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

Taylor A. Deckard, 18, Alton, has been charged with third-degree child molestation involving a victim younger than 14 after allegedly kissing and touching a 13-year-old on the chest and buttocks while she was sleeping. 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 Thayer resident faces charges after allegedly walking around with a loaded rifle and telling witnesses he wanted to kill himself and die by “suicide by cop." 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

Several area communities are holding Fourth of July events this week, beginning today. more

A fundraiser benefit to help pay for a child’s cancer treatment will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. June 19 at the Alton Fire Department, with giveaway drawings, craft and bake sales and face-painting. more

Beautifying county fairgrounds, painting bleachers and picnic tables, and community park improvements are a few of the community projects that 4-H and FFA youth will be doing this summer as recipients of a Shaping Rural Missouri Grant from FCS Financial. more

Marissa Ayers, a senior at Couch High School in Myrtle who will be attending Missouri State University-West Plains this fall, was one of 30 students selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship as part of the Missouri STEM Signing Day. more

ALTON — Winners in Alton Elementary School’s recent "Under the Sea" themed art show are among entries from 280 students. The event showcased the work of all students in the school and was part of an elaborate and colorful display by art teacher Annie Whitten that filled the halls of the school and ended with an awards ceremony. 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