The movement in Urbana to start a Neighborhood Watch Program, spearheaded by Assistant City Clerk, Brittany Crawford, is well-timed with Dallas County law enforcement under the new sheriff, Darren Cheek. Cheek included in his campaign that he’d like to bring Neighborhood Watches to Dallas County. Citizens of Urbana, after several recent break-ins, are ready to be the pilot Neighborhood Watch program for Dallas County.

Finding a job that you enjoy and that allows you to be creative is hard for some, which is exactly why Amber Skinner with the Buffalo Prairie Middle School kitchen staff hit the jackpot. Skinner has a special talent for decorating desserts, and brings her passion with her to work for all the students to enjoy.

As the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) works to streamline federal operations and reduce spending, non-profit organizations in Buffalo and Dallas County may soon begin experiencing the downstream effects of these budget adjustments. Many local non-profits that previously relied on federal funding now face uncertain futures as government efficiency measures reshape the funding landscape.

The strong foundations supporting economic development in our community begin with strong relationships. Effective relationships must be in place long before progress is ever seen. They are the result of slow, steady, time-consuming work done by community leaders. The time to establish these relationships is before you need them, and not waiting until you need something, to begin communicating. This is a basic understanding shared by our leaders, and what makes our Dallas County region so successful. The Dallas County Economic Development Group (DCEDG) works alongside these leaders to create even greater opportunities for economic growth in our region.

When our three college kids are home for a visit and we go out to eat, we follow a protocol. We usually ask for a big booth and slide into it in a particular order – with our two left-handed kids sitting together. Over the years, we’ve learned that when a lefty sits to the right of a righty, elbows collide. So, we’ve learned to arrange ourselves to give everyone room to move, no matter which hand holds the fork.

Vita Dell (Johnson) Abercrombie

Vita Dell (Johnson) Abercrombie

This week in Dallas County history, as recorded in the Buffalo Reflex.

This week in Dallas County history, as recorded in the Buffalo Reflex.

According to the team at Beau Fournier Memorial Fund, Beau was nearly an unbelievably loving child, who was always looking for ways to help other children and brighten the day for others. That’s what makes his premature passing May 19, 2020, so difficult to understand. And it’s what has spurred his mother, Sammi McCleary, into action, making sure that Beau’s efforts to lighten others’ loads continues. Through the memorial fund, which was founded in Beau’s name, and with additional funding from Stand For the Silent (STFS)*, children in Buffalo, Missouri, grades PreK-8th don’t have to worry about buying school supplies each year, other parents in the community who lose children have access to counseling, and scholarships help make college more affordable for two local students each year.

Maureta Evelyn Fugate

Last week, the temperatures were unseasonably low, reaching negative numbers. Imagine a child sleeping on the floor or a makeshift pad in extreme weather. Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. (SHP) MO-Dallas County Chapter built 26 beds; applications exceeded that number last fall.

Abbey Woodyard

The Buffalo Bison fell short in their game against Fair Grove on January 31, 65-54. Coach Kyle Gawlowski says, "We put up a valiant fight in front of a packed home crowd for Courtwarming but fell just short to rival Fair Grove, 65-54. The game remained tightly contested until the final minutes, with our defense playing a key role in keeping it close." Blair Abraham led the defensive effort with nine rebounds and two blocks, while Dalton Bennett pulled down eight rebounds of his own.

The Fair Grove Eagles held their closest game of the season on Saturday against Lafayette County, coming out victorious with a final score of 14-13. The Eagles have a season record of 13 -0 and Lafayette County 10-2. Eagles Head Coach Bill Voorhis told the Daily Citizen that defense was the decision-maker for this game’s score. With no points put up in the first quarter and 0-7 by halftime, the Eagles needed a comeback to continue in this tournament. There was a tied score by the end of the third quarter. The opponent made a touchdown at the beginning of the fourth quarter, taking the lead, however, with minutes left in the game, the Eagles scored and making an extra point, brought themselves to the win.

Buffalo and Fair Grove’s cross country teams ran in the MSHSAA Class 3 District 2 meet last Saturday. Listed below are individuals results from each school.