Cape Girardeau County party leaders make final push ahead of Election Day

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Cape Girardeau County Republican Central Committee Chair Kim Swartz and Democratic Central Committee Chair Wayne Pettit say both parties have spent weeks going door to door and making phone calls to advocate for their candidates and educate voters on what’s on the ballot, including the constitutional amendments.

Missouri Department of Conservation to Require New Deer Permit for NonResidents Hunting Public Land Starting in 2027

The new Nonresident Public Land Deer Hunting Permit will be $165. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval to a regulation change from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at its Oct. 23 open meeting in Cape Girardeau that would require nonresident deer hunters to purchase a Nonresident Public Land Deer Hunting Permit for $165 to be able to pursue, take, possess, and transport deer on public land in Missouri such as conservation areas and other state and federal public lands. This permit will be required in addition to regular nonresident deer hunting permits. The change will become effective for the 2027 deer season.

Scarecrows take over downtown square

The downtown square in Perryville has been taken over by scarecrows this October thanks to the Chamber of Commerce’s first annual scarecrow decorating contest. According to director of operations Alex Lueders, the idea came from Ste. Genevieve, whose chamber of commerce has done a similar contest in the past.

Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial hosting Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11

PERRYVILLE, Mo. (Heartland News) - Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial is inviting the community to join in a special Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11. The event, which begins at 11:30 a.m., will feature the official dedication of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on the memorial’s campus in Perryville.

PSC Approves Agreement in Ameren Missouri Request for Battery Storage and Solar Projects with Conditions

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --- The Missouri Public Service Commission today approved an Agreement and granted the request of Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri (Ameren Missouri) for three battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities, two solar generation facilities, and a new switching station. Signatories to the Agreement included Ameren Missouri, the Staff of the Missouri Public Service Commission (Staff), and Renew Missouri. The Office of the Public Counsel (OPC), which represents the public in cases before the Commission, was not a signatory to the agreement but did not object to the agreement.

Early voting available on the SIU-Carbondale campus

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is offering early voting opportunities on campus ahead of the November 3 election. Jackson County residents can cast ballots October 29 and 30 in the Student Center's north hallway near the escalators. Early voting hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are open to voters living in any of the county's 56 precincts.

Firefighters contain 2-acre brush fire near home in Cape Girardeau County

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) — Firefighters contained a brush fire that burned approximately 2 acres near a home in Cape Girardeau County on Saturday, Oct. 24. According to the Millersville Rural Fire Protection District, crews responded to a reported natural cover fire near a residential structure off County Road 471.

Cape Girardeau residents weigh in on proposed restaurant tax increase

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Cape Girardeau residents have an opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts on a proposed restaurant tax increase that would help fund sports facility improvements. The city hosted a public input session Monday to discuss the proposal, which would raise the restaurant tax...

Here Lies a Revolutionary War Soldier: Joseph Hagan

In celebration of the 250th Anniversary of our country, local members of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will highlight the patriots buried in Southeast Missouri. Joseph Hagan was born in 1740, in St. Mary’s City, Maryland, to Ignatius and Rebecca Wright (Lowe) Hagan. Joseph married Mary Anne...

Groundbreaking ceremony for Bell Tower Project

Former owners of tax-foreclosed land in Oregon’s Baker, Columbia, Jackson and Marion counties can claim a share of $4.9 million by November 30

Oregon is paying out a $4,919,409.99 pool to people who lost land to tax foreclosure in four counties, and the claim window is open until Monday, November 30, 2026. The four counties are Baker, Columbia, Jackson and Marion. Former owners, and the heirs and successors of former owners, can file online or by mail postmarked […]

Budweiser Clydesdales returning to Marion, Ill.

MARION, Ill. (Heartland News) - The Budweiser Clydesdales are returning to the Heartland--just in time to kick off the holiday season. On Wednesday, the city of Marion, in conjunction with Golden Eagle Distributing, announced that these world-famous horses will be in Marion, Illinois this November. The community is invited to...

SMTS Celebrates Opening of New Park Hills Facility

PARK HILLS — Southeast Missouri Transportation Service Inc. (SMTS) celebrated the opening of its new Park Hills facility Thursday, Oct. 22, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house attended by employees, community leaders and representatives of the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce. The new facility, located along Highway 67,...

Missouri Conservation Committee OKs new camping, range, deer permits

The Missouri Conservation Commission approved several changes at its October open meeting. At the meeting in Cape Girardeau, the MCC voted to require a permit for camping on Missouri Department of Conservation areas, a permit to use unstaffed shooting ranges, and a new permit for deer hunters who don’t live in the state.

To keep rural healthcare workers, Missouri is helping cover their childcare costs

Abe Funk, the owner of John’s Pharmacy in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, wasn’t looking to get into the childcare business. But he was looking to keep his pharmacies staffed.  He kept running into the same problem: Workers were struggling to find childcare they could afford, and that stayed open through their shifts.  After an employee approached […] The post To keep rural healthcare workers, Missouri is helping cover their childcare costs appeared first on The Beacon .

Absentee voting sees steady turnout in Cape County

CAPE COUNTY, Mo. — Absentee voting is underway in Cape County, with hundreds of voters casting ballots each day ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Cape County Clerk Kara Clark-Summers said turnout has been steady since absentee voting began Oct. 20, with voters taking advantage of the opportunity to cast their ballots early.

Freakytown Treats Draw Huge Crowd For 18th Year

Ghosts, goblins, witches, superheroes and an assortment of other colorful characters descended on downtown Fredericktown Saturday evening as the Madison County Chamber of Commerce presented its 18th annual Freakytown celebration. And judging by the crowds that filled the courthouse square and surrounding streets, this year’s event may have been one...

PROPOSED CLOSURE OF FOUR ILLINOIS CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES DRAWS OPPOSITION AT DU QUOIN HEARING

A proposal to permanently close four downstate Illinois correctional facilities, including two in Southern Illinois, faced strong opposition during a public hearing Wednesday at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. Approximately 40 people attended the hearing conducted by the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. The Illinois Department of Corrections...

Stretch Your Dollar In This Dreamy Missouri Town That Redefines Affordable Living

Your wallet called, and it wants you to move to Farmington, Missouri. This small city tucked into the rolling hills of St. Francois County is quietly becoming one of the most talked-about affordable living destinations in the entire state. There’s something almost unfair about Farmington. It’s the kind of...