Dear Readers, more

“Won't You Be My Neighbor Day” will be observed at Summersville Library on Wednesday, March 20. It’s a perfect opportunity to remember the legacy of Fred Rogers, the beloved host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. His show taught valuable lessons about kindness, empathy, and self-worth to generations of children, and this day allows us to celebrate and continue his message. more

Around January 15 of this year, my husband and I decided that the arctic-like weather we were having was just too much for us. The temperature highs that week had been 0, 10, and 13 degrees, and it wasn’t looking good for a warm-up anytime soon. So, I remembered the old saying, “Everyone always complains about the weather, but no one ever does anything about it!” more

As a young boy growing up in West Plains on Walker street, right off of Grace, drinking nickel cokes and R.C.s (Royal Crown Colas), and occasionally eating a moon pie at Elba Francis Walker street grocery, I could never dreamed of what I have been blessed to have seen and heard in my life. more

Hey there, West Plains enthusiasts and supporters of all things local! As the dust settles on the frenzied voting frenzy of our beloved annual Best of West Plains, I'm here to spill some tea, share some thanks, and maybe drop a little wisdom along the way. So, grab your favorite beverage, get cozy, and let's dive into the heart of our community's vibrant showcase. more

Like so many in southeast and south-central Missouri, agriculture has always been an important part of my life. I’ll never forget the memories I have as a young kid spending time at, and working on, my grandparents’ farm — the very same one I own, operate, and live on today. The experience and skills I gained were very valuable, but nothing made me better prepared to run my cattle ranch — or serve in Congress — than my local FFA chapter. That’s because FFA is about much more than growing crops and raising animals; It’s about growing leaders. more

To the editor: more

To the editor: more

Dear Readers, more

March 2 is the birthday of a world-famous American children's author and cartoonist. more

I’ve never depended on farming for my bread and butter, but I can thank FFA —Future Farmers of America, in my day — for launching my career as a journalist. more

Since I wrote a column detailing who Silas Claiborne Turnbo was and why his writings were important in the history of the Ozarks, I thought I’d add a sample of his work. more

Ah, the Ozarks. The land where weather forecasters must feel like they're crafting a particularly unpredictable narrative every single day. It's a place where you might wake up contemplating whether today's outfit leans more towards "beach-ready" or "bundled up like an Arctic explorer." As I sit here, tapping away at my keyboard, I'm decked out in a t-shirt, and I kid you not, considering swapping my khakis for shorts. And yes, the air conditioner in my car was my best friend during lunch. But as you're reading this, chances are you're wrapped up in a coat, wondering if I'm living in a parallel universe. By the time the weekend hits, we'll be riding another temperature rollercoaster back to the sunny, cheerful 70s. more

To the editor: more

To the editor: more

Dear Readers, more

To the editor: more

Suddenly, I hear dogs barking across a farmer’s barren field, where cattle wait for their winter ration. The day is cold and cloudy, the dampness chilling to the bone. more

It is the fourth subzero day of January as I put pen to paper, every day of which I have devoted to mining for inspiration for my February columns. more

Change, that ever-constant presence in our lives, seems to be a concept we have a love-hate relationship with. On one hand, we're creatures of habit, seeking comfort in the familiar, the routine, the "way it's always been." On the other hand, there's this innate hunger for growth, improvement, and the thrill of something new. This duality within us makes navigating change a complex, often emotionally charged process, even when the change in question is something we thought we wanted. more