2 Timothy 3:1: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” more

Welcome back to my little culinary experiment, where we take the everyday essentials we usually toss in our grocery cart and turn them into delightful homemade staples. This week, we're tackling something small but mighty — the humble crouton. more

The West Plains Senior Center is calling on the community to join its ongoing donation drive. more

Have you ever failed? I know the answer because of my own failures and because I have worked with thousands of people who have failed during my 43 years as a pastor. To the casual observer, many seem to have their act together but when you get behind their public face, you discover every person is a bit of a mess. more

Ozarka College will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Jan. 29 in the lobby of the John E. Miller Education Complex in Melbourne, Ark. more

Recoiled and camouflaged against the aquatic vegetation they call home, the chain pickerel is a finely-tuned ambush predator that is arguably among America’s most underrated gamefish. Opinions of them are as varied as the striking emerald green chain-link patterns on their bodies, but for diehard fishermen like me who refuse to put down the stick in the middle of winter, they are a tackle-busting blessing. more

The Mark Twain Veteran Crew traveled to California to aid in the ongoing wildfire response efforts needed around devastated communities in the southern part of the state. more

The Ozarks Small Business Incubator, 408 Washington Ave. is set to host its first skills-based workshop of the year: QuickBooks Online for Business will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 12. more

Prospective entrepreneurs dreaming of starting their own businesses, and current business owners looking to grow their success are invited to participate in the Ozarks Small Business Incubator’s Launch *, a nine-week, hands-on training course for aspiring and early-stage business owners. more

High school seniors who are children or grandchildren of FCS Financial members could be eligible to earn a $2,000 scholarship for college, officials announce. more

The City of West Plains has announced there will be a planned power outage for part of town beginning at 11 p.m. today, Thursday, and estimated to last about 90 minutes. more

The Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2024 annual awards ceremony on Jan. 23 in the exhibit hall of the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. more

The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual awards banquet at 5 p.m. Feb. 1 at Pine Meadows Venue. more

The Harlin Museum is taking entries through Sunday for its upcoming annual Quilt and Fiber Arts Show. Museum officials remind everyone the event celebrates the creativity and craftsmanship of quilters and other artisans from near and far. more

Dave Thomas, chartered life underwriter, Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow and insurance agent representing the Shelter Insurance Companies, has been recognized as one of the top agents in the company and has earned an invitation to attend the annual Shelter Insurance Conference of Champions meeting. more

The West Plains Council on the Arts will host a “color-in” colored pencil workshop led by artist Lee Copen from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 8 in the Walnut Room at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis Street. more

Bill Brodherst had not run in a race since he was a high school student in 1980. Years later, he decided to train for a mini-marathon known as the Pepsi Challenge 10K. He was motivated because the great Bill Rodgers, a winner of many nationally-known marathons, was competing, and he wanted to say he had competed against the legendary runner. more

Jesus taught us to persist in prayer. His parable about the widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) emphasized our “need to pray always and not to lose heart.” more

1 John 2:18: “Dear children, the last hour is here….” more