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Where local news shines brightest!
The original beacon in the Bootheel played a crucial role during World War II, assisting pilots in locating Malden Army Airfield.
Positioned alongside State Highway 25, this landmark guided countless flights. Today, the frame of the light still stands in its original location, a testament to its historical significance.
Welcome
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Bootheel Beacon - your new online source for news, culture, events, and everything that shapes the heart and soul of Missouri's Southeastern region.
Rooted in the values of fairness, accuracy, and community service, The Bootheel Beacon is proud to shine a light on the stories that matter most to our readers. As a digital publication led by seasoned professionals with deep ties to the region, we are committed to keeping you informed, inspired, and connected.
Our mission is simple: to serve. From timely news updates to local arts and culture, civic events to hometown highlights, we aim to reflect the vibrant spirit of the Bootheel. The Bootheel Beacon is proud to serve the Malden Historical Museum as its fundraising arm - helping preserve and promote the history that shapes our future.
Whether you're looking to stay in the know, promote a local business, or stay connected to your community, The Bootheel Beacon is here for you. We offer free classified advertising to all subscribers because we believe in supporting local voices and local commerce.
To subscribe, submit news, or learn more about advertising, please visit us at www.bootheelbeacon.com. We can't wait to grow with you.
Thank you for reading — and for letting us be part of your story.
Warm regards,
The Editorial Team
The Bootheel Beacon
"Where local news shines brightest!"
Original Beacon
Established Malden Army Air Base
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Malden Seeks Votes for Missouri Humanities’ 2027 Small Town Showcase
MALDEN, Mo. — Malden has been nominated for Missouri Humanities’ 2027 Small Town Showcase, and local supporters are being asked to help move the city forward through a statewide public vote. The Small Town Showcase is a Missouri Humanities storytelling project that highlights the heritage, culture, and character of small communities across the state. Voters may select up to five communities on the official ballot. The five towns receiving the most votes will work with Missouri Humanities on a film and podcast about their community. Executive Director Katie Noble, of Malden's Bootheel Youth Museum, who submitted Malden’s nomination, is encouraging residents, former residents, friends, and family to select Malden and share the ballot widely. “I think we live in a really special place,” Katie said. “I would appreciate your help getting the word out.” The ballot lists Malden as Malden (Dunklin County). Voting closes at 5 p.m. CST on December 1, 2026. A successful vote would give Malden an opportunity to share its people, history, and community spirit with audiences across Missouri.
Part I: From a 1934 Log Scout Hut to a Frisco City Park Landmark
MALDEN – Malden's Scout Hut has two important chapters, not just one building. The Allen Black Newspaper Archives preserve the story of an early Scout log hut and, years later, the creation of the familiar building in Malden Frisco City Park. Together, those accounts show how deeply Scouting and volunteer effort were woven into the community. On March 23, 1934, the Malden Merit reported under the headline “Beginning to Shape” that Troop 76 and the local Cub Pack were rapidly building a Boy Scout hut. The building was a log structure on the lot with the Catholic church on North Highway 25. The brief report made clear that the project had broad local support: the community was funding the hut through popular subscription. That early 1934 log Scout Hut should be understood as a separate structure from the Frisco City Park Scout Hut that later became familiar to generations of Malden families. Its importance lies in what it reveals about the community's early determination to provide Scouts with a regular place to meet, learn, and take part in activities. A later historical account preserved in the Allen Black Newspaper Archives identifies the present Frisco City Park Scout Hut as the south wing of the Malden Air Base hospital that served personnel when the airfield was in operation during World War II. The building was cut in half, and the two sections were moved separately to the park site. Rather than start with new lumber, Malden residents reclaimed a useful structure and gave it a new purpose for young people. The account credits Scott Nease with directing the building's erection at the park. Those assisting included Jim Kalkbrenner, Ples Watson, Evan Burge, Buddy Fieseler, Larry Wagster, James Watson, and John King, all Boy Scouts from Malden's Troop 76. Mayor Russell Ferguson and Scoutmaster Jody Arends led the operation, which ran on a $2,000 budget. The community dedicated the Frisco City Park Scout Hut in November 1953, with Scoutmaster Arends presiding at the dedication service. The date marks a major turning point: the community moved beyond an early meeting place and established a substantial facility that could serve both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for decades. The two chapters should not be confused, but they belong together. The 1934 log Scout Hut showed a community building through community support and shared effort. The 1953 project showed that same community adapting a Malden Air Base hospital wing, moving it piece by piece, and establishing it in Frisco City Park. In both cases, the purpose was bigger than the structure. Malden was creating a place for its young people to gather, grow, and serve. The next chapter of the history is found in the steady rhythm of life inside the Frisco City Park Scout Hut: troop meetings, ceremonies, cleanup days, fundraisers, public programs, and the recurring work of keeping the building useful. Research for this article: Malden Merit, March 23, 1934; historical Scout Hut account preserved in the Allen Black Newspaper Archives, Malden Historical Museum.
