Stories from Friday, April 17, 2020

Police are investigating multiple overnight reports of shots fired between Wednesday night and Thursday morning in Cape Girardeau, according to police Sgt. Joey Hann. The first shots fired incident was reported at 7:46 p.m. Wednesday in the area of South Benton Street and Bloomfield Road, Hann stated, and one caller believed the shots to have been exchanged between occupants of a white Pontiac G-6 and a 1990s-model Chevrolet Tahoe...

The requirements of Gov. Mike Parson’s stay-at-home order, while obligatory, have nonetheless complicated the lives of many Missourians. Perhaps no single organization puts such a premium on meeting in person as does Alcoholics Anonymous...

Medieval books and pages are part of Southeast Missouri State University’s Special Collections and Archives, and this fall, an upper-level course will see students researching and presenting on pieces students had a hand in selecting. Special Collections and Archives librarian Roxanne Dunn said the mission is to document regional and university history, and the goal is to have a teaching collection — that is, a collection well protected, but accessible for student and faculty research...

Homelessness is always a public health crisis, the Rev. Renita Green said Thursday. But during a pandemic, she said unsheltered residents of Cape Girardeau without access to food, water or hygiene products are even more vulnerable. To help meet the needs of such residents, a few community members have stepped up to help...

Scott County’s number of positive cases has spiked this week — growing from 15 Monday to 41 as of Thursday afternoon — but where those patients are has not been released to the public. Unlike Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, the Scott County Health Department does not indicate where in the county the positive cases are. Explaining why on its Facebook page, health department officials contended they have been directed not to report such information...

O’FALLON, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday extended Missouri’s statewide stay-at-home order through May 3, but pledged that the next day “people are going to go back to work” so the state’s economy can begin to recover from the coronavirus shutdown. But most businesses won’t be reopening anytime soon in Missouri’s two urban areas. ...

Three staff members at the Southeast Correctional Facility in Charleston, Missouri, have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Missouri Department of Corrections communications director Karen Pojmann...

Today is Friday, April 17, the 108th day of 2020. There are 258 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 17, 1961, some 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in an attempt to topple Fidel Castro, whose forces crushed the incursion by the third day...

We are a few days away from a rendezvous with some tough conclusions about COVID-19. A number of concurrent developments are coming to a head. Most will bring light where so far there was only heat. Greater information about the virus might cause as much acrimony as conciliation. Some experts will be discredited, others reaffirmed...

The Southeast Missouri State University Fault Line Film Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Though COVID-19 has made in-person events impossible for now, the event is taking place virtually. Films have been premiered at 7 p.m. over the past week with the last one set to air Saturday evening. If you've missed the previous premiers, the films are available to enjoy on the Fault Line Film Festival YouTube page...

NEW YORK -- Weeks of quarantine with kids have a way of burning through a movie collection. Even with the libraries of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, Disney Plus and others, there are plenty of households that have already had their fill of "Frozen" and overdosed on "Onward." In the best of times, the canon for kids movies can feel limiting. Disney overwhelms...

KETTERING, Ohio -- The idea came about because Jennifer Stamper was trying to make her family's "new normal" feel a little bit more like their old one. Now, just before 9 a.m. on school days she and her children join others on their street who come to the end of their driveways -- no closer because of social-distancing guidelines -- and together, hands over hearts, recite the Pledge of Allegiance...

WASHINGTON -- First, it was bars, restaurants, hotels. And clothing stores, movie theaters, entertainment venues. And countless small businesses, from bookstores to barber shops. Now, the record-setting flood of layoffs unleashed by the viral outbreak is extending beyond the services industries that bore the initial brunt and are still suffering most. ...

WASHINGTON -- With a key coronavirus rescue fund exhausted, lawmakers faced new pressure Thursday to break a stalemate over President Donald Trump's $250 billion emergency request to replenish the program that helps small businesses keep workers on their payroll...

WASHINGTON -- New White House guidelines outline a phased approach to restoring normal commerce and services, but only for places with strong testing and seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases. President Donald Trump unveiled his administration's plans to ease social distancing requirements on a call Thursday with the nation's governors. ...

CARBONDALE, Mo. -- Imajean "Jean" Snell, 77, passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at home, surrounded by her loving family. Private family graveside services will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes, Illinois. Memorials in Jean's name may be made to Friends of Cache River and St. Francis Animal Shelter...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Eva "Lois" Matthews, 92, a resident of Sikeston, died Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Lois was born July 2, 1927, in Kuttawa, Kentucky, to Edgar and Anna E. White Hammond. On Oct. 9, 1943, she married John C. Matthews Sr., who preceded her in death in 2007...

COLEMAN, Texas -- Wayne Dalton of Coleman passed from this life Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at his residence at the age of 73 years. Leetis Wayne Dalton was born April 23, 1946, in Advance, Missouri, and was the youngest child of the late Leonard and Nelle Rhodes Dalton of Whitewater. He spent his childhood in Missouri, where he graduated from Delta High School...

McCLURE, Ill. -- Jeffrey Lee Ashworth, 49, of McClure passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at his home. He was born May 15, 1970, in Cairo, Illinois. He was the son of Ronnie and Marilyn Ashworth. Jeff was retired and lived at home with his parents. ...

I just left the County clerks office in Jackson and I want to say, "Thank you to one of the nicest ladies in the office." I had an issue with a date on my notary bond and the lady who helped me, her name is Kathy, was very patient and through these trying times she certainly was professional and very helpful. I just want Kara Clark to know she has very courteous and helpful staff. Thanks so much!...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against a Missouri man imprisoned for killing his grandparents at age 19 who had argued a ban on life sentences for juveniles should also apply to older teenagers. David Barnett, a suburban St. Louis man who now is 43, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for the 1996 murders...

O Hosanna in the highest, praises be to you, our God. Amen.

ADVANCE, Mo. -- An alderman in this small town is blaming a weekend vandalism spree on the city's recent decision to fire all three members of the police force; vandals knocked over more than a dozen road signs and littered the town with beer bottles and other trash Saturday night...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Assault n Assault was reported in the 3000 block of Wisteria Drive. Thefts n Burglary was reported in the 1900 block of Delwin Street. n Larceny was reported in the 600 block of South Spring Avenue...

ZALMA, Mo. -- Shirley Mae Carlton, 89, of Zalma passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at her home. She was born Oct. 23, 1930, at Greenbrier, Missouri, the daughter of Leo and Letha Ladd Whitehead. Shirley and Clinton Carlton were united in marriage Sept. 21, 1946, in Advance, Missouri. After 67 years of marriage, he preceded her in death Nov. 24, 2013...

Jean Kathryn Sander, 92, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at Chateau Girardeau. She was born Feb. 6, 1928, in Cape Girardeau to the late Otto Henry and Dora Marie Bingenheimer Nothdurft. Jean and Vernon Henry Sander were married Aug. 22, 1948, at Grace Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death...

Doloris Emily Reisenbichler Meyr, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, April 17, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. A memorial celebration will be announced at a later date. At this time, the family will honor Doloris with a private service coordinated by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson...

Bobby Gene Bess, 69, of Cape Girardeau passed away peacefully Monday, April 6, 2020, at the home of his beloved friends, Jimmy and Becky Baylor, who were his family in thought, words and deed. He was born in Ripley County, Missouri, on Nov. 18, 1950, to Shirley Medlock Bess...

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks awarded nine new COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund grants today, surpassing $1.23 million in total grants made for pandemic-related needs. Today’s grants bring the total competitive grantmaking among the CFO, its affiliate foundations and the Coover Charitable Grantmaking Program to $467,250. ...