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Ozarks Healthcare President and CEO Tom Keller

Ozarks Healthcare announces departure of CEO Tom Keller

After a decade of service to Ozarks Healthcare and the surrounding community, Tom Keller, president and CEO of Ozarks Healthcare, has announced his resignation, officials announced this week. Keller will be stepping into a new leadership role at Freeman Health System based in Joplin, effective Dec. 1.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

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West Plains Progress 2024

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After months of anticipation, about 100 people waited in line outside McAlister's Deli at 10 a.m. on opening day, Monday, despite a steady rain that soaked some of the sandwich-and-sweet-tea enthusiasts. In addition to those two items, there are a variety of salads, nachos, soups, baked potatoes and desserts. The first 100 customers age 16 and older received a

After much anticipation, McAlister's Deli opens in West Plains

A suicide remembrance walk was held Sept. 6 at the West Plains Civic Center, part of an event to bring awareness of suicide prevention, offer solutions and tools for better mental health and recognition of signs of mental crisis and suicide. It was coordinated by the Howell County Suicide Prevention Network and Community Partnership of the Ozarks and included a panel discussion introduced by Howell County Sheriff Brent Campbell, who later led the remembrance walk, followed by activities and fellowship with participants who have lost loved ones to suicide and others that have an interest in suicide prevention.

Organizations team up to raise awareness around suicide prevention

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and in an effort to bring awareness to mental health and offer tools to prevent suicide, the Howell County Suicide Prevention Network and Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO) recently came together to sponsor an event to that end.

Chief: Threat of suicide prevented with police crisis response

A Friday night call for authorities to assist with a suicidal man could have ended tragically, but thanks to crisis intervention methods, the man was taken, unharmed and without force, to Ozarks Healthcare for treatment, said West Plains Police Chief Stephen Monticelli.
Ozark Spring Daughters of the American Revolution chapter members joining West Plains Mayor Mike Toplif, center, for his proclamation establishing Sept. 17 through 23 as Constitution Week, from left: Cindy McKee-Pirch, Mary Hackett, Bethany Cowen, Linda Collins, Constitution Week Committee Chair Connie Weber, Susan Richardson, Lois Frazier, Karen Ryburn, Cathy Roberts and Mary Ann Mutrux.

Mayor Topliff declares this week Constitution Week

Members of the Ozark Spring chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Josiah Howell chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) recently met with West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff to witness his signing of two proclamations declaring the week of Sept. 17 through 23 to be Constitution Week.

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News
FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Missouri Department of Corrections shows Marcellus Williams. (Missouri Department of Corrections via AP, File)

NAACP president urges Missouri governor to halt execution planned for next week

The president of the NAACP is urging Missouri's governor to halt the execution of Marcellus Williams scheduled for Tuesday, writing that executing a Black man who says he was wrongfully convicted …

Man now faces murder charge for police pursuit crash that killed Missouri officer

A Missouri man is now facing a murder charge for the police chase that led to the death of an officer. Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer was originally charged with aggravated fleeing a stop or …

Arkansas General Election Testing, Advisory

EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Arkansas general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Poll close: 8:30 EST/ 7:30 CST First results expected: 8:35 …
Vice President Kamala Harris decried Republican Donald Trump for inflammatory rhetoric about migrants in Springfield, Ohio, and on other topics, saying voters should make sure he “can’t have that microphone again.”

Trump holds first event since an apparent assassination attempt while Harris does a rare interview

Former President Donald Trump has made his first public appearance since Sunday’s second apparent assassination attempt against him, with a crowd chanting “God bless Trump!” and “Fight, …
A hazmat crew from the National Guard's Civilian Support Team investigates after a suspicious package was delivered to election officials at the Missouri Secretary of State's Jefferson City, Mo., office on Tuesday Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Summer Ballentine)

The FBI is investigating suspicious packages sent to election officials in at least 8 states

The FBI and U.S. Postal Service are investigating suspicious packages that have been sent to or received by elections officials in at least eight states. There are no immediate reports that any of …

VP says woman's death after delayed abortion treatment shows consequences of Trump's actions

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Vice President Kamala Harris says Donald Trump’s role in undoing national abortion rights is to blame for the death of Amber Thurman. The young Georgia mother died after waiting 20 hours for a …

Sports
Big Sky, MAAC and The Southern Conference Earn Knight Commission C.A.R.E. Model Recognitions
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 18, 2024--During its meeting today, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics announced that the Big Sky Conference, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference …
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 18, 2024--DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ: DXCM), the global leader in real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for people with diabetes, announced today the launch of the …
The highlights of the 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, …
The highlights of Tuesday'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, …
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Andre Pallante outdueled rookie Paul Skenes, striking out a career-high nine over seven innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 on Monday night.

Sports in Brief

Cousins caps winning drive with TD pass to London as Falcons rally past Eagles 22-21

Zizzers pick up first conference win of season

Remi Wilson on the carry.
The West Plains Zizzers football team hit the road Friday night and came home with their first conference win of the 2024 season, dominating the Hillcrest Hornets with a final score of 35-7. It was a classic under-the-lights showdown, packed with the kind of big plays and hard hits that make high school football the thrill we all know and love.
People & Events

Bob Riley to celebrate 80th birthday

The community is invited to join the family of Bob Riley in celebrating his 80th birthday from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Historic Post Office on East Main Street in West Plains. Omission of gifts is requested. Cards are welcome.

Community Calendar: Sept. 18 update

Know of an event not listed here? Email submissions by noon Fridays to news@wpdailyquill.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.

