Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, people are uneasy about taking vacations, therefore, staycations are the next best thing, according to Linda Inmon, Extension associate-family and consumer sciences at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff...

COVID-19 testing has recently increased in the rural communities of Arkansas. Local healthcare provider, 1st Choice Healthcare Inc., received a federal grant to increase their coronavirus testing capabilities, according to Brigitte McDonald at the Salem the location. 1st Choice Healthcare, Inc. has additional locations in Ash Flat, Corning, Jonesboro, Paragould and Pocahontas...

During a COVID-19 briefing on May 28, Governor Mike Parson announced that Phase 1 of the state’s “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan has been extended from Sunday, May 31 through Monday, June 15. “We are very pleased with how well Phase 1 has gone so far,” Governor Parson said. “Businesses, communities, and Missourians across the state have done a great job of implementing health and safety measures, and we continue to be encouraged by data across the state.”...

Families that qualify for free or reduced meals at school are possibly eligible for a one-time Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. The amount of the benefit would be up to $302 per child aged pre-kindergarten through 12th grade...

Even though school is officially out for the summer, Oregon County Health Department is scheduling appointments for the 2020-2021 school year. The department usually does not schedule appointments for yearly vaccinations. However, the department is this year to help limit the number of individuals in the office receiving vaccines due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to prevent running out of vaccines, which has happened in previous years...

Even though school is officially out for the summer, Oregon County Health Department is scheduling appointments for the 2020-2021 school year. The department usually does not schedule appointments for yearly vaccinations. However, the department is this year to help limit the number of individuals in the office receiving vaccines due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to prevent running out of vaccines, which has happened in previous years...

A Classic Car and Truck Show will be held on Saturday, June 6 at the Christian Activity Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The CAC is located at Chestnut and 5th Street in Thayer. Admission is free. There will also be free food as well as live music. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. ...

The Alton Chamber of Commerce recently announced the annual Ozark Black Gold Walnut Festival has been canceled for the 2020 year. In a press release it was stated, “It is with great sorrow that the Alton Area Chamber of Commerce confirms that the annual Ozark Black Gold Walnut Festival set for Oct. ...

Organizers of the annual Ozarks Studies Symposium hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains have canceled the 2020 event. This year’s symposium was set for Sept. 17-19 at the West Plains Civic Center. Dr. Jason McCollom, assistant professor of history and event coordinator, said two factors went into the decision to cancel this year’s event, and both involve COVID-19...

The Fulton County Fair is accepting orders for the 2020 Fulton County Fair t-shirt. This will be a special collectable t-shirt since the 2020 traditional fair is cancelled because of COVID-19. The shirts will sell for $10 each and $12 each for sizes 2-X or larger...

Area residents age 62 and over who would like to take a class at Missouri State University-West Plains during the 2020 summer session can do so under the Senior Citizen Fee Waiver Program. Seniors citizens can register beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, June 5, at the registration and records office in Cass Hall, 515 Cass Ave., in West Plains. ...

The market will NOW be open each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Alton City Park, in the walking trail area. As with many businesses reopening, there will be several guidelines we ask our patrons to observe. We urge our visitors to follow CDC guidelines, maintain that important six-feet social distancing, avoid social gathering and exercise good hand hygiene. ...

By Lori Garrison Shady Oaks staff and residents sure did enjoy some of the warmer days and the nice sunshine. We were able to soak up some sun and get some much needed time outdoors. Monday was Memorial Day. Shady Oaks would like to pay tribute to those who fought for our freedom and served our country. Olen Russell, Leroy Paulette, Ray Hall, Clarence James, Billy Abney and David Millburn: “THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!”...

By Lori Garrison Shady Oaks staff and residents sure did enjoy some of the warmer days and the nice sunshine. We were able to soak up some sun and get some much needed time outdoors. Monday was Memorial Day. Shady Oaks would like to pay tribute to those who fought for our freedom and served our country. Olen Russell, Leroy Paulette, Ray Hall, Clarence James, Billy Abney and David Millburn: “THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!”...

The City of Koshkonong held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 27. To comply with federal, state and Center for Disease Control recommendations for social distancing due to COVID-19, the meeting was streamed live on Facebook where there is also a recorded version available to view...

