Upcoming Service Holidays

Many offices will be closed for observed holidays while recreation facilities will keep independent schedules. We are thankful for all workers on duty or on call over the holidays!

-CHRISTMAS EVE Friday, December 23 (observed)
Thursday's trash/recycling route will be run on Wednesday, Friday's routes will be run on Thursday. All other routes remain the same.

-CHRISTMAS DAY Monday, December 26 (observed)
Monday's trash/recycling route will be run on Tuesday. Tuesdays trash/recycling route will be run on Wednesday. All other routes remain the same.

-NEW YEARS DAY Monday, Jan 2 (observed)
Monday's trash/recycling route will be run on Tuesday. Tuesdays trash/recycling route will be run on Wednesday. All other routes remain the same.

(PDF) Printable Trash & Recycling Holiday Schedule - 2023

Facility Schedules

-Osage Centre, Golf Course, and the SportsPlex will be open Friday, Dec. 23.

-For more details, visit www.cityofcape.org

2023 Council Meeting Date Changes

-Monday, January 2, New Year's Day - changed to Jan. 9

-Monday, January 16, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - changed to Jan. 23

-Monday, February 20, Presidents' Day - changed to Tuesday, Feb. 21

-Monday, June 19, Juneteenth - changed to Tuesday, June 20

-Monday, September 4, Labor Day - changed to Tuesday, September 5

Congratulations Fall 2022
Citizen Academy graduates!

Meet the people and see the places involved in infrastructure, safety, and quality of life services in your town and learn more about how government works for you in Cape Girardeau! Apply for the Spring 2023 Citizen Academy at cityofcape.org/academy.

Regional Transportation Public Comment Period Closes Dec. 20

The Southeast Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEMPO) has released the FY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Amendment No. 1 for public comment. The UPWP outlines the program of transportation planning activities to be conducted during the fiscal year and identifies the sources and allocation of funds for those activities. The Amendment No. 1 to the FY 2023 UPWP is available for public viewing on the SEMPO website at www.southeastmpo.org. Printed copies of the UPWP are available upon request at Cape Girardeau City Hall, 44 North Lorimier Street, Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Jackson City Hall, 101 Court Street, Jackson, Missouri; and Cape Girardeau County Administrative Office, 1 Barton Square, Jackson, Missouri. Questions and comments may be submitted using the contact form on the website or by contacting SEMPO staff by phone at (573) 339-6734, by email at [email protected], or by stopping by the Cape Girardeau City Hall at the above address. The public comment period closes on December 20, 2022.

Street Repair
Progress Update

Work is underway on West End Boulevard and Sprigg Street. Lexington and Bertling were also approved for major renovation by 2026 as part of the 2020 renewal of the Transportation Trust Fund sales tax. Smaller projects are planned city-wide and repairs are ongoing. Read more about ongoing projects at cityofcape.org/streets

Upcoming Community Events

Teen Hot Food Challenge Come warm up from the cold with our Hot Food Challenge! See who can handle the heat, and vote to rank the spicy level of each food.

Wednesday, December 14

4:00-5:00 PM

Ages 12-18

Registration required: https://linktr.ee/capelibrary

Nature Center Game Night
Date: Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 6:30 PM to Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 9:30 PM
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Cost: Free
Contact: or 573-290-5218
Description: Come join the boardgame club for nature lovers! This monthly program will begin with a short program highlighting a different nature-themed board game, and how it relates to Missouri’s mission to have world class fish, forests, and wildlife. After the intro…let the games begin! There will be games available for all experience levels, though on average these games have a higher complexity level than family board game players may be used to, these games are most appropriate for ages 12 and up. You are welcome to bring any snacks and non-alcoholic beverages you wish, as well as nature-themed board games to share from your collection.

Spirited Christmas at the Glenn House
Date: Friday, December 16, 2022 at 7:30 PM to Friday, December 16, 2022 at 8:00 PM
Location: Glenn House
Cost: $15 per person
Contact: or 573-587-4248
Description: Join us as we resurrect the past with Candlelight Ghost stories and Christmas cocktails.

Candlelight Tour
Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 5:00 PM to Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 6:00 PM
Location: Glenn House
Cost: $5 adult/$2 Children
Contact: or 573-587-4248
Description: Join us as we tour the Victorian-era gem that is the Glenn House by Candlelight ! Ticket prices range from  $5 for adults down to $2 for Children.

