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About 400 people attended the 41st Annual Ripley County Toys 4 Tots program held Saturday, Dec. 21, at West Point United Pentecostal Church. Families filled the sanctuary for a message about the true meaning of Christmas before heading to the gymnasium to select their toys. Coordinator Shakey Lynxwiler thanked the many volunteers who helped the children and all those who gave so generously throughout the year in support of the program.

Ripley County Sheriff Mike Barton, all deputies, staff and their families donated money and adopted several local families for Christmas. This past weekend they delivered presents to the children along with a food basket for each that consisted of a ham and all the fixings for a holiday meal. Sheriff Barton said each contact was heart touching and positive but a couple stood out. One child said it made her ‘heart glow.’ “We were told another child lost her Grandpa that was in the Navy and all she wanted for Christmas was a Navy hoodie. We were able to get her one. We were blessed back for doing this with all the smiles and hugs we received from the children.” Good job, RCSD. We salute you.

What's better than a free shopping spree at Christmas for a kid? How about getting to ride there in a real fire truck or police car with lights and sirens? Forty-five kids got the chance Dec. 19 in Doniphan during the annual Shop With A Hero. The group met downtown for a VIP journey with the heroes to Jamison's Super Saver in Doniphan. It appeared the heroes had just as great a time as the kids. Agencies participating included the Ripley County Sheriff's Department, Doniphan City Police, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Dept. of Conservation, the U.S. Forest Service, Doniphan Fire And Rescue, Poynor VFD, Oxly VFD, Purman VFD, Logan Creek VFD, Current River VFD and the Ripley County Ambulance District.

Senior Faith Sullivan was crowned homecoming queen Dec. 13 during festivities at the Naylor High School gymnasium. The Eagles followed with an exciting 58-56 win over the Zalma Bulldogs.

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.