Stories from Saturday, April 11, 2020

The pace of change and new information can be daunting. But what holds firm is the human spirit -- and those helping others in times of need and disruption. I see it in the people I work with -- and in many of the stories we report. I see it at the grocery stores. In the chamber offices. With our municipal employees and staff. In our hospitals and doctor's offices. With teachers and pastors and in our churches. The list goes on. So many people are inspired to work and serve in care of others, even at their own risk or inconvenience.

There are numerous angles to the chaos of COVID-19, ranging from health to financial to education. But there's also an emotional toll that each of us copes with in different ways. Consider children, now home and missing time at school with their friends. How does a child cope?...

COVID-19 cases in Cape Girardeau County inched up Friday, totaling 26, compared to 24 on Thursday. The county's Public Health Center reported the uptick in its daily update. Nearly half the positive cases, 12, are in Jackson, with another eight reported in Cape Girardeau. The remaining six are in other areas of the county. Seven of the positive cases resulted from travel, while eight came from contact with an infected person. The origin of the virus is unknown in the other 11 cases...

Until We Meet Again Stay-at-home families share their smiles and stories Photos and text by Jacob Wiegand People across the United States are staying home in an effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19. The same is true of many in Cape Girardeau County. The statewide "stay at home" order for Missouri went into effect Monday after being issued by Gov. Mike Parson...

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- When Brother Ron Robinson of First Baptist Church of Van Buren gives his Easter Sermon this Sunday, he'll be standing in a movie projection room above a congregation of vehicles. Amidst a pandemic that prevented any kind of traditional church service, Robinson contacted the owners of the 21 Drive In Theater to see if he might be able to use its lot for temporary services. ...

Macee Hoskins was supposed to have more time as a high school senior. The Cape Girardeau Central High School student was looking forward to a final season of track and field, senior prom, graduation and the chance to say her "final goodbyes" to friends...

Jon Ortmann saw a need for more safety equipment for law enforcement, and wanted to help. Ortmann, who co-owns Ortmann Woodcraft with his wife Deborah, does a lot of laser cutting with his woodworking business, he said, and knew he could make personal protective equipment, or PPE, in the form of durable, reusable face shields...

With hand sanitizer disappearing from store shelves nearly as quickly as it's being restocked, some residents are turning to alternative sources. In March, the Food and Drug Administration issued guidance on how to compound hand sanitizer. That guidance recommended isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol of 94.9% strength or higher. That's getting harder to come by, said Brian Thompson, pharmacist at Jones Drug Store in uptown Jackson...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- When Sikeston resident Amy Evans recently called to make a doctor's appointment for her teenage son, she learned he could be seen through a virtual visit. "They offered the telehealth, and we were interested. We were trying to avoid going out as much as possible," Evans said...

State funding cut halts pay for student employees; graduation postponement date announced In a letter delivered by SEAlert to the university community Thursday, Southeast Missouri State University president Carlos Vargas announced restrictions to student employee pay, graduation postponement dates and the cancellation of all university events through June 30...

Reported COVID-19 cases in Cape Girardeau County grew by three Saturday, now totaling 29, according to the county's Public Health Center. Total cases were 26 on Friday. The most concentrated cluster of positive cases, 12, is in Jackson. Ten of the cases involve Cape Girardeau residents, and seven are residents in other parts of the county...

Today is Saturday, April 11, the 102nd day of 2020. There are 264 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 11, 1980, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued regulations specifically prohibiting sexual harassment of workers by supervisors...

Bob Fox yesterday was elected president of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education in the first contested race for the post in years; Steve Wright was elected vice president; board member Kathy Swan, the former vice president, had been in line to become board president, since the vice president traditionally assumes that post...

The Bible tells us in the gospels several details on how resurrection Sunday went. The women went to the tomb at dawn, finding it empty. Two of the disciples had run to the tomb and found it empty just as the women said (Jn 20:4). Meanwhile, the chief priests and Pharisees, who rallied to have Jesus crucified, began to spread the rumor the disciples had stolen the body of Jesus from the tomb (Mt. ...

