The West Plains High School Class of 1974 will hold its 50th reunion June 28 and 29 with a full slate of events planned. more

A graduate of Houston High School who has dedicated more than two decades of service to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the last five of which have been at General Headquarters in Jefferson City, will retire May 1, announces Col. Eric Olson, superintendent of the patrol. more

The Summersville Friends of the Library and Summersville Branch of Texas County Library recently hosted a coloring contest in observance of Won’t You be My Neighbor Day. The masterpieces were displayed in the library until the public voting on March 20 in honor of the famous Mr. Rogers' birthday. Winner in the 3-10 years old division was Kaitlynn Norris, and winner in the 11-16 years old division was Caleb Otis. Each winner won a $25 gift card, compliments of Summersville Friends of the Library. “Congratulations to both winners, and we thank each participant and those who took time out to come in to vote,” said librarian Kathie Cox. “This was fun, and Mr. Rogers would be so proud!” more

Willow Springs Alumni gatherings began a long time ago, first organized by Sadie Ruth Ferguson, shared Phyllis White, an alumni organizing this year’s festivities. more

Local artist Angela Bullard’s artwork will be featured on the first floor of the Ozarks Small Business Incubator, 408 Washington Ave., through the end of June. more

Officials with the office of workforce development and community education at Missouri State University-West Plains will offer a solar eclipse paint party from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. more

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains recently awarded donor-funded scholarships from the Missouri State University Foundation to students beginning the Associate of Science in Nursing degree program this spring through the LPN-to-RN Bridge Program. more

Photography from local artist Marc Brannan will be featured at the West Plains Public Library, 750 W. Broadway through the end of June in a display made possible through a partnership between the library and West Plains Council on the Arts. Visitors may view the display during library hours, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. more

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains will host a grand opening celebration for the Ozarks Heritage Research Center at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Garnett Library, 304 W. Trish Knight St., in West Plains. more

West Plains R-7 School District officials recently extended congratulations to students in the West Plains High School Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, as well as those in the Zizzer Pride Band following the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) District Music Festival held at Missouri State University-West Plains. more

The West Plains Council on the Arts is hosting an exhibition of works by area artists through May 4 in gallery on the mezzanine at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. The gallery and exhibition is open to the public during regular civic center hours, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. weekends.  more

A/B HONOR ROLL more

Dr. Eric “Rick” Mansfield is scheduled to portray John Dickinson, a colonial plantation owner and author of “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania,” at the Ozark Spring, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution meeting at 1 p.m. April 6 in the American Legion Hall, 1401 Bill Virdon Blvd., West Plains. more

West Plains Council on the Arts will host a workshop conducted by local artist Tara Shahan from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13 in the Dogwood Rooms of the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. The cost for the workshop is $85, all supplies included. Participants should bring a sack lunch for the all-day workshop. more

The BB Road Volunteer Fire Department and Community Center will host a fish fry from 4 to 7:30 p.m. April 6. 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

The Willow Springs Tuesday Study Club met on March 5 at the Willow Springs Senior Center for a regular business meeting. Kathleen Carel and Pauline Cape were hostesses for the day. Following a brief business meeting, Pauline gave a beautiful presentation about an unsung heroine, which follows: more

HONOR ROLL more