West Plains Daily Quill logo
Log in
Community News
Sort by: Featured Most recent
214 results total, viewing 41 - 60
OTIS
OTIS brings touring blues-rock pedigree to Shenanigans stage
West Plains keeps landing bigger acts, and Friday adds another one to the list. Kentucky blues-rock band OTIS takes the stage at Shenanigans, 5 Luster Arcade off West Plains’ Court Square, bringing … more
|
Fine Arts Academy transitions to independent nonprofit, expands programming
The Fine Arts Academy has officially transitioned into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, launching a broadened mission to make quality arts education accessible to students of all ages … more
Students at Zizzer Pride Academy returned to class Monday alongside the rest of the West Plains R-VII School District and five surrounding rural K-8 districts: Howell Valley, Glenwood, Fairview, Richards and Junction Hill. ZPA serves as the district’s alternative learning campus, offering tailored classroom and graduation options for students facing unique circumstances while earning a high school diploma. From left: 12th grader Jadin Crutchfield; Seth Bryant, district coordinator of at-risk services and ZPA director; 11th grader Carlos Perez; and 10th grader Skylar Stacel. Bryant previously served as superintendent of the Oregon-Howell R-III School District in Koshkonong and assistant principal at West Plains Middle School. Monday marked the opening of the 2026-2027 school year for public school districts across Howell County, including Willow Springs and Mtn. View-Birch Tree, serving a combined total of approximately 6,225 students, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Under state law, public schools may begin no earlier than 14 days prior to Labor Day.
Howell County students head back to class
      more
WPHS STUDENT COUNCIL LEADERS — Members of the West Plains High School Student Council include, from left, seniors Dane Kirby, Makenzie Kinder, Addison Smith and Myleigh Berry. Senior class president Skylar Bell, junior Indie Barry and sophomore Molly Orr are not pictured.
WPHS Student Council prepares to host regional conference
As the West Plains High School Student Council sponsor, Kirsten Peterson wants the organization to help build a school where every student feels connected, involved and proud to belong. more
|
Presiding 37th Judicial Circuit Judge Steven Privette, far left, stands with newly sworn-in Court Appointed Special Advocates supporters following a ceremony Monday at the Howell County Courthouse. Megan LaChance was sworn in as a volunteer advocate, and William LaChance was sworn in as a volunteer advocate supporter. CASA volunteers undergo specialized training to advocate for the best interests of children involved in court cases regarding foster care, abuse or neglect. From left: Judge Steven Privette, Silynn Ellis, Megan LaChance, Alexis LaChance and William LaChance. To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, call 417-255-2100 or email volunteer_coordinator@37thcasa.net.
CASA volunteers sworn in
      more
Workers with the Play and Surfacing division of St. Louis-based Ideal Landscaping unpack and assemble new playground equipment at Butler Children’s Park off Broadway. The installation is one of two West Plains Parks and Recreation improvements in progress in that area. Across the street, a pickleball court and shaded area were recently completed just south of the West Plains Aquatic Center in People’s Park. A fitness area is soon to be added. The projects are funded through the city’s 2026 Capital Improvement Plan.
Assembly required
          more
FYI
A structural issue discovered at the Howell County Office Building upper parking lot, just west of Court Square off West Main Street, has prompted its closure until further notice. more
Lindeman seeks case dismissal, claims self-defense in fatal shooting
A counsel status hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 24 for 77-year-old Larry R. Lindeman, West Plains, after 44th Circuit Judge R. Craig Carter granted a defense continuance. Carter was assigned … more
|
Jon McKamie Langston
New MSU-WP scholarship honors late actor, mentor Kamie Langston
Jon McKamie Langston — known to friends and family simply as Kamie — spent his whole life performing: as a state qualifier in speech, as a king in community theater, as the family dinner table's reigning champion of the well-timed pun, and finally as a mentor who used humor to reach troubled teenagers. more
|
Music line-up announced for 32nd annual Ozark Heritage Festival
Organizers have announced the complete musical performance schedule for the 32nd annual Old Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival, scheduled for Oct. 16 and 17 in downtown West Plains. more
Two new pickleball courts have been installed near the West Plains Aquatic Park off of Webster Avenue. The project features a shaded rest area, shown here to the right of the basketball court. Installation of new playground equipment is also in progress up the hill at Butler Children’s Park on Broadway, where delivery of materials — including pallets of rubber surfacing — was confirmed during Monday’s West Plains City Council meeting.
