I have no talent for or understanding of art. Here's why. The new sculpture in the roundabout at Fountain and Morgan Oak streets in our fair city doesn't look like art to me. But remember: I have no talent for or understanding of art. If I did, I would be able to appreciate the artist's efforts in this roundabout endeavor. I would more fully comprehend the expense of more than $70,000 (so far) on the latest addition to the many outdoor sculptures that adorn our downtown...

Last week it was announced that Sen. John McCain had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive type of brain cancer. The senator has had several bouts of fighting skin cancer, but this is a new and probable fight to the death with an incurable form of cancer...

Our political leaders in Washington are spending a lot of political capital to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act instead of making it better. Over 18 percent of our national GDP is spent on healthcare. When compared to other developed economies throughout the world, it is about twice as much with no increase in health outcomes. ...

As the Right-to-Work bill carrier in the Missouri House, I want to be sure Missourians are clear about what the legislature passed and Gov. Greitens signed when it comes to our new Right-to-Work law. Right-to-Work means the worker who is earning the money has the freedom to choose. ...

How did it get started that school ends the middle of May and begins the middle of August? Jackson begins Aug 10. That is sad. Kids should be out looking for lighting bugs and counting stars instead of heading for bed. 8:45 p.m. and the sun is still giving us a soft light...

Dogs have a way of bringing out the best in us. That's been apparent with the K-9 division of the Cape Girardeau Police Department. The public has gotten behind the drive to expand the division to four dogs, which will provide around-the-clock support for the department in the effort to keep the streets safe. ...

There's nothing quite like the sounds of summer: Crickets, frogs, birds, locusts and the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band. As July reaches its twilight days, it presents a final chance to take in the local music as Ron Nall leads the band tonight at Capaha Park...

After some intense soul-searching, the Democrat Party has arrived at the solution to their recent and ongoing election losses. The party of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Shumer has decided their problem boils down to a slogan that will change both their image and their election losses...

I have the privilege of going in to the Cape County jail once a week to help guys see a different option in life. Our group being there encourages them; but there is little evidence of lasting change. I have never been one to stay with something that does not work. So lately, I have been asking myself, and them, "why so little evidence?" It has led to some good discussions...

What a week it has been in news and politics. So many takeaways. Let's start with the news that Sen. John McCain has been diagnosed with brain cancer. My heart goes out to the senator from Arizona, and he has my prayers. I have a bone to pick with how the media have handled the news. Never before have I seen such eulogizing of someone who was just diagnosed...

This week the Marquette Building is displaying its illustrious past and high-tech present and future as the hub of TechWeek, which is currently in full swing and will reach a crescendo with Techfest on Thursday. The second edition of the TechWeek, hosted by the Marquette Tech District, carries an air of optimism, excitement and vision, attributes which helped spark the renovation of the Marquette Hotel, originally opened in 1928 but stood as a condemned building at the start of the millennium...

Thank you to all the great people in this area. Today after losing my load of lumber in the street, many people stopped and asked to help me. Thank you all. Just proves there are many great people in the Cape area. Even a lady and her small daughter stopped. Again thank you. I will definitely pass this act of kindness on to others in need...

An unfortunate part of life is watching money go down the drain. For some Cape Girardeau city utility customers, the activity became a little more intense when the new billing system incorrectly transferred sewer-usage data. The computer software glitch undoubtedly had some people doing double takes earlier this month, when up to 1,400 customers citywide could have received inflated utility bills for water, sewer and trash services...

The news has been awfully heavy lately, so I thought you might like some light-hearted comments. n Remember slow food? Someone asked the other day, “What was your favorite fast food when you were growing up? “We didn’t have fast food when I was growing up,” I informed him...

The Cape Girardeau Airport Advisory Board is hoping the city airport soon will be able to offer flights to and from Chicago. It’s only a first step, and there are several more hurdles to jump before this becomes a reality. The concept of a Chicago flight appeals to those needing connection flights. There are many more opportunities to fly directly to destinations from Chicago than St. Louis...

Christians do have an alternative to Obamacare (ACA) or Trumpcare. On a recent surgery, I paid zero on a $6,643 surgery, etc. charge. My Christian brothers and sisters shared the bill, and after all was said and done I paid nothing. I am 61 years old, and I pay around $320 a month. Yes, $320 per month,...

A couple of prominent local historians have taken on different roles in the community. As reported by Marybeth Niederkorn, local historian William Eddleman soon will replace Frank Nickell as associate director at the Cape Girardeau research center for the State Historical Society of Missouri. Nickell took on a new role at the Kellerman Foundation, a local historic preservation organization...

More than 60 years ago, growing up on a farm was pretty much the same no matter where the farm was located. Boys, whether on farms in the flat Bootheel of Missouri or in the sloping Ozark valleys over yonder, had to be out of bed early to do chores: milk cows, hoe gardens, buck bales of hay and mend fences. ...

