Photos & Video

More than 500 people were registered to take part in free COVID-19 testing Friday, June 5, 2020, at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. The drive-up testing event was scheduled for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Schroeder family and Andrew Bard are just some of the people raising chickens in Cape Girardeau. Full story in this weekend's Good Times section.

Here's a look at the best images our photojournalists captured while covering the COVID-19 pandemic and other stories in May 2020.

Several Semoball-area schools gathered at Harmon Field Sunday in Chaffee for the Senior Showcase baseball games, which allowed players from the 2020 class to get one final opportunity to compete in front of family and friends after losing their senior season to the coronavirus pandemic.

Several Semoball-area schools gathered at Harmon Field Sunday in Chaffee for the Senior Showcase baseball games, which allowed players from the 2020 class to get one final opportunity to compete in front of family and friends after losing their senior season to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hundreds of demonstrators stand in solidarity to demand justice for George Floyd and bring awareness to what the Black Lives Matter movement means by protesting on Freedom Corner, located near the intersection of Broadway and North West End Boulevard, and marching around Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau.

A parade was held for Jackson High School seniors Friday, May 29, 2020, in Jackson. Event organizer Mendi McDowell of Jackson, mother of Jackson senior Autumn Gragg, said the event materialized after the number of people was limited at graduation. “We just wanted the safest way that we would be able to celebrate our seniors,” McDowell said. She said the parade route was made long so people would have space to feel conformable. She said the parade started at the high school and went though the park before turning around and heading back to the school.

While already attempting to safely celebrate Ramadan amid the pandemic, community members at the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau were targeted by a hate crime on Friday, April 24, 2020, and their mosque was destroyed. Despite the obstacles, the local Muslim community overcame the trials and celebrated the holy month with enduring faith and steadfast belief in God.

According to Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Joey Hann, a male subject was shot Wednesday night near S. West End Boulevard in Cape Girardeau. Members of the Cape Girardeau police and fire departments and Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers were seen investigating the area around Boulevard Apartments at 45 S. West End Blvd. shortly after 10:15 p.m., and multiple pieces of evidence were marked in the western side of the apartment complex's parking area.

Various commemorations of Memorial Day are captured Monday, May 25, 2020, in Cape Girardeau and Perryville, Missouri. In Cape Girardeau, a crew of workers from Adult and Teen Challenge Mid-America assisted in assembling the Avenue of Flags at Cape Girardeau County Park North, and the flags will remain posted until Tuesday evening. In Perryville, guests visited Missouri's National Veterans Memorial. The memorial is a full-scale replica of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. and features a wall of black granite panels inscribed with more than 58,000 names of those killed in battle or reported missing.

Scenes from the 100-Mile Yard Sale on Saturday, May 23, 2020, along Highway 25. The event takes place along Highway 25 from Jackson to Kennett, Missouri, and runs through Memorial Day.

Five Jackson High School 2020 seniors walked across the stage during an in-person military graduation ceremony Friday, May 22, 2020, at Jackson High School. Reasoning for the military graduation included scheduling conflicts with the graduates’ basic training and the full-class graduation which has been rescheduled for a later date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the ceremony, a parade was held outside the school in the graduates’ honor.

Complete with skates and sticks, Booch family members played hockey Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at a parking lot near Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center in Cape Girardeau. Mother Maren Booch said hockey in the parking lot has become a regular activity for the family during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We were looking for a spot and as long nobody parks his car here, that’s a perfect spot so we do it almost every afternoon. Sometimes twice a day. When my husband’s home, he has to come with us too after dinner,” Booch said. “As long as it’s not raining, we’re here.”

Gardeners turned out for planting Saturday, May 16, 2020, at Washington Park and Fountain Street community gardens in Cape Girardeau. Melissa LaPlant, manager of Southeast Missouri State University's Charles Hutson Greenhouse, said peppers, red cabbage, kale, cucumber, basil and chives were some of the items planted. Brock Davis, parks division manager for the City of Cape Girardeau, said the community garden planting was part of “Friends of the Park Week” which he said includes projects conducted by people in small groups and spread out in a week or two week period. “This year’s a little different,” Davis said. “Instead of all together, we’re just spreading out. … Next year, hopefully, we won’t have this problem and we’ll be back like we usually do with 400 people running around.”

On their 70th wedding anniversary, Kenneth and Martha Bender sat, surrounded by flowers and balloons, in their driveway for a parade held in their honor Friday, May 15, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. Neighbor Joe McLemore had the idea for the parade and said, on the phone before the event, the Benders were to be presented with proclamations from the state and city before the procession.

