David N. Plyushchev, 22, West Plains, has been charged by grand jury indictment with felony second-degree statutory rape after a traffic stop led to the investigation of Plyushchev as the probable father of teen's baby. more

As the bitter cold continues through the first half of the week, and with a slight possibility of a further dusting of snow today, several area schools have called off in-person classes for Tuesday. more

Officials with St. Paul Lutheran Church announce the blood drive at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Willow Springs for today, Friday, January 12, has been canceled due to inclement weather. more

A Seymour resident who is charged with 52 misdemeanor counts of animal neglect or abandonment, and has been charged with felonies related to an earlier arrest, has filed correspondence in court suggesting her constitutional civil rights were infringed upon when she was taken into custody on Oct. 14, 2023, for failure to appear in Ava municipal court for a traffic ticket. more

More than a dozen area school districts and Head Start programs canceled classes Friday ahead of a forecast that includes strong winds, a sharp temperature drop and the possibility of snow. more

Thanks to two West Plains-based efforts to stoke the Christmas spirit and give families and kids a little boost, nearly 700 area children who might not otherwise have had much to celebrate got to be included in the holiday festivities. more

Editor’s note: The following article describes a case of alleged sexual abuse of children spanning several years. While care has been taken to report on these charges with sensitivity to survivors and readers, it may still be disturbing to read. See something, say something: If you suspect a child is being abused, call the Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline, 800-392-3738. If you are experiencing domestic or sexual violence, or if you’re a survivor of the same needing support, call Christos House’s hotline, 800-611-5853.
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The Willow Springs School District received what officials describe as “a generous donation” from the Paul family to go toward the high school Career and Technical Education Programs. more

The investigation of a non-fatal shooting on Jan. 3 in Ozark Acres, Ark., has resulted in weapon and drug-related charges being filed against the alleged shooter in Sharp County, Ark. more

An alleged assault with a knife during an apparent attempt to steal a pair of tennis shoes has led to four felony charges filed against a West Plains man with a lengthy criminal history. more

It’s a boy! more

For the second time in a month, vandalism to machines at the Laundry Land laundromat ON Porter Wagoner Boulevard has resulted in felony property damage charges being filed, this time against two people who were apparently involved in the same incident. The suspects were reportedly recorded committing the alleged crimes on surveillance video during the incidents. more

Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains has announced the arrival of the first baby born in 2024 at its Women’s Center, Waylon Cooper.  more

A no-bond warrant has been issued for Patrick Lee Paul, 26, on felony charges in Shannon County, including a count of of second-degree murder. The public records show he was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning before Associate 37th Circuit Judge Sandra Brewer in Shannon County. more

A generous donation of $65,000 to the Alton Multipurpose Senior Center made by the Alton Bank, its employees, and the Combs family is going to go far in expanding the facility, a need that has been identified for some time, according to senior center board member Richard Todd. more

Franklin Delano “Denny” Roth II has announced his candidacy for the Missouri 8th District U.S. Congressional seat currently held by Republican Rep. Jason Smith, of Salem. 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

A man from Olathe, Kan., has been charged with receiving stolen property after allegedly being found in possession of a vehicle belonging to the apparent victim of a Shannon County homicide. more