Features

Tax deadline looms: Should you file for an extension?

The bell for the April 17 tax return deadline tolls for thee. But don’t panic, says University of Missouri Extension personal financial planning specialist Andrew Zumwalt. Income tax extensions are easy to file and give filers some breathing room. You can get an automatic six-month extension of time to file from the Internal Revenue Service.

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MDC encourages public not to plant invasive Bradford pear trees

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages homeowners and landscapers to avoid planting Callery pear trees this spring. Better known as Bradford pears, the Callery pear tree is an invasive species known to multiply quickly and crowd out Missouri native plants. While it’s been a popular landscaping tree for decades, cultivated forms have spread aggressively

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The more steel and fuel you put between the sun and a cow’s mouth, the less profitable you will be

The 95th Annual Agriculture Production Conference and Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Meeting was held March 20 at Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, 6821 West Independence, Springfield. This year’s event drew a crowd of 90 local landowners that were interested in the agriculture topics addressed by the two featured speakers. Drought management Dr.

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Savvy Senior®

Getting a handle on prescription medications Dear Savvy Senior, I’m concerned that my 80-year-old mother is taking too many medications. She currently takes 10 different drugs prescribed by three different doctors, which I think is causing her some problems. She also struggles to keep up with all the drug costs. Any suggestions? Concerned Daughter Dear

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Calibrachoa: Petunia’s pretty little cousin takes center stage in 2018

While new flowering species are introduced on a fairly regular basis, very few have supplanted longtime garden favorites such as geraniums and petunias, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. An exception is calibrachoa, or “callie” for short. Introduced in the 1990s, this diminutive relative of petunia has become one of the hottest sellers

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New 2018 Missouri poverty report available now

The Missourians to End Poverty coalition announces the release of its new 2018 Missouri Poverty Report. This 20-page report is a comprehensive snapshot of poverty statistics in Missouri, updated and expanded from the recent 2016 edition of this biennial publication. While Missouri has seen a decline in poverty since a 10-year high of 16.2% in

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Make sure to check your Facebook privacy settings

As you scroll through your Facebook feed, you see a quiz that might be fun to take. After all, who doesn’t want to know what which Pokemon they might be or what character in that popular TV show with which they most identify. Answer a few questions and all of the sudden, you know that

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In praise of peas: Pick early planting date for most pleasing flavor

Few things match the culinary delight of fresh peas from the family garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Peas are tastiest immediately after being picked, before too much of the sugar converts to starch. For the same reason, peas that mature in cool weather are tastier than those harvested after temperatures rise.

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Savvy Senior®

How to search for forgotten 401K money Dear Savvy Senior How do I find an old 401(k) that I think I contributed money to at a former employer? Approaching Retirement Dear Approaching, If you think you may have lost track of a 401(k) retirement account, you aren’t alone. As Americans jump from job to job,

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6 tips to reduce confusion in older patients after surgery

The longer you live the more likely you will develop a medical condition that requires surgery or a procedure. In fact, half of all people 65 and older will have at least one surgical procedure in their lifetime. And along with common potential side effects from anesthesia during surgery such as nausea, chills or muscle

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