Ozarks Healthcare Laboratory Services offers affordable lab screenings available throughout the year. These screenings are offered for a nominal fee, payable by cash or check only, and are available at multiple locations. more

We know about RSV for babies, but did you know adults can also get RSV, and certain groups should be vaccinated to prevent RSV? more

Baxter Health officials in Mtn. Home, Ark., announce the hiring of two new employees, a nurse practitioner and a social worker, to its health care system. more

Vehicular transportation is a necessity for living in the rural Ozarks. However, car trouble — which can be quite expensive — comes with any vehicle. Fortunately, individuals like Tracy Green are willing to help.  more

A lucky Missouri Lottery player in Howell County rang in the New Year as a million-dollar winner. more

Small nonfarm businesses in 15 Missouri counties and neighboring counties in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee are now eligible to apply for low interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. more

Leonardo DRS, 640 Independence Drive in West Plains, will hold open interview assessments from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. The company is seeking to hire aluminum welders and painters. more

Agricultural lender FCS Financial announced Monday it will return $37 million to its member-owners in cash patronage for the 2024 calendar year in a gesture officials say “underscores the cooperative’s commitment to sharing its success with the nearly 27,000 farm and ranch families it serves across Missouri.” more

On Dec. 4, the Missouri Pork Association, National Pork Board and the University of Missouri held the fourth annual FFA Swine Facility Management Contest in Columbia. Willow Springs FFA was among 18 teams competing in the hands-on event which focuses on real-world jobs in the pork industry. more

During the month of November, Missouri Lottery offices paid out more than $7 million in prizes of $1,000 or more across the state, and more than $83,600 in Howell and surrounding counties. more

The Howell County office of the University of Missouri Extension will host a workshop on soil and grazing management from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at the office, 1376 Bill Virdon. Blvd. in the East Towne Village Shopping Center, West Plains. more

All are invited to join University of Missouri Extension specialists for an agriculture production-based dinner program at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7. The program will be held at the Mtn. Grove Senior Center, 700 E. State St. in Mtn. Grove. more

The Ozarka College Board of Trustees recently announced its selection of Dr. Josh Wilson, vice president of advancement at Ozarka in Melbourne, Ark., as the next president of the college. more

Missouri farmers may have grown the peanuts that you enjoy in holiday candies like peanut brittle or peanut clusters. more

Ozarka College has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to begin Skilled Trades programs at its Melbourne, Ark., campus, officials announce. more

The Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a new website, officials announce. more

It’s hard to believe another year has come to an end and another has begun. Over this past year we have had many ups and downs. My hope is that you have had more ups than downs. Challenges have been put before us and hopes have been offered.  more

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world…” This week we celebrate the love that came down at Christmas. more

I recently reflected on how much our perceptions of Christmas change as we get older. To illustrate, consider the following questions we will likely ask at various ages. Four and 5-year-olds often ask, “What do I want for Christmas?” and “Will I get what I want?” more