Romans 1:32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. more

“Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.” (Psalm 96:2) “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.” (Psalm 98:4) Throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to sing to the Lord! In Exodus 15:21 we read that after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, “Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously.’” To sing to the Lord is central to the practice of our faith. We sing to affirm our faith… “On Christ the solid rock I stand” …describe God’s traits… “Great is Thy faithfulness!”… express a prayer… “What a friend we have in Jesus.” Singing deepens our faith, strengthens us as God’s people, and prepares us for that day when all the faithful will sing in God’s kingdom. (Rev. 5) Let us sing to the Lord! May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

There’s a saying from my childhood that pops into my head every once in awhile: “God don’t like ugly.” more

The Bible isn't just another book on the shelf. It’s special, not just because of its spiritual significance but because of how we, as readers, engage with it. Unlike a novel where the story is generally accepted at face value, when it comes to the Bible, it seems everyone’s got a scoop on what the text “really means.” It’s not just about reading; it’s about interpreting, sometimes over-interpreting. more

Headliners announced for this year’s Old-Time Music, Ozarks Heritage Festival are CJ Newsom’s Classic Country from Branson with Terry Wayne Sanders, performing at 8 p.m. June 7, and Big Smith of Springfield, set to play at 8 p.m. June 8. Both performances will be held in the West Plains Civic Center theater.  more

The Missouri FFA Association awarded the West Plains FFA Chapter a Gold Emblem and a Top Chapter Award once again during the 96th annual state convention held April 17 through 19 in Columbia. West Plains placed 16th out of 362 chapters. Only 10% of state chapters receive a top chapter designation annually, officials pointed out. more

New students planning to enroll in 2024 summer session and/or fall semester classes at Missouri State University-West Plains can sign up now for the university’s STudent Advising and Registration (S.T.A.R.) Orientation. more

The West Plains Council on the Arts and Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center (BHC) have again partnered to bring a themed collection of submissions by area residents to the West Plains Civic Center. WPCA will host the exhibition of works from Monday through May 17 in the gallery on the mezzanine in the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. The gallery is open to the public during regular civic center hours. more

Jeannie “Renee” Williams, a registered nurse at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ John J. Pershing Medical Center clinic in West Plains, has been recognized with the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses. more

The Lincoln School is set to welcome former West Plains resident Beverly Short for a captivating two-day event featuring a book discussion and a theatrical performance. The events will showcase her multi-faceted career and her latest artistic achievements. more

Cedarhurst of West Plains invites the public to its inaugural Goat Gala & Fashion Show to be held May 29 at the senior living facility, 1528 U.S. 63. more

Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston has been awarded a grant of $177,292.50 by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. more

The 30th annual Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival will celebrate Missouri culture June 7 and 8 in downtown West Plains, and as part of the festivities, the pie competition will return for a fifth year. more

Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce Director Kim McCormick has announced that the “Talk Derby to Me” Kentucky Derby watch party has been canceled, citing unforeseen circumstances. more

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on Tuesday issued a vital health advisory concerning potential risks associated with the consumption of hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids. more

A team of researchers at the University of Missouri in Columbia is uncovering how the juice from red cabbage, long used in traditional medicine, can alleviate inflammation-associated digestive health conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in mice, offering hope to the estimated 3 million Americans who suffer from IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. more

On April 7 the waters of Norfork Lake became the epicenter of intense competition and fervent hope. The 39th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Buddy Bass Tournament, hosted at Lake Norfork Marina, Henderson, Arkansas, drew an impressive roster of anglers from across the region, all converging with a dual purpose: to claim victory in the water and to fight cystic fibrosis on land. more

The phrase "you are what you eat" has long resonated as a cautionary maxim, emphasizing the profound impact of our dietary choices on overall health. This idea serves as a backdrop for a deeper exploration into how the foods we consume can either nurture or undermine our health. more