The invasive Bradford pear tree can cause problems for Missouri native plants and animals.

Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages homeowners and landscapers to avoid planting Callery pear trees this spring.

Better known as Bradford pears, the Callery pear tree is an invasive species known to multiply quickly and crowd out Missouri native plants. While it’s been a popular landscaping tree for decades, cultivated forms have spread aggressively throughout the state.

“Different varieties of Bradford pear trees were planted close to each other, which allowed them to cross pollinate and take over natural areas,” said Forestry Field Program Supervisor Russell Hinnah. “But they’re also a poor landscaping choice because they don’t do well in storms, often losing limbs or splitting apart.”

Stopping the spread means selecting alternate trees for yards and forested property.

“The best plan is to select a native species to Missouri, and there are several great options,” said Hinnah. “Serviceberry trees produce similar showy white blooms in the spring and have small red fruits that attract wildlife.”

Eastern redbuds and Missouri’s state tree, the flowering dogwood, are also good alternatives. The redbud tree grows quickly with eye-catching lavender flowers in the spring. Dogwoods do best in shady areas but can be somewhat difficult to grow.

BROWN NAMED MANAGER OF INVASIVE/NONINVASIVE CARDIOVASUCLAR LAB AT SAINT FRANCIS

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Saint Francis Healthcare System announces the appointment of Rodney Brown, RN, BSN, as manager of Invasive/Non-invasive Cardiovascular Lab.

Prior to coming to Saint Francis, Brown acted as the CEO at Landmark Hospital, an affiliate of Saint Francis, where he also worked as the Chief Clinical Officer and a Nurse Manager.

Brown earned his associate degree in nursing from Shawnee College and his bachelor’s in nursing from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah and is currently pursuing his MBA from Western Governors University.

Saint Francis Medical Center is a 308-bed facility serving more than 713,000 people throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. Guided by its mission to provide a ministry of healing and wellness inspired by its Christian philosophy and values, the Medical Center has become a progressive, innovative regional tertiary care referral center. Saint Francis’ major service lines, which have received national recognition, include the Neurosciences Institute; Orthopedic Institute; Family BirthPlace, featuring the region’s first Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Heart Hospital; Emergency and Level III Trauma Center; Cancer Institute; and Fitness Plus.

I-55 Cape County Reduced for Bridge Repairs
 
Northbound I-55 in Cape Girardeau County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge repairs. The bridge is located between Route AB and Route 74.  Due to these repairs, the Northbound I-55 off ramp at exit 93A will be closed during this time.  Weather permitting, work will take place Sunday, June 4 at 6:30 a.m.  The work zone will be left up overnight and taken down the following morning, June 5. 

SKILLED Otolaryngologist JOINS CAPE ENT GROUP

Cape Girardeau, Missouri - Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to welcome skilled otolaryngologist and new Saint Francis Medical Partner Christopher H. Jung, MD, to Cape ENT Group, where he joins three fellow ENT specialists. Dr. Jung has been affiliated with the Medical Center for many years through his former private practice, Southeast Missouri Sinus and Laser Center.

Jung earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. He completed both his internship and general surgery residency at Menorah Medical School in Kansas City, Mo., and fulfilled his otolaryngology residency from the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia, Mo.

Jung comes to Saint Francis with decades of experience and a range of clinical interests, which include allergy diagnosis and treatment; laser technology to treat vocal cord lesions and snoring; and specialized laser treatments for a variety of aesthetic concerns, including tattoo removal. He also has served on a number of medical missions to Honduras, the Philippines and Ethiopia, treating those without access to essential ENT care.

“We are happy to welcome Dr. Jung to Cape ENT Group,” says Steven C. Bjelich, FACHE-D, President and Chief Executive Officer of Saint Francis Healthcare System. “His extensive ENT knowledge and experience will improve the lives of patients in the communities we serve.”

To learn more about Jung or Cape ENT Group, call 573-331-3996 or visit sfmc.net.

Saint Francis Medical Center is a 308-bed facility serving more than 713,000 people throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. Guided by its mission to provide a ministry of healing and wellness inspired by its Christian philosophy and values, it has become a progressive and innovative regional tertiary care referral center. Saint Francis’ major service lines, which have received national recognition, include the Neurosciences Institute; Orthopedic Institute; Family BirthPlace, featuring the region’s first Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Heart Hospital; Emergency and Level III Trauma Center; Cancer Institute; and Fitness Plus.

During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in Missouri without needing a permit.

Missouri - Want some free fun that gets family and friends outside in nature? Get hooked on fishing with the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Free Fishing Days June 10 and 11. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag.

Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property.

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and Free Fishing Days encourages people to sample the state's abundant fishing opportunities. Missouri has more than a million acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state's more than 1.1 million anglers.