May is an exciting time of year. Students and teachers are wrapping up the school year, and summer vacation is approaching. more

Willow Springs High School’s Class of 2024 celebrated graduation exercises Saturday. more

The Zizzer Pride Band has a new leader. more

A total of 250 students will be candidates for graduation from Missouri State University-West Plains during the 2024 commencement ceremony Saturday at the West Plains Civic Center. more

The Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce announces, after 25 years on Jefferson Avenue, the relocation to new office space in the building that formerly housed the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Technology is underway. more

MOUNTAIN VIEW —Work has officially begun on a new Ozarks Healthcare clinic in Mtn. View. more

Headliners announced for this year’s Old-Time Music, Ozarks Heritage Festival are CJ Newsom’s Classic Country from Branson with Terry Wayne Sanders, performing at 8 p.m. June 7, and Big Smith of Springfield, set to play at 8 p.m. June 8. Both performances will be held in the West Plains Civic Center theater.  more

The Missouri FFA Association awarded the West Plains FFA Chapter a Gold Emblem and a Top Chapter Award once again during the 96th annual state convention held April 17 through 19 in Columbia. West Plains placed 16th out of 362 chapters. Only 10% of state chapters receive a top chapter designation annually, officials pointed out. more

The 30th annual Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival will celebrate Missouri culture June 7 and 8 in downtown West Plains, and as part of the festivities, the pie competition will return for a fifth year. more

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. more

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. more

On March 2 a structure fire was reported at a home on Amyx Street, with a handicapped man located at the back door but unable to get out. West Plains Assistant Fire Chief Chris Sterner and Police Chief Stephen Monticelli presented the awards. West Plains Police Lt. Brandon Stephens arrived on the scene and was able to pull the man onto the porch from the doorway amid heavy fire and smoke, and oxygen tanks exploding inside the house. Fire Lt. Wayne Cormier then arrived and together they were able to pick up and move the victim to safety. more

Parents, family members and community supporters of the West Plains High School Class of 2024 have a special opportunity to celebrate their seniors. more

Several Howell County rural schools have gotten funding that will help buy learning materials and equipment, including Glenwood R-8, Howell Valley R-1, and Richards R-5. more

A community service project was recently undertaken by West Plains High School students in the high school and Zizzer Pride Academy Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program, funded by a grant from Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson, a well-known supporter of the JAG program. The students used the grant money to purchase fleece fabric, then made knotted fleece blankets that were donated to the 37th Judicial Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to be included in Easter baskets that were given by CASA volunteers to the children they advocate for. Standing at far left is local CASA Executive Director Connie Pendergrass, and standing at far right is West Plains High School JAG Specialist Joan Dietrich. more

Students attending Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP)will see increases to tuition and other fees charged for the 2025 academic year. more

The Willow Springs City Council met Thursday for their regular monthly meeting. Part of the agenda was to approve election results and swear in Mayor Pro Tem Kim Rich and Ward II Alderman Tyler Morris, but after that happened an issue with Morris' location of residence was found. more

In an initiative to combat the threat of rabies, the Howell County Health Department is set to host its annual rabies vaccination clinics on May 4, offering vital services to the community at reduced costs. This year's clinics aim to broaden the initiative's reach by providing two convenient locations for pet owners in Howell County to access these essential vaccinations. more

Last weekend unfolded like the pages of a vibrant, deeply inspiring storybook in West Plains, one penned by the visits of Charly Palmer and Dr. Karida Brown. The anticipation in the air was palpable … more

As the 2023-2024 academic year draws to a close, note West Plains R-7 School District officials, it's time for parents to “start planning your summer adventures,” and among them is the option for students to participate in summer school programs at West Plains Elementary, Middle and High schools. more