BUTLER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT RELEASES LONG TERM PLAN FOR COVID-19 VACCINES
The Butler County Health Department has released a long term plan for distributing the coronavirus vaccine.
The plan consists of a four step phase, which will see distribution of the vaccine to several groups of people. The first is Phase 1A, which will have the vaccine administered to healthcare workers and long-term care facility staff.
In Phase 1-B, the vaccine will be given to essential workers such as childcare workers and teachers, first-responders, and high risk individuals.
Phase 2 involves administering the vaccine to populations at increased risk, including homeless shelters and prisons.
Afterwards, Phase 3 will see the vaccine administered to all Missouri residents. Ages 16 and older will be given the Pfizer vaccine, while ages 18 and older will be given the Mederna vaccination.
MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL RELEASES RESULTS FROM HOLIDAY COUNTING PERIOD
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the results from the Christmas counting period.
Superintendent Colonel Eric Olson reported the preliminary statistics, which saw 5 traffic related deaths, 175 traffic crashes, and 55 injuries from crashes. There were also 62 DWI arrests.
These numbers are down from last year's counting period, which reported 3 deaths, 278 crashes, 111 injuries, and 20 DWI arrests.
There were no boating related crashes or drownings reported. The Counting Period ran from 6 pm on December 24th, through 11:59 pm on December 27th.
STODDARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATING STRING OF VEHICLE TAMPERING
Authorities with the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department are currently investigating a string of vehicle’s that were tampered with last Tuesday.
According to the department, there was a rash of vehicles being tampered with in the area North of Dexter, around County Road 413, on December 22nd. The tampering was reported close to Christian Drive, Pond Lane, and Cedar Hills Drive.
There have been at least three suspects reported in the incident, driving a white or light colored, four doored sedan. The incidents occurred from around 4 to 6 am.
Anyone with surveillance cameras in the area, or anyone with information on the incident, is asked to contact the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department at 573-568-4654.
TOTAL CASES OF COVID-19 IN MISSOURI NOW OVER 383,000; CASES CONTINUE TO BE REPORTED ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Cases of the coronavirus have continued to be reported across southeast Missouri, while the state total has reached over 383,000.
Officials with the Butler County Health Department reported that 45 new cases were reported from Friday through Monday, and that the County now stands at 3,452 cases.
In Stoddard County, 37 new cases were reported over the weekend, bringing the County’s total to 2,630 cases. Of them, 71 are active, while 2,500 have recovered. There have also been a total of 59 deaths reported from the disease.
Dunklin County now stands at 2,598 cases. Of them, 2,496 have recovered, while 18 are currently active. The County has seen 84 deaths caused by the virus.
In Missouri, as of Monday, there are now 383,616 cases of the virus in the state, while 5,316 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REQUESTING VISITORS TO KEEP SITES CLEAN
The Missouri Department of Conservation has issued a request to visitors to keep conservation sites clean and free of trash.
The reminder was issued after an incident on Monday, where conservation management were informed about a ruddy duck that had been entangled in a discarded fishing line, which was wrapped around its wing and neck.
They managed to free the duck, and is using the incident as a reminder to all visitors to keep conservation sites clean, and to properly dispose of any trash or litter.
The department is encouraging visitors to take disposable trash bags, or any container that can hold any trash or waste brought by visitors.
ROADWAY IN DUNKLIN COUNTY SCHEDULED FOR REDUCTION DURING REPAIRS
A roadway in Dunklin County will be reduced while undergoing repairs.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a section of Route 62, from Route OO to the Arkansas State Line, will be reduced to one lane while MODOT Crews perform edge rut repairs and maintenance.
The work will take place today and Wednesday, from 8 am to 4 pm daily.
