Local News

Cheryl Mothes, Edward Jones financial advisor, natural health nutrition counselor and co-owner of Fresh Healthy Café in Cape Girardeau, was getting ready for work one morning in 2019 when she overheard Gayle King talking about a new study linking fried foods and breast cancer in women on “CBS This Morning.”...

Cape Girardeau City Council members voted to approve the demolition of five structures under two contracts at their Tuesday meeting. The short-handed council -- members Shannon Truxel and Tameka Randle, as well as Mayor Stacy Kinder, were not present -- voted unanimously to approve city manager Kenneth Haskin to execute two separate contracts totaling $32,500 for the five demolitions...

Brian Gerau, executive director of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce since November 2008, said Tuesday in an email the chamber is foursquare behind the City of Jackson's no-tax increase wastewater ballot referendum to be decided by city voters Aug. 2...

Jackson Board of Aldermen unanimously voted Tuesday to approve $1,643,870.58 for bridge and sidewalk construction and $346,960.80 for asphalt improvements. The accepted bid for the bridge and sidewalk plan came from Putz Construction LLC of Millersville...

Marco's Pizza in Cape Girardeau was robbed Sunday night. At approximately 9:41 p.m. Sunday, officers from the Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to an armed robbery at Marco's Pizza at 1330 Broadway. Witnesses said the armed man displayed a handgun before stealing money from the register. The dollar amount was not reported and no one was injured...

Cape Girardeau Police Department received two separate reports of gunshots Monday. The first occurred at 5:03 a.m. in the 1500 block of Rand Street. Officers found damage to a vehicle and garage door. No injuries occurred. No arrests have been made and the case is currently under investigation...

Perryville (Missouri) Girl Scouts Megan Buchheit and Kira Hagan found success with two projects earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, with Buchheit also earning a scholarship from her project. The Scouts' projects focused on a specific issue and winning the awards could be considered as "proof" of making a "difference."...

Two buildings at Creek-wood Apartments, located at 1501 Alma Drive in Perryville, Missouri, caught fire Saturday night. In addition to Perryville, fire departments from Chester, Illinois, and Biehle, Missouri, were called on for mutual aid. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and the estimated cause of damage is $30,000...

The Fruitland Area Fire Protection District is a recipient of a Missouri Employers Mutual Safety Grant for new equipment that can minimize risk during rescues. The $4,300 grant will go toward purchasing rope rescue kits that are easier to deploy than the older systems the fire district is currently using, Fire Chief Rob Francis said. ...

A bank is much more than a building where you deposit your money and manage your bank accounts. It’s also a place where you can build important relationships as you earn an income and build toward financial goals such as buying a home, investing and saving for retirement...

Well-respected leader in the local real estate community and Vietnam veteran Thomas M. Meyer died June 25 at his home at the age of 73. Friends, colleagues and family members spoke of him as both a leader and mentor. Meyer was a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau since his birth in 1949...

Despite school not being in session, Jefferson Elementary has been a hub of activity during the summer. To go along with the normal summer procedures of emptying classrooms, waxing floors and making minor fixes to rooms, the district is in the midst of numerous large scale projects...

In the movie “Field of Dreams” there is a line, whispered mysteriously: “If you build it, he will come.” It worked in the movie. Ray Consello, played by actor Kevin Costner, builds a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield. Soon after, ballplayers from yesteryear, including Consello’s father, begin to appear and play America’s pastime...

Nursing homes have always had to exist in an ever-changing industry; however, the last two years have brought more change than ever. “COVID has forever changed the health care industry, but it has also created a unique opportunity to be innovative in how we care for our residents,” said Teresa Brown RN, chief operating officer of the Lutheran Home Health Center. “I’m very proud of how our team rose to that challenge.”...

ARAB, Mo. -- A New Madrid County, Missouri, man was killed after his vehicle struck a tree and caught fire Saturday in Bollinger County. According to State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at 6:48 p.m. on Highway P, one mile west of Arab, as the westbound vehicle driven by Jack K. Meese, 48, of New Madrid, Missouri, ran off the road, struck a tree and overturned, catching fire...

SIKESTON — One person was killed and another injured in a shooting at a Sikeston gas station early Sunday morning. According to release from Sikeston DPS Capt. Jon Broom, officers responded to Huck’s, located at 833 E. Malone in reference to shots fired and two people injured at approximately 3:30 a.m. Sunday...

A Vietnam War veteran, former state lawmaker and current director of one of Missouri's largest state agencies is the 2022 Southeast Missourian Spirit of America Award winner. Wayne Wallingford represented Cape Girardeau and surrounding areas in the legislature, serving in the state Senate from 2013 to 2020 and in the House in 2011-2012 and 2020-2021...

