The American Red Cross continue to highlight the ongoing need for blood and platelet donors as festive schedules ramp up this fall. Eligible individuals — especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets — are encouraged by the organization to make a donation ahead of the holiday season.  more

Texas County Memorial Hospital was a positive detour for Gary Yaekle, of Ohio, a patient who was displaying symptoms of a stroke in late August, said officials with the hospital in Houston. more

Ozarks Healthcare has entered into a new partnership with Oncology Hematology Associates (OHA), bringing enhanced, comprehensive cancer care to the region, according to hospital officials. The collaboration, they explained, aims to provide state-of-the-art oncology and hematology services to all patients, and ensure access to cutting-edge treatments close to home. more

The Piney River Brewing Company, located in Bucyrus in Texas County, has been awarded a bronze medal for its Old Tom Porter at the Great American Beer Festival, held Oct. 12 in Denver. The festival is hosted by the Brewers Association and is the nation's largest professional beer competition. more

Plans for the addition of two new office buildings in Imperial Center, submitted to West Plains Building Official and Zoning Administrator Dustin Harrison for review by Grisham Properties, have been approved by city council members. more

Get ready, West Plains! This Saturday, the “Go Farm” Farmers Market is bringing you another morning packed with local goodness and treats you won’t want to miss. From the gravel parking lot next to Endurance Church, vendors will set up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine—well, maybe not in the rain, but close enough! And with something for everyone, this weekend’s market is bound to be a highlight of your week. more

Oh, sweet November. It's time to start thinking about the holidays and preparing for winter. Pumpkin goodies aren't being replaced just yet, but with the holidays approaching soon, I always think about the desserts first. There will always be the traditional favorites but it's always fun to add a newbie or two, who knows they may make the favorites list. You can't ever have enough desserts. If you spend any time on Facebook, be sure to join a recipe, baking or cooking group. I belong to many and have added a lot of new recipes to my collection and have learned new things from them. This week's recipe came through my Facebook feed this morning, not only was it good timing but it made my list of things to try this holiday season.  You can't go wrong with a peanut butter dessert any time of the year but this time of the season, it's a little extra special thanks to the pretzel crust. Not only is this pie easy but the endless toppings make this one a nice gift too. So, before I share the recipe, November is also a good time to check your spice rack and replace any outdated spices, and don't forget the baking soda and baking powder too.  Welcome November.  more

This cheesy hash brown casserole is all dressed up to be the main star at your next meal! With tender shredded chicken and colorful bell peppers added into the mix, this hearty dish transforms a traditional side into a satisfying, delicious centerpiece that’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks. It’s warm, creamy, and packed with flavor, with each bite offering a blend of cheesy goodness, savory chicken, and soft, crispy hash browns. more

West Plains Schools Athletic Department would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the Zizzer Athletic Booster Club (ZABC) for their incredible support during last week's Class 4 District 1 Volleyball Championship at Farmington High School! Thanks to the ZABC, three pep buses were sponsored, allowing 77 enthusiastic Middle and High School students, along with their sponsors, to attend the big game. The students enjoyed not only the thrill of cheering on their team but were also treated to a meal, free admission, and snacks, all courtesy of the ZABC. Thank you, ZABC, for making this unforgettable experience possible for our students! more

West Plains High School’s cross-country teams are on the brink of something monumental—a chance to bring home a state title for the first time in over a decade. Leading the charge are seniors Kyler Gunter and Carson King, two runners well-versed in the Zizzers’ rich tradition, with their eyes set on adding to the program’s impressive 13 state championships. more

Halloween may have come and gone, but there’s no forgetting the spine-tingling excitement of West Plains’ Scare on the Square! For the third year in a row, the West Plains Downtown Revitalization group transformed downtown into a Halloween haven, bringing a special blend of spooky fun to the heart of town. With nearly 1,200 people coming out to celebrate, this year’s event, held on Thursday night, was a smash hit, and the Square was absolutely buzzing with ghoulish glee. more

Sometimes people take a trip to get away from it all, and other times they take one to heal the memories they carry with them no matter where they go. The latter was the case for veteran George Thompson of West Plains, who took an Ozarks Honor Flight in August he says helped bring some closure to the emotional wounds he felt on his return from Vietnam. more

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates Ryan Young of Buffalo for swiping the latest state record for black buffalo. Young was fishing at Stockton Lake Oct. 13 when he caught a 55-pound, 9-ounce fish with his rod-and-reel. The previous state record under pole-and-line was a 53-pound black buffalo caught from Wappapello Lake in 1989. more

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that hunters checked 1,857 turkeys during the firearms portion of Missouri’s fall turkey season, Oct. 1-31. Top harvest counties were Gasconade with 51 birds harvested, Osage with 48, and Cedar with 46. more

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports Missouri hunters harvested 15 black bears during the state’s fourth bear hunting season, Oct. 21-30. more

When Cbabi Bayoc stepped into the historic Lincoln School in West Plains the energy shifted. Here was an artist whose vibrant colors and bold lines had transcended canvases and walls, capturing the rhythms of fatherhood, family, and Black identity in ways that pulsed with life. For the students waiting to hear his story, Bayoc wasn’t just an artist; he was a storyteller, a trailblazer, and a voice for a culture that rarely sees itself so vividly reflected. With each brushstroke, Bayoc’s work challenges, celebrates, and dances with the essence of his subjects, and today, he was bringing that same fire and passion into this room, ready to share not only his artistic journey but the purpose and love that drive every piece he creates. more

One of my favorite authors, Pastor Charles Swindoll, turned ninety earlier this month. He has written over seventy books; I have read many of them. I also heard him speak more than forty years ago when I was a student at the Moody Bible Institute. He is one of the most gifted communicators I ever heard. God used Swindoll’s gifts as a skillful communicator and superb storyteller to help inspire and shape my style of speaking and writing. more

Micah 7:5 & 7 Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace, guard the words of your lips... but as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. more