Local News

Those visiting the Cape Girardeau County History Center in uptown Jackson will be met with a display of 20 trees, each displaying unique themes with decorations representing local organizations, clubs, churches and businesses. Barbara Lohr, former mayor of Jackson and history center docent, said this is the fourth year the center has hosted the display. This year’s theme is “Through the Eyes of a Child.”...

Show me the money. That was the message to potential project partners from an advisory committee planning for construction of an indoor aquatic center. Jackson contractor Phil Penzel told the committee Tuesday night the City of Cape Girardeau and the Cape Girardeau School District could build a better facility if they partnered with other private-public entities, including Midamerica Hotels, the City of Jackson, the Jackson School District and possibly Cape Girardeau County government...

Ben and Sicili Hale moved to Cape Girardeau to each pursue master’s degrees in March 2016; three months before Sicili learned she was pregnant with their sixth child. This weekend, at Southeast Missouri State University’s commencement ceremonies, the couple will receive their diplomas the same way they do most things: on-schedule and together. ...

Marie Walker, right, case manager for Lutheran Children and Family Services, gives client Roykinnia Cooper and her son, Drew Price, 5, Christmas gifts as part of LFCS's Seasons of Sharing Gift Drive and Donation Match initiative Tuesday in Cape Girardeau.

The filing period for April 2, 2019, local elections opened Tuesday, and some candidates have already filed, including incumbent Mayor Dwain Hahs in Jackson. Jackson will have a contested race for the Ward 4 seat: incumbent Tom Kimbel faces a challenge from Steven Lee, who filed Tuesday, said city clerk Liza Walker...

Cape Girardeau city officials want to install traffic signals and make other improvements to ease traffic congestion on Independence Street east and west of the Kingshighway intersection. Plans call for placing traffic signals at the Independence Street and Clark Avenue/eastern entrance to Walmart Neighborhood Market intersection, and on Independence Street between the Gordonville Road roundabout and Kingshighway, city engineer Casey Brunke said Monday...

A federal grant has put the Southeast Missouri Regional Port on track to handle trainload shipments at its Scott City facility within the next several years. It was announced last week the regional port authority would receive a $19.8 million grant to help fund a $33 million project to construct two loop tracks and a terminal at the Mississippi River port...

Sales tax revenue is slightly down for the year in Cape Girardeau County, while use tax revenue is up for the year, Treasurer Roger Hudson said. For the year, according to data provided by Hudson, sales tax revenue is down 0.11 percent, or about $8,400 overall...

More than 250 area middle-school students participate in the Youth Coding League, a weekly after-school program that introduces computer programming to students, and voting is live now to determine whose project stands out above the rest. Stacy Dohogne Lane, community director for Codefi and the Marquette Tech District Foundation, said the students are in the postseason...

VAN BUREN, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation continues to develop a plan to manage the state’s reintroduced elk herd, using hunting as the primary means to control the growing population. At a sparsley-attended workshop Dec. 3 at Van Buren High School, department officials explained to visitors the current state of the elk population and the various dynamics they will look at when determining hunting regulations, while at the same time soliciting comments from those interested...

The 14th annual Christmas Country Church Tour highlighting 33 churches and their unique holiday flair within Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties will be held Thursday and Friday. The newest church added this year is Old McKendree Chapel in Jackson, according to Trish Erzfeld, director of Perry County Heritage Tourism...

Smiles from children visiting “The Grinch” at Catapult Creative House in Cape Girardeau created a glow on a cloudy and cold Saturday morning as day two of the Downtown Christmas Open House began. Catapult operations manager Leah Powers was disguised as the Grinch atop Dr. Seuss’ fictitious Whoville, celebrating “Grinchmas.”...

Approval of minutes n Minutes for the Dec. 6 meeting Communications/reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on the agenda Routine business...

A plan pushed by Cape Girardeau city officials to revitalize two run-down buildings and a vacant lot on Good Hope Street collapsed after the properties were sold by the county government for back taxes. City development services director Alex McElroy said the tax sale in August of this year ended the development effort before it could get started...

Southeast Missouri State University pledged to pay the NCAA at least $70,000 in order to host a first-round Football Championship Subdivision playoff game last month, the school’s athletics director said Friday. Brady Barke, the director, said the guarantee was a key part of the bid submitted by Southeast...

With the help of Dexter, Missouri, native Jordan Sandusky — and 124 other volunteers — the White House is decked out for the holidays. Sandusky, a Southeast Missouri State University graduate, said decorating the White House had been a dream of hers for the last five years...

Having health insurance is important, and low- or no-cost plans are available, but the open enrollment period ends Dec. 15, said Nancy Kelley, program director with Cover Missouri, a coalition whose vision is to reduce the number of uninsured in Missouri...

