Fifty CoxHealth employees submitted growth ideas for the health care system and gave 1-minute pitches Jan. 24 during the second-annual Innovation Accelerator at downtown’s eFactory. CoxHealth President and CEO Steve Edwards announces the finalists to an eager crowd. Last year’s winning idea was offering CoxHealth Pharmacy delivery service to health system employees.

Photo provided by ALLEN KUNKEL

The Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association named New Covenant Academy’s Federal Protection Field its 2016 “Turface” Field of the Year. The “Fed” as it’s called by NCA’s baseball players was completed in March 2016. Above, Matt Searson throws the first pitch of 2016.

Photo provided by DANA MORGAN

Missouri State University’s winery and distillery in Mountain Grove was awarded two top wine awards: The Jefferson Cup in the Red Non Vinifera Wine category at the Jefferson Cup Invitational and the Best Dry Double Gold Sweepstakes winner at the Mid-American Wine Competition, both for its 2015 Norton Reserve. Pictured with the Jefferson Cup are winery technician C.J. Odneal, left, winery manager and professor Karl Wilker and agriculture Dean Ron Del Vecchio.

Photo provided by MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY