Stories from Thursday, October 29, 2020

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Portageville High School began Thursday transitioning to full virtual education through Nov. 6, the school district announced Wednesday. “We plan on returning to in-person classes on Nov. 9,” said a message posted on the school district’s official website and Facebook page. “This is a result of increased COVID-19 contact tracing. This is for high school students only, grades 9-12. Students will not attend vo-tech in Sikeston.”...

CATRON, Mo. — Edna Opal Ratican, the daughter of the late Dennie and Viola Blair Batcher, was born March 4, 1943, in Catron. She was united in marriage to Leonard Ratican. He preceded her in death. Mrs. Ratican died Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 77 years, 7 months and 22 days...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Lucy Banks Williams, age 71, of East Prairie, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was born Feb. 8, 1949, at Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Bowdre and Virginia Banks. Lucy lived in Southeast Missouri most of her life and had been employed as a registered nurse with Southeast Health and Saint Francis Medical Centers both in Cape Girardeau. ...

Seven deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported in Scott County since Friday. The Scott County Health Department reported six deaths between Friday to Tuesday afternoon and another death, the county’s 27th, was reported Wednesday. An additional 40 positive cases were reported late Wednesday afternoon while 25 more people have fully recovered. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 261 active cases in Scott County with 1,240 recoveries...

SIKESTON — As the number of domestic violence incidents increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for shelters, such as the House of Refuge in Sikeston, is at it’s peak. However, with many avoiding large gatherings due to the pandemic, many fundraising opportunities for shelters like the House of Refuge are being canceled, leaving a need for funds. Now a new tax credit hopes to encourage more giving...

Scott Amick and Carl Rose are both candidates for Scott County Coroner on the Nov. 3 ballot. Amick is a Democrat while Rose is a Republican. The following is a Q&A with Rose. Amick was contacted for the article but did not submit his responses...

Students at the Sikeston Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center look through the 67 pumpkins entered in the school’s annual Great Pumpkin Decorating Contest, which ends Thursday. From treats like a giant ice cream cone, a donut tray and gumball machine to familiar characters like Oscar the Grouch, Poppy the Troll and a Minion, students’ creativity was on full display this year. ...

DAYTON, Tenn. – Alton Clark Williams, age 74, formerly of East Prairie, Missouri, passed away Oct. 14, 2020, in Dayton, Tennessee. He was born Sept. 3, 1946, in East Prairie, son of the late Gough and Birdie Zook Williams. He was of the Baptist faith...