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Doniphan Middle School athletes in all sports were honored May 6 at the annual athletic banquet in the middle school gymnasium.

Scholarships potentially worth nearly $750,000 were presented Thursday night to the Class of 2019 during the Doniphan High School Senior Academic Reception. Graduation for the 89-member class will be held at 7 tonight at Bill L. Wright Gymnasium.

Graduation is a community celebration at Ripley County's two K-8 schools. Tuesday night, 10 eighth-graders and 10 kindergarten pupils proudly accepted their diplomas at Lone Star R-IV School. Thursday night, May 2, 11 eighth-graders and 10 kindergarten grads were presented their diplomas at Gatewood R-III.

Another new downtown event got off to a good start Friday night at Heritage Park. Bike Night, sponsored by S And G Cycles of Doniphan, included a cruise from Super Town & Country down Walnut Street and around the courthouse before the bikes settled in at the park for an evening of live music, food and a great chance to see a wide array of motorcycles up close. Musical guests were Aaron Donnell, Justin Starbuck and Christy Spradling. The next Bike Night is set for 6 p.m., Friday, June 14. Bike Nights will continue on the second Friday each month through October.

The Second Annual Unity For Our Community City-wide Cleanup compiled some big numbers in 3-1/2 hours Saturday morning in Doniphan. Despite a threat of rain, around 200 volunteers filled two 30-yard dumpsters, two 20-yard dumpsters, collected 217 used tires, and picked up enough scrap metal to fill three trucks and trailers. Numerous businesses, churches and organizations provided supplies and a free lunch for the volunteers at First Church of God.

The spring concert by the Doniphan High School and Middle School bands on Thursday night included a special evening for DHS band alumni. Alumni were invited to enjoy dinner and participate in the concert. Special guests included former DHS band teachers Paul Ripley, Vernon Allen and Brenda Pigg.

Semifinal games are set for this afternoon in the Ozark Foothills Conference Softball Tournament at Naylor High School. At 2 p.m., third-seeded Naylor takes on second-seeded East Carter. At 4 p.m., top-seeded Doniphan plays fourth-seeded Neelyville. On Friday, the Donettes improved their spring record to 14-1 with a 9-1 win over Alton. Thanks to photographer Steve Inman for providing photos from the game.

It's been a big week for the Doniphan Middle School softball team. Friday, the team played its first game on the new Hope Field at Quick Creek Park. Tuesday, the Donettes rolled to another victory against Ellington. More history was made as Gracen Kirby connected for the first out-of-the-park home run at the new field. Special thanks to photographer Steve Inman.

Current River Heritage Days is off and running in Downtown Doniphan. The Pioneer Heritage Homestead was the hub of early activity with visiting school groups taking in live demonstrations of pioneer skills such as soap making, butter churning, cutting cross ties, blacksmithing, sawmilling, and ax throwing as well as living histories from the U.S. Civil War and World War I. Guest speaker was Henry Schoolcraft (portrayed by Dr. Rick Mansfield), an early explorer of the Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks region. Heritage Days continues throughout Friday and all day Saturday with a full lineup of events in Downtown Doniphan.

South Central Missouri Community Action Agency hosted Early Head Start Lady And The Tramp Family Fun Night recently. Ripley County Early Head Start is now accepting applications. Call to schedule an appointment 573-996-5059 ext. 12 and 13. Ages 6 weeks to 3 years.

The Doniphan Middle School Art Show and STEAM Night will be held tonight from 6:00-8:00 PM. The Art Show and Science exhibits will be in the DMS Gym. The Z-Space Lab will be also be open. Cookies and punch will be served in the DMS Cafeteria.

Doniphan Middle School science students faced the task of designing and building a vehicle to transport a ping-pong ball across a distance of 2-4 meters. It's all a part of the Design Challenge each semester emphasizing the STEAM method of education mixing science, technology, engineering, art and math. Winners were announced during a school assembly held March 28.

The Doniphan Dons and Donettes are swinging into their spring seasons in baseball and softball. Both teams are scheduled to be in action at home Monday, April 1. The Donettes will host Corning, Ark., starting at 4 p.m. at Quick Creek Park. The Dons are set to face Alton at 4:30 p.m. at Bob Byrd Field.

The Doniphan Middle School Donettes volleyball teams earned a sweep of seventh- and eighth-grade matches March 7 against the Koshkonong Lady Blue Jays.

It's always a competitive game when county rivals Doniphan and Naylor get together in any sport. As the elementary basketball season wound down, the Eagles hosted the Dons for fifth- and sixth-grade action. The Dons and Donettes swept all three games but the fifth-grade boys contest was a one-point triller.

The Barnyard is a tradition during National FFA week for students in the Doniphan chapter. Pupils from the elementary school enjoy learning where food comes from while also getting to see sheep, pigs, horses, cattle, chickens, rabbits, geese and guineas up close.

The Doniphan fifth- and sixth-grade basketball squads are winding down a successful season under coaches Junior Baucom and Brittney Pennington. The teams are scheduled to finish their seasons Saturday at the Maynard, Ark., Invitational Tournament.