Good morning, Cape Girardeau.

The Saint Francis Foundation is collecting household and cleaning supplies to help those affected by recent tornadoes in Butler, Wayne and Perry counties.

Donations will be accepted on March 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Saint Francis Healthcare System's Entrance 8 parking lot in Cape — items that will be sent to residents during Days of Caring events.

Firefighters from the Gordonville Fire Protection District responded to a working fire in Cape Girardeau early Wednesday and received help from a regional mobile support unit that filled 22 SCBA bottles to aid firefighting efforts—the Cape Girardeau Fire Department and other agencies also arrived to support the scene.

Firefighters are responding to a house fire in a home on the 500 block of South Middle Street — motorists are advised to avoid the area for safety.

The Jackson R-2 School District made $2 million in budget cuts last year after failed funding proposals by closing two elementary schools (Millersville, sold to Json Properties for apartments, and Gordonville, sold to Zion Methodist Church to form an early childhood center) and moved students to West Lane and South Elementary. Today, the district improved its finances with a 3% cost-of-living raise for teachers and cost-saving measures including staff consolidation, a new self-funded health plan, and bond refinancing.

Firefighters across Missouri battled hundreds of wildfires in recent weeks due to dry vegetation, low humidity and windy conditions.

New fires ignited Tuesday night in Douglas, Howell, Shannon and Reynolds counties as local, state and federal agencies worked through the night to contain the blazes and officials urged residents to take caution amid elevated fire risks.

The Cape Girardeau National Guard 1140th Engineer Battalion Unit returned home yesterday at Cape Regional Airport after a 10-month deployment in Kuwait—143 soldiers reunited with their families and shared heartfelt hugs.

The City of Cape Girardeau launched TextMyGov to send residents real-time updates, news and community event details via text.

The system will officially launch this spring—residents can join by texting 'CAPE' to 91896 and replying 'YES' to confirm.

Mercy Southeast has expanded its orthopedic services today by adding Dr. Charles Roberson at Mercy Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at 650 S.

Mount Auburn in Cape Girardeau — he will work with a team to help patients regain mobility and support student-athletes through a collaboration with Southeast Missouri State University.

The Southeast Missouri State University track and field program in Cape Girardeau is preparing to host the Ohio Valley Conference Championship and is seeking donations to upgrade its facility with a new sound system+ supporters can contribute via the university’s giving day website to help improve the competition experience.

Breakfast with the Bunny

9 AM – 12 PM — Discovery Playhouse — $15 non-members, $10 members, $5 Museums for All — Enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt for all ages.

Men of Courage

BECOME AN INFORMED ROLE MODEL TO OTHERS. Join us for Men of Courage on April 9 at 7:30 AM at the Arena Building. This empowering event, hosted by the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau, features renowned speaker Obbie West and is designed to inspire men to become informed role models in the fight to end sexual assault. Free and open to all men—RSVP required.

Men of Courage

BECOME AN INFORMED ROLE MODEL TO OTHERS. Join us for Men of Courage on April 9 at 7:30 AM at the Arena Building. This empowering event, hosted by the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau, features renowned speaker Obbie West and is designed to inspire men to become informed role models in the fight to end sexual assault. Free and open to all men—RSVP required.