Each week, the Southeast Missourian photography staff takes readers into the lives of locals in our weekly photo story. This story now materializes on a photo spread in the Good Times section, but has until recently been located on the section’s cover page. More often than not, the Weekend Edition’s main front page image also comes from this story. We’re doing something different this week on that photo spread. We’ve decided to take a look at how these photo stories are approached, photographed and ultimately shared with readers. Here’s a look back at some moments from those recent photo stories.

Shots were fired near the intersection of South West End Boulevard and William Street after multiple motor vehicle collisions occurred Thursday, May 14, 2020, according to statements from Cape Girardeau police and witnesses at the scene.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson made a visit Thursday, May 14, 2020, to Cape Girardeau. Following his visit, Gov. Parson returned to Jefferson City for a briefing to give updates on COVID-19 in the state.

Filming of a virtual tour of public areas of the new Cape Girardeau County Courthouse took place Wednesday, May 13, 2020, in Jackson. Charlie Herbst, District 2 associate commissioner of Cape Girardeau County, said the virtual tour would be shared on the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

Members of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to a house fire at 40 North Henderson Ave. on Monday, May 11, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. According to a media fact sheet prepared by deputy fire chief Randy Morris Jr., the structure was occupied at the time of the fire. One person was rescued from the structure and no injuries were reported.

Collin Stephens of Cape Girardeau was the man of the hour at his surprise-birthday parade Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. Collin marks his 10th birthday Sunday and his mother, Michaela Stephens, said she had the idea to throw him the surprise-birthday parade. “With the social distancing and everything and not being able to have a party, I figured that a parade would be pretty neat,” Michaela said on the phone before the parade. “It’s a surprise. He has no idea. … He thinks that we’re going to throw the football around in the soccer field.”

It's the time of year when many high school students are typically busting out the formal wear, making dinner reservations and preparing to dance the night away at prom. But prom also looks different during the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools are closed and large gatherings canceled, students will have to — at least for the time being — forego belting Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" or Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" with their friends during the special night. Since now is what would typically be prom season, here's a look back at local prom nights of recent memory featuring the work of Southeast Missourian photographers, past and present, who were on hand to document the experience.

On the day their high school graduation was supposed to be held, Oak Ridge High School seniors traveled through the community in a parade held in their honor Friday, May 8, 2020, in Oak Ridge. The senior parade made its way from Cape County Cowboy Church near Interstate 55 and through the community to Oak Ridge High School. Adrian Eftink, superintendent of the Oak Ridge R-VI School District, said a group of parents who wanted to do something for the seniors approached the school district about the parade. “It just makes you proud of the community,” Eftink said. “Being an administrator and a member of the staff here, to see the community support our students, it just gives you a good warm feeling [and] pride in the Oak Ridge community.”

United Way of Southeast Missouri’s #GiveUnitedCarParade took place Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. Elizabeth Shelton, executive director of United Way of Southeast Missouri, said Tuesday was “‘Giving Tuesday Now’ which is being celebrated globally to help the nonprofits that are helping people impacted by COVID-19.” She said Tuesday was chosen for the parade “to give thanks to essential works who have stayed on the job and to volunteers who have also risked their own health to help others.” Shelton said those who are able can give financially to the organization’s COVID-19 fund. She said the organization supports 30 other nonprofits that are helping.

After six weeks of state-issued stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus, local business owners and their employees return to work in accordance with phase one of Gov. Mike Parson's "Show Me Strong" reopening plan which began Monday, May 4, 2020, in Cape Girardeau.

As life continues during the COVID-19 pandemic, here's a look at the best images our photojournalists captured while covering the pandemic and other stories in April 2020.

A drive-through-only version of the Cape Riverfront Market took place Saturday, May 2, 2020, at Century Casino Cape Girardeau. Market manager Emily Vines said the market always opens the first Saturday in May, but this is the first time the market has utilized a drive-through-only format and been held at the casino. Vines said there were 29 vendors at Saturday’s market.

Vehicles containing Notre Dame Regional High School seniors made their way around the school's campus during a “Friday night lights” senior drive-through event Friday, May 1, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. Notre Dame principal Tim Garner said teachers and coaches were around the campus with signs to tell seniors “how much they’re missed” and “thanking them for everything this year.” Garner said seniors were able to pick up their caps, gowns, honor stoles and medals at the event.

