Stories from Thursday, March 26, 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed a mammoth $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic, an unprecedented response amid record new jobless claims and mounting evidence that the economy is in a recession...

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — It started with an infected person from out of town who attended a funeral. Now the largest hospital in Georgia's mostly rural southwest corner is rapidly running out of space amid the highest rate of coronavirus infection in the entire state...

SEATTLE (AP) — With her due date fast approaching, Kelly McCarty packed a bag with nursing tops, a robe, slippers and granola bars. Last week's ultrasound, she said, showed "this baby is head down and ready to go." But the new coronavirus has thrown her a curveball, bouncing her and about 140 other expectant moms from their first-choice hospital to another 30 minutes away. The birth unit at the Edmonds, Washington, hospital is needed for COVID-19...

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hoping to escape all the coronavirus-caused economic uncertainty by winning a giant lottery jackpot? Think again. Those jackpots are going to shrink as the pandemic tamps down lottery sales. The group that oversees the Powerball game announced Wednesday night that it would cut minimum jackpots in half, from $40 million to $20 million, after there is a winner of the current big prize. ...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — Richard Aslin, 87, died March 23, 2020, at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter. Born Feb. 24, 1933, in Castor Township, Mo., son of the late Homer George and Irene Poe Aslin, he had lived in the Bloomfield area most of his life. He had worked as an architect for Missouri Department of Transportation and attended Nazarene Church in Dexter...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Bill M. Newman was born on Sept. 30, 1930, to the parents of Ayman and Audrey McWaters Newman in Canalou, Mo., and died Wednesday, March 25, 2020. His siblings were Shirley Newman Johnson and Jimmy Newman. He married Marsha Lee VanNoy in Searcy, Ark., on Jan. 3, 1950 by T.A. French. They were married almost 70 years and enjoyed their time together...

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Robin Louise Ross, 49, formerly of Benton, Mo., passed away peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2020, in her home in San Diego, after battling cancer. She was born Nov. 9, 1970, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., to Tom and Virginia Ross of Benton. ...

NEW YORK (AP) — With record-high numbers of Americans seeking unemployment benefits after losing their jobs because of the coronavirus, Congress is set to significantly enhance the program. The $2.2 trillion rescue package nearing final approval will, for four months, add $600 a week to standard unemployment benefits, which vary by state. ...

SIKESTON — Students who attend Wing Elementary in Sikeston were in for a treat Thursday afternoon when some of their teachers visited them in a vehicle parade through their neighborhoods. Following the social distancing guidelines, approximately 20 teachers and staff with Wing Elementary navigated through the streets their students reside just to give them some reassuring smiles, horn honks and shouts of “Hello” and “We miss you!”...

“What are we going to do?” I found myself pondering often during this time. I have felt deep, uncertainty, and panic about the terrible plight we are enduring. Recently, God spoke to me that this Virus is not a time of hopelessness and defeat, but a time to find hope. ...

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. ...

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.”...

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 — 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...