South Missourian News

Oregon County Historical Society welcomed Mike Luster as their guest speaker, who is a folklorist by training and Doctor of Philosophy from University of Pennsylvania, who discussed the well-known Ozarks folklorist Vance Randolph. Luster met Randolph when he was 88 and living in a nursing home in Fayetteville, Ark. “He is the greatest Ozark folklorist that ever lived and worked in the Ozarks,” said Luster...

Thayer council addressed city business at the monthly meeting held on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Council approved the consent agenda and bills paid and to be paid before moving onto public participation. Bobby Romans was not present to address the council about closing an alleyway between his two properties. This was also addressed at a previous council meeting. It was decided to leave the alley open...

On Friday, Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. Billy R. Ragan, 46, of West Plains, was seriously injured when he attempted to pass a tractor trailer in a no passing zone on U.S. Highway 63, one mile north of Thayer. Ragan was the driver of a 2012 Hyundai Sonata traveling southbound and struck a northbound 2010 Jeep Wrangler nearly head on, which was driven by Nathen P. Bryant, 35, of West Plains...

After a discussion about the history of Mammoth Spring’s American Legion Post 55, Ron Estes, of Mammoth Spring, was inspired to write a book about the organization’s local roots. After a year of hard work and research, Estes has published “History of American Legion Post 55 Mammoth Spring from 1919 to 2019.”...

A groundbreaking ceremony was held to commemorate the upcoming construction for a new facility for Alton Bank on Thursday, Jan. 16. “We are hoping to show and do more things for the community and we really appreciate the opportunity to do that,” said Alton Bank owner and President Randall Combs. He expressed his gratitude to those in attendance...

Two felony and two misdemeanor charges have been filed against Rebecca Lynn O’Donnell in Jackson County, where she is currently being held for the murder of Pocahontas resident and former senator Linda Collins. On Jan. 14, a probable cause affidavit stated O’Donnell is being charged with two counts of solicitation to commit capital murder (class A felony) and two counts of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence (class A misdemeanor)...

Community First Banking Company presented $1,000 checks to each Thayer Band Booster Club and Mammoth Spring Booster Club thanks to a Mascot CD opened to celebrate the opening of the new facility in Thayer. Funds were made possible when a CD was opened, and Community First Banking Company donated one percent of the CD amount to each organization. The maximum donation amount for each school was limited to $1,000...

Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce is working to increase their membership as they begin the new year. This was one of the many topics discussed at the meeting held Thursday, Jan. 9 at the Ingle Hotel Coffee Shop. Chamber President Trena Spears discussed the previous meeting and the financial report including expenses incurred from the recent banquet and the Spooktacular...

Alton Senior Center Volunteer of the Month is Albert Adams. Adams stated it is a lot of fun and likes to help in the kitchen. He helps with just about anything he can at the center. He likes to help in the kitchen with cooking and details vehicles when it is needed, and the weather is warm enough...

Oregon County Libraries were recently closed to introduce employees to a new software system that will enable librarians and patrons to expand their resources. “The new system they are going to use is called Evergreen, which is software being used, but they are also joining the Missouri Evergreen Library Consortium. ...

When fishing on the Spring River, what are some things you like? What are some things you dislike? Why? These questions were part of the process used by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at a public meeting held on Monday, Jan. 13 at Mammoth Spring School Complex to address fishery management...

Mammoth Spring Council held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 6. The December meeting minutes were approved before moving onto discussing fire department signs that are being prepared. The council then moved onto discuss city welcome signs. Mayor Charles Vaughn stated it will be spring before they will be worked on and would like for Larry Hollis to work on them...

Lexi Jo Marshall, of Alton, competed at state in November winning the title of Ultimate Grand Supreme. Additional awards she received at the competition included first runner up in Beauty, first runner up in Christmas wear and first runner up in Fantasy wear...

Alton Bank celebrated the retirement of longtime employee, Clifford Warren, on Friday, Jan. 3 during a reception held during the day. Many community members stopped in to visit with Warren throughout the day. Before working at the bank, Warren was deputy county clerk for 10 years and worked for Oregon County Clerk Larry Simmons beginning in 1970. Then, he ran the road grade, and backhoe for two years for the county...

Businesses and individuals were honored for their contributions to the community at a joint banquet held by Thayer Chamber of Commerce and Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce. Hosted by Thayer Chamber of Commerce, the event was held in the new cafeteria of Thayer High School on Saturday, Jan. 4...

Former Thayer resident, Judge William R. Hass, passed away on Dec. 30, 2019. Hass was raised in Thayer, where he graduated high school in 1954 and met and married Helen Jeanne Best, who he was married to for almost 61 years with whom he had two daughters and one son...

A longtime City of Salem staple, the SkyVue Shopping Center, was destroyed by fire on Sunday, Jan. 5. Skyvue Shopping Center is owned by local businesswoman Renee Clay-Circle, who said every unit was rented, except for two. Balance 30, TNT Gymnastics, La Casa De La Fiesta, H & R Block, Ozark Scanning Services and possibly more – are the businesses who call SkyVue home. As of now, H & R Block is the only business open and not damaged by the fire...