The West Plains R-7 School Board meeting Tuesday night was concise, partly due to parent/teacher conferences being held that evening at some of the district's schools, but there were updates, announcements and votes, including the declaration of two vehicles as surplus property. more

During their regular session Thursday, Howell County Commissioners are tentatively expected to review and consider bids for two vehicles for the sheriff’s office. Those bids were due by 5 p.m. Monday. more

At a recent annual ceremony honoring service to the State of Missouri, 154th District Rep. David Evans was saluted with an unorthodox award presentation recognizing him for his contributions to protecting and improving the effective administration of justice in Missouri. more

After enduring years of anticipatory delays, Howell County's officials and residents are poised to witness the transformation of a critical pathway in their community, as the commission embarks on a long-awaited bridge replacement project on Allen Street/County Road 2570. more

Joshua A. Cox, 45, Thayer, is charged after allegedly making threats that resulted in several law enforcement and governmental offices being put on high alert and the soft lockdown of Alton Schools. more

Early this month, Missouri's Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) issued 48 marijuana microbusiness licenses to top applicants drawn in the Aug. 28 lottery. To ensure the integrity of the random drawing, the Missouri Lottery conducted the drawing without reference to the identities of the applicants. DCR received more than 1,600 applications during the July 27-August 10 application period. more

Eleven school districts will be awarded grant funds for student field trips to karst locations in the Ozarks. School districts receiving grant funds are Ava, Mtn. Grove, Manes, Plato, Licking, Houston, Mtn. View-Birch Tree, Willow Springs, Howell Valley, Glenwood and Gainesville. more

Donna K. Lee, 56, West Plains, suffered minor injuries when the vehicle in which she was riding in struck a deer at 9:01 p.m. Sunday on CC Highway, 4 miles west of West Plains, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. more

A Taney County resident is charged in Douglas County with drug trafficking and other felonies after a large quantity of controlled substances were allegedly found in the vehicle of another suspect, and a search of his home allegedly uncovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia and items typically used for the weighing and packaging of narcotics. more

The air is crisp, leaves are commencing their spectacular color dance, and the community spirit is blossoming — signaling that it's time once again for the highly anticipated Downtown West Plains Fall Block Party. With last year's event having leaf-peeping and party-going folks flocking in masses, the upcoming soiree, scheduled for Saturday, is set to be an even grander, more splendid affair that aims to un-be-leaf-ably enchant attendees in a spectacular fall festivity. more

This year's Thayer Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday in downtown Thayer. more

A West Plains man charged in Douglas County after allegedly setting up a meeting with two teenage girls, the intention to have sex with one of them, is now also charged with three misdemeanor counts of violation of an order of protection for an adult and a misdemeanor count of violation of a child protection order. more

Gov. Mike Parson recently announced 10 area schools are among 566 Missouri school districts, charter schools and nonpublic schools to receive grant funds from the second round of funding for the School Safety Grant Program. more

Described by organizers as “bigger and better than ever,” the Thomasville Christmas Bazaar will expand this year to include two weekends: Nov. 10 and 11, and Nov. 17 and 18. more

An Ozark County resident is charged in Howell County with second-degree burglary, possession of a firearm by a dangerous felon, unlawful use of a weapon by exhibiting and armed criminal action, all felonies, after allegedly threatening to kill a group of people at a home on County Road 6350 and firing a rifle. more

Three men, one from West Plains and two from Thayer, have been charged with felony first-degree child endangerment after allegedly being involved in separate incidents during which children were put at substantial risk of harm. more

The West Plains Police Department is asking for help in locating a suspect that allegedly stole a vehicle and was the subject of a pursuit that began at Snappy Mart 11, at the intersection of north U.S. 63 and Highway 14, the north West Plains city limits. more

Several contests are held each year at the annual Black Gold Walnut Festival, set to take place Friday and Saturday on the historic court square in Alton. more

A Thayer man has been charged after allegedly entering multiple vehicles, searching through gloveboxes and consoles, and stealing items including purses, a wallet, backpacks, personal information and debit cards. more