Good morning, Cape Girardeau.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department will host its annual Seniors and Lawmen Together Christmas Party on Dec.

4 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Eagles – 321 N. Spring Street, inviting local seniors to enjoy holiday activities and refreshments in a free, community-focused gathering.

The Salvation Army of Southern Ill. is hosting two friendly fundraising competitions to raise money for food, rent and utility help as well as disaster relief.

Legence, First Southern and Bank of Herrin will host red kettles (Dec. 1 to 23) while mayors from Marion, Harrisburg and Carbondale will ring bells on Dec. 5, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13 at local Kroger stores.

Old Town Cape, Inc. will host the 23rd Annual Downtown Holiday Open House in downtown Cape Girardeau Friday, Dec.

5 from 5 to 9 p.m.—residents and visitors can shop holiday merchandise, enjoy seasonal décor and family-friendly activities, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride from Hutson’s parking lot.

The Community Counseling Center Foundation will host its 5th Annual Mary Mingle 5K on December 6 in downtown Cape Girardeau with over 500 participants expected.

The professionally timed race will start at 8 a.m. at Mary Jane's Bourbon — Smokehouse and finish at Minglewood Brewery while funds raised support mental health services.

Cape Girardeau County Parks and the police department will host the first annual Polar Strut 5K and one-mile walk to benefit Special Olympics Missouri—participants of all ages can pre-register on Dec.

11 and join the nighttime event at Cape County Park South on Dec. 12, with the walk starting at 7 p.m. and the 5K at 7:15 p.m.

The Southeast Missouri Food Bank has expanded its mobile food pantry schedule for December to help families facing hunger amid recent SNAP disruptions—events are set at multiple local sites to ease food insecurity this holiday season.

Andrew Misplay from the Missouri Job Center said many Heartland residents are struggling to find work after the record 43-day government shutdown ended on November 12; he noted that although some large firms have recently added jobs, overall postings remain low and layoffs have increased. A drive-thru job fair will be held in Cape Girardeau from noon to 3 p.m. on December 10—affected residents are urged to contact the Missouri Job Center for assistance.

Brock Crowley from the Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center has accepted the role of Assistant Superintendent of Support Services at Cape Girardeau Public Schools and will begin on July 1 — replacing retiring Josh Crowell.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and Mineral Area College finished a campus project that removed 80 invasive Bradford pear trees and planted 42 native trees—an effort to boost local wildlife and improve landscape health—by staking, mulching, and watering the new trees to help them grow.

Saint Francis Healthcare System announced that Lyndsie Bradshaw, APRN, FNP-BC, joined Cape Physician Associates where she will provide primary care to patients of all ages including wellness exams, treatment for chronic and acute conditions, women’s health services and mental health support.

5th Annual Mary Mingle 5k

8 AM – 2 PM — Mary Jane bourbon + smokehouse — Registration required — Participate in a community-driven run and support a good cause.

Toys For Tots 24-Hour Drive

8 AM-8 PM — Schnucks Cape Girardeau — Donations appreciated — Help make a child’s holiday brighter with toys and cash contributions for local families in need.

SEMO Women's Basketball vs. William Woods

11 a.m. — Show Me Center — Tickets available — Watch the SEMO Women's Basketball team take on William Woods in a thrilling matchup.