The 39th annual Ozark Black Gold Walnut Festival in Alton will kick off this year's walnut buying season on Oct. 5, and will celebrate over 70 years of the local Strain/Mills family history of buying black walnuts. more

Glen E. Trantham, 75, Koshkonong, was the victim of a fatal UTV crash at 5:10 p.m. Friday on east U.S. 160, 4 miles west of Thomasville in Oregon County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. more

The Heart of the Ozarks United Way is now accepting grant applications for up to $10,000 from 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies in Howell and Oregon counties, and Fulton County, Ark. more

Members of the Couch FFA Chapter joined more than 725 FFA members and agricultural leaders at the Missouri State Fair on August 13, for the Missouri State FFA Food Insecurity Day of Service. The event is held in conjunction with the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids, a yearlong effort to stand in the gap for the 1 in 7 Missouri children facing food insecurity, said officials. more

Voters in Oregon County ousted both of their incumbent associate county commissioners during Tuesday’s primary elections, according to uncertified results. more

With the help of the FBI, a forensics expert at the University of Florida School of Medicine and family members of the victim, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has identified a woman who was found dead in Shannon County more than two years ago, and charged her brother with first-degree murder.  more

A Monday morning crash on U.S. 63 near the intersection of Alton Road in Thayer resulted in fatal injuries for an Osage County man, and serious injuries to two children, Thayer police reported. more

Three people were seriously injured in a four-vehicle crash at 7:07 p.m. Monday on south U.S. 63 at Oregon County Road 364, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. more

Missouri State Parks officials are asking for public input regarding the future development and considerations to be made for the Eleven Point State Park in Oregon County. more

A narcotics search warrant served March 26 at a room at the Baymont Inn in West Plains has resulted in felony drug charges filed against four area residents. more

The Thayer High School Senior Beta Club participated in the state convention held March 1 and 2 in Branson. The following students placed in the top five and now qualify for national convention in Savannah, Ga., this June: Jake McFann, third place, math; Savannah Jackson, third place, math; Abby Blum, second place, math; Ally Kerley, fourth place, pottery; Skylar McDaniel, fourth place, onsite drawing, and third place, sculpture; and Salena Hollis, third place onsite painting and fourth place, painting. more

The Thayer High School Junior Beta Club participated in the state convention held Feb 28 and 29 in Branson. The following students placed in the top five and now qualify for national convention in Savannah, Ga., this June: Zaiden Wright, third place, English/language arts; Jasmin Gutierrez, third place, Spanish; Quiz Bowl team members Colton Albritton, Grayson Woods, Camden Jennings and Weston Martin, first place; and Book Battle Team Members Taylor Blanks, Annabelle Williams and Zaiden Wright, first place. more

The City of Thayer is hosting eclipse camping through Tuesday, complete with a nightly bonfire, live music, shuttles and food vendors. more