Photos of the Month, January 2019

A student leaps into a hug with Jefferson Elementary Principal Leigh Ragsdale between classes Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. Using mindfulness techniques, STREAM curriculum and lots, lots, lots of hugs, Ragsdale and her staff are working to revitalize Jefferson, which had previously been one of the district's underperforming schools. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

The Delta Bobcat, having swiped Aliya Callaway's hat, teases the Delta student before a basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

A young boy is seen in a truck as it cuts across a portion of grass to bypass a long line in the parking lot of Hawkins Junior High as parents collect students after a bomb threat made against the nearby high school on social media prompted an evacuation Friday, Jan. 11, 2018. Authorities later confirmed no actual bombs were ever found in the schools. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

A man escorts a young student away from Hawkins Junior High as parents collect students from the school after a bomb threat made against the nearby high school on social media prompted an evacuation in Jackson Friday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jeffrey Oyelaja, Christine Dong and Hanming Fan cross a bridge to get to the Southeast Missouri State University Campus for dinner as snow begins to fall Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Sweethearts embrace by the bank of the Mississippi River in heavy snow as dusk falls over downtown Cape Girardeau Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. The couple, who later said they came to the riverfront to be alone and enjoy the snow, declined to provide their names for publication. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

A mural depicting Missouri-born baseball player and broadcaster Joe Garagiola is seen on the Cape Girardeau river wall between passing train cars Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Notre Dame's Julia Williams (4) finds an opening in the paint during the Bulldogs' game against the Jackson Indians at Notre Dame Thursday Jan. 17, 2019. The Indians won 44-42. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

A crew works to install new lighting around the Southeast Missouri State University baseball diamond in Capaha Park while an outfielder tosses a ball between scrimmage innings Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

A raindrop splashes in a current of runoff while Corey Moore, background, works to unclog a storm drain near the intersection of West End Blvd. and New Madrid Street in Cape Girardeau Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Having procured several signatures, TJ Merriman, 3, smiles as St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Alex Reyes offers him a fist-bump during the Cardinals Caravan at the Osage Center Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Special guest musician Brian Owens croons during a performance before the keynote address while a banner depicting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is seen in the background during Southeast Missouri State University's annual MLK Celebration Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Lily Harper high-kicks along to the pep band's rendition of Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" while ostensibly mopping sweat off the gym floor during a timeout in the 4th quarter of a game between the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks and the Austin Peay Governors at the Show Me Center Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missouri State University's Tionne Colyer (5) tosses the ball out of the paint during the Redhawks' home game against the SIUE Cougars Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missouri State University's Alex Caldwell (0) finds the basket over Murray State's Ja Morant (12) during the third quarter of a game at the Show Me Center Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. The Redhawks lost to Murray State 67-85. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Head coach Chad Allen, far right, of Dexter, angrily defends his players after Saxony Lutheran head coach Sam Sides accused them of playing "dirty" as the game became increasingly physical in the fourth quarter at Saxony Lutheran Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. At this point in the game, Saxony Lutheran had pulled to within 4 points, but Dexter would go on to win 63-59. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Head coaches Sam Sides, left, of Saxony Lutheran and Chad Allen, far right, of Dexter, glower on the sidelines after both were awarded twin technical fouls for engaging in a heated personal argument as the game became increasingly physical in the fourth quarter at Saxony Lutheran Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. At this point in the game, Saxony Lutheran had pulled to within 4 points, but Dexter would go on to win 63-59. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

