Photos of the month, December 2018

Francis Howell North's Josh Simmons struggles to escape a hold by Jackson's Braden Vaugier, top, during the 152-pound class championship at Cape Central Junior High Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Vaugier won the match. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jackson's Cole Amelunke, top, works to establish a hold on Christian County's Antonio Abren, bottom, during the 182-pound class championship at Cape Central Junior High Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Amelunke won the match. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Barbara Kellum visits the bridge where I-55 crosses Ramsey Branch Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. Her son, Mychal Douglas "Silky" Byrd, 40, died in September from injuries he sustained in a crash at the site in late July. Before his death, Byrd told Kellum he'd been purposefully run off the road by another driver. Kellum and her insurance company believe Byrd was wrongfully killed, but police say there isn't evidence to support that claim. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Notre Dame's Tyler Landewee (2) gets up off the court after having the ball stolen from him as Cape Central's Chauncey Hughes (4) dribbles toward the basket during the Tigers' 70-56 win over the Notre Dame Bulldogs during the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast forward Gabe McGlothan tries for a between-the-legs dunk during warmups before the Redhawks' home game against Western Illinois at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Rehanna Jones, 12, dances during rehearsal of the party scene from the Nutcracker at the Dance Center in Cape Girardeau Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Micah DeLoach, dressed as the Grinch, feigns insult at 5-year-old Jace Yarbro, right, as Aubrey Hepler, dressed as Cindy Loo-Hoo, smiles at him from the Pastimes Antiques window display Friday during the Downtown Open House Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

A caroler looks in a window display during the Downtown Open House Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missouri State University guard Ledarrius Brewer (25) shoots over Salukis center Kavion Pippen (33) during the Redhawks' loss to Southern Illinois University at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jay Knudtson reacts to having received his diploma during Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Local artist Malcolm McCrae uses an airbrush to paint a Christmas-themed mural on the front window of 139 Main Street, which will soon house Ritter Real Estate, in downtown Cape Girardeau Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Travis Lappe helps his crewmate load a walkway onto the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat Pathfinder as they prepare to head to Cairo, Illinois, as the sun rises over the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat Pathfinder is seen en route to Cairo, Illinois, as the sun rises over the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Clayton Golden soaps up a car bumper while working at Teen Challenge Car Wash Express in Cape Girardeau Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. The car wash will close at year's end for the well-being of the workers, many of whom are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Teen Challenge plans to open another thrift store in Sikeston, Missouri, after the car wash closes in order to provide more work to the students in the program. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Clayton Golden soaps up a car bumper while working at Teen Challenge Car Wash Express in Cape Girardeau Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. The car wash will close at year's end for the well-being of the workers, many of whom are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Teen Challenge plans to open another thrift store in Sikeston, Missouri, after the car wash closes in order to provide more work to the students in the program. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Weston Edwards, 10, sits at the organ while waiting to perform as a featured soloist during the Festival of Lessons and Carols service at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Jackson Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. "If I'm sad or anything, it just takes out all my sadness," Edwards said of singing the devotional music. "It gives you a moment to get everything out and just praise God." (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Benjamin Spiecker, center, Pat Palisch, right, and other members of the Joyful Sound Ringers hand bell ensemble wait in a hallway before performing during the Festival of Lessons and Carols service at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Jackson Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Mary Brown plays the hand bells during the Festival of Lessons and Carols service at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Jackson Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Christopher Fabian, 7, left, and Gavin Wyatt, 8, pilot toy robots around a classroom floor during a coding class at Jefferson Elementary in Cape Girardeau Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Delrease Barnhill Jr. plays with a pair of PJ Masks figurines during the annual Student Santas holiday meal Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Volunteer Izaac Pursley, left, covers his ears as Notre Dame head coach Paul Unterreiner, center, yells to his players and the crowd stirs in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter of the Bulldogs' day two matchup with the Oran Eagles during the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Notre Dame senior Carter Dame (12), center, focuses before shooting a pair of free throws to possibly tie or win the game with seconds left on the clock during a day two matchup against Oran at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Charleston junior Blessin Kimble (45) looms over Oak Ridge junior David Layton (24) as Layton tries to shoot during the Blue Jays' day two matchup against Oak Ridge during the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018. Kimble fouled Layton on this play, but Charleston won the game 67-52. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Charleston junior Brian Visor (30) dives for the ball as Jackson's Dalton Tollison (22) tries to secure the rebound during a semifinal matchup at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Charleston and Jackson players vie for a rebound during a semifinal matchup at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. Jackson beat Charleston 49-44. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Charleston junior Isaiah Gillespie (40) drives toward the basket as Jackson's Seth Beussink (33) tries to block his path during a semifinal matchup at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jackson's Payton Salyer (4) is helped back to his feet after drawing a charge in the paint during a semifinal matchup against the Charleston Blue Jays at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Patti Wibbenmeyer, center, reacts to being congratulated by a colleague Friday during a retirement party at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson to mark the end of Wibbenmeyer's 37 years as a court clerk, including eight years as Cape Girardeau County circuit clerk. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Cape Central's Kinyon Hodges dunks during the Tigers' win over the Jackson Indians in the finals of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Cape Central fans cheer after Chauncey Hughes makes a play during the Tigers' win over the Jackson Indians in the finals of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Delta junior Eric Berry (23) wipes sweat from his face with his jersey during the 5th-place matchup between the Eagles and the Bobcats during the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. Oran won 72-53. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

