09.29.22

This photo provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows the tip of a tripod resting on the center of the 2020 Center of Population Commemorative Survey mark, as part of a GPS survey to determine the precise latitude, longitude and height of the mark on Sept. 14, 2022 in Hartville. The U.S. Census Bureau announced the nation’s new center of population in 2020 to be in Hartville. Ten years earlier it was Plato. NOAA

Texas County’s drought status remains unchanged, reported the National Weather Service last Thursday. The county remains out of the drought zone, but some areas in southwest have worsened, it said. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

A new report from the U.S. Weather Service on Sept. 1 shows improvement in Texas County's drought status. A good portion is now without any drought designation, according to the agency. The southernly portion of the county is shown as abnormally dry. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Big Red D

The HHS defense lines up for a play during the first quarter of the Tigers’ win over Thayer Saturday afternoon in Tiger Stadium. The Big Red D didn’t allow the Bobcats to score in the contest.

Seago sack

HHS sophomore lineman Layne Seago (13) sacks Thayer quarterback Dawson Harris during the first quarter of an SCA game Saturday in Houston.

My beautiful picture

Pageant title winners Saturday in Houston. From left: Hannah Schrader, Missouri Heart of South Missouri; Miss Missouri 2022 Clare Marie Kuebler and Miss Southern Missouri Hayley Leach. (Photos by Kat Rippenger).

Teen category winners, from left: Eden Jeffries, Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen Mallory Sublette, Anna Hall and Gracyn Rouse.

“America’s Main Street U.S. 66” postcard collection. (State Historical Society of Missouri)

Intersection of U.S. Highway 66 and Route 19, Rolla, circa 1950s. (State Historical Society of Missouri).

Houston School District representatives join West Plains Bank in marking a $1,000 donation to the district from its debit card program. The bank offers community debit cards to customers featuring designs for the local team. Each district receives a donation based on its number of point-of-sale transactions. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Runner-up runners

A happy bunch of Lady Tigers gather after taking second place at a cross country meet last Thursday at Plato. From left, Natalie Clinton, Kristen Ely, Summer Bittle, Miah Bressie and Allie Benoist.

Meet the youngest and oldest HHS graduate attending a Houston Alumni Association mixer recently at Hiett Gymnasium. From left: Michelle Barnes Beckley, class of 1993; and Imogene Baker Holland, class of 1947. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Stumpman & friends

Stumpman and his two friends hang out on a warm September evening on a property near Houston.

Campus influencers and Ambassadors for the 2022-2023 academic year at Missouri State University-West Plains have been selected. Ambassadors represent the campus to prospective students at community and university events and assist the admissions office with recruitment efforts. To become a Campus Influencer/Ambassador, students must apply through the MSU-WP Scholarship Handbook and undergo an interview. They are selected based on strong academic background, community service and involvement. Front row, from left, MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster, Admissions Representative Jackson Wright, Vice Chancellor of Student Services Angela Totty, Coordinator of Admissions Melissa Jett, Assistant Coordinator of Admissions Erica Puckett and Admissions Counselors Donna Monticelli and Douglas Cooley. Second row: Ahmea Parham, Raytown; and Lydia Davis, Mountain View. Third row: Grace Schierling, Mountain View; Sophia Keeney, Van Buren; and Harly Howell, Alton. Fourth row: Gracelyn Walker, West Plains; Caitlyn McNew, Willow Springs; and Kenzie Warren, West Plains. Fifth row: Taylor Rogers, West Plains; Andi Howard, Dora; and Emilee Dougherty, West Plains. Sixth row: Austin Row, Summersville; and Kale Willison, Thayer. Seventh row: Jackson Willison and Griffin Willison, both of Thayer; and Logan Brewer, Ozark. Back row: Daegen Green, West Plains; Shane Hull, Bloomfield; and Dalton Ball, West Plains. MSU-WP PHOTO

Nominees for August Student of the Month at Houston Middle School are, first row from left: Jaelyn Scholz, Jesslyn Crawford, Claire Benoist and Ember Green. Second row: Samual Deane, Jacelyn Berger, Breona Shriver, Tucker Venn and Kyra Lacy. Ember Green was voted as the winner. Not pictured: Liam Myrick, Lucas Thomas and Kamryn Campney. The students were nominated for consistently demonstrating the character trait of kindness.

Scooby Doo

Houston Senior Center representative Hope Martin hams it up in a Scooby Doo costume during an event on Tuesday of last week at the facility celebrating the cartoon dog's birthday. Behind Martin is a cardboard version of the "Mystery Machine" she painted for the event.