Two people have been charged with murder in connection with the May disappearance of a 20-year-old woman. Lawrence Schanda and Teresa Baumgartner, who lived together in Millersville, have been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with physical evidence in a felony investigation for allegedly killing Jessi Wilfong, according to a release from Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office...

Health care is a major economic driver for our regional economy. According to city-data.com, health care and social assistance ranks as the top industry in Cape Girardeau County. Saint Francis Health Care and SoutheastHEALTH continue to be two of the top employers. Add in the new Southeast Behavioral Health Hospital, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center and tertiary services, as well as Doctors' Park, and you can really see the employment impact...

Sipping a cup of coffee, sitting alongside his wife and watching his colony of purple martins was how Donnie LeGrand spent his first morning of retirement this spring. After 36 years working for Procter & Gamble in Cape Girardeau County, LeGrand walked out of the plant on his 59th birthday — May 2...

Many businesses measure progress by the growth of their client base or the number of assets they manage. Growth can require significant investment from every part of the company, yet with one cyberattack, all of that hard work can fall to the wayside. It is critical to make sure your business is taking steps to be proactive and diligent about cybersecurity to protect the progress you’ve made...

Bruce Loy, organizer of Saturday night's free concert in Jackson, said the event is still planned, despite forecasted inclement weather in the afternoon. The concert is to begin at 7 p.m. at the Jackson Municipal Band Shell and will feature Heart tribute band Heartless...

A Stoddard County, Missouri, man, Shawn Yount, was sentenced to 50 years in prison Thursday by Judge Joe Z. Satterfield. Yount was convicted May 5 of five counts of burglary and stealing. “Shawn Yount has been a menace to Stoddard County business owners and residents. ...

Cape Girardeau city council 5 p.m. Tuesday, City Hall Presetations n Recognition of Doug Hays for retirement from the Police Department. n Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation Items for discussion n Appearances by Advisory Board Applicants n Consent Agenda Review...

City of Jackson mayor and Board of Aldermen Regular meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday Action items Power, Light, and Water Committee n Motion approving an increase in expenditure, in the amount of $1,023.00, under Task Order Authorization No. 21-04, to HR Green, of Chesterfield, Missouri, relative to providing additional engineering services under the Separate Storm Sewer System Permit (MS4) Program...

The following students graduated with honors from Missouri S&T University in May. Cape Girardeau: Benjamin Fassler, master of sicence in engineering management Marble Hill, Missouri: Cade Long, magna cum laude Perryville, Missouri: Blake Hennemann cum laude (2)...

The following students were named to the Spring 2022 dean's list at Southeast Missouri State University. Advance, Missouri: Dakota Black, Jenny Burrow, Meadow Morse, Addie Nichols, Logan Page. Altenburg, Missouri: Carly Bronenkant, Lindsay Palisch. Anna, Illinois: Raegan Cruse, Savannah Edwards, Crystal McMahan, Brandon Rhymer, Bailey Stearns, Hannah Vaughn...

Rising costs and increased competition are ramping up pressure on health care organizations across the country, including SoutheastHEALTH, which first opened as Southeast Missouri Hospital in 1928, a private not-for-profit hospital located in Cape Girardeau.

Since 1996, Natural Health Organic Foods has been a source of locally produced items, including eggs from Family Friendly Farm, honey from Riverbend Honey and Shady Lane, rice from Cahokia Rice and Inland Cape, gluten-free baked goods from Mandy’s Gluten-Free Bakery, milk and poultry products from Farmstead Farms and grass-fed beef from Sunny Ridge Farm...

Century Casino Cape Girardeau held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 26 for its new $26 million, nine-story hotel. According to Lyle Randolph, vice president of operations and general manager at Century Casino Cape Girardeau, the hotel will have 69 rooms — with most featuring a view of the Mississippi River...

Experts say your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Wendy Ice, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Counseling Center (CCC), believes seeking mental health treatment should be just as common as going to your primary care physician to care for your physical needs...

B Magazine sat down with area food and beverage leaders to learn about their businesses What makes them unique, and the details behind giving customers a great experience. Stephenie Gardiner Mom, Baker, Grinder Bon Bon’s of Cape Girardeau Why did you open Bon Bon’s?...

New York Times bestselling author Don Yaeger’s “Great Teams; 16 Things High-Performing Organizations Do Differently” is a case-study in organizational leadership in both the sports and corporate worlds. Written in 2016, the book uses examples of great teams throughout sports history to demonstrate how good teams become great; and how the same strategies have been applied by some of the most successful organizations in the corporate world...

