Scott City emergency veterinary clinic opens

A new emergency veterinary clinic has opened in Southeast Missouri. Animal Emergency Center in Scott City offers emergency care and 24-hour critical care. Since the clinic opened in mid-March, owner Dr. Stephen Williams said some pet owners have traveled from as far away as 100 miles to receive care for their animals. Among the 30 to 40 emergency surgeries his staff has completed so far are trauma procedures and treatment for animals struck by vehicles.

Williams said he's been planning the clinic for one-and-a-half years and picked the location at 3257 East Outer Road because of its convenient access to Interstate 55. The 4,000-square-foot facility can serve between 30 and 40 animals at a time.

Williams, who owns practices in Sikeston, Mo., and Charleston, Mo., said after-hours vet clinics have become necessary because of the value pet owners place on their animals.

"Pets are part of the family now," Williams said. "So they're treating them like their children. They try to keep their companions around as long as possible."

For now, the clinic is open from 5:30 p.m. Friday to 7:30 a.m. Monday. When he hires a third veterinarian he plans to extend the days of operation to seven days a week. Animal Emergency Center can be reached at 334-3400

* Day care to open next month: Grandma and Friends Schoolhouse, 1200 Ranney Ave., is planning an early May opening, co-owner Angela Martin said. Martin, along with three others, previously owned and managed Plaza Way Daycare.

Martin said the day care accepting enrollment for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years old. She said parents will pay only for days their children are at the facility. Hours will be 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. While the day care has no land line phone as of yet, Martin said she can be reached at 275-0665.

* Riverside Regional Library opens: After a few months of closure, Riverside Regional Library has reopened at 1997 E. Jackson Blvd. New features of the library include a study area, single entrance and more books.

The library occupies what was once a Fred's store. The library was formerly at 204 S. Union Ave.

* Big Brothers Big Sisters relocates: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri has moved to Regent's Parc at 1610 N. Kingshighway, Suite 305. The organization joins other tenants Banterra Bank, Saffron Bistro and Edward Jones financial advisor Michael Domian.

The group's leaders said the move was necessary because of the growth of the organization, which now mentors more than 350 children each year in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties.

"We are thrilled to be in a position to continue expanding services to children in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties," said James Hatter, president and chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. "The work being done is a result of hard work and strong partnerships.

"We are pleased to have United Way, Southeast Missouri State University and Cape Girardeau Public Schools as our key partners," Hatter said. "We are also fortunate to have great friends like Jeff and Lauren Maurer and Scott and Samantha Rhodes. We would not be in this building without their significant donations."

* Jackson lands car wash: Extreme Carwash, 2030 E. Jackson Blvd., is scheduled to open April 20, owner Brian Ebner said. The car wash will include four self-service bays with dryers, three vacuum islands with carpet shampooers and two full-service bays with dryers.

* Cape Chamber plans two ribbon-cutting ceremonies: The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce has scheduled two ribbon cuttings this week.

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Just Babies will have a ribbon cutting at 6 Girardeau Court, Suite 102. The facility is licensed to care for 32 children ages 6 weeks to 24 months. Just Babies will have two classrooms in operation, and center director Kara Amos plans to open two additional rooms April 20.

On Friday the chamber will hold a ribbon cutting for First State Community Bank at 1 p.m. at 1602 N. Kingshighway. The bank will showcase its recent renovations. The bank will also be holding an open house this week, with Friday's festivities including the ribbon cutting, a Quizno's lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a drawing for a flat screen television.

* Trucking company wins award: Genesis Transportation Co. Inc., a trucking company based in Cape Girardeau, has won the Platinum Safety Award by Great West Casualty Co. The safety award recognized Genesis based on its year-end preventable accident results and is the highest award given by the casualty company.

* Another housing success story: Last Wednesday the Missourian published an article about the housing market in Cape Girardeau and Jackson. While I was able to include insight from a few real estate agents, space prevented me from including many more. One of those is Bobby Gray with Realty Executives of Cape County.

Gray said 20 homes have been sold in Hawks Landing since the development began selling homes 11 months ago.

* Reminder on business news submissions: I've talked with some business owners over the past few weeks who assumed items about relocations, remodelings, closings, openings or other happenings of their corporation cost money. However, as always, such newsworthy items are free, as a service to the public and business owner alike.

Southeast Missourian business reporter Brian Blackwell may be reached at 388-3628 or bblackwell@semissourian.com.;