Fresh off her record-breaking two-year Eras tour, Taylor Swift made a heartwarming stop in Kansas City on Thursday, Dec. 12, to spread some holiday cheer to children battling serious illnesses at Children’s Mercy Hospital. more

As the holiday season approaches and the busy schedules take over, the Marshfield Saddle Club is offering a much-needed chance for the community to slow down and enjoy some festive cheer. On Dec. 20 and 21, the club will host its first-ever "Trail of Lights" event, a free drive-thru Christmas light display designed to bring holiday joy without the stress. more

The Fair Grove Area Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce Main Street Christmas, a festive, family-friendly event on December 14th, from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Located on charming Main Street in Fair Grove, this enchanting celebration promises a day filled with holiday cheer, activities, and memories for all ages. more

As winter temperatures drop, the risk of frozen pipes becomes a concern for homeowners in Marshfield. City Administrator Sam Rost urges residents to take preventative steps to avoid costly damage and inconvenience from freezing pipes. more

A new regional orchestra is making waves in the Marshfield area, offering a unique opportunity for local musicians and music lovers alike to enjoy live orchestral performances. The Mountain Symphony, a community-driven ensemble, will present its holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Carl and Glessie Young Auditorium. more

Species: Blue jay more

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Callaway County Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann will lead the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC) as president in 2025. Jungermann will assume the role on Jan. 1, 2025, after ascending to the position at the association’s 53rd Annual Conference held Nov. 24-26 at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach, Mo. more

The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG; pronounced: sim-cog’) has partnered with Webster County to develop a Public Transit and Active Transportation Plan for the county and will be seeking public input in the coming months. The Plan will focus on opportunities to improve access to transportation in the county, particularly for individuals with disabilities, individuals with low income, and older adults. This planning effort is made possible by SMCOG’s recently awarded Rural Community Innovations: Transportation Planning Grant, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and administered by the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC). The Plan will serve as a guiding document for the transportation decision-making process and future investments. The main purpose of the Plan is to develop a set of multimodal transportation improvements that address deficiencies and provide enhancements to Webster County’s transportation system. The planning process will ensure community input and involvement so that the final plan accurately reflects the needs and preferences of all residents. more

You know that love is involved when there are dairy cows in the wedding pictures-a shared love of dairy anyway. That love runs deep through family generations for Brett and Jessica Dixon, owners of Stil Dreamn Dairy located near Morgan in #Agri-Ready Designated Laclede County. Brett, Jessica, and their son, Diesel, care for their Ayrshire and Guernsey dairy cows 365 days a year. The cows spend their days grazing pasture and several produce A2A2 milk, which contains a different type of protein that is often sought by customers with lactose intolerance. The Dixons sell cheese made from their unique milk and are planning to bottle fluid A2A2 milk to sell direct-to-consumers. This committed dairy family whole-heartedly believes that sweet dreams are made of cheese, and that life is cheddar on the (dairy) farm. more

Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in this country for the chance of a cooking fire to happen in someone’s home. Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States. The American Red Cross Greater Arkansas Chapter offers safety steps everyone can follow if they will be preparing their family’s Thanksgiving feast. more

Species: Dark-eyed junco more

Are you looking for a way to give back and bless others? With Christmas just around the corner, it’s an appropriate time to begin thinking about our neighbors who may be struggling to come up with gifts for the season. more