South Missourian News

Patch is a young male kitty, mostly white with gray stripes. Cute and playful, he will be the best 10 pounds you’ve ever gained! Come and visit the Cherokee Village Animal Control and find a wonderful friend who will love you no matter what. Call 870-994-4445 for more information...

Babye the miniature horse visited Alton Library on Thursday, April 11, during which, she was greeted by excited preschoolers, with one even reading her a book. Babye is one of the miniature therapy horses at Mini Blessings Farm in Thomasville owned by Jenny Kiest...

Thayer resident, Doris Brown, is looking for assistance with the maintenance of the Veterans Memorial Park located in downtown Thayer. She is looking for able bodied volunteers who would like to help the upkeep of the many beautiful flowers and trees she and her husband, Kenny, have planted and often tend to...

Thayer City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 9. Council accepted the certified election results and reappointed Chantelle Allison as city clerk, who was sworn in by Mayor Ken Cotham. Allison then swore in the newly elected officials to the council including Ken Cotham as mayor, Stephen Clark, Terry Tillman and Roger Foley for aldermen positions and Janice Tolar as tax collector...

Alton City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 8. The March minutes and bills paid and to be paid were reviewed and approved. The results of the recent election were read aloud and the two aldermen, Holly Reese and John Wheeler, were sworn in by City Clerk Amy Harrington...

During a bench trial held Wednesday, April 10, Jason House, of Caulfield, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife, Bobbie McGhee House on Oct. 7, 2016. He was found guilty on seven additional counts including armed criminal action and endangering the welfare of a child...

On Tuesday, April 9 at approximately 22:45 hours [10:45 p.m.], the Thayer Police Department received a report from the Oregon County Sheriff’s Office of multiple gunshots and a male bleeding at 2097 East Adams Street in Thayer. A Thayer officer, a trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and an Oregon County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the scene, secured it and rendered aid to the victim. ...

There are many Easter activities for residents to enjoy this weekend. Following is a list of activities. The annual KKountry 95 Easter Egg Hunt will be held Friday, April 19 at 2 p.m. at the Alton ball field. There will be more than 1,000 eggs filled with candy and prizes. The event is for children ages 12 and under. Live bunnies will also be given away. KKountry 95 will broadcast live from noon to 2 p.m...

Shining Light Food Pantry of Mammoth Spring officially opened for distribution on Monday, April 15. The nonprofit organization is located on Highway 63 South, a few doors down from the Spring Dipper. When asked about the advantages and disadvantages to the new location, pantry volunteer Jennifer Smith stated advantages are there is a little more room in the facility and the land is more level, making it easier to carry food in and out. ...

There will be no shortage of things to do in the Spring River area April 20, but if you’re looking for a day of food and fun, and something new, the first ever Arkansas Pie Festival will be held in Cherokee Village at Town Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m...

Scam artists are hiding online pretending to sell domestic pets, but instead are taking the consumer’s money without turning over a new fluffy friend. Often, these ads are found on free buy-and-sell websites and use especially endearing photos of the animal they have no intention of sending, or may not even own...

The Center on Aging-Northeast in Jonesboro, a program of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), is offering Walk With Ease classes at no cost to participants starting April 22 every Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Southwest Church of Christ, 1601 James St. in Jonesboro...

The 40th annual Health Fair & Expo presented by Baxter Regional Medical Center, KTLO, Classic Hits & The Boot is Wednesday, April 24, 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home. Free blood sugar, cholesterol, PSA and HbA1c tests will be offered (until 1 p.m. ...

“Find Your Future” Career Fair will be held on Thursday, May 2, at the Student Recreation Center on the Missouri State – West Plains campus located at 323 Trish Knight St., West Plains, MO 65775. “Every year, the Missouri Job Center partners with the Career Development Center at Missouri State University, to provide a regional job fair so job seekers and employers have access to each other in a large venue,” said Sheri Mayfield with the GOCAT/Career Development Center...

It is not hard to miss traveling the roads of Oregon County, trash in numerous areas littering the ditches. Though many may not think it’s much of a problem, litter is not only harmful to the environment and wildlife, it also has a negative impact on economic development and real estate values...

Oregon County Farmers Market opening weekend will be Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tucker Creek Walking Park in Alton. This season is scheduled to last longer than the first and will end on Saturday, Oct. 26. The opening weekend is expected to feature many great vendors. Some items will be homemade soaps, embroidered towels, grass fed beef, chicken, pork, fresh eggs, hot pepper plants, sausage, spring greens and herbs, crafts, baked goods, jams and various other artisan crafts...

The general municipal election was held Tuesday, April 2. The official results are as follows. For the two positions open for Thayer R-II School Board: Ralph Jared Underwood received 242 votes (39.93 percent), Deanna King-Smith had 233 votes (38.45 percent) and Noval Willbanks received 127 votes (20.96 percent)...

Thayer Police officers are sporting a new look thanks to funding granted for the purchase of bullet proof vests for the department. The department received a Law Enforcement Block Grant in the amount of $5,250 to pay for new bulletproof vests. Money was previously budgeted to purchase the vests. However, by receiving the grant, they were able to utilize the funds for new uniforms instead...

After a nearly year-long testing and evaluation program, Oregon County Sheriff’s Deputies are now armed with body cameras. Oregon County Sheriff Eric King announced the deployment of the body cams to equip deputies with the latest technology. “They are considered a valuable evidentiary tool for prosecution of certain types of criminal cases by supplementing deputies’ court testimony with audio and video records of an incident. ...

