Editorials

We've had the pleasure of sharing the news of several business openings and startups in the past week or two. Readers were thrilled to discover that the owner of Mary Jane Burgers & Brew in Perryville will be opening a different venture in Cape Girardeau on Broadway. Mary Jane's, co-owned by Carisa Stark, is a popular destination restaurant. We wish her luck, and hope she has the same success in the new Cape Girardeau location...

Our area's two largest school districts, Jackson and Cape Girardeau public schools, have both decided to step in and pay for ACT tests for high school juniors. ACT tests are vital for almost anyone entering college. The tests cost $45 per student, or $62 total if students take the writing test...

This past weekend was a rivalry weekend of sorts in football, with Southeast facing Southern Illinois, Chaffee and Scott City facing off, and Perryville's two high schools -- St. Vincent and Perryville High School -- pitted against each other. On the baseball front, St. Louis was taking on division rival Chicago Cubs in a pivotal three-game series...

The last corndog has been served, and the cows have gone home. The SEMO District Fair which officially opened on a clear Saturday morning, Sept. 9, with its annual parade, came to a close eight days later on a clear night. There were plenty of beautiful days in between amid a variety of activities and entertainment. In fact, weather conditions in which the festivities played out had to be among the best in the 162-year history of the event...

Cape Girardeau is full of history, and if you look around you can find volumes. One convenient, informative place to look is Heritage Hall, which houses the Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation. It's there that Dr. Frank Nickell, an area historian and president of the Kellerman Foundation, has been recently mining some informative nuggets of local history, including how former President Ulysses S. ...

One of the perks of aging is some of the discounts that come with the process. Sometimes the deals are good, sometimes really good. That's the case with The Best Years' second annual Active Living Expo on Wednesday at the Isle Casino in Cape Girardeau. ...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department continues adding innovation to its crime-fighting toolbox. On the heels of hiring a crime data analyst, the department more recently announced it is partnering with businesses and homeowners to create a security camera database...

Could Cape Girardeau possibly be a more bustling place this weekend? First, there's football. Southeast Missouri State University will host its first home football game, against rival Southern Illinois University. Fans are encouraged to wear their black fan gear. There will be lots of tailgating, which means lots of good food and good times. Game starts at 6...

Mac, you're one inspiring dog. He won over the heart of Rochelle Steffen, a lot of others at Mac's Mission and people around the country. The animal-rescue organization in Jackson recently was awarded the $30,000 grand prize in the vote-based "Support the Shelters" sweepstakes hosted by the BISSELLL Pet Foundation...

Going to college is one thing. Getting a degree is another. Southeast Missouri State University reported numbers last week that support a positive development in its students' pursuit of degrees. While Southeast has experienced a 4.6 percent drop in its overall enrollment from a year ago, it has reported a record retention rate among its student body. According to the early numbers, more than 75 percent of students enrolled last year have returned...

At 37 years of age, it's not surprising Venus Williams is on the speaking circuit. After all, most professional athletes look for a productive use of their suddenly open schedule when they reach that ripe age, which usually means retirement, especially for tennis players...

It was 16 years ago today when things changed. The events of Sept. 11, 2011 are seared into the memory of many but now studied in U.S. history classes in high school and college. In the days leading up, Missouri, centrally located in the United States, a world superpower, seemed like the most secure place on Earth...

Sometimes disasters bring out the best in us. We've seen that countless times over the years, whether it be in the aftermath of 9/11, the Joplin, Missouri, tornado, Hurricane Katrina or other such tragic events. And we've seen it again in Houston. Hurricane Harvey brought unprecedented rain to Houston and southern Texas, rainfall amounts never before seen in recorded history of our country. ...

Cape Girardeau's existence and the Mississippi River are inseparable. So much of Cape's history is based on the trade and commerce made possible by the river. Today, Cape is known as much as a regional hub as it is a river town, so for many it can be easy to forget or take the river for granted...

This morning, a ribbon cutting will be held for the newly constructed Drury Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. The development adds the latest jewel to the area. The Drury organization has made major financial commitments to dramatically enhancing the location, which formerly was the location of the Drury Lodge. ...

In addition to football, there's one surefire way to know fall is in the air in Southeast Missouri -- the arrival of the SEMO District Fair. In fact, it can be argued the fair is an even better indicator since it predates the NFL, and football for that matter. The event spans generations, with this the 162nd year of the fair. It's a long-standing tradition of the region coming together for music, food, camaraderie and friendly competition...

Some exciting business developments are taking place on the local scene, which are a boost to the economy. AT&T announced last week it is opening a call center in Cape Girardeau that will hire 150 full-time employees; half of the personnel the company plans to hire in Missouri...