USDA Business Builder grants applications accepted through Oct. 15

Small and diverse food and farm entrepreneurs are invited to apply for more than $3.7 million in Business Builder grants that will support projects in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and northwestern Arkansas.
The Josiah Howell chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) hosted a “Getting to Know You” picnic lunch for members of the Ozark Spring chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and prospective members for both organizations on Sept. 7 at Galloway Park in West Plains. Over four dozen guests attended the festivities which included opening greetings by Josiah Howell SAR chapter Vice President Garry Pirch, who introduced guests Mayor Mike Topliff and his wife Pam, former State Rep. Travis Morrison, Missouri State Society of SAR First Vice President Ken Lawrence and Color Guard Commander Steve Perkins, and members of Ozark Mountain SAR chapter of Springfield and Ozark Patriots SAR chapter of Rolla. Ozark Spring DAR Regent Rebekah McKinney spoke on behalf of her chapter, giving thanks for the opportunity for food, fun and fellowship. Attendees agreed it was a beautiful day for a picnic and the opportunity to “Get to Know Each Other.”

Local Sons, Daughters of the American Revolution attend picnic at Galloway

West Plains High School juniors earning a GPA of 3.33 to 3.59 were recently presented an academic bar during a ceremony held at the high school. Those students, in alphabetical order: Dominic Allcorn, Julien Ayala, Jacob Bassham, Zackery Bunch, Kenter Button, Maxine Clinton, Hannah Collicott (new letter winner), Jesse Contreras, Luke Cropper, Emma Dixon, Hannah Dugan, Elizabeth Eades, Yair Godina (new letter winner), Dominic Hale, Hayden Hawkins, Brian Howell, Scarlet Huffman (new letter winner), Angelina Kharitonov, Seri King, Adrian Lankford (new letter winner), Lillian McKenzie, Timothy Mondy, Jacob Moore, Adrianna Pringle, Ian Reyes, Layne Richardson, Dustin Rishton, Faith Robles, Emylee Robbins (new letter winner), Joshua Smith, John Sutherland, Maren Thompson, Lilliahna Wake and Graham Williams. See the Sept. 11 Quill or visit www.westplainsdailyquill.net to see previously published honorees, and continue watching the Quill for more student honorees.

More juniors honored for academic excellence

Records
Arkansas news
Missouri news
Features
Dr. Zane Cannon

Baxter welcomes five new practitioners

Baxter Health officials in Mtn. Home, Ark., announce they have welcomed five new employees in September: Dr. Zane Cannon, Dr. Rosa Lopez-Rincon, Family Nurse Practitioner Amanda Whitaker, Dr. Bryan Slepicka and Dr. Nick Souder.

Weather, district updates topics of Tues. NARFE meeting

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter 695 of West Plains will meet at noon Tuesday at Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant, 1449 Preacher Roe Blvd. 

Amelia Network announces Women’s Expo vendors

The Amelia Network is gearing up for its biggest event of the year, the fourth annual Business Women’s Expo. The Expo will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Ozarks Small Business Incubator, 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains.
Dr. Muhammad Khan, board-certified interventional cardiologist at Ozarks Healthcare’s Heart and Lung Center

OZH welcomes returning cardiologist and new Family Medicine doctor

Ozarks Healthcare has announced the return of interventional cardiologist Dr. Muhammad Khan and the addition of a new physician to its Family Medicine clinic in West Plains, Dr. Lori MacPherson.
Khan has returned to provide expert cardiology services at the Ozarks Healthcare Heart and Lung Center. He briefly moved away from the area but is now back to continue delivering advanced cardiac care to the community, said officials.

What to know about Legionnaires' disease

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has determined that three unassociated individuals who stayed at the Cassville resort in July of this year were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease within 14 days after their stay.
Special Sections
The Princess Pageant is a time-honored tradition of Gainesville's Hootin an Hollarin Festival, in its 63rd year. The three-day Ozark County celebration of regional history and culture also includes outhouse and bed races, calling contests and plenty of music. On the final day of the festival, the Big Parade rolls out Saturday afternoon with floats carrying people wearing their best country garb.

Hootin an Hollarin Fest starts Thursday

The 63rd annual Hootin an Hollarin Festival will be held Thursday through Sept. 21 on the square in Gainesville. 
Charles and Carolyn VonAllmen of West Plains are shown here with their granddaughter, Riley Nelden following her graduation from Alton High School last spring. Neldon’s mother Durreall VonAllmen, who submitted this photo and now lives in West Plains with her family, shouted out to Charles and Carolyn, “Thanks for being the best grandparents!”

‘The best grandparents’

The “proudest grandson in the world,” Travis Rhoads of West Plains, submitted this photo of his grandparents, Ron and Donna Luna, also of West Plains. “I am extremely thankful for all the memories and life lessons they taught to me that I can pass on to my soon-to-be-born daughter,” he shared.

'Thanks for the memories and life lessons'

Reader Veronica Aichele writes, “We would like to recognize a very special lady named Ruth Stevens. She lives in Thayer and comes to West Plains often to support her grandchildren who live in West Plains. She attends a plethora of ball games, volunteers in several community service organizations, and is a part of the Grandparents Club at the kids’ school. She is always giving of herself and is a gem of a lady.” With Stevens are her grandchildren Ellie Aichele, left, and Alex Aichele.

Ruth Stevens, 'a gem of a lady'

A note about Grandparents Day

Each year since former U.S. President Jimmy Carter issued the first Grandparents Day proclamation in 1978, grandparents have been celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day.
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