Stories from Friday, April 17, 2020

We are now several weeks into sheltering in place. Those of us with the privilege of working from home are employed; however, our schedules are not the same. My senior pastor has encouraged our leadership staff to invest in continued learning during this time when we cannot do everything we once did...

This past week has been a full one for all the pastors in the area. Trying to do Holy Week, Holy Thursday and Easter while social distancing was quite the juggling feat. In fact, I almost forgot to get this article written because of all the irons in the fire...

A Poplar Bluff home school student has captured several awards in an annual competition hosted by Margaret Harwell Art Museum, including Best in Show. Mattilyn Stacy won the top award with a colored pencil and ink drawing titled, “Meg.” Stacy also won first place in painting...

The Daily American Republic donated two five-gallon buckets to Butler County for use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DEXTER — Douglas Sutter, formerly of Puxico, passed away at his home in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Friday, April 10, 2020, at the age of 60 years and 11 months. He was born in Poplar Bluff on April 18, 1959, to Alton and Carrie Sutter of Puxico. Doug grew up in Puxico and graduated from the Puxico High School in 1977. ...

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL A 38-year-old Pocahontas, Arkansas, woman was injured in a two-vehicle crash at 8:50 p.m. Thursday, April 16, on U.S. 67 at Highway 142 in Butler County. According to the report, Michael R. Hunter, 70, of Greenfield, Indiana, was operating a 2020 Freightliner northbound when it struck the rear of a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix being driven by Christopher P. Kohrman, 39, of Naylor...

City firefighters responded at 8:50 p.m. Thursday, April 16, to a report of a fire in a ditch in the 800 block of Park Avenue. According to the report, firefighters found a small trash fire burning in a ditch of a vacant lot and used 50 gallons of water to put out the fire...

According to the Butler County Health Department, two patients are hospitalized with the virus and eight have recovered. The other 11 patients are unknown. Nine patients are female and 12 male.

Positive cases of COVID-19 have been climbing fast in Scott County, but public health officials there have not wanted to identify any commonalities or locations. Since early this week, though, the Southeast Missourian has been receiving tips about an outbreak at the Sikeston Convalescent Center, which did not respond to phone calls. Friday morning we were able to confirm positive cases at the facility with family members of a resident, who will not be identified, along with others...

GREENVILLE — The dependability of the internet is the biggest problem Wayne County’s courts are experiencing in its use of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Depending on where you are, the internet is not good,” said Associate Circuit Judge Christina Kime...

Westbound U.S. 60 in Carter and Shannon counties will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction as contractor crews perform pavement overlay. This section of roadway is located from Highway Y near Fremont in Carter County to Highway 99 in Birch Tree in Shannon County...

Hand sanitizer has been a hot commodity for a couple months now as everyone scrambles to keep their hands and everything else as clean as they can to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus. The demand is far stronger than manufacturers and stores can keep up with, leading some to create their own sanitizer...

During this time of social isolation, fewer things make staying indoors and working at home more fun than a new pet. With the recent increase in pet fostering from local shelters as well as the uptick in adoptions via HSMO’s new adoption curbside pickup, it’s important for pet parents to know the best tips and tricks for welcoming your new friend...

As the Chinese coronavirus has ravaged the United States, upending nations in Europe, infecting nearly every single country on the face of the earth, one thing has been noticeably absent from the global conversation: China’s role in spreading this disease. Around the world, the total number of confirmed cases has topped two million...

SIKESTON — The U.S. Route 60 outer road (North Outer Road) in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform edge rut repairs. This section of roadway is located from Route AD to Old Highway 25 in Dexter...

SIKESTON — As part of the planning stages for the conversion of U.S. Route 67 to Interstate 57, the Missouri Department of Transportation and City of Poplar Bluff are currently reevaluating the Route 67 Environmental Impact Statement completed in 2005...

The Neelyville R-IV school board tabled a recommendation to increase the cost for meals by 25 cents each after approving a renewal for the district’s current vendor during its Thursday evening meeting.

CHARLES CLIFFORD LANGLEY Charles “Chuck" Clifford Langley, 60, of Wiliamsville, Missouri, departed this life on April 16, 2020, at his residence. He was born July 5, 1959 at Corning, Arkansas, to the late Lee Langley and Ethel Gimblin. He is survived by one son, Gary Langley and wife Melinda of Williamsville; four sisters, Janet Langley of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Melba Voigt and Vivian Allen both of Queen Creek, Arizona, and Bessie Eastwood of Poplar Bluff.  Also surviving are two grandchildren, Synnica, Shyla, and many nieces and nephews.. ...

Multiple media reports say many citizens have encountered difficulties receiving their COVID-19 economic stimulus payments. Some didn’t receive their stimulus money Wednesday as expected, or the wrong amount was deposited or parents with dependent children didn’t receive $500 as promised...

The regular meeting of the Poplar Bluff City Council, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, April 20, has been canceled because of a lack of agenda items. The next scheduled meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, May 4. Several other upcoming city board meetings also have been canceled...

JEFFERSON CITY — Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the extension of the statewide “Stay Home Missouri” order, Missouri State Parks is extending temporary closures of campgrounds, park-run lodging, offices and visitor centers and extending the suspension of special events and programming through May 3. This suspension includes Missouri State Parks special events, including both on- and off-site programming, third party events, group reservations and guided tours...

Editor's note: This is a daily briefing updating the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic at 4 p.m. each day. Boycom Cablevision Inc. was awarded a Missouri Broadband Grant to construct broadband internet and voice services in rural, underserved areas of Ripley County...