Stories from Thursday, May 30, 2019

Culver-Stockton College, in Canton, Mo., celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2019 during its 163rd annual commencement ceremony on the quad on May 11. Degrees were conferred by Kelly M. Thompson, president of Culver-Stockton College, to 223 undergraduate and graduate students who have successfully or will successfully complete graduation requirements...

By STEPHEN BURNS Cornerstone Tabernacle, Poplar Bluff “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” John 12:32-33 We know Simon Peter as the Apostle of Hope, Paul as the Apostle of Faith, and John we know as the Apostle of Love. Together, these three penned the great majority of New Testament writings...

By FRANK CHLASTAK First Christian Church, Poplar Bluff When will it stop? Another deadly attack. Another school shooting. Another church shooting. Another candle lit for the dead and wounded. Another lament of “Lord, hear our prayer,” posted on social media sites...

Drake Dugas, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., has been named to the State Technical College of Missouri Dean’s List for the 2019 Spring semester. To be placed on the Dean’s List, a full-time student must earn a semester grade point average between 3.5 and 4.0 on a 4-point scale...

The Rodgers Theatre is the Stage Company’s home, agrees Rodgers Theatre Inc’s president Wally Duncan and the Stage Company’s recording secretary Tracy Tarpley. Having a permanent home in the Historic Rodgers Theatre, gives The Stage Company roots as a community theater organization...

Restoring the 70-year-old Rodgers Theatre to its former glory is being undertaken by a group of local citizens. “That is the ultimate goal, is to get it back to where it was,” said Wally Duncan, president of the Rodgers Theatre Inc. No longer a movie palace, the Rodgers has become a venue for live entertainment. Along with musical acts, the Stage Company also calls the Rodgers home, presenting plays and musicals with local talent...

Only a few area cities will have items to decide on election day Aug. 6. Final certification of ballot measures occurred this week. No county office holders have terms expiring this year. Residents in Poplar Bluff’s five city wards will vote on whether or not sales tax money should be used to fund a four lane project of Highway 67 south to the Arkansas state line...

A Poplar Bluff man appeared in court Thursday after being charged with setting a weekend fire that damaged a dumpster and electrical generator behind Letassy Pharmacy. Kenneth Leroy Allen Jr., 49, of the 1300 block of 10th Street appeared before Associate Circuit Judge C. Wade Pierce for arraignment on the Class E felonies of knowingly burning and first-degree property damage...

DONIPHAN, Mo. — Allen Lane Beale, 53, of Doniphan, died Monday, May 27, 2019 at his residence. Visitation for Allen will be held Friday, May 31 from 5-8 p.m. in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 1 at 10 a.m. in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Chuck Carr officiating. Burial will be in the Doniphan Cemetery.

DEXTER, Mo. — Walter Nichols, 85, died Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel in Dexter. Masonic services will be at 5:15 p.m. with funeral services at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in the Hagy Cemetery in Dexter with full military honors...

Richard L. ‘Butch’ Thacker, 73, owner and operator of The Bug Shop in Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, June 3, at Cochran Cemetery in Butler County. Online condolences: www.cotrellfuneralservice.com ...