It's safe to say the local chambers of commerce are held in high esteem at the state level. Two big honors were recently bestowed upon the local business scene by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which lists 134 local chamber members on its website...

Editor's note: The following editorial originally appeared on Sept. 2, 2012 in the Southeast Missourian. When it comes to the reasons for Monday's Labor Day holiday, the U.S. Department of Labor offers a good historical review. The first Labor Day celebration was in New York City in 1882 and was organized by the Central Labor Union. ...

Southeast Missouri State University kicks off its college football season Saturday in Lawrence, Kansas, to face the Kansas Jayhawks. Southeast nearly pulled off an upset in this matchup in 2014, falling 34-28, scoring 28 second-half points against the Big 12 Conference school...

July 11, 2017, could have been remembered for all the wrong reasons. It could have gone down as a dark day where a young girl lost her life in a public swimming facility in Cape Girardeau, followed by all the dark aftermath that accompany such tragedies -- heartbreaking headlines, a procession of tears, ceaseless guilt and finger pointing...

Topography and weather are what characterize regions. It's the people who truly define it, shaping the past, present and future. No two of us are exactly alike, and in this land of freedom we are able to pursue the path of our dreams and follow the inspirations that touch us individually...

The United Way of Southeast Missouri kicked off its annual fundraising campaign last week, and the organization appears poised to try some new initiatives, namely online fund-raising, following the crowdfunding trends such as gofundme. At the kickoff luncheon, the nearly 200 attendees were asked to text their pledges to a real-time counter...

Schools are usually associated with being the ones to hand out grades and awards. However, like the rest of society, they also are subject to performance evaluations. Recently, Notre Dame Regional High School received special recognition for its overall performance, named a Catholic Education Honor Roll School, a national honor bestowed by the Cardinal Newman Society. ...

Who says there are no national holidays in August? Suffice to say, this past Monday was not your typical Monday. As all are probably aware, the sun disappeared for a minute or two. It was the much-anticipated eclipse day, and it did not disappoint. While the sun and the moon played their parts to perfection, so did many others. The promised darkness was an opportunity for the local area to shine, and shine it did...

Peter Kinder, Missouri's former lieutenant governor, and a Cape Girardeau native was recently appointed to serve as alternate federal co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority. The Delta Regional Authority is a big deal. It's a federally funded authority that represents 10 million people who reside in 252 counties in eight states...

How does an economy, local or national grow? One business at a time. Morning Star Behavioral Associates is the latest business to win the Codefi 1st50K competition, an aggressive campaign to boost the local economy through providing resources -- office space, technical assistance, infrastructure access, social support and community integration services -- needed for innovative businesses with new products or ideas...

This month was a milestone anniversary for Cape Girardeau native and nationally syndicated talk show host Rush Limbaugh. "America's Anchorman" -- as Rush calls himself -- celebrated the start of his 30th year of the Rush Limbaugh Show. When he launched the show on Aug. 1, 1988, Limbaugh blazed a new trail. This was not your average caller-based show. In fact, Rush takes few calls each day. But his conservative views plus an entertaining style served him well with listeners...

When high school sports seasons open, they don't dawdle. They're coming full force, by land and by sea. The first of the three distinct sports seasons -- fall, winter and spring -- is under way. To many prep fans, the 2017-18 sports season officially kicked off this past Friday night, when lights lit up football fields around the area. While football may be the most visible, area athletes are launching seasons on a multitude of fronts, wielding bats, racquets and clubs...

In an age of partisan politics, it's good to know politicians can stand united on at least one front. A bi-partisan group of senators, including both Missouri Senators Claire McCaskill (Democrat) and Roy Blunt (Republican), are confronting the sex trafficking of women and children by introducing legislation to remove the "immunity" an online site has used to hinder investigations...

If you're in town today to enjoy the eclipse, welcome. Thank you for picking up the newspaper. We hope you find your stay enjoyable and for more reasons than the natural phenomenon that has captured our attention for many months. There are many things to do and enjoy in our area, and we hope you take some time to soak in the local culture...

Yesterday was move-in day at Southeast Missouri State University. The bustle that comes with university life has begun anew. The streets will become a little busier. Coffee shops and downtown businesses will see a boost. We say welcome to all the new students, and welcome back to those who are returning...

How do you describe school spirit? Try, Terry Kitchen. "Coach" to many, "Coach Kitchen" to others, "Mr. Tiger" to some. Need an inspirational speech at a Cape Central assembly? Look no further than the man who is always wearing some sort of orange apparel, whether it be tie, shirt, cap or jacket. Like a preacher, which he is, he can passionately rain down school spirit upon the student body. Anyone familiar with "Coach" knows his blood type is "O positive."...

