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...

Fredericktown FFA Helps Prepare District Fairgrounds

Twenty Fredericktown FFA members traveled to the Southeast Missouri District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau on Sept. 9 to participate in a service day aimed at preparing the grounds for the upcoming district fair. The Fredericktown students joined more than 100 students representing approximately 13 other FFA chapters from throughout the...

The Perryville Regional Airport hosts a first for the State of Missouri

The future of aviation made a stop in Perryville, Missouri recently. Perryville Regional Airport welcomed a BETA Technologies ALIA (uh-LEE-uh) electric aircraft, marking the first known use of Missouri’s only electric aircraft charging station. Airport officials say the visit highlights Perryville’s role in supporting emerging aviation technology. The charging...

Cape Girardeau Riverfront Fall Festival set for Saturday, Oct. 24

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Downtown Cape Girardeau will celebrate the fall season with live music, food trucks and local vendors during the Riverfront Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24. The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Missouri Wall of Fame parking lot...

Cape Girardeau County to offer electronic property assessment notices beginning in 2027

JACKSON, Mo., (KBSI) — Cape Girardeau County property owners will soon have the option to receive personal property assessment notices electronically instead of through traditional mail. The Cape Girardeau County Assessor’s Office announced a new opt-in service that will allow residents to receive personal property declarations, also known as...

Proposed closing of 4 low-level prison facilities draws sharp rebuke in Du Quoin

IDOC says the four closures will save a combined $35.9 million in capital costs and $6.5 million in annual operating expenses.

Cape Girardeau recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlights Safe House services

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — The city of Cape Girardeau has declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, recognizing the work of the Safe House of Southeast Missouri and its efforts to support survivors of domestic violence. City officials said the proclamation reaffirms Cape Girardeau’s commitment to raising awareness, preventing...