A decade of changes in Southeast Missouri

With Louisiana State's Stromile Swift on his back, and just five seconds left to play, Southeast Missouri's Roderick Johnson eyed the basket seconds before putting up his team's final shot, a 3-pointer. The shot, from the top of the key, fell just short and would have tied the game. LSU won 64-61 on March 16, 2000. It was Southeast Missouri State's first NCAA tournament appearance. (Fred Lynch)

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson cuts the ceremonial cable to officially open the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003. Nearby are U.S. Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond, left, David Phelps with the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Emerson family. The $100 million bridge replaces one built 75 years ago over the Mississippi River. (Fred Lynch)

The River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University was built in 2007 next to the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. (Fred Lynch)

Demolition experts imploded a section of the old Mississippi River bridge connecting Cape Girardeau, Mo., and East Cape Girardeau, Ill., Thursday, September 9, 2004. The remainder of the bridge scheduled to be imploded at a later date unexpectedly collapsed into the river at the same time. (Don Frazier)

Hundreds of people watched the demolition of the old Mississippi River bridge from the Cape Girardeau Riverfront Park just before 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004. An unplanned result of the blast was the main span, at left, falling into the river as well. (Fred Lynch)

Confessed serial killer Timothy W. Krajcir adjusted his glasses while being escorted to the rear door of the federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau, Mo. for his arraignment Friday, April 4, 2008. The hearing was moved from the county courthouse in Jackson, Mo. for greater security. (Fred Lynch)

The flag-draped casket of Cpl. Jeremy Shank was loaded into a hearse outside First Baptist Church in Jackson on Sept. 17, 2006. (Fred Lynch)

Joshua C. Kezer laughs after bowing to the media before getting in the car that would lead him away from Jefferson City Correctional Center a free man Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009. (Elizabeth Dodd)