Editor Note: Allen Black, publisher, editor, and one of the owners of Malden Press-Merit, spent years collecting every edition of Malden's newspaper. .Mr. Black was a true historian at heart and believed that legal newspapers are the most important historical record in the strictest sense.
After years of collecting papers in order of publication in his free time, Allen Black shipped each issue in boxes laid out chronologically to the University of Missouri. The University Press bound the books in handsome hard covers and microfilmed every page of every published edition.
Thanks to the many members who have supported this major project with donations and support.
We hope this new research capability will excite our members and help build our membership to new levels. Thanks to everyone for their support.
Allen Black was a lifetime supporter and board member of the Malden Historical Museum.
David Black - Staff Writer
Malden Council Advances Two Employee Insurance Proposals
Rule of 75 early-retirement option and $200 monthly opt-out plan move to drafting; no new benefit has been approved yet.
David Black - Staff Writer
MALDEN, Mo. — Malden City Council moved forward on two employee health-insurance proposals, received updates on Well No. 6 and utility billing, and discussed railroad crossing blockages, park safety work, and public access to meeting recordings. Malden City Council moved forward on two employee health-insurance proposals, received updates on Well No. 6 and utility billing, and discussed railroad crossing blockages, park safety work, and public access to meeting recordings. The Council did not approve a new early-retirement benefit at this meeting. Instead, it authorized city staff and legal counsel to prepare revised language for union discussion and later council action. Jeff Mitchell, City Administrator and Safety Department Director, said the issue arose after an employee with substantial service asked about early retirement but did not qualify under the existing policy. Officials clarified that the employee was not denied a benefit; the employee did not meet the policy’s current age requirement. As Mitchell described, the current early-retirement route requires 20 years of service and being within five years of normal retirement age. Normal retirement age is generally 60 for non-emergency employees and 55 for first responders. The union representative for city council employees had suggested an additional route based on 25 years of service. Council members asked that it instead be written as a Rule of 75: an employee would need at least 25 years of city service, and the employee’s age plus years of service would have to total at least 75. For example, an employee with 25 years of service would need to be at least 50. Under the proposed benefit, an eligible retiree could keep the city’s insurance contribution for up to 18 months. The city contribution would be frozen at the amount paid when the employee retires; the retiree would be responsible for future premium increases. The matter now requires draft policy language, discussion and acceptance by the applicable union representatives, and later council approval of contract amendments and a citywide policy. No employee became newly eligible as a result of this meeting. Health-insurance opt-out proposal Council members also authorized preparation of a separate policy allowing employees with other qualifying health coverage to decline the city’s plan in exchange for a proposed $200 monthly payment. Officials said city-paid employee insurance currently costs about $8,664 per employee each year, or $722 monthly. A $200 monthly opt-out payment would cost $2,400 yearly, producing a potential gross savings of $6,264 per participating employee. Staff estimated total savings could approach $31,000 a year if several employees participated. Mitchell said the proposal has not been adopted. The draft must spell out eligibility, enrollment timing, proof of other coverage, return-to-coverage rules, and any required union contract language. Utilities and public works Well No. 6: Site-preparation work has begun while the city awaits pricing for a chlorination system and related equipment. No completion date was given. Utility bills: Administrator Mitchell said some customers were mistakenly mailed a duplicate of the prior month’s bill rather than the current statement. Officials said the current bills were sent, actual billing amounts were not changed, and the payment period was extended one week to prevent late penalties caused by the delay. Mitchell said the issue has been resolved/ High-bill concerns: Administrator Jeff Mitchell said unusually heavy air-conditioning use during August may have contributed to higher bills and encouraged customers with questions to bring their bill to the Board of Public Works for review. Railroad crossings: Council members discussed trains blocking crossings, especially during school traffic. The city attorney said federal law principally regulates railroad operations and advised residents to contact Missouri’s U.S. senators or congressional representatives. Parks, trees, and signage: The city reported removal of rotted or unsafe trees in a park. A new splash-pad sign with Green Wave artwork is in production. Meeting access by camera: City officials said the council-room camera had been repaired and the meeting was being recorded. The city is working toward making recordings available through its website.
