LEADER CLINTON COUNT Y
Thurs., June 1, 2023 |
INSIDE
Plattsburg, Lathrop and Gower, Mo.
Two Sections | 28 pages
Celebrating our graduates See inside for The Leader’s annual graduation section, highlighting the seniors of Lathrop, Plattsburg and Gower. || PAGE B1
Shooting at Lake Arrowhead
$1.00 | “Covers Clinton County Like Dew ” GOWER
Visitors flock to Gower after nun found to be incorrupt by brett adkison leader editor
For years, the stately abbey sat quietly among the farm fields of northwest Clinton County as the members of Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles carried out their
two primary duties – prayer and work. But with a stunning discovery earlier this month, the abbey has drawn thousands of visitors in the Catholic faith. Last week, word began to spread that the body of Sister Wil-
helmina Lancaster, the foundress of the abbey, had been found incorrupt – without any decay – four years after her passing at 95. Even her religious habit remained in a remarkable state of preservation. This was despite Sister Wilhelmina
REMEMBERING
The Clinton County Sheriff ’s Department provides details on the shooting and suicide over the weekend. || PAGE A12
Est. 1895
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VOL. 128, NO. 31
EAST BUCHANAN
Board OKs language for middle school vote leader reporter
Lathrop’s dream baseball run comes to an end in the state quarterfinals with a loss to Barstow. || PAGE A8
THE LEADER
||Continued on A2
by jim bonebrake
Mules Stopped
Community........A3 Opinion..............A4 Legals..............A10 Sports...............A8
not being embalmed or the simple wooden coffin (found to have been cracked) in which she was buried. The sisters – who were exhuming Sister Wilhelmina in order to relocate her body as part of a
brett adkison and steve tinnen | the leader
The last days of May can be busy each year, with the end of the school year and families transitioning to summertime activities. But it’s never so hectic that Clinton Countians forget to pause on Memorial Day and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Memorial Day services were held Monday in Lathrop, Plattsburg, and Gower, commemorating those locally who put their lives on the line for us. (Above) Members of the Lathrop American Legion rifle squad during the 21-gun salute. (Right, left to right) Lou Proctor and Pastor Doug Goode at the Plattsburg ceremonies Monday. See page A12 for more.
After a meeting Monday, May 15, with more than 50 patrons of the East Buchanan School District hearing and seeing prototypes for a new middle school, the focus of the attendees seemed to be two-fold: First, that the new school be a separate building and campus from both the elementary and the high school, and second, that it be located in Gower. With that information fresh in minds of the East Buchanan Board of Education during its regular monthly meeting Monday, May 22, the body formally approved language for the August ballot asking voters to approve a 65-cent tax levy to fund a new middle school building on the district’s farm ground west of Fourth Street. Also during the meeting, the board members heard goal updates from the respective building administrators, and listened to a request from Latitia Guthals to add girls soccer to the offerings at East Bu||Continued on A7
SUMMER PARTY
GAME ON! Friendship Festival this week in Lathrop
Residents in Lathrop are ready to dust off their Nintendos and PlayStations as the annual Friendship Festival prepares to say “Game On!” this week downtown. The annual festival will take over Oak Street beginning Thursday, June 1, with the opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Kyle Beane will reprise his roll as the festival em-
cee. The senior adult king and queen contest will be at 6:45 p.m. and the annual awards ceremony, including the Rotary Citizen of the Year and the Friendship Festival Grand Marshal, will follow at 7 p.m. The country and rock band Dirt Road Divide will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. for the evening’s entertainment. Friday, June 2, will be packed with fun, as the kids
can compete in the pedal tractor pull beginning at 6 p.m. There will be free games for festival-goers throughout the day. There will also be festival bingo and a scavenger hunt beginning at 7 p.m, a lip sync battle at 7:30 p.m., and Elton Dan and the Rocket Band (a tribute to Sir Elton John) will go on at 8:30 p.m. Saturday will be the
headline day, including: • First Baptist Church pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. • 5K run/walk at 7:30 a.m. • Dog show at 8 a.m. • Free games at 8 a.m. • Lathrop Quilt Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Goppert Community Center. • Lathrop FFA Greased Pig Contest from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (all ages by division). • Baby show at 9 a.m.
• Little Mister Universe and Miss Bathing Beauty contest at 9:30 a.m. • Little Mister and Miss Lathrop contest at 9:45 a.m. • Frog races at 11 a.m. • Baked potato and salad bar from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Lathrop United Methodist. • Parade at noon. • Splash pad grand opening at 2 p.m. ||Continued on A2