Photos & Video

The first-ever motorcycle pilgrimage to Missouri's National Veterans Memorial wall took place Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Perryville. Motorcyclists drove from Springfield to Perryville to see the memorial wall.

Another East Perry Community Fair is on the books, as hundreds of attendees turned out to enjoy the food, activities and, of course, mule jumping Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019.

Scenes from the annual Day on the River event Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at the Mississippi River in downtown Cape Girardeau. Attendees were given the chance to take a boat ride on the river, get up close with live fish, try out bowfishing and other activities.

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks defeated the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets 56-10 on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau.

A home crowd advantage wasn't enough to lift the Cape Central Tigers over the Farmington knights, who beat the Tigers 23-6 Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at Cape Central High School in Cape Girardeau

The Jackson Indians defeated the Sikeston Bulldogs 53-0 on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Jackson.

Tara and Dru Reeves show their collection of recused reptiles and pets during a nightly feeding on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, at their home in Jackson. The couple operates the reptile rescue out of their home and currently house about three dozen animals.

Jackson defeated Cape Central in two sets (25-12, 25-10) during a volleyball match Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

West Lane Elementary holds a a community open house Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in Jackson with student-guided tours of the school's newest improvements made possible with funding from Proposition J. The improvements helped the school accommodate smaller class sizes while also making the school building safer.

Several area communities have fielded teams to compete this fall in the Heartland Youth Football League.

Oak Ridge took on Holcomb in the Dig for Life Challenge Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. Oak Ridge lost the first set 25-21 and won the second 25-20.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer's took place Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at Cape Girardeau County Park North in Cape Girardeau. According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, a blue flower stands for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia; a purple flower represents a person who has lost someone to the disease; a yellow flower stands for a person who is supporting or caring for a person with Alzheimer’s; and orange is for “everyone who supports the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.”

The storied history of the Cape Central/Jackson football rivalry added another installment on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, this time with Jackson blanking the Tigers on their home turf in Jackson 35-0. Here's a few moments from the stands as supporters young and old pulled for their boys.

Joe Kirchdoerfer was 14 when he started showing jersey cattle at the SEMO District Fair, but that was 70 years ago. The dairy farmer can now boast seven decades under his belt as a jersey cattle exhibitor at the annual fair. On Monday at the fair, the Kirchdoerfer family showed in the jersey competition and celebrated Joe's achievement during a following meal.

The Jackson Indians defeated the Cape Central Tigers 35-0 on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Jackson.

Jefferson Elementary School kindergarteners got a chance to make apple crisp Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at the school in Cape Girardeau.

Students and teachers at Jefferson Elementary School got a chance to show off their styles in a school fashion show Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at the school in Cape Girardeau. Principal Leigh Ragsdale said some of Jefferson’s students “love fashion so much” and many Jefferson teachers are “inspired by fashion.” “Why not bring that to light and create a fashion show and an experience that they’ll remember?” she said.

Area residents enjoyed special prices on carnival ride tickets Thursday night at the SEMO District Fair.

The rumble is tremendous. It can be felt even outside the fence that rings the dirt track at the Patton Saddle Club. It looks like a half-dozen riding lawn mowers lining up, but these machines are stripped down and rebuilt for one purpose: speed. The kind of speed that can get out of hand if you're not careful. Dangerously fast. But come evening every other Saturday throughout the summer, drivers from around Southeast Missouri and beyond suit up to throw open the throttle. Many racers insist that with enough money –ten grand, maybe– and a competent driver, a lawn mower will do highway speeds. Whether that's true or not, the racers who flock to Patton certainly act like that's the goal. Here are a few scenes from a night at the dirt track with some of the fastest mowers around.

In farming circles, raising and exhibiting livestock is often a rite of passage; a way for youngsters to display (or build) a sense of responsibility, while sometimes even making a little money while they're at it. A portion this year's SEMO District Fair livestock competition took place Wednesday morning and the Southeast Missourian was there to take a look behind the scenes.

Scenes of the Avenue of Flags assembly for Patriot Day on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, at Cape Girardeau County Park North in Cape Girardeau. Retired Navy Capt. David Cantrell, chairman of the Avenue of Flags, said this was the first time he has been able to be present for the assembly since the June motorcycle accident from which he lost a portion of his left leg. “Seeing what everybody did in my absence … it gave me a lot of hope and courage and inspiration when I was at some pretty low points,” Cantrell said. A First Responders Appreciation BBQ is scheduled for 3 p.m. to dusk today at Cape Girardeau County Park North. Cantrell is one of the BBQ's organizers.

