Good morning, Cape Girardeau.

The Dexter Police Department partners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign running from Aug.

15 to Sept. 1—this enforcement effort aims to prevent impaired driving and reduce fatal crashes during Labor Day weekend.

Curtis Farmer, 41, was arrested in Cape Girardeau on August 13 after officers executed a search warrant at his S.

Hanover residence following reports of firearms being pointed and discharged on August 4—he faces charges for unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm and is held on a $30,000 cash-only bond.

Student workers at Southeast Missouri State University will receive a pay raise from $10.50 to $13.75 per hour on August 28, with wages set to increase to $15 per hour on January 1—this adjustment will prompt the university to review schedules and hours to support the change.

Cape Central Junior High cheerleaders packed over 500 backpacks with essential school supplies for students in Cape Girardeau Schools.

The backpacks—set to be delivered on Tuesday, August 19—will help families start the new school year ready.

SEMPO is gathering input from Cape Girardeau and Jackson residents via an online survey and recent open houses to update its transportation plan that will guide road, bike path, and public transit projects through 2050—responses will help secure federal funding and align local and regional efforts.

During Thursday's meeting, Cape Girardeau County Commission approved an agreement with FEMA to use the Emergency Operations Center for up to 90 days to test its capacity and build better on-site responses—FEMA staff will handle facility access and equipment needs.

Cape Girardeau officials updated residents on road projects on August 14—Westbound Lexington Avenue is closed between Carolina Lane and Perryville Road, and work on Carolina Lane to Sherwood Drive plus West Cape Rock Drive to Big Bend Road is set to largely finish in October.

The update noted local lane restrictions on South Sprigg and that further road closures and water line work are expected in the coming weeks.

Chelsea McCormick joined Advanced Orthopedic Specialists in Cape Girardeau to offer acute and chronic orthopedic care; she earned her degree from Walden University (Minneapolis) and holds certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Tunes at Twilight

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Ivers Square Gazebo — Free entry — Enjoy live music from Doug Deming and The Jewel Tones along with food trucks and fun activities.