Upon first glance a polo club and children in the court system may not seem to have anything in common. Polo is generally associated with affluence and the good life, and the other with need. One common denominator is they are generally out of the view of mainstream society. ...

For all involved, it was music to the ears. The recent "Sounds for Hounds" concert was a howling success with $16,238 raised for the purchase and training of four new dogs for the K-9 unit at the Cape Girardeau Police Department. It marked the largest single contribution to the "Pay for the Pups" campaign, launched in January with the lofty goal of $60,000 and which has raised more than $79,000 to date...

We'd like to be among those extending birthday wishes to the Missouri Department of Conservation as it celebrates its 80th year. The MDC manages nearly 1 million acres in the state, with a mission of protecting and managing fish, forest and wildlife while also providing access to education and enjoyment for citizens. ...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department is drafting a policy on how to implement body-camera technology. This is a positive development for the local department. The use and retention of body camera video adds another level of accountability and protection for our police...

The chambers of commerce in Cape Girardeau and Jackson announced they are joining a larger initiative to help young adults prepare to enter the manufacturing sector. Manufacturers are having difficulty finding skilled workers. "Certainly, within the last 18 to 24 months, the thing that comes up over and over again is employees," John Mehner, president and CEO of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce told reporter Tyler Graef...

This big world gets small at times. If we think we have problems, a look at other places around the globe will reveal those less fortunate. And after truly seeing and learning of people in desperate need, it can weigh on one's heart to try to bring care and hope where there is little...

From the opening moment, the first day of school can be quite alarming, a jolt to the system after the days of summer. Several local schools begin classes Thursday, and the ones that don't are just days away. There's nothing in life quite like that first day of school. ...

Many of us would like to be leaders, and could be good at it, if ... someone would just get us pointed in the right direction. Good news, a leadership compass is just ahead. On Thursday and Friday, La Croix Church will host a simulcast for the annual Global Leadership Summit, a two-day event broadcast from Willow Creek Community Church in northern Illinois...

At the heart of a capitalist economy is innovation, whether it be in the form of efficiency or new products and services. In theory, the end result is better products, consumer demand, jobs and an improved standard of living. The United States has always served as the model of capitalism, with its economic system bolstered by education and freedom that enhance and promote ingenuity and opportunity...

From baseball diamonds to research labs, number crunching and analytics is everywhere. The data collected from past events may seem random to some, but when scrutinized by the right eyes in the right setting, they can be predictors of future events...

Everybody loves a tax break. That’s why this weekend is so appealing for shoppers who are preparing for the start of a new school year. From today through Sunday, Missouri is making certain back-to-school items exempt of its 4.225 percent state sales tax to help parents, students and teachers in the purchase of classroom supplies, clothing and some electronics...

Much of the focus on sports is on winning, but being honored beyond the sports arena bears witness to something beyond scores and talent. Intelligence, commitment, leadership and character help an athlete in competition and in life. Recently, the Southeast Missouri State volleyball team and local businessman/amateur-golf supporter Cord Dombrowski were recognized for continued excellence...

As a team name, Fighting Squirrels may not strike fear into the heart of man. However, teams at next week's Senior Babe Ruth World Series in Ephrata, Washington, might be well advised to sit up and pay attention to the all-star collection of baseball players assembled from Southeast Missouri that uses Charleston, Missouri, as its home base...

A wide range of weather is in Missouri's DNA, and most of the state's inhabitants might grudgingly admit it's nice to have four seasons. Beautiful springs days are better appreciated after the cold days of winter, as are the cool, leaf-changing days of fall after the hot days of summer. The summer and winter are largely tolerable, except when extremes are encountered, like the recent heat, which can be downright dangerous if not treated with respect...

A myriad of thoughts and emotions are encountered whenever the diagnosis is cancer. It's the dreaded "C" word nobody wants to hear, whether personally, friend, family member, neighbor or stranger. Cancer does not discriminate by age, gender, race or occupation...

The Salvation Army of Cape Girardeau is under new leadership. Lts. Matthew and Virginia DeGonia have been appointed to the local Salvation Army, and they're learning about the community as they assess the needs and make plans for the future. "It's a lot of learning because we don't know the area very well, so it's a lot of meeting folks in the community," Matthew told reporter Tyler Graef. ...

The 110th annual Jackson Homecomers is in full swing, and if you've missed out there's still a couple of days left to enjoy the festivities. The Jackson festival, which takes place in uptown Jackson near the courthouse, begins each night at 6, and ends at 10 p.m. Saturday, and it looks like the temperature will cool down to make the experience much more enjoyable...