Picture it: Halloween, 1968. At the tender age of 17, with the stroke of a pen, Larry Perkins, a rural Missouri farm kid, enlists in the United States Army. After training at Fort Leonard Wood, Perkins is sent to Germany to build bridges, and it doesn't take his commanding officers long to notice the passion for serving our country that lies deep within this young man's heart. So in a short amount of time, Private Perkins is quickly promoted through the ranks and makes Spec. 4. more

The Marshfield Cruisers will meet at a new location this season due to increased patronage at new businesses within Young's Shopping Center. The monthly cruise-ins will take place at the Marshfield First Baptist Church parking lots located at 1001 S. White Oak. more

In continuing to get to know various community members, the Marshfield Mail visited Marshfield Early Learning Center and Hubble Principal Mallory Robertson. more

Welcome back to this week's edition of Writing Gorilla. As I mentioned last week, I would go over my life leading up to being a writer for the mail. I promise I won't go over every detail, just some highlights. So how did I get here? more

The Marshfield Blue Jays Speech and Debate team headed to the Liberty Invitational January 13 and 14 to compete in the 48 school event. The following students were selected to compete: more

Just when you think you’ve got it all together: bills paid, groceries in the fridge, closets cleaned, dishes done every day for a week (that’s a really big accomplishment at my house), house cleaned from fire (thank you Amanda for your help), laundry caught up-you know all the crap that goes into being a mom/wife/housekeeper-the kids can have a way of making that all look not so spectacular. more

The colder it gets outside this winter season, the more people will turn up the heater. We often forget that besides the refrigerator, our heater/AC, aka HVAC is one of the most crucial machines in our homes we need to keep our lives going comfortably. Until the heater stops working… heaven forbid that were to happen, but if so, who should you turn to? more

As the new year starts, many people will set impossible goals for themselves, while some will put little effort in. What is the point? We have all year the phrase new year, new you and most of us have rolled our eyes. It's just another year. And honestly, it is easy to dwell on the negative things that happened last year and the past. From politics to celebrities, plagues to prices, it's hard to think there is any light at the end of this deep dark tunnel that we call life. more

Marshfield lost one of its most influential businessmen and a longtime community servant with the Dec. 19 passing of Gary Fraker. Fraker, who was the owner of Fraker Funeral Home, had been a mainstay in the Marshfield business community, always willing to support and sponsor events and organizations in the area. more

Wow, this day came faster than I ever thought! more

As we approach the final chapter of 2022, the staff of the Marshfield Mail took some time to reflect on some of the biggest stories of the year. Here you will find the stories that our community responded to the most, both happy and sad. more

I absolutely abhor the cliché of making grand New Years’ Resolutions. It’s not at all that I am against making new goals for oneself, but why wait to do it exactly at the start of a “New Year?” Sure, when it comes to the specific common resolution of getting into shape, it may be great business for gym owners. But, if you need to cut weight, or focus on any goal at all- not just physical health related- why wait until this specific point in the whole year to begin on it? Aren’t there 364 other days in the year that are great starting times, as well? more

If you are one of the thousands of fans of cooking shows, you may see a lot more about a grain called millet this coming year. That’s because India made a proposal to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to dedicate 2023 as the International Year of Millets, and the United Nations accepted the offer. According to the United Nations website, the goal is to “increase global production, ensure efficient processing and consumption, promote a better utilization of crop rotations, and encourage better connectivity throughout food systems to promote millets as a key component.” The Indian government is reportedly hoping to create an “Indian grown” millet marketing craze, as the food may be deemed the next hottest superfood, following kale, cauliflower, and all the others that may or may not elicit eye rolls by now. more

Over a year ago, I unexpectedly accepted a position at the Marshfield Mail. more

On Dec. 8, the Parent's as Teachers (PAT) group organized their annual event: Winter Wonderland. The event had been converted as a drive-thru experience during COVID-19, but with restrictions lifted, this year all the fun was had indoors. more

Winter- it’s a time of dormancy and less activity for some of nature, but for us humans, it’s a time bustling with celebrations and festivities. Wednesday, December 21 marks the winter solstice for those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere. more

Marshfield, Mo. – The Webster County Health Unit has been informed by our state partners that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in several locations across Webster County. It has been found in both domestic commercial flocks and in migratory wild birds. more

This week our community was hit with loss after loss. more

Keeping a county safe is a huge, important job: Folks seek out small Midwestern towns, like the ones in Webster County, specifically for their quaint, homelike atmosphere. So, when things go awry, it is nice to know there is a system in place, whose entire job is to bring justice where it is due. more

For the past 42 years, every Monday morning Winfred Jones springs out of bed, ecstatic to start the week. Occasionally, he even arrives 20 minutes early to chat with his coworkers and employees to hear about their weekends. Jones is greeted with many smiling faces, handshakes, and occasional hugs because his coworkers are so happy to see him. more

Governor Mike Parson today announced the availability of up to $10 million in grant funding for maintenance and improvements to jails across the state. more

In partnership with the Rogersville Chamber of Commerce, Fordland Clinic unveiled multiple new additions and renovations to their existing facility located at 1059 Barton Dr., in Fordland, Mo. more

A little bit of rain didn't keep turkeys away from the 12th Annual Gobble Wobble, which the Webster County Health Unit hosts every Thanksgiving. more

The season of hustling and bustling is upon us. With all the preparations that must take place to make our family’s holiday a truly awesome one, we may be left with our heads spinning, feeling anything but the joy that this season is meant to bring about. Who could blame us? The commercialization of Christmas can make us feel like it’s our duty to run in circles until we are about to fall over. However, that frantic, neck-breaking pace is not sustainable. Soon enough, we’ll just come crashing right back down. more

The holiday season is in full swing, and it is a festive and joyous time of year. Yet, it can also be filled with stress, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. more