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Winter Storm Fern pushed heaters into overdrive, and many of us are feeling it on our March utility bills. We lay out exactly what changed, what didn’t, and how the city stepped in to shield residents from the worst of the cost spikes—holding electric rates steady by ordinance and absorbing more than $200,000 in supplier costs rather than passing them along. We also explain why natural gas totals rose, how commodity pricing works, and the simple steps you can take to better manage usage during extreme cold.

Clarity matters when budgets are tight, so we walk through a practical safety net: a six‑month, zero‑interest payment agreement on the amount above your normal average bill. The process is straightforward—visit the utility office before March 15 and ask for Tracy or Melanie—so you can spread out the spike without penalties and keep essential services stable. Along the way, we answer common questions about usage differences between homes, thermostat habits, and how small decisions can add up when temperatures plummet.

Beyond bills, there’s good news shaping daily life in Waynesville. Engineering work is underway for three new crosswalks along Historic Route 66—at the courthouse, near the Roubidoux Bridge, and near Morgan Street—to advance a safer, more walkable downtown that supports local shops and everyday errands. We share updates from Fort Leonard Wood, where a new hospital opens to its first patients on April 7 after a March 31 ribbon-cutting—part of nearly $900 million invested in the region over the past decade. We also spotlight Laura Johnson, Miss Waynesville USA 2026, an Army veteran and suicide prevention advocate competing at Miss Missouri USA in May, and we recognize Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks for serving 520 Pulaski County families, including 66 from Waynesville.

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