Although held on a smaller scale than originally planned, Jenni Heisserer and Trevor Kroenung didn’t let the COVID-19 pandemic change the date they had set for their wedding. With only their parents and a few select others in physical attendance, the couple exchanged rings and entered their union April 25 at the Scott County, Missouri, home of bridesmaid Brittany Felter, who also officiated the service. “It’s just the day that we picked and we wanted one thing to stay the same really,” Jenni (Heisserer) Kroenung said. “It just was the day we picked and we were trying everything we could just to keep it on that day.” After the service, celebrating took place indoors followed by the taking of pictures outside by the hillside and nearby pond. “It was so perfect to me,” Jenni said after the wedding. “Obviously I got a little emotional. … At the end of the day, I got to marry the man of my dreams.”

Fire agencies responded to Tipton Linen in Cape Girardeau after receiving reports of black smoke above the commercial structure at 6:54 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. First responders with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, Jackson Fire Rescue and the Cape Girardeau Police Department arrived on the scene; and an investigation into the cause of the incident is being conducted by the state fire marshal's office. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, and the scene was released after about two and a half hours.

Saxony Lutheran High School seniors received a warm welcome while picking up caps and gowns during a drive-through "senior stroll" Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at the school in Jackson. School principal Mark Ruark said seniors were able to pick up their caps and gowns along with a few other gifts during the event. Although the dates are tentative, Ruark said school’s prom and graduation are reschedule for June 6 and 7 respectively. He said the 64 students in the 2020 senior class make it the largest in the school’s history.

Members of the Missouri National Guard's 1221st Transportation Company assist with meal distributions Monday, April 27, 2020, at Blanchard Elementary School in Cape Girardeau. As of last week, Cape Girardeau Public Schools had distributed more than 70,000 meals since in-person classes were first suspended on March 18.

Employees of Fresh Healthy Cafe in Cape Girardeau packed meals through Kids Against Hunger on Friday, April 24, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. Rick Hetzel, Southeast Missouri satellite director for Kids Against Hunger, said cafe employees are packing meals on a regular basis. “We anticipated there would be people that probably because of the layoffs and the economy would need food. And so about a month ago we ordered in enough for 100,000 meals with our Kids Against Hunger satellite,” Hetzel said.

With Earth Day on Wednesday and spring now in full swing in Southeast Missouri, one local spot to take in the beauty of nature is Pinecrest Azalea Gardens in Cape Girardeau County. Lisa Schamburg, who operates the gardens with her husband, Jim, said the gardens were started in 1963 by Carl and Mettie Penzel. Later, Gene and Linda Penzel ran the gardens, and the Schamburgs took over upon Gene’s death in 2018. The gardens are open March 15 to May 15. Lisa said the peak time for the azaleas to be in bloom is around April 15. The gardens are open from sunrise to sunset and those visiting are asked to drive slowly. A donation box is at the site, but Lisa said the gardens — located at 799 Torre Lane in Oak Ridge — are free and open to the public.

Scenes from Jackson's drive-through farmers market Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at St. Louis Iron Mountain train depot in Jackson. Market customers were able to do their shopping without leaving their vehicles.

Scenes from a free pizza event Saturday, April 18, 2020, outside First Baptist Church in Scott City, Missouri. The Rev. Jeremy Sells, pastor at First Baptist Church, said there were 300 pizzas for the event which was held in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The main thing we’re wanting to do is to bless our community. To show them that we care. We know that times are tough. We know that things are stressful. People in our community have lost their jobs,” Sells said of the event. “Just an act of kindness is basically what it is.”

Paul L. Essner of Benton, Missouri, wasn’t able to have his 90th birthday party as planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn’t stop his family from throwing him a birthday parade. Paul and his wife Bert sat outside St. Denis Catholic School for the parade Saturday, April 18, 2020, in Benton. Numerous vehicles and their occupants paraded for about 15 minutes past where Paul and Bert were seated.

Like many other aspects of life during the COVID-19 pandemic, religious observations have also been altered. Worshipers weren’t able to congregate inside local churches on Easter or other Sunday mornings, but many have been able to take part in services via the internet. People have gathered in vehicles for "park and pray" events outside local hospitals and Catholic confessions have been heard outdoors. “People want hope,” the Rev. Eric Coher, lead pastor at Cape Bible Chapel, said. “That’s the bottom line. They want something that they can latch onto that gives lasting hope.” The images seen here were captured by Southeast Missourian photojournalists who were on hand for many of the previously-mentioned happenings.

