GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES MISSOURI OPENING MAY 4TH; EXTENDS EMERGENCY DECLARATION
Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced in a press conference on Friday that the state will be re-opening next week.
Governor Parson stated during a COVID-19 briefing that Missouri’s Stay at home order will be officially lifted next Monday, May 4th, and announced that he will be extending the states Emergency Declaration to June 15th.
The Governor has said that his plan to reopen Missouri will depend on a two phase recovery plan, including the protection and care of healthcare workers, as well as reopening specific businesses that are supported by testing data and insights from workers.
MULTIPLE INJURIES REPORTED FOLLOWING VEHICLE COLLISION IN BUTLER COUNTY
Four people were injured from a vehicle crash in Butler County on Friday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on US 160, at Ringo Ford, where a vehicle passed into a no passing zone before striking another oncoming vehicle head on.
Both drivers received moderate injuries, and two occupants of the passing vehicle were also hurt- one receiving minor, and another suffering serious injuries.
They were all transported to a Poplar Bluff hospital for treatment.
DRIVE THROUGH FOOD PANTRY SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN WAYNE COUNTY
A city in Wayne County will be hosting a drive through food pantry tomorrow morning.
The pantry is being funded by the Southeast Missouri Food Bank, and will be held at the Rotary Park in Piedmont tomorrow at 10 am. There will be signs on location to help guide cars, and specific instructions are available at the Piedmont City Fire Department’s Facebook page.
To participate in the pantry, your vehicle can only have up to 2 people inside, and each receiving adult is required to have an ID. It is asked to keep your trunk open when you pull in to receive your food, and that you do not exit your vehicle.
Line up does not begin before 10 am, and the pantry will remain open for as long as supplies last.
NEW CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN RIPLEY AND BUTLER COUNTIES
There have been new cases of the coronavirus reported in Ripley and Butler Counties.
According to the Counties’ Health Departments, as well as the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, a fifth case of the COVID-19 virus was reported in Ripley County, and two cases have been confirmed in Butler County, raising the total number of cases in the County to 26.
The patients have been placed under quarantine, and the health departments are working together with the CDC to identify anyone who may have come into contact with them while they were active.
As of Sunday, the total number of cases in Missouri has risen to 6,997, and there have been 274 deaths that have been directly linked to the disease.
WAPPAPELLO LAKE CAMPGROUNDS AND BEACH CLOSURES EXTENDED
Campgrounds and beach closures at Wappapello Lake have been extended due to concerns over the COVID-19 virus.
According to the Wappapello Lake US Army Corps of Engineers, the grounds has made the decision based on federal and state guidelines towards facility operations, and has extended the closure on all campgrounds and beaches, including any reservations made, to May 21st.
Additionally, all special events through June 30th, including reservations for group shelters, interpretive programming, site visits, fishing tournaments, and public meetings, have been canceled.
Playgrounds, beaches, and fish cleaning stations will remain closed until further notice.
Anyone who has made reservations or scheduled an event during this time will be contacted and refunded.
YOUNG MAN ARRESTED IN NEW MADRID COUNTY ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES
A young man was taken into custody out of New Madrid County on Friday on drug related charges.
According to the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, 19 year old Ethan Newman, of East Prairie, was arrested on felony possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, as well as possession of under 10 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was also charged on driving while under the influence of drugs.
Following his arrest, Newman was transported to the New Madrid County Jail.
ROAD PASSING THROUGH BUTLER AND DUNKLIN COUNTIES SCHEDULED FOR REDUCTION
A route passing through Butler and Dunklin Counties is scheduled to be reduced for repairs.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a section of Route 53 through the two Counties, from County Road 218 to Route J, will be reduced to one lane while contractor crews perform approach repairs.
The work will take place today through Thursday, from 7 am to 4:30 pm each day.
