Region digest 11/24/02

U.S. 61 to be reduced to one lane for construction

Traffic on U.S. 61 at its junction with Interstate 55 between Cape Girardeau and Jackson will be reduced to one lane on Monday for construction work, state highway officials said.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane for about a quarter-mile in each direction from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., officials said. That's expected to be the last day the contractor will be making improvements on U.S. 61 as part of a construction project, highway officials said.

Southeast's College of Education reaccredited

Southeast Missouri State University's College of Education has been reaccredited for five years by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, school officials said.

"National accreditation is one of the most important markers of quality for teacher preparation," said Dr. Shirley Stennis-Williams, dean of the College of Education. "This means that Southeast is one of only 540 institutions in the nation that have met the rigorous NCATE standards."

Author, journalist to be guest on KRCU today

Harper Barnes, an author and St. Louis Post-Dispatch journalist will be the guest on Sunday on KRCU's "Going Public" radio show. Barnes will discuss journalism, politics and history on the show which will air at 3 p.m. on 90.9 FM.

Poplar Bluff expecting help with flooding

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- For many people who have had their homes flooded recently in the Poplar Bluff, relief appears to be just a few weeks away. Buck Katt, deputy director of the state's Emergency Management Agency, spoke at an information meeting last week and said he expected Poplar Bluff will receive over $1 million in federal and state grants to buy 42 homes in areas susceptible to flooding.

Katt said the city should hear if the application is approved by FEMA by Dec. 10.

-- From staff reports