Scenes from the making of a "virtual fashion show" Thursday, April 16, 2020, at Jefferson Elementary School in Cape Girardeau. Families who came through the food distribution line at the school could have their picture taken there, but those who didn’t could post a picture on the school’s Facebook feed. Principal Leigh Ragsdale said all the footage would be compiled into a video to be shared. Ragsdale said the school typically does a fall and spring fashion show. “Even though we’ve been doing things every single day through the food line — crafts, academic packets — this is just something to add a little bit of flare, and a little zest and a little life, you know, because we can kind of just get so bored and stir crazy and this is just something for our kids to look forward to,” Ragsdale said. She said they were “following all the rules” and social distancing.

A drive-thru food distribution took place Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at Cape First Church in Cape Girardeau. The event was part of a “series of COVID-19 Response Mobile food distributions to respond to the increased need for food assistance following temporary layoffs and school closures due to the outbreak of COVID-19,” according to a release from the Southeast Missouri Food Bank. David Urzi, communications director at Cape First Church, said there is also food distribution for those who qualify at The House of Hope in Cape Girardeau on the third Monday of each month. The House of Hope can be reached at 573-335-4858.

More than 50 vehicles parked near the intersection of Jefferson and South High streets in Jackson for a drive-in Easter Sunday service on April 12, 2020, hosted by First Baptist Church in Jackson. Senior pastor Troy Richards preached from atop a 15-foot-tall, mechanical lift and audio of the sermon was radio broadcasted to cars using a church van fitted with radio transmitters.

Worshipers flock to Bald Knob Cross of Peace most years for the annual Easter sunrise service, but not during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there were a few people at the cross, located in Alto Pass, Illinois, to conduct the service and share it with the masses. Teresa Gilbert, executive director of Bald Knob Cross of Peace, said the experience was “very different” than normal. Gilbert said WSIL-TV live streamed and broadcast the service. "It's just been an amazing experience watching everybody pull together," Gilbert said. "Not one of us could have done it by ourselves."

People across the United States are staying home in an effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19. The same is true of many in Cape Girardeau County. The statewide “stay at home” order for Missouri went into effect Monday after being issued by Gov. Mike Parson. The Southeast Missourian decided to produce a portrait series featuring a few of those locals.

Nell Holcomb R-IV School District delivered meals to student's homes Wednesday, April 8, 2020, in Cape Girardeau County. School district superintendent Bleau Deckerd said meals, consisting of lunch for that day and breakfast for the following day, are being delivered Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He said all of the students are eligible to receive the meals.

Photojournalists at the Southeast Missourian stayed busy in March covering everything from basketball to the changes in Southeast Missouri daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Editor's note: Photo captions reflect information reported at the time of the photo's creation.

Volunteers loaded food into vehicles during drive-through only mobile food pantry Saturday, April 4, 2020, at New McKendree United Methodist Church's south campus in Jackson. Event coordinator Sandy Hastings of Jackson said she believes there was enough food for 200 people at the pantry which was held in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. People utilizing the food pantry stayed in their vehicles and volunteers loaded the food. Justin Mann, digital media specialist with Southeast Missouri Food Bank, said the pantry was sponsored by the food bank, New McKendree United Methodist Church's south campus and SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties. “This coronavirus, COVID-19, has displaced so many workers who aren’t considered essential, so to speak. So, you know, they’re out of jobs, they’re out of money,” Mann said. “They’ve got to somehow get food on the table. And this is where we come in, where we can help…”

Sports photojournalists must capture action and feats of athleticism, but sports feature images are the heart and soul of sports photography. In a time when sporting events are cancelled due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southeast Missourian decided to take a look back at those recent images capturing the spirit of our teams and their communities.

Playgrounds are intertwined with caution tape and basketball goals no longer have hoops in parks throughout Cape Girardeau on Thursday, April 2, 2020, as city employees finish closing access to Cape Girardeau parks amenities including the skate park, dog park, FitZone and the city's various athletic courts. The citywide closures were announced Wednesday and went into effect immediately. Trails and green space throughout the city will remain open, according to the announcement which advised guests to avoid groups of more than ten people and stay six feet or further away from non-household members.

One of the great joys for a photographer is capturing a random, yet beautiful, moment of everyday life. While photographers always have to produce an image for publication, finding the compelling photo can be a challenge. With that said, the pursuit of the image makes its final successful creation all the more rewarding. In the time of COVID-19, social distancing and staying at home, Southeast Missourian photo editor Jacob Wiegand thought it would be nice to explore some of those recent standalone images not tied to any sort of event, news, features or sports story. In 2019, members of our photo department produced a similarly-themed series titled “Rural Routes” exploring life in the region. Some of those images are included. The images in this gallery are some examples of when the “feature hunt” was most successful.

