Officials with the Missouri State University-West Plains office of advancement and the MSU Foundation invite alumni, friends and community members to the annual Alumni & Friends Picnic May 2 in the exhibit hall at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. more

In a ceremony held Friday, West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff issued a proclamation to Kenya Cook, an advocate at Christos House for domestic and sexual violence, marking April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in West Plains. The declaration is part of a broader initiative to confront the growing issue of sexual violence in Howell County and the surrounding regions. more

Lana Snodgras, director of communications for West Plains R-7 School District, has been recognized with a state public relations award by the Missouri School Public Relations Association (MOSPRA). more

The Missouri State University-West Plains campus recently expanded by about 40 acres, thanks to a generous gift from Dr. Linda Wulff-Risner, a professor of agriculture there for about 30 years. The donation of her property, Risner Stables, will allow the university to expand its agriculture program as part of the matching portion of a MoExcels grant applied for through the Missouri Department of Higher Education. more

Every year in the United States, electrical incidents result in nearly 300 deaths and more than 3,500 injuries. That's according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). more

Jill Pietroburgo, a local author who penned a children's book about Alzheimer's and other memory disorders, recently earned several awards and the book continues to earn positive reviews. more

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center (BHC) has announced its collaboration with the West Plains Council on the Arts to host an art competition and show. more

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains on Tuesday were mourning the passing of former chancellor Kent Thomas. more

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

Administration, faculty, staff, patrons and students of South Fork School have long been supporters of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, raising funds for the facility each year. They outdid themselves this year by surpassing their $21,000 fundraising goal by about $1,000. more

Elwin Charles "Preacher" Roe's journey from the humble beginnings in the Ozarks to the pinnacle of Major League Baseball is a story of determination, talent, and an enduring love for the game. Born on February 26, 1916, in Ash Flat, Arkansas, Roe was destined to become a baseball legend, though his initial steps were far from the baseball diamond. more

West Plains Bank and Trust Company, a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), and the West Plains Housing Authority were chosen to receive a Competitive Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant for $657,000 to help local families find a safe and affordable place to call home, bank officials announced this week. more

The West Plains Council on the Arts has issued a call for submissions for its juried exhibit, “Sky High: Eclipse and More,” to be displayed from March 30 through May 4 in the gallery on the mezzanine at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. more

The West Plains R-7 Board of Education will meet in regular session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the West Plains High School library, following a brief closed session set to begin at 5 to discuss legal, real estate, personnel and student matters. more

Area students eligible for the TJ Swift House A.S.C.E.N.D. Program at Missouri State University-West Plains will not have to pay the program fee for the next two academic years. more

BrewFest 2024 will showcase flavors provided by 19 purveyors of foods and beverages, including favorites old and new, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the arena and exhibit hall at the West Plains Civic Center. Doors will open promptly at 5:30. more

Fate, and perhaps some divine intervention, combined on Wednesday with goodwill and volunteerism in the nick of time to facilitate the delivery of balloons and chocolates to nursing home residents for Valentine's Day. more

The Richards School Board is set to hold its monthly session at 6 p.m. Thursday in the school boardroom. more

The Missouri Arts Council (MAC) recently honored the recipients of the 2024 Missouri Arts Awards, the state’s highest honor in the arts, at the Missouri State Capitol, in a ceremony that was open to the public. Among those recognized is Kathleen Morrisey, president of the West Plains Council on the Arts. more

The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce presented nine awards during its annual banquet held Feb. 3 at Pine Meadows Venue on Highway 76 in Willow Springs. more