Those who read my last column may remember I wrote about Michael and Matthew Clark; two brothers with leukodystrophy, a fatal disease which reverses one’s mental and physical abilities. Today I share the story of Jill Price, a woman whose mental abil-ity is the complete opposite. She was born with an amazing condition called hyper-thymia which allows her to remember everything with extraordinary clarity. more

Zechariah 1:19-21 And he told me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” 20Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 21“What are these coming to do?” I asked. And He replied, “...the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations." more

There are many things the Bible teaches that we should do always…love God, love your neighbor, pray, speak the truth, forgive others, and be kind, to name a few. To me, the most important “always” in the Bible is one of my favorite verses, Matthew 28:20. Before the risen Jesus ascended into heaven he told his disciples, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” No matter what difficulty or challenge we face, we can be certain that Jesus is with us always. Always. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

In a significant event that blends history with hope, the restoration of the Lincoln School, a historic one-room, segregation-era African American school in West Plains, is nearing completion. To mark this momentous occasion, a dedication ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 15, coinciding with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in a fitting tribute to the civil rights leader's legacy. more

The West Plains Council on the Arts will host a workshop conducted by local artist Tara Shahan from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 16 in the Dogwood Rooms at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. in West Plains. The prrice for the workshop to create a faux stained-glass bird-themed quilt block is $50, all supplies included. more

Two Baxter Health clinics recently moved to new locations, officials announce: Baxter Health Heart & Vascular Clinic and Baxter Health Nephrology Clinic are now both located in the Baxter Health Medical Arts Building, adjacent to the hospital at 628 Hospital Drive, Mtn. Home, Ark. more

Texas County Memorial Hospital will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 12. Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) will collect blood donations in the Jayson Gentry Community Safe Room on the TCMH campus, 1333 S. Sam Houston Blvd. in Houston. more

The National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), a nonprofit research and membership organization with a goal of supporting the employee-owned businesses since 1981, has announced that Jasper Holdings was ranked the 33rd largest majority employee-owned company on its 2023 Employee Ownership 100 list. more

Editor’s note: This column first appeared in the Jan. 5, 2021 issue of the Quill. more

Jason Smith, U.S. Representative for Missouri's 8th District, recently made a visit to the Ozarks Regional Stockyard in West Plains, available to lend an ear to cattle producers and hear concerns about an industry that brings a lot of dollars to the area. more

Students can now apply for $1.7 million in scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. more

As a new year dawns, before we completely close out the outgoing year, it’s worth taking a look back at the events that shaped it. The West Plains Daily Quill proudly presents a curated collection of the best photographs of 2023, each image telling a story, capturing a moment, and reflecting the diverse tapestry of experiences that defined the year. From hard-hitting news to uplifting moments, from sporting victories to the serene beauty of nature, this page is a mosaic of memories frozen in time. more

Mercy health system recently introduced "Toni," a savvy chatbot designed to make patients’ health care experience smoother and more convenient, officials announced. more

Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation held an online auction from Nov. 21 to 30, raising $30,844 for TCMH Hospice of Care. The fundraising total included cash and material donations. more

Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment increased by 5,900 jobs in November, 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

Hello fellow food lovers, and welcome back to my kitchen. Get ready to ignite your taste buds and impress your dinner guests with this tantalizing culinary creation! We're talking about succulent chicken breasts, stuffed to perfection with caramelized onions, fiery jalapeños, and drenched in a luscious homemade barbecue sauce. To complement this main course, we'll prepare crispy Parmesan thyme sweet potato stacks that are as delightful to the eyes as they are to the palate. Let's dive into this culinary journey! more

We are back at the market this Saturday with many products to help you stay healthy and well in this new year. Fermented foods and kombucha (on tap) are great for gut health, which is where all disease begins. Honey is great for allergies and a natural antibiotic. Pickles are another fermented food we have from our vendor Sally Little and she has healthy Elderberry Tonic. Also, Sorgham/molasses, apples, microgreens, turnips, delicious baked goods, local meats (beef/pork/rabbit), free range eggs, creamed honey, jams, syrups, freeze dried treats, dog treats, iced and hot coffee, boba drinks, fried pies, soaps, kitchen towels, bowl cozies, and much more! more

Welcome back foodies, we have a brand new year to play with. I'm hoping to try new foods and make more meals that we haven't had before. But first, let's go back and review the recipes of 2023. There were winter soups, spring salads, and summer harvest recipes. The holidays weren't forgotten with some traditional and some new, even to me. But, my favorite recipe from 2023 would have to be in September when I shared this summer soup straight from the garden. Roasted Tomato soup takes top honors for the rich flavor of fresh tomatoes, garden grown herbs, and the sweet dairy included.  This soup will be on many menus this winter and since the garden is sleeping, we have plenty of fresh, organic produce available in our home town. So, let's raise our soup bowls to the new year and let us eat to live better. Soup season has begun! Happy New Year foodies. more

Would-be entrepreneurs dreaming of starting a new business of their own and current business owners looking for ways to be more successful are invited to sign up for a nine-week hands-on course offered by Ozarks Small Business Incubator. more