Community

The public is invited to attend a fruit pruning workshop, hosted by the Howell County Extension office, on Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. The workshop will take place at the Howell County Extension Office, 1376 Bill Virdon Blvd., West Plains, MO, and Ford Family Farm, 5 miles out of West Plains...

Wednesday, Jan. 22: Smoked port chops, maple bacon, baked beans, county veggies, roll and apple crisp with ice cream. Thursday, Jan. 23: Meatloaf, baked potato, seasoned green beans, hot biscuit and pudding cake. Friday, Jan. 24: Fried fish sandwich on a bun, chips, creamy coleslaw and chocolate chip cookies...

1st Jason Barrett, Elijah Burgess, Joanee Coursey*, Elliana Craig*, Kelsen Estes*, Briar Greenway, Channing Harlan*, Marissa Hernandez*, Jaycee Hunter*, Zaiden Jewell*, Rylee Kuk, Ayden Meade, Alex Neumann*, Skylar Riddiford-Woodyard, Eli Ryan, Kinley Smith*, Emmy Sturgeon*, Chandler Tillmanand Jorden Wallace*...

Ninth Grade: Destiny Bennett, Kaiden Burgess, Devin Doverspike, Wyatt Frealy, Dalton Hodges, Nathaniel Mahnesmith, Sydney Roberts, William Smith, Stetsin Turner, Lynsey Wiggs and Savannah Willis. Tenth Grade: Bryan Burch, Adrianne Gastineau, Brooke Hice, Steven Oyler, Spencer Spreutels and James Thompson...

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter 695 of West Plains will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 12 noon at The Ranch House Bar & Grill, 1321 Preacher Roe Blvd. Ruth Stevens will give a presentation on her recent trip to North Africa. All active and retired federal employees and spouses are invited to attend...

In celebration of the life and legacy of late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., WGU Missouri has announced it will award up to $75,000 in scholarships to Missourians who dream of completing their college degrees and advancing their careers. ...

Howell County MU Extension Center will host a free industrial hemp production workshop in West Plains. Speakers from Missouri Department of Agriculture and MU will present an overview of regulations, how to apply to grow industrial hemp, agronomic practices and budgeting...

The Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) will host a free introduction to a master remote work professional online certification series led by the University of Missouri Extension (MU Extension) on Feb. 12, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Looking for ways to increase economic opportunity for struggling residents in rural parts of Missouri, MU Extension has collaborated with Utah State Extension to implement a new program to allow for more remote work opportunities over online platforms. ...

By Kim Harralston Our Kansas City Chiefs fans are so excited for the Super Bowl! Eddie Carter wore his Chiefs hat and Chiefs shirt and cheered on the game, along with many other residents. They greeted me on Monday morning asking when we were going to decorate the dining room in Chiefs décor!...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards & Recognition Banquet will be held Feb. 4 (snow day Feb. 11) at the Highland Elks Lodge Community Room with a “We Love Small Business” theme. The community is encouraged to come out and support the award nominees and enjoy a fun evening with a great meal. ...

White River Health System (WRHS) is proud to launch WaveLink, an online platform that allows patients to connect with a provider through a smartphone, tablet or computer with a camera. This online platform allows patients to schedule immediate real-time video/virtual visits with a healthcare provider 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from anywhere...

The Harding University Department of Engineering and Physics will host NASA Day at Harding on Jan. 27, featuring NASA Chief Technologist Dr. Douglas Terrier, the highest ranking NASA technology official and first NASA chief ever to visit the state of Arkansas. In recognition of Dr. Terrier’s visit, Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed the date NASA Day in Arkansas. You can view the proclamation at governor.arkansas.gov...

The Arkansas State Highway Commission has approved a bid for improvements to a roadway in Sharp County, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials. The purpose of this project is to reconstruct 1.3 miles of County Road 40 between Highway 58 and County Road 38...

The quarterly Spring River Associational Singing will be held at First Baptist Church, 123 Main Street (at the only stoplight in town), Cave City, Ark. on Jan. 25 beginning at 6 p.m. Anyone who loves gospel music is invited to come. Song leaders, pianists and other musicians are especially invited to come as well as those who present specials. ...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce would like to invite our members and the public to a Blue Ribbon Welcome for Biggers Bluff Bed & Breakfast and Steakhouse’s new owners, Layla and Greg Armstrong, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m., immediately after the SRACC’s January general meeting...

White River Health System Internal Medicine resident, Ron Varghese, MD, was recently matched into the Endocrinology Fellowship Program at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), an institute within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md. In addition to the typical fellowship work and training, Dr. Varghese will also conduct research at NIDDK...

Are your financial and tax advisors talking?Now that we’ve closed the book on 2019, it’s officially Tax Season. As you prepare your tax returns for the April 15 deadline, you might already start looking for opportunities to improve your tax-related financial outcomes in the future. And one important step you can take is to connect your tax professional with your financial advisor. Together, these professionals can help you take advantage of some valuable strategies:...

