Stories from Thursday, July 18, 2024

Inflation and rate hikes aren’t new — Southeast Missourians have been bracing their pocketbooks for decades. In 1949, a regional telephone service announced it must increase rates or face bankruptcy. In 1974, residents spoke out against apparent price discrimination by a natural gas supplier, as the company insisted the energy crisis necessitated passing more costs to consumers.

Kaisha Pigg teaches the third grade at Oak Grove Elementary in Poplar Bluff; and while she may excel in numerous areas, her students believe she excels in making them smile. “She wants us to enjoy coming to school and she always has a smile on her face,” exclaimed one of her students, Lane Wrinkle. “You see, Mrs. Pigg always puts a smile on our faces.”...

Today’s a lively date in local history. Readers learned of a governor’s unlucky fishing trip in 1924 and a massive attempt to bribe local councilmen in 1949. The front page in 1974 was doubly dramatic, with the mass resignation of the Butler County Volunteer Fire Department and an international manhunt for murder suspects...

See a live performance or support a good cause in this weekend’s MAIN EVENT. The opportunity to have some fun while supporting rescue animals, wounded veterans or youth ministries are available this weekend. Hearts for Rescue will hold its Christmas in July from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, providing pictures with Santa and more. This group of volunteers fosters dogs awaiting permanent homes, providing veterinary care and more during that time. The event will be held at 2787 Tucker Road...

Lexie Fisher, 25, of Piedmont, died Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at her residence. Visitation is at 5 p.m. Monday, July 22, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service is at 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 23, also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial is in Murphy Cemetery, near Piedmont...

Officers responded at approximately 1:25 a.m. Thursday, July 18, to 1000 block of South Broadway in reference to a subject with a gun. The suspect was gone when officers arrived. The investigation continues. _ Officers responded at approximately 8:25 a.m. Thursday, July 18, to 1000 block of South Broadway in reference to a leaving the scene accident. The investigation will continue upon view video footage of the incident...