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Dear Readers,

Saturday April, 27, 2024

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From left with a painting,

New mural unveiled at WP Library, artist recognized

Prolific creator of West Plains murals Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo recently unveiled his latest painting, "Let There Be Light," at the West Plains Public Library and was presented with a proclamation from West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff for his contributions to the community and library.
West Plains attorney Melissa Stewart, left, is now the Honorable Melissa Stewart, having been appointed by Gov. Mike Parson to the judgeship recently vacated with the retirement of Associate 37th Judicial Circuit Judge Donna Anthony. Stewart was sworn in April 15 at the Howell County Courthouse by Presiding Circuit Judge Steven Privette, foreground right, in a ceremony attended by family, friends, fellow attorneys and judges, including Associate Circuit Judges R. David Ray, standing between Stewart and Privette, and Sandra Brewer, partially obscured by Privette.

Melissa Stewart sworn in as 37th Circuit judge

West Plains attorney Melissa Stewart has been sworn in as an associate 37th Judicial Circuit judge to replace Donna Anthony, who recently retired from the seat after being elected in 2018 and 2022. The appointment was made by Gov. Mike Parson and announced April 15, the same day Stewart was sworn in by Presiding Circuit Judge Steven Privette at the Howell County Courthouse.
Members of the Honor Guard, which performs the duties of military funerals, met Monday at the American Legion Hall off of Bill Virdon Boulevard to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its formation. The anniversary goes further back than the official formation of the Missouri Military Honors Program in 1999. Founding members Charles Raggo, now living in Brighton, Tenn., and Dale Bjorgaard stopped by the Quill to talk about what the Honor Guard does and touch upon its history. The group first met on April 9, 1994, to practice its duties, and approached local funeral directors and those in the area about administering the unique recognition of military veterans at funeral services at a time when it wasn't very common. That includes the playing of taps by a bugler, a 21-gun salute if requested by the family and the removal of the American flag from the veteran's casket, folding it and presenting it to the veteran's family. Honor Guard members, from left: Joe Bean, Ed Beaver, Stanley Taylor, Raggo, Phil Vance, Charles Boyd, Bjorgaard, Larry Ball, Norman Carte, Owen Lunn, founding member Kelly Deadmond, Speedy Curtis and Larry Van Hove. Perry Johnson and Lynn Campo are also members. Another founding member, Howard Correll, died in 2022 at age 90.

West Plains Honor Guard celebrates 30th anniversary

Officials seek public input on Eleven Point State Park

Missouri State Parks officials are asking for public input regarding the future development and considerations to be made for the Eleven Point State Park in Oregon County.

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News

Provost at Missouri university appointed new Indiana State University president, school says

Indiana State University officials say a provost at a Missouri university has been appointed the new president of the western Indiana school. School officials announced Friday that Dr. Michael …

Chasing ‘Twisters’ and collaborating with ‘tornado fanatic’ Steven Spielberg

Growing up in the Midwest, filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung developed both a healthy fear of tornadoes and a reverence for Jan de Bont’s 1996 disaster film “Twister.” When he was hired to direct the …

17 states challenge federal rules entitling workers to accommodations for abortion

Seventeen states are challenging new federal rules entitling workers to time off and other accommodations for abortions. Arkansas and Tennessee filed the lawsuit in federal court on Thursday and …
FILE - Attorney Jack Wagoner is interviewed after a hearing in the Pulaski County Court House in Little Rock, Ark., Thursday, April 17, 2014. Jack Wagoner, an attorney who represented same-sex couples who successfully challenged Arkansas' ban on gay marriage before state and federal courts, has died, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. He was 62. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)

Jack Wagoner, attorney who challenged Arkansas' same-sex marriage ban, dies

Attorney Jack Wagoner, who helped successfully challenged Arkansas' ban on same-sex marriage, has died. He was 62. An attorney who worked with Wagoner said he died Tuesday in Little Rock and that a …

Businesses urged to be on alert for apparent Best of West Plains scam

This week, the Quill learned of a possible scam related to the results of the recent 2023 Best of West Plains contest, published in the March 30 issue of the Quill’s West Plains Gazette.

Two youths in custody after middle school threat reported

The Howell County Sheriff's Office has reported a 12-year-old West Plains Middle School student has been placed in juvenile custody after threats made on April 18 and Monday.

Sports
Customers eat and watch college women's lacrosse and beach volleyball matches on big-screen TVs at The Sports Bra sports bar on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Oregon's Sports Bra, a pub for women's sports fans, plans national expansion as interest booms
An Oregon sports bar focusing on and showing only women's athletics has plans to expand across the country through a franchise model. The Sports Bra opened two years ago in Portland, the state's …
The West Plains High School Zizzers baseball team is making waves, and under the astute guidance of Coach James Sharp, they've crafted a season to remember. The team's recent back-to-back victories have propelled their record to an impressive 19-3, signaling not just skill but a relentless pursuit of excellence.
(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Saturday, April 27 AUTO RACING 8:30 a.m. CBSSN — FIA Formula E: The Monaco EPrix, Monaco 10:30 a.m. FS1 …
Here's a look at how AP's general news coverage is shaping up for select Minnesota stories. For up-to-the minute information on AP's complete coverage of Minnesota and the rest of the world, visit …
Associated Press Louisiana Daybook for Thursday, Apr. 25.The daybook is for planning purposes only and is not intended for publication or broadcast. You should verify any event you plan to …

AP Sports Digest

The highlights of Wednesday's AP Sports report. An up-to-the minute listing of all stories planned, including games and events, is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, …

New York News Digest

Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up for select New York stories. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s complete coverage of New York and the rest of the world, …
People & Events

SRGMC presents Arkansas Earthquakes

For much of Arkansas, earthquake threat looms large.

