The American Red Cross has announced Lee Eastburn is the new executive director of the Southern Missouri Chapter. more

Officials with the Office of Workforce Development and Community Education at Missouri State University-West Plains will offer an eight-week phlebotomy technician training program beginning April 5.   more

The old hymn says it this way, “Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.” Again and again the Bible encourages us to walk with God. more

The 47th annual Spring Gospel Concert is set for 7 p.m. March 29 in the Thayer High School gym, and will feature two musical acts, The Down East Boysand the Four Corners. more

His Place House of Worship, 1849 County Road 5460, West Plains, will host the 2025 Exhilarate Women’s Conference from April 10 through April 12. more

With tax season comes stress for many people, but knowledge and preparation can simplify the process. more

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? more

The University of Missouri Extension is much more than a resource for advice on crop and livestock management, industry trends and keeping up-to-date on social media as a tool for business growth. more

With lofty grocery prices and the world becoming more uncertain with each passing day, many are turning to the land for solace. Homesteading, a lifestyle in which one learns to live self-sufficiently by cultivating the land, resurfaced in mainstream culture in the early 2000s.  more

Don’t feed bread and crackers to geese and ducks. more

In an era where grocery prices fluctuate and people crave a deeper connection to their food and land, homesteading is making a major comeback. more

The unique geography of the Ozarks and its rivers and streams draw thousands of locals and tourists alike each summer to crystal clear waters for swimming, floating and fishing. Keeping those waters clean enough to sustain wildlife and maintain the beauty of the area has been taken on for decades by Stream Team volunteers who want to preserve the habitats for future generations to enjoy. more

Officials with the Ozarks Heritage Research Center (OHRC) at Missouri State University-West Plains will host a special presentation, “Songs of the Ozarks,” featuring storyteller and singer-songwriter Dawn Larsen at 6 p.m. March 25, at the Garnett Library, 304 W. Trish Knight St. in West Plains.  more

Arts Alliance member events and activities: more

Agriculture is an industry of cultivation, of growth and nurturance. Producers tend to their fields and livestock, manage their crops and, in many cases, foster community. more

There are a number of outfitters serving the Eleven Point, Current, Jacks Fork and North Fork rivers that surround the greater West Plains area. The Quill reached out to all to inquire about upcoming seasonal hours and offerings. Here’s what they said: more

Mary Badiny was 31 when she and her late husband, Skip, purchased 53 acres of land in Rover, near Koshkonong, that would eventually become Maranatha Farm. Initially, it was a barren land with only a few sugar maples and cedar trees. But Mary and Skip shared a passion for horticulture, and together, they transformed the once desert-like property into an oasis.  more

The agriculture program at Missouri State University-West Plains has long been a respected institution in the region, shaping future generations of farmers, ranchers and agricultural business leaders. Now, thanks to a generous donation, the program is poised to reach new heights. more

The Ozark Small Business Incubator is celebrating a milestone year in 2024, with record-breaking numbers on its annual Economic Impact Report. Over the past year, OzSBI dedicated 870 hours to working with 243 unique business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, providing support leading to the successful launch of 18 new businesses. more

The West Plains Public Library has expanded to keep up with the times and remain true to traditional library services while offering community members of all ages and abilities the opportunity to learn, enhance job skills and prepare for professional certification from online sources at home or on public computers at the library. more