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It was the early years for country music videos when a soft-focus, handsome young man by the name of Keith Whitley sent hearts fluttering with his songs of love and loss. Keith Whitley may have left the world early on May 9, 1989, but that does by not mean the world, or his fans, have forgotten him. As a matter of fact, there is currently a growing movement to have Whitley inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Among those involved in the movement is Margie Pate, who is working with many others to earn Whitley the recognition he deserves. “I started this when I found out that Keith wasn’t in the Hall of Fame during writing a song

Rep. Todd Richardson of Poplar Bluff, the Missouri House speaker, visited the “I’m a Citizen, Too” class during the last day of summer school on Friday, June 26, role-playing with students how a bill becomes a law. Richardson’s guest appearance in the enrichment class has become an annual tradition since he was first elected to serve the 152nd Congressional District in 2010. Last year he was able to host the students at the state Capitol in Jefferson City. For at least 25 years, Jan Desgranges, a retired R-I educator, has led “I’m a Citizen, Too,” teaching students, grades 5-8, how to become productive citizens. Fourth grade teacher Shiela Boyles of Lake Road Elementary has co-taught the popular class since the 2006/07

They are society’s most vulnerable citizens. Unlike adults, they cannot chart their own course in life yet. According to the State of Missouri, about 23 percent of the state’s children live in poverty. That is a matter of concern, and the Child Concern Center in Poplar Bluff does its best to battle those figures. Child Concern Center Executive Director Derrick Miller has made it is personal mission to help these children and their families. He explains the group was formed in 1975, and to this day exists because of the efforts of its dedicated volunteers. They basically seek to turn one person’s junk into another person’s treasure. The group has a store at 601 Poplar Street, and for every $5

It’s a busy summer for Maggie Thorn, and I think it is fair to say she is at a major crossroads in her life. She’s ready to go “all-in” for her country music career. Area residents will have the chance to see that first hand Friday at Crabb & Company at Lake Wappapello as she kicks off the holiday weekend with a performance there, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. “I just got back from a tour of Europe as part of my studies,” explained Thorn. “It was really exciting. We were there for 21 days and had the chance to tour Italy, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. I was in a group of 20 other Belmont students, and we learned