How many people remember driving down the road and seeing a train going on tracks alongside of your car? Back before kids could watch their laptops and play games on them, just about anything out of the ordinary was interesting. Especially trains. How many engines did it have? Did it have passenger cars? Cars that haul automobiles? Was it carrying big machinery or loads of coal? But the real excitement came at the end of the train- the little red caboose! more

Let's talk about something that's probably a part of all our lives but doesn't get enough spotlight - comfort movies. You know, those films we keep returning to, like a favorite sweater or a trusted old friend. For me, that movie is "Apollo 13." And here's the kicker: it's not even what I'd call my favorite movie. It's just... special. more

Petty Crow has a Perfume Bar with 50 plus essential oils to choose from and make your own perfume blend, Christmas hand-made decorations, Abby will have her wonderful and popular plushies and other hand-made items, Robert will have his crocheted stuffed animals and so much more! more

’Tis the season for all the goodies of sweet and savory. This week we are going back to the good ole days when the simple flavors of the season were honored in a way. Gingerbread isn't just for making cute Christmas houses, there are thousands of other delicious recipes to explore. I like to make gingerbread pancakes or muffins during the holidays but pie is always a favorite. This no-bake gingerbread pie is easy, and quick and you can make it days ahead of time and freeze. I especially love the gingerbread crust which I've used in other pies. Gingerbread takes me back to a time when you didn't have all the fancy desserts, just plain and simple. We all can use some simple ways to get us through the holidays. Tis the season.  more

Hey there, fellow food enthusiasts, welcome back to my kitchen. Once again this week, I'm diving into a culinary classic that has comforted many of us through thick and thin: mac 'n' cheese. But this isn't your regular boxed mac 'n' cheese; we're elevating it to gourmet status with a medley of high-end cheeses, a punch of unique spices, and a crunchy topping that will take your taste buds on a delightful journey. more

Delta Dental of Missouri’s Land of Smiles dental education program is on the road this fall, taking the crusade for healthy teeth to 23,000 youngsters at more than 100 schools across the state in the coming weeks. The cast of dynamic superhero characters made its most recent stop in West Plains for a performance at Glenwood Elementary School, teaching good dental health habits to 131 students in kindergarten through third grade. more

Ozarks Healthcare’s Mobile Mammography Unit will continue to travel and offer mammogram services to surrounding communities through December.  more

Officials with the Missouri Department of Social Services report an “alarming” trend in child fatalities related to sleep-related infant suffocation and fentanyl poisoning has been identified in the Missouri Child Fatality Review Program (CFRP) Annual Report for 2022, viewable online at dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/cfrar/2022-eliminating-child-abuse-and-neglect.pdf. more

Learn how to tie fishing flies with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) free Fly Tying for Everyone, Even Beginners course from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays from Jan. 4 through Feb. 1. Fly tying for fishing is a mix of skill, creativity, and knowledge about what sight-feeding fish eat. This class will teach beginners how to get started tying flies and sharpen the skills of experienced lure makers. more

Author Teresa L. Wallace, of Alton and formerly of West Plains, will sign copies of her books alongside three Springfield-area authors during an event from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at ABC Bookstore, 2109 N. Glenstone in Springfield. more

James and Jessica Brimsberry have a bit of a mystery on their hands, but one that adds a touch of interest to their work in restoring outbuildings on their property near the western edge of town, an area that has seen quite a bit of expansion over the last 40 years or so. more

Downtown Willow Springs is looking like it will be abuzz with activity today, starting with breakfast and children’s activities this morning and wrapping up with this evening’s Christmas parade. more

Trout fishing in Missouri, a state celebrated for its abundant outdoor activities, transcends being just a pastime; it's a cherished tradition, especially highlighted on March 1, the opening day of the summer catch-and-keep season at state trout parks. Recognizing the enduring appeal and growing interest in trout fishing, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a unique opportunity for enthusiasts and novices alike to deepen their understanding of this engaging activity. more

Black River Technical College Automotive Collision Technology student Mike Fraley recently traveled to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., where he received an American FFA degree. more

Nestled within the rolling hills of Missouri, West Plains is a town that holds within its streets and structures the untold stories of a bygone era. This guide embarks you on a self-guided tour, a journey that will lead you through the heart of downtown West Plains, unveiling its rich history and cultural heritage. As you wander through its lanes, you'll find each corner whispering tales of triumph, tragedy, and time-honored tradition. more

The twenty-third Psalm is one of the most famous passages in the Bible. Part of what makes the ancient psalm so moving is that it was written by David, who had been a shepherd before he became a king. It beautifully pictures God caring for us like shepherds care for their sheep. Here is the psalm: more

This time of year, even with its celebrations, is for some people a time of sadness. There has been great sickness, grief, or loss in their lives. Twinkling Christmas lights are not enough to lift the darkness. The truth of scripture speaks to this. In John 1:5 we read, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus is the light of the world, and his coming into our lives brings light. How? He forgives the guilty and comforts the grieving. He welcomes the stranger and heals the broken. The light of Christ streams into our lives as we know the saving grace of God. Jesus was born into this world so that we might know that we are God’s loved and cherished children. Today Christ wants to shine his light into our hearts. May we pray the words of the hymn, “O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.” God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches of Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. more

The New Testament opens with four distinct yet intertwined accounts of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, known as the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These texts, while centered on the same individual, present different perspectives, themes, and audiences, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and purposes of their authors. more

Whether you’re subscribing to a dating app, getting a gym membership, visiting a website or purchasing a product, you’re probably entering into a consumer contract. As widely used as these agreements are, people rarely read, understand or know the content of them. Although there are some government regulations, contract law generally treats online “terms as conditions” to be binding contracts for people who agree to buy, subscribe, borrow, join or download.
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