John Boone -"like Daniel Boone! My son's named Daniel, though he lives in Texas now"- of Robinson Construction poses for a portrait while installing the foundation for a street curb in Cape Girardeau Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019. "Can't pose too long though; have people thinkin' I'm a city worker." (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Rebecca Moore, owner of Mudcat Coffee in Oak Ridge, Missouri, poses for a portrait behind the bar in her cafe Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Artist Jessica Lambert poses for a portrait in the printmaking studio at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Robert Reynolds, a retired U.S. Marine staff sergeant who now works for the FAA at the airport in Paducah, Kentucky, poses for a portrait during a smoke break as dawn breaks over Barkley Regional Airport on the 17th day of the government shutdown, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. Reynolds, whose responsibilities include many maintenance and logistical tasks for the airport, was among the government employees who were working without pay, but said he was confident he would receive all his back-pay. "I love my job and I love the federal government," he said, unperturbed. "I'm just not getting paid yet." He said he's just thankful he's not a government contractor like some of his friends, who are losing out thanks to the shutdown. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Elijah Baker of Birch Tree, Missouri, 15, plays guitar while performing with his mother and siblings at the Bootheel Bluegrass Festival on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at the Bavarian Halle in Fruitland.  (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Notre Dame's Carter Dame (12) stands for the national anthem with other Bulldogs before the start of the team's 57-42 victory over the Jackson Fighting Indians on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at Jackson High School. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Ron, a U.S. Postal Service employee of Cape Girardeau who declined to give his last name, braves the cold weather to deliver mail along his route Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, on Pacific Street in Cape Girardeau. "Just dress the best you can and keep moving," he said about coping with the weather. Weather conditions prompted the Postal Service to suspend mail delivery in parts or all of several states including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, according to The Associated Press. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Harlem Globetrotter guard Scooter Christensen (16) meets with Kylie Holmes of Sikeston, 7, during the Globetrotters' visit to the Show Me Center on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. This was Kylie's first Globetrotters' game. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Abby Koern of Oak Ridge, 13, sports a blue jay hat while supporting the team during the BlueJays' 65-59 victory over Chaffee on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, in Oak Ridge. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Tom Ratzki of St. Louis hits the ball during the SEMO Chemo Smash pickleball tournament Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, at the Cape Girardeau SportsPlex. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Notre Dame Bulldogs prepare to head back to the court for the second half of the team's 57-42 victory over the Jackson Fighting Indians on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at Jackson High School. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

James Hope of Oak Ridge, 9, watches the BlueJays near the end of the team's 65-59 victory over Chaffee on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, in Oak Ridge. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Charis Railey of St. Louis laughs while dressed as a Brazilian dancer during the 2019 Journey Gala at the Drury Plaza Hotel Conference Center on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. The gala benefits cancer patients at Southeast Cancer Center. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Contractor Brock Milam of Benton, Missouri, looks out an upstairs' window while showing some of the area under rehabilitation at the Reynolds House on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, at 623 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Phyllis Spinks of Scott City, left, and her sister Mary Stevens of Cape Girardeau laugh while playing a game of Racko with their sister Joan Sample of Cape Girardeau, bottom left, and Brittney Essary, office coordinator at Missouri Care, during a game and coffee event Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, at Missouri Care in Cape Girardeau. The sisters said they come from a big family and games are a regular activity at family gatherings. "But it has to come in a box, I don't wanna look at a TV unless I'm watching a movie," Spinks said. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Billy Kramer of Cape Girardeau stands along the Mississippi River as ice flows downstream Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Scott Reisenichler, of My Team Triumph, finishes strong in the Resolution Challenge at Arena Park Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Byron Bonner poses for a photo in an alleyway off of Good Hope St. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Cape Girardeau where he said he and his friends used to sell and do drugs before he found his faith in God. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Byron Bonner stands up against a brick building off of Good Hope St. while pointing and looking up to God Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Cape Girardeau where he said he and his friends used to sell and do drugs before he found his faith in God. "We used to call these 'the bricks,'" Bonner said. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Levin Demopoulos, 7, holds the blessing cross that is heaved into the water three times during the Blessing of Waters ceremony by St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church, A Mission of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Atchdiocese Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, at the Riverfront in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Father Daniel Morton heaves a blessing cross into the Mississippi River during the Blessing of Waters ceremony by St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church, A Mission of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Atchdiocese Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, at the Riverfront in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Don Greenwood stands in front of pieces of his artwork on display in Port Cape, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Kylie Holmes, 7, center, looks up at "Torch" George (10) as "Scooter" Christensen (16) dances behind during a timeout in the middle of the matchup between the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals at the Show Me Center Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

"Big Easy" Lofton (52) holds John Kinder as he spins him around during the Harlem Globetrotters matchup against the Washington Generals at the Show Me Center Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Harlem Globetrotters' "Sky" (28) reaches for the ball in an attempt to dunk against the Washington Generals during their matchup at the Show Me Center Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

The Harlem Globetrotters' "Crash" (25) flies through the air to dunk the ball during the matchup against the Washington Generals at the Show Me Center Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

The arm of the new pothole-patching truck is extended through the control of Mitch Dacus, maintenance worker for the city of Cape Girardeau, while at the Cape Girardeau Public Works location Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kasis Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)