Scenes from the SEMO District Fair during its fourth day, including performances at the Arena Park grandstand by Christian artists Francesca Battistelli and Jason Crabb on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Notre Dame faces Jackson in a golf meet Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, at Kimbeland Country Club in Cape Girardeau.

Scenes from the SEMO District Fair during its third day, featuring Heartland Idol at the grandstand and a mother-daughter look alike competition.

A group of Marble Hill, Missouri, residents find entertainment Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, in a pool hall attached to the back of M & J's buy-and-sell in Marble Hill.

Area residents and supporters of downtown Cape Girardeau attended the Charles L. Hutson Auction, with proceeds going to fund Old Town Cape, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 at the Isle Casino in Cape Girardeau.

Scenes from the SEMO District Fair Parade and other fair happenings Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Cape Central hosted swim teams from around the region for a swim meet Saturday, Sept. 2019.

Cyclists, runners and pedestrians travel the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail in Cape Girardeau.

With a strong running game, Scott City moved past the St. Vincent Indians Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, in Scott City. The win extends the Rams winning record this season to 2-0.

The Cape Central Tigers defeated the Normandy Vikings 49-0 on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Cape Central High School in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian photojournalists share their best images from August 2019.

The 2019 B Magazine Newsmakers awards reception was held Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at First Midwest Bank in Cape Girardeau.

A collection of action photos and portraits of Kelly graduate Samantha Ratledge.

After trailing in the first four innings, Notre Dame came back to defeat Jackson (4-2) during a softball game Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau.

The Heartland Youth Football League held a jamboree recently at "The Pit" at Jackson High School in Jackson, Mo. The following teams took part in the event: Chaffee Devils, Dexter Bearcats, Jackson Jr. Indians, Jackson Warriors, McCracken Co. Mustangs, Perryville Eagles, and SCYFL Warhawks.

The Chaffee Red Devils practiced Monday in preparation of their upcoming football game with Cabool on Friday in Chaffee, Mo.

Scenes from Fawkesfest19 on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at The Library in Cape Girardeau. The two-day event, scheduled to feature 55 bands, was held at multiple locations Friday and Saturday in downtown Cape Girardeau. Half of the profits benefit the Safe House for Women and Honorable Young Men Club.

For racers young and old, the mud racing tradition continued at the annual Neighbor Days festival Saturday Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Scene from the Jackson cross country invitational Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at Jackson City Park.

It's hot, like, August-in-Missouri hot, and you're covered in fine, pale chalkdust from exploring the gravel backroads of Madison County with the windows down. What could feel better than a plunge into the clear waters at Amidon Memorial Conservation Area? Swimming holes are hallmark of summer in rural Missouri, and to those in the know, Amidon's secluded waters (and more well-known pink rock shut-ins) are a rare treat, often passed on from parents to children and so on. We spent some time getting to know the area and what it means to the people who visit.

Moments from the Jackson Indians' 48-0 win against Webster Groves on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, in Jackson.

Despite an early momentum-shifting interception in their own end zone by Jesse Robinson and persistent foul trouble from the Warriors at the outset, St. Vincent took a hard loss at the hands of Valle Catholic on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at St. Vincent High School in Perryville, Missouri.

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks retained their status as reigning War of the Wheel champs by beating the rival Southern Illinois University Salukis 44-26 in what was also their home opener at Houck Stadium Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019.

Emergency personnel search for the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck driven more than 20 miles north in the southbound lanes of Interstate 55 before crashing near the 111 mile marker and fleeing on foot into the woods near the Cape County Cowboy Church on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, east of Oak Ridge, Missouri. A body found near mile marker 88 was identified as Claude L. Nix, 42, of Jackson, Tennessee. Law enforcement deployed K-9 units and aerial search units, but the search was suspended in the late afternoon and the suspect was not apprehended.

Hundreds of new and classic Corvette cars filled downtown Cape Girardeau on Tuesday afternoon with a parade followed by an evening car show before continuing on their journey to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Corvette Museum.

With a roster of 35 players, the Cape Central girls tennis team continued training for this year's season with a practice Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at Cape Central High School in Cape Girardeau. Head coach Seth Benton ended the practice early due to lightning.

