Stories from Monday, April 6, 2020

Wappapello Lake – In an effort to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff members, the Wappapello Lake Project Office and Visitor Center, all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) campgrounds, fish cleaning stations, swim beaches, and playgrounds at Wappapello Lake will remain closed until further notice. It continues to be imperative that people remain vigilant and continue to practice social distancing. Day use areas, multi-use trails, and boat ramps will remain open until further notice...

A fourth positive case of COVID-19 has been announced for Butler County. The individual is self isolating, said Emily Goodin of the Butler County Health Department. This is the first new case for Butler County since the third positive case was announced Friday...

The Paramedic program at Three Rivers College is accepting applications through May 1.

Poplar Bluff Police Department located a man on Saturday wanted on suspicion of coughing on a woman in the Walmart Supercenter on Thursday. According to the report, Andre C. Matlock, 50, of the 300 block of North 5th Street was arrested at 4:53 p.m. Saturday. Officers responded to a report of the suspect in the area behind the Ozark Federal Credit Union on Fifth Street...

Missouri State Highway Patrol A 17-year-old Dexter resident received moderate injuries in a one-vehicle crash at 5:10 p.m. Sunday, April 5, on Two Mile Road about one mile south of Dexter. According to the report, Gracie M. Sperino was operating a 2007 Polaris Prowler southbound when the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway, overturned and ejected Sperino...

County firefighters responded Saturday, April 4, at 2:40 p.m. to reports of a brush fire at 1564 County Road 650 in Broseley. According to the report, the fire burned a small area. _ City firefighters responded Saturday, April 4, at 7:06 p.m. to reports of an unauthorized burn at 308 Bartlett Street...

The Poplar Bluff R-I School District is planning ways to offer learning opportunities to students while on break due to COVID-19.

By now, everybody is aware of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, not everybody is aware of the history of the virus and where it came from.

QULIN — Rev. Roscoe Gray of Qulin passed away Saturday, April 4, 2020, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Gray was born July 25, 1936, son of the late Ruby and Emmett Gray. For 56 years Roscoe had preached at many churches in Southeast Missouri. He attended services at Twin Oaks Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff...

Cheryl Bridgewater, 70, of Poplar Bluff died Saturday, April 4, 2020, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Bridgewater was born Oct. 3, 1949, in Poplar Bluff to the late Ralph Innes Sr. and Freda Innes. She had owned a mobile home business. She enjoyed playing cards, spending time with family and feeding humming birds...

The Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) temporary Corona Crisis Pet Food Pantry will be closed this coming Tuesday and Thursday. AWA hopes to open it again soon, officials with AWA said in a press release. “We have unofficial word that a shipment of pet food is coming to us, but we don’t know exactly how much or when,” explained AWA President Marge VanPraag...

By BRIAN ROSENER Daily a.m.erican Republic COVID BRIEFING: Editor's note: This is a daily briefing updating the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic at 4 p.m. each day. The Butler County Health Department sent out a letter Monday to restaurants and all food preparers recommending everyone wear gloves and masks when handling food...

Drive-thru locations for two new restaurants, a bakery and a coffee house, were approved Monday by Poplar Bluff City Council members. The businesses will be part of a development at Tucker and Shelby roads, said city planner Matt Winters, in presenting the information to council for discussion and workshop sessions...

The Poplar Bluff City Council voted Monday to reimburse itself for expenses related to a new police station with funds from the sale of certificates of participation. The item was discussed and approved during a meeting held at the Black River Coliseum with citizens and council members participating by phone...