News | West Plains Daily Quill

Editorial Roundup: United States

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: Jan. 21 The Washington Post on SCOTUS, “Chevron deference” To hear some describe the stakes, a pair of cases argued … more

By The Associated Press | 1/23/24

West Plains R-7 Board votes to keep early-release Fridays on schedule

West Plains R-7 school board members voted on Jan. 16 to continue with early-release Fridays for the foreseeable future after weighing the pros and cons, including bringing the district's calendar more in line with surrounding rural K-8 schools and the likelihood of teachers would losing lesson planning and collaboration time if early-release Fridays were eliminated. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 1/23/24

Two charged in Hardy murder case

Two Arkansas residents have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder following the investigation of a Jan. 8 stabbing death in Hardy, Ark., Fulton County Arkansas Sheriff Jake Smith announced Friday. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 1/23/24

The finalists for consideration as Missouri State University’s next president upon the retirement of Clif Smart at the end of this school year are, from left, Dr. John Jasinski, Dr. Roger Thompson and Dr. Richard Williams.

Missouri State announces three finalists for president

The Missouri State University Board of Governors has approved three finalists to be considered as the next president of the university. more

1/23/24

Each year the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes a citizen who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to community service and volunteerism. This year, Terry Sanders, left, was named Citizen of the Year for his hard work, including serving on the Community Foundation of West Plains board, the Senior Age Board of Directors, West Plains City Planning &amp; Zoning Board, Rural LISC, the 2013 City of West Plains Charter Commission Board and the L.E.A.D. West Plains Advisory Board. He has been an employee of Ozark Action for 44 years and is the current executive director. "His tireless commitment to serving the community through volunteerism and education and dry sense of humor makes him the ideal and very deserving Citizen of the Year," said presenter Eric Gibson.

Chamber awards banquet highlights achievements of 2023

The Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards ceremony Thursday at the West Plains Civic Center, a night of socializing and celebrating the achievements of educators, volunteers, businesses, charities and individuals and their efforts in making West Plains a great place to live. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 1/23/24

Micah Jones, formerly of Fayetteville, Ark., left, was recently sworn in as the newest public defender to serve in the 37th Judicial Circuit. Administering the oath was Presiding Circuit Judge Steven Privette. Jones is a May 2023 graduate of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Law School, and he completed his undergraduate studies at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. He is a graduate of Fayetteville High School. Following his swearing-in, Jones signed a roster of attorneys that predates the establishment of the Missouri Bar, back to 1875. Privette explained attorneys would first come before the presiding judge and be quizzed about law before being allowed to practice, having proved their credentials to the judge's satisfaction. Jones joins Corri Mader-Twillman and Jack Paisley as the latest to be sworn in as Howell County public defenders.

Micah Jones sworn in as Howell County's newest public defender

1/23/24

A search warrant executed Jan. 12 by deputies with the Howell County Sheriff's Office Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Division resulted in the arrest of Johnson C. Burks on drug and weapons charges.

Search warrant in Mtn. View area uncovers homemade gun, drugs, say authorities

A Mtn. View resident charged in November with receiving stolen property has now been charged with four felonies after a search warrant was executed at his home and drugs and weapons, including a homemade shotgun, were allegedly found. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 1/23/24

Editorial Roundup: Missouri

St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 19, 2024. Editorial: Once again, harassing trans citizens is a top priority for Missouri politicians Rest easy, Missouri — your state legislators are … more

By The Associated Press | 1/23/24

West Plains' city flag, adopted in 2019, earned sixth place out of 312 flags nationwide in a survey conducted by an organization dedicated to the study of flags.

WP City Council reschedules special session for Tuesday

The West Plains City Council delayed a special meeting, initially scheduled for Monday night, due to hazardous road conditions. It has been postponed until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 1910 Holiday Lane. more

1/22/24

This shot taken looking uphill, toward downtown West Plains, on Worcester Street, shows the deceptively thin glaze of ice covering surfaces, as well as the remnants of last week's snowfall. It was taken at about 10:45 a.m. Monday as rain continued to fall and freeze upon contact with the ground.

