Walnut Grove Mayor Eldon Locke Jr., second from right, accepts a certificate acknowledging a $1.1 million U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan and $475,000 in grant funds the city will use to replace and upgrade more than 22,000 feet of water main lines and to drill a new well. Congratulating Locke on Feb. 11 is Mark Hultgren, area director for USDA Rural Development, second from left; Dan Wadlington, field representative for Sen. Roy Blunt, far left; and Megan Hammer, assistant for Sen. Claire McCaskill.

Hillcrest High School junior Raechel Gramm, center, receives the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield’s Youth of the Year honor from auxiliary President Kathy Risdal, left, and board President Sid Needem, at a Feb. 15 award ceremony at University Plaza Hotel. Gramm receives a $12,000 college scholarship.

Missouri State High School Activities Association Executive Director Kerwin Urhahn, right, presents Distinguished Service Awards to (from left) Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau President Tracy Kimberlin, Springfield Sports Commission Executive Director Lance Kettering, Springfield-Greene County Park Board Director Jodie Adams and Parks Superintendent of Recreation Kim Reser at a Feb. 15 news conference. The Park Board announced more than 50 upcoming sports tournaments.

Zone 3 Councilman, Jerry Compton, right, presents a proclamation to Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks Manager Donnetta Ghys, declaring Feb. 7–12 “Ronald McDonald House Week” in Springfield. The honor was delivered to Ghys at the annual Missouri Farm Bureau luncheon Feb. 16 at the charity’s house, 949 E. Primrose St. Mayor Jim O’Neal joined 40 other mayors who made similar proclamations as part of the Share a Heart campaign. This year’s campaign is expected to generate $55,000 for the organization that serves families of ill and injured children that need a place to stay during care.