Stories from Thursday, April 23, 2020

Unemployment jumped by more the one percent from February to March of this year in three counties in the Daily American Republic’s coverage area, according to statistics released by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Dunklin County’s unemployment rate jumped from 6.7% in February to 8.2% in March. Stoddard’s jumped from 5.2% to 6.5% and Butler’s jumped from 4.6% to 5.8%...

BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT John Allen Faughn, 44, of the 3700 block of Highway M was booked at the Butler County jail Wednesday, April 22, on a warrant for parole violation. _ Elliott Masakala Sumlin, 31, of the 600 block of Charles Street was booked at the Butler County jail Wednesday, April 22, on a warrant for parole violation...

City firefighters responded at 2:43 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, to a motor-vehicle crash in front of McDonalds, 2783 N. Westwood Blvd. It was investigation only. _ City firefighters responded at 2:27 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, to a report of a strange odor in the 700 block of Lester Street. It was investigation only...

Dexter resident Caroline Dunivan, who said she has always worked multiple jobs to support her family, applied for unemployment benefits for the first time March 18, a day after she was laid off by the Dexter R-XI School District. She worked as a baker in the Southwest Elementary cafeteria...

WASHINGTON — More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as job cuts escalated across an economy that remains all but shut down, the government said Thursday. Roughly 26 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the five weeks since the coronavirus outbreak began forcing millions of employers to close their doors. ...

After three days without a new confirmed case of COVID-19, the Butler County Health Department announced a case Thursday morning. This brings the county's number of positive tests up to 24.

John Eric Bishop, 36, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., entered into rest Sunday, April 19, 2020. John has left behind his mother, Minette Hafford; stepfather, Kelly Cochran; children, Jemma (7), Jackson (3), and Jayce (1); siblings, Curtis Fouts (David Turnbow), Larry Rushing, Stephanie Tinker (Justin), and Brittany Hafford (Zach Smith); stepsisters, Kellie Goodrich (Bruce) and Andrea Reeves (James); Granny Randi; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews...

Robert “Bobby” Hanger, 62 of Pevely, Missouri, passed away Monday, April 20, 2020. A visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2020, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Poplar Bluff High School recognized the top 30 seniors after the first semester. They were recognized as part of a banquet on March 12.

Poplar Bluff Middle School recently released the names of those on the A and B honor rolls for the third quarter.

Ella Pearl Morse, 72 of Poplar Bluff passed away April 21,2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Ella was a loving wife, mother, sister, great-grandmother and friend to many. The family will be having a private graveside service at Old Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler County Saturday, April 25...

No immediate cause of death was found during the Wednesday afternoon autopsy on the man whose body was found in Black River. A fisherman alerted authorities at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday after he found a man’s body, later identified as John Eric Bishop, 36, of Poplar Bluff, in the river, approximately one-half to one mile upstream from the Hargrove Bridge...

SIKESTON — Route K in Stoddard County will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a pipe under the roadway. This section of roadway is located between Route BB and Route M. Weather permitting, work will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 27 through Wednesday, April 29...

The Daily American Republic donated two, five-gallon buckets of hand sanitizer to the Butler County Sheriff's Department for use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Twin Rivers R-X school board appointed Mike Stevenson as interim superintendent while it conducts the search for a permanent one.

Editor's note: This is a daily briefing updating the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic at 4 p.m. each day. As county health officials announced a new positive test of COVID-19 in Butler County, officials got a glimpse into the discussions a group of statewide business leaders are telling Gov. Mike Parson's administration about reopening Missouri on May 4...