The Here Today chain is closing, the company announced recently on its website, and that includes the Cape Girardeau store. Plans include closing all Here Today stores in January, according to the announcement. “We believe that Here Today is a special concept and so many of our customers have conveyed the same, which is why we are working hard to map out a path to future growth and success,” the announcement stated. ...

Missouri U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt and U.S. Rep. Jason Smith announced Thursday the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority in Scott City will receive a $19.8 million grant through the Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant program...

Randy Holder of Scott City is the winner of the Missouri Lottery Show Me Cash $245,000 jackpot, according to a news release Friday. According to the release, Holder kept the ticket in a bank safe deposit box until he claimed the prize Nov. 30. He plans to keep the prize as a nest egg for his retirement years, the release stated. However, he does have immediate plans for one purchase: a smartphone...

The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved interim water and sewer rates for SK&M Water and Sewer Co. to address an emergency condition regarding the supply of safe and adequate water and sewer service, the agency said in a news release. SK&M provides service to about 300 water customers and 156 sewer customers in Perry County...

The Nov. 8 meeting of the Town and Country FCE was conducted at the Senior Citizen's Community building with Karen Murphy as hostess. Club members read the Club Collect. The devotion entitled, "Autumn Blessings" was read by Alene Hamilton. Roll call was answered by stating something that each member was thankful for in their life. The minutes and treasurer's reports were approved as read. Pennies for Friendship were collected...

Meteorologists looking toward the weekend see a wintry mix brewing but as of Thursday, it was unclear what form the potential precipitation may take. "Right now, we're looking at things to start in the Cape Girardeau area with a rain-and-snow mix Saturday," said meteorologist Ashley Ravencraft of the National Weather Service Forecast Office Paducah, Kentucky...

The 11th annual Percussion Ensemble's Family Holiday Concert will be 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at the River Campus in Cape Girardeau, with performances by the Southeast Missouri State University musical theater ensemble, percussion ensemble, clarinet choir and saxophone choir...

In 2021, Missouri will celebrate its 200th anniversary of statehood, and the Missouri Historical Society wants local help to mark the occasion. Michael Sweeney, Missouri bicentennial coordinator, is on a statewide tour, and as of Monday, he was 95 counties in, he said...

Shortly after Cape Girardeau voters passed a parks and stormwater tax that included $6 million toward the construction of a new indoor swimming and aquatics facility, Phil Penzel, CEO of Penzel Construction, assembled a team of interested public and private parties to consider contributions to the project, he told the Southeast Missourian on Thursday...

The Jackson police department is holding an annual Christmas Community Drive for the Jackson school district area. Within this drive, the department assists the elderly and gives toys to families with children ages 12 and under. Items also will be donated to the Safe House for Women, division of family services and children in local hospitals...

Six of the oldest churches within the Gordonville and Tilsit area will be festooned with Christmas decorations during the fourth annual Southern Country Church Tour this weekend. Marsha Birk is helping coordinate this year's event. She said her home church is St. James United Church of Christ in Jackson, one of the churches featured on the tour...

A Jackson contractor has submitted a "letter of interest" as a possible partner for an indoor aquatics center, but Cape Girardeau city officials have declined to disclose the proposal and opted to discuss the matter in a closed session Wednesday. Penzel Construction Co. was one of three entities to submit a letter of interest. The other two letters came from the Cape Girardeau School District and the City of Cape Girardeau...

The City of Jackson took a major step this week toward addressing its aging wastewater system, an upgrade that will cost millions. Jackson's Board of Aldermen approved $1.242 million in engineering services Monday, with Alderman Larry Cunningham the only nay vote...

As part of the Cape Girardeau County Justice Center project, a new parking lot will open today, according to a news release from the county. This lot will replace current parking south of the Sheriff Department, the release stated. Citizens will enter and exit the new parking via High Street, between the current jail and the American Legion Hall...

Cape Girardeau County Commission 1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today Approval of minutes n Minutes for the Dec. 3 meeting Communications/ reports -- other elected officials n Treasurer present purchase order requisition for payment to Penzel Construction - application No. 3...

Old Town Cape Inc. will present the 16th annual Downtown Christmas Open House on Friday and Saturday with Santa Claus, The Grinch and more than 15 downtown businesses contributing to the start of the holiday-themed, free community event. “Our overall goal is getting foot traffic in the downtown Cape Girardeau area,” said Emily Vines Old Town Cape events coordinator. “It’s a big register-ringing event as well.”...

Since the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri was founded in 1976, it hasn’t been very business-minded, shelter director Tracy Poston said by phone Tuesday. And, she said, it’s time to change that. “The Humane Society has been partnered with these cities (Cape Girardeau and Jackson) for over 40 years. The building (at 2536 Boutin Drive in Cape Girardeau) has been there a really long time,” Poston said in the interview...