Ozarka College announces new Opportunity scholarship

Ozarka College in Melbourne, Ark., has launched a new initiative that will provide incoming students from the area with debt-free pathways to an Ozarka college degree, officials announce.
Looking for ways to overcome any challenge, while also never giving up, is what a problem solver is, said West Plains R-7 School District Communications Director Lana Snodgras, who shared this recent photo. Caitlin Woodworth's RTI (response to intervention) class was challenged to build a tower together with no talking and only using one hand. Students participating in the task were Adorian Brasswell, Katie Davis, Elana Klingler, Kaiden Lewis, Maddox Bruffett, Aubrey Parker and Josh Martin.

WPMS problem-solvers hard at work

West Plains R-7 School District officials extend congratulations to Khloe Swims, the talented fourth grade artist who won the West Plains Elementary 2023-2024 yearbook cover contest. Terri Tomlinson’s and Tiffany Bryce's fourth-grade art students created yearbook designs and then voted for their favorite.

Khloe Swims' yearbook cover design wins contest

WP Senior Center announces volunteer opportunities

The West Plains Senior Center, 416 E. Main St., has issued a call for volunteers in multiple capacities.
Records
Arkansas news
Missouri news
Features

Homeward Bound: A Pioneer's Odyssey to the Ozarks

You have been man and wife for some seven years now. You have been blessed with four children, one of whom died in infancy. Since leaving your parents, and your brothers’ and sisters’ families in Tennessee, you have been alone. You have only each other to rely on. The responsibility of taking care of and providing for every need a small family of five could have weighs heavily on both of you. “Are we doing the right thing?” is a question that has been unspoken, but heavy during each of the many miles since your journey began.
Officials of the Ozarks Heritage Research Center (OHRC) at Missouri State University-West Plains welcomed nearly 60 visitors to the center’s open house celebration April 2 in the Garnett Library. Those who attended were excited to view the center’s archives and learn more about its mission, said officials. “The grand opening went extremely well,” said Rebekah McKinney, director of library services at the Garnett Library and a member of the OHRC advisory board. “People were looking at the items in our collection, and they were excited that we had past issues of the West Plains Daily Quill for viewing. Former Quill correspondent Denise Henderson Vaughn was delighted to hear that we had the Quill negatives from 1959-2003.” The center, which houses an archive of materials related to the south-central and southeast Missouri Ozarks, is open any time the Garnett Library is open for researchers, regional history enthusiasts, students and other community members to view. From left are OHRC board members Anthony Priest and Dr. Jason McCollom; artist Farley Lewis of Springfield, whose mural of a wagon crossing an Ozarks creek hangs in the center; OHRC board members Chuck Kimberlin and Kathleen Morrissey; MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster; McKinney; and OHRC board member Neva Parrott.

Ozarks Heritage Research Center celebrates open house

MSU Outreach to offer 2 new education degrees at MSU-WP

Area educators interested in learning how to hone their teaching skills or prepare for leadership roles among their peers are encouraged to enroll in two new degrees being offered locally by Missouri State University’s Outreach office on the Missouri State University-West Plains campus.

Getting to the root of sodic soil

In the intricate world of agriculture and gardening, the health of plants is deeply intertwined with the quality of the soil in which they are planted. While some plants exhibit remarkable resilience, thriving under various conditions, many are sensitive to their environmental substrate. Among the various types of soil-related challenges that gardeners and farmers may face, sodic soil stands out as a particularly problematic issue due to its unique chemical composition and physical properties.

Faith Commentary

I took my grandson to the library for the first time last Friday. J enjoys being read to, so I hoped he would eagerly pick out books. He was more interested in playing with toys in the children's room, so I allowed him to play for 20 minutes before I picked out four books for us to read later.
Special Sections

Night during the day: Why everyone is hyped for the eclipse

By now, the only folks who have not heard the buzz about the total eclipse happening in 2024 must be living under rocks. Yeah, that's right, another celestial blockbuster is on its way, and folks are getting seriously hyped up about it. It's not just your regular stargazers and astronomy buffs either; we're talking about people from all walks of life planning, plotting, and ready to hit the road for the best viewing spots. But why all the fuss about the moon photobombing the sun for a bit? Let's dive in and find out why everyone's marking their calendars and why you might just want to join the eclipse-chasing bandwagon.

Thayer, Mammoth Spring team up to host eclipse events

The City of Thayer is hosting eclipse camping through Tuesday, complete with a nightly bonfire, live music, shuttles and food vendors.

Visitor’s guide to Eclipse West Plains Party on the Path activities

Hello, visitors, and welcome to West Plains!

Call for submissions: Eclipse Keepsake book

The Quill will offer a keepsake book to commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse event taking place Monday.
Zizzer Pride Academy (ZPA) students in the Missouri Option Program told their stories at the March 19 West Plains R-7 School Board meeting, and focused on their accomplishments and the support they are getting from ZPA faculty and staff. The Missouri Option Program is offered to students at least 17 years old who are identified as being at risk of dropping out without earning a diploma. They were introduced by district At-Risk Coordinator Brandon Somoza, who gave the students credit for their work in transitioning from high school to the

R-7 School Board members thanked, ZPA program showcased at March meeting

The West Plains R-7 School Board celebrated School Board Appreciation Month during its March meeting, and board members were presented with gifts from each of the schools in the district, many of them made by students.
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