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Eslinger to speak at MSU-WP commencement

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains announced this week Dr. Karla Eslinger, a lifelong educator and former state senator, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2025 commencement …

Saturday, April 26, 2025

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FYI

Howell County contracts with company for tornado cleanup Howell County Presiding Commissioner Ralph Riggs announced Friday the county has partnered with CTC Disaster Response, a nationwide …
Molly Clair and Company will perform at the 86th annual Meeting of Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative Members on Friday. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with food and informational booths; entertainment is at 5:30 and the meeting begins at 7 p.m. The office will close that afternoon at 1 p.m. There will be a Kids’ Zone featuring inflatable slide, bounce house and obstacle course. Get registered for prizes. Must be present to win.

Annual HOEC Member Meeting is Friday

On Friday, Molly Clair and Company will perform for the 86th annual membership meeting of the Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. The event …
Construction is happening at 1410 Bill Virdon Blvd., West Plains, at the former site of a home built by Bob and Pearl Butler, which has been torn down. In its place, a new comprehensive outdoor sports complex is being built for baseball and softball programs at Missouri State University-West Plains. The West Plains Area Dugout Club, a local nonprofit founded in 2023 to promote and support baseball in the region, says it has received a gift from Jim and Beth Peters of West Plains to support the construction of the complex. Initial plans for the property include having a practice facility for Grizzly baseball ready by the start of the fall semester. Long-term plans call for the complex to support both Grizzly baseball and softball programs. A worker on the property told the Quill the pink flag visible on the far right side of this photo is where the pitcher's mound is planned to be.

Peters’ gift to club supports new baseball complex on Bill Virdon Blvd.

The West Plains Area Dugout Club reported this week a transformational gift was made by Jim and Beth Peters of West Plains to support the construction of an outdoor athletics complex to benefit the …
West Plains Playhouse's “Pride & Prejudice” opens Thursday and runs through May, with performances taking place in the Grand Ballroom above Dev's Steakhouse Piano Bar Lounge, 37 Court Square in West Plains. The show, directed by Arah Craig and Becky Maendel, will run nightly from 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a 3 p.m. matinee showing on Sunday. Additional performances will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday and May 1 through 3, and another 3 p.m. matinee on May 4. Tickets are available online at shorturl.at/u6xZh or inside the Dev's Steakhouse Piano Bar Lounge lobby before each performance. Production staff note the Grand Ballroom will not have wheelchair access for the showings. Call 417-293-3894 with questions. The cast, which was not present in full for this photo, includes Jon Guilbert, Jay Wright, Maendel, Micah Friend, Charlotte Ellsworth, Alice Lyons, Charlie Kay Greim, Anastasia Craig, Catherine Pendergrass, James Thayer, ZaiRyah Young, Levi Mucklestone, Grace Loukota, Finn Pendergrass, Boaz Mucklestone, Angela Bullard, Addy Mucklestone, Gideon Mucklestone, Kimberly Thompson, Shanda Engelhardt, Sage Roush, Laura Behling, Philex Thomas, Caleb Hullinger, Jairden Loukota, Craig, Tray Whitsell and Megan Loukota.

‘Pride & Prejudice’ play opens Thursday

Last Day to Vote for the Best of West Plains is April 30th! Vote today!

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News
FILE - Crime scene investigators use metal detectors to search a marsh for the remains of a victim, Dec. 12, 2011 in Oak Beach, N.Y. (James Carbone/Newsday via AP, Pool, File)

New York police ID woman and child whose remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach

A woman and her child whose remains were among other bodies discovered scattered along an oceanfront highway not far from Long Island’s Gilgo Beach were identified by police Wednesday, nearly three …

Fundraising aims to reopen Caulfield Community Building

The Caulfield Community Building Board is dedicated to ensuring the facility is open before the summer months, providing a much-needed space for family reunions, birthday parties and community …
A ribbon cutting was held Thursday to celebrate the official opening of the Missouri State University-West Plains TJ Swift House ASCEND Program building, which houses support services for autistic and other neurodiverse students needing support services. The audience included students, supporters and other stakeholders, including former Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson, Howell County Commissioners, West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff, and outgoing MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster. The program and support services were already in place when the building project was planned, which cost about $10.5 million and took about 15 months to complete. The building is named for the TJ Swift family, who provided financial support and expertise as service providers, and TJ Swift House founder Tracey Hollis-Cooper also provided remarks during the ceremony.

Ceremony celebrates official opening of MSU-WP TJ Swift House ASCEND Program building

The Missouri State University-West Plains TJ Swift House ASCEND Program building was dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, attended by dozens of supporters who championed the cause of …

Reflection Plaza dedication is May 17

The Lincoln School Project has announced the dedication ceremony for its Reflection Plaza will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 17 on the grounds of the historic Lincoln School, 1400 Pony …
DG Market, a Dollar General store with expanded food choices including fresh produce and meats, is now open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 1156 Lincoln Ave. in West Plains. The business has a larger footprint than most Dollar General stores at 10,640 square feet, and took about seven months to build, starting from the approval of a site plan by city council members last October.

