‘One who makes a path through wild country, a pioneer in any endeavor’…two definitions of a trailblazer. At first consideration, one might think it an outdated term. After all, this is the advancing digital age of the twenty-first century. Our country was discovered long ago, the West was settled, we visit an international space station periodically and we are contemplating checking out Mars. Do we have any legitimate pioneers?...

"Screw your courage to the sticking-place and we’ll not fail” –Lady McBeth The year 2020 has been a year of curiosity and fear for all of us. For me, without going into too much detail, I spent almost five months living under a dining room table in Columbia, Mo...

My parents have been married 35 years, and like most couples who have been well - married for so long, they appear to have many common tastes and personality traits. But it was not always thus. As a child, I felt them to be so different, one from the other, that it seemed strange they should have ever married. ...

While some Southeast Missouri counties have fallen into the ‘extreme risk’ category regarding COVID-19 cases, as of Tuesday morning Ripley County remained in Risk Category II. Gov. Mike Parsons announced Friday the establishment of three risk categories for Missouri counties with warnings based on positivity rates and the number of cases with the total population. As of Tuesday morning Stoddard County was listed as ‘extreme risk’ with Butler County approaching that level...

Ripley County harvest numbers were up more than 600 deer over last year during the 11-day fall firearms season that ended Tuesday. Missouri Conservation Agent Tyler Harding said a total of 2,567 deer were harvested in the county including 1,196 antlered bucks, 281 button bucks and 1,090 does...

During the Nov. 18 meeting of the Ripley County Commission, county surveyor Troy Ayers and recorder June Watson discussed with commissioners Jesse Roy, Andy Towell and Gary Emmons the need for additional supplies and space in the recorder’s office. “We need some record books. Ours are full,” said Ayers, continuing, “Many surveyors want to look at paper surveys. Having hard copies is beneficial.”  Watson added, “It’s pretty cramped...We have no space to put any more survey books.”...

The Doniphan City Council met Tuesday, Nov. 17 at city hall. The city received only one bid for the demolition of structures at 107 West Jefferson (former Fred’s building) and 103 South Grand (formerly Uncle Bob’s). It was from the Poplar Bluff firm of R.L. Persons Construction for a total of $53,999...

A Ripley County convicted felon who tried to dispose of a pistol during a traffic stop faces up to 10 years in prison after the weapon was found and turned over to authorities by a citizen. Timothy Ossana pleaded guilty as charged Nov. 16 to the felony of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office...

“I didn’t go to Bible school. No one in my family is in ministry. I don’t come from money, a big city, or an important family. I’m from Ellsinore. I don’t have a passport. I’ve never even been on an airplane!“ Those are the thoughts that raced through my head six years ago, when I started feeling a pull to serve as a missionary overseas. I am not someone who felt called from a young age. ...

Doniphan R-I students will be required to wear face masks when they return to school from fall break on Monday, Nov. 30, district superintendent Brad Hagood announced Tuesday afternoon. At a special meeting Monday, Nov. 23, the R-I board of education agreed to follow new guidelines introduced last week by Gov. Mike Parsons and adopted a mask mandate policy for all students in pre-k through grade 12 and all employees...

On the national scene, everyone seems to be an election authority these days. But when it comes down to the local level, there’s no question who is the election authority in Ripley County. Becky York has held the title of county clerk and election authority for 26 years. Already the longest-serving clerk in county history, she plans to retire at the end of her seventh term in 2022...

13 local educators were chosen from more than 880 nomination

Due to COVID-19 concerns Tucker Methodist Church is temporarily suspending Sunday services. Hopefully a 60 day pause will help protect their "at risk" members of the congregation not only from COVID but also the core of the flu season.

Abigail Moore - I’m thankful for my friends and all my family and my animal I gots at my home. Archer Fisher - I’m thankful for my toys and stuff. Austin Johns - I’m thankful for chicken and pizza! That’s what I like to eat! Easton Pyle - I’m thankful for my mom making me stuff and she always takes care of me...

Firearm and drug possession charges have resulted from several traffic stops made by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department. Aaron Christopher Wilson, 38, was arrested Nov. 5 on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, according to Ripley County Chief Deputy Charlie Mays...