Churches to be given option to open for Mother’s Day

Editor's note: This is a daily briefing updating the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic at 4 p.m. each day.

Gov. Mike Parson intends to let the current stay-at-home order expire on May 3, according to local officials.

While what that looks like is still in question, churches will have the option to open back up for Mother’s Day services on May 10, Butler County Emergency Management Director Robbie Myers said during the Saturday briefing.

Myers said this is something churches can do “if that’s what they desire to do.”

Conversations about what these services may look like and what regulations faith-based organizations will need to abide by will continue throughout the week.

To help those in need locally, The Animal Welfare Alliance will offer its sixth pet food drive from 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday at the former Orscheln store property next to Planet Fitness on Westwood Boulevard.

Myers said this will probably be the last distribution of pet food as people will, hopefully, be able to return to work soon.

Although Butler County is listed with 25 confirmed cases on the state website, the county remains at 24 confirmed cases, according to health department officials.

Cases in Missouri: 6,826

Deaths: 273