West Plains Council approves site plans, addresses FEMA floodplain maps
The West Plains City Council approved site development plans, addressed updated floodplain maps and passed several resolutions during its regular monthly meeting Monday night. As part of the … more
|
Southern Bank employees presented a $3,644 donation to Christos House domestic violence shelter and outreach services as part of the bank's monthly charitable giving program. Funds raised by employees are awarded monthly to local nonprofits. The donation will help fund the final construction phase of the shelter’s tiny homes project. The organization continues to seek donations. To learn more or to donate directly, visit christoshousemo.org. Online donations are also accepted at paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1813065. From left: Southern Bank employees Weston Gant, Tyler Martin, Joey Pettit, Lisa Ehret and Jeromy Beasley; Christos House Director Kelli Neel; Southern Bank employee Kari Havener; Christos House Outreach Advocate Brenda Lewis, IT Specialist Othniel Emunah, Resale Shop Store Manager Amber McFarland and Office Manager Nicholas Haring; and Southern Bank employee Zack McNett.
Southern Bank donates to Christos House
          more
Elevatus selected for county facility study
The Howell County Commission has selected Elevatus Architects to conduct a needs assessment and preliminary design for a proposed county law enforcement facility. more
Two Howell County men charged in separate sexual misconduct cases
Two Howell County men face felony charges in separate incidents that allegedly involved exposing themselves to minors. more
|
Representatives from Community First Banking Company present a $10,000 check to Hammond Mill Camp, Inc. The total includes $2,500 raised through a kayak raffle and $7,500 in matching funds provided by the Federal Home Loan Bank Member Impact Fund. “Through support of organizations like Community First, Hammond Mill Camp will continue to be a treasured place for youth and adults to enjoy in the Ozarks,” said Hammond Mill Camp Board President Robin Mustion. From left: Kelly Slayton and Daniel McKinney of Community First Banking Company, Mustion and Hammond Mill Camp board member Thad White.
Community First presents $10K grant to Hammond Mill Camp
Photo Caption
Annual Blue Jean Ball fundraiser set for Oct. 3
The Ozarks Healthcare Foundation will host its 13th annual Blue Jean Ball on Oct. 3, at Silver Springs Ranch southwest of West Plains. The western-themed fundraiser gathers community members and local businesses for an evening of entertainment, dining and auctions to support local patients and fund regional healthcare services. Last year's event raised a record-breaking $100,077. more
Locke
Locke now to lead library
The City of West Plains has named Dianna Locke as the new manager of the West Plains Public Library, stepping into the leadership role following the departure of former director Greg Carter. more
|
Representatives from Great Southern Bank present a $12,000 Member Impact Fund check to Ozark Action Inc. and the Howell County Public Housing Authority at Ozark Action's main office in West Plains. The funds will support the regional Housing Choice Voucher program, which assists low-income families, working individuals and seniors with rental costs across six area counties. From left: Ed Button, Ozark Action Housing Division Director; Coleen Viefhaus, Great Southern Bank Retail Banking Regional Manager; Chris Ross, Great Southern Bank West Plains Branch Manager; and Terry Sanders, Ozark Action Executive Director.
Ozark Action seeks local landlords as regional housing demand grows
Following the recent receipt of a $12,000 grant to support regional housing vouchers, officials with Ozark Action Inc. say finding safe, affordable rental units for local residents remains a growing challenge across south-central Missouri. more
|
The Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce and Missouri State University–West Plains partnered Tuesday to host a welcome luncheon for new teachers at Hass-Darr Hall on the MSU-WP campus. About 100 faculty, staff and administrators from West Plains R-7 and surrounding rural schools attended the event. MSU-WP Chancellor Zora Mulligan delivered opening remarks, and the chamber provided lunch. Attendees received gift bags sponsored by local businesses, including Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, Caterpillar, Safe Harbor Yoga and Wellness, Wood & Huston Bank, Ozarks Healthcare and West Plains Bank & Trust Company. Classes begin Aug. 24 for all public school districts across Howell County.
Luncheon welcomes new teachers
      more
FYI
Howell County Commission to meet Monday The Howell County Commission will hold a meeting at 10 a.m. Monday in the second-floor conference room of the Howell County Office Building, 35 Court … more
« Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 … 11 | Next »
Currently viewing stories posted within the past 182 days.
For all older stories, please use our advanced search.

X
© Copyright 2026 West Plains Daily Quill
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions
X