Good morning, Cape Girardeau.

Saint Francis Healthcare System celebrated its 150th anniversary with nearly 200 volunteers packing food and surpassing their goal—preparing 33,048 meals in 153 boxes that were delivered to local food pantries.

Jackson’s 117th annual Home-comers celebration returns from Tuesday, July 22 through Saturday, July 26 in uptown Jackson with a new stage set on Barton Street, carnival rides and vendor tents opening at 6 p.m., and band shows starting at 7 p.m.—road closures for setup will begin Sunday, July 20. Free ticket giveaways, Youth Appreciation Day benefits, and meet-and-greets with costumed characters add to the event’s highlights.

Notre Dame Regional High School will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a weekend-long Alumni Fest from Aug.

8 to Aug. 11. The fest will begin on Aug. 8 with the Queen of Victory Evening of Excellence—honoring athletic and arts inductees—continue with a Bulldog Bash on Aug. 9 and a Mass with campus tours on Aug. 10, and conclude with an Alumni Golf Tournament on Aug. 11.

Cape Girardeau County commissioners announced plans to freeze property tax increases for all homeowners and are meeting with legal advisors—ensuring fairness and constitutional compliance before possibly putting the issue on the November 4 ballot while also assessing the potential impact on public school funding.

After more than a year of work, the Cape Girardeau County Jail expansion is nearly complete with final testing underway and staff training set for August—officials expect the $48 million project to add 360 beds and address overcrowding by moving inmates in September.

Missouri lawmakers asked for public input on rising property taxes after receiving voter complaints at a meeting on July 16.

They will hold four public hearings (July 30 at the Wallace Center in Lebanon and August 13 at Union Station in Kansas City) and (August 20 at the Center of Clayton and August 27 at the Comfort Inn in Macon) to hear ideas for potential reforms.

At Thursday’s meeting, the County Commission awarded the $199,609.35 bid by Penzel to replace the bridge on County Road 401 and said the bridge on County Road 501 is nearly finished.

The commission also approved a truck sale, a motor grader order, and a $242,638 grading and drainage project on County Road 227—steps that will improve local highway work.

Craft Activity for All Ages

2-3 p.m. — Riverside Regional Library — Free entry — Be creative with craft activities suitable for everyone at the Benton Branch.

Toddler Hour

2-3 p.m. — Oran Branch Library — Free entry — Come get colorful with stories and crafts for ages 0-5.