Victorian Christmas Tour
Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 1:00 PM to Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 2:00 PM
Location: Glenn House
Cost: $5 adult/$2 Children
Contact: or 573-587-4248
Description:  Join us as we ring in the holiday season and tour the Victorian-era gem that is the Glenn House! Ticket prices range from  $5 for adults down to $2 for Children.

Conservation Families: Holiday Nature Crafts
Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 1:00 PM to Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 3:00 PM
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Cost: Free
Contact: or 573-290-5218
Description:  Drop by the Nature Center to make your own crafty creation this holiday season. We’ll provide an array of natural materials, other craft supplies, and a little inspiration; the rest is up to you! Bring the whole family, as we’ll have crafts for all ages. For those who participated in the Cape Nature Center’s “A Year in Color,” we will also be doing our wrap-up program and prize drawings in the auditorium during this time.

Cape River Heritage Museum

Since its founding in 1981, the Cape River Heritage Museum has focused on local history while preserving a historic building at the corner of Frederick and Independence streets. Located in our old fire house, the museum offers events, tours, and exhibits on steamboats, education, commerce, the Missouri mule, the state flag, the Show-Me slogan, Native American culture, and fire and police memorabilia.  Children love to pose for pictures in the model of a steamboat pilot house or in the cab of a 1950s tall-ladder fire truck.  Tour groups of all ages are welcome.  All of this wouldn't be possible without the incredibly dedicated and talented museum board, docents, interns, volunteers! They maintain the collection, plan the exhibits, give guided tours and answer all of your questions!

Your Library Has Almost Every THING

Download to view the Library of THINGS available for you to borrow from the Cape Girardeau Public Library. They offer cake pans, tools, hotspots, ukuleles, and more!

Now Hiring

We are hiring now for all job types! All full-time employees get our new competitive pay plan, paid employee-only insurance, employer-paid retirement pension, generous time-off, and more. Ask about $6,000 stipends for critical roles like police, fire, CDL drivers, jailers, and dispatchers (or check our website)! Learn more and apply now on Indeed or cityofcape.org/jobs.

Get Involved!

-Mark your calendar for the Volunteer Fair Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Salvation Army.

-Visit the Volunteer Center for ideas and ways to get involved.

-Visit cityofcape.org/getinvolved and consider a neighborhood group or clean-up!

What happens during a water main break?

Watch this video to learn more! Also, sign up for urgent texts and emails www.cityofcape.org/getalerts. Our partner, Alliance Water Resources, helps us get 38 MILLION gallons of clean water to Cape every week. They maintain our 319 miles of water main pipes, seven wells, and other infrastructure. Thank you for their everyday work and especially for any time they work overnight, in inclement weather, and away from their families to keep this critical resource flowing to all of Cape Girardeau!
*Precautionary* boil water advisories are issued when contamination is not known, but possible, due to a break or other issue.
Boil water orders are issued when contamination is found.

Emergency, Urgent, or Other
Help Friends and Neighbors Know Who to Call

Always call 911 for emergencies like threats to life and property
For urgent issues like animals, parking, and noise, call 573-339-6311
For other nuisances like trash, weeds, potholes, and property maintenance use our website  www.cityofcape.org/report
Police offers online incident reporting at cityofcape.org/police
An anonymous tipline is available in the app store, on the website, phone 339-6313, and by texting “CAPEPD” to 847411 with any message or tip.

Leaf piles must be kept free of limbs and other debris to avoid damaging the equipment.  Detailed information on the current year's program can be found in our Leaf Season Brochure. Scheduled routes are ongoing. Unscheduled routes will begin again in January, serving each property at least once by end of March.

Other Leaf Disposal Options

-Haul Your Leaves: A container will be available at the recycling center for leaf drop-off. The recycling center is located at 2007 Southern Expressway beside Public Works. It is accessible 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The Recycling Center is available free to City residents only.

-Mulch: Residents can mulch their existing leaves into their lawn by simply mowing over them. This is the most environmentally friendly option and releases nutrients back into the soil.

-Compost Bags: Bags are available at Utility Billing, Schnucks, and Food Giant. The bags are sold for $7.10 for a bundle of five. Call Public Works to schedule to have the bags picked up. This service is available year-round.

Connect with Management & Council

The City Council is the elected governing body for the City of Cape Girardeau and consists of the Mayor and six City Council Members. The Mayor is directly elected at-large (city-wide) for a four-year term and the City Council Members are elected from six wards for staggered four-year terms. Cape Girardeau is a "home rule" city with the Council-Manager form of government. Find meeting and contact information at cityofcape.org/council.