The movie theater needs to really think of all the possible scenarios of selling alcohol before they make a ridiculous and unwise decision. A recovering alcoholic is already bombarded by beer in so many settings. Let someone enjoy a movie without the temptation of alcohol. ...

If you are wondering why someone is flashing their brights in your face, its probably because you forgot to turn off your FOG lights. On a clear night they are as bad as brights. Between the vermin drawing chickens, the pan handling, and now the threat of allowing shipping crates for housing, who is in charge of Cape planning? Larry, Moe and Curly?...

If you're like me, you've noticed a considerable recent rise in crime in our town. While many of us haven't been directly impacted, nevertheless it's something we should all be concerned with. So pick up your phone and dial 651-2265 and order tickets to the Sounds for Hounds concert to be held on Saturday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. ...

After the evacuation of the British from Boston, Washington moved his Continental Army southwest to confront the British and Hessian troops in New York. Washington's force occupied New York City and moved to stop the British advance toward the city in Western Long Island. ...

Caring, competent teachers backed by top-notch facilities are key factors in the education of students. However, a grumbling stomach can trump all in the quest to expand minds. Hunger can stunt growth in more ways than one. It's the sort of matter Cape Girardeau public schools superintendent Neil Glass has prioritized since assuming his position July 1. ...

The skill sets involved in various sports can be as different as the balls involved. However, there are common elements that play out on all fields -- conditioning, training and sportsmanship. All three will be covered at the "Power Camp" presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes that will be held July 25 to 27 at Cape Girardeau Central High School...

Back in November -- though it seems a lifetime ago -- the American people gave the Republican Party control of the United States Senate, House and White House. And there was a reason for this political sea change. After eight tumultuous years of the prior administration, America was as divided as perhaps any point in our history. This disunity threatened all sense of progress and compromise on some highly critical issues...

Month after month after month, I receive my water, sewer, and bill so late in the billing cycle that my payment, which I make electronically, will be past the due date. Last month, I got it four days before it was due; typically it's about 10 days. The city manager's office advises I pay the bill in person, but I work and can't get to that office; I don't shop at Schnucks. ...

A recent article in the Missourian, June 9th edition, small article on page 3 detailing the cuts to the University of Missouri lobbying efforts in both Washington, D.C. and Jefferson City to save a few dollars caught my eye. In the last paragraph of the article it mentioned that the one cut they would not make was with the contract of Andy Blunt, son of U.S. ...

First things first Meeting and re-meeting some of you at my Barnes & Noble book signing Friday night was an honor. Thank you for the encouraging words, book purchases and continued support. Your kindness makes me want to push forward. n Last Tuesday, Johnnie Moore, president of The Kairos Company, tweeted a photograph of President Donald Trump surrounded by people praying for him in the Oval Office while laying hands on him. ...

The board of aldermen was presented the final report of the community survey by ETC Institute at a recent meeting. The ETC Institute conducted the scientific survey of Jackson residents during the month of May. I would like to thank all citizens who took their time to fill out this survey. ...

A thoughtful, purposeful path can lead to fulfillment. The restoration project and building campaign at St. Mary's of the Barren in Perryville, Missouri, appears to have that at its core as the historic grounds receive a renovation in anticipation of the 100-year anniversary celebration of the Vincentian priests founding of the Association of the Miraculous Medal in 1918. ...

This time of year, many think of educational expenses in terms of college tuition and room and board. To be sure, those are the ultimate, big-ticket items in an education. However, a fact of reality is expenses are part of the equation from the first day of prekindergarten...

Read with interest Mike Jensen's latest column wherein he said it was Obama "who opted for division over unity" in our country. Really? Just days after Obama's election it was Mitch McConnell who said his highest priority was to make him a one-term president, and in doing so sent us down the thorny path of deadlock. ...

There's quite a dramatic story slowly developing in the agriculture world. It involves a herbicide called dicamba, a multinational ag chemical and biotech corporation named Monsanto and farmers across the Midwest. The controversy surrounding dicamba has pitted neighboring farmers against one another even to the point of homicide...

Should shipping containers be used to create livable spaces in Cape Girardeau? That's a question currently before the city council. I was pleased to see that the council members voted to extend the city's moratorium on such projects rather than ban them outright. This gives everyone more time to assess shipping containers and their viability as permanent homes...

I would like to address an issue that is rarely talked about or understood-kidney disease. A little over 2 years ago, after several months of severe stomach cramps, I was diagnosed with kidney failure. I used to ride my bicycle all over town, swim a mile at the gym and cut grass professionally, but now my life is centered around my dialysis sessions, three days a week, 5 hour treatments...