More than 4,500 locations in the U.S. are now open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project, including more than a dozen locally. Volunteers are standing by to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, through Monday. more

Texas County Sheriff Scott Lindsey is reporting an investigation into a fatal shooting that happened about 3 a.m. Wednesday in the area of Bucyrus, about five miles west of Houston. more

The second annual Missouri Good Neighbor Week, celebrated from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, was a documented success, said David Burton, a representative of the Green County University of Missouri Extension and organizer of the event. more