Moments from Egypt Fest 2019 on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, on the grounds of the Egypt Mills Antique Tractor Club in Egypt Mills. David Powers, president of the tractor club, said this is the 37th time the event has been held. “Seems like all my neighbors are here,” Powers said. “It’s just a little small-town setting and, I don’t know, it’s just simple.”

Emergency personnel responded around 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, to the 900 block of Jefferson Avenue in Cape Girardeau. At the scene, Cape Girardeau Police Department officer Richard McCall was only able to confirm that shots were fired and two people were transported to the hospital. Injuries were not known to the Southeast Missourian as of 1:30 a.m. Sunday. McCall said the police department would send out a news release Sunday.

The third annual Yak 'n Run took place Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. The contest began with a kayak trip on Lake Boutin followed by a trail run. Debbie Leoni, race director for the Yak 'n Run, said all proceeds go to myTEAM Triumph.

Every year, area residents nominate active citizens to be recognized as Newsmakers. This year's selections represent a variety of community involvement, from patriotic memorials to mentoring the next group of community leaders. Here's to the Newsmakers!

Retired Navy captain David Cantrell lost the lower portion of his left leg in a motorcycle accident in June, after which he said the Avenue of Flags (of which he is a leading advocate) and the community of volunteers and veterans who help keep it running became a major source of hope in the face of depression, multiple surgeries and a long road to recovery.

This collection of images presents scenes from various Sunday afternoons around Cape Girardeau.

The St. Vincent Indians hosted the Chaffee Red Devils, Scott City Rams and Kelly Hawks for a preseason football jamboree Friday, August 23, 2019.

Scenes of Procter & Gamble through the years from the Southeast Missourian archives.

Under the direction of head coach Gordon Walton and assistant coach Bailey Davidson, members of the Delta cross country team trek through county roads and gravel paths near the high school for practice Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in Delta, Missouri.

Under the watchful eye of new head coach Joe Graves, the Notre Dame Regional High School swim team is preparing for the upcoming season.

Scenes from a Perryville High School boys soccer practice Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in Perryville, Missouri.

The Cape Girardeau Central football squad recently worked its way through a challenging practice in the heat and humidity in preparation of the Tigers' season-opening game Aug. 30.

Despite afternoon rains, members of the Notre Dame softball team stayed productive by practicing in the school's indoor practice facility Aug. 20, 2019, at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau.

The Jackson football program played its annual 'Gatorade Game' Saturday at The Pit in Jackson. The intrasquad scrimmage is called that due to the price of admission being a bottle of Gatorade for the players to drink during the season.

Chaffee girls cross country coach Travis Calkins leads his team of runners through a practice Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, at Cape County Park North in Cape Girardeau.

Students, teachers, families and alumni from Notre Dame Regional High School filled the school gymnasium Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019, to send-off former principal Brother David Anthony Migliorino, OSF, to a new assignment at Saint Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, New York. The Franciscan monk served as principal at Notre Dame for over 20 years. A search for a new principal for Notre Dame has begun, and classes at the high school are scheduled to begin Thursday.

Moments from the Honorable Young Men Club's “Back 2 School Jam-Munity” event Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, at Indian Park in Cape Girardeau. “This is something that we don’t really see that much as far as kids having stuff to do out in the community. And, umm, what a way to just start the year off right,” Honorable Young Men Club co-founder Kweku Arkorful, originally of Ghana and now Cape Girardeau, said. “Our goal is just continue to bring that community together so that it’s not all segregated and we just have just one village.”

Families and friends spend an afternoon at Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Scenes from the first day of the 27th annual Cape Jaycees BBQ Fest on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.

Groups of student volunteers welcome incoming freshman and parents to the Southeast Missouri State University campus during move-in day Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Moments from the first day of school Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, at Jefferson Elementary School in Cape Girardeau. “I had this vision that I want our kids to dream big and I want our kids to have a sense of belonging when they are here,” principal Leigh Ragsdale said.

A special dog yoga class hosted by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at the 4-H Exhibit Hall in Arena Park gave dogs and owners an opportunity to practice stretches together and learn challenging balance poses. The session began with a dog meet and greet and a group walk, followed by a "doga" session. The event also featured a display from Mac's Mission and treats from Mississippi Mutts.

The Cape Catfish fell 5-2 to the Chillicothe Paints in the final game of the Prospect League Championship Series on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau. The conclusion of the game marked the end of the team's inaugural season.

