For those of you are tired of wet feet, you have lots of company. Many trees are suffering, too. The Missouri Department of Conservation has advice for helping trees cope with wet weather.Flooding along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and high water on many other streams has left many trees stressed, because they breathe through their roots. According to the Department, almost all trees rely on circulation of water between roots and leaves. They can’t do that as effectively when their roots are under water. Many tree species can get enough air even when the soil is saturated with water. But when water extends above ground level, transpiration stops in all but a few species. The longer flooding lasts, the more starved trees become. For more information about tree planting and care visit www.mdc.gov.

The Missouri Department of Transportation offers a list of high-impact work zones for those interested in starting their summer plans. Drivers will encounter significant work zones this summer. Work zone location information is available up to a week in advance on the department of transportation’s Traveler Information Map located at www.modot.org or on their free Smartphone app. In addition to the construction areas on the list, drivers should be aware of smaller, moving operations such as mowing, minor repairs and motorist assistance. While most work zones will not be active during the Memorial Day weekend, it might be necessary for some lane closures to remain in place. 

President of Associated Industries of Missouri, Ray McCarty is celebrating the recent passage of the broad based tax cut legislation of 2013. He explains that this would essentially cut taxes for all businesses AND individuals as it phases in over ten years. The personal rate would go from 6-percent to 5-point-5 percent. Large corporations now paying 6-point-25 percent would drop to 3-point-25 percent and small businesses and corporations would have taxes cut by 50-percent over five years. For example: the first year 10-percent, second year twenty percent and so on. He tells KZIM KSIM the cuts would not take effect until state revenue goals are met, so the naysayer’s arguments do not hold water…People who like to take your money for the government coffers and then spend it are the ones crying wolf! They say they will be without tax dollars needed to fund programs but taxes are NOT CUT UNTIL a certain amount of revenue is made. So you and the government would be making additional money. McCarty says Governor Nixon is considering vetoing the legislation. However there should be enough votes in the Republican majority house and senate for an override. He says this is an leveling of the playing field with surrounding states that are already drawing business away from Missouri due to our tax rates. 

The 4-person scramble golf Tournament from the United Way of SE Missouri will be at the Kimbeland Country Club in Jackson this year! Communications and marketing Director, Heather Short says this is the 26^th annual contest taking place on Friday, June 7^th with registration at 11am and tee time at noon. If you sign up your team by this Friday you pay 1-hundred-dollars for each player. It will increase to 1-hundred-25-dollars afterward until all slots are filled. She tells KZIM KSIM all proceeds go to the United Way. Impacting your neighbors and friends locally. All of the money stays here and goes toward the local campaign. Last year 12-thousand dollars were raised so this year Short would like to bring in at least 15-thousand! There will be prizes for best flight, longest putt and drive, Closest to the line and pin, a 50-50 raffle and door prizes. The entry fee is all inclusive. Call 334-9634. 

Mouser says that they activate storm sirens when there has been a tornado warning issued in Cape County by the National Weather Service.  His first recommendation in the event of severe weather is that you seek shelter indoors and monitor radio, TV or weather radio for information.

Mouser feels the safety of residents is their primary concern, and the warning sirens are a vital tool in doing so.  Visit stormaware.mo.gov for more info.

Southeast Missourian

Several charitable organizations are accepting donations to help with Oklahoma tornado relief. Some ways to contribute to the recovery effort include:

The United Way of Southeast Missouri has a link on its Facebook page to an Oklahoma chapter that's directly helping relief efforts. The United Way of Central Oklahoma can be accessed directly at unitedwayokc.org.

Donations may be sent to the Red Cross by going to redcross.org/charitable-donations, by calling call 1-800-RED-CROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999. The Southeast Missouri Chapter will send four to six volunteers to assist in Oklahoma. Other volunteers may be deployed later. Training classes for volunteers are offered from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in Cape Girardeau, though those taking the classes likely will be used in later disasters, since those already trained will be tapped for quick response to Oklahoma. To register for the training, call 335-9471, extension 1308, or email Jamie.koehler@redcross.org.

The Salvation Army is taking donations at donate.salvationarmyusa.org/uss/eds/aok, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by texting STORM to 80888.

Missouri-based Convoy of Hope is accepting contributions to help deliver food, water and relief supplies to the disaster zone. Those wishing to make a contribution to the OKC and Midwest tornado relief efforts can make a secure online contribution by visiting convoyofhope.org. A $10 donation may be made by texting the word CONVOY to 50555.

(AP) - An Arkansas man who admitted driving into a group of joggers in southeast Missouri has been given a 12-year prison term.

     The Southeast Missourian reports that 19-year-old Vincent Anderson, of Little Rock, was sentenced Tuesday in Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court.

     Anderson pleaded guilty last month to first-degree assault, admitting he drove directly at the joggers in downtown Cape Girardeau last Oct. 28 in a stolen car. Three people suffered minor injuries.

     Anderson's passenger, 27-year-old Marcus Jones, of Cotton Plant, Ark., was sentenced earlier to 90 days in jail for two misdemeanors in connection with the case.

     A prosecutor showed the judge at Tuesday's sentencing two videos taken from Jones's cellphone, in which a man is heard swearing and laughing as tires squeal in the background.

     Anderson apologized Tuesday to the victims.

A Jackson business was destroyed by fire Tuesday night. Fire Chief Jason Mouser says Cooks’ BBQ and Catering is a total loss, but they were able to stop the fire from spreading to adjacent structures. The fire appears to have started in the kitchen area –most likely at the stove.

On Tuesday at approximately 2:30pm a white male entered 1^st State Community Bank 1602 N. Kingshighway handed the tellers a note and demanded money.  The suspect did not display a weapon and no one was injured.  He fled north from the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.  If you recognize the subject please contact the Cape Girardeau Police Department. 335-6621.

Kids love to go fishing! Give yours the opportunity to be part of the Youth Catch and Release Fishing Day on Saturday, June 1^st at 8am in Capaha Park! Parks and Recreation Coordinator Stacey Welter tells KZIM KSIM after registration at 8am kids from one to fifteen can fish in the freshly stocked pond for free! Just be accompanied by a parent or grandparent and bring your bait and fishing pole to enjoy the morning! There will be prizes for the biggest and smallest catches of the day for boys and girls! You do have to release the fish afterward but you have time to snap a picture for your “fish story”! Lunch, provided by the Cape Jaycees, will follow in the shelter at 11:15am. 

The Missouri Veteran’s Commission says over 2-point-3-billion dollars in benefits were awarded to 5-hundred-5-thousand (505,000) veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents in 2012. Director of Veteran’s Services Programs, Doug Meyer says this is a drop in the bucket of what we owe them for our freedom. The number is largely made up of WW II, Korean, and Vietnam veterans. He tells KZIM KSIM even though the number of veterans has dropped over the last decade the expenditures are going up for a variety of factors…A big part of that is due to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts ongoing. Also those who served in Vietnam were exposed to agent orange. The most common reasons for medical claims appear to be type two diabetes, lung and prostate cancers, systemic heart disease and more. Meyer says 1 -billion of that money was for medical care for over 135-thousand men and women at the VA centers and outpatient clinics. The claim process is being revamped to make it less difficult and faster. If you have an unresolved claim or need to file one you are to contact a veteran’s services officer in Cape Girardeau at 290-5752.