Law enforcement softball team

Players on the Texas County squad gather Saturday, Sept. 17, in Mountain Grove after the second annual Battle of Badge Softball Game between Texas County Law Enforcement and Wright County Law Enforcement/Fire/EMS. Texas County won 37-8 and now has a 2-0 record in the series. The players volunteered their time to help raise funds for the Shop with a Hero program for both counties. During the game, a collection was taken from the audience and $430.60 was raised, which was split between the two counties.The Texas County team included officers with the Texas County Sheriff’s Department, Houston Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol. Front row, from left, Texas County Sheriff Scott Lindsey, HPD Lt. Matt Woodmansee, TCSD deputy Patrick Kelley, TCSD deputy Brandon Barnes, TCSD deputy Andy Edwards, TCSD Sgt. Kenneth Reynolds and TCSD reserve deputy Bennie Cook. Back row, TCSD reserve deputy Dustin Hartman, HPD Chief Brad Evans, TCSD Chief Deputy Rowdy Douglas, TCSD Cpl. Greg Ryan, MSHP trooper-in-training Nathan Poynter, MSHP trooper Jake Sellars and TCSD Sgt. Reuben Salazar. Next year, the game will return to Texas County.

Madi digs

HHS senior Madi Reed digs a ball during the Lady Tigers' loss in an SCA match last week at Salem.

Ladder testing

Bob Leslie, of Delta Mobile Testing in Crestwood, Ky., works with the City of Houston Fire Department’s aerial assault truck on Wednesday of last week in the parking lot at Houston First Baptist Church.Leslie was conducting an annual inspection to certify the condition of the vehicle’s ladder and its stabilizing jacks, aerial lift cylinders, turntable and aerial tip controls. He also did an aerial tip weight test, as weight at ladder’s tip is not to exceed 750 pounds dry or 500 pounds while water is flowing from the tip. “These inspections and test are conducted annually for the safety of our department personnel and verifying that we receive full use of the aerial ladder capabilities,” said HFD Chief Robbie Smith.

JV ace!

JV Lady Tigers celebrate an ace during a sweep over Mountain Grove last Thursday in Houston's New Gym.

Rising D

HHS senior Makenzi Arthur (5) and junior Kelsey Pritchett (16) get their hands up to defend against a ball hit by Mountain Grove sophomore Raylee Stenzel during the third set of the Lady Tigers' loss in an SCA match last Thursday in Houston's New Gym.

Participants gather Friday at the Houston Senior Center before a walk to benefit the organization.

Participants in a walk to benefit the Houston Senior Center cheer Friday as they hear the group's $5,000 goal had been met before the event started in downtown Houston. The annual walk provides funds for its meals program and other activities. The center provides about 18,000 meals annually to clients in this area and surrounding communities. BRAD GENTRY | HOUSTON HERALD

And they are off...participants in the annual Houston Senior Center walk began their journey on Grand Avenue on Friday morning.

A Houston High School building trades house is taking shape in a subdivision in the southern portion of the community. It is situated at the end of a cul de sac on Primrose Lane. The class is among those offered at the Piney River Technical Center. HOUSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

An aerial look at a Houston School District building trades home under construction on Primrose Lane. HOUSTON DISTRICT PHOTO

Go Tigers!

With senior Harold Lassiter carrying the school flag, members of the Houston High School football team run onto the field in Tiger Stadium prior to last Saturday's conference game against Thayer.

Dak runs

HHS senior Dakota James runs for yardage during the third quarter of the Tigers' win over Thayer.

Dak and Bryson

Following the blocking of teammate Grayson Mitchell (10), HHS senior Dakota James (33) runs for yardage during the third quarter of the Tigers' win over Thayer.

HHS runners

HHS freshman Natalie Clinton (880) and sophomore Summer Bittle (878) run together last Saturday at a meet in Hermitage.

HHS band

The Houston High School Tiger Pride Marching Band performs a portion of its "A Place I Know" show during halftime of the HHS football team's game against Thayer last Saturday in Tiger Stadium.

Band performance

Miah Bressie (with flag) and Hunter Swingle (with clarinet) perform during the show.

The 2022 Houston High School King of the Court candidates are front row, from left: freshmen Shane Yonkers and Gavin Altman; and sophomores Owen Byrd and Bryson Alexander. Second row: juniors Aiden Kelly and Kayden Crawford; and seniors Ben Cook and Ryan Wolfe. The king will be crowned Tuesday night (Sept. 27) following the HHS Volleyball team's home match against Thayer.