By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The U.S. Postal Service on Thursday confirmed what has been speculated and expected: the centers in Cape Girardeau and Springfield will be closing.

USPS announced it would be closing two processing and distribution centers in Missouri, consolidating the work into two major metropolitan centers in the state. Centers in Cape Girardeau and Springfield will be consolidated in the St. Louis and Kansas City operations.

“In a move to help ensure the future of the nation’s mail system, while adapting to America’s changing mailing trends, the U.S. Postal Service today announced that the Area Mail Processing consolidation studies that began more than five months ago have been completed,” the USPS said in a news release. “These changes are a necessary part of a larger comprehensive plan developed by the Postal Service to reduce operating costs by $20 billion by 2015 and return the organization to profitability.”

Spokesman Richard Watkins in the USPS Regional Office in Kansas City reported that the Springfield closing would mean a loss of 65 positions and the Cape Girardeau closing 71 positions; some transfer opportunities for employees will be available.

No date had been set for the consolidations, but Watkins said they would not take effect before May 15.

The news from USPS was not welcome news in the office of Southern Missouri’s representative in the U.S. Congress. U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson said today that she is “incredibly disappointed” in the decision to close the two centers. Both closings will have an impact in her Congressional district. The Cape Girardeau center is in her district, and while the Springfield center in Green County is not in the Eighth District, it borders Emerson’s district.

“I’m incredibly disappointed not only with this decision, but also in the way it was communicated to the communities that rely on these facilities for the timely delivery of the mail they entrust to the USPS,” Emerson said. “I understand the financial challenges facing the Postal Service, but I do not accept that the way to meet these challenges is to eliminate valued facilities, reduce service and reliability, and slow the delivery of mail.  It’s absolutely counter-intuitive.”

Emerson pointed out that mail in the area will now require a minimum of two days for local deliver, because the ail has to travel 100 miles to be sorted.

“While the USPS should be focused on eliminating redundancies and management overlap, it is instead getting rid of the postal employees who work closest to their customers.  I’m frustrated and disappointed in this decision.  The Postal Service acts as though it doesn’t trust its own employees and it doesn’t care about its customers, and they are never going to stop losing money with a mind-set like that.”

Photo Above: With the closure of the postal processing center in Cape Girardeau, even local mail sent from the local Post Office in Dexter is estimated to take at least two days for local delivery. Mail from Dexter and Southeast Missouri will first have to be sent to the St. Louis processing center before coming delivery. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Gloves, hats, warm coats, even snow boards and sleds – all are most likely finding their way to the back of closets. With folks in the Bootheel enjoying unseasonable – almost balmy – weather, many are thinking of spring activities and playing outside to enjoy the sunshine and spring-like weather.

February 23 – and the afternoon temperatures are in the 70 degree range! Who would have thought of such a thing! Plans are being made for grilling outside, starting gardens and flower beds, and a few sightings of bees, gnats and “bugs” have been reported.

The sign at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Historic Downtown Dexter records the warm temperatures Wednesday afternoon - just in case it's too good to be true!

The weather in the region has been unseasonably warm for the last several days. But the region may be in for a slight adjustment. The forecast for Thursday calls for strong winds from the west gusting up to 26 mpg. Skies are expected to stay clear overnight, with temperatures cooling into the low 50s. 

However, there is a good change of isolated thunderstorms Thursday night, with a 30 percent of rain. Widely scattered showers or thunderstorms are expected, with the low dipped down to 41.

Sunshine is expected to return Friday, with gusty winds and the high reaching to the low 50s.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The weather has calmed for the time being, there the American Red Cross is in need of blood and blood platelets, and the organization is asking for help.

A number of recent blood drives had to cancel this month due to wintery weather. Therefore, blood supplies in our region need to be replenished. 

“There is no substitute for human blood.  Blood is a perishable product.  Most donated Red blood cells must be used within 42 days and platelets within just five days,” said Laurie Nehring of the American Red Cross. ”Blood supplies must be replenished constantly.”

The American Red Cross is reporting lower donations than expected since the start of 2012.  O blood types are particularly low, but all blood types are needed. 

Blood drives are scheduled in a number of local communities, including Dexter, Advance and Sikeston. Blood drives scheduled include:

• Feb. 21 at Advance High School from 2 until 6 p.m.
• Feb. 22 at Ferguson Medical Group in Sikeston from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
• Feb. 22 at South Elementary in Jackson from 2:30 until 6:30 p.m.
• Feb. 23 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter from 12 until 5 p.m.

How to Donate Blood

Call 1-800-RED CROSS or log on to www.redcrossblood.org for more information or to schedule a blood donation appointment. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with completed Parental Consent Form). New height and weight restrictions apply to donors younger than 19. Visit redcrossblood.org to learn more.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join the Red Cross blog at [url_new=http://blog.redcross.org.

Photo Above: Owen Flowers and Kendra Stevenson were among the Dexter students who game blood at an American Red Cross Blood Drive in Dexter this fall. (SMT File Photo)