The Fulton County Hospital Foundation would like to announce their scholarship recipients. Macy Qualls, who is a Highland High School graduate, plans to attend Arkansas State University and pursue a degree in Physical Therapy. Macy is the daughter of Chris and Amber Qualls...

The Fulton County Fair Board of Directors met Thursday, May 21, and according to Fair Manager Carolyn Lewis, decided to cancel the 2020 Fulton County Fair, after a very lengthy discussion. “Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation and the impact it has on community health, the Fulton County Fair Board of Directors voted at a meeting last night to cancel the 2020 Fulton County Fair as it is normally held. ...

Although the 2020 Fulton County Fair has been cancelled, the board is moving forward with a new project at the fairgrounds. Announced a couple of months ago through an ordinance passed by the Fulton County Quorum Court, the fair was awarded grant funds to construct a new livestock barn for sheep and goats...

Mammoth Spring City Park is in the process of receiving a facelift as work began on Monday, May 4 as a part of the project, which is being funded by a grant the city received. Things completed so far include concrete for the basketball court and handicap parking by Quality Concrete...

This is the time of the year when North Arkansas Electric Cooperative is typically gearing up for its large and well attended Annual Meeting. As nearly all events have cancelled statewide, NAEC put the health and safety of its members and employees first and has followed suit...

COVID-19 testing has recently increased in the rural communities of Arkansas. Local healthcare provider, 1st Choice Healthcare Inc., received a federal grant to increase their coronavirus testing capabilities, according to Brigitte McDonald at the Salem the location. 1st Choice Healthcare, Inc. has additional locations in Ash Flat, Corning, Jonesboro, Paragould and Pocahontas...

This is the time of the year when North Arkansas Electric Cooperative is typically gearing up for its large and well attended Annual Meeting. As nearly all events have cancelled statewide, NAEC put the health and safety of its members and employees first and has followed suit...

The Sharp County Courthouse is now open to the public, with limited access. On Tuesday, May 26, Judge Gene Moore said the courthouse was ready for business to return to some state of normalcy. Sharp County Courthouse followed the directives closely, and closed their doors to the public mid-March. ...

Sharp County Coroner and Highland School Board member Renee Clay-Circle has spent the last several weeks keeping local residents informed about the COVID-19 pandemic and how the state of Arkansas is being affected. Clay-Circle provides daily updates on her Facebook page following Governor Asa Hutchinson’s daily briefing regarding the virus...

A free six-week virtual workshop will be held on Diabetes Self-Management. Classes will be held on Wednesdays on May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24 and July 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. via zoom virtual meeting room presented by County Engagement Specialists in nutrition and health education Stephanie Johnson and Brandi Richardson...

The Old Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Air Force Reunion sponsored by VFW Post 7831 has been canceled this year. The cancellation is due to restrictions that would need to be in place for the carnival due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Exceeding capacity limit for the midway was a concern as was regulating the capacity percentage. If exceeded, the carnival would be fined as would the organization responsible for the event...

During a COVID-19 briefing held on Wednesday, May 20, Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of a new COVID-19 dashboard containing Missouri-specific data from across the state. “Throughout COVID-19, we have worked very hard to be transparent and provide Missourians with the most accurate, up-to-date information as possible, and the same goes for this dashboard,” Governor Parson said. ...

Recently, Mammoth Spring Elementary students were surprised with a gift of books when they picked up their personal items from campus. Provided by Twin Lakes Future Fund, first through third grade students received a literacy packet which included three books, a work sheet for reading comprehension and a guide for improving children’s literacy...

Small businesses, government operations, school districts, healthcare facilities and families have all been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether the impact has been physical, emotional or financial, nearly everyone has been affected in some way...

Darren Lee Norman, 35, of Salem, died as a result of a vehicle accident on Wednesday, May 13. Norman was traveling westbound on US 62B (Church Street) at a high rate of speed on a Suzuki motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle, driven by Sharon Blevins, also of Salem...

Testing for COVID-19 has ramped up in Arkansas this week. Positive coronavirus cases in Fulton County is up to four – with three recoveries, meaning there is one “active” case. The Arkansas COVID-19 interactive map also reports 186 negative test results for Fulton County...

On Tuesday, May 5, West Plains (Missouri) Police Department responded to a call of two individuals who were found in a vehicle, deceased by apparent gun wounds. It was later released, the two individuals, Frankie L. Ziegler and Richard L. Kuntz, had been murdered...