Malden Council To Revisit Early Retirement Policy After Joining ICE 287(g) Program
Stephen Hankins - Staff Writer
MALDEN, Mo. — Malden City Council members return Monday after approving a federal immigration-enforcement partnership last month. The council’s regular session begins at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at Malden City Hall, 607 N. Douglass St. Among the principal items is an amendment to the city’s early retirement policy, an issue postponed during a Sept. 2 special meeting. That meeting also produced another significant development: The council unanimously approved what its minutes called a “Federal Law Enforcement Partnership.” A review by the Bootheel Beacon indicates that partnership is the federal 287(g) program, administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE describes 287(g) as a program authorized by Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It permits ICE to enter agreements with state and local law-enforcement agencies and delegate specified federal immigration-enforcement functions to trained local personnel working under ICE direction and supervision. Records tracking ICE agreements list the Malden Department of Public Safety as entering a 287(g) agreement Sept. 18 — about two weeks after the council authorized the partnership. That means Malden is not alone. Several Southeast Missouri law-enforcement agencies have entered similar agreements. ——— The Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office ——— signed a Task Force Model 287(g) agreement March 23. ——— The Kennett Police Department ——— is listed with an agreement dated May 17 The Malden Department of Public Safety agreement is dated Sept. 18. ——— Dexter Police Department ——— signed a Task Force Model agreement June 16 ———Sikeston Police Department ——— signed July 31 ——— Poplar Bluff ——— The Poplar Bluff City Council voted 6-1 in August to approve an agreement allowing its police department to participate in 287(g). Police Chief JR Keirsey said participation was necessary for the department to seek federal funding through the Bridging Immigration-Related Deficits Experienced Nationwide grant program. The department planned to seek money for Tasers, two drones and additional Axon technology. ——— Malden’s Sept. 2 minutes ——— do not use the term “287(g).” Instead, they state council members discussed the “Federal Law Enforcement Partnership,” including questions about program requirements, potential employee-participation costs and an estimated cost of approximately $195,600. The minutes also state several additional employees could become eligible to participate during the following year. Council Member Phil Santie moved to approve the partnership, Council Member Grant seconded the motion and the council approved it 6-0. A subsequent city council packet identifies the approximately $195,600 figure in connection with the Federal Law Enforcement Partnership. The exact relationship between that $195,600 figure and Malden’s 287(g) participation remains unclear from the publicly available council minutes. ICE states that it pays the cost of 287(g) training, so the city figure should not automatically be characterized as the cost of ICE training without additional documentation from Malden. ICE currently operates three forms of 287(g) agreements: the Task Force Model, Jail Enforcement Model and Warrant Service Officer Model. The Task Force Model allows trained state and local officers to exercise specified immigration authority during routine police duties under ICE supervision, while the other models primarily involve people already in custody. The program has expanded considerably. ICE reported 2,597 signed 287(g) memorandums of agreement across 39 states and two U.S. territories as of Sept. 28. Missouri itself participates. Gov. Mike Kehoe directed the Missouri Department of Public Safety and Missouri State Highway Patrol to establish a 287(g) agreement with ICE, and state officials signed that agreement March 12, 2025. Missouri says designated troopers who complete federal training may exercise specified federal immigration authority. Malden’s cooperation with federal immigration agencies also predates the current agreement. The city code contains an ordinance adopted in 2009 requiring members of the Malden Police Department to cooperate with state and federal agencies enforcing immigration laws. The ordinance requires officers who have contact with such agencies concerning possible immigration violations to notify the police chief, who in turn informs the mayor. Early Retirement Issue Returns Monday Monday’s council meeting brings back another matter originating at the Sept. 2 special session. The original agenda called for consideration of an employee early retirement incentive, but Mayor Denton Kooyman announced the item was being removed following consultation with the city attorney and additional review of union-related matters. The minutes state the matter would be held until additional clarification was obtained. Monday’s agenda now lists an “Amendment of the Early Retirement Policy.” The agenda does not describe the proposed amendment or indicate whether it involves the same employees contemplated by the September proposal. Council members will also consider a health insurance opt-out, although the agenda provides no details concerning eligibility, payments or potential savings to the city. The meeting includes a 15-minute open forum, approval of the Sept. 21 council minutes, the city administrator’s report, council liaison reports and Kooyman’s mayoral report. The Sept. 2 minutes also show council members discussed making meeting recordings available through the city website or Facebook page after continuing technical problems are resolved. Officials reported the camera had failed to operate properly during three previous meetings. During one meeting, according to the minutes, the camera recorded a wall rather than the council. The council said the equipment would be positioned and adjusted appropriately for future meetings. The Bootheel Beacon will follow Monday’s meeting, including any action on the early retirement amendment and health insurance proposal.
