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Articles by Rachael Long
Blackeye beans: A lucky new year’s food
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Blackeye beans, or black-eyed peas, as they’re known in the southern United States, are a favorite traditional food for many people on New Year’s Eve, as they symbolize good luck. Blackeye beans are typically cooked with onions, collard greens, and pork (such as ham or bacon) for flavor, then served with a hot chili sauce.
Winter grazing alfalfa: a win-win in the West
The author is a University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor in Woodland, Calif. Sheep graze a California alfalfa hayfield in late November. It’s suggested that producers rotationally graze and use an appropriate stocking rate. Interest in integrating livestock and alfalfa production is on the rise in the U.S. as a way to produce food more sustainably.
Drones show utility in controlling alfalfa pests
Long is a University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension farm advisor in Woodland, Calif. Giles is an emeritus professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the UC-Davis. Ian Gretteberger, U.C. Davis Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), are more frequently being used for applying pesticides on farms for crop protection. This innovative technology for managing pests, weeds, and diseases is appealing for many reasons.
Is Vetch a Friend or Foe to Livestock?
By Rachael Freeman Long and Morgan Doran Vetch (Vicia spp.) is growing like a weed everywhere this year, carpeting our hills with great swaths of purple flowers (see photo). What is Vetch? There are several species that are commonly grown as crops, cover crops or weeds (see below table). Vetch a winter-hardy legume that's favored by early fall rains, which we had lots of last October (5.5-in in 24-hr in Sacramento).
Southeast Alumna Receives MPA Outstanding Young Journalist Award
The Missouri Press Association (MPA) last week honored Southeast Missouri State University alumna Katelyn Mary Skaggs of Festus, Missouri, as the recipient of its 2020 William E. James Outstanding Young Journalist Award. The award is given to two Missouri journalists under the age of 30 who have demonstrated excellence in the field of journalism and maintained the quality, ethics and standards of The Journalist’s Creed, according to mopress.com.
Storybook Trail pairs literacy, exercise
Pages from "Sweet Dreams, Curious George" by Margret and H.A. Rey are seen Sunday along the LaCroix Recreation Trail in Cape Girardeau. The children's book is one of many to go on display on the Storybook Trail, an annual initiative launched by the Healthy Communities Coalition to promote a healthy lifestyle and literacy.
No cutting corners: Downtown stylist trims risk of virus exposure with sanitation policies
Kismet Hair Studio owner and operator Carrie McClard gives a haircut to Charles Parsons, 42, of Cape Girardeau, on Thursday in Cape Girardeau. RACHAEL LONG After weeks sheltering in place, clients of Kismet Hair Studio are so ready for a haircut that stylist Carrie McClard said she is booked up for the next several weeks, and for now, is not accepting new clients. McClard, owner and sole stylist at Kismet, reopened her studio for business May 4 when Gov.
Missouri National Guard leads teacher appreciation morning boot camp
Missouri National Guard member Jerod Burch, foreground right, and STREAM specialist Kelley Branch, foreground left, workout with other members of the Missouri National Guard and Jefferson Elementary School teachers and staff Thursday at the school in Cape Girardeau. Jacob Wiegand As the cries of Staff Sgt. Rodger C.
Prop Y projects in Cape School District not impacted by coronavirus, will proceed without delay
Seth Exler of Cape Girardeau (top right), with Foeste Masonry, works construction Wednesday at Alma Schrader Elementary School in Cape Girardeau. Jacob Wiegand As part of an ongoing plan to drive student achievement, the Cape Girardeau School Board has spent the last three years identifying necessary improvements for district buildings and facilities.
Cape, Jackson school district employees back to work next week
As Gov. Mike Parson's stay-at-home order expires this weekend, professionals employed by local school districts are preparing to return to work and reopen school buildings, sans the students. Cape Girardeau School District administrators, administrative assistants, custodians, technology department and nutrition services staffers, and all Central Administrative Office employees will return to work Monday, according to a Wednesday email to district employees from superintendent Neil Glass.
