BUTLER COUNTY HEALTH AUTHORITIES UPDATE COVID-19 VACCINE SITUATION
Health officials in Butler County made an update to the progress of the coronavirus vaccine distribution.
The report was made on Wednesday, during a briefing on the status of COVID-19 in the County. Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Knodell states that over 165,000 initial doses, and around 15,000 secondary doses, have been administered since the vaccines started being delivered.
There are approximately 73,000 doses of the vaccine being delivered in the state per week. About half of the doses are the Pfizer vaccine, while the other half are the Moderna.
Currently, the County is still in Phase 1A of the Coronavirus Vaccination plan, which is for long-term residents, and frontline healthcare workers who come into direct contact with patients.
Phase 1B will be for high risk individuals of age 18-64, residents who are 65 or older, essential workers, and first responders. Phase 2 will focus on residents who are at an increased risk, including the homeless and prison inmates.
Phase 3 will then include all Missouri residents. To view the full Vaccination Plan, and for more information on the vaccine, visit CovidVaccine.Mo.Gov.
ADDITIONAL CANDIDATES FILES FOR POSITIONS ON NEELYVILLE R-IV SCHOOL BOARD
Additional candidates have been filed for the Neelyville R-IV school board.
There are currently two positions open at the school board, which are being held by Jim Hover, who filed for re-election, and Gene Russom. As of Wednesday, there are now three candidates racing for them.
The two newest contestants are Travis Aaron and Ashley Taylor.
If you are interested in filing for one of the seats, you can visit the Central Office at 289 Broadway Street in Neelyville, from 8 am to 3 pm, until Tuesday.
SIKESTON MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AND KIDNAPPING IN STODDARD COUNTY
A Sikeston man was taken into custody in Stoddard County on Wednesday on assault and kidnapping.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 36 year old Richardson Copelan Jr. was arrested on a Stoddard County Warrant for 3rd degree domestic assault, and 2nd degree kidnapping.
Following his arrest, he was transported to the Stoddard County Jail, and is being held with no bond.
POPLAR BLUFF MURDER SUSPECT BEING EXTRADITED TO BUTLER COUNTY
A suspect in a recent murder in Poplar Bluff will be extradited to Butler County to stand trial.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, 25 year old Stacy Gipson waived extradition at a West Virginia Court, and will be appearing in court at Butler County on 1st degree murder, 1st degree assault, 1st degree attempted robbery, and three counts of armed criminal action.
These charges stem from a shooting in Poplar Bluff on December 1st, where Gipson and 22 year old Christopher Gilmore entered the home of 23 year old Kevin Sanders and Adriana Lundy, both of Poplar Bluff.
Gipson reportedly shot both of them at their residence in the 100 block of Begley Street. Sanders was killed from the shooting, while Lundy suffered severe injuries.
Gilmore faces the same charges as Gipson, and will be appearing in court today at 1 pm. Gipson is expected to arrive back in Butler County by next week.
ARREST MADE IN STODDARD COUNTY ON DRUG POSSESSION CHARGES
A man was arrested in Stoddard County on Tuesday on drug possession charges.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 57 year old Timothy Cobb, of Bernie, was booked on a Stoddard County warrant for possession of a controlled substance – except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid. Cobb also faces a charge on unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was transported to the Stoddard County Jail following his arrest, with a $5,000 bond.
ROADWAY IN BUTLER COUNTY SCHEDULED FOR REDUCTION DURING REPAIRS
A roadway in Butler County will be reduced while undergoing repairs.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a section of Route 51, from Route 53 to the Missouri/Arkansas Stateline, will be reduced to one lane while MODOT crews perform edge rut repairs.
The work will take place January 18th through January 22nd, from 8 am to 3 pm daily.