Dollar General Market opens on Lincoln Ave.

Dollar General has announced it will hold a grand opening event officially recognizing the opening of its new store, a DG Market located at 1156 Lincoln Ave. in West Plains. The store has an …
FILE - Boxes containing signatures supporting a proposed ballot measure to scale back Arkansas' abortion ban are delivered to a room in the state Capitol, on July 5, 2024, in Little Rock, Ark. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File)

Lawsuit challenges new restrictions on initiative process in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A federal judge was asked Monday to strike down several restrictions on the Arkansas initiative process in a lawsuit that accused the state of violating voters' …

Trump administration reverses long-held guidance on 'road diets' for traffic safety

People cross 31st Street in Kansas City, Mo., where the city implemented a "road diet" reducing the street from four lanes to two in an effort to reduce speeding and accidents, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

A stylist was just starting her shift at a salon in Kansas City, Missouri, when a car smashed through the storefront window and landed in the waiting area a few feet away. Such crashes were so …

Sports
Duke center Khaman Maluach shoots over Houston forward Joseph Tugler during the first half in the national semifinals at the Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Duke freshman big man Khaman Maluach is headed to the NBA draft
Duke freshman big man Khaman Maluach is jumping to the NBA. The program announced Sunday in a social media post that the 7-foot-2, 250-pound Maluach would go the one-and-done route after helping …
Nebraska linebacker Derek Wacker (42) sits on the bench during an NCAA college football practice Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Dylan Widger)
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Derek Wacker is living the dream of many boys who grew up in small town Nebraska, and he's holding onto it as long as he can. Wacker is a walk-on football player for the …
It was a 4-0 win for the Lady Zizzers Soccer team Tuesday, as the girls defeated Branson at the West Plains High School soccer field. "The game against Branson was a good one," Lady Zizzers assistant coach Kourtney Stockton said. "This was our first game on the grass field, and the girls played exceptionally well." The Lady Zizzers were forced to move to the grass field after recent flooding ruined the turf field at Zizzer Stadium. The game was 1-0 at the half, with Lyndzey Casey having scored the goal. The Lady Zizzers scored three times in the second half: one by Addison Talburt, her first of the season; Lilly Hamilton scored a goal; then Casey sent in the last goal. "The girls were looking for each other, making great passes and talking to each other very well," Stockton said. Prior to the varsity game, the junior varsity team tied Branson 0-0. The Lady Zizzers are next scheduled to take on the Marshfield Lady Blue Jays, 5 p.m. Tuesday at Marshfield. Here, Talburt, left, battles Branson's Sarah Cox for control of the ball to score her first goal of the season.
FILE - Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada warms up prior to an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Former Georgia and Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada is heading to Sacramento State. The well-traveled Rashada announced his latest destination on Instagram …
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) drives against Texas guard Shay Holle (10) during the first half of a national semifinal Final Four game during the women's NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Former South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley is transferring to LSU. Fulwiley announced her decision to join coach Kim Mulkey's program on Instagram on Friday. The …

Zizzer boys earn golden batons in relay race

The 4X100- and 4X200-meter relay Zizzers track team champions from Monday's Southwest Baptist University Bearcat Classic in Bolivar are, from left, Will Stauffer, Lincoln Miller, Zizzers Head Coach Greg Dixon, Cameron Miller, Trentin Jeffords and Zack Tinsley. Overall, the boys placed second and the girls eighth at the meet.
The boys team captured second place and the girls team eighth place Monday at the Class 4/5 large school division of the Southwest Baptist University Bearcat Classic track meet in Bolivar. …

Zizzers take fourth at home tennis invitational

Sophomore Michael McKale of the West Plains Zizzers Tennis team won his singles match Monday at the West Plains High School tennis complex. McKale also scored a singles win April 17, when the team was at Houston, and a doubles match with partner Brett Harris on Wednesday.
The West Plains Zizzers tennis team played host Wednesday to the West Plains Invitational Tennis Tournament at the high school tennis complex.  Zizzer senior Adam Vaughan played in the No. …
People & Events
Nosari Home Mortgage, represented by loan officer Kimberly Bontrager, right, was a $250 sponsor of the annual Cystic Fibrosis of West Plains fundraising concert, helping make the event a success with about $79,000 total raised. It was the 37th year for the event, the signature fundraiser for the local group that works for months each year to bring nationally known country music acts to West Plains, including this year's performer Rodney Atkins. Accepting the contribution is Cystic Fibrosis of West Plains volunteer Jessica Joice-Frazier, holding her dog Olive.

