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Driver license exam stations close for holidays
Attorney Emily Godat, West Plains, center, took a moment Monday to sign the registry at the Howell County courthouse. It contains the names of attorneys who have practiced law in Howell County, dating back to the 1860s. She and Corri Mader-Twillman, left, are lawyers for Legal Services of Southern Missouri. At the bench in the background is Presiding 37th Circuit Court Judge Steven Privette.

Emily Godat joins Legal Service of Southern Missouri team

Emily Godat, an attorney with Legal Services of Southern Missouri (LSSM), signed the historic register of attorneys practicing law in Howell County on Monday. She was accompanied by Corri Mader-Twillman, also an attorney with LSSM and a former public defender.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS: Our cup runneth over

As I’ve mentioned before, sometimes the expectations I have to manage are my own. Whew.
Isaac Harrison, at the mic, is a local rapper resisting labels. He performs with his band as IMH, which includes Camden Roberts on drums in the background, bassist LJ Temple, right, and lead guitarist Dru Drapler. IMH takes the Avenue Theatre stage at 4 p.m. today.

Homegrown music act IMH takes Avenue stage today

It’s not uncommon for even small towns to produce one or two self-made artists, but true star quality is rare. Isaac Miles Harrison (who goes by IMH, an acronym for his initials) is one of those stars.
Becca's Closet of the Ozarks is now operating in Alton, thanks to volunteers dedicated to providing formalwear, accessories and other assistance to teens who want to attend high school dances, but might face financial barriers. It is a local chapter of the national organization Becca's Closet, founded in 2003 by Rebecca Kirtman, a high school freshman from Florida who died in a car crash just months after her first collection of dresses. It continued in her memory and has since expanded to 53 chapters nationwide. From left are Alton organizer Crystal Pinson and volunteers Anna Roberts and Laurel Johnson.

Alton group aims to see all teens have access to formalwear for dances

In the interest of helping local teens have a memorable experience at their high school formal, volunteers and the Alton Methodist Church have opened a chapter of Becca's Closet, a national nonprofit dedicated to assisting students who otherwise might not be able to afford the expenses normally associated with attending dances.

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News

West Plains FFA officer bios

Editor’s note: Please see the special section inserted in today’s paper for more about the West Plains High School FFA chapter.
President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Trump says he's firing Kennedy Center board of trustees members and naming himself chairman

President Donald Trump says he is firing members of the board of trustees for the Kennedy Center and naming himself chairman. He also indicated that he will use the post to dictate programming at one …

Kosh earns two PRiME awards for academic growth

Koshkonong Elementary School is the recipient of two awards given by the Policy Research in Missouri Education (PRiME) Center at St. Louis University School of Education for promoting outstanding student growth during the 2023-24 school year.

Woman is accused of stealing from a TV reporter found dead at his hotel before the Super Bowl

Police are investigating the death of 27-year-old television reporter Adan Manzano, who was in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl. On Friday police announced the arrest of a woman they say used his …

Sports
He's back, baby! ESPN's Dick Vitale makes return to commentating following 4th bout with cancer
He’s back, baby! ESPN’s Dick Vitale received a standing ovation at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum in his first game back as a commentator since recovering from his fourth bout with cancer. About …
The West Plains High School Zizzers, coached by Mason Miller, were overwhelmed by the Logan-Rogersville Wildcats, falling at home by a final score of 25-60 on Tuesday evening in a game that featured early brilliance, relentless execution by the visitors and a mounting breakdown by the home team.
West Plains Elks Lodge 2418 recently held its local level John P. Cody III Memorial Hoop Shoot. The first place winners of the November contest competed Jan. 18 in Ozark.
A UMass student who made a half-court shot during a women’s basketball game halftime promotion will get his $10,000 prize from the school itself after the insurance company refused to pay because, …
Minnesota’s governing body for high school sports says it will follow state law and continue to allow any transgender athletes to compete. The Minnesota State High School League says the …

Lady Zizzers fall, but Pink Out is a big success

Ainsley McWilliams with a big three-pointer.
In a display of high-stakes basketball and community spirit at Thursday night’s annual Lady Zizzers Pink Out game, the state’s No. 5-ranked Doniphan Donettes outlasted the West Plains High School Lady Zizzers, 67-55, in a contest that was as much about supporting a noble cause as it was about the battle on the hardwood.

Grizzly Volleyball coaches Figueiredo, Da Costa resign

Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paty Figueiredo, left, and Robson Da Costa are resigning their positions with Grizzly Athletics at Missouri State University-West Plains. The searches for their replacements will begin soon, officials said.
Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paty Figueiredo and Assistant Coach Robson Da Costa have resigned from Missouri State University-West Plains, university officials announced this week.
People & Events

Arts Alliance Calendar of Events

Arts Alliance member events and activities:

Community Calendar: Feb. 8 update

Know of an event not listed here? Email submissions by 9 a.m. Wednesdays to news@westplainsdailyquill.net with “CALENDAR” in the subject line. Three sentence maximum must include event description, date, time, location, cost and source for more information. Weekly events will be printed for no more than a month at a time unless renewed by the host. Call the Quill, 417-256-9191 with questions. Unless otherwise noted, events are in West Plains.

MSU names fall dean’s list honorees

Missouri State University officials in Springfield have announced the names of area students who earned spots on the school’s fall session dean’s list.

CHRIS’ CORNER: ’Twas in another lifetime

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself on the road to Springfield, eager to catch the new Bob Dylan biopic, "A Complete Unknown." The film was, as critics have unanimously praised, fantastic — a masterful portrayal of an enigmatic artist whose influence has rippled through generations. Yet, as compelling as the movie was, it is not the film itself that has lingered with me. Instead, it was the resonance of Dylan's music, a soundtrack to my younger day.
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Features

'Gossiping chicken' gourd painting workshops set for next week

The West Plains Council on the Arts will host two "gossiping chicken" gourd painting workshops from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday in the Dogwood rooms at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. The cost of the workshop is $35, all supplies included.

WORDS TO LIVE BY: Salt

If you have ever left the salt out of your mashed potatoes, you know that salt is an important seasoning.

CIRCUIT THOUGHTS: Listening for Christ’s call

I love to fish. There is something about standing on a creek bank, or waist deep water, trying to get a bass or perch to take the bait. The challenge for me is to hit the right place at the right time with the right lure. Of course, I catch and release. I love the taste of fish, but I am a bit lazy when it comes to cleaning and preparing the fish. (Come to think of it, it is time to renew my license).

SIMPLE STAPLES: Let’s get pickled

Welcome back to my little culinary experiment, a space where we challenge ourselves to stop buying and start making everyday essentials. This week, we’re diving into the world of homemade pickles — those tangy, crunchy delights that can elevate everything from sandwiches to charcuterie boards.
Allan Brinkman, certified professional accountant, is the newest partner to join Welch, Couch & Company at its firm in East Towne Village Shopping Center in West Plains. He has been with the firm since 2018.

Welch, Couch & Company welcomes new co-owner

Welch, Couch & Company officials say they are excited to announce the addition of Allen Brinkman, certified professional accountant, as a new owner in the firm.

Tax preparation services available in West Plains

Need help making sense of this year’s tax forms? Here’s a roundup of tax service providers in West Plains:

Letters to Santa

Editor’s note: These letters are printed in addition to those published in the Letters to Santa supplement to today's Quill. They are published here as they were submitted after the deadline, but the Quill still wants to make sure Santa gets them. They are printed as they’ve been written.
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