25 Years Ago  Ava High School earned high awards at the 1995 SMSU Inter-Scholastic Contest in West Plains. Students attending the contest include Rick Case, Aaron Corum, Philip Gressman, Jason Smith, Hans von Gaudecker, Bill Bolte, Tracey LeVelle, Kelly Lafterty, Andrea Kirklin, Michelle Olson and Holly Hunze. Ava Mayor Bud Norman signed a proclamation designating…

By Grant Black, Ph.D. We are living in unprecedented times. While this may feel like the worst of times to many, it is a perfect time to teach children the principles and practices that can prepare them to live comfortable, secure lives, even in the midst of severe uncertainties and challenges.  Children are experiencing –…

Michael Boyink/Herald As of Tuesday morning, Ava’s Walmart had both toilet paper and hand sanitizer back on the shelf. For consumers, Walmart’s COVID-19 policy now includes limits on purchases of toilet paper and cleaning supplies. For Walmart employees, the company is now performing health screens, temperature checks and making face masks mandatory.

What is the purpose of mass testing? What we need is mass test RESULTS! But even then, what value is a negative test result taken at noon today which cannot detect infection picked up at eleven o’clock this morning but has not yet developed sufficiently to set off that test? Or, what good is that…

Volunteers needed for 2020 North American Breeding Bird Survey May 27 – July 7. JEFFERSON CITY — Calling all Missouri birders! The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) needs volunteers to assist with five 2020 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) routes to be surveyed one morning between May 27 and July 7. The BBS is…

Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Lietch of Ava announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Carol, to Garry Herd, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur (Buddy) Herd of Wasola. The bride-elect is employed at the Gospel Publishing House, Springfield. The wedding will be held December 19, in the Assembly of God Church, Ava.

By: Sue Curry Jones People are an enigma. Watching people is  entertaining.   If you’ve ever had the opportunity to travel by plane, you’ve experienced sitting in the boarding area where ticketed passengers wait to depart on their designated flight.  At first glance it seems easy to discern whether or not families are enjoying their…

My name is Jason Story and I am a local resident of  Douglas County. I am running for county commissioner to represent District 2.  My wife and I have made Douglas County our home where we have lived and raised a family for over 20 years. We love our community and what this county has…

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – In response to the impact of COVID-19 on Missouri Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households, the Department of Social Services (DSS) submitted a waiver on April 17, 2020 to the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to allow Missourians receiving SNAP benefits an online option to purchase…