COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WELCOME BACK STATE REP. MARY KASTEN WITH OPEN ARMS

State Rep. Mary Kasten had every reason to miss the current session of the Legislature because of the serious illness that had befallen her husband, City Councilman Melvin Kasten. But he is improved, and she has returned to work in Jefferson City just in time to finish out her final term as a lawmaker.

It comes as no surprise that the Cape Girardeau Republican was welcomed with open arms by her colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, who were glad to see her life is returning to normal.

Kasten's dedication to the job the people of Cape Girardeau elected her to do came shining through with her return.