Stories from Thursday, September 2, 2021

Whether you’re running a small business or a business of thousands, there’s more to payroll than just writing a check.

A new 102-bed behavioral health hospital is now open in Cape Girardeau. Many were involved in the multi-year endeavor, but one person in particular led with a vision and strategy to get the project done: SoutheastHEALTH president and CEO Ken Bateman.

Cape Girardeau County Commission 9 a.m. today 1 Barton Square, Jackson Approval of minutes n Minutes from Aug. 16 meeting Communications/reports — other elected officials n COVID-19 Update: In an effort to keep Cape Girardeau County residents safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director Mark Winkler will be issuing an update at County Commission meetings. ...

Nash Road (Route AB) in Cape Girardeau County, between County Road 219 and County Road 218, will be closed as contractor crews perform railroad maintenance. According to a Missouri Department of Transportation news release, the work will begin at 7 a.m., Tuesday, and the road will re-open at 5 p.m. Wednesday...

Cape Girardeau police broke up a physical altercation among a group of juvenile girls Wednesday at Capaha Park. Police Sgt. Joey Hann said a "physical fight" broke out among the group after school Wednesday. "Several of [the juvenile females] will be cited into juvenile (court)," Hann said via text message...

Technology is wonderful when it works, but when it doesn't, it is inconvenient and stressful. My work computer had a major malfunction, and I had to be without it for a few days. Coming up on the end-of-the-month responsibilities and payroll coming due, I was a little worried about how to get everything finished...

Dr. Pavan Palepu has been appointed to serve as chief medical officer at Southeast Behavioral Hospital. His appointment became effective Wednesday. As the facility's chief medical officer, Palepu is responsible for the coordination, supervision and evaluation of medical services within the behavioral hospital, located at 639 S. ...

A woman pulled out of the Mississippi River on Tuesday evening was taken to Southeast Hospital for a self-harm and mental health assessment, according to the Cape Girardeau Police Department. ...

Dan Presson, director of career services for Southeast Missouri State University, said Wednesday he wants a second term as Ward 1's representative on the Cape Girardeau City Council. The Southeast Missourian posed 10 questions to Presson, 36, a 2007 SEMO graduate, originally from Columbia, Illinois. ...

After its hiatus from live performances at games, Southeast Missouri State University's marching band, The Golden Eagles, is back and bigger than ever. The enthusiasm runs high as the largest band SEMO has ever had enters into a new year with a new instructor...

A B-2 Spirit bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri, will fly over Houck Stadium today immediately prior to the start of Southeast Missouri State University's season-opening football game against SIU-Carbondale. "This is the third flyover I've helped arrange," said Bruce Loy, a member of Southeast's Redhawks Club — formerly known as the Booster Club — and manager of Cape Girardeau Regional Airport from 1997 to 2020...

There is nothing like love to force you outside your comfort zone. For me, the list of things "outside my comfort zone" includes big-city driving. It is like speaking Spanish — I just don't do either often enough to develop lasting confidence in my abilities. ...

After several weeks with no COVID-19-related deaths reported in the region, the last few updates from county health officials have each included at least one fatality attributed to the virus. Scott County Health Department officials reported 92 new virus cases and one virus-related since Monday. ...

In his 34 years in the utility business, Cape Girardeau native Russ Burger has witnessed his fair share of natural disasters. Burger, director of the Southeast Missouri Division for Ameren Missouri, has assisted with power restorations in Puerto Rico, Florida and Mississippi...

Redhawk gameday plans changed Wednesday as Southeast Missouri State University officials announced structural concerns with parts of Houck Stadium. The Redhawks are to take on Southern Illinois University today at 6:30 p.m.

Today is Thursday, Sept. 2, the 245th day of 2021. There are 120 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Sept. 2, 1969, in what some regard as the birth of the Internet, two connected computers at the University of California, Los Angeles, passed test data through a 15-foot cable...

From understanding your credit score to knowing the difference between good debt and bad debt, financial literacy is the foundation for a solid financial future. But where do you go to get this information? Quick online searches can be unreliable, and sitting down with a financial professional is not always feasible. That is where a trusted resource like The Bank of Missouri Financial Wellness Center is valuable...

In a major victory for constitutional norms, the Supreme Court overturned a lawless and essentially authoritarian policy of the Trump administration, and progressives are furious. You read that right. Let's catch up. On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act, and Donald Trump signed it into law. ...

O Lord Jesus, we praise you, for by your sacrifice on the cross we are healed. Amen.

While most of the news coverage has been focused on the disaster in Afghanistan, plenty of blame can be passed around, and history will sort all that out. What I don't understand is how the most powerful military with the most sophisticated weapons in history couldn't defeat a ragtag group of terrorists who now control a country. ...

Linda Kay Wessel, 60, of Gordonville received her crown of life Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, after a year-long battle with cancer. Linda was born May 26, 1961, in Cape Girardeau to Calvin C. and Donna M. Phelps Livingston. She was a 1979 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. ...