TRUCKERS LOSE THEIR RIDES DUE TO CANNIBIS Marijuana violations, according to stacker.com, have taken more than 10,000 truckers off the road thus far in 2022. A total of 10,276 commercial vehicle drivers have tested positive for marijuana use, an increase of nearly one-third year-to-year from 2021...

Food insecurity continues to be an issue in the United States, including in agriculturally-rich Southeast Missouri. Some of the area’s most rural communities continue to be the hardest hit, with the COVID-19 pandemic also contributing to the challenges...

Health care is one of the top employers in Southeast Missouri. While there are many Southeast Missouri natives who continue to work in the industry locally, the regional health care market is also one of the top industries for recruitment. From doctors and nurses to information technology specialists and business professionals, many of the area’s top-paying jobs are related to health care. In this story, we speak to six individuals, some of whom are relatively new to the area, about what led them to pursue a career in health care and why they chose Southeast Missouri.

All the neglected puppies abandoned at an area high-traffic intersection in May have been fully rehabilitated and sent to loving homes within only a few weeks of being rescued, according to Tracy Poston, executive director of Southeast Missouri Pets in Cape Girardeau...

A total of 10 Cape Girardeau businesses received a portion of a $9,000 grant raised by Old Town Cape with matching funds of up to $1,500. Every business which applied for the grant received a portion of the funding. A news release from the organization on Tuesday stated, "Old Town Cape and its Design Committee created the 2022 Facade Improvement Grant to improve the appearance and curb appeal of commercial buildings in Cape Girardeau, stimulate the economic performance of downtown businesses, attract new investment, and inspire community pride.". ...

Missouri traffic fatalities have dropped a "modest" 7% in the first half of this year compared to 2021, according to a news release from the state Department of Transportation. There were 413 fatalities from Missouri crashes from Jan. 1 to June 22 compared to 445 people killed in crashes in the same time frame last year...

"KatyDid," a "whimsical, short summer comedy" play written and directed by Roseanna Whitlow-Greenwood is the summer production of River City Players. The play will be presented July 14 through 17. Performances, accompanied by buffets, will be held on the second floor of Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant and Lounge, 19 N..Water St...

Whitney Rowley, middle, and her children, Laurel and Tag, enjoy their ice cream Wednesday on the Cape Girardeau riverfront while they watch a ship dock.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The trustees of the trust established by the late Harryette Campbell of Sikeston recently announced $4 million in gifts to higher education and national not-for-profits. These gifts are in addition to previous gifts specified in Campbell's Trust of over $2.3 million to local and national not-for-profits and higher education made in March 2022...

A Stoddard County, Missouri, man, Shawn Yount, was sentenced to 50 years in prison Thursday by Judge Joe Z. Satterfield. Yount was convicted May 5 of five counts of burglary and stealing. "Shawn Yount has been a menace to Stoddard County business owners and residents. ...

Scott City officials issued a boil-water advisory Thursday afternoon for all Scott City water users. A release from the city stated the advisory was to be in effect for 48 hours, according to Cletus Glueck, Public Works Department supervisor. The release noted residents may check the city's website and social media for updates...

Arranging the details of your funeral and cemetery services sounds difficult, but having a plan in place is smart and caring. It allows your loved ones to celebrate your life without the added stress of planning during an already-difficult time. Whether considering a traditional funeral, cremation services or a service that represents your unique interests, pre-planning guarantees your memorial is done your way. You also have the chance to “freeze” prices, saving your family money in the future...

Co-owner of the Digital Foundry Robert Spurlock spoke with B Magazine writer Nate Gautier about his marketing agency and why diversity and inclusion are important. What is important for people to know about diversity and inclusion (D&I)? Spurlock: “People can be LGBTQ+ in Cape Girardeau and successful. The reason I want to share this piece with the community is multifaceted. There are local companies who are trying to create proactive public spaces for this regionally...

Artist Dave Pfanstiel wants viewers to "feel" the weight of his work. And they'll get the chance during an exhibition starting this week at Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in downtown Cape Girardeau. Pfanstiel described himself as an abstract expressionist fond of working "in heavy textural settings." Getting a "heavy" texture, Pfanstiel explained, often means employing substrates that are literally heavy...

With the Fourth of July right around the corner, a local expert is encouraging dog owners to be aware of how fireworks might affect their pets. "If you have a pet that is very reactive to fireworks, we really recommend that you reach out to your vet for medication. Don't wait, get that set up ahead of time," said Tracy Poston, executive director at Southeast Missouri Pets. "Also, make sure your pet is microchipped and has current tags on their collar."...

Route Y in Cape Girardeau County will be closed from Route V to County Road 621 as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge maintenance. A MoDOT news release indicated the work will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily July 11 through 15...