It seems strange, writing about Easter when it doesn't feel like it. We haven't been able to meet together physically as the Body of Christ for a few weeks now, and even though we are united in spirit by the Spirit, our triumphant day as Christians feels a bit mournful, too. We don't get to meet together today. I feel a little bit like the tomb must have felt after Jesus left it, like an empty space hewn out all ready to hold and yet, hollow. Because he is not here...

We are simply behind this year. I like to blame it on the virus, which is part of the reason. But honestly this isn't the only reason. Probably a bit on the nervous side as well which doesn't help. Not sure why I'm nervous or worried or stressed, but I am to a degree. ...

Erinne Michelle Haff and Zackary James DeBoe were married in a small, family ceremony at sunset Feb. 20 at Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas, Nevada. The ceremony was performed by Tim Rowland. The bride is the daughter of Steve and Susan Haff of Jackson. The groom is the son of Jim and Laura DeBoe of Jackson...

The 2020 Junior Music Festival was held Feb. 8 at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. The following Southeast Missouri Music Academy students performed at the Festival: n Owen Blattel: Superior n Ty Blattel: Superior n Akitha Dias: Excellent...

The 2020 Southeast Missouri String Fest was held Feb. 29 at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. The following Southeast Missouri Music Academy students performed at the Festival: n Apprentice: Truman White, Jasmine Pfeiffer, Ana Gayle...

It was a destination for many local health conscious residents: Schumer Springs -- a bubbling oasis in the midst of the cornfields of Perry County. Following the Native Americans, Frank Schumer discovered the natural springs on his property shortly after serving in the Civil War. To his delight, the mineral springs were very therapeutic, giving him relief from the maladies he suffered...

Monday: BBQ chicken or hot ham and cheese sandwich, sweet potato wedges, coleslaw, whole-grain bread or bun and sugar-free apple crisp or Southern ambrosia. Tuesday: Scrambled eggs, sausage patty, biscuit and gravy, hash browns with onions, orange juice and grapes...

Grant Menz of Chaffee, Missouri, a senior at Scott County R-4 High School, was awarded the Promise Scholarship, a $6,000 per year scholarship for four years to attend Culver-Stockton College in Camden, Missouri. The Kiwanis Club of Cape Girardeau recently chose the recipients for the 2020 scholarship program...

Submitted by Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary This sassy girl is Laura. She is 4 years old and looking for her forever home. If you are ready for a rewarding experience, come see us at Safe Harbor. Call (573) 243-9823.

March 29 found me photographing catkins of a cottonwood tree. A magnificent clear blue sky made a perfect backdrop to highlight the yellow-green female catkins along the far reaches of a limb. Spaced at short intervals along the outer limbs of the tree, these female catkins grow to about 5 inches long. Each catkin may have between 30 to 50 round seed pods growing along a single stem. Within each seed pod several seeds are growing...

O God, we praise the risen Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, the King of Kings. Amen.

Many things about Christianity are counterintuitive but none more than this: God the perfect Father sent Jesus the perfect Son to Earth as a human being to suffer and die for the sins of imperfect human beings so that those who believe in the Son would receive the perfect Holy Spirit and live in eternal love with God...

The COVID-19 virus has caused all of us to make significant changes in the way we live, work and worship. Now, more than ever, we are reminded of the importance of faith, family and friends. I have found your words to be insightful, educational, humorous and comforting...

I am enjoying reading the newspaper online. It has become part of the new norm in the Davis household. Thanks for working through the crossword puzzle solution. But more importantly thanks for reporting the good news. I just read the articles on the two COVID-19 survivors and the healing power of prayer. I taught one of them and work with the spouse of the other...

A pandemic is not the time for imprudent public policies. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis, like many earlier ones, has resuscitated some seriously flawed ideas. I fear we may see two such notions implemented within the next few days or weeks. One such unwise idea is a call by White House trade adviser Peter Navarro for an executive order to bring pharmaceutical and medical supply chains back to the United States, in part by placing new "Buy American" requirements on certain government agencies. ...

