Community briefs 1/2/07

Cape area church women group meets

The Cape Girardeau Area Church Women United met at Maple United Methodist Church for the December meeting and held its annual celebration of Jesus's birthday and cookie exchange. White gifts were brought for donation to Birthright and to women at the Cape Girardeau County jail. Deb Tracy read Luke 1, the Song of Mary. The next meeting will be a Bible study and board meeting at 9 a.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church. Shirley Patterson closed the meeting with prayer.

AmerenUE public hearing set Thursday

The Missouri Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Glenn Auditorium in Dempster Hall at Southeast Missouri State University to receive customer comment on natural gas and electric rate cases filed by AmerenUE. Written comments may be mailed to the Office of the Public Counsel, Box 2230, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102; or by e-mail at opcvservice@ded.mo.gov or to the Missouri Public Service Commission, Box 360, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102 or by e-mail at pscinfo@psc.mo.gov.

Toys for Tots program helps 2,043 children

The Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots campaign gave toys to 2,043 children this Christmas. According to figures from the 2006 campaign, the Reserve received 835 applications, 10,573 donated toys and $8,339.70 in donated cash. The Reserve spent $13,237.86 on toys, an average of $8.22 per toy.

Ag women to meet Thursday in Benton

The Scott County Women in Agriculture will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the USDA office on Highway 77 in Benton, Mo. All women are invited. Women interested in gardening, cooking, farming, family activities and helping the community are welcome. For information, contact Kay Dover at the USDA Center at (573) 545-9027.

-- From staff reports