tanner Street Church of God offered their service online via Facebook and it was “well received and widely viewed,” said Rev. ...