Stories from Tuesday, April 28, 2020

As construction of the diverging diamond interchange at U.S. 61 and Interstate 55 — mile marker 99 — between Cape Girardeau and Jackson continues, emergency repairs on the southbound portion of the Interstate 55 bridge are planned with an overnight closure Wednesday...

Perry County Health Department will host a COVID-19 drive-through testing event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, in the Perryville, Missouri, city park. All testing is available to pre-registered, Perry County residents only, according to a health department Facebook post...

Another Scott County death has been attributed to COVID-19. The county’s health department noted the death, the county’s second, Monday, adding another positive case to the county’s total, 62. No details of the patient were given, and Scott County officials do not identify where the positive cases are...

Corona means crown, which makes sense because it's definitely presented itself as the king of confusion. So many mixed messages, and I know I'm not alone when I say that enough is enough. I'm all about taking precautions and using wisdom, but I'm not into ridiculousness, and there's plenty of that right now...

On most election days, county clerks and other election officials focus their attention on voting procedures and accurate ballot tallies. But this year they must also be mindful of health and safety precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Missourians were scheduled to vote April 7 in county, municipal and school board elections across the state. However, Election Day was postponed until June 2, when state officials hope the coronavirus crisis will have passed...

With tears in his eyes, Shafiq Malik did his best to lead the Fajr prayer on the first morning of Ramadan. Still, he could hear the sound of a fire destroying his house of worship next door. While the building has been declared a total loss, the faithfulness of those gathered Friday morning remains very much intact...

The owners of 21 Drive-In near Van Buren, Missouri, aren’t yet sure what Gov. Mike Parson’s announcement reopening Missouri on May 4 will mean for their outdoor movie business, one of only nine drive-ins still operating in the Show Me State. Parson’s decision doesn’t change the social-distancing mandate to keep at least 6 feet between people, which could create a temporary boon for drive-in theaters...

Cape Girardeau County authorities have arrested a suspect in Friday morning’s fire at the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau, and the man was previously sentenced to prison for a 2009 incident involving damage at the center. Nicholas John Proffitt, 42, of Cape Girardeau faces felony charges of first-degree burglary, first-degree arson and first-degree property damage, according to the arrest warrant...

LIBERTY, Mo. — All Missouri businesses and social events will be allowed to reopen next week as long as residents and business owners continue to practice proper social distancing requirements, Gov. Mike Parson announced Monday. ...

My view of the world has mostly consisted of what is going on outside my living room window. As I was gazing out my window, I was lost in thoughts of the spring things I was missing — the loss of activities, time with family and friends, and sitting in church. To break these thoughts, I decided to go for a brief (solo) car ride...

Today is Tuesday, April 28, the 119th day of 2020. There are 247 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 28, 1967, heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali was stripped of his title after he refused to be inducted into the armed forces...

"Surreal" is a word people have been using a lot in the last month or so, under the new coronavirus reality. The word can be used to touch upon the terrifying and the life-endangering, as well as the merely inconvenient. Many of our lives are not what they once were. Routines are out of whack, and work and family dynamics are shifting. And, of course, there is the all-around uncertainty, and the wistful thought that maybe this is all just a bad dream we will wake up from...

Governor Mike Parson has asked Missourians to stay at home to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus. As a survivor of intimate partner violence, I worry about those who are isolated in spaces that could put them at increased risk of domestic and intimate partner violence. ...

Jessiah Lee smiled and watched the parade. His parade. A fire truck blared its sirens. Police cruisers flashed their lights. Dozens of families in cars decorated with balloons honked horns, raised handmade signs and yelled: "Happy Birthday, Jessiah!"...

NEW YORK -- As states grapple with when and how to reopen establishments amid the pandemic, religious freedom remains a legal flashpoint - particularly for the conservative nonprofits that have taken a leading role in representing churches which have challenged stay-home orders...

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The U.S. Census Bureau's return to field operations for the 2020 national head count will take place in phases based on a region's lockdown orders and the availability of protective gear against the new coronavirus, bureau officials told lawmakers late last week...

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Meat isn't going to disappear from supermarkets because of outbreaks of the coronavirus among workers at U.S. slaughterhouses. But as the meat plants struggle to remain open, consumers could face less selection and slightly higher prices...

ST. LOUIS -- Floyd K. Wright Jr. of St. Louis passed away Sunday, April 26, 2020. He is survived by his sister, Janice Drake, and nephew, Ross Finley. Floyd spent 30 years as an educator in the Fox C-6 School District, teaching high school students as well as adult reading classes at night...

Gary Joe Riggins, 75, of Cape Girardeau passed away Sunday, April 26, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 8, 1944, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the son of Roy V. and Anna Mae Sisney Riggins. He and Glenda Sisco were married April 10, 1965. She survives...

FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Lysbeth C. Parker was born Feb. 4, 1938, and passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020. Lysbeth had red hair and blue eyes. In her younger days, her nickname was "Piekins." Her favorite childhood pet was a terrier named Spot, and she could do the Charleston without missing a beat...

Surrounded by her loving family, G. Elizabeth "Liz" O'Neal, 88, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020, at her home in rural Cape Girardeau. She was born March 22, 1932, in Arbor to Arthur and Sarah Moreland Hitt. She was a 1948 graduate of Delta High School...

Hannah Elizabeth Languell Maddox, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, April 26, 2020, at Fountainbleau Lodge. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

MORLEY, Mo. -- Berle Hopper's life came to a heartbreaking end at his home Tuesday, April 20, 2020, in Morley, and he was buried in New Morley Cemetery. Berle and his twin brother, Merle, were born April 28, 1944, in Savannah, Tennessee, to the late William "Pugh" and Lillie Mae Hopper, but Berle lived most of his life in Morley. He graduated high school in Zalma, Missouri, in 1963...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Jason Lee Harris, 45, died Friday, April 17, 2020. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, and interment will follow in Union Park Cemetery in Chaffee...

Sue M. Fryer, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, April 24, 2020, at her home. Private visitation will be Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Private funeral service will be Saturday at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum, with the Dr. Fred Burgard officiating...

John Michael Bruenderman, 74, of Cape Girardeau passed away peacefully Monday, April 27, 2020, at Southeast Hospital, surrounded by his beloved family. John was born July 31, 1945, in Cairo, Illinois, the son of Raymond and Louise Bruenderman of Charleston, Missouri...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Even as Missouri Gov. Mike Parson prepares to announce plans for reopening some businesses and outdoor activities, new reports detail the the economic impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on state residents. A report released this month said applications for food stamps increased 64% from February to March in Missouri. ...

Worthy are you of all praise, O Lord Jesus, the Lamb of God. Amen.

With Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones smiling like a proud father, Cape Girardeau's newly appointed school board members -- Harry Rediger, Bob Blank and Dr. C. John Ritter -- received congratulations yesterday; the three are sworn in today at a noon meeting at the school board conference room...