Staff Reports
After 39 years leading newspapers in Poplar Bluff and the surrounding area, Daily American Republic publisher and president of Butler County Publishing Don Schrieber will retire at the end of the month. The move coincides with control of Butler Country Publishing, which also includes newspapers in Dexter, Puxico and Doniphan, transitioning from Gary W. Rust to Rust Communications, a corporation led by Rust's three sons.
"I am incredibly appreciative of the support of the community and customers these newspapers have served through the years," Schrieber said. "Our goal has always been to provide the best local news and advertising to the area. At 66, I'm not getting any younger. And with the control of the newspapers changing, I thought this was a good time for me to step aside and allow new leadership to thrive."
Schrieber, a native of St. Louis and an Army veteran, entered the newspaper business in 1976 as an advertising salesman for the Southeast Missourian in Cape Girardeau. Thomson Corporation, an international conglomerate that owned the Missourian at the time, moved him to other locations before he decided to return to Southeast Missouri in 1979 as partner with Gary Rust to take the helm of Rust's weekly The Journal newspaper in Poplar Bluff. Schrieber and Rust purchased the Daily American Republic a few years later. Over the years, the Prospect-News, Puxico Press and Dexter Statesman were added to the group. Schrieber subsequently sold his interest to Rust.
"It's been a pleasure and honor to serve the people of this community," Schrieber said. "It's been especially gratifying to work with so many good and talented people. My staff is like family, and I appreciate all that they do."
Schrieber's last day at the newspaper will be Oct. 31.
"My whole family has tremendous respect for Don, and we will miss his strong, dedicated and principled leadership," said Jon K. Rust, co-president of Rust Communications and publisher of the Southeast Missourian. "He has played a historic role in the exciting progress of Poplar Bluff and the surrounding area. It will be our challenge to find a new publisher: great with supporting and developing staff, dedicated to quality journalism, committed to community, and keen on innovation. Don has set a high bar."