NEW YORK -- The worldwide death toll from the coronavirus hit 100,000 as Christians around the globe marked a Good Friday unlike any other -- in front of computer screens instead of in church pews -- and some countries tiptoed toward reopening segments of their battered economies...

Paramedics rushed another critical COVID-19 patient into the emergency room, and Chicago nurse Cynthia Riemer felt her adrenaline kick in. "Your heart starts racing," she said. "You're thinking, 'How quickly and safely can we get them intubated?' Because if we don't, in the next five or 10 minutes, they could stop breathing. ...

WASHINGTON -- The federal government's budget deficit for the first half of this budget year totaled $743.6 billion, up 7.6% from last year, and well on its way to topping $1 trillion even before the impacts of the coronavirus were felt. The Treasury Department reported Friday that the deficit from October, the start of the government's budget year, through March was $52.5 billion higher than the same period a year ago...

O'FALLON, Mo. -- Kimmswick Mayor Phil Stang looks out at his empty Missouri town, a tiny, scenic Mississippi River community normally bustling with visitors, and sees the economic ravages of the coronavirus. The artist shops and restaurants are closed, and there's little chance the popular Strawberry Festival will go on in June...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- The OPEC oil cartel and nations including Russia have agreed to boost oil prices by cutting as much as 10 million barrels a day in production, or a tenth of global supply. More countries, including the United States, were discussing Friday their own cuts in what would be an unprecedented global pact to stabilize the market...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Assault n Assault was reported in the 500 block of South Benton Street. n Assault was reported in the 400 block of South Hanover Street. Theft n Theft was reported in the 1400 block of Perry Avenue...

Cape Girardeau residents won't be saddled with a two-bag limit on weekly trash pickups this year; the city staff, with the blessing of the City Council, plans to postpone implementing the two-bag limit and volume-based trash billing for another year...

Cape Girardeau County Commission 9 a.m. today 1 Barton Square, Jackson Approval of minutes n Minutes for April 6 meeting Communications/reports -- other elected officials n COVID-19 Update: In an effort to keep Cape Girardeau County residents safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director Mark Winkler will be issuing an update at County Commission meetings. ...

Stanley Wayne Seabaugh, 74, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at his home. He was born June 30, 1945, in Cape Girardeau to William Francis and Ruby Reed Seabaugh. He married Donna Bradshaw on May 16, 1964, and she survives of the home...

Paul F. Pautler, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, April 10, 2020, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Raymond Lynn Murray, 76, of Cape Girardeau, died Friday, April 10, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are pending at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Barbara Kaye Smith Hamblin, 81, of Cape Girardeau died peacefully on Good Friday, April 10, 2020, in her home, surrounded by family. Kaye was born Dec. 28, 1938, in Booneville, Mississippi, the first child of Ralph R. and Elsie Caveness Smith. She married Bobby Hamblin on June 10, 1960, at Candler's Chapel Baptist Church in Prentiss County, Mississippi...

Liley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Since being quarantined amid the Corona virus we had to be creative. My husband Craig and I making the best of our 39th wedding anniversary. A paddle boat "cruise" on our pond.💜

O'FALLON, Mo. -- Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Friday signed a supplemental budget bill allocating nearly $6 billion in federal stimulus money to fight the health and economic ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic. The money will be used to purchase additional personal protective equipment for first responders, help develop medical facilities beyond traditional hospitals and provide aid to hard-hit local governments, Parson said during a news conference. ...

It is an unusual Easter weekend. Churches will not meet in person for Holy Week and Easter celebrations. Instead, live streamed services will be the primary vehicle with some drive-in services also planned. But it does not take away from Easter's significance...

Easter Sunday is going to be different this year. Instead of churches being filled with members and guests, the buildings will be empty. By showing love for our neighbors, we are asking them to stay home and watch us on a screen. As a pastor, I really miss seeing the people. One of our members just passed away. There will be a funeral, but because he was a believer in Jesus, we have hope beyond the grave. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5...