The Viola School District will hold two question and answer meetings regarding four-day school weeks on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 5:30 and 7 p.m. in the Administration Building (old high school). A home ball game is also being held on the same evening. The school board wants to hear the opinion of school supporters...

The Viola Public School District is accepting Gifted and Talented Program candidate nominations for the 2019 - 2020 school year. Parents, teachers, and students may nominate any Viola student who is currently in third through twelfth grades. The nominee should demonstrate exceptional intellectual skills, creative skills and task commitment...

Come in from the cold and join us Jan. 25 for the 17th annual Trivia Night benefitting Grizzly Athletics programs at Missouri State University-West Plains. The trivia portion of this fun-filled event will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Joe Paul Evans Arena at the West Plains Civic Center, which is sponsoring. It will feature questions on a variety of topics, organizers said...

Thayer will see lower electric costs from the construction of a northern Missouri transmission project under development, which will assist in delivering low-cost energy to local customers. The local municipal utility is owned and operated in the public interest, for the benefit of Thayer residents...

Wednesday, Jan. 15: Cheeseburger with all the fixings, French fried potatoes, broccoli salad and peanut butter cookies. Thursday, Jan. 16: Texas BBQ chicken, creamy pea salad, zucchini, fresh hot bread and marshmellow brownies. Friday, Jan. 17: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, meadow blend, hot roll and chocolate pie...

By Kim Harralston You’re never too old to shop! Lee Davis sells Paparazzi jewelry and every piece is only $5. Our residents love to shop and they love jewelry. In December, she came and displayed all her jewelry and made $650. Several of our residents asked her to come back in January. We had so much fun trying on all her gorgeous pieces and this party made her $400! Lee also gave the Activity Department 10 gorgeous necklaces for Bingo Blackout prizes. Our ladies are so excited!...

Oregon County registered voters have the opportunity to vote for candidates running for the University of Missouri Extension Council beginning Jan. 21 until Jan. 28. The Oregon County Extension Council elected members provide budget oversight, assist in developing programming, review policies and evaluate the professional staff, among other duties.  The newly elected council members will assume their duties in March 2020. ...

1st Grade – Mrs. Guffey All A’s: Keyden Boddie, Jaedon James-Puckett, Alexis Parks, Summer Ray and Kyra Smith. A’s & B’s: Beverly Cross, Mason Johnson, Karlee Lane, Gabriel Mays, Jared Villa and Tyler Wilson. 1st Grade – Mrs. Powell All A’s: Preston Flippo, Blane McCollum and Jade Mullins...

Thayer Elementary Achievement List Quarter 2 for 2019-2020 Principal’s Advanced List 5th Grade: Bryce Bennett, Abigail Blum, Kara Britton, Dakotah Cabrales, Morgan Calvo, Hattie Haynes, Trenton Johnston, Kiearra Meyers, Chase Mills, Carter Nicholson, Christian Pitts, Thomas Poole, Mason...

Oregon County Farmers Market will host a community meeting at the Community Worship Center in Alton, on Saturday, Jan. 25, beginning at 2 p.m. The goal of this meeting is to: ●Schedule the opening day for the 2020 market season ●Offer renewal training for vendors who participated in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Voucher Program in 2019...

The community is invited to an 80th birthday party for Shelly Wickham at the Country Cottage Cafe in Thayer on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Omission of gifts is requested.

Dr. Joseph and Karen Fiorino were married on November 14, 1969 in St. Louis, Mo. They have two children, Allison Ashby (husband Mark, deceased) of Spring, Texas and son, Dr. Joe Fiorino and wife, Sue, of West Plains. They have eight grandchildren; Carter and Hudson Ashby, of Spring, Texas and Olivia, Sofia, Dawson, Roslyn, Gwen and Vivian Fiorino of West Plains...

Turkey season may open at the beginning of April, but now is the time to begin planning for a successful season. One of the best ways to be successful on public land is to apply for one of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s wildlife management area turkey hunt permits beginning Jan. 15...

Researchers at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are studying the potential of biochar – a charcoal made from biomass – to reduce the ecological risks associated with common agricultural waste. According to Dr. Hao Chen, assistant professor for the UAPB Department of Agriculture, the product is increasingly being used throughout the nation as a sustainable soil additive to improve crop yields...

The theme for the West Plains Area Home & Garden Show to be held this year on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7 at the West Plains Civic Center is “Building Our Future.” According to Steve Bunn, President of the Southern Missouri Builders Association, the theme of “Building Our Future,” is especially appropriate this year. ...

