Stories from Thursday, April 16, 2020

Ronald Joe Shrum of Puxico, son of late Joesph and Minnie Matthews Shrum, was born in Puxico, on Oct. 17, 1947, and passed away at his home near Puxico, on Friday, April 10, 2020, at the age of 72 years, 5 months and 24 days. Ron was a deacon at the Duck Creek Missionary Baptist Church for 40+ years where his family attented. ...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Two Malden residents were injured in a one-vehicle crash at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, on Highway J in Asherville in Stoddard County. According to the report, James D. Conner, 37, was operating a westbound 2005 Pontiac Grand Am when it ran off the right side of the road, struck a tree and overturned...

City firefighters responded at 2:04 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, to a report of a leaf fire in a vacant lot at the intersection of Ninth and Maud streets. According to the report, firefighters found a small unattended leaf fire and used three gallons of water to put out the fire...

PIEDMONT — Christopher DeBoard, 33, of Annapolis, Missouri, died Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Visitation is from noon – 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. A private funeral will follow. Burial at Mt. View Cemetery, Des Arc. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

As grocery shopping remains a necessity during this pandemic, many people have questions about how to shop safely. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration want to reassure consumers that there is currently no evidence of human or animal food or food packaging being associated with transmission of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19...

Butler County announced its 20th case of COVID-19 at 11 a.m. Thursday morning. The number of confirmed Missouri cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, has now topped 5,000. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said he would announce Thursday whether he will extend his statewide stay-at-home order to help contain the spread of the coronavirus, the AP reported Thursday morning...

As local residents are beginning to see cash deposits into their bank accounts from the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, city and county officials are urging them to spend that money locally. “We should shop Poplar Bluff to support our community,” said Poplar Bluff Mayor Robert Smith. “We need the sales tax revenue to continue operating as we have in the past.”...

POCAHONTAS, AR — Based upon student feedback, Black River Technical College will be postponing Spring 2020 commencement ceremonies until August. The actual ceremony date will be announced at a later time.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Saint Francis Healthcare System has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital and Home Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

Sikeston – Walmart and Sam’s Clubs nationwide kicked off the seventh annual “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” Campaign on April 13 to raise awareness and funds for Feeding America and its nationwide network of food banks, including Southeast Missouri Food Bank.

The Agee Community Club met in April by way of a conference call due to the Missouri stay-at-home order.

SIKESTON - Route WW in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform edge rut repairs.

Cape Girardeau — SoutheastHEALTH is continuing to offer pre-screening and testing for COVID-19 as we work through this healthcare challenge. Individuals who are concerned that they may be infected with COVID-19 may call the SoutheastHEALTH hotline, 573-519-4983. This is a 24/7 hotline staffed by a nurse who will ask callers about symptoms.

The Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) will reopen its Corona Crisis Pet Food Pantry from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the former Orscheln store property next to Planet Fitness on Westwood Boulevard. “This is made possible by a very generous donation from the Nestle-Purina company and by donations in recent days from countless local residents,” said AWA President Marge Van Praag. “We are so grateful for everyone’s wonderful support.”...

VAN BUREN — The courts in Carter County already were using technology, such as video conferencing, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the Missouri Supreme Court recent order suspending many in-person proceedings through May 1, the courts now are relying even more on that technology...

VAN BUREN — Thomas Edward Foerster unexpectedly passed away in his sleep Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Tom was born April 27, 1940, to the late Carl and Seaca (Pettit) Foerster. Tom grew up in Fremont, Missouri, before moving to St. Louis, later to Poplar Bluff, and then to Wappapello, Missouri. He was married to Carolyn Spencer (who survives)...

ST LOUIS — The following students have been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2019 semester at Washington University in St. Louis:

More than 100 children’s books were given away to students participating in the fourth annual Book Bingo hosted during Read Across America week on Thursday, March 5, at O’Neal Elementary School.

CANTON, Mo. ­— Congratulations to Grace CV on being accepted into Culver-Stockton College’s incoming class for the fall 2020 semester.

POCAHONTAS, AR  Mar. 24 — The Leave a Legacy Scholarship was founded by the May 2015 practical nursing class. The class had the goal to leave a legacy for future nursing students in order to help them pay for NCLEX-PN exam fees and for the Arkansas State Board of Nursing licensure. Each graduating class has continued the legacy through fundraising activities.

Editor's note: This is a daily briefing updating the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic at 4 p.m. each day. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Thursday that the statewide stay-at-home order will be extended to May 3. "People are going to go back to work on May the fourth," Parson said...

KENNETT — The Dunklin County Health Department reported a death related to COVID-19 for the second straight day Thursday. No other information was provided. On Wednesday, the health department announced on Facebook, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce we have had our first death related to COVID-19 in Dunklin County.”...

For the high school students in the Poplar Bluff R-I school district, the grades for spring semester can only improve as conversations continue about prom and graduation.