Stories from Friday, March 20, 2020

Everyone I know is talking about the coronavirus because it is affecting all of us. I am using data from https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus in this column. Here are the current statistics as of the time I write this on March 17. There are currently 167,502 confirmed cases worldwide. Nearly half (81,077) are in China, but only 29 new cases were confirmed there yesterday...

Three Rivers College announced Friday that additional safety precautions will be taken against the spread of COVID-19. Effective Friday, each campus and building will have only one entrance open, according to a statement. All other entrances will be locked...

Two new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed with one in Dunklin County and the other in Scott County.

A 33-year-old Pleasant Garden, North Carolina, man was killed after being struck by a vehicle at 12:20 a.m. Friday, March 20, on U.S. 160, at Highway C, in Butler County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Carol A. Clark, 50, of Fairdealing was operating a 2007 Dodge Nitro westbound when it struck Joshua Demastus, who was in the road...

CAPE GIRARDEAU — A former Poplar Bluff police officer and a local woman made their initial appearances in federal court earlier this week after their recent indictment on child pornography charges. Brandon Michael Hopper, 39, and Amber Michelle Longhibler, 27, appeared separately before U.S. Magistrate Judge Abbie Crites-Leoni on their two-count indictments, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Koester...

City firefighters responded at 11:43 p.m. Thursday, March 19, to a motor-vehicle crash on Shelby Road. According to the report, firefighters provided lighting and blocked the road until wrecker personnel could remove the vehicle. _____

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL Shane J. Hanley, 27, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Friday, March 20, on suspicion of DWI and possession of fewer than 10 grams of marijuana. He was booked at the Butler County jail and released. _ James E. Blair, 56, of Jackson was arrested at 3:12 p.m. Thursday, March 19, on suspicion of DWI, no valid license, no insurance and failure to drive on the right half of the road resulting in a crash. He was booked at the Wayne County Jail...

VAN BUREN — Ozark National Scenic Riverways is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. ...

Macie Marie Wiley and Ryan Jackson of Poplar Bluff are the parents of a 3-pound, 14-ounce son born Feb. 6, 2020. They selected the name Jase Storm Jackson for the baby who was 16.5 inches long.

Genealogical group cancels March meeting The Genealogical Society of Butler County met Feb. 27 at the First United Methodist Church, but will not meet in March for the health and safety of all. Marsha Morse’s February program began last September when a person came to her farm saying an ancestor was buried on that property...

The Agee Community Club met March 13 at Godfather’s Pizza. Hostess was club president Cathy Womack who opened the meeting with the group repeating the club motto, “When the heart is full of love the world is full of beauty.” The invocation and devotional were given by Nickey Orton from Luke 18:1-8. Jeanie Figgins read the secretary and treasurers reports. Birthday cards were given to Orton and Figgins...

Area sheriffs continue to make adjustments in their procedures and jail operations as concerns about COVID-19 continue. “We’re still conducting business as usual as far as arresting people,” but those arrested for misdemeanors, “we consult judges in those cases to see if they want them locked up,” said Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner. “Felons, obviously we will still take them in.”...

Area medical facilities are limiting visitors, cancelling elective procedures and taking other steps as they address concerns over COVID-19. Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center is “taking proactive steps to prepare for the protection of patients, our caregivers and the community,” said Lacey McClintock, director of marketing and community relations Friday...

Greenville High School recently named January Students of the Month.

Arkansas State University has released the list of students who were awarded diplomas on the undergraduate and graduate levels during the 2019 fall commencement ceremony Dec. 14 in the First National Bank Arena on campus.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Friday said the state health director will ban gatherings of more than 10 people to help combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Local faith-based organizations are coming together to offer aid for those over 60 years-old during the COVID-19 pandemic.