U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson has opened an office in St. Francois County.

The first 8th District congressional office in St. Francois County is at 22 E. Columbia St. in Farmington.

"I would hope that this congressional office will allow me to better represent the folks of the northeast part of the 8th District," said Emerson.

The office is the third full-time congressional office in the district, which covers 26 counties of Southeast Missouri. Others are at Cape Girardeau and Rolla.

Paul Hittson of Park Hills is the manager and Kristi Nitsch of Sedgewickville the staff assistant in the two-person Farmington office. Nitsch has helped in previous Emerson campaigns.

Hittson, who ran for state representative last fall, said the office has had heavy use since it opened more than a week ago.

"We've been a lot busier than I expected," he said. "We've had a lot of people in and numerous telephone calls. A lot of people wanted to express their happiness with the new office, but many had some problems they want Rep. Emerson to address."

"I serve a very vast and diverse region," said Emerson, a Republican. "I want people to feel free to contact me to pass along their concerns. The St. Francois County office will make this easier."

St. Francois County previously was served by Emerson's mobile office, which will continue in the district.

The new office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Emerson will host an open house at the office Saturday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Emerson will be in the 8th District Friday. She will be dubbed an Honorary Knight of St. Patrick" during ceremonies Friday night at the Gale Bullman Multipurpose Building on the University of Missouri-Rolla campus.

The ceremonies are part of UMR's 89th annual St. Patrick's celebration, which started Monday and will end Saturday with an annual parade. Emerson is one of eight persons who will be dubbed honorary knights