Nosari Home Mortgage supports CF cause

Richards School names 3rd quarter honor roll students

PRINCIPAL’S HONOR ROLL Third grade: Brennan Adams, Olivia Buenger, Kyler Bunting-Bray, Lindsey Clinton, Bryson Davis, Averie Dobbs, Elaysa Frazier, Alaina French, Harmony Jackson, Roper …
Delta Kappa Gamma, Xi Chapter member Katie Cahoj, standing, right, attended the organization’s latest meeting in West Plains with her daughter Lilly in tow, a first for the chapter.

DELTA KAPPA GAMMA, XI CHAPTER

Xi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma met April 12 at the West Plains Country Club, with the West Plains members hosting by providing beautiful spring table decor including blooming plants for door prizes …
Janet McMurrin, daughter of Alvin and Kathleen McMurrin of Harrison, Ark., and Harlan Sorrell, son of Carol Sorrell and the late Thurman Sorrell of Myrtle, are delighted to announce their upcoming marriage. The wedding will take place at 11 a.m. June 6 at the Church of God Campground in Myrtle. The bride-to-be is a graduate of North Arkansas College and Arkansas Tech University. She currently serves as an associate professor of business and information technology at North Arkansas College in Harrison. The groom-to-be graduated from Couch High School and is retired from Royala Oak Enterprises in West Plains. Friends and family are warmly invited to join in celebrating this joyous occasion.

McMurrin-Sorrell engagement announced

Summer, fall class registration open at Ozarka

Registration is open at Ozarka College for current and new students for summer and fall classes, school officials announce. There will be two summer sessions. The first will begin May 27 and …
Records
Arkansas news
Missouri news
Features

Free invasive plants workshop June 13 in Alton

University of Missouri Extension and the Scenic Rivers Invasive Species Partnership will hold a free Invasive Plants 101 workshop at 10 a.m. June 13 at the Alton Freewill Baptist Church on U.S. 160 …
Students enjoy a day full of fun and educational activities at Alley Spring.

Annual Junior Ranger Day set for Thursday at Alley Spring

Ozark National Scenic Riverways will host its annual Junior Ranger Day at Alley Spring from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. The event is free and open to the public.  Area students and youth …

Free invasive plants workshop May 30 in WP

University of Missouri Extension and the Scenic Rivers Invasive Species Partnership will hold a free Invasive Plants 101 workshop at 10 a.m. May 30, at the Howell County MU Extension center, 1376 …
Mulberry Home is now a member of the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce and recently celebrated with a ribbon cutting attended by friends, family and other chamber members. The shop stocks jewelry, cosmetics, décor, kitchenware, baby items and party supplies. Owner Adonia Menz is pictured front and center holding the giant scissors used to cut the ceremonial ribbon. It is located at 1431 Preacher Roe Blvd. next to Edward Jones and Los Amigos, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 417-249-1431.

WP Chamber welcomes Mulberry Home with ceremony

“Gift-giving is a powerful way to nurture and deepen relationships,” said Adonia Menz, owner of new Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce member Mulberry Home. “It goes …

Apply for MDC elk and bear hunting permits in May

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds Missourians interested in hunting black bear and/or elk in the state this fall that they need to apply for a limited number of hunting permits for each …
Special Sections
Dr. David Benalcazar

Honoring the dedication and impact of our physicians

On National Doctors’ Day, March 30, Ozarks Healthcare is proud to celebrate the dedication, compassion and hard work of its team of physicians. From providing exceptional patient care to …

Disaster relief group arrives; CFO opens fund to help

Officials with the Howell County Emergency Operations announced the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team is working in Howell County this week.
These two houses near Highway 17 south of West Plains are among those that show the signs of damage attributed to strong thunderstorm winds by the National Weather Service Storm Survey Team. The winds occurred during a Friday night storm that produced the confirmation of two tornadoes in the area, an EF-1 that touched down near Rover in Oregon County, and an EF-3 that touched down in Gamaliel, Ark., traveled through Bakersfield in Ozark County, and lifted up near South Fork in Howell County.

Storm damage

Friday night storms indirectly lead to stolen truck’s recovery

A series of unlikely coincidences set in motion by Friday night’s storms, which are being called "divine intervention,” led to the recovery of a stolen pickup truck just hours after it went missing.
Timber Craft Creations, owned by Ben Mapes, joins the "Go Farm" Farmers Market this Saturday with his handcrafted woodwork including planter boxes, windmills, wishing wells, stepstools and condiment carries.

‘GO FARM’ FARMERS MARKET: Warm weather brings new vendors every week

As the weather warms up, we have more vendors back and new vendors coming in every week. Ben Mapes, owner of Timber Craft Creations, joins the market this Saturday with his handcrafted woodwork including planter boxes, windmills, wishing wells, stepstools, condiment carries and so much more! Ben can also take special orders for you.  

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