Missouri State University President Clif Smart announced plans on Wednesday to retire in summer 2024. more

The Council of Nicea, convened in AD 325, is undeniably one of the most significant events in Christian history. Often referred to as the first ecumenical council, it saw bishops from across the Roman Empire gather under the auspices of Emperor Constantine I. Their primary aim was to address and resolve theological disputes threatening the unity of the early Christian Church, but its outcomes have far-reaching implications even today. more

Acts 7:30-32  After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. more

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 121:1-2 reads, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” Have you ever seen this morning prayer that circulated a few years ago? “Dear Lord, so far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, haven’t lost my temper, haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed and from then on, I’ll be needing your help. Amen.” May our prayer be, “Lord, help me today. No matter what I face, I can trust that you will be with me to be my refuge, strength, and help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs, and Mtn. View. more

My niece, Jennie Randolph, was honored on August 17, as the Daily American Republic (DAR) 2023 Difference Maker of the Year in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She is a passionate high school English teacher who makes a difference in the lives of students and staff members. more

Hope is a word that is known to both Christians and non-Christians alike. The word hope is defined by the Oxford dictionary as the following: more

In the early 20th century, a revolution roared onto American streets – the Ford Model T. Henry Ford's iconic vehicle is often celebrated for democratizing transportation, but fewer may recognize its role as the progenitor of the modern pickup truck. Among its many iterations, the Ford Model T Runabout with Pickup Body stands out, marking its place in history as the world's first pickup truck. more

Community Bancshares of West Plains officials announce that Rob Stauffer has recently been elected chairman of the board and Kelly Slayton was elected vice chair. more

Kimberly Grennan, an agent with United Country Real Estate Missouri Ozarks Realty, West Plains, ranked third in sales in the nation, selling over $44 million in 2023, officials announced. more

Brucellosis is a disease, caused by the members of bacterial Brucella family, that mainly infects cattle, goats and sheep, leading to pregnancy loss, which has caused billions of dollars in economic losses for livestock producers worldwide. The disease can also jump from animals to humans, mainly through consumption of unpasteurized dairy products or inhaling the spores from the tissues of infected animals. more

Texas County Memorial Hospital board of trustees recently approved the appointment of Cheryl Maley, a registered nurse from Houston, as the new Home Health of the Ozarks and Hospice of Care director. Centers for Medicare Services requires board approval for home health and hospice agency director positions.  more

Ozarka College officials in Melbourne, Ark., announce its 2023 class of practical nursing students achieved an overall first-time pass rate of 96.1% on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX. The exam is required by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in the state of Arkansas. more

I recently made a remark in a column about being a “rhubarb fan” and Melinda Ray picked up on it with an interesting introduction. She said her 90-year-old mom has been eating this since childhood, so it is an heirloom in her family. It sounds delicious! (Next on my dessert menu.) I love fruit dumplings! She prefers pink rhubarb. Thanks, Melinda. more

Folks, cancel your plans, reschedule your dates, and tell Aunt Sally her pot roast will have to wait. Why? Because the theatrical extravaganza that's more entertaining than a rabbit's night out in Vegas is bounding into the Avenue Theatre! That's right—the iconic play "Harvey," known for its wit, whimsy, and one very large invisible rabbit, will open its curtains on the storied stage of the Historic Avenue Theatre in beautiful downtown West Plains this Friday! more

The Amelia Network, a local networking group for women in business and leadership positions in West Plains and surrounding communities, will host its third annual Business Women’s Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 23, at the Ozarks Small Business Incubator, 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. more

Two companies in Missouri have issued recalls of meat products due to possible contamination, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) on Saturday. more

Hello fellow food lovers and welcome back to my kitchen. This week we’re going to take a crack at a grilled chicken burrito that will knock your socks off. I don’t know about you, but I often like to experiment in the kitchen. Sometimes I have a goal in mind, and sometimes I just wing it and see what happens. Saturday evening I was watching a movie, and thinking about dinner. I was definitely in the mood to cook but what? Tacos. That thought was immediately followed by “what kind of interesting new taco can I make?” After several minutes of thought, the answer I arrived at was…burritos! The result of my “playing” ended with an easy meal that is sure to please. more

We want to thank you again for supporting your local farmer/rancher/baker/crafter. By supporting us you are supporting a local small business and we are all helping our local economy. Thank You!! more

Well foodies, we made it to September. I like to use this month to get my pantry in order, discard any old spices, then add them to the list to be replaced, and best of all, I'm ready for some comfort foods. September is the pre-fall season, a time to get the kitchen stocked for holiday baking and home cooking. Time for hearty dishes, meals made at home, and double batch cooking, one for the freezer when nights are busy. Autumn is all about comfort so I decided to bring back an old favorite that is classic comfort. I chose this recipe because you can use garden produce and pantry pasta. Goulash was a staple in my home growing up, and again in my adult home when serving pasta for our large family helped make ends meet. But, pasta can be boring. This national dish of Hungary has been around for centuries with other countries claiming their own versions. This goulash recipe is a bit spicy to warm you up fast but the flavors blend well making it tasty for any season. You can't go wrong with a good bowl of goulash any way you make it, and this one is perfect for the slow cooker. Comfort season here we come.  more