Alex McHenry, 18, and Mike Owen, 19, arrived at Martha Vance Samaritan Outreach Center on Aug. 7; their son Finnegan Owen arrived Nov. 3, joining his young parents at the only home he's known so far. more

Eligible donors will receive generous state tax credits for their contribution toward building a new county library branch in Houston. more

On Nov. 8, Missouri State University-West Plains joined hundreds of colleges and universities across the nation in celebrating its “first generation” students (students who are the first in their families to attend college) as part of the National First-Generation College Celebration Day. more

Two women from West Plains who have climbed the ladders to success in their respective fields are recognized among the 2023 Top 50 Missourians You Should Know by Ingram’s Magazine, a long-standing business publication serving Kansas and Missouri. more

Hello fellow food lovers and welcome back to my kitchen. Thanksgiving is a time of tradition, family, and, of course, sumptuous food. But who says we can't spin the classics into something new and exciting? Enter the Thanksgiving Pizza: a playful and delicious way to enjoy all your favorite holiday flavors in one incredible dish. This recipe combines the comforting tastes of turkey, cranberries, green beans, sweet potatoes, and onions, all atop a homemade crust that's both crispy and chewy. Let's embark on this culinary adventure! more

We have a special Wednesday Farmers Market this week for your Thanksgiving shopping and holiday gift giving. There will be several vendors set up between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with gluten free baked goods, fried pies, hot dogs, molasses, apples, fresh pressed apple cider, eggs, honey, jams, syrups, elderberry syrup, a perfume bar, jewelry and more! more

It's Thanksgiving week! I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful feast with family and friends. I thought I'd give you another pumpkin dessert recipe since you can't have too much pumpkin on Thanksgiving. This fudge is an annual treat in our home. We love fudge in general, the best I've ever had was made with goat's milk. When we had goats I was always looking for ways to use up the generous supply of milk and fudge was always a hit.  more

For the fourth year in a row, The Chaos Closet is sponsoring a storage unit for the 37th Circuit Children’s Division.  more

This week, I am answering reader requests for international recipes. Some of these even sound edible. more

West Plains Council on the Arts is hosting an exhibition of works by 12 area artists through Dec. 16 in the gallery on the mezzanine at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St.. The gallery is open to the public during regular civic center hours. more

Cranberries have long been considered the crown jewel of Thanksgiving dinners, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. more

Statistics show lung cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease to afflict veterans — and it’s the deadliest. At the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ John J. Pershing Medical Center, officials hope to turn the tide. more

The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking the public for help in finding the person who, between Saturday and Sunday, illegally killed and left a bull elk near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County. A local deer hunter found and reported the animal’s location to MDC. more

My dad, Albert Henry Thornburgh, M.D., practiced medicine for fifty-five years, from 1895 to 1950. Except for about two years in the beginning and the years of the First World War, his offices were in West Plains. more

Whether you’re a native-born or naturalized Ozarker, Dr. Phil Howerton’s latest poetry collection, “Gods of Four Mile Creek,” is sure to touch your heart and sentiments. more

The season of Advent, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming, holds a significant place in the Christian liturgical year. Observed over the four weeks leading up to Christmas, Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 (St. Andrew's Day) and ends on December 24. more

From the humble beginnings in West Plains, Missouri, to the bright lights of Nashville, Tennessee, Jan Howard's journey through life is a tale of resilience, talent, and an unbreakable spirit. Born Lula Grace Johnson on March 13, 1929, Howard's life was a tapestry of music, writing, and overcoming personal tragedies, leaving an indelible mark on the country music landscape. more

Here is a Thanksgiving recipe which can make every day more meaningful. Take time every day to one of these: 1. Tell someone “Thank You.” Let them know you really mean it. 2. Write a Thank You note…email, snail mail, or text. Express your appreciation for someone’s caring, their help, support, their presence in your life. 3. Keep a Gratitude Journal. Write down several specific things for which you are thankful. They can be big things or small things. Simply express gratitude to God for them. When we practice thanksgiving each day, we are more aware of the ways God blesses us. Psalm 9:1 says, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart!” May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor of the Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

In Sam Kim’s excellent book, A Holy Haunting, the author referenced a recent national survey released by Cigna, a global health service company, which asked people 20 questions about loneliness. The survey revealed: more