The Chillicothe Paints won Game 2 of the Prospect League Championship Series on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, with a 9-4 victory over the Cape Catfish at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau. The series will conclude with Game 3 on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at Capaha Field with free admission.

After winning three consecutive state titles, coach Dayna Powell and the Cape Central boys swimming and diving team did not waste a minute before diving into this year's season as soon as possible -- at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, at the Central Municipal Pool in Cape Girardeau. The date marked the official start of the fall athletic season for all local high schools to begin holding official practices.

Scenes from the “5th annual Tay Day," in reference to the late Detavian L. Richardson, on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau. The event was organized around the fifth anniversary of the Cape Girardeau shooting deaths of Richardson, 20, and Zatrun R. Twiggs, 28, on Aug. 3, 2014.

The Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State held a football scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau.

Moments from opening night of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, in Sikeston, Missouri.

Harry Hatton emerged victorious after the Cape First Demolition Derby held Friday, August 9, 2019, in Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.

The Cape Catfish defeated the DuPage Pistol Shrimp (5-2) in the Prospect League West Divisional playoff game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau.

Robert Laird and Anthony Benson play in the Mississippi River on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau Public Schools host its fourth annual Back to School Fair on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in the Tiger Field House at Terry W. Kitchen Central Junior High School. The free event provided families access to a number of resources provided by nonprofits and businesses across the area including free haircuts, immunizations, school supplies and food.

The Cape Catfish broke a four-game win streak with a 7-6 to the Terre Haute REX on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau.

Attracting over 20,000 people over the course of three days, the St. Vincent de Paul Seminary Picnic is held the first weekend of August with traditional entertainment attractions including bingo, locally cooked food and music.

Scenes from an opening reception for Southeast Missouri State University’s Summer Art Academy exhibit Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 16 N. Spanish St., in Cape Girardeau. The work is on display until Aug. 31.

The riverboat, American Queen, docked Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, along the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau.

Led by Ellison Hanna II, the Cape Catfish defeated the Hannibal Hoots at Capaha Field Friday, August 2, 2013.

Southeast Missourian photojournalists share their best images from July 2019.

The Southeast Missouri State football team held the first day of training camp Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, at Rosengarten Athletic Complex in Cape Girardeau.

Head coach Kent Gibbs leads the Cape Central football team in a summer workout July 30, 2019, at Cape Central High School in Cape Girardeau.

Scenes from the first game of a doubleheader between the Cape Catfish and the Hannibal Hoots on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau. The Catfish won the first game 2-0.

The St. Vincent High School football team worked through one of its 20 summer training sessions that the MSHSAA allows Monday in Perryville, Mo.

Homecomers wrapped up festivities Saturday with more dancing, food and carnival attractions in Uptown Jackson.

Moments from the efforts of three father-son pairs to become certified open water divers. Full story in the Southeast Missourian's Weekend Edition.

The Jackson American Legion Post 158 baseball team opened the AAA Zone 4 Tournament Thursday in Ste. Genevieve with a 3-0 win over Ballwin.

Head coach Kevin Ellis leads a group of local track athletes through a summer workout Thursday, July 25, 2019, at the Abe Stuber Track & Field Complex in Cape Girardeau to help them prepare for the 2019 AAU Junior Olympic Games, which will be held at North Carolina A&T Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Perryville football head coach Blane Boss leads players in a summer practice Wednesday, July 24, 2019, in Perryville, Missouri.

Hundreds filled uptown Jackson to celebrate Homecomers, Jackson's annual festival, Tuesday, July 23, 2019. Vietnam veterans were honored during a special ceremony since, as veteran and Jackson Alderman Dave Hitt told the crowd, many veterans felt unwelcome upon their return from Vietnam to a populace whose attitude toward the war had largely soured.

Scenes from Ty’s Summer Sno on Thursday, July 18, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. On Thursday afternoon, an excessive heat warning was in effect with top heat index values ranging from around 105 to 110 degrees expected in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

The Charleston Riverdogs defeated the Cape Girardeau Capahas (4-2) in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday, July 21, 2019, at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau. As the second game had just gotten underway, a thunderstorm forced both teams to vacate the field.

Local "celebrities" took to the dance floor to raise money to combat homelessness during the Dancing with Show Me Stars, organized by Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri.