Stories from Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Mark Twain National Forest is accepting applications until Wednesday, Jan. 29, from recreation site managers and concessionaires interested in managing 10 forest recreation sites during 2014. The selection of successful applicants should be made by Feb. 20. Approved managers will start operations no later than May 15...

Ozarks Medical Center and the West Plains Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon on Jan. 30 to celebrate the grand opening of OMC Behavioral Healthcare's new facility which opened to patients on Dec. 20, 2013. "Mental health care is a huge need for our community and we are pleased to offer quality services in a new comfortable, private atmosphere designed specifically for BHC." said Richard McGee, Director of OMC Behavioral Healthcare. ...

Secretary of State Jason Kander invites Missourians to follow the General Assembly's work throughout the 2014 legislative session at www.TheMissouriChannel.com. Launched by Kander shortly after he took office as Secretary of State in 2013, The Missouri Channel increases the transparency and accessibility of state government by making recordings of legislative debate available online...

Oregon County citizens of voting age have the opportunity to vote for candidates running for the University of Missouri Extension Council Jan. 20 to Jan. 25. 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 2014...

The Feb. 1 deadline is approaching for high school seniors interested in applying for a Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Scholarship. Thirty $1,000 scholarships sponsored by the Youth in Agriculture committee, seven $1,000 scholarships sponsored by the Missouri State Fair Foundation and one $2,500 supreme scholarship sponsored by Sydenstricker John Deere of Missouri/Sydenstricker Angus Genetics, are being awarded to qualified applicants pursuing higher education degrees in the field of agriculture.. ...

Thayer graduate on a mission to bring hope, healing to the far corners of the world

Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative reports that on the morning of Jan. 7, a new peak level of electricity usage was set by Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative members. Near historic low temperatures were recorded in the cooperative service area over a two day period on Jan. 6 and 7. During the period, the National Weather Service recording station in West Plains reported a low air temperature of minus 4 degrees and a wind chill temperature of minus 25 degrees...

The GFWC Thayer Crescite Club held its annual Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 19 and enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Connie Ward. Members brought 40 pounds of peanut butter for the Oregon County Food Pantry and each member contributed $10 to Missouri Girls Town. Following the dinner, guest Martha Bennett told fascinating Christmas stories from her childhood and invited members to join in "testifying" to their Christmas memories...

The South Central Solid Waste Management District will host a full council meeting on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. at Ryan's Steakhouse in West Plains to discuss district updates. A planning session and discussion will also be held. All interested persons are invited to attend. For additional information, contact Steven Reed at 417-256-4226...

Take a few minutes now to prepare for the upcoming income tax season, says University of Missouri Extension personal financial planning specialist Andrew Zumwalt. Get a manila folder or large envelope and leave it where you open your mail. Put 1099, W-2 and any other tax forms in the folder as they arrive. Having the forms in one handy place will save you from searching for them later, Zumwalt says...

Twin Pines at Winona, Mo., offers opportunities for hiking, bird watching, nature photography and other nature-related activities. A trail through the area provides access to pine-oak woodland and several other forest types. Because of its location in the midst of Missouri's most productive forests, Twin Pines places a special emphasis on the history of the Ozarks' timber industry. Displays at Twin Pines include vintage logging equipment, a log cabin and an early 20th century schoolhouse...

The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer a Prescribed Fire Workshop for landowners on Jan. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Ozark Regional Office in West Plains. The objective of this workshop is to provide an overview of how to plan and conduct a safe and effective prescribed burn on various habitat types...

The Missouri Office of Administration is now accepting management contract bids for the Alton License Office. Interested individuals and groups must submit their bids to operate the Alton License Office by Jan. 31, 2014. Prospective bidders may tour the Alton office from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., Jan. 14 to gain perspective on how a license office is operated...

The Thayer Board of Education met Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library. Board members present were Randy Ward, Karen Cotham, Wendy Carhart, Jed Underwood, Mike Morris, Bill Honeycutt, and Alan Pender. Preliminary items were approved...

Colby See of Thayer, Mo., has been named to the Dean's List at Southeast Missouri University for the fall 2013 semester. Students named to the list earned at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, and completed at least 12 degree credit hours during the fall session...

The family of Norman Risner would like to invite his friends and family to Fred's Fish House in Mammoth Spring on Saturday, Jan. 18 to celebrate his 85th birthday. Come by for a Dutch treat lunch and birthday cake from 12 to 3 p.m. If you can't make it but would still like to contact Norman, you may do so at 417-938-4261 or Rt. 1 Box 177, Myrtle, Mo. 65778. He would love to hear from you...

Dust off those thinking caps and begin studying for the 11th annual Grizzly Basketball Trivia Night set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the West Plains Civic Center. Co-sponsored by the Grizzly Booster Club and the West Plains Civic Center, the contest will pit teams of area residents against each other for the opportunity to win the coveted Trivia Night Trophy, organizers said...

The Ozarks Medical Center Board of Directors has named Thomas W. "Tom" Keller as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the health care system. He will begin at OMC on Feb. 17. Keller comes to OMC from St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital in Shawnee, Okla., where he has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer since 2008...

"I've really enjoyed being here and being able to make this place better," said Dan Chappell, who announced on Monday, Jan. 13 that he intends to resign as superintendent of the Thayer School District at the end of the school year. Chappell became superintendent of the Thayer School district in 2010, after the resignation of Rod Priest. ...

Oregon County is one of three Missouri counties to receive a Presidential agricultural disaster declaration due to damage and losses caused by winter storm Cleon which hit the region on Dec. 5 and 6. Ozark and Taney counties are the other two Missouri counties included in the disaster declaration. 16 Arkansas counties also received disaster declarations including Sharp County...

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC) will bring its production of "The Tortoise and the Hare" to the West Plains Civic Center for a 7 p.m. performance Friday, Jan. 24. General admission tickets are $5 each and available at the civic center box office, 110 St. ...

The West Plains Area Disc Golf Club hosted its second annual Ice Bowl Disc Golf Tournament Jan. 4 at the Brett Stoddard Memorial Disc Golf Course. The tournament raised $520 and collected more than 260 pounds of food for The Martha Vance Samaritan Outreach Center in West Plains. Thirty-three players participated, an increase of 11 from last year. To date, this annual event has donated a total of $922 and over 410 pounds of food...

Missouri junior running back Henry Josey has declared for the NFL draft. The announcement came Jan. 7, four days after Josey was the offensive player of the game for the Tigers' Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma State. Josey ran for three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score...

The Koshkonong Blue Jays' junior varsity continues to look to the future and work on developing as a team, but the young Jays were overpowered by Thayer's junior varsity, 68-12, in the first game of the double-header in Koshkonong on Jan. 10. In the varsity contest, Thayer played as if it was in a track meet. The Bobcats held a big advantage t hanks to their quickness, long arms and speed to the hoop...

The blue-and-gold from the county seat of Alton and the green-and-white of Thayer squared off on Jan. 7 at Alton for their annual confrontation on the hardwood floor. A big crowd of fans were on hand and a couple of local high school coaches were doing some scouting during the battle...

The Fulton County Hospital will host a blood drive on Monday, Jan. 20 from 12 to 5 p.m. In the hospital conference room. Other January Red Cross blood drives scheduled in the area include: Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, at the Ozarka College John E. Miller Complex, 218 College Drive in Melbourne...

The Fulton County Heritage Foundation will sponsor interior clean-up and repair days at the Old Main campus on North Street in Salem on Saturday, Jan. 18, and Saturday, Jan. 25 at 9 a.m. Volunteers will concentrate on removing cracked and buckled skim coat layers of plaster from upper walls, sanding lower wooden walls to prepare for future painting, removing buckled flooring and reconditioning flooring to prepare it for replacement...

Centennial Bank has committed $25,000 to the Ozarka College Student Services Center Capital Campaign. The contribution will pay to furnish a community room, a flexible meeting space that will seat 100-plus. "Centennial Bank is honored to carry on its rich tradition of giving back and supporting Community Education at every level," said Bob Evins, Community President for Centennial Bank in Sharp County. ...

A benefit account for Tom and Jennifer Kamminga has been set up at First National Banking Company. The family's home was destroyed by a fire on Jan. 8 at Agnos. They have an 11 year old son. Deposits can be made at any FNBC branch location to help the family in their time of need...

Salem Headstart students had a great day on Dec. 20, as they received a visit from Santa and his helpers -- JoAnne Lowrey, Bob and Lisa Denny and Augusta Lowrey. The students got a personal visit with Santa and a special present before heading off for Christmas break...

Salem schools recently held their 2014 Spelling Bee. Winners were: 3rd place, Gracie Hamilton; 2nd place, Caitlyn Lawyer; and 1st place, Sophie Rossitto. The three winners will compete at the county spelling bee, which will be held at the Mammoth Spring Schools on Thursday, Jan. 24. Congratulations to the winners...

During it quarterly board meeting on Friday, Jan. 10, Gin Brown was elected as the new President of the Arkansas Craft School Board of Directors. Gin replaces Dr. Mike DeLong, who has served as president since November 2010. Brown recently retired from her position as Campus Coordinator of Ozarka College, Mountain View, and been a prominent community leader in Mountain View...

Private Joshua D. Coggins of Salem recently enlisted into the Arkansas Army National Guard and has earned education benefits valued at $50,420. PVT Coggins will serve with the 87th Troop Command as a Signal Support Systems Specialist. He is a graduate of Salem High School...

Melbourne Mayor Shannon Womack is asking city water customers to watch their usage, because one of the city's two wells is not currently in use. According to Womack, the city had noticed sand in the water pumped from one of the wells and was investigating the problem when the well started pumping muddy water...

After just experiencing some of the coldest weather in memory, high heating bills are sure to be on the way. The good news is, help is available for many who need assistance paying electric bills or buying propane. North Arkansas Development Council offices are now accepting applications for the 2014 Winter Home Energy Assistance program...

A former teller at First National Banking Company [FNBC] in Mammoth Spring has been charged with Theft of Property and Forgery, Second Degree, after an investigation revealed she had taken more than $7,000 in funds from the accounts of four bank customers...

After three months, charges have finally been filed in a case in which a man broke into a home in the Camp area, terrorizing a woman who was home alone. On Jan. 7, 2014, David Max Webber, 29, of Salem was charged with Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Criminal Trespass and Public Intoxication...

Weird Weather Alert: On Thursday, Jan. 9, semis were about the only vehicles on the road as a storm that moved in on Wednesday coated area roads with ice, before turning to rain on Friday. But by Sunday, Jan. 12, it was dry and sunny with temperatures in the 60s -- a great day for Jim and Kevin Weathers to shed their coats and walk the dog at Salem City Park...

The Fulton County Extension Office will hold a Cook Smart, Eat Smart Cooking School beginning Thursday, Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Two to four sessions will be held at the Salem First Baptist Church. The school will teach participants how to prepare simple, healthy and delicious food byusing healthy preparation techniques, simple ingredients and simple equipment. It will also provide tips on stretching your food dollar...

The Old Independence Regional Museum will host a Valentine program for area senior citizens on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. Participants will learn about the history of Valentine's Day and will examine some of the Valentine's related artifacts from Old Independence Regional Museum's archives. Frances Mathis, museum volunteer, will lead jewelry making craft...

This year's flu season is causing severe illness and death in adults between the ages of 25 and 50. Seven out of the 15 deaths this season in Arkansas have occurred in adults between the ages of 25 and 50, and multiple hospitalizations in this group have been reported. It is highly recommended that all individuals in this age group receive a seasonal flu vaccine and promptly visit a doctor should they experience severe flu-like symptoms...

The Ozark Folk Center will hold its annual Ozark Quilt Retreat, Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 20 -- 22. The three-day package includes lunch, lodging, instructor fees and applicable taxes. It does not include supplies and materials. When registering, participants can select one of the following classes: "Quilt as you go" throw; Three-Dimensional quilted flower; Wool applique the "Sue Spargo" way; Quilted structured zipper bags with Jannie Poo; and Tatting, butterflies to lace...

It may not have been a thing of beauty, but the Kingston Yellowjackets managed to do just enough to knock off the Viola Longhorns 32-27 in the first round of the 40th annual North Arkansas College Invitational Tournament Jan. 11 in Harrison. The 10th-seeded Longhorns, defending tourney champs from last year, scored just seven points in the second half - and only two points of that coming in the fourth period...

The Izard County junior Lady Cougars' twin sister duo of eighth graders Jen and Sam King combined for 31 points to power the junior Lady Cougars to a 46-30 victory over the Walnut Ridge junior Lady Bobcats on Jan.11 in the semifinal round of the Hillcrest Screamin' Eagles Tournament at Lynn...

Shaking off a sluggish start early and surviving a case of suspect free throw shooting late, the Salem Lady Greyhounds held on long enough to top Sloan-Hendrix 60-54 in 2-2A Conference play Jan. 10 at the Dawg Pound. Later in the evening, the homestanding boys made it a sweep, as Salem pounded Sloan-Hendrix 64-32...

Cody Elrod, 18 of Cherokee Village was arrested Dec. 13 for obstructing governmental operations. David Fleming, 45, of Wynn was arrested Dec. 21 on Cherokee Village and Sharp County Warrants for failure to appear and failure to pay. Matthew Hoskinds, 27, of Hardy was arrested Dec. 23 on a Sharp County Warrant for probation revocation...

Editors Note: The publication of arrest reports is contingent on the submission of the reports from the Sharp County Sheriff's Department. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Paul Evans, 50, of Cherokee Village was arrested Dec. 7 for parole hold...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the deadline for new enrollments in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for fiscal year 2014. Producers interested in participating in the program can now submit applications to NRCS through Feb. 7...

Salem VFW Post 9777 will hold a special ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. to recognize the 69th anniversary of the end of the World War II Battle of the Bulge. Honorary Officer of the Day will be post member Bill Strauss, a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge...

Treat your sweetheart to a romantic dinner in the Ozarks this Valentine's Day! The Ozark Folk Center State Park offers two packages to help you celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday, Feb. 14. The first package is an overnight package that includes one night's lodging at the Cabins at Dry Creek, dinner for two with live music performed by Kathy Jensen and Charlie White at the Skillet, and breakfast the following morning at the Skillet. ...

The Cooperative Extension Service is taking applications for its new Extension Wellness Ambassador Program. The first of its kind program will teach participants simple strategies to improve their own health and the health of their neighbors in Sharp County and other counties...

Dr. Ron Yow, President of MITM, and vice president Chuck McNeight would like to announce that the "show must go on"! On Saturday, Jan. 18, Music in the Mountains begins a new era in its history following the retirement of Melody Clemmons. Doc and Chuck are determined to continue to bring the tri-county area a variety of talent second to none. ...

The Sharp County Library Board has increased the hours of operation at the Williford Library to better serve the Williford community and surrounding area. The library is now open 21 hours per week. The hours of operation are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m...

Sonja Jones, RN, who has been with WRAAA since 2006, has been named the In Home Services RN Manager for WRAAA Sharp County office. Sonja is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and she brings 22 years of nursing experience to her new role. She has 5 years of experience as a RN Manager with the company, as well as, a background in emergency, hospice and critical care. ...

Dear Editor, Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehab would like to thank everyone who contributed to providing our residents a wonderful holiday season. We saw so much kindness from our community members including: The Elks, Ash Flat Church of Christ, Ward Street Church of Christ, City of Ash Flat, City of Hardy, First National Banking Company, Doug Driesel and Friends, Cherokee Village Line Dancers, and Cherokee Village Lutheran Church. ...

John A Cornwell, 80, of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., died on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at Batesville, Ark. Arrangements by Doty Family Funeral and Memorial Service of Horseshoe Bend. Terry Lee Carroll, 59, of Agnos, Ark., died on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014 at Salem, Ark. Arrangements by Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland, Ark...

Richard A. Smith of Highland, Ark., passed peacefully on Dec. 30, 2013 after a challenging year of illness. Richard was the first born on July 19, 1942 to the late Julia Kubic Smith and Eugene Smith in Johnstown, Penn. Richard is the husband of Wendy (Paul) Smith; father to daughters Emily Wilson, Terri Wilson and son, Eric Smith of the home; daughters Jaime Meyer of Bellingham, Wash., Janice Hutchison of Johnson, Penn., Brenda Zettle of Londonderry,Vermont and son, Michael Smith of Johnstown, Penn.; a grandfather to several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a deeply loved brother and respected friend to many.. ...

Undergraduate Victoria Vickers of Cherokee Village has been named to the Henderson State University Dean's List and Honor Roll for the Fall 2013 semester. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must have achieved a 4.0 grade point average for the entire semester. To make the Honor Roll, a student must have received at least a 3.5 grade point average for the semester...

Mack Thompson issued this statement as he announced he is a candidate for Sharp County Sheriff: For the last 37 years, I have devoted my life to making the community in which we live safer through my work as a Sergeant with the Arkansas State Police. After retiring in May 2013, it became my goal to continue this service as your Sharp County sheriff. I would like to announce to my fellow Sharp County friends and neighbors my intention to seek that office...

Trint Milligan will bring a co-worker with him as he begins work as a Cave City police officer. His trained K9 narcotic dog, Ascha, will also join the force. Milligan was hired thanks to additional revenue expected from a sales tax approved by Cave City residents in October. Milligan has worked the past five years as a Sharp County deputy...

The Hardy City Council passed a 2014 budget at its Jan. 7 meeting, but spending remained a hot topic through the remainder of the meeting. During council member comments, Dale Maddox expressed concerns about the $6,000 allotted to the city administration for travel and education expenses. He said he thought the city had "over budgeted" for the expense, questioning why a city as small as Hardy would need to budget three times more than the city of Ash Flat, which budgets only $2,000...

An agreement between the Ash Flat Library and Ozarka College should help the library take another step toward becoming a fully certified library. A memorandum of agreement presented at the December meeting of the Ash Flat City Council will allow Ozarka's certified librarian, Mary Ellen Hawkins, to serve as a consultant librarian for the Ash Flat Library. In her post, she will work at least two hours each week to provide counsel and to review documents and reports...

Mother Nature packs One Two Punch

A new analysis of lung-cancer data suggests tobacco control efforts are having a major impact on Americans' health, according to a report in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. "The drop in the nations' rates of lung cancer has been trending down for years. ...

Spring registration at Ozarka College has been extended until Friday, Jan. 17 due to recent inclement weather, which caused several days of closures. The first day of class is still scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13. New students will be placed in classes through Friday, Jan. 17, however, and returning students will be allowed to register until classes have met twice...

A Women's Day Out event is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Miller-Hickinbotham Building at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. 30 vendors will be on hand to display and sell a variety of projects, and entertainment will be provided by Shane Wood, Chuck Young and Brenda Bailey. Concessions will be available...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District #1 Commissioners' general meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of the month at 3:00 p.m. at the Improvement District Office. The posts held by the Commissioners for 2014 are as follows: Ron Patterson, Chairman; Greg Prenger, Vice-Chairman; and Floyd Hannon, Secretary. The public is welcomed to attend...

The Imperial Dinner Theatre at Pocahontas will present a musical tribute to Patsy Cline with the upcoming production "Always Patsy Cline". The show opens Jan. 18 and runs weekends through Feb. 9. The show features Vicki Bishop as Patsy Cline and follows the story of her friendship with a fan named Louise, played by Carol Belford Lewallen. ...

Highland Elks Lodge #2539 has announced the winners of the 42nd Elks National Hoop Shoot contest that was held at the A.L. Hutson Memorial Center on Jan. 4. There were 34 boys and girls, ages 8 to 13, representing schools from Calico Rock, Highland, Hillcrest, Izard County Consolidated, Mt. Pleasant, Salem, and Viola who competed in this contest...

In 2015, Trey Flowers intends to bloom in the NFL but for 2014 Flowers remains planted in Arkansas. The University Arkansas' outstanding 3-year letterman defensive end from Huntsville, Ala. announced Jan. 6 that after taking the NCAA allowed option to explore NFL draft opportunities he will return to Coach Bret Bielema's Razorbacks for his senior year...

Jan. 16 Alton @ Doniphan (G) Cave City @ Brookland (G) Couch @ Koshkonong (B) Izard County @ Sloan-Hendrix Izard County @ Riverview Mtn. Grove @ Thayer (G) Jan. 17 Cabool @ Alton (G) Hillcrest @ Calico Rock Highland @ Cave City (B) East Carter @ Couch...

Lady Rebel Cassidy Berton tries to get a shot off against Corning at the Kell Classic in Swifton. Photo/Sparks

New Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson has announced the hiring of Walt Bell as the Red Wolves' offensive coordinator. Bell, who worked with Anderson as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at North Carolina the last two seasons, will also serve as Arkansas State's assistant head coach while coaching the quarterbacks...

St. Louis Cardinals fans in four states can get close-up meetings with some of their favorite players later this month. The Cardinals announced on Jan. 6 the schedule for the popular ``Cardinal Caravan,'' a 19-stop tour taking place Jan. 17 through Jan. 20...

Last year's contest against Hillcrest was a bit contentious in the close confines of the Lynn gymnasium, with boisterous fans talking back to the coaches, and the Rebels falling in the closing moments. Boisterous fans returned for the Jan. 3 rematch, but in the cavernous Hutson Center, they failed to draw much attention. The Screaming Eagles, without last year's top scorer Zach Doyle, fell at Highland, 58-45...