Salem Fire Department responded to a house fire on Byron Road in Salem on Monday (May 18) morning. Salem Fire Chief Sam Rossitto said when the department responded within six minutes, the home was fully engulfed in flames. Though they received reports the home was vacant, firefighters entered the home and couldn’t find anything. ...

The Sharp Library Board held its quarterly meeting May 6 at the Hardy Library. Following the reading and approval of minutes from the January regular meeting and February special meeting, the board moved on to the agenda at hand. The first order of business was to discuss the proposal and sample for updated bylaws...

The Highland City Council held its regular meeting May 12. Mayor Russell Truitt said overall there was not much to discuss, however; the city’s fire chief, Kal Dienst had placed a request for an additional fire hydrant. “Kal put in a request for another hydrant through public water. They gave us a quote and he wanted it behind the station so the trucks could be filled without being by the street,” Truitt said. “The quote was for $3,566.41. That is for future references.”...

The Ash Flat City Council held their regular monthly meeting May 12. During which, vehicle bids and a water extension request were discussed. Fire Chief Stacey Horton was first in line to deliver his report to the council. Horton said his report was from April 9 to May 6, during which he said he ordered four sets of turnouts to replace outdated sets...

The Sharp County Quorum Court held its April and May regular meetings May 11. Having no unfinished business, per request by the county treasurer and circuit clerk, reports from April were postponed until discussion reached the May updates. The court discussed a vote to pass an ordinance to amend ordinance 2019-9 for the calendar year 2019...

On May 11, John Kunkel, announced details about the One Community Cares Caravan. The parade of more than 70 vehicles was led by Sharp County Coroner Renee Clay-Circle. “We are blessed to live in a community that supports each other during difficult times. ...

The Chinese government continues to stall all international efforts to find the origin of the coronavirus. In January, Chinese officials said they were zeroing in on the source of the outbreak and that it was “only a matter of time” before it was identified. ...

Near the close of the May quorum court meeting, Fulton County Judge Jim Bicker announced his resignation as judge, effective May 21. The regular monthly meeting was held Monday, May 11 at Fulton County Fairgrounds in the Hickinbotham-Miller Building. ...

Oregon County Curtis Williams, 40, of Mammoth Spring, was arrested March 27 for resisting arrest, driving while revoked and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner. He posted bond. Richard Caldwell, 49, of Thayer, was arrested March 28 for driving while revoked and displaying plates of another. He posted bond...

There is a new face at Shady Oaks Healthcare, Lori Garrison is the new activity director at the facility. Garrison, who has prior experience in the field and loves the elderly, stated she “hopes to bring joy to our residents as well as put smiles on their faces.”...

A Classic Car Cruise-In was scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 16 from 5 to 10 p.m. along Chestnut Street in downtown Thayer. However, due to heavy rainfall throughout the day which continued into the evening, Mayor Kenny Cotham made the decision to re-schedule the event...

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and his Deputy Chief of Staff Harry Roberts visited Alton to deliver election supplies to Oregon County Clerk Tracy Bridges for polling locations on Monday, May 18. Items delivered included face masks, social distancing strips, bottles of sanitizer, face shields and posters for each precinct. The county also ordered additional hand sanitizer for each precinct...

The COVID-19 pandemic’s dramatic effects on the economy and the subsequent regulatory reactions have hit the agriculture industry hard, making difficult to navigate issues such as agricultural labor, contracts and direct marketing, increasingly confusing...

By Lori Garrison Another week down with social distancing at Shady Oaks. Even though some of the surrounding businesses are now open, Shady Oaks is still on guard. We are still not allowed to have any visitors. Activities have been a big distraction for our residents. ...

The 2020 Fulton County Homecoming Festival has been cancelled due to COVID-19, however; there will be a Virtual 5K Race to keep the spirit of the race going. A link to the registration page is on the Salem Chamber of Commerce website at www.salemar.com as well as the chamber's Facebook page. ...

President George Washington, on April 30, 1789, delivered his premiere Inaugural Address to Congress. “Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations and whose providential aides can supply every human defect; that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes...No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States.”  . ...

The people of Missouri are eager to return to work, spend quality time in-person with their family and friends, and to reconnect with their communities, and I couldn’t agree more. Missourians have heeded the advice of state and local officials’ and have done their part to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but now it is time to allow them to return to their normal lives. ...