Stories from Monday, July 13, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic continues to have an impact locally, as one Sikeston bank is temporarily closed while masks are now being required in Cape Girardeau County. Jeffrey D. Barker, president and CEO of Focus Bank, released a statement Sunday, reporting that two employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and that the Sikeston branch will be closed until further notice...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center’s Emergency Face Covering Order takes effect Monday, July 13. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, the health center said in a news release issued on Friday...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Eva Jean Keith, 89, died July 13, 2020, in Portageville. Born Oct. 7, 1930, in Oxford, Ark., daughter of the late Lois Reid and Dale Smith, she was a member of the First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. She co-owned and help her husband run Chuck’s TVs. She served as a Cub Scout leader for several years. She was an EMT for New Madrid County Ambulance Service for Portageville...

MARSTON, Mo. — John Allen Brewer, 74, died July 12, 2020, at his home in Marston. Born Nov. 28, 1945, in Dyersburg, Tenn., he was the son of the late Margaret Pugh Brewer and Andrew Doyle Brewer, He was also preceded in death by one brother, Larry Brewer; and one sister, June Cooper...

The local area saw numerous new positive COVID-19 cases over the weekend and Monday, including an additional death. The Scott County Health Department reported the county’s 13th death on Monday along with 23 additional positive cases since Friday. That gives the county 214 positive cases with 45 active along with 156 recovered...

SIKESTON —Chris Marter, 53, died May 27, 2020. Born Feb. 17, 1967, in Dexter, Mo., he was the son of the late Gregory and Jane Reheis Marter. Survivors include: one brother, Richard Marter of Troy, Mo., and one sister, Elizabeth Rasche of St. Peters, Mo...

SIKESTON — Bertha Mae Taylor, 96, died July 7, 2020, at Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 3, 1923, in Hazel, Ark., daughter of the late Louis and Eliza Williams, she later moved to Essex, Mo., and then to Oran, Mo., in 1965. She chopped cotton much of her early years and also worked as a Sunday school teacher at Mount Zion Church in Essex. In 1970, she worked at Oran Head Start as a teacher’s aide...