Missouri fire departments are teaming up with State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Cooking Safety Starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.” This year’s campaign, which runs Oct 8-14, works to educate families about simple but important steps they can take to keep themselves and others safe. more

On Monday, Oct. 2, Governor Mike Parson announced a total of 566 school districts, charter schools and nonpublic schools have received grant funds from the second round of funding for the School Safety Grant Program. more

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) is grateful to the Nixa and Ozark mayors for using their rivalry in a positive way to benefit the community. more

The Missouri Department of Revenue announced the new management contract for the Rogersville License Office has been awarded to Rogersville Area Chamber of Commerce. Executive Director, Stephanie White, expressed her enthusiasm for this milestone. more

The American Red Cross of Southern Missouri, along with the Sparta Fire Protection District and Christian County CERT, are offering free smoke alarm installations for Sparta residents in need during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event on Oct. 14. more

Earlier in September, women of the Impact 100 Ozark organization met at Fremont Hills Country Club for their annual meeting to give away $50,000 in community grants. more

Work trucks from City of Nixa Utilities, Nixa Police, Nixa Fire Department, Christian County Ambulance District and more converged on the Early Childhood Center parking lot for an evening of discovery, experience and community for children through age five and their families last Tuesday, Sept. 19. more

The heat of summer has broken, making way for cooler temperatures and more outdoor exploration for many areas of Mark Twain National Forest, including the Chadwick Off-Highway-Vehicle (OHV) Riding Area. The Chadwick OHV Riding Area has more than 70 miles of trails to explore. Motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs less than 50 inches in width can ride the trails with Forest Service OHV permits and as long as the vehicles are safe to operate and the drivers understand the rules of trail riding. more

You already know a library card gets you books, but this fall, it’s also a front-row ticket to the Outdoor Concert Series. Grab lawn chairs and blankets and book it to the Christian County Library, where there is plenty of parking, for an evening of toe-tapping music and fun for the entire family. more

Last week, on Sept. 19, the U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, recognized Mathews Elementary as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School based on its overall academic excellence. more

On Wednesday, Sept. 20, approximately 45 arborists and tree care industry professionals from across Southwest Missouri donated a full day’s work to honor America’s military service men and women by providing tree care at Springfield National Cemetery located at the corner of Seminole and Glenstone in Springfield. more

Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, announced at the end of last month the Ozark location of Orscheln Farm & Home has begun its transition to Tractor Supply. more