ICY RIVER IS GETTING ITS SHARE OF ATTENTION

Cape Girardeau's prominence as a river town tends to get lost in the hustle and bustle of life on land. But there are times when the Mississippi River becomes the focus of attention. One is when the river goes on a flooding rampage. Another is when frigid temperatures draw our attention to the freezing river water.

In recent days, we have had plenty of reasons to take a close look at our river.

There were those runaway barges that threatened to run into the highway bridge in Cape Girardeau. Missouri highway officials assured motorists that the piers in the river could withstand the impact of loose barges, but every effort was made to keep from testing that assertion. Tugs chased down the barges, which were loose because of low water levels and because increasing ice floes had torn out channel buoys.

In addition to the old bridge, there was concern about work in the middle of the river on the main pier for the new bridge as the loose barges flowed downstream. Work continues on the new bridge in spite of the frigid temperatures. Every bit of evidence that the new bridge is progressing is considered good news for regular travelers across the old bridge, which seems to show its age more and more every day. Recent repairs to the pavement of the old bridge have left a washboard surface that acts like a series of speed bumps. For now, traffic is forced to slow down.

Two ferries that cross the river, one at Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and the other at Dorena, Mo., received attention as the cold weather sent more and more ice down the river. Because of the ice, both ferries have had to cease operations. This creates a travel problem for some workers who have to spend a lot more time getting to and from their jobs.

Then there was the stunning video shown on KFVS TV-12 of the three deer that were floating down the river on ice floes. KFVS later reported all of the deer made it safely to shore.

And there have been quite a few reports of bald eagles along the river, a majestic sight for those fortunate to see the birds in flight. The eagles, which are scavengers, migrate with other waterfowl.

In addition to loose barges, the cold river has also generated interest because of low water levels and ice that are hampering regular barge traffic. It's been a few years since barges were stopped by the ice along this stretch of the river.

Yes, the river continues to make news and get our attention as it flows past the Cape Girardeau waterfront.