BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE LAYING OFF EMPLOYEES DUE TO BUDGET SHORTAGE

Five employees at the Butler County Sheriff’s Department will be laid off due to a budget shortage.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs says that funding shortfalls have forced authorities to lay off several officers and a custodian. The layoffs began in March, and so far a deputy process server and the custodian of the Department has been let go.

There will be three more deputies that will be laid off for an indefinite amount of time, including supervisors and ranking members of the department.

The employees will be able to collect unemployment benefits, and it is unknown at this time if the layoffs will be permanent.

MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL DRIVER TESTING SITES OVERCROWDED

There has been an overabundance of upcoming and current drivers arriving at MSHP sites for driver tests.

Since the driver testing sites in Missouri opened back up on Monday, a flood of both newly turned 16 year old drivers, as well as commercial and business drivers, have been crowding sites to get their licenses. Since Monday, over 61 tests have been administered, and 34 individuals have been turned down.

The Patrol is asking young drivers to hold off on taking their tests, so that commercial drivers and essential workers can renew their licenses.

ROAD IN CARTER COUNTY SCHEDULED TO CLOSE FOR REPAIRS

A road in Carter County will be closing while undergoing maintenance.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a portion of Route Z, from Route 103 to County Road 217, will be closed today while contractor crews perform a scrub seal for pavement repairs.

The work is slated to take place today from 6 am to 5 pm, open to local traffic only.

POSITIVE CASES OF COVID-19 IN MISSOURI OVER 10,000

Total confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in Missouri is now over 10,000.

One new patient has been reported in Butler County, raising the County’s total to 27. Additionally, the County’s Health Department will be lifting the requirement of food establishment workers to wear face masks during their shifts.

The restrictions of limiting seating capacity to half, not allowing self-service at buffets, keeping a maximum of 8 people to a table, proper glove and wellness usage for employees, and keeping larger events outside will remain in place until further notice.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported on Tuesday that the total cases in Missouri has reached 10,006, and the number of deaths in the state caused by the disease has increased to 524.

If you are showing symptoms of the virus, including shortness of breath, fever ,and persistent coughing, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider for assistance before visiting any hospital or emergency room.

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE SEARCHING FOR IDENTITY OF THIEF

The Poplar Bluff Police Department is searching for the identity of a thief.

According to the department, a subject was caught on video surveillance stealing a battery from a local store. A video of the theft is available on the Poplar Bluff Police Department’s Facebook page.

If you know his identity, you are asked to contact Detective Dan Mustain by calling 573-686-8632.

OCCUPANT INJURED FOLLOWING VEHICLE COLLISION IN NEW MADRID COUNTY

Injuries were reported from a vehicle crash in New Madrid County on Tuesday.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the collision occurred on Interstate 55, on the Northbound 32 Mile Marker on Ramp, where a vehicle struck another car in the rear.

An occupant of the first vehicle was moderately injured from the collision, and was transported to a Cape Girardeau hospital for treatment.