Eric Miller, 37, of Salem, Ark., was killed in a one-vehicle accident on Wednesday, April 3 at 2 p.m. on Highway 9 near Mammoth Spring, Ark. The vehicle Miller was traveling in, a 2006 Honda Odyssey, was traveling north on Highway 9, crossed the center line at the crest of a hill causing the vehicle to run off the highway, hit a tree and overturn, according to an Arkansas State Police crash report...

Congressman Jason Smith visited Thayer High School on Friday, April 5 to present the Thayer Lady Bobcats basketball team with a Congressional Record to commemorate their historical win. During an assembly including junior high and high school, Smith explained to students he represents 30 counties in Missouri. ...

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The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for grants to fund Missouri projects that could stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) generally fund pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research...

Mark Twain National Forest employees plan to burn approximately 35,000 acres using prescribed fire in 2019. Prescribed fires are used to reduce the threat of wildfire and to improve the health of native plants and wildlife habitat in Missouri. Deer, turkey, quail and other species benefit when plants they depend on for food and cover are rejuvenated by the use of prescribed fire...

Clark’s Hill/Norton State Historic Site invites the public to a volunteer work day and informational meeting Saturday, April 13. The volunteer work project begins at 8 a.m. at the trailhead. Volunteers will be working on invasive species removal and trail work. Dress for the weather and bring water, sturdy shoes or boots, and work gloves if you have them...

Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce held their monthly meeting on March 28 at Shorty’s Restaurant. After February minutes were read and approved, President Trena Spears informed are they not official as Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce but as MS Chamber of Commerce. They are also applying to be a nonprofit 506 organization, which would make them exempt from being taxed for purchases...

University of Missouri Extension – Oregon County welcomed Gregory Ormsby Mori, Education and Outreach Coordinator at The Center for Agroforestry for a Growing Mushrooms Workshop on Saturday, March 30. Approximately 35 to 40 participants attended the hands-on workshop where they had the opportunity to prepare and inoculate their own log for growing edible mushrooms including shiitake, oyster or winecap...

The 5th annual Grizzly Mania will be held at Thayer High School this Friday, April 5 and includes a new twist. The evening will continue to be a great night of fun for the whole family with special guests, Missouri State University-WP Grizzly athletes, but a new friendly competition with Thayer’s neighboring school, Mammoth Spring has been added...

Thayer Lady Bobcats took home the title of state champions earlier in March and the celebration continued to honor the 2018-19 Lady Bobcats history making accomplishment and on Wednesday, March 28, with a parade and ceremony. Beginning at the old elementary school, the parade traveled down Chestnut Street among a sea of Bobcat green and ended at The Whistle Stop Stage...

Plans are in the works for the replacement of the bridge located on Business 63 over the BNFS Railroad and Two-Mile Creek by Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). If everything goes as planned, the project is expected to be awarded in April 2020 with construction planned for summer of 2020. The project is still in the preliminary stages and a contract has not yet been created...

Though her time as Mammoth Spring Mayor came to an end at the start of 2019, Jean Pace continues to receive recognition for the leadership role. “Ms. Jean has served the City of Mammoth Spring and our church faithfully for more than half of my lifetime. I feel blessed and privileged to know her,” said Kelly Steed, First Christian Church of Mammoth Spring Worship Leader...

A jury trial has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 9 for Jason House at 8:30 a.m. in Howell County Circuit Court. House is being charged with class A felony of murder in the first degree, class A felony of domestic assault in the first degree- serious physical injury, class B felony of assault in the first degree or attempt, Class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk in the first degree – first offense, class D felony of resisting/interfering with arrest and three unclassified felonies of armed criminal action.. ...

Koshkononog City Council held their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, March 19 during which the meeting agenda, February minutes, financials and bills paid and to be paid were approved. Nick Reed gave the sewer report. He stated the sewer issues were under control and old pumps were replaced with submersible pumps. ...

Many students enjoyed spring break last week. In conjunction with this, Mammoth Spring State Park held events throughout the week for spring breakers. Kicking off spring break the weekend before with Bluebird Day, through the week they also featured a scavenger hunt, Legacy of the Spring and Spring Lake Hike throughout the week. In addition to the informative event, Skins and Skulls presented by Mammoth Spring State Park Assistant Superintendent Adam Davis...

City of Thayer held a special called meeting on Tuesday, March 19. After roll call was taken, a motion was made by Alderman Stephen Clark to go into closed session. During closed there was a time of discussion in which there were no motions or votes made. Council went back into open session during which council accepted the 2019 mowing contract from Heath Barbee...

Outlaws and gangsters and their relation to the area was the topic at the latest Oregon County Historical Society meeting held at Country Cottage in Thayer. Vice President Mike Crawford discussed property in the Irish Wilderness that was rumored to have been visited and traveled through by Jesse and Frank James. He inquired as to if those in attendance thought it was a myth or not...

With the warmer weather of spring also comes the chance of severe storms, something the region is no stranger to. A severe storm is one that is categorized to have the ability to produce hail that is one inch or larger and winds 58 mph or higher that can cause substantial damage...

Tri-County Farm & Ranch and W.R.D. Entertainment present the second annual Ozarks Sports & Outdoor Expo on Saturday, March 30 at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in Salem. The Fulton County Fair Association and the Salem Chamber of Commerce have a full day of events planned for all ages. Over 65 vendors will be located in the Salem Civic Center and on the Fulton County Fairgrounds...