This afternoon on seMissourian.com

Power restoration update

Last night we reported that some customers of SEMO Electric Cooperative could be without power for up to five weeks. By this morning, the situation was looking up a bit for those SEMO customers without power, when the cooperative said power will likely be up within two weeks.

Sikeston's municipal utilities also updated progress on restoring power, while virtually all of AmerenUE's customers were up and running.

Click here for more information on this story, and check back later to learn about the effect the power outage is having Sikeston Humane Society.

Gov. Jay Nixon was in Poplar Bluff again on Wednesday to survey storm damage. You can read more about his visit by clicking here.

And if you were unable to get your license plates renewed on time last month due to the ice, then the state will forgive your late fee, the Department of Revenue announced. Click here for more info.

State approves contracts for local projects

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded several contracts recently, including some for local projects like improvements to U.S. 61 and the replacement of a bridge in Scott County.

Click here for more on these projects.

Later today and Friday on seMissourian.com

Check back later today for announcements from Southeast Missouri State University and Three Rivers Community College about when their campuses that are closed due to power outages will reopen.

Visit seMissourian.com Friday for details from Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder's appearance at First Friday Coffee, more on animals and the ice storm and more from the county officials' meeting in Jefferson City by Peg McNichol.

As always, if you have questions or comments about seMissourian.com contact me at msanders@semissourian.com or 388-3652.