Strawberry River Chapter DAR met Dec. 4 at Cherokee City Hall with 11 members present. Following the opening ritual, reports from the following committees were presented. The Commemorative Events chair, Cynthia Clow-Elliott, read a letter from the National Vietnam Commemorative Events Committee. Service to America Committee chair reminded members to record their Service to America volunteer hours for 2019...

North Arkansas Electric Cooperative has received reports from members – mostly businesses – who have been called by scammers. The caller claims to be from the electric company and demands the member pay his or her allegedly overdue electric bill immediately or be disconnected. The calls were from 1-800 numbers, and some mentioned Entergy instead of NAEC...

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service will offer produce safety training workshops, designed to help Arkansas producers comply with new federal training requirements designed to safeguard the U.S. food supply...

Reading skills are important to children’s success in school, work and everyday life, Linda Inmon, Extension specialist for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), said. Developing reading skills at an early age gives children an important head start, not only in terms of education, but also in terms of general life skills...

Hopefully everyone is having a great start to our new year, new decade. To start the year off, members join us for the first Open Board Meeting of 2020. We will meet Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas for the upcoming year...

Music in the Mountains Theater in Horseshoe Bend will have its first show of the new year on Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. and we would love to see you there. The J. D. Marshall Band will take the stage at 6 p.m with a show full of country and classic rock music that you are sure to love. Band members are Jason Thick, Denise Golden, Pete Greathouse, Mike Chandler and Chuck McNeight...

Business owners: Plan for next phase of life. As a business owner, you’re always thinking of what you need to do now. But you can’t forget about the future – yours and that of your business. So it may be a good idea to consider your personal retirement plan and business succession strategy...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce held a Blue Ribbon Welcome for new member Platinum River on Jan. 9. Located at 2379 Highway 2379, Ste. K in the Highland Town Center (next to nail salon), owner Patrick Foley purchases and sells precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum as well as jewelry, coins and wiring. ...

The Clear Springs Baptist Church will have its third Saturday singing Saturday Jan. 18, beginning at 5 p.m. Everyone is invited. Bring your instruments and voices to sing. There will be refreshments after the singing. Clear Springs Baptist Church is located on Clear Springs Road, off of Hwy. 63, halfway between Imboden and Black Rock, Ark...

Nonprofits in Sharp County can go to arcf.org/givingtree beginning Jan. 10 to apply online for Giving Tree Grants through the Sharp County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Arkansas Community Foundation. Applications must be submitted online by Feb. 15...

Wednesday, Jan. 8: Cinnamon apple pork chops, scalloped potatoes, roasted brussel sprouts, roll and peanut butter cookie. Thursday, Jan. 9: Meatloaf, creamed potatoes with gravy, California blend, roll and sugar cookies. Friday, Jan. 10: Parmesan chicken with rotini, meadow blend, garlic bread and triffle...

Dorothy Rose Yarber was the first baby to be born at Ozarks Medical Center (OMC) in 2020. She made her arrival at 2:15 a.m. on Jan. 1. She is the daughter of Jayce and Annalise Yarber of Mountain View, Mo. Dorothy is pictured with her parents and delivering physician Dr. Brian Israel of OMC Women’s Health Care. Dorothy’s grandparents are Judd and Lisa Barslow; and Roland and Tami Yarber; all of West Plains. She was born weighing 8 pounds 13 ounces and was 22 inches long...

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission originally planned to host a special public meeting in December. Due to inclement weather, the event has been rescheduled. The public meeting will be held at the Mammoth Spring School Complex from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13 to gather public input on a trout management plan specific to Spring River. The Complex is at 410 Goldsmith Ave. in Mammoth Spring...

Michael and Amanda Osborn are the new owners of MMAD Spirits Distillery, soon to open in West Plains. The Osborns recently received a microloan offered through the Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) to establish their business. MMAD Spirits Distillery will offer a variety of spirits, including specialized whiskey and rum. ...

By Mary and Jeff Schrag in conjunction with Physical Therapy Specialists Clinic Mary and Jeff Schrag in conjunction with Physical Therapy Specialists Clinic (PTSC) have made a major gift to the Ozarks Medical Center (OMC) Foundation Cancer Treatment Center Fund in honor of her father, Judge William (Bill) R. Hass and Marianna Hoover-Hicks...

A private pesticide applicator training session will be offered at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Howell County Extension Center, 1376 Bill Virdon Blvd., West Plains. The training will last approximately two hours. Cost for the training is $25/person. Missouri law requires all purchasers and users of restricted-use pesticides to attend a training session to be certified for a private applicators license. ...

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Twin Pines Conservation Education Nature Center in Winona will host Eagle Days Thursday, Jan. 9. The center has partnered with the Dickerson Park Zoo to bring a bald and a golden eagle to the center. Guests can get an up-close look at the eagles, ask questions and learn fun eagle facts...

Oregon County Libraries will close early for training at 1: 45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, Thursday, Jan. 9 and Friday, Jan. 10 for library staff training.