Cape schools negotiate reduction in contract with Robinson Transport for buses
Robinson Transport school buses are seen parked Wednesday in Cape Girardeau. BEN MATTHEWS After more than a month without schools in session or school buses on roads, the Cape Girardeau School District is negotiating a reduced payment to Robinson Transport, the contractor for the district's bus fleet. At its socially-distant meeting Monday, the Cape Girardeau School Board discussed the negotiations, which superintendant Neil Glass called a "win-win" for the district and its contractor.
Local high schools make plans to hold graduations, proms
If you drive past a high school in the Southeast Missouri area, chances are you'll find a banner with the faces of the Class of 2020 -- the class whose final year of high school was cut short by COVID-19. But those high school seniors may still get the chance to attend their graduations, proms and baccalaureate services, just a bit later than they had originally planned.
Cape junior selected for NASA internship
Cape Girardeau Central High School junior Noah Branson is seen in this screenshot from his video application to the NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) summer high school intern program. Submitted Noah Branson almost missed his invitation to a NASA internship. The email inviting Noah to participate in a remote version of NASA's STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) summer high school intern program almost got lost because of an ambiguous subject line.
Center Junction bridge work to cause overnight closures; motorists advised to use caution
Center Junction is seen from the Jackson side Tuesday as motorists traverse U.S. 61, below, and traffic moves along Interstate 55 overhead. Jacob Wiegand Motorists unfamiliar with the Missouri Department of Transportation's work at Center Junction may find their regular commute through U.S. 61 or I-55 at Exit 99 interrupted. To avoid confusion, the Cape Girardeau Police Department shared the following information.
Dexter runner tries to find silver lining in Boston Marathon delay
A man dressed in a protective suit stands near the vacant Boston Marathon start line Monday in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 124th Boston Marathon, which would have been run Monday, was postponed until Sept. 14. Charles Krupa ~ Associated Press Scott Kruse should have crossed the famed Boston Marathon finish line Monday.
Cape Girardeau community supports homeless residents during pandemic
Main Street Station owner Ron Taylor provides free meals outside of his shop Thursday in downtown Cape Girardeau. Taylor said he began providing the meals in mid-March and has since served more than 400 people. BEN MATTHEWS Homelessness is always a public health crisis, the Rev. Renita Green said Thursday. But during a pandemic, she said unsheltered residents of Cape Girardeau without access to food, water or hygiene products are even more vulnerable.
Cloth masks need to be cleaned regularly, CDC recommends
It's been said time and again: The purpose of a homemade face mask is to prevent an asymptomatic carrier of the coronavirus from infecting others, not to protect the wearer. But one way wearers of homemade face coverings can protect themselves is by making sure to observe proper hygiene protocols to care for masks.
Area schools change educational approach to reach students during pandemic
Nell Holcomb school secretary Melanie Watkins of Cape Girardeau carries meals for delivery to students' homes April 8 in Cape Girardeau County. Along with the meals, school officials have been delivering enrichment packets to students since in-person classes have been suspended. Jacob Wiegand The art of teaching looks drastically different today than it did a month ago. All over the country, educators and students alike are relearning what it means to attend a class or give a lecture.
Free Southeast course certifying public health workers fills up
Has COVID-19 increased your desire to help others? If you answered "yes" to that question, you may be interested in Southeast Missouri State University's free community health worker (CHW) certification course. Tuition and textbook fees have been waived for the course, which is part of a university grant through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
BBB warns business owners of phony grant offers
The Cape Girardeau office of the Better Business Bureau last week warned its Facebook followers of a scam targeting businesses that may be vulnerable because of the pandemic. Whitney Quick, regional director of the Cape BBB, spoke to small business owners in a Wednesday Facebook video warning them about phony grants offered by scammers impersonating the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Local businesses navigate state stay-at-home order
A "curbside pickup" sign is seen Tuesday on Spanish Street in Cape Girardeau. RACHAEL LONG Gov. Mike Parson on Friday announced a "Stay Home Missouri" order instructing Missourians to avoid leaving their homes or residences unless necessary. But local businesses, deemed essential or otherwise, aren't being forced to close their doors. "He basically did not close any businesses," Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce president John Mehner said of Parson's order.