KIRKWOOD, Mo. -- Marjorie E. Stout "Margie Bain" of Kirkwood passed away on Aug. 26, 2021. Margie was an active member of the Crime Watch program with the Kirkwood Police Department for more than 20 years. She was a charter member of the Gateway Hot Wheelers Club started in 1987 and she was president of the Gateway Postcard Club for 12 years. ...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Michael Ray Robins, 71, of Advance passed away Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 13, 1949, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Charles Dee and Lotta Mae Moyer. Michael and Lura Dezina Robison were united in marriage April 22, 1976...

Roy Lee Reeves, 84, of Fruitland died Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, at his home. He was born Dec. 12, 1936, in Illmo to Luther L. and Martha Marie Davis Reeves. He married Jo Ann Williams on July 23, 1955. She preceded him in death June 18, 2003. Roy was the owner/operator of Reeves Painting Company in Jackson. He was a member of the Cowboy Church in Fruitland. Roy was known by all to be a good and kind man, who never knew a stranger. He loved God, and he loved his family...

Helenmarie W. Koenig, 91, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 29, 1930, near Friedheim to Oscar and Mary Kester Tuschhoff. She and Elmer C. Koenig were married Sept. 5, 1954, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim, also the church of her baptism and confirmation. She and Elmer had been married nearly 49 years, when Elmer passed away July 22, 2003...

Sandy Sue Donley passed away from this life Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 31, 1947, in Potosi, Missouri, daughter of Charles and Mildred Sparks Mercer. Sandy was born in the foothills of Potosi near Sunnen Lake on a very small family farm. Her father passed away from cancer at the early age of 48, when Sandy was just a year old. For many years after, life for Sandy and her family were of meager means...

"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." Leslie Denman was born Jan. 26, 1953, in Cape Girardeau to Albert David and Bertha Dohogne Wells. She passed away Sunday, Aug. 29. Her heart was pure, her kindness to others gentle and true. She bravely endured a life tortured by mental illness, though intelligence and love always prevailed. In spite of struggle and distress, Leslie lovingly cared for her widowed mother during the last years of her mother's life...

Christopher D. "Chris" Bohnsack, 44, of Jackson unexpectedly passed away Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at his home. He was born Nov. 16, 1976, in Cape Girardeau to Darell and Dolores Jansen Bohnsack. Chris was a 1995 graduate of Jackson High School. He subsequently attended Southeast Missouri State University and earned a bachelor of science degree in business...

EUREKA, Mo. -- James A. Austin Sr. of Eureka passed away Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, at the age of 82. He was the beloved husband of the late Judy Diane Austin; cherished son of the late James B. Austin and Cleo Bom; devoted father of Julie (Richard J.) Todd, and his son, James Austin Jr.; loving grandfather of Ethan Austin; dear brother of Sandra (Carroll) York; cousin and friend to many...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Larry Amelunke, 59, of Advance passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. He was born Jan. 22, 1962, in Cape Girardeau, son of Charles and Ella May Scholz Amelunke. Larry worked as a carpenter most of his life, until he became disabled and could no longer work...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls. Aug. 31 n Medical assists were made at 2:04 a.m. on Linden Street; 5:18 a.m. on Woodbine Place; 9:37 a.m. on South Mount Auburn Road; 10:07 a.m. on South Ranney Avenue; 4:56 p.m. on North Fountain Street; 6:12 p.m. on Stoddard Street; 7:37 p.m. on Independence Street; 7:51 p.m. on Normal Avenue; 8:11 p.m. on Belleridge Pike...

Tax liens and lien discharges recorded at the office of Drew Blattner, Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds, during August are filed by the Missouri Department of Revenue, except as indicated by IRS designation. For more information, contact the recorder's office at (573) 243-8123...

Volunteers collect $314,121 from people in the Cape Girardeau and Marion, Illinois, areas as part of the annual Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon; nationally, Jerry Lewis' telethon raises a record $49.1 million in pledges and contributions for the battle against neuromuscular diseases...

The Lenten Mission project of the 2020-2021 school year was for Bishop Rice's intention, Children's Haven in Joplin. The Bishop asked the schools in the diocese to help raise money for this mission. After all the money was sent in and tabulated, Guardian Angel School in Oran raised the most money per student, sending in $1330.55 with a student body of 38 students in grades K-8...

Louis K Juden American Legion Post #63 Commander Richard Hengst presented 75 Year Achievement Award to Stephen Limbaugh Sr.

Louis K Juden American Legion Post #63 commander Richard Hengst presented 70 year Achievement Award to Dr Dan Cotner.

VFW Post 3838 and Auxiliary Patriotic Art Scholarship Awards. First Place, Noelle Neely; second place, Zak Mayfield; third place, Kim Rodriquez. Pictured: Sandy Prichard Auxiliary President, Noelle Neely, first place winner; Scott Smith, VFW Post Commander, Donna Miller, scholarship chairperson...