Photo Galleries

With help from the elementary pupils, Naylor High School students raised the roof in the gymnasium Thursday afternoon during the homecoming pep rally. Special recognition was given to the 2019-20 Eagles baseball team, which claimed the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament championship in October for the first time in 30 years. Players and cheerleaders from all sports were introduced, followed by the mock homecoming, won by Ken and Barbie (freshman queen candidate Gracie Wilkerson and escort Sam Dillon.) Naylor hosts Zalma on Friday night (Dec. 13) for homecoming. The evening begins with the junior varsity game at 5 p.m.

Nearly 40 students participated Dec. 5 in the Doniphan R-I Winter Concert under the direction of band director Donny Falk. Groups performing included the beginning band, marching band, middle school jazz band and high school jazz band. Selections ranged from traditional Christmas classics to The Beach Boys.

It was a crisp but clear night at the Sixth Annual Lighted Christmas Parade in Downtown Doniphan. There were carolers, fire trucks, kettle corn, cocoa and cookies, ornament decorating and Santa, too. Only 17 more days until Christmas.

Nearly 800 meals, including 511 deliveries, were served during the Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 25 at the Doniphan Middle School cafeteria. The free meal is sponsored by Chartwells, food service provider for the Doniphan R-I School District, in cooperation with the school.

The Current River Challenge lived up to its billing Saturday night as the Doniphan Dons eeked out a 50-48 victory over the host Van Buren Bulldogs. It was the third time in four games this season that the outcome for the Dons was decided at the buzzer. Doniphan fought back from an early 11-point deficit then held on with Brandon Moore, Ethan Jones and Orie Owen all nailing clutch free throws in the final 28 seconds to preserve the win. Owen led the way with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

There's frost on the pumpkins tonight and a lot of satisfied trick-or-treaters who attended the Downtown Doniphan Halloween Spooktacular. The 'Salem witches' dropped around 20,000 pieces of candy to get the night started. By the time the little ghouls, princesses, zombies and all the rest had made their way through the trunk or treat and past several participating businesses, the jack-o-lanterns were running over. Thanks to the volunteers who make it possible and the 1,500 or so of all ages who participated. We can't wait until next year.

Naylor R-II elementary pupils recently had a chance to learn first-hand about fire safety thanks to the Oxly and Naylor volunteer fire departments. Former Naylor student Donald McNabb, now a fire fighter with the Oxly VFD, said the event was the first at the school in 20 years.

The Doniphan Donettes volleyball team is preparing for district tournament play starting Oct. 28 at Dexter after finishing the regular season this week. On Monday, the Donettes swept Puxico on Senior Night. Tuesday night on the road, DHS dropped a two-game match to Ellington to stand at 15-13-3 entering the post-season.

Maybe it was the perfect weather. The patriotic theme. Or the hard work by the Naylor Heritage Foundation. Anyway. The annual Naylor Heritage Day was a big success on Saturday, Oct. 5. A total of 47 entries lined up for the parade, making it one of the largest ever.

More than 300 people (mostly students) attended Fields Of Faith on Wednesday evening at the Doniphan High School gym. Schools represented included Doniphan, Poplar Bluff, Naylor, East Carter and Gatewood. Guest speaker was Mr. Jason Andrews, principal at Thayer Elementary School and a former coach and administrator at Doniphan. Musical guests were Christian rock group Zach McAnulty and Forever from Poplar Bluff. Local sponsors included the DHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Ripley County Ministerial Alliance.

Hundreds enjoyed the Doniphan High School Football Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally on Thursday evening. Tonight is the big game against New Madrid Co. Central with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Griffin Field. The crowning of the queen will be held at halftime.

Pancakes, a car show, horse and poultry judging and kids games got the final day of the Ripley County Fair rolling on Sept. 7. And it wasn't even noon yet. Then came tug-of-war, mini-pullers, tractor and truck pullers,an auction, prize drawings and don't forget the carnival.

The market barrow and lamb sale and the 'bull bust' were the featured events Friday, Sept. 6, at the Ripley County Fair. Thirty-six livestock entries raised by FFA and 4-H students brought average prices of $662 for hogs and $390 for lambs. Beef cattle aren't sold during the auction but bidders do have the chance to purchase the champion and reserve champion ribbons, which averaged $343 this year.

A year ago, the Doniphan Dons gave up 66 points to the Charleston Blue Jays. In Friday's rematch at Griffin Field, the halftime score was 0-0 and the bleachers were buzzing with excitement. Charleston won the game 20-0 but the confidence level of DHS players and fans is growing each week.