Faculty and staff members at Alma Schrader Elementary School did not let social distancing stop them from celebrating Alma Schrader Day on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. The event featured 1950's music and fashion in recognition of the Cape Girardeau elementary school's founding in 1959.

Staff members and school administrators from Jefferson Elementary School travel through their students' various Cape Girardeau neighborhoods Sunday afternoon, March 22, 2020, for a local parade of teachers in cars. The parade began at the school going east on Jefferson Avenue and took the following turns: south onto South Sprigg Street, west onto Maple Street, south onto South Ellis Street, west onto Hackberry Street, north onto South Pacific Street, west onto Maple Street again, south onto South Benton Street, through Hackberry Apartments and continuing to LighthouseCape, then west onto Southern Expressway and north onto South West End Boulevard with one last lap through Brenda Kay Court before concluding back at the school.

In accordance with federal and state regulations and suggested precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Cape Bible Chapel held its inaugural broadcast of a Sunday service March 22, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. Pastor Eric Coher said the church was already in the process of acquiring a system to provide its services via a live-streamed broadcast, but recently expedited the process of installing the system.

For Bill Coomer aka “Wild Bill,” AM Vets Outdoors is about getting veterans together. Coomer of Cape Girardeau is the founder of the organization which takes veterans on hunting and fishing trips. On March 14, the Air Force veteran accompanied other veterans while hunting for snow geese in Ware, Illinois. “The whole premise of this is for vets to be introduced to other vets that way they can become friends with at least one of them,” Coomer said. “That way where later on, if they have depression or thoughts of suicide or whatever, at least they have somebody to talk to.”

Cape Girardeau School District started providing meals to children Wednesday, March 18, 2020, while schools are closed due to concerns over COVID-19. Kristin Tallent, communications director for Cape Girardeau Public Schools, said there are five locations (all of the elementary schools) operating from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Tallent said the food, for any kids 18 years old and younger, consists of a hot lunch and a breakfast item to take home for the next day. “We know that so many of our families depend on us to provide meals for their children and so we want to make sure we continue that even though we’re not, you know, able to be back in school right now,” Tallent said. In an email after the first day of the service, Tallent said 636 children were served Wednesday from the five locations. Tallent said the plan is to provide the service as long as school is out. “And hopefully we’ll be able to continue to provide it,” she said. Tallent said the service is available for any children 18 and younger not just students of Cape Girardeau Public Schools.

In an effort to provide senior shoppers with easier access to groceries amid coronavirus-related supply shortages, Schnucks made its first hour of business limited to customers of ages 60 and older beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The grocery store has also implemented reduced operating hours with daily closures from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. to allow staff members to restock shelves and perform additional cleaning measures.

More than 1,000 churchgoers attended Cape First Church's centennial services Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Cape Girardeau. Founded in 1920, the church celebrated 100 years with a display of church artifacts from the past century and a timeline of photos documenting the church's history in the area.

Notre Dame defeated Westminster Christian Academy 59-53 in the Class 4 quarterfinals Saturday, March 14, 2020, at St. Vincent High School in Perryville, Missouri.

Notre Dame defeated Rockwood Summit 55-35 in the Class 4 quarterfinals Saturday, March 14, 2020, at St. Vincent High School in Perryville, Missouri.

Scenes from The Pie Safe Bakery & Cafe on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Pocahontas. Housed in what used to be a bank and built in 1910, Sharon Penrod, who operates the establishment, said The Pie Safe opened June 12, 2012. “It’s cause I like to talk,” Sharon said when asked if she enjoyed her job. Although she’s had some help at times in the past, Sharon is a one-woman show at The Pie Safe. Sharon said her husband, Monte Penrod, restored the whole building.

Jackson fell 64-47 to Mehlville Wednesday in the Class 5 Boy's Basketball Sectional at Jefferson College in Hillsboro.

Notre Dame got past Central (Park Hills) Tuesday in the MSHSAA Class 4 Boy's Basketball Sectional at the Farmington Civic Center.

Notre Dame won its first MSHSAA Class 4 Girl's Basketball Sectional in 10 years with a 49-38 win over Central (Park Hills) Tuesday at the Farmington Civic Center.

Southeast Missourian photojournalists' best images from Feb. 2020.

Charleston beat Ava Saturday in the MSHSAA Class 3 Boy's Basketball Quarterfinal at Farmington.