John W. Amelunke, 71, poses for a portrait in his cap which reads, "RETIRED; no clock, no phone, no worries, no money," at Cape Central Junior High Saturday, Dec.15, 2018. "But I'll tell you what, don't ever retire," he said. "Now I work more than ever." (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Anchor Jim Burns is seen in a monitor under studio lighting at the KFVS news desk during his final morning show before retirement Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Kelly fan Daphne Ward, 3, talks with Kelly cheerleader Lauren Lambert during halftime of the Bobcats' 77-55 loss to the Kelly Hawks during the first round of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Anchor Jim Burns checks his reflection in a mirror at the KFVS news desk during a break in his final morning show before retirement Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Longtime KFVS anchor Jim Burns reacts to seeing his colleague Randy Ray return to the sports desk to deliver the segment and say goodbye during Burns's final morning show before retirement at the KFVS studio, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jim Burns's wife of 41 years, Lisa, brushes off her husband's lapel before he returns to the KFVS news desk during Burns's final morning show before retirement Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

From left, anchors Justin Fischer, Jim Burns and Crystal Britt and meteorologist Brian Alworth are seen at the KFVS news desk during Burns's final morning show before retirement Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Anchor Jim Burns and colleague Tom Siebert are seen in the reflection of the underside of a teleprompter at the KFVS news desk after Burns's final morning show before retirement Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

A crewman works to fix a squirrelly panel on the jumbotron at the Show Me Center Dec. 28, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Elise Edwards performs "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" accompanied by Kristen Schweain (not pictured) during the 23rd annual Sounds of the Season at Cape First Church Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Elise Edwards performs "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" accompanied by the Jerry Ford Orchestra during the 23rd annual Sounds of the Season at Cape First Church Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Babies stall at the start line at the start of the first heat of the Elf Races at West Park Mall Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Parents and family members cheer for their baby to crawl toward them during the first heat of the Elf Races at West Park Mall Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Babies crawl from the start line during the first heat of the Elf Races at West Park Mall Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

A peacock is seen in the enclosure at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

A peacock is seen in the enclosure at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Avery Myers, 6, climbs across the ropes at the playground at Kiwanis Park Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Notre Dame High School cheerleaders mingle before the start of the First State Community Holiday Classic Dec. 19, 2018, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Saxony Lutheran Lady Crusaders' Emma Brune, left, guards against Notre Dame Lady Bulldogs' Lexi Rubel, right, as she dribbles the ball Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, in the First State Community Bank Holiday Classic championship game at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

The Notre Dame Lady Bulldogs take on the Saxony Lutheran Lady Crusaders during the championship game Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, in the First State Community Bank Holiday Classic championship game at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jimmy Randle, dressed as Santa Claus, shares a handshake and a moment with Devon Wiggins, Jr., 5, during the 43rd-annual Toybox toy drive delivery night Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Xzaria Hall, 10, reacts as she opens the door to Jimmy Randle, dressed as Santa Claus, during the 43rd-annual Toybox toy drive delivery night Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

From left, Ny'Jalah Starnes, 4, Kemarion Abraham, 3, and Ja'Nylah Patterson, 3, play in their living room after Jimmy Randle, dressed as Santa Claus, delivered their gifts as part of the 43rd-annual Toybox toy drive delivery night Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jimmy Randle rests his gloved-hand on the back of the passenger seat as he drives to a house for a gift delivery during the 43rd-annual Toybox toy drive delivery night Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Lazae'vion cries as Jillian O'Connell places a stocking on the ground next to him during the 43rd-annual Toybox toy drive delivery night Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Sue Morrow, right, looks at a family photo album with volunteer Sue Morrow, left, during the first Christmas tour of the Glenn House Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Notre Dame's Carter Dame (12) jumps for the basket against Woodland's Paul Duncan (50) during the Christmas Tournament Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Players from Oak Ridge and Scott Central all reach for the ball during the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)