Nestled in the heartland of America, Howell County's beginnings are as rich and diverse as the landscape itself. Its story begins long before its official establishment in 1857. The region was first known as the domain of the Osage Tribes, who settled in 1808. These indigenous people were the original stewards of the land, living in harmony with nature. The Delaware, Kaw, and Shawnee tribes also frequented the area, drawn by the abundant game that roamed the vast woods. They left behind a legacy of over 1,000 prehistoric mounds and an ancient north-south trail that courses through the county, silent yet eloquent testimonies to their time on this land. more

January 6, 1985, will forever be remembered in NFL history, as Dan Marino, the Miami Dolphins' quarterback, delivered a tour de force performance, passing for a record 421 yards and four touchdowns in a dominating 45-28 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game. more

The University of Missouri Women's Basketball team encountered a formidable challenge as they opened their Southeastern Conference play, falling 92-72 to the No. 7 ranked LSU Tigers on Thursday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. more

The Lady Zizzers basketball teams had an eventful night, starting their Ozark Conference play on a strong note with two wins out of three against the Glendale Falcons. The varsity and junior varsity teams displayed impressive performances, securing victories that set a positive tone for the season. more

In an era where industrial-scale agriculture has dominated, a quiet but significant shift is occurring across the United States. Smaller farms are re-emerging as a cornerstone in the nation's food supply, challenging the long-held dominance of industrial-scale operations. This trend is not just a nostalgic return to the past; it's a response to a complex array of modern demands and concerns. more

Missouri Farm Bureau wrapped up another great Annual Meeting in December, and this year’s theme focused on our organization being “Guided by Tradition.” One of those annual traditions is the Farmometer survey.  more

Dear Readers, more

In the realm of religion, the concept of objective truth often becomes as complex and layered as the beliefs and traditions that define various faiths. Objective truth, in its purest form, refers to something that is true regardless of personal beliefs, biases, or perspectives – a universal constant, if you will. But here's the kicker: when you bring this idea into the religious sphere, things get a lot more complicated. more

Those who read my last column may remember I wrote about Michael and Matthew Clark; two brothers with leukodystrophy, a fatal disease which reverses one’s mental and physical abilities. Today I share the story of Jill Price, a woman whose mental abil-ity is the complete opposite. She was born with an amazing condition called hyper-thymia which allows her to remember everything with extraordinary clarity. more

Zechariah 1:19-21 And he told me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” 20Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 21“What are these coming to do?” I asked. And He replied, “...the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations." more

There are many things the Bible teaches that we should do always…love God, love your neighbor, pray, speak the truth, forgive others, and be kind, to name a few. To me, the most important “always” in the Bible is one of my favorite verses, Matthew 28:20. Before the risen Jesus ascended into heaven he told his disciples, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” No matter what difficulty or challenge we face, we can be certain that Jesus is with us always. Always. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

In a significant event that blends history with hope, the restoration of the Lincoln School, a historic one-room, segregation-era African American school in West Plains, is nearing completion. To mark this momentous occasion, a dedication ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 15, coinciding with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in a fitting tribute to the civil rights leader's legacy. more

The West Plains Council on the Arts will host a workshop conducted by local artist Tara Shahan from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 16 in the Dogwood Rooms at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. in West Plains. The prrice for the workshop to create a faux stained-glass bird-themed quilt block is $50, all supplies included. more

Two Baxter Health clinics recently moved to new locations, officials announce: Baxter Health Heart & Vascular Clinic and Baxter Health Nephrology Clinic are now both located in the Baxter Health Medical Arts Building, adjacent to the hospital at 628 Hospital Drive, Mtn. Home, Ark. more

Texas County Memorial Hospital will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 12. Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) will collect blood donations in the Jayson Gentry Community Safe Room on the TCMH campus, 1333 S. Sam Houston Blvd. in Houston. more

The National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), a nonprofit research and membership organization with a goal of supporting the employee-owned businesses since 1981, has announced that Jasper Holdings was ranked the 33rd largest majority employee-owned company on its 2023 Employee Ownership 100 list. more

Editor’s note: This column first appeared in the Jan. 5, 2021 issue of the Quill. more

Jason Smith, U.S. Representative for Missouri's 8th District, recently made a visit to the Ozarks Regional Stockyard in West Plains, available to lend an ear to cattle producers and hear concerns about an industry that brings a lot of dollars to the area. more

Students can now apply for $1.7 million in scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. more

As a new year dawns, before we completely close out the outgoing year, it’s worth taking a look back at the events that shaped it. The West Plains Daily Quill proudly presents a curated collection of the best photographs of 2023, each image telling a story, capturing a moment, and reflecting the diverse tapestry of experiences that defined the year. From hard-hitting news to uplifting moments, from sporting victories to the serene beauty of nature, this page is a mosaic of memories frozen in time. more