Southeast suspends week of classes in response to coronavirus concerns
Southeast Missouri State University on Thursday announced it would suspend classes from March 23 through 27 in an effort to limit the possibility of exposure to COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, to the campus and Cape Girardeau communities. According to a Thursday news conference, Gov.
Cape Schools to dismiss early due to inclement weather, Jackson continuing to monitor reports
Due to the forecast of potential severe weather, schools in the Cape Girardeau School District will let out early today, according to communications director Kristin Tallent. As of 1:30 p.m., Jackson School District had no plans for dismissal at this time, according to communications director Meredith Pobst, but said school officials will continue to monitor weather reports. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for the Cape Girardeau area that is in effect until 5 p.m. today.
Missouri to hold presidential preference primary Tuesday
Missouri voters will head to the polls Tuesday for the presidential preference primary election. Here's where and when to find the polls in the area. According to the Missouri Secretary of State's website, all polling locations across the state are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters in line at closing time have the right to cast votes.
Newman Center prepares for final Masses ahead of demolition
Adult and Teen Challenge Mid-America mover Joe Morr, right, and Deacon Tom Schumer carry boxes of office materials to a trailer Thursday while helping Newman Center staff move out of its soon-to-be demolished location at 512 N. Pacific St. in Cape Girardeau. BEN MATTHEWS Leaders of the Newman Center at Southeast Missouri State University on Thursday vacated the building at 512 N.
Newman Center to offer Catholic education for credit through Aquinas Institute for Catholic Studies
The Newman Center's portrait of St. Thomas Aquinas rests on the ground Thursday inside the Catholic Campus Ministry's interim location at 902 College Hill Place in Cape Girardeau as moving crews from Adult and Teen Challenge Mid-America unload boxes of office materials. BEN MATTHEWS Southeast Missouri State University students and adult learners will soon have the chance to pursue Catholic education for college credit.
Nell Holcomb district voters to weigh Proposition Hawks on April ballot
Cadence Probst, left, Luke Richey, Ian Weber and teacher Amy Krieger tinker with their robot April 19, 2017, in front of Nell Holcomb School. Southeast Missourian file Cape Girardeau County voters will soon have the chance to vote on an operating levy increasing the Nell Holcomb School Districts tax rate by 47 cents to $4.07.
DESE, county health department offer tips to prevent coronavirus
In response to several questions about the novel coronavirus -- COVID-19 -- the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released preventative information Thursday elementary and secondary schools should know about the virus. Roughly 60 people in Missouri have been evaluated for the virus, according to DESE, but no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the state.
Missourian's Denson to be honored at annual advertising awards
The American Advertising Awards -- known colloquially as the ADDYs -- are a chance to spotlight the region's best advertising, and this year, Donna Denson will be honored for her lifetime achievement in the industry. Denson, advertising director for the Southeast Missourian, will be named the 2020 American Advertising Federation (AAF) of Cape Girardeau's Silver Medal Award recipient. "I have great respect and admiration for all the previous award recipients," Denson said.
Humane Society to offer free vouchers to have animals spayed
Storm, a 5-month-old kitten, cuddles up with Jen Rose on Oct. 27, 2016, at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau. Rose said she was thinking about getting another cat, and Storm looks just like her other cat. Southeast Missourian file Looking for the purr-fect Valentine?
Lynwood Christian Academy set to launch June 1
Lynwood Baptist Church is seen Monday at 2935 Lynwood Hills Drive in Cape Girardeau. Jacob Wiegand A school that once faced an uncertain future may finally be on solid ground. Lynwood Baptist Church members voted recently to start a new school at its Cape Girardeau campus, essentially absorbing Cape Christian Community School and giving it a new name: Lynwood Christian Academy. Lynwood senior pastor, the Rev.
