Fair ~ 69°F   River stage: 25.99 Rising Sunday, July 5, 2009

Editorials Detecting drunks (07/05/09) Starting this month, more than 70,000 Missourians who have been convicted of alcohol-related driving offenses will be getting letters from the Missouri Department of Revenue informing them that they must get breath-analyzing ignition devices installed in their cars in order to regain their driver's licenses... Let's celebrate (07/03/09) As we begin a long weekend of celebration marking the 233rd anniversary of our nation's bold declaration of independence from the tyranny of a far-off government, there are many reasons to acknowledge the providence of more than two centuries of hard-won democracy... Rolex tournament (07/02/09) The best young golfers in the nation -- and six foreign countries -- are in the thick of the prestigious American Junior Golf Association's Rolex Tournament of Champions at Dalhousie Golf Club. Today's schedule is the second round of the tournament. The third round is Friday, and the final round and awards ceremony are scheduled for Saturday... Oxford House (07/01/09) A structured transition for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics has proved to be effective in helping thousands of individuals to return to productive lives. That's the aim of Oxford House, a concept that has opened 1,200 such homes across the country since 1975. A study last year found that 86 percent of former members were still sober or off drugs after two years. That's an impressive rate of recovery... Airport's future (06/30/09) The Cape Girardeau Regional Airport appears to be at a turning point, one that some city officials and airport users envision as the potential for becoming the aviation hub for the region. Some important factors:n Repairs: Several repair needs will be met by $1.6 million in federal stimulus funding, but other needs will have to be addressed when the airport's master plan is updated... Looking ahead (06/29/09) Southeast Missouri State University's budgeting process this year was affected as much by the recession as most every other segment of the economy. A deal was struck early in the process that maintained state funding levels while schools agreed to forgo any increase in student fees for a year... This is summer (06/28/09) The current heat wave can cause problems for those of us who have to be outdoors. The combination of high heat and humidity can cause serious health problems and aggravate other medical conditions. Everyone should be careful and heed common-sense advice... Historic district (06/27/09) Efforts to create Cape Girardeau's first residential historic district have been underway for months. Residents in the proposed district have discussed the plan, circulated petitions and met with city officials. The Historic Preservation Commission approved one plan and is considering a revised plan that resulted from changes recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. ... Riverways' future (06/26/09) The last of five public hearings regarding a 20-year plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Southeast Missouri is scheduled for today in Clayton, Mo. The first hearing in Van Buren on Monday drew 260 interested participants. All of them had ideas about levels of use and access to the Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the two spring-fed streams that meander 130 miles through 80,000 acres of Ozark forests managed by the National Park Service... Celebrating the 4th (06/25/09) When Cape Girardeau's Libertyfest was called off because of funding problems in this tight economy, the community appeared to be resigned to no fireworks or traveling to nearby towns with Fourth of July celebrations. But the Joint Veterans Council has come up with a two-day Independence Day celebration at Arena Park that is sure to satisfy every patriot's notion of a proper observance of our nation's founding... Bald Knob Cross of Peace (06/24/09) From many an elevated spot in Southeast Missouri or Southern Illinois, you can see the Bald Knob Cross of Peace on the highest hilltop in Illinois near Alto Pass. The 110-foot cross with its gleaming white porcelain-on-steel panels has provided a commanding view since it was completed in 1963. Now in need of repairs, a not-for-profit organization called Friends of the Cross is raising $300,000... Stimulus workshop (06/23/09) The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the federal stimulus program, makes federal grants and low-interest loans available to local governments, not-for-profit organizations, chambers of commerce and small businesses. The program aims to provide a quick start for projects that will add jobs, fuel the economy and promote economic development... Better roads (06/22/09) Two major street and highway improvements, one in Cape Girardeau and the other in Jackson, are about finished, and motorists will soon be driving on wider, smoother and safer roadways. The project to widen Highway 34/72 through Jackson from Highway 25 west to the Highway 34 turnoff has taken several years. ... Father's Day (06/21/09) When it comes to lavishing attention on our parents, mothers are the ones who get the flowery, mushy greeting cards, the frilly gifts and the hugs and kisses. And they deserve all of that, and more. Fathers, on the other hand, tend to be the recipients of more subdued fanfares. ... Higher education (06/20/09) Anyone casually reading a resolution adopted earlier this month by Missouri's Coordinating Board for Higher Education might conclude that the agency was encouraging the creation of a community college in Cape Girardeau. But the resolution was more of a caution... Spirit of