Stories from Thursday, September 9, 2021

COVID-19 hospitalizations at one of the region's medical centers are nearing their pandemic peak. According to officials with Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, virus hospitalizations are continuing to climb. Monthly hospitalizations had fallen to fewer than 10 earlier this year (April through June), but admissions have steadily climbed since -- 21 in July, 79 in August and 20 through the first six days of September. ...

The Board of Directors of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library has instituted a 21-day mask mandate for visitors and patrons, effective Friday. The board made the decision during a special meeting Tuesday. “It is a mask order, but also includes a suspension of children’s programming for children under the age of 12 because those under 12 cannot be vaccinated,” said Library Director Sue Crites-Szostak...

Carl Lunyou, 82, Piedmont, died at Clark’s Mountain Nursing Center. Visitation is 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral is Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at 3 p.m., also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial following in Duncan Cemetery...

AmeriCorps Seniors on Saturday will mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by cleaning Current River in Van Buren. The 9/11 Day of Service is a chance to recapture the spirit of unity that swept the nation in the aftermath of the 2001 attacks while paying tribute to those lost, heroic first responders, and the countless others who serve to defend the nation’s freedom at home and around the globe...

Haven House will host its Fall Volunteer Orientation at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14. This year’s orientation will be held via Zoom in an online Conference Setting, according to Haven House Volunteer Coordinator Melody Ducote. “We have been blessed with some very hardworking and loyal volunteers,” says Ducote. “Zoom has allowed us to continue our volunteer program when other organizations like ours have been unable to continue training and recruiting.”...

Kristin Santos of the 3900 block of Highway 158 reported at 12:38 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, that she returned home and found several items were missing. According to the report, it appeared someone had forced their way into the home through a side door...