The parents of Bart Millard were divorced when he was three years old. His mother did not want him. So Millard went to live with his father. He was abusive to him through much of his childhood. As a child, he feared his father would get upset about something and take it out on him. more

“A Man Called Otto” has not been a well-marketed film. The strategy of the film’s advertising seems to be, “You know how Tom Hanks usually plays likeable/heroic characters to go along with his reputation for being a nice guy in real life? Come to this movie to get the opposite of that! more

Are you looking for all of the answers on how to reduce your persistent fears and anxieties? more

Fresh out of a restaurant kitchen, I was the 29-year-old fledging news editor of the Bolivar Herald-Free Press. more

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, hoping to spark positive change. Resolve to make a positive change in 2023 by participating in the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks’ (CBCO) 56-Day Challenge. Donors who complete the entire challenge will have a chance to win up to $15,000. more

I like January. I think most mothers do. Sure, it’s the dead of winter and it gets dark more

Here it comes again — the end Saturday night of another whole year. more

Thanks to frigid temperatures we experienced in the days leading up to Christmas, everyone has been reminded that winter has most definitely arrived. That means it’s time to think about hazards associated with slick roads, bitterly cold temperatures, and all the other conditions associated with winter. However, people also need to be mindful that winter is a time when we’re never far from another type of hazard – fire. more

We were first introduced to dashing animated feline Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) in “Shrek 2” all the way back in 2004. The character appeared in two more “Shrek” sequels before headlining his own self-titled movie in 2011. Now comes “The Last Wish,” a sequel that depends on... more

The house was alive with clamorous noise, more

Forty-two years ago, Mom and Dad went well into the holiday season without a Christmas tree in the corner of their living room. more

Another Shop with a Cop season has come to a close with an astounding 175 children served through the program this year. more

Back in 2009, director James Cameron gave the world “Avatar.” The film about a human going undercover as a member of the Na’vi race on the planet of Pandora only to side with the Na’vi against his greedy fellow humans brought the movie blockbuster to new heights. It was the first movie to... more

During the weeks before Thanksgiving, I was high on anticipation – counting down the days until our two sons were scheduled to come home from college for the holiday break. It had been three … more

Dear editor: more

So, I will choose joy more

Grandson Colson has never gone to the back of Grandpa’s farm to cut a Christmas tree. more

Of all the things you associate with this time of year, the start of bird courtship in the outdoors probably isn’t one of them. more

See what’s going on in Polk County! Mark your calendars for these upcoming events. Some events may require registration or admission fees; please contact the organization for more details. more

“Violent Night” doesn’t have it in itself to be the best naughty Christmas movie ever made, so it tries to compensate by being every naughty Christmas movie ever made. more

What could I write about this week other than this fateful date in 1941, the Sunday morning Japanese bombers attacked Pearl Harbor, the date President Franklin D. Roosevelt called a “Day of Infamy,” the date the United States of America was plunged into a world war? more

Every now and then, I run across a seemingly random fact that takes up residence in my head – like elephants can’t jump. (It’s physically impossible for them.) Or the fact that certain types of trees won’t let the tips of their highest branches touch the trees next to them – a phenomenon called “crown shyness.” And this week I’ve added another odd fact to my growing collection: A new study finds that octopuses are one of a small group of animals that can purposefully throw things at targets. more

I thought one of the perks of making it to middle age would be that we no longer have to suffer the indignities of puberty. No more awkward body changes. No more hormone-induced mood swings. Isn’t time and experience supposed to make us more comfortable in our own skin? more

The onslaught of December holiday parties, work functions, and family gatherings is in full swing. more

If you grew up more than 50 years ago you are likely a storehouse of obsolete, if not completely worthless, skills. more