America (06/19/09) The Southeast Missourian is seeking nominations for its annual Spirit of America Award. The award goes to the person who exemplifies the character and community service that helps shape America. Civic clubs and other organizations such as sports leagues and school groups can nominate someone for the award... Highway safety (06/19/09) Warm weather brings out highway crews to repair stretches of interstates and other roads. Speed limits in work zones help keep workers safe. Motorists who ignore those limits are not only imperiling lives, they also are inviting stiff penalties. The fine for hitting a highway worker in a work zone is $10,000 plus the loss of your driver's license. Speeding and other fines are doubled for work-zone violations... Orchestra in China (06/18/09) There are moments in every life that are bound to remain special memories forever, and for about 40 members of the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra one of those highlights will be performing last month on the Great Wall of China near Beijing. The orchestra -- Southeast Missouri State University students, faculty and community members -- gave four concerts over eight days during the China trip. The visit to the Great Wall was the only outdoor concert... President Blattner (06/17/09) On July 1 a Cape Girardeau native will become the president of Caldwell College in New Jersey, a Catholic, coeducational, four-year liberal arts institution on a campus of 70 wooded acres 20 miles from New York City. Nancy Blattner will be the first layperson to head the college, which is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founding by the Sisters of St. Dominic... Trail expansions (06/16/09) Cape LaCroix Trail is one of Cape Girardeau's most heavily used recreation facilities, with walkers, runners and cyclists sharing the trail that goes from Osage Park to Shawnee Park. Other sidewalks connect to the trail and provide off-street pedestrian access to other city parks... Gallery shuttle (06/15/09) Shuttle service to Cape Girardeau's art galleries was provided for the first time at this month's First Friday event, and it appeared to be popular. Nearly 100 gallery visitors took advantage of the service. The shuttle was provided by the ARound Town Group of nine galleries... Team honors (06/14/09) So much of success in life is determined by effort and talent. Two area high school teams used both to claim state titles on the same day last Saturday. One was the St. Vincent High School girls soccer team, which overtook Trinity Catholic 3-1 for the state crown... Leadership projects (06/14/09) Since 1985, participants in the Leadership Cape Girardeau classes each year have presented project ideas developed during the seven-month program that provides information about city operations and needs. This year's class presented five project proposals at a recent First Friday Coffee sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, and four of them were specifically targeted to the downtown area... Fighting meth (06/13/09) There is a law in Missouri, passed during the 2009 session of the state legislature, that authorizes a statewide electronic monitoring system for pseudoephedrine-based drugs. These are the drugs in common over-the-counter medications that are used in the manufacture of methamphetamine... Give blood (06/12/09) The need for donated blood never goes away. But the American Red Cross, which sponsors blood drives throughout Southeast Missouri, says a lull when school is out and families are engaged in vacations and other warm-weather activities means fewer donors show up... Mindless vandalism (06/11/09) The Islamic Center in Cape Girardeau has been a good neighbor on West End Boulevard since it was located there several years ago. Over time, the area Muslims who consider the center to be their religious home have made improvements to the building and have held community events to give non-Muslims a better understanding of Islam... Homeless needs being addressed (06/10/09) Now that the federal government has turned down a proposal by the Rev. Larry Rice to turn the old federal building on Broadway into a homeless shelter, what next? First, as a result of the Rice request and the discussion it generated in the community, Cape Girardeau has a better idea of what is being done to meet the needs of the homeless, especially those who are passing through the city on their way to other destinations. ... Tractor parades (06/09/09) The advent of tractors helped turn American agriculture into the world's most efficient producer of grain and fiber. Modern tractors are giant workhorses capable of doing as much in one day as teams of mules and horses could accomplish in a month. Older tractors, especially antique models, have become popular among restorers and those nostalgic for a time when the old John Deere -- or Ferguson or Allis Chalmers or Case or Cub Cadet -- provided the muscle needed to plant, cultivate and harvest crops.. ... Help stop H1N1 (06/08/09) The beautiful spring being enjoyed by Southeast Missouri seems like the wrong time to talk about the flu. But with the H1N1 flu continuing to spread around the world -- and hitting home with a confirmed case in Cape Girardeau County -- there continues to be a need for prudent precautions... The new manager (06/07/09) Cape Girardeau's new city manager is expected to hit the ground running when he starts work July 1. Scott Meyer, a longtime Cape Girardeau resident with an exceptional background at Southeast Missouri State University and the Missouri Department of Transportation, was named to the position after a nationwide search by the city council and mayor...