MERCHANTS AUCTION RAISES $13,391

Cape Girardeau Downtown Merchants Association's Auction raised more than $13,000 last weekend.

The annual auction raised $13,391, down from the record-setting total of $18,000 of a year ago.

Money raised pays for restoration projects downtown like street lights, brick walkways, Christmas lights and decorations and the annual Christmas Parade. Items for the auction are provided by merchants from throughout the city.

The auction has raised more than $47,000 over the past three years.