A better world! I’m not for sure if I know what that means. I know about the Tower of Babel story in the Bible when God intervened in the affairs of men, but I doubt if God is going to upset the apple cart, but we might be better off if He did. In regard to modern day technology, I call it A Consumed Life. more

In last week’s column, I was writing about the fact that my three-times great grandparents lived in the same area in Ozark County for years, but I couldn’t find any deeds or records that they owned any land. They all showed up on Census counts, so I know they were indeed living there. I didn’t quite know what to make of this. How can you live somewhere but have no ownership records? Were they there, or weren’t they? more

The first day of spring is three months away as I pen these lines with the season’s first seed catalog in hand. more

Hey there, let me tell you a story about a little adventure that unfolded right in front of my wall of windows. So, my office sits right on Washington Avenue, and due to some construction wizardry I pulled off a few months back, my desk area is now pretty much an extension of the sidewalk. It’s got its perks, you know, people-watching, being a part of the street's daily hustle without leaving my chair, that kind of thing. more

The University of Missouri Women's Basketball team faced a challenging Sunday afternoon at Mizzou Arena, succumbing to the Arkansas Razorbacks with a final score of 67-58. Despite a valiant effort led by sophomore guard Ashton Judd, who scored 22 points, the Tigers could not clinch the victory. more

Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment increased by 5,600 jobs in December, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point, report officials with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Economic Research and Information Center, which provided all of the data presented here in its Monthly Jobs Report. more

FNBC Bank has announced the hire of Zack Lashley as community president for its Missouri market, which has offices in West Plains and Mtn. Grove. Lashley brings almost two decades of banking and branch leadership experience, say bank officials. more

Hello fellow food lovers, and welcome back to my kitchen. Today, we embark on a quest to conquer the peaks of pastry perfection with the ultimate Raspberries and Cream Cheesecake, cradled by a golden, buttery graham cracker crust. Fasten your apron, for we are about to weave magic in the kitchen, creating not just a dessert, but a masterpiece that sings songs of summer, whispers tales of indulgence, and dances upon the palate with the grace of dawn's first light. more

Ron’s Microgreens and More has just what you need to stay healthy during this cold/flu season. Tumeric/Ginger Shots are a great way to take in a large amount of nutrients at one time. These drinks aid in reducing inflammation and are high in antioxidants which supports your immune system. more

A friend of mine sent me a recipe she knew I'd have to try since it was a bit odd, my favorite kind. After researching this pie, I found it to be an old Southern favorite from the 1800's, but it became widely popular from a scene from the hit series, Psych. One blogger wrote that after watching this episode where the main characters tried a slice of cinnamon pie at a cinnamon festival they couldn't stop eating it. That led the blogger to search for a recipe that she could make for her family who also loved this series. I found the recipe used in the show that took a blue ribbon at the actual Cinnamon Festival featured on that episode of Psych. You have to love the internet!   Cinnamon pie is just that, a cream cheese-based pie with a ton of cinnamon making it creamy like pumpkin pie but with the flavor of a cinnamon roll. I'm sure the settlers who first brought us this unique pie had no idea it would ever become such a big deal to foodies everywhere who caught it on screen and made it a one-hit wonder. I know I will be making it soon and I may have to add Psych to my watch list too.  Happy Baking.  more

WIChealth.org is a website where WIC (Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program) participants can find over 30 lessons about subjects from starting solids to picky eaters. more

In a poignant celebration of history, heritage and hope, the West Plains community gathered Saturday at the historic Lincoln School on for a dedication ceremony that encapsulated the spirit of unity and educational equality. The event, which drew about 80 attendees into the small, one-room schoolhouse, served as both a culmination of the restoration efforts and a tribute to the African American educational journey during the segregation era. more

In the heart of West Plains, Missouri, the Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) opened its doors on January 26 to host an exceptional event that not only celebrated local talent but also marked a significant milestone in the world of photojournalism. The Artist Reception for Dennis Crider, held on the second floor of the OzSBI at 408 Washington Avenue, became a confluence of community, art, and storytelling, inviting the public to delve into the visual narratives of a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades. more

Area residents are invited to attend a Career Fair hosted by the Missouri State University-West Plains career services office from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Student Recreation Center, 323 W. Trish Knight St., in West Plains. more

Editor’s note: Shane Hull is a sophomore at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) who began his collegiate career as a traditional student – one who enrolls in college immediately following high school. These students have their own sets of challenges, from picking the college they want to attend to actually attending classes. In this column, Shane continues his story as a traditional college student by discussing how becoming involved on campus impacted his experience. more

Missouri State University-West Plains recently celebrated its first graduates through the federal Second Chance Pell Grant Program. more

Popular farm-humor columnist and speaker Jerry Crownover, who grew up in Mammoth, Ozark County, and graduated in 1970 from Gainesville High School, will speak at 10 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Ozark County Historium, 361 Main St. in Gainesville. The presentation is free and open to everyone. more

In the pages of West Plains' history, one fateful day stands eternally etched in the collective memory, a day when the tranquility of this idyllic town was brutally shattered. Almost everyone living in West Plains today has heard the headline version of this story, a tale that echoes through the ages. However, as the many decades have passed, there are very few who know the whole story—the intricate web of events that led to the darkness that descended upon this once-peaceful town. more

Below are several upcoming events at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), many of which are open to the community. Feel free to clip this calendar and keep it for your reference to make sure you don’t miss any events that might interest you. Also listed are several important dates on the university’s calendar that area residents might want to keep in mind.  more