These are trying times. What an understatement that is. How do we get through this? How do we handle the barrage of conflicting emotions and all of the uncertainty? One thing we can do is “Notice the good in the world, the helpers.” That is No. 15 on a list of mental health tips composed by Eileen Feliciano, a doctoral-level psychologist in New York state with a PsyD in the specialties of school and clinical psychology. ...

Races for two seats on the county commission have drawn the most interest for the primary election set for August in Ripley County. The deadline to file arrived Tuesday with all but one of seven county positions turning into contested races for either the August primary or November general election...

Two more contested races for the August primary election have developed as the deadline approached for candidates to file. Steven Ivy filed for public administrator on the Republican ticket. Donna Barnett also has filed for public administrator on the Republican ticket...

An early-morning traffic stop led to drug trafficking charges against a Doniphan woman. Erica C. Spitzer, 28, was arrested March 24 by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department after deputies reported finding about 30 grams of methamphetamine and one gram of cocaine...

Local schools will not be re-opening Monday, April 6, as previously planned due to the coronavirus pandemic. Doniphan R-I superintendent Brad Hagood said Tuesday morning that he will be among many Missouri school administrators participating Wednesday (today) in a webinar with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education...

Ripley County Clerk Becky York announces that due to the Governor’s Executive Order postponing the General Municipal Election until Tuesday, June 2, absentee ballots may be requested by mail through May 20 and absentee ballots may be voted in person until 5 p.m. Monday, June 1...

There now are two confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Ripley County. The Ripley County Health Center announced Saturday morning a second county resident has tested positive for the Coronavirus. The first case was announced late Friday afternoon. Ripley County Health Center Director Jan Morrow said through social media that the first patient is recovering nicely and continues to be isolated...

Healthy donors are needed for an emergency blood drive scheduled from 1-6 p.m. Monday, March 30, at the Doniphan Community Center, 105 Washington St. The American Red Cross asks that donors schedule an appointment by visiting their website at www.RedCrossBlood.org. Enter the sponsor code: DoniphanCommunity. You also may contact the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767...

The Ripley County Health Center has confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in Ripley County. Local health center staff will be monitoring the case and follow up contacts will be done. No other information will be provided about the patient, the health center said in a prepared news release issued late Friday afternoon...

Doniphan Nutrition Center director Mona Settles said Thursday that it most likely will be at least two weeks before the center can resume serving hot meals again. Settles said the board of directors agreed to suspend the hot meal service beginning today (Friday, March 27) after illness had left the kitchen staff depleted...

The Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and staff has joined agencies around the nation in implementing social distancing measures to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. “Our deputies come into close contact with several dozen people throughout their shift; and we do not want these contacts to spread infection,” Barton said...

At least on paper, school remains scheduled to re-start on April 6 for Doniphan R-I. “But who knows?,” district superintendent Brad Hagood told the R-I board of education during Tuesday night’s regular monthly business meeting. “I’ve told some of our administrators that we have to prepare like we may not come back and if that happens there are a lot of things we’re going to have to address and tough decisions that we are going to have to make,” Hagood said during his superintendent’s report...

Mark Twain National Forest is taking the risks associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak seriously. For the safety of our visitors and employees, changes have been made so that we can continue to deliver benefits to the public while making safety our top priority. ...

A vehicle pursuit and two other separate traffic stops along U.S. Highway 160 East resulted in five arrests Sunday evening allegedly involving a stolen vehicle, methamphetamine and convicted felons in possession of firearms. Ripley County Sheriff Mike Barton said two suspects were taken into custody after a pursuit ended when a deputy executed a PIT maneuver just east of Route BB, forcing the vehicle off the shoulder...

The Doniphan city council met at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in the community center. Mayor Dennis Cox presided. Leslie Netherland, Jerry Cole and Steve Collins were present. It will be the last regularly scheduled meeting during the coronavirus crisis...

The Ripley County Commission met Wednesday, March 18, in the Ripley County courthouse. Presiding commissioner Jesse Roy and eastern district associate commissioner Gary Emmons proceeded without Andy Towell of the western district. Alan Lutes of Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission was present for the opening of responses to the call for RFQ’s - request for architect qualifications - for the jail complex grant. ...

The Doniphan R-I Afterschool program celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Monday, March 2. The students had several activities to enjoy, including Cat-in-the-Hat tower stacking competitions, Dr. Seuss bingo, and stories. Students also enjoyed many art activities to celebrate the iconic author’s birthday. The cafeteria staff made green eggs and ham for the evening meal. Everyone enjoyed the evening...

Warrants were issued March 16-19 in Ripley County Circuit Court for the following: •Amber Nicole Carlton, 31, Doniphan, recognizance bond revoked on felony charge of stealing; •Matthew David Holmes, 35, Naylor, misdemeanor charges of second-degree property damage and fourth-degree domestic assault;...

There will be a contested race for sheriff in the August primary election in Ripley County. Doniphan city police officer Richie Phillips has filed on the Republican ticket and will challenge incumbent sheriff Mike Barton in the Aug. 4 primary. Phillips won the Republican primary in a three-man race in August 2016 before losing to Barton in the November general election...