Proposed legislation seeks to enact statewide prescription drug monitoring program
Missouri is the only state in the country without a statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), an electronic database that tracks prescriptions for controlled substances. New legislation proposed in the Missouri House of Representatives would establish a statewide PDMP through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to monitor the prescription and dispensing of all Schedule II, III and IV controlled substances.
Cracking the code: Adult reading classes help combat illiteracy in Southeast Missouri
Lynn Crader, local AEL instructor and former assistant superintendent of the Sikeston School District, poses for a photo Thursday at the Adult Education and Literacy Program office in Cape Girardeau. "If you want to learn, you can learn probably anything," Crader said. "But reading is tough." BEN MATTHEWS Roughly 36 million people in the United States cant read a job application or understand basic written instructions, according to the National Literacy Directory.
24th annual Michael Davis Lecture to feature 'trailblazer' SEMO alumna
Kyra Joiner Provided by Southeast Missouri State University Todays Southeast Missouri State University students didnt know the late Michael Davis, who was killed in 1994 in an on-campus hazing incident. But through the annual lecture hosted in his honor, they might just catch a glimpse of who Davis could have been. Thats the way Southeast professor of mass media and Michael Davis Lecture organizer Tamara Zellars Buck told it Thursday afternoon.
Sikeston man arrested after allegedly kidnapping, sexually assaulting girlfriend
Sikeston, Missouri, police are investigating a suspicious incident in which a 31-year-old woman told police she had been held against her will for three weeks, sexually assaulted and forced to consume an illegal substance by her boyfriend. An investigation led to an arrest Friday of Sikeston resident Kenneth James Bramlett, 41, on 11 felony charges including kidnapping, sodomy or attempted sodomy, promoting prostitution, sex trafficking and domestic assault.
Free TEAS prep courses to be offered
The Adult Education and Literacy Program will offer free preparatory courses for health science students who must take the Assessment Technologies Institutes Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam. The TEAS is designed specifically to assess a students preparedness entering health science fields, according to the Assessment Technologies Institute website.
Free ESL classes to be offered by Cape-based adult literacy program
Free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will soon be offered in the Missouri communities of Kennett and Sikeston to help improve literacy in the region. The classes will be offered by the Cape Girardeau-based Adult Education and Literacy Program, which serves Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, North Stoddard, North Scott, Pemiscot and Perry counties.
Faith, religious rituals help survivors navigate grief after painful loss
Razan Roumany, left, bows her head in prayer Friday at the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau. TYLER GRAEF (Editor's note: If you or someone you know needs help navigating grief, visit griefresourcenetwork.com/crisis-center/hotlines/ to find a comprehensive list of hotlines and other resources.) About five years ago, 40-year-old Anas Roumany was on his commute home from work in Syria when he was hit and killed by a grenade.
Advocates propose state legislation to legalize syringe exchange programs
Recovery advocate Kristi Booth of Cape Girardeau poses for a portrait with her shirt displaying the message "I Carry Narcan! (and so can you)" on Thursday at the Southeast Missourian photo studio in Cape Girardeau.
Faith-based fertility support group Moms in the Making to begin in Cape Girardeau
Danielle Stoverink, left, stands with Melissa Schremp, middle, and Stephanie Hodges at the 2019 Moms in the Making conference in Dallas. Submitted A new faith-based fertility support group will begin meeting in Cape Girardeau later this month. The group, led by 34-year-old Cape resident Stephanie Hodges, is a local group of a nationwide, not-for-profit organization, Moms in the Making. Stephanie and her husband, Hoss, have been trying, without success, to get pregnant for more than four years.
Social Security cost-of-living adjustment to affect nearly 1.3 million Missourians
This month, more than 16,600 Cape Girardeau County residents will see a 1.6% cost of living adjustment (COLA) in their Old Age Survivor, Disability Insurance (OASDI) or Social Security benefits, according to the Social Security Administration. That equates to more than $21,613,000 in benefits paid out by the SSA to Cape Girardeau County alone. About 75% of that amount is paid out to beneficiaries listed as retired workers, and about 13% is paid to disabled workers.
