Fate, and perhaps some divine intervention, combined on Wednesday with goodwill and volunteerism in the nick of time to facilitate the delivery of balloons and chocolates to nursing home residents for Valentine's Day. more

Members of the Thayer High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter attended the 2024 District 14 FBLA Leadership Conference held Jan. 29 in Hartville. more

Senior Age Area Agency on Aging and the West Plains Senior Center offer free income tax assistance for seniors. more

In an effort to protect consumers as tax season is underway, Attorney General Andrew Bailey warns Missourians to be aware of scammers and to take steps to protect themselves from anyone attempting to get their personal information. more

The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce presented nine awards during its annual banquet held Feb. 3 at Pine Meadows Venue on Highway 76 in Willow Springs. more

Finding funding is a hurdle for many small businesses. Officials with the Missouri Small Business Development Center in West Plains and the Ozarks Small Business Incubator will host a free workshop designed to demystify the borrowing process and unlock a world of financial possibilities for both new and existing businesses. more

Would-be entrepreneurs dreaming of starting a new business of their own and current business owners looking for ways to be more successful are invited to sign up for a nine-week hands-on course, starting Saturday and offered by Ozarks Small Business Incubator. more

Dollar General announces this week its recently remodeled store at 4314 N Highway in Pomona now offers produce in addition to the familiar products customers have become accustomed to purchasing from the company.  more

Leonardo DRS has made a $1,500 donation to The Chaos Closet in West Plain. Allison Garrison, marketing representative from the Charitable Contributions Committee with Leonardo DRS, says the committee accepts nominations from employees for donations or program sponsorships to a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that they are passionate about supporting. Nominations are reviewed and then approved by the Senior Leadership Team for distribution.  more

Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment increased by 5,600 jobs in December, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point, report officials with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Economic Research and Information Center, which provided all of the data presented here in its Monthly Jobs Report. more

FNBC Bank has announced the hire of Zack Lashley as community president for its Missouri market, which has offices in West Plains and Mtn. Grove. Lashley brings almost two decades of banking and branch leadership experience, say bank officials. more