Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains announce the addition of a new healthcare supply chain management certificate option to its Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology degree program. 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

Last Saturday, the West Plains Civic Center was the place to be as car enthusiasts from all over gathered for the highly anticipated Wheels and Deals 2024 Car Show and Swap Meet. Hosted by the West Plains Car Club, this 36th annual event was nothing short of spectacular, offering a perfect blend of classic cars, friendly competition, and a hearty salute to our veterans. If you missed it, buckle up because here's a detailed recap of all the action, excitement, and automotive awesomeness that went down. more

State Representative Travis Smith of Dora, a Republican representing House District 155 currently campaigning for the 33rd District seat held by retiring Sen. Karla Eslinger, announces he has received the endorsement of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the beef-producing industry since January 1911. more

June 22, 1981, was just another opening day at Wimbledon, right? Wrong. It was the day when John McEnroe, the fiery tennis star, turned Centre Court into a theater of pure drama. Picture this: the pristine grass, the polite applause, the genteel atmosphere. And then, in the midst of it all, McEnroe had a meltdown for the ages. His opponent, Tom Gullikson, probably had no idea that their match would go down in history—not for the tennis, but for the tantrum. more

Willie Howard Mays Jr., one of the most iconic figures in the history of baseball, passed away this week at the age of 93. His remarkable career, spanning over two decades, left an indelible mark on the sport, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of athletes and fans alike. This comprehensive article delves into the life, career, and enduring legacy of the man affectionately known as "The Say Hey Kid." more

Tom Barr, a Hall of Famer in both the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association and Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Athletics, is set to host three specialized basketball camps in the coming weeks. As a former head basketball coach for the MSU-WP Grizzlies, Tom brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to these events. more

John 8:10-11 Jesus stood up and asked her, “Where is everyone? Isn't there anyone left to accuse you?” 11“No sir,” the woman answered. Then Jesus told her, “I am not going to accuse you either. You may go now, but don't sin anymore.” more

Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32) The mustard seed is such a marvelous and memorable image from the gospels. Jesus says this tiny little seed can grow and grow and become a tree. God’s kingdom is like that. It starts out very small, grows, and becomes large enough to give shelter, to have an impact much greater than expected. It grows by God’s power. Jesus tells us to trust that it is true. God is at work, and God’s kingdom will grow to shelter the whole world. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

I want to talk about something that is at the very heart of our faith, how we, as Christians, are called to interact with one another and the world around us. It's a topic that has been on my mind a lot lately, and I believe it's one that deserves our careful consideration and reflection. So, let's dive in together and ask ourselves some important questions. more

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, theatre lovers of all ages, brace yourselves for an extraordinary experience that will whisk you away to a world of wonder and delight! The historic Avenue Theatre, nestled in the heart of beautiful downtown West Plains, is beyond excited to announce the highly anticipated performance of “Mary Poppins.” This is not just a show; it's an event that promises to make your summer absolutely unforgettable. more

Baseball fans have an opportunity to donate blood and get rewards for participating in a blood drive hosted by Ozarks Healthcare and the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks from noon to 6 p.m. Friday in the Willard Hunter Classroom at Parkway Center, 1211 Porter Wagoner Blvd. in West Plains. more

Our third annual Mommy and Me event on May 3 was a hit! We had 27 families who were able to attend. more

It’s not cool to be hot, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch. Water, rest and shade help workers beat the heat. more

Texas County Memorial Hospital officials in Houston announce Bonnie Evans, a certified nursing assistant in the hospital’s medical-surgical department, is the 2024 Sunflower Award recipient.  more

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) introduces “My Life, My Quit,” a free tobacco cessation service for Missouri teens who want to quit using electronic cigarettes, vape products, cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. more

Summer is the best time to buy and use fruit for its freshness and availability.  On this Father's Day, lemon curd comes to mind. My Dad was an excellent gardener, and I'm so thankful I got that gene from him. He lived in California where you can grow just about anything.  He always had lemon trees in his backyard; whenever he visited, I got a big box of lemons. This was before the internet, so I had to turn to my canning books for ways to use all those lemons. That was my first time making lemon curd. I gifted my Dad a jar and he was hooked. So, the deal was that he got a jar of lemon curd every time he brought me lemons. Sweet! Fruit curds are a wonderful way to use extra fruit. They are generally a mixture of fruit juice and zest that is cooked slowly until thickened with eggs, sugar, and butter to make a creamy spread.  Lemon curd happens to be the most popular. You can use it on toast, muffins, and hand pies, or straight from the jar.  Since it's much harder to grow lemons here, be sure to look for big lemons, organic or Meyers if you can find them to make this curd at home. It's fairly simple, just don't let it burn. I hope everyone had a great Father's Day, I hope you made some new memories or remembered the old ones. Lemons aren't just for lemonade anymore.  more

Summer is upon us and the market is in full swing with many of your summertime favorites! Jay and Marcela returned last Saturday with their refreshing and cool Columbian Fruit drinks. Summer produce is beginning to pour in: peaches, berries, green beans, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, greens, and more! more

Hello, sunshine lovers and dessert enthusiasts! The summer heat is upon us, and what better way to cool down than with a scoop (or two) of luscious homemade peach ice cream? Imagine the sweet, juicy flavor of ripe peaches swirling together with creamy, dreamy ice cream—it's like capturing the very essence of summer in a bowl. Today, I’m sharing a delightful, detailed, and downright delicious recipe that’s sure to become a seasonal favorite. So, grab your aprons, and let’s dive into this frosty adventure! more