BUSINESS AFFECTED BY COVID-19 OUTBREAK; MULTIPLE CASES REPORTED FROM DEXTER NURSING HOME
The ongoing outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has left a business bankrupt, and a nursing home in Dexter has reported multiple positive cases of the virus.
According to the Stoddard County Health Department, 22 cases of the disease were confirmed in a Stoddard County nursing home, including 20 residents and 2 employees.
Any further patients will be moved to a separate wing of the nursing home.
In business, the JCPenney company filed for bankruptcy on Friday afternoon, with officials from the company stating that the COVID outbreak was the last nail in the coffin after a decade of poor decisions, damaging market trends, and executive decisions.
The company has started a turnaround plan that will allow it to stay in business, however an unknown number of its 846 stores will be shutting down.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services state that as of Sunday, there have been a total of 10,789 confirmed cases in Missouri, and 594 deaths in the state have been directly linked to the disease.
If you are showing symptoms of the coronavirus, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any hospital or emergency room.
POPLAR BLUFF RESIDENT ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE DRUG RELATED CHARGES
A Poplar Bluff resident was taken into custody on Sunday on multiple drug related charges.
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 18 year old Kylea Hunter was arrested for the felony charges on possession of heroin – 49 grams-, ecstasy possession – 14 grams -, and 2nd degree trafficking of a controlled substance.
Following his arrest, he was transported to the Butler County Jail.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED IN POPLAR BLUFF TONIGHT
There will be a public hearing in the city of Poplar Bluff tonight.
According to Poplar Bluff City Hall, the hearing will be conducted to receive citizens input relative to an application for the annexation of city property at 481 State Highway West, owned by Joe and Karen Knuckles, as well as property on 465 State Highway West, owned by Kathe Ledwidge.
There will also be a discussion on the possible submission of an application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for funding for a new fire truck.
Any interested persons, corporation or political subdivision are allowed to present evidence regarding the proposed annexation, and all citizens are encouraged to attend.
The hearing will be held tonight at 6:45 pm in the City Council Chambers.
ROAD WORK SCHEDULED TODAY FOR BUTLER AND DUNKLIN COUNTIES
Work and maintenance is set to begin today for roads in Butler and Dunklin Counties.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a section of Route 53 in Butler County, from County Road 309 to 311, will be reduced to one lane while crews perform drainage repairs. The work will begin today, and will continue through Thursday, from 7 am to 3:30 pm daily.
Additionally, part of Route J in Dunklin County, from Palo Verde Drive to Bernard Road, is set to have a culvert on the roadway replaced, and will be reduced to one lane today from 7 am to 4:30 pm. Starting at 6 am on Tuesday, the roadway will be closed, and will stay closed until Wednesday at 6 pm.
AREA MAN CHARGED ON STABBING DEATH IN SIKESTON
A Poplar Bluff man was charged with murder in relation to a stabbing death in Sikeston.
According to the Sikeston Police Department, 40 year old Joseph Cannon, of Poplar Bluff, was charged with the 2nd degree murder of Nina Pop, and armed criminal action.
These charges stem from an investigation by the SEMO Major Case Squad, after Pop’s body was found inside of her apartment at 600 South New Madrid Street in Sikeston, with knife wounds.
Cannon was taken into custody in Dexter, and was transported to be held in custody with no bond.
FOUR ARRESTED IN NEW MADRID COUNTY ON DRUG TRAFFICKING
Four suspects were taken into custody in New Madrid County on Saturday for drug trafficking.
According to the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, 29 year old Ashley Hall, of Detroit, Missouri, 29 year old Jamel Sanders, 36 year old Takesha Williams, and 51 year old Jerome Gipson, all from Detroit, Michigan, were arrested on the felony charge of 1st degree drug trafficking.
They were all transported to the New Madrid County Jail following their arrests.
DRIVER SERIOUSLY INJURED FOLLOWING STODDARD COUNTY VEHICLE CRASH
A driver was injured in a vehicle crash in Stoddard County on Friday.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that a vehicle was moving down Missouri 91, west of Bell City, where it failed to negotiate a curve, causing it to run off the left side of the roadway and overturn.
The driver was seriously injured in the crash, and was transported to a hospital in Cape Girardeau for treatment.
MISSOURI STATE PARKS SCHEDULED TO REOPEN TODAY
Missouri State Parks will be reopening their campgrounds today.
The announcement to reopen grounds was made on Friday, and the organization will be instituting several changes to campground operations to keep with federal social distancing guidelines, as well as to ensure the safety of park guests and staff.
Missouri State Parks now require reservations to be made prior to arrival, cleaning will take priority, some parks will be under limited occupancy, and there will be restrictions to shower houses and restrooms.
Additionally, a new self-check-in feature has been instated, and the parks will only be accepting credit and debit cards.
The parks will be open for business starting today at 3 pm. New reservations will be accepted today for arrival dates starting on May 26th.
