Dear Editor and Community Partners, more

“Celebrants” by Steven Rowley. It’s been five years—since Jordan Vargas last saw his college friends, and twenty-eight years since their graduation when their adult lives officially began. Over the years Jordan, and friends have reunited in Big Sur to honor a decades-old pact to throw each other living “funerals,” celebrations to remind themselves that life is worth living. But this time, Jordan is sitting on a secret that will upend their pact. more

Evans Drugs is a small, family-owned, independent pharmacy. more

Springfield’s Birthplace of Route 66 Festival organizers (the City of Springfield, Aaron Sachs & Associates, KY3/KSPR/CW, Downtown Springfield Association and West Central Neighborhood Alliance) will kick off the11th  annual festival at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 at the Aaron Sachs Stage in Motorcycle Village (Jefferson Avenue and McDaniel Street) with the free Rockin’ the Route 66 Kickoff Concert. The opening act goes on at 6 p.m. and the headliner will take the stage at 8 p.m. The car and motorcycle shows will be Aug. 11 and 12.  more

Dallas County Health Department is doing back to school immunizations. Appointments are preferred bbut walk-ins are available. more

Every day, small businesses across rural Missouri put their creative energy into providing goods and services that their communities want and need. They are not waiting for outside companies to do it for them; they know they can employ themselves and each other to make their places great. more

Buffalo Alderman James Ferrell passed away May 24 at the age of 90. In the April election, he was re-elected to his Ward 3 position on the Buffalo Board of Aldermen. He had served the past 19 years on the board. more

Lee Ella Oglesbee and Mary (Oglesbee) Hunt recently competed in the “Over 40” category of the same dance competition they used to compete in as children — I Love Dance. more

In 2022, the Wingo family established a nonprofit organization with a mission of helping families with children with disabilities. Inspired by their 8-year-old son, and hoping to pay forward the generosity they’ve received, enGAGE Mobility offers funding for wheelchair-accessible vehicles to families in need. Less than six months after its inception, enGAGE is issuing its first grant to a deserving family in the Kansas City area in the amount of $50,000. more

State Rep. Jim Kalberloh was the featured speaker at the annual Cross Timbers Memorial Day Service, which drew about 40 to 50 people to the Cross Timbers square on the morning of Monday, May 29. The service is organized by American Legion Post 623 of Cross Timbers. more

Who in your life has inspired you the most? more

State of Missouri vs. Matthew D. Fleetwood more