Loss, seasonal stressors add to grief many feel during Christmastime
Seanán Young is seen Thursday in this digitally created multiple-image illustration at the Southeast Missourian studios in Cape Girardeau. Young, who lost both parents years ago, battles holiday depression by immersing in festivities. TYLER GRAEF Editor's note: This article contains references to suicide, depression, death and loss.
Volunteers wrap up 2019 Happy Slapowitz's Toy Bash with day of shopping
Brittney Halter, center, and Justin Kemp load a cart with Barbie toys with other Happy Slapowitz's Toy Bash volunteers as they purchase toys for the Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots foundation Sunday at Target in Cape Girardeau. Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian Boy cart! Girl cart! Boy cart! Katie Stricker shouted with a smile and a cup of coffee in hand as she directed Happy Slapowitzs Toy Bash volunteers Sunday morning at Target in Cape Girardeau.
'Love is what sustains': The People's Shelter relies on volunteers, donations to operate
Clayton Griffith carries bed sheets past a row of cots while helping volunteers set up the warming shelter at St. James AME Church on Jan. 11, 2018, at 516 North St. in Cape Girardeau. Ben Matthews From September 2018 to October of this year, The Peoples Shelter has served more than 18,700 meals to Cape Girardeau residents experiencing homelessness. The makeshift shelter is housed in the basement of St. James AME Church on North Street. The Rev.
Inspired by Aldridge: Dexter principal selected for Boston Marathon St. Jude team
Scott Kruse, left, runs alongside his lifelong friend David Robinson during the St. Jude Memphis Marathon on Saturday in Memphis, Tennessee. Submitted After he was inspired by Cape Girardeau native Shannon Aldridge, a Dexter, Missouri, principal was selected to be on the 2020 St. Jude Heroes Boston Marathon team. Scott Kruse, principal of T.S. Hill Middle School, was selected for the 10-person national team after an application and interview process this fall.
Local principal hacked; tips for preventing cybersecurity incidents
After a local principal's social media account was compromised this week, he sent out an email to school staff warning them not to open any Facebook messages from his account. Carroll Williams, principal of Cape Christian Community School in Cape Girardeau, said his sister first alerted him to some unusual activity on his Facebook profile. "I learned of the hacking when my sister let me know that there were some pictures attributed to me on Facebook that I knew nothing about," Williams wrote.
Arrow takes home six national awards at College Media Association conference
Madison Stuerman (left), Jelani Days, Karis Gamble, Nicolette Baker, Brooke Holford and Tamara Zellars Buck pose with the six awards the Arrow won at the Fall National College Media Convention in Washington D.C. Photo submitted by Rachael Long The Arrow earned six national awards from both the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) and College Media Association (CMA) at the Fall National College Media Convention held in Washington D.C. from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.
Southeast Missourian earns 41 awards from Missouri Press Association
The Southeast Missourian is seen Sunday, July 21 in Cape Girardeau. Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian The Southeast Missourian stacked up 41 awards during the 2019 Missouri Press Associations Better Newspaper Contest, in which the newspaper was lauded for investigative reporting, breaking news coverage, design and photography. The contest divides newspapers in classifications based on size, so newspapers compete against similar-sized publications.
Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren to sign books in Cool Springs
By RACHAEL LONG Fox Nation host and conservative political commentator Tomi Lahren will be at the Cool Springs Barnes and Noble Saturday to sign copies of her book, Never Play Dead: How the Truth Makes You Unstoppable. Lahren began her career in political commentary with One America News Network (OANN) in 2014 when she was offered her own show, On Point with Tomi Lahren.
Armed suspect robs Brentwood bank before fleeing on foot
Photo courtesy of the Brentwood Police Department Facebook page BRENTWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT The FBI is seeking the public’s help in identifying an unknown man who entered the First Bank branch located at 5029 Harpeth Drive in Brentwood at approximately 11:25 a.m. on June 28, according to the Brentwood Police Department’s Facebook page. Police say the unknown male passed a robbery demand note to one of the tellers, wherein he threatened that he had a gun.
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