Stories from Thursday, March 12, 2020

SIKESTON — The first case of COVID-19, or the coronavirus disease 2019, in Missouri was confirmed over the weekend, but state and local health officials have been preparing for a possible outbreak for the past couple months. “We are prepared for this outbreak, and even with the pandemic, we’ve been preparing since December for this,” said Eric Slaughter, infection prevention/safety and emergency preparedness coordinator for Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. ...

SIKESTON — COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus, is starting to have an impact locally. On Wednesday evening, the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center announced a modification to their annual telethon, scheduled for March 21 and 22. Instead of holding the 40th Annual Telethon live at the Sikeston Field House, most live events will be cancelled, replaced by a virtual telethon...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — A Portageville man is in custody after threatening a local school. According to a statement from Portageville Police Chief Ronnie Adams, at approximately 11:32 a.m. Wednesday, the Portageville School Resource Officer received a call of a threat made to the Portageville schools by an adult. The school was immediately placed on lockdown...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Richard J. “Jacky” Masterson, 61, died March 11, 2020, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Oct. 27, 1959, he was the son of the late William Watson Jr. and Pearlene Nance Masterson. He was also preceded in death by one brother, William “Billy” Masterson...