More than 650 students are slated to receive diplomas during Southeast Missouri State University’s upcoming fall commencement ceremonies Dec. 15 at the Show Me Center. The honors will be bestowed in two ceremonies; one at 10 a.m. for candidates in the College of Education, Health and Human Studies and Harrison College of Business and Computing, and another at 2 p.m. for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and Holland College of Arts and Media. ...

Mike Zito — 2018 Blues Rock Artist of the Year — will perform at 9 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 at Rude Dog Pub, 123 Main St. in downtown Cape Girardeau, according to a news release. Zito won Blues Rock Artist of the Year in May at the 2018 Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tennessee, and his 15th album, “First Class Life,” reached No. 1 on the National Roots Music Report Top 50 Blues Albums Chart...

Grammy-winning Casting Crowns is set to perform alongside Zach Williams and Austin French as part of the Only Jesus Tour on April 4 at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, according to a news release. Casting Crowns’ latest album, “Only Jesus,” released Nov. 16 and sparked the beginning of the 37-city tour...

The westbound 1800 block of Broadway in Cape Girardeau will be reduced to one lane due to street repairs, the city announced Tuesday. Work began Tuesday evening and is expected to last one week, weather permitting. Drivers are urged to use caution when traveling through this work zone...

Jackson’s new police station will be built by a team headed by Penzel Construction, officials recommended Monday at the Jackson Board of Aldermen regular meeting. During a public meeting at 2 p.m. Monday, Jackson’s design-build consultant George Harris opened the technical proposal and cost estimate for the project from two firms, Penzel Construction and Kiefner Brothers of Cape Girardeau. ...

The carGO transportation service will pay an annual $50 liquor-license fee to the City of Cape Girardeau in order to deliver alcohol in the community under a new ordinance prompted by a legal dispute earlier this year. The Cape Girardeau City Council on Monday night approved an ordinance setting up a new liquor-license category for businesses that deliver, but don’t sell alcohol at the retail or wholesale level. ...

The 1900 block of Oak Hills Drive in Cape Girardeau will be closed today through Friday for sewer work. Hacker Plumbing, Heating and Cooling is replacing a sewer line at 1924 Oak Hills Drive. Those traveling in the area are urged to use caution...

Football playoff watch parties in Cape Girardeau erupted with hype from dedicated fans and Southeast Missouri State University alumni as the Redhawks battled Weber State for the NCAA Division I Football Championship on Saturday. Andrea Thompson was viewing the game with Damon Wilson at Port Cape Girardeau. She lives in Cape Girardeau and has worked for Southeast since 2014; Wilson is from St. Louis...

Study session Presentations n Missouri's Bicentennial 2021, presented by Michael Sweeney of the Missouri Historical Society n Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau and Magnet annual report...

Approval of minutes n Minutes of regular meeting of 11/19/18 Financial affairs n Monthly bills Action Items n Power and Light Committee n Consider a motion approving $1,242,000 to Horner & Shifrin Inc. of St. Louis for providing engineering services under the wastewater facility plan implementation program...

Approval of minutes n Minutes for the Nov. 29 meeting Communications/ reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on the agenda Routine business...

A Cape Girardeau woman pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree involuntary manslaughter after a 13-month-old girl she was baby-sitting died from injuries sustained in a dog attack. Erica Jordan, 33, of Cape Girardeau entered the guilty plea in Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors...

RJ Home Sense will be adding a touch of scent and shabby-chic glamour to Town Plaza, starting today. The shop will specialize in hand-made candles and wax melts, co-owner Joseph Flood said. “It basically started in our garage as a hobby,” Flood said. “We enjoy candles like everybody else does, but we wanted something more natural, organic.”...

Meadow Heights High School FFA is hosting its 20th annual youth coon hunt Saturday beginning at dusk, with $1,000 worth of rewards in store for those who “tree” and bring back their prized raccoons. Raccoons are nocturnal animals and a special dog breed of coonhounds is responsible for running the prey up into a nearby tree. This assists the capture and killing of the animal by the hunter...

Motor vessel Chippewa travels north on the Mississippi River as it passes in front of the southbound Marquette Transportation push boat Mary Kay Eckstein on Friday in Cape Girardeau.

A Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court jury convicted a Charleston, Missouri, man of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a teenager during a botched drug deal, prosecutors said Friday. Following a two-day trial in Jackson, a jury Wednesday found Jonas Phillips, 30, guilty of murder, first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action. The charges stemmed from the May 19, 2016, shooting at a Cape Girardeau apartment building in the 200 block of North Lorimier Street...