Malden Council Reviews Dangerous Buildings, Cleanup Progress and Airport Work
Photographs – David Black
David Black - Staff Writer
Malden, MO — Malden City Council reports say 75 structures are on dangerous-building list; citywide cleanup continues despite equipment problems MALDEN, Mo. — Dangerous buildings, neighborhood cleanup, code enforcement, and the ongoing citywide cleanup effort dominated Monday night's discussion as the Malden City Council received an extensive explanation of how the city handles deteriorated properties. City officials told the council that about 75 properties are currently on the city’s dangerous-building list, with structures ranked by the seriousness of their condition. Officials said the city generally has enough funding to demolish only about four or possibly five structures per year, depending upon the size and condition of the buildings. The estimated cost to demolish an average house was about $3,500 to $5,000, meaning that dealing with all the properties currently identified could take years under current funding levels. Officials emphasized, however, that demolition is considered a last resort. City Attorney Jonce Chidister explained that considerable effort generally goes into contacting property owners and giving them opportunities to repair or rehabilitate structures before the city proceeds with condemnation. When an owner presents a feasible rehabilitation plan and begins making progress, officials said the city normally allows time for those improvements to continue. The situation changes when a structure creates an immediate danger. Buildings that are severely deteriorated, burned, collapsing, or otherwise considered a threat to public health and safety can move through the process more quickly. Malden's municipal code provides procedures for inspecting structures considered dangerous and allows for rehabilitation, removal, or demolition when conditions constitute a public nuisance. Condemnation involves several steps Council members heard a detailed explanation of the condemnation process. Before demolition can occur, city officials generally must document the property's condition, photograph the structure, notify the owner, provide time to correct violations, and, when necessary, conduct a hearing. Officials then prepare findings and give the property owner another opportunity to comply. If the required corrections are not made, the city may eventually arrange demolition and place the cost against the property as allowed by city ordinance. Officials stressed that property owners are typically contacted numerous times before the city reaches that point. The discussion also turned to whether residents should be able to see a public list of dangerous or potentially dangerous properties. City Attorney Chidister said properties already involved in active condemnation proceedings are generally different from properties merely being investigated. He expressed concern about publicly identifying a property owner as in violation before formal action begins and before that person has a chance to respond. Once the city issues formal notices or enforcement proceedings, however, city records associated with those actions may become subject to public-record requirements. Tall grass, trash and nuisance properties discussed Council members also questioned what authority the city has when a residence has extremely high grass, accumulated trash, or other nuisance conditions. Officials explained that property owners can receive notice of the violation and a period to correct it. If they fail to comply after the required process, the city may be able to mow or otherwise abate the nuisance and charge the cost back to the property. Malden's nuisance ordinance specifically includes overgrown vegetation and noxious weeds seven inches or more in height, along with rubbish, trash, improperly stacked lumber, broken furniture, and other unsafe debris. Council discussion also clarified the distinction between the city's code committee and those responsible for actual enforcement. The committee reviews policies and procedures, while code enforcement officials, building officials, and the building commissioner handle inspections and decide whether to take enforcement action. Citywide cleanup taking longer than expected The city's ongoing cleanup effort is continuing, although officials acknowledged that progress has been slower than anticipated. Several pieces of equipment, including rented equipment, have had problems, causing delays. Officials said crews will continue working through the city until the cleanup is completed. Council members discussed whether the city could eventually contract such a large cleanup to a private company, but city officials said the cost could become substantial when labor, equipment, and the unpredictable amount of material at individual properties are considered. A resident from Ward One also questioned why mattresses and other discarded material in a grassy area near a residential street had not been picked up. Officials said they would send someone to inspect the location and determine whether the material could be removed as part of the cleanup or addressed through code enforcement. Halloween parade to continue The council also received an update on Malden's Halloween parade. The Malden Parks Board has agreed to take over responsibility for the event after the former Chamber of Commerce organization that once handled activities such as the parade disappeared. Officials discussed moving the parade to another day because of other Halloween activities, including trunk-or-treat events, but the Parks Board plans to keep the parade tied to Halloween. The discussion prompted a brief history of the former Malden Chamber of Commerce and its previous relationship with the city. Officials recalled that the Chamber once received city funding to manage activities and provide staffing, but that arrangement ended years ago and the organization eventually disbanded. Airport runway project moves ahead The council also acted on an airport-related agreement, authorizing the mayor to execute a contract connected with improvements at Malden Regional Airport. The city has an active project to rehabilitate Runway 14/32, including pavement rehabilitation, runway markings and related improvements. Missouri Department of Transportation project records confirm the city bid the Runway 14/32 rehabilitation project earlier this year. The project represents another major investment at the former Malden Army Airfield property and current regional airport. Equipment and professional services Council members also reviewed bids for a large mower needed for city operations. Officials noted that the city maintains roughly 300 acres, making mowing equipment a significant operational need. After discussing pricing, hours, and warranties, the council approved the preferred bid. The council also approved an engagement arrangement with an outside professional firm that can be contacted when specialized assistance is needed. Officials explained there would be no ongoing fee simply for having the firm available; charges would apply when the city requests services. Mayor Kooyman swore in Kayla Von Ruden as Malden City Clerk. Malden's municipal code provides that the City Council names the city clerk and that a majority of council members present and voting must approve the appointment. The City Clerk, Kayla Von Ruden, took the required oath to support the constitutions of the United States and Missouri and to faithfully perform the duties of the office.