Freezing rain closes schools, businesses one last time before forecast warm-up

One last round of wintry precipitation — this time, freezing rain — associated with an Arctic front that moved into the area Jan. 12, caused another round of cancellations by the majority of area schools on Monday, as well as local government buildings and several businesses. more

BY ABBY HESS, ABBYH@WPDAILY.QUILL.NET | 1/22/24

AP-Network 8:15 aes

Winter Weather (COPY:V0088) <<CAT:Weather>> Winter Weather-icy roads apa355114-Actuality--CONWAY, Ark. -(Jacob Reynolds, director, Conway Arkansas Department of … more

1/22/24

Pedestrian crossing Porter Wagoner Blvd. critically injured, say police

Officers with the West Plains Police Department responded to a pedestrian-involved traffic crash at 5:34 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Porter Wagoner Boulevard and West Seventh Street. more

1/19/24

West Plains Elementary School fourth grade teacher Angela Phipps, right, was named the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year during the chamber’s annual awards banquet held Thursday evening at the civic center. The award was presented by Missouri State University-West Plains Chancellor Dennis Lancaster, who praised Phipps' caring and accommodation of her students' unique learning needs, her ability to inspire youngsters through enthusiasm and praise, and her efforts to communicate with parents. Phipps was nominated for the honor by her coworkers, students and other community members, and was also named the 2023 Educator of the Year by the West Plains R-7 School District. For more in-depth coverage of the banquet and awards presented, look for Wednesday’s issue of the Quill.

Angela Phipps named Educator of Year by WP chamber

1/19/24

West Plains native Travis Smith, now a resident of Twin Bridges in Douglas County, has announced his intention to run for the 33rd District State Senate seat currently held by Republican Karla Eslinger, Wasola, Ozark County. Eslinger has said she will not run for re-election. Smith, also a Republican, is in his second term in the Missouri House of Representatives, serving the 155th District.

Travis Smith announces bid for 33rd District Senate seat

State Rep. Travis Smith, Twin Bridges and formerly of West Plains, announced his candidacy for the State Senate on Thursday. He is running for the 33rd District seat currently held by Karla Eslinger, Wasola, who will not seek reelection at the conclusion of her term. more

1/18/24

Fairview announces preschool, kindergarten screening dates

Fairview School is offering two dates for preschool and kindergarten screenings for the 2024-2025 school year. more

1/18/24

AP-Network 5:15 pes

Biden Congress <<CAT:Government and Politics>> Biden Congress-floor 171 apa354271-Actuality--CAPITOL HILL-(Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.)-“us next … more

1/17/24

$Photos of sun pillars have been popping up on social media the past few days, as air temperatures plummeted and winter precipitation moved in. The phenomenon, shown here from a vantage point off of Independence Drive in West Plains, is related to the same conditions that cause sun dogs or halos around the sun or moon, the interaction of sunlight or moonlight with ice crystals in the atmosphere, according to the National Weather Service. Sun pillars happen at sunrise or sunset, when the sun is low on the horizon, and are a reflection of the light off of ice crystals related to cirrus clouds, the NWS says. Sun dogs and halos, on the other hand, are a refraction of light similar to when white light passes through a prism and can sometimes create a rainbow effect.$

Sun flare a trick of light from Old Man Winter

1/17/24

An image of a dairy cow is seen on the back of a Kemps tractor trailer as it moves along the snowy eastbound lane of U.S. Highway 20 during a blizzard near Holstein, Iowa, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

AP Photos: This is what it looks like as winter blasts the US into a deep freeze

Winter turned its icy glare on the U.S. this week, blanketing cities and states from east to west with snow and sending temperatures into an Arctic spiral. In Buffalo, New York, residents trekked … more

By The Associated Press | 1/17/24

A Jan. 10 law enforcement search of a home on the 300 block of West Maple Street in West Plains reportedly turned up a variety of controlled substances including meth, psilocybin mushrooms, hydromorphone hydrochloride, methadone, Clonazepam, Adderall, tramadol hydrochloride, Alprazolam and Lorazepam. About $3,000 in cash was also seized during the event, as well as two rifles, a shotgun and a handgun, plus ammunition, police said.

Drug raid on Maple nets two arrests, seizure of multiple weapons and drugs

Two people have been charged after a narcotics warrant was served Jan. 10 at a home on the 300 block of West Maple Street in West Plains, resulting in the seizure of drug paraphernalia, suspected methamphetamine and other illegal controlled substances, a large amount of cash, and guns, say police. more

BY KIMBERLYLANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 1/17/24

AG Bailey warns of winter weather scams

In an effort to inform and protect consumers, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is warnin consumers of the potential for winter weather scams. more

1/17/24