Ozarks Healthcare At Home has been recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a “Premier Performer” for achieving an overall patient satisfaction score, ranking in the top 5% of all eligible SHP clients for the 2022 calendar year, officials announced. more

Ozarks Healthcare’s Behavioral Health Center (BHC) has introduced the “Healing Hearts” support group, intended to be a compassionate and nurturing resource designed to provide support and guidance to adolescents and adults facing emotional and mental health challenges, announce officials. more

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks, with support from Delta Dental of Missouri, is launching a new $130,000 grant program to improve dental health for children attending rural schools, officials announce. more

Officials with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) say the agency is committed to empowering older adults in Missouri to reduce their risk of falls, one of the most significant causes of severe injuries and death among people older than 65. more

The West Plains Optimist Club is introducing a Neighborly Fall Display Contest for local business owners around Court Square in West Plains. more

In the heartland of America, where hills roll and tales of small-town legends seem as real as the morning dew, there was Laurel Thompson. A titan in the community of West Plains, Thompson, whose life spanned nine decades, was an emblem of dedication, commitment, and pure love for the place and people he called home. more

In January 1873, the weather in West Plains was probably cloudy and cold. A bit of sunshine and warmth, however, came riding down from the north that month in a one-horse buggy. Alice Cary Risley had just arrived from St. Luise to join her husband, Sam A. Risley. Howell County had just gained a first-class citizen. more

"For I will regard (consider) the heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and stars, which thou hast established. 4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalms 8:3-4, Greek Septuagint more

In today's ever-evolving world, where the tides of social change are often at odds with tradition, the Christian community stands at a crossroads. Issues such as racism, poverty, and inequality persistently challenge societies globally. For many modern Christians, their faith offers not only solace but also guidance on how to navigate and address these social maladies. This article delves into how the contemporary Christian community, informed and inspired by biblical teachings, confronts these pressing issues. more

Berean Southern Baptist Church, the “Little Church in the Valley,” has a new pastor, Fred Palmer of West Plains. more

No matter our age, we all get tired. Without sufficient food, water, and rest each day, we may experience physical exhaustion. The same thing is true of our spiritual energies. They need to be replenished daily by God. As an older saint at church used to say, “Our spiritual batteries need to be recharged!” When we neglect God and fail to make time for Bible reading and prayer, we become weary and discouraged. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” The kind of hope Isaiah mentions is not simply wishful thinking, but it is a confidence that God is with us and will renew our strength. We can face challenges with faith, undergirded by God’s grace. I Chronicles 16:11 says, “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually.” May we seek the Lord and his strength each day. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

In Hollywood's history, few tales have captured the eerie blend of glamour and tragedy like that of the "Little Bastard," James Dean's infamous Porsche 550 Spyder. This car, its allure as intense as its curse, is a dark reminder of the fleeting nature of stardom and the enigmatic forces that can lurk behind a veneer of fame. more

Below are several upcoming events at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), many of which are open to the community. Feel free to clip this calendar and keep it for your reference to make sure you don’t miss any events that might interest you. Also listed are several important dates on the university’s calendar that area residents might want to keep in mind.  more

After more than a year of waiting, researchers at the University of Missouri welcome the arrival of one of the nation’s first-of-its-kind electric, autonomous tractors. Known as the Monarch MK-V tractor, this revolutionary piece of technology will be studied for its ability to refine agricultural practices and support farmers with disabilities. more

Summersville Line Dance Workout resumes more

A new health humanities essay from the University of Missouri highlights how the narrative of many news stories detailing the challenges of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic often emphasized individual experiences. However, many of these news stories often left out broader public health, socioeconomic and environmental contexts critical to how consumers of news shape their thoughts about the pandemic and how to respond. more

As we begin our annual move toward fall and more normal routines of work, school and family, it can be a great time to make sure that all of us are up to date with our recommended cancer screening tests. more

Local attorney Hannon Ford, of Ford Estate Planning and Elder Law, will offer a free workshop, “Protecting Your Home, Farm and Nest Egg from Medicaid,” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 28 in the University of Missouri Extension Office of Howell County, 1376 Bill Virdon Blvd., East Towne Village, West Plains. more

The Ozarks Small Business Incubator has raised a total of $2,250 in sponsorships from area businesses for the Business Women’s Expo, to be held Saturday, announce officials.  more